Caring for your Sparkle Holidays 14

Give this design generous, fresh water and check it often, because the Hydrangea is the dominant drinker here and will wilt quickly the moment its supply drops. If a head does flag, mist the bloom or briefly submerge it in cool water, since Hydrangea takes in moisture through its petals as much as its stem. Recut the woody Pine stems on a sharp angle so they can draw properly, and keep the structural Anthurium away from cold drafts, as it bruises in chill and prefers a warm, steady spot. The cascading Amaranthus needs little beyond clean water and room to fall naturally, so resist crowding it as you refresh the vase.

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.
  • Hydrangea — Hydrangea takes up water through its petals — mist the heads and keep the vase topped up.
  • Pine — Recut the woody stems on an angle and keep the foliage misted, as pine holds best in cool, draught-free air away from heat sources.

How long your flowers last

Expect this arrangement to hold beautifully for around 5–9 days, with its longevity shaped by the contrast between its delicate and its hardy elements. The Hydrangea is the first to show its age, drinking heavily and softening after 4–7 days if it runs short of water, while the trailing Amaranthus follows at roughly 7–10 days. The Anthurium and the Pine are the quiet endurance of the design, both comfortably lasting 2–3 weeks and often outliving the rest of the mix. To keep it at its best for as long as possible, top up the water daily so the thirsty Hydrangea never sits dry, which is the single habit our Amicis florists rely on most.

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.

Anthurium

Origin

Rainforests of Colombia & Ecuador

Documented

By botanists in the 1870s

Fragrance

Virtually scentless

Symbolises

Hospitality, confidence & beauty

The anthurium's glossy, sculptural 'bloom' is in fact a modified leaf, with a poised tropical architecture few flowers can match. It lends Amicis designs a clean, modern edge — and one of the longest vase lives in the bouquet.

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.

Pine

Origin

Northern Hemisphere forests

Recorded

In use for centuries

Fragrance

Fresh, resinous and green

Symbolises

Longevity, endurance & resilience

An evergreen conifer that has framed gatherings for centuries, pine carries a cool, resinous scent and holds its needles the year round. As cut foliage it brings deep evergreen colour and architectural lines, anchoring an Amicis arrangement with texture and a quiet sense of permanence.