Quick care and handling tips for every variety we carry. Click a flower name to jump to its section.
Agapanthus · Alstroemeria · Amaranthus · Amaryllis · Anemones · Anthurium · Asters · Astilbe · Astrantia · Babies Breath · Bachelor Buttons · Bells of Ireland · Bouvardia · Carnations · Celosia · Cosmos · Craspedia · Dahlias · Delphinium · Dendrobium Orchids · Ferns · Football Mums · Freesia · Gerberas · Gladiolus · Godetia · Heather · Hyacinth · Hydrangea · Hypericum · Iris · Kangaroo Paws · Larkspur · Lavender · Leucadendron · Liatrus · Lilies · Lisianthus · Marigolds · Peonies · Protea · Ranunculus · Roses · Safflower · Scabiosa · Snapdragons · Spider Mums · Star of Bethlehem · Sweet Peas · Tuberose · Tulips · Veronica · Waxflower
Agapanthus
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place immediately in cool water
- Keep in a cool location away from heat and direct sunlight
- Change water every 2 days and recut stems each time
- Florets open progressively from bottom to top — allow 2–3 days before your event
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Alstroemeria
- Recut stems at a 45° angle under water before placing in vase
- Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline to prevent bacterial buildup
- Use cool, clean water and change every 2 days
- Buds open over several days — an excellent choice for multi-day events
- Vase life: 10–14 days — one of the longest-lasting cut flowers available
Amaranthus
- Recut stems and place in warm water immediately upon arrival
- Hanging amaranthus benefits from being placed upright — drooping is normal but minimised with good hydration
- Keep away from cold drafts
- Mist lightly if the air is dry
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Amaryllis
- Recut hollow stems at an angle and fill the stem with water, plugging with a small piece of cotton before placing in vase
- Use only a few inches of water — amaryllis stems rot easily if too deeply submerged
- Keep in a cool location to slow opening and extend vase life
- Handle blooms gently — petals bruise easily
- Vase life: 7–10 days per bloom; multiple buds open in sequence
Anemones
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place immediately in cold water
- Keep refrigerated or in a very cool location — anemones are extremely sensitive to heat
- Blooms open and close with temperature and light — they open in warmth and close in cool
- Change water daily and keep away from fruit, which releases ethylene gas
- Vase life: 5–7 days. Order 20% extra as anemones are fragile in transit
Anthurium
- Recut stems at an angle and place in warm water
- Anthurium are tropical and dislike cold — never refrigerate below 55°F (13°C)
- Keep away from cold drafts and air conditioning
- Mist blooms lightly to maintain humidity
- Vase life: 2–4 weeks — one of the most long-lasting cut flowers available
Asters (Monte Casino & Matsumoto)
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove lower leaves
- Place in cool, clean water immediately
- Change water every 2 days — asters are prone to bacterial buildup
- Keep away from heat and direct sunlight
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Astilbe
- Recut stems at a 45° angle under water
- Astilbe absorbs water through its stem and through its feathery plumes — misting helps
- Keep in a cool location and change water every 2 days
- Avoid direct sunlight — blooms fade quickly in bright light
- Vase life: 5–7 days. Best used within 2–3 days of arrival for maximum fullness
Astrantia
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove any leaves below the waterline
- Change water every 2 days
- Astrantia wilts quickly out of water — keep hydrated until the last moment when arranging
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Babies Breath
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in clean water immediately
- Use only a small amount of water — babies breath stems rot quickly when deeply submerged
- Keep in a cool location away from direct sunlight
- Avoid misting — wet blooms turn brown
- Vase life: 5–7 days. Can also be air-dried successfully for lasting arrangements
Bachelor Buttons
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves and change water every 2 days
- Keep away from heat — cornflowers wilt quickly in warm conditions
- Vase life: 5–7 days
Bells of Ireland
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove thorns and lower leaves
- Place in deep, cool water — bells are thirsty
- Change water every 2 days and recut stems
- The small white flowers inside the bells are fragile — handle gently
- Vase life: 7–10 days. Also excellent for drying
Bouvardia
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in warm water immediately
- Bouvardia is sensitive to ethylene gas — keep away from fruit and wilting flowers
