Flower Fizz

Caring for your Flower Fizz

This is a thirsty arrangement, so keep the vase generously filled. The Roses and Hydrangea drink heavily, and the Hydrangea in particular takes up water through its petals as much as its stem, so a light mist on a wilting head will often revive it. Give the woody Allium and Bird of Paradise stems a fresh diagonal cut to keep them drawing freely, and handle the hollow Delphinium and the soft Calla Lily stems gently, as they bruise and bend more easily than the rest. Strip any foliage that would sit below the waterline to keep the water clean for the Gerbera and Sunflower, whose stems tend to cloud it quickly. Keep the whole arrangement out of direct sun and away from draughts or ripening fruit, and the Carnation and Anthurium will reward you by carrying the display long after the more delicate blooms have had their moment.

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.
• 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.
• Calla Lily — Re-cut the thick, fleshy stems on an angle and keep water shallow, as callas are prone to softening if stood too deep.
• Carnation — Cut stems cleanly between the swollen leaf joints rather than through them, as carnations draw water best when the node itself is left intact.
• 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.
• 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.