Looking After Flowers in a Heatwave

So I survived the hottest day ever recorded in England. I’m not sure how - actually I do; lots of ice cream, with a little help from the air conditioner unit we bought the other year for my flower studio. I was incredibly lucky that I did not have a wedding booked for those scorching days, as the stress of keeping the blooms fresh but ready for the big day would have been incredibly difficult. Which got me to thinking that a little bit of advice on how to look after and care for your flowers might be quite useful. So, here goes…

You don’t need to be a florist to make your flowers look beautiful – they will do that on their own, but we also know that they have a limited life span. Some flowers last longer, such as carnations, chrysanthemum and lilies, whilst daffodils and sweet peas have a more limited shelf life.  Whether you treat yourself to a bunch from the supermarket or you receive a surprise bouquet from your local florist, you will want to enjoy them for as long as possible. Here are my top 5 tips to help extend the life of your cut flowers. 

Tip1 Water

Cut flowers drink a lot of water so do not be surprised if your vase is almost empty after a day or two. Keep the water topped up to ensure that the flowers do not wilt and change the water completely every 2 or 3 days. This will help to limit the amount of bacteria that builds up in the vase, which will help to keep the flowers fresh for longer. It also helps to avoid that rotten smell that develops when you leave stems sitting in the same water for a while.

Tip 2 Remove leaves

Remove any leaves that will be submerged in the water as they will quickly begin to decay, allowing bacteria to form in the vase.  Repeat this every time you change the water.

Tip 3 Cut stems

Flower stems quickly seal up on their journey home which means it is difficult for them to absorb water. When you have prepped your vase with water, cut a couple of cm off the end of the stem at a 45 degree angle, using a sharp knife or scissors and place the flower straight into the vase. If you use blunt scissors, you may smash the end of the stem, which will stop it from taking up water. Cutting the stem at an angle means that it will not sit flat on the bottom of the vase, which encourages it to drink more. Repeat this process every time you change the water.

Tip4 Flower Food

If your bunch of flowers comes with a packet of lower food, then add it to the water. This will increase the life span of the flowers. If you happen to have a little stash of them, then add one each time you change the water. There are other options that some florists suggest such as a baby sterilizing tablet or aspirin, but professional flower food would be my go-to option. Generally, shop bought flowers come with ‘universal’ flower food, which means it is suitable for most types of flowers. However, there is more specific flower food sachets available for roses, lilies, bulbs etc.  Also, be aware that a few blooms do not like that addition of flower food, specifically sunflowers and gladioli.

Tip 5 Location

It is very tempting to put your vase of lovely blooms in a prime location such as a sunny windowsill because that is exactly what the type of conditions that many plants in the garden thrive on. Cut flowers, however, are the complete opposite. When you buy them, they are at or nearly at their peak and a sunny, warm position will increase the speed of their maturity, meaning they won’t last as long. So, a cool darker spot will keep your flowers looking fresh for as long as possible.  Also avoid cold draughts, near refuse and platters of fruit, especially apples and bananas. Ripening fruit gives off an odourless gas called ethylene. This gas is harmless to humans, but not to flowers. It’s all to do with Mother Nature and the life cycle of plants but, in essence, the flowers will decide they’d better drop their petals, ready to set seed for the following year. Not quite what you were hoping for when you put them on display.

Finally, after you throw out the last of your flowers, make sure that you thoroughly clean your vase in hot, soapy water, or your dishwasher. Bacteria builds up in a vase and does not disappear once a vase dries out. If you add water for a new bouquet, the bacteria continue to grow which shortens the lifespan of your blooms.

Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

Rewind to March of this year. I had just posted February’s blog and went to bed, thinking of what to write about next. Ping – 4am. Light bulb moment. It had to be Ukraine. The war had just started with Russia and we watched the news daily, waiting to find out the latest information. Now, I have never been to Ukraine, and I don’t know anyone from Ukraine, but the country has played a significant part in my floral journey. For one reason or another, I didn’t post Marchs blog but I feel it is even more relevant now. Not only has the war been making headlines, but we are also in the midst of the RHS flower show season. So, grab yourself a cuppa and read on to hear more.

