Brighten Your Space with Fresh Flowers!

One of the simplest ways to create an inviting space is with fresh flowers. Fresh florals can be cut from your garden, around the neighborhood, or picked up at the grocery.

When choosing florals from the store, take time to pick out the freshest blooms. Skip any flowers that look bruised or easily drop petals as these are already on their way out.

The time between picking out flowers and getting them home is the most crucial, due to how quickly stems can dry out. Ensure proper hydration by keeping a basic five-gallon home improvement store bucket in the back of your car. Add approximately four inches of water to the bottom of the bucket for your flowers to stay hydrated on the way home. Trader Joes is my favorite place to source blooms. They offer buckets with water for free. Just ask a worker or look under the platforms the orchids are displayed (typically you can find the buckets with water hidden there for you to use).

Once you get home, there are two essential steps to follow to ensure your fresh flowers will last the longest possible time.

1 - Cut the Stems: One of the most common mistakes people make after getting flowers is forgetting to cut the stems. Use sharp shears to trim one to two inches off and cut at an angle. Cutting the stems at an angle allows for better water intake since they aren’t sitting flat on the bottom of a vase.

Trim the stems regularly. You may trim the stems every time you change the water, or at least every few days.

2 - Change the Water: Replace the water every day to keep your flowers fresh. Placing a few drops of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar is an easy way to feed the flowers and keep them happy.

Here are a few tips on famous Spring blooms:

• Tulips grow a few inches after they are cut and will continue to grow/reach toward the closest light source so keep in bright light, near or in a window.

• Look for hyacinths that are planted or with the bulb. They last much longer if left on the bulb and you can plant that bulb in your garden to enjoy next year!

• Daffodils should not be put in a vase with other flowers. They secrete a substance that kills other flowers when in the same vase.

xo,

Bailey Rae