The local market sells fresh flowers that are much cheaper than the florist down the street, but the grocery bouquets lack flair and grace. However, if you buy several bunches and separate their contents, you can turn ordinary market flowers into creative centerpieces.

• Time to divide: Buy a mixed bouquet, which are plentiful at grocery stores. They usually include lilies, roses, carnations and other flowers. While they provide a plethora of colors, mixed bouquets often resemble a confusing combination of sizes, styles and textures.

• Contrast colors: You should never mix more than two contrasting colors in the same vase of flowers. Mix vibrant colors, such as red carnations with yellow solidago.

• Cut, cut, cut: Red roses are always plentiful, but the bouquets with roses usually include baby’s breath or other greenery. To create a richer and more dramatic bouquet, cut the stems so the roses are grouped to form a dark red cluster. Don’t be afraid to lose those long stems.

• Contrast textures: If you mix spiky flowers with round berries, the elements of your bouquet will complement each other. You should choose varieties with noticeably different shapes and textures when pairing dissimilar flowers.

• Make it monochromatic: Choose a color theme and stick with it. For example, if your girlfriend’s favorite color is pink, choose all the pink blooms in the bouquet and arrange them nicely. Assorted flowers of different shapes, sizes and textures can be mixed if they are all the same color.

• Mass movement: You can buy cheaper flowers like carnations in larger bunches and create a mass arrangement. Ordinary flowers look more sophisticated in big bunches.

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