I find myself always counting down the days until June for many reasons. Firstly because it’s summer and the weather is beautiful. Secondly, for the beautiful flowers! Peonies are my favourite and in Toronto by the end of May and beginning of June is when we start to see peonies bloom everywhere. Now, unfortunately, they don’t last forever so I am always finding new ways to preserve the flowers.
While I love heading to the market to grab fresh flowers on a Saturday morning, I find it so much more rewarding and fun to actually head out to the flower fields and pick some myself. You may have recognized this flower field from last year when I discovered this farm for the first time. I think Gavin and I are going to make this a tradition every year around peony season.
Outfit Details:
Jumpsuit: ASOS / Shoes: Keds / Bag: Zara – similar / Hat: ASOS
When cutting the flowers, I always make sure to keep the stems long. This way I can cut them down to fit in my vase perfectly. Cutting the stems at an angle allows for the flowers to receive better water intake since they aren’t sitting flat on the bottom of a vase. After the initial cut, be sure to re-trim your bouquet once every few days.
It’s not only important to get your bouquet hydrated but to do so wisely. Your flowers won’t last long without water, especially once their stems have been cut. After picking out a clean vase, fill it with room temperature water and add in a packet of flower food. It’s also very important to clean out the water at least twice a week so your flowers are getting the freshest cleanest water.
Where you place your flowers in your home can also affect the life expectancy of your flowers. Avoid displaying them in direct sunlight or near appliances that generate heat. You’ll also want to avoid areas like open windows, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans as they can cause the flowers to quickly dehydrate. You also shouldn’t display your bouquet near fruit. That’s right, ripening fruits release tiny amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of your fresh arrangement. I didn’t know this until I did research, who knew?!
One last tip, I always love adding a little bit of sugar or apple cider vinegar to my flower water. It’s great plant food and allows them to stay healthier longer! Hope these tips help you with your next bouquet of flowers 🙂
