As we like to do each month, we treated ourselves to an inexpensive bouquet to keep the house feeling fresh. The idea began as a sweet surprise years ago, and it’s become a low-cost ritual that brings a little seasonal cheer indoors. For July—our anniversary month—we picked up a bunch of gladiolus from the grocery store for just $2.39, a frugal find that felt fitting for the occasion.
Why gladiolus for an anniversary bouquet? Three years ago we gave our wedding guests a garden-themed favor that featured gladiolus bulbs. For our backyard wedding we used simple brown mini paper bags and tucked a single gladiolus bulb into each one, along with handwritten planting instructions on the back. Gladiolus bulbs were one of the few bulbs suitable for late-season planting, so they made a perfect take-home gift. On the front of each bag we clipped a photostrip that tied into our photostrip save-the-date and the photobooth we had at the reception. The photostrip on the favor had a playful photo of John covered in lipstick kisses while we held signs that read: “Plant one… on us! *smooooch*.”
Many friends and family members actually planted their gladiolus bulbs and now enjoy blooms in their own yards every summer—my mom, for example, reliably sends photos of hers each year. Our bulbs, however, tend to sprout leaves but never quite get enough sun to flower, so we opted to buy a fresh bouquet this time to fill that floral gap. The grocery-store gladiolus provided exactly what we wanted: tall, sculptural stalks and a sweet pink hue that brightens a room.
We especially love how the gladiolus looks in a curvy green vase we received as a birthday gift. The vase’s shape complements the vertical drama of the stalks, giving the arrangement a modern, sculptural feel that elevates even the simplest grocery-store bouquet. Displaying inexpensive flowers in a special vessel is an easy trick to make a cheap bouquet look curated and intentional.
Although we didn’t share this July bouquet in July itself, it still feels seasonal and celebratory. We’ll be back with August blooms soon and plan to keep the monthly ritual going so we don’t miss any more months. Small, recurring moments like these—whether it’s a three-dollar bouquet, a few stems from the garden, or a bit of greenery from a farmer’s market—make a home feel tended and alive.
If you enjoy the idea of modest, budget-friendly bouquets, there are lots of ways to collect inexpensive blooms throughout the year. Try checking grocery stores, local markets, or your own yard for free or low-cost options. Pairing simple stems with a distinctive vase, trimming foliage for better proportion, and arranging flowers with attention to line and balance can take a bargain bouquet to the next level. Even a single type of flower, like gladiolus, looks stunning when given space to shine in a tall, narrow vessel.
We’ve shared previous monthly bouquets before—look for posts with titles such as “Budget Blooms: Think Pink,” “Budget Blooms: What the Heck Are These,” and “Budget Blooms: April Showers-er-Flowers,” as well as earlier and more recent installments that track our cheap and cheerful floral finds through the seasons. Each month offers a new chance to experiment with color, texture, and scale without spending much money.
Now it’s your turn: have you picked up any affordable or free flowers lately? Maybe you found a pop of color at the grocery store, gathered cuttings from your own yard, or discovered a seasonal bargain at a market. Share what flowers or garden finds you’re enjoying this month—whether it’s gladiolus, roses, sedum, or simple greenery, we’d love to hear what’s brightening your space.