January 2019.

I am at college, retraining as a florist after years in education. My tutor mentions a ‘Future Florist’ competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and, for a split second, I thought that sounds like fun. Then life got in the way and I didn’t think any more of it. But, as the deadline approached, I found a few spare moments to gather some thoughts. The brief was ‘a headdress design for the most illustrious festival.’ Now, I obviously had a sheltered childhood as I had not been to a festival until I hit 50. No muddy Glastonbury for me! Then I spotted an article in British Vogue.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/makoto-azuma-rihanna-florist-interview

This was the inspiration I needed. With a little more research, I came across images of a vinok – a traditional Ukrainian style headdress.

There has been a sense of national pride in Ukraine in recent years, leading to a resurgence of traditions.  The vinok isn’t just a fashion accessory. Its history traces back to Ukraine’s early days, worn by girls and unmarried young women on holy days and special occasions. Slowly, my ideas began to piece together.

So, paints and pencils at the ready, my final design was submitted for college scrutiny. Within a couple of weeks, the results came in and, low and behold, my design was one of the chosen few to be forwarded to the RHS, along with my good friend, Sally. This was followed by lots of form filling, finalising flower choices and then the wait. If you remember waiting for exam results as a teenager, then you can imagine how I was feeling.

Early April. I was having predinner drinks with the family at a restaurant on the banks of the Thames. I didn’t need to see the menu – I always chose the same meal, melon followed by a great steak. My mobile rang. It was Sally. Have you checked your emails? I put the phone down, checked online and whooped like a madwoman. The RHS had chosen me as a Hampton Court finalist. I apologise now to anyone who saw me that night. It was quite surreal.

And so, the journey began. Practise sessions, form filling, diary dates inked in AND THEN, the RHS decided they wanted to promote eco friendly designs. They would be awarding extra points for designs that did not include floral foam.  Even just 3 years on, it is amazing how far we have moved on in the flower industry when it comes to environmental issues After a few sleepless nights, I finally came up with a solution; a hoop construction, packed with moss and water tubes.

Sunday 30th June. Car loaded to the gunnels, we headed off to Hampton Court, college tutors lending a helping hand with the logistics.  Entering the grand marquee, we found our spot at the end of the tent, blank mannequins ready to be adorned with our designs. Above my plinth, my name was adorned on an official RHS sign. This was all getting a bit real now. I was actually competing at the largest flower show in the whole wide world. Little old me. Career change at 50, me!

We had 6 hours to make our headdresses and I have never known time to go so quickly. TV cameras hovering over us, I got to work, filling my design with moss and choosing the best blooms.  Despite all the practice sessions, I needed every minute and was placing the headpiece on the stand with seconds to spare. A little wobble, a few stems out of place but the task was complete. I could do no more.

Press day. Hubby and I turned up early, only to find the judging panel looking at my headdress. So, we busied ourselves in the show gardens and celebrity watching (HRH Duchess of Cambridge, Monty Don…)

Medals are generally handed out on Tuesday morning, but the Future Florists team were asked to assemble at 2.30pm for a televised celebration, with Jo Whiley. And the winner was…. Not me! We all received a white envelope with our name on.  My fellow competitors pulled out sheets of paper with feedback on them. My envelope was a little chunkier and didn’t bend quite so easily. Had I won a highly commended certificate? Cautiously, I opened the envelope. Definitely card, not paper. As I turned it over, I spied the round indentation – a medal, and not just any old medal. I had not only been chosen to Compete in an event that I wasn’t even going to enter 6 months earlier, but I had only gone and won a Silver Medal. How many people can say that?

The rest is a bit of a blur. Hugs from complete strangers, lots of tears, interviews with local papers. In the end only 2 of us won silver medals, me and the overall winner, Louise Hartley English. She thoroughly deserved it and we were in awe of her design. And so now, when people ask what I do for a living, I can proudly say I am an RHS award winning florist. And that makes me a little bit unique.

