A beautiful bouquet is an investment in a little everyday joy — and with a few simple habits, you can keep it looking fresh for a week or more. Here are the seven tips we share most often at Valley Bloom Shop.
- Start with a clean vase. Bacteria is the enemy of fresh flowers — wash your vase with warm, soapy water before arranging.
- Trim the stems at an angle. Cut about an inch off each stem on a diagonal so they can drink freely. Re-trim every couple of days.
- Remove below-water foliage. Any leaves sitting in the water will rot and shorten the life of your blooms.
- Use the flower food. That little packet really works — or add a teaspoon of sugar with a few drops of bleach to mimic it.
- Change the water often. Fresh, cool water every two days makes a noticeable difference.
- Keep them cool. Place your vase away from direct sun, heat vents and ripening fruit (the ethylene gas ages flowers).
- Pinch spent blooms. Removing fading flowers helps the rest of the arrangement keep shining.
Want a fresh arrangement to practice on? Browse our seasonal bouquets — hand-arranged in Athens and delivered locally across McMinn County.