These days, we go several weeks without fresh flowers in our home… Perhaps a sign of more frugal times, relatively speaking. We might replace fresh flowers with blooming orchids that last several weeks — phalaenopsis or butterfly orchids if splurging, or more reasonably priced dendrobiums which cost just PHP90-120 a pot at the right sources. But as the holidays draw near, self-control carefully exercised for most of the year, will rapidly give way to the festive season, and fresh and potted plants will re-appear in abundance. And if one has bothered to make a trip to the wholesale flower markets at Dangwa in Sampaloc, Manila, then you might as well buy enough to make your trip worthwhile.
“L”, our in-house florist and MM apprentice for several years (who also does several other jobs in the home), now makes the trip to Dangwa on her own, and knows how to pick the freshest of blooms, not to mention bargain like it’s a matter of life and death. She recently made a trip and returned with a bounty of roses. Some 25+ dozen assorted orange, yellow and red roses. We managed to make 5 “bloom-heavy” arrangements for the house, four arrangements for crypts at a church, and several odd blooms left over.
“L” also pretty much arranged all of the blooms by herself, with little help from MM. My favorite is the tall arrangement of yellow-orange roses. Their long stems forced to fit ramrod straight up in a tall glass vase. The “line” of this arrangement and effusive burst of blooms on top were simply striking.
Another arrangement of yellow roses was placed in a small tan colored hand-made ceramic vase. On a low table near a reading chair, it worked well to brighten up the space.
Finally, two of three similarly sized arrangements that were used for a dinner party. There are 3-4 dozen red roses massed in each vase and they looked and smelled terrific. Total cost for all of these flowers (excluding a commute or car ride to Dangwa)? Just under PHP900 or roughly $22. Not bad, huh?
23 Responses
I have been on decor/Christmas mode and since I got a good dozen of roses in Tagaytay that lasted me almost a week, I told myself that I’d try to have fresh flowers until the holidays. I hope I dont get to break my budget with that! If only Dangwa wasn’t so far!
I love the orange roses too :) Thanks for sharing…
Wow! I’ve never seen that color of roses before, I think. Isn’t Dangwa great!?
Was happy to discover too that they built a new stall for flower vendors near the Tagaytay market. Good price too – they say those flowers are grown in Cavite, not sourced from Dangwa, and the prices reflect that. Very convenient for me – more flowers now for the wife!
Wow, i love the colors of those roses!!!!! you really amaze me with your arrangements.
Nice arrangements MM.
Simple but classic and elegant! What a refreshing site to greet you on a Lazy Sunday morning.
I’m glad that your creative juices are flowing again. But please once in a while, stop and smell the roses.
MM, I could be wrong but I thought that the Dangwa Flower Market is in the Sampaloc area – along Dimasalang Street. But maybe there is another one in Santa Mesa?
ECC, you are absolutely right!? I have such a hard time with names… post to be revised, NOW. Thanks.
love the yellow blooms…
Makes me want to go to the flower mart in downtown L.A. I miss Dangwa though…I used to live in Sampaloc. A short jeepney ride would bring me to the flower mart there.
Thanks for sharing!
Quick question though MM, do you “clean” each stem before you do your arrangements>? I mean do you remove all the thorns and peel off some of the greener petals? That is the only hassle that I don’t like with home arrangements. It looks like you do that, but wanted to make sure…. in case there is a way to avoid this tedious step.
acmr, good question, and I thought I had posted about “tools of the trade”… will do that next, in answer to your queries and for the benefit of the entire readership.
“L” is a good student, MM…the arrangementls are :major major” beautiful!
Can I be also an “L” (or any letter you like) and apprentice in your home? :)
beautiful!!! looking forward to your “tools of the trade†post. :)
Loving the orange and yellow arrangements!
I love red roses… they’re my favorite flower.
i love the yellow orange roses! thanks for sharing…
I was looking for a budget hotel close to Sampaloc church for some of my relatives coming from the province. And I saw one close to Dangwa. My hipag said it was ok, although they did not get one with the aircondition, the location was well worth it. If I would be coming to Philippines next year and would have to find a place to stay 1-2 day in Sampaloc, I might try this place especailly because of the flowers. Hahahha, I probably spent on buying flowers the money I save for the budget hotel.
Beautiful arrangements, MM! Your photos bring me back to prom night when I got my date an orange rose boutonniere to match my dress and to my debut when my boyfriend gave me 18 long stemmed red roses. The nostalgia they bring out is simply priceless.
Hats off to L for being such a good apprentice. Galing!
Market Man:
Question: Do you use external light source for your photos? If you, which would you recommend that’s handy and can be brought to a resto. I don’t want to hit flash but I also don’t want an umbrella of a reflector.
Your photos are fantastic!
ToT, these were all taken with natural light. Shots were taken indoors, next to large glass sliding doors with indirect sunlight outdoors…
I am looking for a florist for March 5th to just to do the bouquets and the reception decor. Please let me know if you know of anyone who are able to do it for 32k. Thank you.
Good day MM,
how i love this site of yours, so many articles on subjects that i enjoy most…thanks for sharing especially on roses, my fave flower. i got thrilled by ur photos and reading your food blogs. i also love going to markets of various places i was lucky to visit… i watched u with Jessica Soho last saturday, that’s how i found ur site..keep it up!
God bless,
Lota
Quezon City