It’s 7 a.m., pitch black outside and the sun has no intention of making an appearance any time soon. When it does, it begrudgingly eeks out nine hours of sunlight, if you’re lucky.

These are the darkest days of the year, blamed for bad moods, poor health and seasonal depression. When you can’t count on the sun to brighten your attitude, the next best mood enhancer might be at the nearest florist.

Terry Robertson Smith of Rubia Flower Market says flowers are a great, affordable way to brighten even the darkest winter days.

“Something about having a stem or two of a pretty flower — roses, Gerber daisies, lilies — in the bathroom makes you feel good about yourself,” she says.

At Rubia, each Wednesday fresh flowers are delivered, and there are a number of customers who come in weekly to select fresh cut flowers for their office or home.

“I think Martha Stewart has had a big impact on that. She emphasizes home design and has turned domestication into an art form,” explains Smith.

Rita Zawisza is one of those regular customers at Rubia and admits she goes straight for the roses.

“It is such a treat to get any color rose in the rainbow. I just have a field day.”

She buys fresh flowers every week, saying, “Fresh flowers make me feel good. I have a coffee table with a huge arrangement, which is different every week. People always comment on them.”

An average customer at Rubia spends $18 to $20 a week. And that buys a bounty of beautiful flowers. For about $25 a customer can purchase 12 roses, 10 Gerber daisies and a cut flower bouquet.

Dave Garrett of Garrett’s Flowers in Lafayette sees a regular customer base as well. “I have customers who come in each week to purchase flowers for their offices,” he says.

“I always tell people to go for bright colored flowers this time of year. Fresh flowers have been proven psychologically to make us feel better; I don’t know how it works, but flowers brighten people’s lives.”

He suggests carnations, which come in a wonderful array of colors, last a long time and have a spicy fragrance.

Smith, who professes a love for flowers since a young girl, uses flowers to brighten her home. “Oh, gosh, I have flowers everywhere. On Wednesdays when the flower delivery comes in, I’m like a little kid. I have them next to my bed, on the island in the kitchen, in the bathroom and in my home office.”

She says aim for 10 to 20 stems with just a hint of fragrance so that you notice the color and scent as soon as you walk in the room.

Popular cut flower choices are roses, Gerber daisies, lilies and mums. These also are the more fragrant stems. Smith also recommends gynestia: “One stem is really nice.”

Upscale is in as well, says Smith. “People are educating themselves more about flowers and are looking for more upscale and pricier flowers, like roses, lilies, amaryllis and orchids in pots.”

Garrett says you can make a simple but beautiful flower arrangement by putting a water glass filled with tepid water in a basket with sides. Arrange flowers in your hand, then place in the basket.

Zawisza, who is events coordinator for the John Purdue Club, uses flowers to liven up dinners and tent events, relying on sunflowers and mums to carry Purdue’s black and gold theme.

“But I’ve broken out and been a rebel. At an event near Valentine’s Day, the whole room was decked out in pink flowers. …And I have used red and white at Christmas!”

source : www.jconline.com