Who would have imagined that a country I knew nothing about would be plastered all over the world’s press a few years later, or the impact it would have on my flower journey?

See you next month. x

Peonies

So, I have just managed to upload May’s blog before the end of the month and it’s all about Peonies.  Did you know there are numerous ways to spell the word? Peony, peonie, paeonie.

Peonies are lush, opulent blooms that add a special touch to a bouquet or arrangement and are one of my favourite flowers.  But they are a much more expensive bloom because peonies take much longer to cultivate. You generally have to disbud them for the first four years to encourage more stems to grow. Each stem only produces one flower and they have a very short flowering period.

Growing up in Berkshire, we had two deep burgundy red peony bushes in our garden. Once spring began, I would watch the stems grow and the leaves flourish, waiting for the golf ball sized buds to appear. Over the weeks, the flowers gradually began to unfurl into, what I thought at a young age, flowers the size of dinner plates. It was all I could do to stop myself just snapping one off and hugging it.  And then it rained. My memory is that it ALWAYS rained once the peonies arrived and the long thin stems drooped over, the flowers dangling towards to lawn.  

Peony ‘Cardinal Vaughan’

We never cut the stems to take inside. We just watched the weather do its thing and waited another 50 weeks for an almost identical performance the following May.

Peony ‘ClassAct’

 Imagine my surprise when training as a florist, when I found one of my favourite flowers can be used in an arrangement or bouquet. In fact, there are even British growers who will cut and deliver stems within 24 hours. Sustainability – tick. British grown – tick. 

Peony ‘Coral Charm’

So, when a bride says ‘I want peonies’, I do a little secret dance around the workshop. Then I ask the all-important question: When are you getting married? Uh, October… and my heart takes a little nosedive.

 Peonies are truly a seasonal flower and are only available for a short period of time, generally blooming between mid-May and mid-June in the UK. They can also be a little tricky to work with. How many of you have treated yourself to a bunch from a supermarket, sold as tight golf ball size buds, put them in a vase and… nothing. Not one little blighter will open up. As florists, we have the same problem, or they open far too early, and we are trying different remedies to speed or slow their growth.

Peony ‘Sarah Bernhardt’

 So, my advice would be:

1.   If peonies are a ‘must have’ in your bridal bouquet, then choose your wedding date very carefully.

2.   Think about your colour palette before you go shopping for bridesmaid’s dresses. Peonies come in a range of colours from white, through various shades of pink and cerise to reds and corals. But, no blue, purple or orange.

And, if you still want to get married out of peony season, I can suggest some fabulous garden roses that do a perfect job of replicating a similar romantic style for your special day. Look out for July’s blog for more info on that.

 See you next month.

Spring Flowers

What’s your favourite season? My go to answer is Autumn. I love the rich, warm colours, the crispy sound of leaves as you walk through the woods, the cosiness of a comfy jumper whilst sipping a warming drink, the appreciation of the British weather, usually after a disappointing summer.

But, as I sit in my home studio writing this blog, I may be changing my mind. On my desk are some ‘leftovers’ from last week; seasonal Spring flowers, tulips, hyacinths, daffodils… The colour and smells are so enticing that you cannot fail to be impressed by what nature has chosen to provide us with as we start another year. 

So, taking that as my inspiration, I thought I would share some tips for keeping your seasonal blooms in tip top condition. This is not an exhaustive list but, hopefully, it will provide you with some new knowledge, along with a few random facts and figures. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Sometimes referred to as Lent Lilies, due to the fact that they tend to bloom between Ash Wednesday and Easter, there are over 13,000 different types of daffodils.

They brighten up the garden with a burst of colour but, as a cut flower, they are a little tricky.

Most florists would advise you to regularly cut the bottom off your flowers to encourage them to drink. However, daffodils give off a toxic sap when you cut their stems which affects other flowers.

