Fresh-cut flowers in your home is a great way to bring nature indoors and lifts your spirits. English Gardens experts have some great tips for keeping those blooms looking their best as long as possible.

Protect flowers from the extreme temperatures

• As a general rule, the cooler the temperature, the slower the flowers will open and the longer they will last.  However, fresh-cut flowers do not like temperatures below 32 degrees. During the late fall and winter when bringing flowers home, be sure to wrap them in paper to protect them from cold damage. Minimize exposure to the outside as much as possible to protect flowers from cold temperatures.
• Do not let your flowers sit in your car for any period of time. Pick up flowers and the store and go right home. Prolonged exposure to hot or cold temperatures can damage petals and leaves.
• Keep flowers away from direct sunlight.

Fact: The best place to transport flowers home is on the floor behind the driver seat of your vehicle, or secured in the backseat. Contact with heating or air vents will shorten their life and can cause damage to the petals. 

Make them Last

• Once your flowers are home, give all the stems a fresh cut and place them in your favorite vase with some fresh water. Using a sharp knife, or shears, cut everything on a 45-degree angle to maximize water intake.
• Remove and leaves that will be below the water line. Otherwise, the leaves will decompose, causing bacteria to grow, and shorten the lifespan of the flowers.
• Change the water every 2-3 days. This means dumping the water out, cleaning the vase or container, and giving the stems a fresh cut. This is the most important way to keep your flowers looking fresh for longer.
• Keep your arrangement away from heating and air vents, fans, and ripe fruit, which emit gases that can cause your flowers to age faster.
• Typically, if your flowers are wilting it means they aren’t getting enough water. Re-cut the stem and place it in deep warm water (roughly 100 degrees) for 3-4 hours, before placing them back in your arrangement. This is a great way to get a little more life out of your flowers.

English Gardens Florists have a large selection of ready-to-go bouquets, or have a floral design create something custom just for you. For more information on fresh-cut flowers, visit our Expert Tips Page, or visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.