Notes on
Tulips
Tulips keep growing and turning towards the light after cutting — part of their charm. Keep water shallow and cool, and rotate the vase for straighter stems.
A little care, and every arrangement lasts longer.
Fresh flowers are living things. With cool water, a clean cut and a thoughtful spot in the room, most arrangements will stay beautiful for a week or more — some considerably longer.
Below are the essentials, followed by notes on a few of the flowers we use most often.
I.
Fresh water, daily
Top up with clean, cool water every day. In leaf-lined glass, simply add water down the side — the leaf stays in place and hides the stems.
II.
A clean cut
Every two to three days, trim a centimetre from each stem at an angle with a sharp knife or secateurs, then return them to fresh water straight away.
III.
Cool and away
Keep flowers out of direct sun and away from radiators, vents and fruit bowls — ripening fruit releases ethylene, which ages blooms quickly.
IV.
Remove the fading
Lift out any spent flowers or leaves below the waterline. It keeps the water clear and lets the rest of the arrangement last longer.
V.
Night-time cool
If you can, move arrangements to a cooler room overnight. A few degrees makes a noticeable difference to their life.
VI.
Change, don’t just add
Every few days, empty and refill the vessel completely with fresh water rather than only topping it up.
Flower by Flower
Particular Notes
Notes on
Hyacinth
Keep hyacinth cool and the water fresh; their scent is strongest in a warm room, their life longest in a cool one.
Notes on
Hydrangea
Hydrangea drink through their petals as well as their stems. If heads soften, submerge them in cool water for half an hour to revive them.
Notes on
Orchids
Water sparingly — roughly once a week, letting excess drain away — and keep them in bright, indirect light. Never leave the roots standing in water.
Vessels & Objet
Caring for antique vessels
Stone, wood and old earthenware are porous. For fresh flowers we always use a hidden glass or zinc liner, so water never sits directly against the vessel.
Wipe stone and ceramic with a soft, dry cloth; avoid chemical cleaners, which can strip patina. Keep carved wood out of prolonged direct sun and away from standing water. Marks of age are part of each piece’s beauty — there is no need to polish them away.
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