The Friends of the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library is hosting a demonstration on floral arrangements on Sunday in Holland Hall.

The event is part of the Friends’ regular program schedule held on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Dr. Jim DelPrince, assistant extension professor and horticulture specialist at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center, will conduct the presentation on Valentine’s Day floral arrangements.

“When we think about Valentine’s Day, it’s a day for expression of love,” DelPrince said. “What does that best but flowers?”

DelPrince will provide tips and information on how to care for and arrange bouquets given during the holiday, he said.

When someone receives flowers, “they’re in a bundle, so how do you arrange them to get you a pretty, long lasting display?” DelPrince said.

From container choices to decorative tips, he hopes to provide a fun afternoon while increasing appreciation of the work that goes into creating a professional floral arrangement, DelPrince said.

During the presentation, he will work with flowers like carnations.

“Sometimes people think carnations are sort of mundane, but they’re not really. Their colors are so beautiful and saturated,” he said.

The program will also use classic Valentine’s Day flowers like tulips and roses.

However, for this particular program, DelPrince said his message is to hire a professional for all floral needs.

“I don’t think we hear enough of that these days. The stereotype of extension is how to do this and how to save money,” he said.

But, hiring a professional to do it can actually save money in the long run, DelPrince said.

Building a relationship with a local florist can ensure high quality arrangements, and even earn a discount if orders are placed ahead of time, especially for holidays, he said.

“We have wonderful florists in the state of Mississippi, including in the Picayune area,” DelPrince said. “There’s a lot of artistry in the professional world of floral design.”

DelPrince recommends placing orders at a local florist at least a week in advance.

“Florists love it when you order early; oftentimes there are incentives, like lower pricing or discounted delivery,” he said.

And because Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, he also recommends having the arrangements delivered on Monday so loved ones can enjoy them throughout the week.

“One basic thing that a lot of people don’t do, is add water to the arrangement,” DelPrince said.

That is important to keep in mind when receiving a flower delivery or arranging them at home, he said.

“When it comes to using flower food, my recommendation is to follow the directions on the packet,” DelPrince said. “Many times people don’t follow directions to a ‘T’ and the flower food will not be as effective.”

The program will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15 in Holland Hall at the Crosby Memorial Library, located at 900 Memorial Boulevard in Picayune. The program is free to the public.

“The library is also a wonderful resource for books and other materials about gardening,” DelPrince said.