Begin with a clean vase.
Fill with fresh unsoftened water.

Always add flower food to the water, this hydrates and nourishes flowers for maximum vase life and your pleasure.

Remove all of the leaves that will be below the water line. This stops the foliage from decaying and keeps the water cleaner and the stems free flowing.

Cut flower stems under water before placing them into the filled vase or Remember the 5 second rule: cut in air and get into the water within 5 seconds.

Flowers will live longer if not placed in direct sunlight, in a draft, near fruit, or on a TV.

Change the water and flower food every other day.

To Revive a wilted Rose

If a rose wilts and becomes limp, remove it from the vase/arrangement. Re-cut the stem under water (cut off the bottom inch of the stem). Place the flower into a warm water/flower food solution for one hour or until the flower becomes firm. When it becomes firm, you can return it to the vase/arrangement.

Flower Care Do's and Don'ts

Don't leave flowers out of water for extended periods. Be sure to get them home and into water as soon as possible!

Don't put flowers in a warm setting (i.e., sunny spot or on a television). Warm water signals flowers to hurry up and open, thus shortening your enjoyment.

Do Follow the directions on the flower food package - mixing incorrectly is as bad or worse than not using any flower food at all.

HOW TO MAKE FLOWER FOOD

The best flower food comes in sachets with your flowers but you can also make your own.

For every quart of fresh water;
Add 1 tablespoon of sugar,
1 teaspoon of something sour, lemon juice or vinegar,
Mix well; add your "just cut" flowers,
and enjoy their beauty even longer!
 

THE SIMPLE WAY TO ARRANGE FLOWERS
AS EASY AS 1... 2... 3... 4...

Try putting 1 green, 2 fillers, 3 lines, 4 focals together and see!

FILLERS: add volume and fills up the bouquet (baby's breath, limonium, asters, statice, goldenrod)

LINES: frame the arrangement and give height and space (liatris, delphinium, larkspur, bells of Ireland, stock)

FOCALS: draw your eye to color and beauty (roses, lilies, sunflowers, carnations)

GREENS: make the arrangement look natural (eucalyptus, pines, leather leaf, tree fern)

Some flowers can be used as fillers or focals, such as agapanthus, hypericum, mini carnations and spray roses.