How To Tell If The Flowers You're Buying Are Fresh

Have you ever bought a bunch of flowers, taken them home, popped them into a vase and the next day they look sad and wilted? It’s so disappointing. And while no-one expects flowers to be ever-lasting, they should stay looking fresh and healthy for several days - or even weeks.

One of the most important things you can do to make sure your flowers have the longest vase life possible is to get in the habit of inspecting flowers before you buy them. You’ll soon learn to choose only those that are the freshest. Here’s what you’re looking for:

Buds:

The buds should be in the beginning stage of opening. (If the buds are tightly closed, it’s possible they’ve been harvested too soon and may never open.) 

Gently feel the petals and make sure there is a firmness to them - you don’t want them to be limp.

The colours should be bright - not transparent.

Roses  - Check the underside of the bud. If a few petals have been removed, that’s okay. Those were just the guard petals that protected the rose during transport, but if many petals have been removed that indicates someone is trying to hide the fact the flower is old.

Tulips - Most tulips we buy seem to come in a cellophane sleeve. A good indication the tulips are old is if they have grown above the top edge of it.

Leaves:

Check the leaves are bright coloured with no yellowing or browning. The leaves should be firm (not limp) and definitely not falling off the stem as soon as you pick the flowers up.

Stems:

Again colour and firmness are the most important things to look for. If the stem is limp and/or discoloured that flower won’t last much longer.

Fragrance: 

Not all flowers are scented, but fragrance is still important to check. An old flower will smell of decay and should definitely be avoided.

Water:

If possible - check the bucket of water the flowers are being stored in. If it’s cloudy, dirty, or has leaves floating in it, skip those flowers. They’re sitting in bacteria and that will shorten their lifespan.

Being an educated shopper is the first step in making sure your flowers will last as long as possible. The second step is correct care once you get them home. Check out these previous blog posts to learn more:

My Top Tips for Flower Care

How to Make Your Flowers Last Longer

Secrets Revealed - Top Tips for Making ‘Tricky’ Flowers Last Longer

6 Floral Gift Ideas For Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days in the floral industry - and rightly so. Flowers are a wonderful way to show your love and appreciation. In this post, I’m going to share with you 6 floral gift ideas for Mother’s Day.

1 - A Meaningful Bouquet:

A big bunch of flowers will always be warmly received, but this Mother’s Day why not add another layer to your floral gift with a ‘meaningful’ bouquet.

Every flower has a meaning attached to it. Once you know what those meanings are, you can choose the perfect flower for every occasion. 

For Mother’s Day, try picking flowers with meanings that fit your mum’s characteristics or pick flowers with meanings that convey the message you want to send to her. 

Here are some suggestions:

Tulip - perfect love

Peony - happy life

Lisianthus - appreciation/gratitude

Lily - beauty

Lavender - devotion

Gladiolus - strength of character

Gerbera - cheerfulness

Freesia - friendship

Carnation (pink) - gratitude/mother’s love

Baby’s breath - everlasting love

Alstroemeria - friendship/devotion

You can also combine meaningful flowers, with your mum’s favourite flower, or with flowers in her favourite colour. 

2 - Your Mum + You + Flowers:

Every month has one or two flowers associated with it - their birth month flower. Create a  bouquet with a combination of your mum’s birth month flower and yours. (If you’d like to know any of the birth month flowers, comment below and I’ll let you know.)

3 - Flower Shop Visit:

Instead of delivering flowers to your mum, why not visit a florist together and let her pick out the flowers.

4 - Flower Arranging Workshop:

Many florists now offer flower arranging workshops. Treat your mum to one and at the same time, you’ll be supporting a local business.

5 - Subscription service:

There are now companies who deliver boxes of  locally grown flowers directly to your door. This would be a great treat for your mum. She’d have the convenience of the flowers being delivered directly to her, but still have the fun of getting to arrange them herself. You can learn more about subscription services in my post ‘Flower Delivery - The Easy Way’.

6 - Vase + Gift Certificate:

Choose a beautiful vase for your mum and give it to her with a certificate saying you’ll fill the vase with flowers every month for a year.

Fresh flowers are an instant mood booster and create memories that last a lifetime. If you’d like to add another ‘layer’ to your floral gift you could consider the following:

•  A card with a picture of your mum’s favourite flower

•  A floral scented bath or beauty product

•  Some floral scented candles

•  A book on flowers or flower related topics. 

Calm Down - How Flowers Can Help

Calm down! Sound familiar? In a busy and stressful life, I think we’ve all felt like there are times when we just need to calm down. The good news is, flowers can help us. 

Scientific studies prove flowers positively impact our well-being in many ways, and one of those ways is by creating a sense of calm and well-being. 

Simply seeing flowers can decrease your stress level

Most of us have ‘our special spot’ at home where we sit to unwind. One of the simplest and most effective things you can do with flowers to decrease anxiety and stress is place a floral arrangement within eyesight of where ‘your spot’ is. Then use those flowers as a place to rest your eyes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you start to relax.

Try arranging your own flowers for another layer of stress-relief

When you’re arranging flowers your thought process shifts. You’re forced to slow down and connect with the present moment. You start focusing on the flowers and not on work or your busy day.

Don’t make flowers another chore on your to-do list

Keep it simple! A few blooms are all it takes to feel the calming effect of flowers.

Being surrounded by nature has long been known to be healthy for us. In nature we feel calm, stress slips away, and our anxiety eases. Having flowers in our home is a way to replicate that feeling. It’s time we all start to take advantage of the healing properties of flowers.

To note: When arranging flowers no special skills or tools, or any artistic flair is needed. You just need some flowers, some scissors, a container of water, and a few minutes of time. You’ll learn as you go and every time you’ll feel satisfied that you created something with your own hands.