I’m back to share my latest budget bouquet — a sweet little monthly gift my husband surprised me with at Christmas. For March I picked up a mixed bunch from the grocery store that felt bright and cheerful, perfect for this time of year.

One of the things I love about a mixed bouquet is how it changes as you move the vase — or in my case, an old bathroom drinking glass turned makeshift vase. Different stems reveal different focal points, so the arrangement feels fresh from every angle.

There’s a large pink bloom that immediately draws the eye, paired with playful lime-green flowers and several smaller pink blossoms. The contrast in size and color gives the arrangement energy and a springtime feel.

I always try to get at least two arrangements from one $4.99 grocery bouquet, which brings the cost down to under $2.50 per display. Splitting the stems lets me style a taller arrangement and a shorter, fuller arrangement to spread color around the house.

The other half of the bouquet revealed these interesting purple flowers — they’re like flowers with tiny flowers on them, delicate white starbursts nestled at the centers like miniature blooms growing from each petal cluster. It’s a fun texture that adds depth to the arrangement.

Can you tell what these flowers are? Grocery bouquets rarely include identification cards, and I admit my flower knowledge is pretty modest. If you recognize any of these varieties, I’d love to hear what they are so I can learn more about care and peak bloom times.

The most surprising part of this monthly budget-bouquet experiment has been how long these grocery-store stems last. With regular care — changing the water every few days, trimming the stems once a week, and removing any leaves that sit below the water line — each bouquet has stayed attractive for weeks. My January and February arrangements each lasted more than 21 days, and I’m crossing my fingers that this March mix keeps going well into April.

If you’re trying to stretch a small floral budget, here are a few simple tips that have worked for me: recut stems at an angle before placing them back in fresh water, use a clean vase to minimize bacteria, remove wilted leaves or blooms promptly, and keep arrangements out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. These small steps make a noticeable difference in how long the flowers stay vibrant.

Has spring arrived where you are? Are you doing anything special to welcome warmer weather — from refreshing decor and spring cleaning to planting seeds or rearranging your home? I’d love to hear how you’re bringing a little spring indoors, and any affordable flower or care tips you might share.