- Change water every 2 days and remove lower leaves
- Keep in a cool location but do not refrigerate below 50°F (10°C)
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Carnations & Mini Carnations
- Recut stems between the nodes (joints) at a 45° angle — cutting through a node blocks water uptake
- Place in cool, clean water and use flower food if available
- Change water every 2–3 days and recut stems each time
- Keep away from fruit and away from direct sunlight
- Vase life: 10–14 days — one of the most durable cut flowers available
Celosia
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in warm water
- Celosia are prone to wilting — keep in water until the last moment when arranging
- Change water every 2 days
- Avoid misting — wet plumes can develop mould
- Vase life: 7–10 days. Also excellent for drying — hang upside down in a warm, dry place
Cosmos & Chocolate Cosmos
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place immediately in cool water
- Remove any leaves below the waterline
- Change water every 2 days — cosmos stems foul water quickly
- Keep in a cool location away from direct sunlight
- Vase life: 5–7 days
Craspedia (Billy Balls)
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool, clean water
- Craspedia are very hardy and require minimal care
- Change water every 3 days
- The round yellow balls hold their colour and shape exceptionally well
- Vase life: 10–14 days. Also excellent for drying — the balls retain their yellow colour when dried
Dahlias
- Recut hollow stems at a 45° angle — some florists sear the stem ends briefly in a flame or boiling water to improve uptake
- Place immediately in cool water and keep refrigerated if possible
- Change water daily — dahlias foul water quickly
- Keep away from heat, direct sunlight, and fruit
- Vase life: 4–6 days. Order extra as dahlias are sensitive in transit
Delphinium
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in deep, cool water immediately
- Delphinium are thirsty — check water levels daily and top up as needed
- Remove lower leaves and change water every 2 days
- Florets open progressively from the bottom up — allow 2–3 days before your event
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Dendrobium Orchids
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in clean, room-temperature water
- Dendrobiums dislike cold — never refrigerate and keep away from air conditioning
- Mist blooms lightly to maintain humidity
- Change water every 3 days
- Vase life: 2–3 weeks — dendrobiums are exceptionally long-lasting
Ferns
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Mist fronds lightly — ferns lose moisture through their leaves
- Keep away from heat and dry air
- Change water every 2–3 days
- Vase life: 7–10 days. Store in a cool, humid environment for best results
Football Mums & Spider Mums
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove lower leaves
- Place in cool, clean water immediately
- Change water every 2–3 days — mums are heavy drinkers
- Keep in a cool location; mums last longest when kept cool
- Vase life: 10–14 days — one of the most durable cut flowers available
Freesia
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool, clean water
- Keep in a cool location — warmth accelerates opening
- Buds open progressively from the bottom up; remove spent blooms to encourage remaining buds to open
- Change water every 2 days
- Vase life: 7–10 days. Highly fragrant — a little goes a long way
Gerbera Daisies & Mini Gerberas
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in just 2–3 inches of cool water — gerberas are prone to stem rot when deeply submerged
- Support the heads upright — gerberas have heavy blooms on hollow stems and can bend
- Change water every 2 days and keep the water level low
- Keep away from heat and direct sunlight
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Gladiolus
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in deep, cool water immediately
- Gladiolus are tall and thirsty — check water daily and top up as needed
- Remove the top bud of each spike to encourage lower florets to open more fully
- Florets open from the bottom up over several days — ideal for multi-day events
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Godetia
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves and change water every 2 days
- Keep in a cool location — godetia are sensitive to heat
- Handle blooms gently as petals are delicate
- Vase life: 5–7 days
Heather
- Recut woody stems at a 45° angle — a sharp cut is essential for water uptake
- Place in cool water and change every 3 days
- Heather is long-lasting and hardy — very low maintenance
- Excellent for drying — retains colour and texture when air-dried
- Vase life: 10–14 days fresh; indefinitely when dried
Hyacinth
