Caring for your Petals of Affection

Keep this arrangement away from direct sun, heat, and draughts, and stand it in clean, cool water that you change every couple of days. The Roses are thirsty and benefit from a fresh diagonal cut to keep their stems drawing water freely. Hydrangea drinks largely through its petals as well as its stem, so a light misting of the flower head will keep it from wilting prematurely. Leave the Pampas Grass dry and untouched — it needs no water, and gentle handling protects its soft, feathery plumes from shedding. Remove any lower foliage that sits below the waterline so the fresh blooms stay clean and well-fed.

A note on your specific blooms

  • Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
  • Pampas Grass — Keep the plumes dry and out of humidity, and give them a gentle shake on arrival to settle and fluff the fronds.
  • Rose — Roses drink heavily — re-cut the stems at an angle every couple of days.

How long your flowers last

Expect this arrangement of Hydrangea, Rose, and Pampas Grass to hold beautifully for 4–7 days at its peak. The Hydrangea is the most delicate of the three and tends to soften first, often within 4–5 days, while the Rose follows close behind at 5–7 days. The Pampas Grass is effectively permanent — as a dried element it holds its form for months, even years, long after the fresh blooms have passed. To extend the life of the fresh flowers, refresh the water every two days and give the Rose and Hydrangea stems a clean diagonal trim each time, the single habit that does most to keep an Amicis bouquet looking its best.

The story behind these flowers

A closer look at the blooms gathered into this arrangement.

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.

Pampas Grass

Origin

Southern South America (the Pampas of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile)

Recorded

Reached European gardens in the 1800s

Fragrance

Virtually scentless

Symbolises

Softness, height & quiet drama

Named for the South American plains it sweeps across, pampas grass earns its place through feathered, silver-blonde plumes that catch light like spun silk. As a structural accent it lends an Amicis arrangement height and movement without colour, holding its form long after fresh stems have faded.

Rose

Origin

Asia — China, Persia & the Mediterranean

Cultivated since

Over 5,000 years

Fragrance

Warm and sweet, of honey & tea

Symbolises

Love, gratitude & admiration

The most storied flower in the world, grown and gifted for five millennia. Its layered petals and soft scent have made it the universal language of affection — and the quiet anchor of almost every Amicis arrangement.