Flowers + Plants 101
5 Essential Summer Flower Care Tips
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Summer brings with it longer days and warmer weather, which means our favorite blooms may need a little extra TLC.
Luckily, our style director, Anton, has provided us with his top tips to keep our flowers fresh all summer long. So, you get to enjoy them at home for longer!
Hydration is Key:
Just like us, flowers need to 'drink' more during the summer heat. On top of this, water tends to evaporate faster when it’s warm. To keep your flowers looking fresh and hydrated, make sure your vase is always ⅓ full with clean water.
Clean, Drinkable Vase Water:
Hot weather speeds up bacteria growth in your vase, turning it cloudy and the bottom of your stems slimy. To prevent this, refresh your vase water more frequently in warmer weather: every other day, instead of every 3 days. Anton suggests to “use lukewarm water. There’s less oxygen in it, reducing bacteria growth by around 85%."
Beware of Too Much Sun:
We love it when the sun is out, but your flowers prefer to shine in the shade. Direct sunlight can cause moisture in the flowers’ petals and leaves to evaporate quickly, causing them to ‘burn’ and dry out. If it’s super sunny, consider moving your bouquet somewhere cooler at night.
Consistency in Temperature:
We've all done it — left all the windows shut when we go to work, leading to a pretty toasty welcome home later on. Unfortunately, warm or yo-yoing temperatures cause flowers to perish faster. Especially lilies, peonies, irises and gladioli that don’t withstand heat as well. Think about putting your flowers in a sheltered spot, keeping them away from open windows and draughty doors.
A Fresh Trim Does Wonders:
You can help channel your flowers’ energy to the flower heads by removing some of the extra leaves on the stem. This also creates cleaner lines in your arrangement and accentuates the flowers. Remember to keep your stems hydrated by re-trimming your stems whenever you change the water.
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Summer is a wonderful time of year, filled with vibrant and colorful flowers. By following these tips, you can keep your flowers fresh and radiant all summer long. Enjoy the sun. And your flowers, of course!