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in just 2–3 inches of cool water — hyacinth stems rot quickly when deeply submerged
- The sap from hyacinth stems can irritate skin — wear gloves when handling large quantities
- Keep in a cool location; warmth causes rapid opening
- Highly fragrant — use in well-ventilated spaces and keep away from those with sensitivities
- Vase life: 5–7 days. Spring availability only
Hydrangea
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and also score or smash the bottom inch of the stem to improve water uptake
- Submerge entire blooms in cool water for 30–60 minutes if they arrive wilted — they will often revive
- Place in deep, cool water and change every 2 days
- Mist blooms regularly — hydrangeas absorb moisture through their petals as well as their stems
- Keep in a very cool location or refrigerate if possible
- Vase life: 5–7 days with good care. Keep a spray bottle handy throughout your event
Hypericum
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove lower leaves
- Place in cool, clean water and change every 3 days
- Hypericum berries are extremely long-lasting and hardy
- Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent berries from shrivelling
- Vase life: 10–14 days — one of the most durable fillers available
Iris
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool, clean water immediately
- Iris open quickly in warmth — keep in a cool location to control timing
- Each stem produces multiple blooms that open in sequence — remove spent blooms to allow buds to develop
- Change water every 2 days
- Vase life: 5–7 days depending on temperature
Kangaroo Paws
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in warm water immediately
- Kangaroo paws are Australian natives and prefer warm conditions — do not refrigerate
- Remove any blackened tips or foliage and change water every 3 days
- The velvety texture of the blooms is delicate — avoid misting directly on the flowers
- Vase life: 10–14 days — excellent longevity
Larkspur
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves that fall below the waterline
- Larkspur is delicate — handle gently to avoid knocking florets
- Change water every 2 days and keep in a cool location
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Lavender
- For fresh lavender: recut stems and place in a small amount of cool water — lavender can also be arranged without water for short events
- Avoid getting water on the blooms — wet lavender turns brown quickly
- Highly fragrant — use sparingly in enclosed spaces
- For dried lavender: arrange dry and no water needed — it will last indefinitely
- Fresh vase life: 3–5 days. Dried: indefinite
Leucadendron
- Recut woody stems at a 45° angle with sharp shears or a knife
- Remove lower foliage and place in cool, clean water
- Change water every 3–4 days — leucadendron is very hardy
- Excellent for drying — the cone-like centres retain their shape and colour beautifully
- Vase life: 2–3 weeks fresh; indefinitely when dried
Liatrus
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves that would fall below the waterline
- Florets open from the top down — the opposite of most spike flowers
- Change water every 2–3 days
- Vase life: 7–14 days — very hardy and long-lasting
Lilies (Asiatic, LA Hybrid & Oriental)
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove lower leaves
- Remove pollen-laden stamens as soon as buds open — lily pollen stains permanently and is harmful to cats
- Place in cool, clean water and change every 2 days
- Allow 2–4 days for buds to open before your event — more time for Oriental lilies which open more slowly
- Highly fragrant (especially Oriental lilies) — use in well-ventilated areas
- Vase life: 7–14 days as multiple buds open in sequence
Lisianthus
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves and change water every 2 days
- Buds open progressively over several days — excellent for multi-day events
- Handle gently — lisianthus petals are delicate and bruise easily
- Vase life: 10–14 days with good care
Marigolds
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove lower leaves
- Place in cool, clean water immediately
- Change water every 2 days — marigold stems foul water quickly and have a strong scent
- Keep away from other flowers in storage as the scent can be overpowering
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Peonies
- Recut stems at a 45° angle under cool water
- If they arrive as tight buds, gently remove the outer guard petals and place in warm water to encourage opening
- Keep in a cool location — warmth accelerates opening; refrigerate to slow if needed
- Change water every 2 days and remove lower leaves
- Allow 2–4 days to open fully before your event
- Vase life: 5–7 days once fully open. Spring and early summer availability only
