Amethyst

Caring for your Amethyst

Keep this arrangement in a clean vase of cool, fresh water and top it up daily, because the roses and sunflowers drink heavily and will drop their heads fast if the vase runs low. Give the hydrangea particular attention, as it takes up most of its water through the petals rather than the stem, so a light mist and a deep drink revive it when it starts to wilt. Trim the woodier stems of the bird of paradise and anthurium at a sharp angle to keep them drawing well, and handle the delphinium and amaranthus gently, since their stems are the most fragile in the group. Set the whole bouquet away from direct sun, fruit, and air-conditioning draughts, and pull any spent delphinium or gerbera so the longer-lasting anthurium and chrysanthemum can hold the shape.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.
• Sunflower — Sunflowers are heavy drinkers, so use a tall vessel with plenty of water and top it up daily to keep the stems firm.