Tuesday, June 7

How to make fresh flowers last

I love having fresh flowers in my house; don't you? Something about it makes me feel special.

But if I've gone to the trouble or expense of arranging flowers for my home, I like them to last awhile. And I've discovered a simple way to make that happen. Let me show you.

These are hydrangeas that I picked on Thursday, May 26 and arranged for my son's graduation party. I took this photo on Saturday, May 28, during the party:



And here's a picture of those very same hydrangeas taken yesterday, June 6:


Can you believe it? 12 days and still going strong! As you can see, some of the greenery is turning yellow, but the blooms are still beautiful.

Of course you know to pick flowers in the cool of the morning while they're perky, to cut their stems at an angle, to remove most of the leaves, and to place them in water immediately. But here's a tip for really making them last:

**Add a few drops of household bleach to the water.**

That's it! It doesn't take much--I plop in just about 3-4 drops per quart of water. The flowers pictured here are held in six vases of water, and one capful of Clorox bleach was plenty for all six vases.

Need some pointers on DIY flower arranging? Click here.

Do you have any flower power secrets to share? Please do!





20 comments:

  1. I just LOVE hydrangeas! I will remember the bleach next time - thank you!

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  2. What a fantastic tip! I too love having fresh flowers in the house, I'll try this next time!

    repurposedlifedesigns.blogspot.com

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  3. I LOVE hydrangeas! I can't believe they've held up for as long as they have...will you dry them?

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  4. I've heard the bleach thing before, but I've never tried it. Your hydrangeas are the proof that it works. Twelve days? That's amazing! I'll definitely do this next time I have flowers. Thanks, Richella!

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  5. That's interesting. I will have to bookmark this in Google Reader so I'll know where to turn whenever I want to start decorating my new apartment with flowers! :)

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  6. Wow! I've never heard of adding bleach to the water - I've always heard that sugar will extend their life, but it doesn't seem to want to work for me.
    Next time I splurge on flowers I will definitely try out your bleach suggestion!! Thankyou!

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  7. Well I didn't know any of this so thanks for sharing.
    Kat

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  8. Hi, sweet Richella! Thanks so much for your gracious words of encouragement, you always say the best things.

    Those flower look so pretty, my fave flowers are hydrangeas. I hope you are having a great summer so far! xoxo

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  9. What a great tip! Your hydrangeas look lovely. It's hard to believe they've lasted 12 days. They still look fantastic.

    FlowerLady

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  10. WOW! I'm completely amazed! Your hydrangeas still look GORGEOUS!

    I've heard of adding bleach, but I've never tried it. Next time I will since the proof is in the pictures! I've heard adding Sprite helps too (sugar) and I've done that, but never paid much attention to if it worked or not. Sadly, all plants that come in contact with me die pretty soon thereafter. I have a black thumb.

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  11. Wow, I would have never thought of that! My hydrangeas are just starting to bloom, I will definitely try this tip!Thanks!

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  12. wow!!! i'm going to try this!!! although it will be another month before my hydrangeas bloom! i have done everything from snipping the stems in half to even dipping the stems in boiling water...this sounds way easier!!!

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  13. Hydrangeas are my favorite! I love the container that you chose too. Thanks for the tip. I will try that the next time. Carla

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  14. I will also give this a try!! I'll be picking my roses soon, so I will have to try it on one and not the other...will let you know how it works out

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  15. I told my husband that I would like to get some hydrangea bushes planted. I have one and it only puts out one bloom. I need some for my table. Yours are gorgeous.

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  16. What a great tip! your hydrangeas are gorgeous.

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  17. You saved my hydrangeas! I've been cutting them for two weeks now and sadly they don't last more than a few days! Thanks Richella. Now how do you dry hydrangeas effectively?

    Brittany

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  18. Bleach? Really? Who knew? Fantastic tip!

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  19. Did you know if you continue to leave them in until the water evaporates, you will have dried hydrangeas and they will keep a long time. They get a little fragile when dried. The petals are so small.--Beth

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