Is it just me or has anyone else got stuck in a flower rut? I know what I like. I buy. I arrange. I enjoy. But is it becoming just a tiny bit boring? With Valentine's Day around the corner I decided to visit my local florist, Kiera for a lesson in diversification.

She began by introducing me to some alternative vase forms: eclectic tea tins and gaudy gold jugs, jam jars jazzed up with string and fishbowls perfect for an exotic statement. The flowers below all cost under $20, some under $10. The aim isn't decadence, but originality. Flowers can be showcased in almost any container.

Another option is to think sustainable and plant trees and shrubs you can cut from, such as the gorgeous native Kruse's Mallee, Ashby's Banksia and Kangaroo Paw. These can be coupled with flowers or stand on their own.

Frangipani is another winner. It's fragrant and beautiful and you can put them in a small wide bowl to scent the room or simply pop one behind your ear or in your hair, Pacific-style.

Put arrangements where they aren't expected, in containers they aren't expected to be seen in. Odd-shaped and coloured sauce bottles and quirky jugs are perfect. The odd weather-beaten old jar washed up at the beach oozes character too.

Challenge yourself to be creative. The rewards are many. The flowers look good and you feel good too, because you created them.

Alstromeria and berzillia berry

Anthurium

Dahlias

Friendship orchids

Poison rose