So, if you receive a mixed spring bouquet, make sure you stand the daffodils alone in clean water for 24 hours after recutting, before adding back to the rest of the bunch. Or just put them in their own vase from the outset. – a few stems in a bud vase look amazing.  

Final tip – wash hands and scissors after touch and don’t use any flower food as this encourages the sap to flow.

Tulip

Tulips have their own little agenda. If they arrive with white ends then cut that part off, otherwise they will not take up water.

Tulips continue to grow in the vase, so you may choose to reduce the stem length if you want a neat look, or not, your choice.

Tulips are also ‘phototropic’, meaning they grow towards the light, so they are best placed in a spot that is equally lit from all sides.

Hyacinth

These are my absolute favourite spring flower. Their fragrance is intoxicating and I always try to include them in my seasonal posies.

You can recut the stems but, unlike tulips, do not completely remove the white bulbous end, as this stops them drinking. Hyacinths are also toxic – they produce oxalic acid which can irritate the skin so either wear a pair of gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after touching them.

Finally, as they bloom, they become top heavy. You can support each bloom by pushing a garden cane or stick up the stem, or supporting each bloom within a vase of flowers, rather than around the edges.

 Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)

Although not directly related to the hyacinth, this delicate flower has the same care requirements. It has a delicate stem and comes in shades of violet blue.

 Anemone

Anemones, members of the buttercup family, have been used for medicinal purposes since Roman times. They are generally richly coloured, with papery like petals and a velvety centre.

Like tulips, they continue to grow in the vase and curve towards the light. They are thirsty flowers, so keep the water topped up.

They also open up quickly in warm conditions so, if you want them to last, choose a cool, light spot to display them. 

Ranunculus

Another member of the buttercup family, ranunculus are known for their tightly packed, paper-thin petals, almost rose like in appearance.

Again, they tend to curve towards the light.

Their name comes from the Latin word for ‘frog’, which refers to the swampy places that they naturally grow in.

Hellebore

Hellebores are perfect for a winter wedding – Hellebore Niger is known as the Christmas Rose, and some in shade of white, green and mauve.

They are thirsty flowers and can droop quite quickly. Flowers which have developed a seed head will have a longer vase life.

Hellebores are another spring flower that can be an irritant to the skin and are toxic if ingested.

A short, vertical cut in the stem will encourage them to drink more water.

Snowdrop (Galanthus)

Snowdrops are one of the first flowering bulbs to appear and last about 4 days in a vase of water.

Some species are threatened in their natural habitat and, in most countries, it is now illegal to collect bulbs from the wild.

These final 3 are garden shrubs rather than flowers but are always a staple part of a spring bouquet or arrangement.

Acacia

Also known as Mimosa or Wattle, Acacia is a member of the pea family.

It is not subtle. The bright yellow flowers have a soft, woolly appearance with a delightful fragrance.

Handle with care as the stems have small thorns.

Acacia is traditionally handed out to females in Italy to celebrate International Women’s Day – Tuesday 8th March 2022.

Genista (Broom)

Genista has sweetly scented, pea shaped flowers on tall, leafless stems.

You should ensure that no flowers are submerged as this can cause bacteria in the water.

Generally white or yellow in its natural environment, Genista is often dyed in a range if bright colours.

Forsythia

Forsythia is a popular yellow flowered shrub found in many UK gardens.

As a cut flower, it will last for around 7 days in a vase. You should change the water every couple of days, re cutting the stems each time.

Forsythia is named after one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society, Scottish horticulturalist William Forsyth. 

So, what did I learn as I wrote this month’s blog? That seasonal Spring flowers can be tricky little devils, each with their own unique requirements. So, next time someone gives you a mixed spring bouquet, or if you raid your own flower bed, I hope that you will find this guide helpful to get the most out of your blooms.  

