Bring Winter Indoors with Farmers' Market Flowers

The flowers needed to craft a winter-wonderland table centerpiece are as near as the San Juan Capistrano Farmers' Market. Add a little imagination and tips from a local florist, then start singing along with Bing Crosby's White Christmas.

White flower options at the Farmers' Market range from spider mums to Casablanca lilies. Among white flowers brought to the market by Maldonado's are snapdragons for $2 for half a bunch and $3 for a full bunch and stargazers for $6 a stem. Hidalgo Flowers' market offerings include spider mums for $4 per bunch and Casablanca lilies for $7 per stem. Also consider breaking from tradition by selecting white poinsettias when they're available.

The number of stems needed to create a center piece or floral arrangement varies. Knowing what vase you plan to use before heading to the Farmers Market will help bring the floral vision to life whether it's a vertical or horizontal arrangement.  The types of flowers or the thickness of stems are variables to keep in mind.

Amir Zargar, owner of Mother Earth Flowers in San Juan Capistrano, suggests using white mistflower filler, Canterbury bells and white button mums. White anthuriums add a more exotic look to the winter theme. 

"It's important that a flower arrangement contain flowers that have the same life span," said Zargar. For example, a stock flower has a shorter life than a Casablanca and will not stand the test of time—wilting and dropping petals sooner.

Keep the flowers fresh by cutting the bottom of the stem and adding a floral packet to the water. If a floral packet doesn't come with the flowers, Zargar said, use 7Up or sugar. A sugar cube will keep flowers fresh and kill bacteria.

Zargar's other tips to add to the winter-wonderland motif:

• Use spray snow on the leaves
• Spray pine cones white
• Add white candles to white-flower centerpiece