Floral Moderne

Caring for your Floral Moderne

Display Floral Moderne away from direct sun, draughts and ripening fruit, and keep the vase generously filled — the roses and hydrangea are thirsty drinkers and will sulk quickly if the water runs low. Hydrangea takes up moisture through its petals as well as its stem, so a light misting of the bloom heads helps it stay turgid between water changes. Give the rose and chrysanthemum stems a fresh angled cut and strip any foliage sitting below the waterline, which keeps the water clear and slows bacteria. The tulips will continue to grow and lean toward the light after arranging, so turn the vase occasionally and let that movement be part of the composition rather than fighting it. Refresh the water every couple of days and the anthurium and alstroemeria will reward you by carrying the arrangement well past its first week.

A note on your specific blooms

• Allium — Change the water often and keep it fresh, as Allium stems can release a faint onion odour into the vase.
• Alstroemeria — Strip any lower leaves below the waterline, as its foliage wilts well before the blooms and clouds the water.
• Anthurium — Anthurium prefers warmth — keep it away from the cold and wipe the leaf gently.
• Chrysanthemum — Chrysanthemum is sensitive to murky water — strip the lower leaves and refresh it often.
• Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.
• Tulip — Tulips keep growing in the vase and lean toward light, so use a tall, supportive vessel and turn it daily to keep the stems straight.