Caring for cut flowers properly can extend their beauty for 7–14 days (sometimes more, depending on the flower). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your bouquet last longer:
🌸 How to Care for Cut Flowers
1. Prepare a Clean Vase
Wash your vase thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove bacteria.
Rinse well and fill it with room temperature water.
2. Trim the Stems
Use sharp scissors or a knife (not dull kitchen scissors).
Cut 1–2 inches off the bottom at a 45-degree angle under running water or submerged in water.
This helps prevent air bubbles and improves water absorption.
3. Remove Lower Leaves
Strip off any leaves that will sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
4. Use Flower Food
Most bouquets come with a flower food packet — use it.
Or make your own:
1 teaspoon sugar (nourishment)
1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice (bacteria control)
1–2 drops of bleach (optional, helps with bacteria)
Mix into 1 quart of water
5. Change the Water Every 2 Days
Refill with fresh, clean water and repeat the flower food process.
Re-trim the stems slightly each time.
6. Avoid Heat, Sun, and Fruit
Keep flowers away from:
Direct sunlight
Heaters or air vents
Ripening fruit (releases ethylene gas, which shortens lifespan)
7. Mist the Flowers (Optional)
Lightly mist petals with water daily to keep them hydrated, especially for roses, hydrangeas, and tulips.
🧼 Bonus Tip: Clean the Vase Again Midweek
Even with regular water changes, bacteria can build up. Give the vase a quick clean midweek.
The flower of October is the marigold.
🌼 October Birth Flower: Marigold
Symbolism:
Marigolds symbolize:
Warmth
Creativity
Passion
Remembrance
Grief and mourning (in some cultures, especially during Día de los Muertos in Mexico)
Characteristics:
Bright, vibrant hues — usually orange, yellow, and red
Hardy and resilient; they thrive in autumn weather
Known for their distinct scent and medicinal uses in some traditions
Alternate October Flower: Cosmos
In some traditions, the cosmos is also considered an October flower.
Cosmos flowers symbolize peace, order, and harmony.
Flowers associated with September include:
1. Aster (Birth flower of September)
🌼 Symbolism: Love, wisdom, faith, valor
🌸 Colors: Purple (most common), pink, white, blue
🌿 Meaning: Named after the Greek word for "star," asters have long been associated with enchantment and elegance.
2. Morning Glory (Alternative September birth flower)
🌺 Symbolism: Affection, mortality, the fleeting nature of love
🌈 Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white
🌞 Note: These blooms open in the morning and fade by afternoon — hence their name.
Honorable Mentions (Seasonal September flowers):
These aren’t "birth flowers" but are commonly in bloom or available in September:
Sunflowers – joy, warmth, adoration
Dahlias – strength, creativity, dignity
Chrysanthemums – loyalty, longevity (especially in late September)
The traditional birth flowers of August are:
🌻 Gladiolus
Symbolism: Strength, integrity, infatuation, remembrance.
Meaning: The tall, sword-shaped bloom represents moral strength and sincerity. It can also signify deep love or being “pierced with love” — like Cupid’s arrow.
🌼 Poppy
Symbolism:
Red poppy: Remembrance, especially for fallen soldiers.
White poppy: Peace.
Yellow poppy: Wealth and success.
Meaning: Poppies generally represent sleep, peace, and imagination. In August's context, they are tied to dreamy, romantic qualities or memory.
Both flowers bloom in late summer, making them perfect for representing August.
Why is Astrantia one of Great British floristry’s favourite flowers?
It’s a beautiful choice! Astrantia, also known as masterwort, is a truly unique and elegant flower. It's admired for its star-like shape, intricate petal patterns, and soft, muted colors—often in shades of dusky pink, burgundy, white, or green. The flowers almost look like tiny, ornamental fireworks.
Here are a few reasons why Astrantia is such a special favorite:
🌸 Aesthetic appeal: It has a vintage, whimsical charm that's perfect for cottage gardens, wildflower arrangements, or romantic bouquets.
🌿 Symbolism: Astrantia often symbolizes strength, protection, and courage—a quiet but resilient beauty.
💐 Versatility: It pairs well with both bold and delicate flowers and looks just as stunning fresh as it does dried.
🐝 Pollinator-friendly: Bees and butterflies love it!
Being a Southampton based florist.
I've always been drawn to beauty in the natural world — the colors, textures, and delicate details that flowers uniquely offer. Becoming a florist felt like the perfect way to turn that admiration into a creative and meaningful career.
Flowers have a quiet power. They mark life's biggest moments — celebrations, farewells, beginnings, and everything in between. I wanted to be a part of that. To use my hands and creativity to help people express feelings that words sometimes can’t.
There’s also something deeply calming and grounding about working with flowers. Arranging them isn’t just about design; it's about intuition, emotion, and connection. Being a florist allows me to bring joy, comfort, and beauty into people’s lives in a tangible way — and that, to me, is incredibly fulfilling.
Create an account