How to style dying flowers

Whenever I receive a bouquet of flowers I get so giddy.  I love having fresh flowers in the house.  For a while I hated to use fresh florals since they would die after 4 days.  What a tease!  You make this great looking arrangement and it lasts less than a week.  I’ve discovered a few tips and tricks to make them last up to their very last days.  Plus, how to style dying flowers to make them look great.

Sometimes the dying flowers look too browned and frankly way too hideous to salvage.  But, there are some flowers that can be trimmed and styled to look pretty great even after their initial beauty days.  Take my 2 week old roses and tulips for example.  These dying flowers were browning, wilting, and some petals were dried out.  With a bit of grooming, you can’t even tell that these flowers were given to me 15 days ago!  Here is how you can make your flowers last long and how to style dying flowers.

How to make your flowers last!

1. I think we all know that we should cut our flowers under running water, but you should also prune your flowers of any straggling leaves.  Leaves that are submerged in water will cause the flowers to wilt and rot much earlier than expected.
2. Instead of tossing the little flower food packet in the trash, use it.  I had always believed that the packet was just flower food and that it wasn’t necessary.  I was so wrong!  In fact, that little packet contains ingredients needed to reduce flower rotting and keep them flourishing apart from their roots.  If you’re using your own garden flowers or don’t have those packets, use 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of sugar in your water.  The sugar will promote flower flourishing while the vinegar reduces bacteria growth.
3. The set it and forget it method doesn’t apply to flowers.  You definitely need to change the water for flowers.  It’s best to change out your water after the first two days and then use the second packet of the flower “food.”  No packets left? Crush up an aspirin tablet and place in cool water.  Your flowers will keep chugging along and look fabulous.

How to style dying flowers!

When your flowers have begun to wilt and brown, remove any of the overly browned petals and cut down the flowers to a petite arrangement.  Once the flowers have past their prime time, I love arranging flowers in smaller vases.  Use jars and vases full of character that add to the look of the flowers.  You want the attention on the full look of the arrangement rather than just on the flowers as you would have during their prime time.

A plastic cup lined with a plastic bag is a great way to insert floral arrangements in jars or containers that shouldn’t be filled with water.  This also works great for those containers that can’t fit a cup to hold your flower arrangement.  Simply make a cut in the plastic cup to wriggle the cup in the opening.  The plastic cup will be sturdy enough to keep the bag liner upright and able to hold your water.

Don’t forget to add the greenery.  There is nothing more beneficial when styling flowers past their due date than a good bit of vibrant greenery.  Not only does the greenery last so much longer than flowers, but they can definitely lift the full appearance of your arrangement.  Just take a gander how blah the flowers look below until they were arranged!

Do you have any tips to keep your flowers looking fresh after their prime?  Would love to know!

On a different note, January starts Reader Appreciation monthly giveaways.  Each comment you leave enters you for my monthly giveaway.  This month is a One For Me and One For You giveaway!  I love my rustic wood tray from Wayfair (valued at $42.00) pictured above that I have decided to give one away to a reader.  I know you will love it to.  Each comment you leave on the blog throughout the month enters you to win this tray!  The winner of this month’s giveaway will be announced on Facebook at the end of the month.  Next month will be a brand new item or gift card so stay tuned!