I’ve talked before about the ease and joy of growing your own flowers in a cutting garden. Maybe you started one this year and have more blooms than you know what to do with! Or maybe you can’t pass up all the beautiful flowers this time of year at your local market (Trader Joes and Whole Foods always have a fantastic array to choose from!) Either way I thought it might be a good time to talk about arranging all of that gorgeous color with some tips and tricks to help your bouquets stand out and last longer.
When to cut your flowers? Cut in the early morning. The day is not yet hot and the flowers have had a night of cool air and morning dew. Their stems are filled with water and will be firm to the touch. As the day wears on and the sun comes up, flowers start to dehydrate. They wont last as long inside if cut when hot and stressed.
How to Cut? Use Sharp Snips or shears. Cut at a 45 degree angle, this provides a larger area for water intake. Bring a vessel of water with you outside. This doesn’t have to be the vase you plan on displaying your flowers in, just a container of cool water that you can immediately immerse the stems in as you go. Remove all of the foliage that will be below the water line. This helps slow down bacteria growth in the water which will extend the life of your bouquet. Cut your stems long, right above a set of leaves. You can always make them shorter if necessary once arranging them in your vase.
What to Cut? I have mentioned before that fantastic cutting flowers are Zinnias, Cosmos and Dahlias as they are all easy to grow and cutting them will encourage more blooms. It is always nice to add in other stunners for texture and color like Hydrangeas, Sunflowers, Daisies, and Roses. You can also round out your arrangements with leafy greens. Look around your yard; Hosta leaves make a beautiful addition, as do many different herbs. Basil, mint, lavender, lemon balm will all look (and smell) beautiful with your flowers!
Arranging your Bounty. I would encourage you to have fun playing around with your options. Don’t worry about having the perfect vase. A simple glass jar or ceramic pitcher can make a beautiful statement. You could cluster several small jars or bud vases together to make a tableau. If you have large vessels and enough flowers to fill them, by all means, make a masterpiece! Think about the colors you are using. Monochromatic bouquets can be very visually pleasing and peaceful. If you are feeling playful, put together a riot of color!
Shopping When shopping for cut flowers to arrange remember to include some extra greenery. Eucalyptus can add a lot of interest and texture and there are many different kinds to choose from. Also; ferns, ivy and lemon leaf are great options. One of my go-to favorites for store bought flowers are Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian Lilies. They come in all shades and colors all year long, with strong sturdy stems and a very long shelf life. If you change the water often they could last you a couple of weeks!
I hope you fully enjoy the rest of this gorgeous growing season and find peaceful moments in the beauty all around you; both inside and outside of your home.
Please contact Lisa Pagano at lisa.pagano@mottandchace.com or 401.447.9505 for all of your Real Estate Needs!