Flowers. Please read through the useful hints, tips and how to guides below.

To prolong life

Cut flowers in the evening, not in the heat of the day.

Pick half-opened buds rather than flowers in full bloom; they will last longer.

Carry flowers upside-down or place them in a plastic bag immediately to keep them damp.

Place flowers up to their necks in water for 1 or 2 hours at least.

Cut off the ends of softer stems under water.

Strip the leaves off flowers before arranging them; leaves left in vase water will foul it.

Change vase water regularly.

Keep flowers away from heat sources.

Spray flowers at night, or cover with a light damp cloth.

aspirin

Add an aspirin or sugar to vase water.

charcoal

Add a piece of charcoal to vase water to keep it sweet.

Crush the stems of woody or semi-woody flowers or skin and split them before placing in water.

hot or boiling water | bucket | newspaper

Pour boiling water into a bucket and cover with newspaper. Punch holes in the paper and insert the woody stems of flowers such as roses and hydrangeas through the newspaper into the hot water. The paper will protect blooms from steam damage, the hot water will revive the plants. To freshen flowers that have been picked for some time, cut a little off their stems and repeat the hot water treatment.

sugar

Add 1 tablespoon sugar to water in vases.

hairspray | cloudy ammonia

Pick blossom when the buds are just beginning to colour, crush the stems and add a little cloudy ammonia to the water. When the blossoms open, they can be sprayed with hairspray to prevent them falling too quickly.

Carnations do not like being near fruit.

lemonade

Pour lemonade into vases of carnations to extend their life.

sharp needle

Prick the stem at 1 cm intervals starting from just below the head before arranging them in a vase.

Cut off stem ends and rinse off sticky sap to help them drink.

The milky sap prevents blooms absorbing water, so seal stems by holding briefly over a flame or dipping in boiling water.

cotton wool

Hold lupins upside-down and fill stems with water. Plug with cotton wool and immerse flowers in water for a few hours.

The milky sap prevents blooms absorbing water, so seal stems by holding briefly over a flame or dipping in boiling water.

alum

Split stems 1 cm at the base and stand in boiling water. Add 1 dessertspoon powdered alum to water.

The heads of hydrangeas absorb water, so give them a good soak before arranging them, and spray them from time to time too.

To keep hydrangeas

1 part glycerine | 2 parts water

Stand stems in this for a week, topping up the water if it evaporates.

Cut off stem ends and rinse off sticky sap.

Cut off blooms with sharp secateurs, do not break them off. Hammer the ends of the stalks flat and, if desired, dip them in boiling water. Strip off all or most of the leaves (they deprive the blossom of water). Place in a vase or bucket immediately with plenty of water.

Peel away bark below the water level or it will poison the water.

Trim off leaves and arrange them separately. Lilacs lose a lot of moisture through their leaves.

cotton wool

Hold lupins upside-down and fill stems with water. Plug with cotton wool and immerse flowers in water for a few hours.

To preserve
cloth | steam iron
Place a cloth over the sprig of fern and press lightly. Use in posies and table centre-pieces.

The milky sap prevents blooms absorbing water, so seal stems by holding briefly over a flame or dipping in boiling water.

sharp needle

Prick the stem at 1 cm intervals starting from just below the head before arranging them in a vase.

The milky sap prevents blooms absorbing water, so seal stems by holding briefly over a flame or dipping in boiling water.

The milky sap prevents blooms absorbing water, so seal stems by holding briefly over a flame or dipping in boiling water.

bucket of water

When roses are first picked, stand them in a full bucket of water then cut the end of each stem off under water. Leave for 1 hour so they can have a good drink, then move to a vase.

To remove thorns
potato peeler

Strip the skin and thorns off the ends of rose stems to prevent pricked fingers.

Arrange tulips on their own if possible.

sharp needle | salt

Prick the stem at 1 cm intervals starting from just below the head before arranging them in a vase. Rinse off sticky sap, and trim stems. Add a little salt to the vase water.

To revive limp blooms
newspaper

Wrap each stem in newspaper and stand limp blooms in water in a cool spot.

Spray flowers several times a day to prevent them wilting.

Spray flowers several times a day to prevent them wilting.

Driftwood - to bleach

ammonia hydrogen peroxide

Treat wood alternately with these till desired lightness achieved.

Flowers for drying

Pick on a dry day when barely open, then hang in a dry, cool, dark place. Achillea, African marigolds, hydrangeas, larkspur are suitable.

Lavender for drying

Pick in dry weather when just about to flower; lay on a tray in the sun or in a light airy room and turn occasionally. Or hang upside-down in bunches with a paper bag tied over the heads.

Add a little dried lemon rind and a pinch of thyme to dried lavender to add weight to the perfume.

Leaves for preservation

1 part glycerine 2 parts hot water

Pick sprays of deciduous leaves such as oak when mature, crush stems and stand in solution until it is absorbed. The leaves will eventually change colour.

Pampas grass - to colour
crepe paper or vegetable dye

Pick pampas when fluffy head is just beginning to appear (do not try to dye dry pampas). Pour boiling water onto crepe paper to make dye or mix vegetable dye with cold water. Stand stems of pampas in a deep container and add cool dye mixture. Allow to stand for 1 or 2 days and pampas will draw up the dye as it 'drinks'.