Everyone loves to receive a bunch of flowers, but what do you do with them once the delivery van has disappeared? How often do you just pop them hastily in a vase with little thought for arranging?
People send us flowers as an expression of love or gratitude. Or we buy them for ourselves as a treat – a pretty bunch of flowers from my favourite local florist Blossom + Bloom in Thornhill never fails to brighten up my day! Sadly though, our flowers will only be with us for a while, so they deserve to be nurtured and enjoyed for as long as possible. So here are some ideas to get the most out of your bouquet, and and some hints and tips to make sure your gorgeous flowers last.
Not just a bouquet
Just because your flowers came wrapped as one large bouquet, doesn’t mean that they have to stay that way. Here are some other ideas to use your blooms:
- Share it out: You don’t have to keep the whole bouquet together in one vase. Separate out into smaller bunches, or take out enough for a small posy and use as a table centre, on your bedside table, to brighten up a bookcase or simply to jazz up your kitchen or bathroom. Adding flowers to a room is one of my favourite quick fixes to show your home a little love.
- Pretty up your office: A simple posy on your desk brightens up even the toughest day at work! When I was working full-time in a corporate job, I bought myself a small posy of flowers every week to add some prettiness to my desk. Now that my office is at home, I still swear that I work more efficiently when I have a bunch of flowers on my desk!
- Gift wrap: Using a contrasting ribbon, tie a couple of blooms together to make a pretty finishing touch to your gift wrapping. (More ideas for sustainable gift wrapping here: A more organised approach to gift wrapping)
- Bathing: Turn a relaxing bath at the end of a long day into a luxurious experience. Simply sprinkle a handful of rose petals into the water and light a few candles. Heavenly!
- Carpet freshener: Mix crushed dried flower petals with baking soda to make a carpet freshener! Grind up the dried petals, mix with baking soda and sprinkle lightly over your carpet. Leave for five minutes and then vacuum.
Arranging your flowers:
To keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible, ensure that you give your flowers some love!
- Cut half an inch off stems and plunge in water as soon as you get home.
- When you are ready to arrange your flowers, cut another half inch off the stem at a 45 degree angle. This maximises the cut surface area of the stem and increases the amount of water each stem can take in.
- Add half an aspirin or a penny to the water if you don’t have flower food.
- Change the water and trim the stems every day to extend the life of your flowers.
- Keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
Thank you to my favourite local florist Blossom + Bloom in Thornhill for the photos of their beautiful floristry!
I really love flowers and found this article interesting. I have never thought of splitting a bouquet into smaller vases or using them as carpet fresheners. I do however recommend a spoonful of sugar in the water when you don’t have flower food or an aspirin to hand.
The sugar is a great tip – thank you! I’m pleased that you liked the post – I love to take a few blooms from a bunch and pop them in a small vintage vase next to my bed. A quick and cheap way to add a touch of luxury to my bedroom!
These are very useful tips. I love fresh flowers, so will be using some of these ideas next time.
Thanks Tarana!
I love buying flowers for myself ( always did), and I learned so much by reading this article. Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips. I am going to apply some for sure.
Thank you so much Meghna.
I love flowers. I always think of dropping everything and becoming a florist someday.
Great ideas there!! A florist in Australia once suggested adding some sugar to the water, in the absence of flower food.
I sometimes dream of that too… and then I remember the super-early mornings that florists have to do! Great tip about the sugar – I will definitely give it a try. Thank you.
Beautiful arrangements! I love how a vase of flowers can really brighten up a room as well as your own mood!
Its amazing how a bunch of flowers can have so much impact on a space, and our mindset. Nature’s gift!
Nice article Mel. I love to use them for bathing everytime flowers come home.
I agree – the simplest way to relax and unwind!