Protea & Pin Cushion Protea
- Recut woody stems at a 45° angle with sharp shears or a knife — a clean cut is essential
- Remove all foliage that would fall below the waterline
- Place in cool water and change every 3–4 days
- Protea are Australian/South African natives — they dislike cold and do not need refrigeration
- Vase life: 2–3 weeks — among the most long-lasting cut flowers available. Also excellent for drying
Ranunculus
- Recut stems at a 45° angle under cool water
- Place in cool, clean water immediately and keep refrigerated if possible
- Ranunculus open and close with temperature and light — they open in warmth and close in cool
- Change water every 2 days and keep away from heat and direct sunlight
- Allow 1–2 days to open before your event
- Vase life: 7–10 days with cool conditions
Roses & Garden Roses
- Recut stems at a 45° angle under water before placing in vase — air bubbles block water uptake
- Remove all leaves that fall below the waterline
- Use cool, clean water and change every 2 days
- Keep away from heat, direct sunlight, and ripening fruit (which releases ethylene gas)
- Allow 24–48 hours to open before your event (48–72 hours for garden roses)
- If roses arrive with drooping heads, recut stems and submerge entire stems in cool water for 1–2 hours
- Vase life: 5–7 days for standard roses; 3–5 days for garden roses
Safflower
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves and change water every 3 days
- Safflower is extremely hardy and requires minimal care
- The orange-red thistle-like blooms hold their colour and shape very well
- Vase life: 10–14 days. Also excellent for drying
Scabiosa
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves that fall below the waterline
- Change water every 2 days — scabiosa can be sensitive to bacteria
- Keep in a cool location away from heat
- Vase life: 5–7 days
Snapdragons
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in deep, cool water immediately
- Snapdragons are geotropic — they curve upward toward light. Keep upright and rotate the vase daily to maintain straight stems
- Florets open progressively from the bottom up — allow 2–3 days before your event
- Change water every 2 days and remove lower leaves
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Spider Mums
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and remove lower leaves
- Place in cool, clean water and change every 2–3 days
- Spider mums are heavy drinkers — check water levels daily and top up as needed
- Keep in a cool location for maximum vase life
- Vase life: 10–14 days — very long-lasting
Star of Bethlehem
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Blooms open progressively over several days — ideal for events that span multiple days
- Change water every 3 days — Star of Bethlehem is very hardy
- Keep in a cool location to control the pace of opening
- Vase life: 14–21 days — exceptionally long-lasting
Sweet Peas
- Recut delicate stems at a 45° angle with a very sharp knife or scissors and place in cool water immediately
- Sweet peas are extremely delicate — handle with great care to avoid bruising
- Keep in a very cool location and change water daily
- The tendrils and vines add beautiful natural movement to arrangements — leave them on
- Vase life: 4–6 days. Sweet peas are fragile but worth it for their unmatched fragrance and delicacy
Tuberose
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in warm water immediately
- Tuberose are tropical and dislike cold — do not refrigerate
- Remove lower leaves and change water every 2–3 days
- Extremely fragrant — use in well-ventilated spaces and bear in mind some guests may be sensitive
- Florets open progressively from the bottom up over several days
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Tulips
- Recut stems at a 45° angle — do not recut under water as tulips prefer to take up air with their water
- Place in just 3–4 inches of cool water — tulips continue to grow after cutting and can stretch significantly
- Keep in a cool, dark location initially to encourage straight stems
- Tulips are phototropic and will turn toward light — rotate your arrangement regularly
- Change water every 2 days
- Vase life: 5–7 days
Veronica
- Recut stems at a 45° angle and place in cool water immediately
- Remove lower leaves that fall below the waterline
- Change water every 2 days
- Keep in a cool location away from direct sunlight
- Vase life: 7–10 days
Waxflower
- Recut woody stems at a 45° angle with sharp shears — a clean cut on the woody stem is important
- Remove lower leaves and place in cool water
- Change water every 3–4 days — waxflower is extremely hardy
- Lightly fragrant with a sweet, honey-like scent
- Vase life: 14–21 days fresh — one of the longest-lasting cut flowers. Also excellent for drying