Amethyst

Caring for your Amethyst

Keep this bouquet somewhere cool and out of direct sun, and give it more water than you might expect, as the roses, sunflowers and dahlias are heavy drinkers that will wilt fast in a shallow vase. The hydrangea takes in moisture through its petals as much as its stem, so a light mist or a brief dunk of the head revives it when it starts to droop. Treat the dahlias and delphinium gently when arranging, since their stems are hollow and bruise easily, and trim the woodier allium and chrysanthemum stems at a sharp angle so they can draw freely. Strip any foliage that would sit below the waterline, where the anthurium and calla lily are especially prone to fouling the water, and top the vase up daily rather than waiting for it to run low.

A note on your specific blooms

• Sunflower — Sunflowers are heavy drinkers, so use a tall vessel with plenty of water and top it up daily to keep the stems firm.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.
• Chrysanthemum — Chrysanthemum is sensitive to murky water — strip the lower leaves and refresh it often.
• Dahlia — Cut the hollow stems at an angle and refresh the water every day or two, as dahlias drink heavily and wilt quickly when thirsty.
• Delphinium — Keep the tall stems in deep, fresh water and out of draughts, as Delphinium drinks heavily and wilts quickly if the vase runs low.
• Anthurium — Anthurium prefers warmth — keep it away from the cold and wipe the leaf gently.
• Gerbera — Gerbera has fragile stems — use shallow, clean water and support the heads.
• Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
• Bells of Ireland — Stems are hollow and heavy, so support the tall spires against a vase edge or among firmer stems to keep them from bending or snapping.
• Eremurus — Stake or support the tall stems and keep them upright, as the heavy flower spike will bend toward the light if left to lean.
• Craspedia — Give each stem a fresh diagonal cut and stand it in clean water; the bare stems need little else, and the golden heads hold for weeks.