Until next month, I will leave you with a final nugget of knowledge. One Snowdrop bulb, Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Tears’ has recently sold on eBay for £1850. Snowdrop fans, known as galanthophiles, include Lord Heseltine, who has more than 700 varieties.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. Yes, I know I am a little late to the table but, hours after watching the fireworks on TV at midnight on 31st Dec, I succumbed to a bug that was like nothing else. Convinced it was COVID, I did numerous lateral flow tests and a PCR, all of which were negative. So, I have no idea which little blighter struck me down, or where I caught it from, but I am now back up and raring to embrace all that 2022 has to offer.

Usually, each January, I make the obligatory New Year’s resolutions, only to find that, by day 7, I have strayed from nearly every one of them. But not this year. I have forgone the usual resolutions for a set of goals. Ah. I hear you say – just another word for the same thing. But not for me. They are a few ideas that are just as the word suggests – goals. It doesn’t matter if I do not achieve them, I am not letting myself down, I am not a failure. They are just things that I aspire to.

My goals are also SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely. SMART is an acronym that is bandied about in the mindful community, of which I am becoming more engrossed in. But it is based in logic – I am a mathematician in my previous life and logic sits well with me. My goals for 2022 are limited but SMART. So, what are they?

1.      To walk the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats. Its specific and its certainly measurable – 874 miles. Is it achievable? Well, Ian Botham did it, but he was a world class cricketer. I am just little old me (I stress the word little) but I have been walking on and off since the first lockdown and have set a time limit of a year to complete the task. This is much more achievable and, if I don’t feel like going out one day, then I just add extra onto the next couple of days to make up for it. Relevant – yes, definitely. I had breast cancer a number of years ago and have been wanting to get fitter but there was always an excuse. In lockdown there was no excuse. The only time you were allowed out of the house was to go for an hours walk. Now, as my family will tell you, I love my comfy sofa and a good box set but being forced to stay home really does motivate you to leave the house. Setting myself a 365-day guide also hits the timely part of the challenge. But if I go into 2023, it won’t kill anyone, I won’t have let anyone down, including myself. I will have just taken a little longer than I anticipated.

2.      My second goal is to write this blog.  I have always thought of myself as a numbers gal, not a word smith but last year, someone suggested I started a gratitude journal. (If she reads this, she will know it was her). I agreed, mainly so I didn’t have to address the topic again. My life is ordinary, what exciting stuff can I be grateful for that is not repeated day after day? Quite a lot, as it turns out. From a couple of lines before bed, I was soon writing a whole side of a page.  Now, I am not new to journaling. I am, after all a creative being, and I have kept a bullet journal throughout lockdown. But it has been mundane. What has gone on in the news, what we had for dinner, the weather (remember those balmy 3 months in spring 2020, when you could see the fish in the canals of Venice. My bullet journal was not personal, it was a record of events with some colourful illustrations to brighten it up. But, again, I failed. I didn’t write every day and I would beat myself up over it. I would try to make stuff up for the missing pages; if the handwriting was not neat enough, I would rip out the page and redo it. It all felt wrong and eventually, I gave up. I even bought myself a new one for this year and didn’t start it.

But a blog, once a month, flowery based (yes there will be flowery stuff, I promise). That I can manage. So, specific – flowery stuff, measurable – well, if it’s not out there on deadline day, achievable – yes if written in bite size chunks when I am not creating fabulousness, relevant – yes, providing handy hints and advice to those of you that love flowers as much as I do and timely, once a month for a whole year. Surely even I have enough stuff to chat about for 12 months.

So, those are my goals. I could add other stuff, other ideas, other ‘resolutions’, but they might make these 2 goals less achievable, and I am as committed to realising these goals as is at all possible.

So, January’s blog finished. Not much flowery stuff, I know, but hopefully you have learnt a little bit more about me and it’s not long until February, when you will definitely get the flowery fix, you have been waiting for.

If you want to find out more about what I do, click on my website www.gillysflowers.co.uk. I am also on Instagram and Facebook. If you are a potential client, electronic contact is fine but there is nothing better than an old-fashioned phone call. Thank you for reading my blog and, if I haven’t scared you off, I hope to see you again next month.