Spring Blossoms

Caring for your Spring Blossoms

Give this arrangement a deep, clean vase and keep it well topped up, as the Roses and Tulips are heavy drinkers that wilt quickly when the water runs low. Cut the woody Protea stems at a sharp angle so they can take up enough water to support their dense heads, and handle the hollow Delphinium and soft Gerbera stems gently, since both bruise and bend more easily than the rest. Strip any foliage that would otherwise sit below the waterline to keep the water clear for the Anthurium and Chrysanthemum, which reward clean conditions with their long life. Keep the whole bouquet out of direct sun and away from draughts or ripening fruit, and the Tulips will continue to grow and shift gracefully in the days after they arrive.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Gerbera — Gerbera has fragile stems — use shallow, clean water and support the heads.
• Protea — Strip any foliage below the waterline and refresh the water every two to three days, as protea leaves foul water quickly and shorten the bloom's life.
• 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.