Retro Bloom

Caring for your Retro Bloom

This arrangement rewards attention to its thirstiest and most fragile members, so keep the vase generously filled and refresh the water every couple of days. The hydrangea drinks largely through its petals as well as its stem, so a light misting of its heads revives it quickly when it begins to flag, while the hollow stems of the delphinium and the soft stalks of the freesia and hyacinth benefit from a clean angled cut to keep water moving. Give the calla lily and amaranthus room rather than crowding them, as their stems bruise and bend easily, and trim any lower foliage so nothing sits below the waterline to cloud it. Set the whole display away from direct sun, ripening fruit, and draughts, and the long-lasting anthurium and carnation will anchor it gracefully as the softer blooms run their course.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Freesia — Trim stems at an angle and keep the water shallow and cool, as freesia stems are prone to softening when standing too deep.
• Hyacinth — Refresh the water often and rinse the stems when you do, as hyacinths release a sticky sap that clouds the water and shortens the life of nearby blooms.
• Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
• Snapdragon — Trim the stems on a sharp angle and refresh the water often, as snapdragons drink heavily. The florets open from the bottom of the spike upward, so pinch away the lower blooms as they fade to keep the spire looking fresh.