Caring for your Sunset Whimsy

Keep this mix in a clean vase of cool, fresh water and trim a centimetre from each stem on a slant before arranging, since the hollow Carnation stems and soft Gerbera stems both draw water poorly once sealed. The Gerberas are the most demanding here, prone to bending at the neck, so a tall, narrow vase that supports their stems upright will hold their faces aloft. Strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline, as the Chrysanthemums and Lisianthus foliage foul the water quickly and shorten the display. Change the water entirely every couple of days, recutting as you go, and keep the arrangement away from direct sun, draughts, and ripening fruit to protect the delicate Lisianthus buds still waiting to open.

A note on your specific blooms

  • 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.
  • Gerbera — Gerbera has fragile stems — use shallow, clean water and support the heads.
  • Lisianthus — Its stems are slender and easily bruised, so handle gently and recut at an angle before placing in clean, shallow water.

How long your flowers last

Expect Sunset Whimsy to hold beautifully for around 6–9 days as a whole, with each variety fading on its own schedule. The Gerbera daisies are the first to soften, typically lasting 5–8 days, as their heavy heads and slender stems tire quickly; the Lisianthus follows at roughly 7–10 days, opening fresh buds along the way. The Chrysanthemum holds steady at 7–14 days, while the Carnations are the quiet endurers, often staying crisp for two to three weeks after the others have gone. The single most useful habit is to recut the stems at an angle and refresh the water every two days, which keeps the Amicis arrangement looking its best well past its first week.

The story behind these flowers

A closer look at the blooms gathered into this arrangement.

Carnation

Origin

Mediterranean region

Cultivated since

Antiquity, over 2,000 years

Fragrance

Sweet and clove-like

Symbolises

Fascination, distinction & love

Crowned in wreaths and garlands across the ancient Mediterranean, the carnation has been cultivated for more than two thousand years. Its tightly ruffled, fringed petals hold their form for weeks, lending an arrangement quiet structure and a warm, clove-edged scent that lingers without overwhelming.

Chrysanthemum

Origin

East Asia — China & Japan

Cultivated since

Over 3,000 years in China

Fragrance

Soft, earthy and herbal

Symbolises

Longevity, joy & well-wishing

One of the oldest cultivated flowers, prized in China and Japan for three thousand years and honoured with its own festival. Its dense, textured heads bring depth and a long, dependable life to an arrangement.

Gerbera

Origin

South Africa

Described

By science in 1889

Fragrance

Barely scented, lightly fresh

Symbolises

Cheerfulness, warmth & innocence

The gerbera daisy brings open, sunlit colour and a graphic simplicity to a bouquet. Native to South Africa and loved worldwide, its clean single bloom adds brightness and a friendly, contemporary note to Amicis designs.

Lisianthus

Origin

Prairies of the southern United States and Mexico

Cultivated since

The 20th century, refined by Japanese breeders

Fragrance

Virtually scentless, clean and unobtrusive

Symbolises

Appreciation, charisma & lasting bonds

Native to the open prairies of the southern United States and Mexico, lisianthus grew wild until Japanese breeders coaxed it into the ruffled, rose-like bloom we know today. Its layered petals open in slow succession, giving an arrangement a gentle, unfurling movement long after the first stems have peaked.