With Mother’s Day almost here, it’s time to buy a beautiful bunch of flowers for the special woman in your life, but which ones?
A florist has recommended the best flowers that will actually last, keeping your mom’s counter blooming for weeks after the special day.
Mother’s Day flowers that last
There’s nothing worse than gifting someone a bunch of flowers and they die after just a few days – especially on Mother’s Day. It’s a waste of money and leaves the recipient pretty disappointed, so it’s important to choose a hardy bunch.
Floral designer Ines Garstecki told The Focus that some of the simpler varieties like sunflowers, chrysanthemums, sweet williams and alstroemerias are often the longest lasting.
“Lilies can also last up to two weeks if they are not already completely open when the flowers are purchased,” she said.
If you’re looking for something a bit more premium, orchids are a great choice for longevity too, including cymbidium orchids and any tropical varieties.
“Ranunculus and butterfly ranunculus look very dainty but can easily last 1.5 weeks or more when treated right,” she added.
Florist’s tips for longevity
However, it’s not just the type of flower you choose that’s important. You must look after the florals in the vase to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible.
Garstecki recommends changing the water frequently, at least every three days. This helps prevent bacteria and keeps them hydrated.
You should also add flower food to the water to boost their longevity. A touch of bleach and Sprite also work great – or make your own homemade flower food with just a few simple ingredients.
Cutting the stems every three days is key too, especially for roses, to ensure the flowers can absorb as much water as possible.
Never place the arrangement in direct sunlight either as the heat source will cause them to dry out and wilt.
Finally, she said it’s a good idea to give the flowers an occasional mist of water with a spray bottle for extra hydration.
The Royal Horticultural Society, the world’s leading gardening charity, says you should always use clean vases to make the flowers last longer too. If dirty, wash thoroughly with detergent.
Make sure you remove any dead or dying flowers too, to keep the flowers looking fresher and prolong vase life.
Ines Garstecki is CEO & Founder of Flowermaid, a boutique floral design studio based in Los Angeles. She also designs flowers for the hit TV shows Palm Royale and Hacks.
