Caring for your Leafy Bloom

Hydrangea drinks through its petals as much as its stem, so a quick mist over the heads and a deep, generously filled vase will keep it from drooping early. Re-cut the woody hydrangea stems at a sharp angle every couple of days to keep their channels open, and check the water daily, as these heads empty a vase faster than the rest. The amaranthus, with its long cascading tassels, prefers to be left undisturbed once arranged, so settle it into its final position early and avoid overhandling the trailing stems. Tuck the asparagus fern in around the blooms for its soft foliage, keeping the fine fronds clear of standing water where they can spoil. Set the whole arrangement away from direct sun, heat, and ripening fruit to hold its colour and form.

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.
  • Asparagus Fern — Mist the delicate fronds and keep them out of direct sun, as the fine foliage dries and yellows faster than the flowers it accompanies.
  • Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.

How long your flowers last

Expect this arrangement to hold for around 5–8 days, with its exact lifespan set by the most delicate component. The hydrangea is the first to soften, usually fading after 4–7 days, as its broad heads are quick to show thirst. The amaranthus and asparagus fern are the long-keepers here, both comfortably reaching 7–10 days and carrying the bouquet's structure well after the hydrangea has passed its peak. The single most useful habit for extending the display is a daily top-up of cool, fresh water, since the hydrangea drinks heavily and is the first to wilt when the vase runs low. Refreshing the water every two days will keep your Amicis bouquet looking its best across the full window.

The story behind these flowers

A closer look at the blooms gathered into this arrangement.

Amaranthus

Origin

Tropical Americas (Andes & Mesoamerica)

Cultivated since

For thousands of years by Andean & Mesoamerican peoples

Fragrance

Virtually scentless

Symbolises

Immortality, unfading love & endurance

Grown across the Americas for millennia as both grain and ornament, amaranthus is best known for its long crimson tassels that spill downward in soft, trailing ropes. Its name comes from the Greek for unfading, a nod to blooms that hold colour and form even as they dry. In an arrangement it adds movement and weight, draping over the edge of a vessel to break a clean silhouette and lend an Amicis piece an unhurried, sculptural fall.

Asparagus Fern

Origin

Southern Africa

A florist staple since

The Victorian era

Fragrance

Fresh and green

Symbolises

Softness, depth & airy texture

Not a true fern at all, but a southern African relative of the edible asparagus, its feathery sprays became a fixture of the European florist trade from the nineteenth century onward. The fine, cloud-like fronds soften an arrangement and add depth between blooms, which is why Amicis reaches for it as a quiet structural foil rather than a focal point.

Hydrangea

Origin

Japan & the Americas

Cultivated since

Reached European gardens in the 1700s

Fragrance

Very light, fresh and green

Symbolises

Heartfelt emotion & gratitude

Named from the Greek for 'water vessel', the hydrangea carries full, cloud-like heads that shift colour with the soil — from blush and cream to deep blue. Its generous volume gives Amicis bouquets their soft, romantic fullness.