Living Valentine: A Heart-Shaped Basket of Primroses

A living heart of flowers says "I love you" on Valentine's Day—and the plants last long after February 14. Photographer Robin Cushman created the arrangement shown using a heart-shaped wicker basket (16½×15½×5½ inches) from a craft store and nine 4-inch pots of English primroses in deep rose to hot pink.

After sealing the basket with clear waterproof sealer and letting it dry, she lined it with black plastic (poking drainage holes), partially filled with rich potting soil, and planted the primroses close together, filling gaps with more soil. Watered regularly, the arrangement bloomed beautifully for three months before the primroses were transplanted into garden beds.

A gift that grows.