A little care goes a long way. These simple steps can add days to your flowers' beauty.
The short version: cool spot, fresh water, a fresh cut, and the flower food packet.
Where should I put my flowers?
Somewhere cool, around 65–72°F, out of direct sun and away from heating and cooling vents, ceiling fans, radiators and the tops of electronics, which all dry flowers out.
Keep them away from fruit bowls too. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which makes flowers age faster.
My flowers came in a vase
- Top up the water daily. Flowers drink a lot in the first few days.
- Every two or three days, or whenever the water looks cloudy, empty the vase, rinse it and refill with fresh water and flower food.
- When you change the water, trim 1–2 inches off each stem at an angle with a sharp knife or clean shears.
- Remove any leaves below the waterline; they rot and feed bacteria.
My flowers came in floral foam
Keep the foam soaked. Check it daily and add water to the container until the foam is saturated; it should feel heavy, not dry on top. Don't try to remove the flowers from the foam.
My hand-tied bouquet needs a vase
Fill a clean vase with cool water and the flower food. Keep the tie in place, trim an inch off the stems, and set the bouquet in. The tie holds the shape our designer created.
What about branches and woody stems?
For branches like quince, forsythia or lilac, cut the stems with sharp pruning shears and place them in warm water with fresh flower food to help the blooms open.
What does flower food do?
Flower food feeds the blooms and slows the bacteria that clog stems. It's one of the easiest ways to make flowers last. Mix it exactly as the packet says; too strong or too weak does more harm than good.
How long will my flowers last?
It depends on the flowers. Carnations, chrysanthemums and orchids can last two weeks or more; roses, tulips and hydrangeas are more fleeting but worth it. Ask us when you order and we'll tell you what to expect.
Something wilted early. What should I do?
Wilting hydrangeas often revive if you submerge the whole head in cool water for 30 minutes, then recut the stem. For anything else, call us at (503) 288-5537. We stand behind our flowers.
