Sienna Grace

Caring for your Sienna Grace

This is a thirsty arrangement, so keep the vase generously filled and check the level daily, since the Roses and Hydrangea both drink heavily and wilt quickly once they run dry. The Hydrangea takes in moisture through its petals as well as its stem, so a light mist on the bloom head revives it faster than water alone, while the woody Eucalyptus and Bird of Paradise stems benefit from a clean diagonal cut to keep them drawing well. Handle the Ranunculus and Delphinium gently, as their hollow, fragile stems bruise and snap with rough handling. Keep the whole arrangement out of direct sun and away from cooling vents or ripening fruit, all of which shorten its life. Strip any leaves that sit below the waterline so the Chrysanthemum and Gerbera stems stay clear of bacteria.

A note on your specific blooms

• Amaranthus — Recut the stems at an angle and keep the water shallow, as amaranthus drinks heavily and the lower stem softens quickly when submerged too deep.
• Bird of Paradise — Recut the woody stem at an angle and refresh the water often, as this thirsty flower drinks heavily and lasts longest in a deep vase.
• Chrysanthemum — Chrysanthemum is sensitive to murky water — strip the lower leaves and refresh it often.
• 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.
• 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.
• Eucalyptus — Strip any lower leaves that would sit below the waterline and re-cut the woody stems on a diagonal to keep them drinking.
• 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.
• Orchid — Keep orchid stems in cool, clean water away from ripening fruit, whose ethylene gas makes the blooms drop early.
• Ranunculus — Cut the hollow stems straight across, not at an angle, and keep water shallow and fresh, as these stems sit soft and bruise or rot easily when submerged too deep.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.