On visiting my wholesaler this week it was very uplifting to be greeted by an array of spring flowers welcoming the buyers. The intensity of colour and smell was wonderful and very encouraging. I was amazed at the wide range of tulip colours now available and realised that thanks to the daily importing of stock from Europe how very fortunate we are to be able to enjoy such a wide choice of cut flowers year-round in our homes.
To get the best from your flowers once you get them home here are some useful tips.
- Unwrap flowers as soon as possible and remove ties.
- Cut the end of the stems at a slant with a sharp pair of scissors. Remove any foliage that will fall under the water line of your arrangement to prevent bacterial growth.
- Stand flowers in a clean container filled with lukewarm water and add flower food.
- Place the flowers in a well ventilated, cool place.
- Remove any damaged leaves or flowers.
This process is known as conditioning and really prolongs the life of your flowers.
With Valentine's Day, Mothering Sunday and Easter already in sight I am looking forward to using new colours and varieties to create some eye-catching arrangements. Some of my favourite flowers are Ranunculus, Grape Hyacinth, Salix caprea - Pussy Willow, Iris, some of the mini Gerberas 'Davy Jones' and Virburnum opulus . There are also some fun and different floral accessories available to make your arrangements really individual.
Please make sure to contact me for any of your floral requirements. |
