You know the saying, all good things must come to an end? Well, sadly this statement is true when it comes to our fav florals, but that doesn’t mean can’t try to keep those petals from plummeting! We’ve asked the experts of Winston Flowers for a refresher course on how to make arrangements last longer – so, get ready for flowers with staying power with the long-lasting botanics below!
MAKING CUT FLOWERS LAST
Tips by Winston Flowers
Basic Tips for Longevity
- To arrange loose flowers, fill a clean container with water and flower preservative. Remove foliage that will be below water level. Cut each stem at an angle with a sharp knife and place flowers in water right away.
- If flowers are already arranged, immediately check the water level and add water to fill the container to the top. Display your arrangement in a cool location, out of direct sunlight.
- In general, for all flowers, avoid extreme temperatures and keep the water clean. Fewer stems in the vase means less bacteria—and therefore, a longer lifespan.
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Protea | Enchanting, tropical blooms perched on tall, sturdy stems. Many varieties of protea are quite large and look gorgeous en masse in a ceramic vase. They have a prolonged life in a vase due to their woodsy nature and don’t require a lot of water to live. Even as they dry out, they continue looking beautiful and lively.
Calla Lilies | Traditionally long-lasting—and their sculptural, architectural design look best when displayed singularly or as a cluster. Check the water every other day to keep it clear. Remove individual calla lilies as they begin to fade or droop, and the rest should remain fresh.
Foliages | Tropical plants such as palms or monstera, traditionally last longer than flowers, especially if the water is kept clear. They add to a beautiful tablescape when displayed in assorted vases. For larger leaves, display as one per vase; and for smaller leaves, display in a collection or group of mixed leaves.
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Berries | (such as hypericum berries) can be displayed in a collection of interesting vases or mixed with other woodland textures for a fuller bouquet. Be sure to check the water every other day to make sure it doesn’t get cloudy.
Amaryllis | Large trumpet-shaped flowers that are beloved throughout the holiday and winter months. The stems have multiple blossoms that bloom in succession, which adds to its longevity of its display. Amaryllis have beautiful, thick stems that should be shown off in a clear, tall glass vase.
Cymbidium Orchids | Known for their longevity, these large, exotic flowers are best displayed as a single stem in a vase. The key is to keep the display pure and simple, allowing the flower to radiate its natural beauty.
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Thistle | A unique, spiny bloom with a cone center. It comes in a variety of bold colors—like the in striking blue ‘Super Nova’ variety, as well as green and purple. Its sculptural form adds distinctive texture to bouquets, and also looks sophisticated and beautiful when singularly displayed in a vase.
Ornithogalum | Also known as Star-of-Bethlehem based on its star-shaped flowers, ornithogalum are beautiful when clustered together. The stems are skinny, so they fit perfectly in a vase with a smaller neck. With its multiple blooms along the stem, simply remove the blossoms that have wilted and the others will continue to bloom—giving it a longer life.
Chrysanthemums | A longer-lasting flower. Larger varieties, like DecoNova and Fuji, are best displayed on their own to appreciate the enormous blossom. Smaller varieties look lovely when displayed en masse.
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Ivy | Represents eternity—and is known to last quite a long time. It adds romance and movement when crowning a single variety floral design, and also looks lovely as an accompaniment to a single stem in a bud vase.
Hybrid Tea Roses | A cross between hybrid perpetuals and old fashioned tea roses. These hybrid roses were created with all the virtues you look for in a flower: beauty, fragrance, easy care and a tendency to last longer than traditional garden roses. Roses are best displayed as a compact bouquet and will live longer when the stems are cut shorter.
Casablanca Lilies | Notoriously long lasting, as they take about a week to even begin opening. The dramatic white blossoms give off an irresistible scent. To keep fresh, change the water ever few days and recut ½ inch off the stem. Keep away from direct sunlight.
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