a touch of happiness {a flower maintenance how-to}
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
As I mentioned here I was in a wedding this past weekend. The bride had hand selected her flowers and they were so beautiful! I was able to take a few home with me and they were the perfect way to brighten up my desk! Flowers are a quick and easy way to turn a day from drab to cheery! Most of your local grocery stores have bouquets priced at less than $10.00, and if you live in the Kansas City Area try out the City Market! On Saturdays and Sundays you can snag a bouquet for only $5.00! They are so beautiful and locally grown!
Here are a few different ways to keep your flowers fresh:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar with the vase water before adding the flowers.
- Add a pinch of salt and baking soda to your water.
- Drop a copper penny and a cube of sugar to the vase water. Pennies have a high copper content that will lower the acidity in the water–make sure you use an old one though as the newer pennies only have a very thin coat on them. :)
- Change your water every day or at least every couple of days!
- Cut about 3cm off the stems, and try to cut at a 45-degree angle. This will allow the stems to have better access to water. (It is best to cut the stems while they are underwater if possible!)
I have my flowers placed in a simple mason jar, but any vase will do! You could even try dressing the jar up with a little ribbon or twine if you would like! Have a bright and happy day!
{Desktop photo credit to Aaron Phelps Photography check out his site-he is great!}
{What is your favorite flower? Does anyone have a quick easy pick me up that makes their day brighter?
one of my favorites is thistle! i hang-dried some from city market this summer and they held their color perfectly! now i have a big purple and orange bouquet of them in a big blue mason jar. it’s one of the happiest little corners of our living room.
these tips are so great, liz!
Ahh I love thistle! Never have dried it before though! Great idea!
Such a simple and pretty bouquet. Great ideas on keeping flowers fresher for longer. I just get too lazy and never change the water ha! Cute computer picture too :)
Sometimes I do too! Thanks on the computer photo–that’s all Aaron :)
My favorite flower is tuberose, which I seldom see in the average florist unfortunately…but nevertheless want to also suggest Dan Meiner studio on 25th & Broadway for take-home flowers…they have a $10 bouquet every day that is amazing–so full and beautiful and long-lasting, florist-quality flowers.
I have never been there! Thanks so much for the suggestion! I will have to check them out :)
Oooh – I want to check this place out too! And LOVE tuberose.
(And actually, my mom bought me some tuberose lotion from B&B Works – it’s lovely!)
Love the tips on how to keep them alive longer. Never heard of the penny or sugar cube trick. Thanks Liz!
Love, love, love the $5 City Market flowers! They were one of my treats to myself each week once I officially made the River Market “home”. :)
And I can’t wait to try the penny trick!
So pretty!! You’ve that desk is the definition on “bright and happy”! Thanks for the tips on making flowers last longer!
I LOVE your blog!! I just got some flowers for my anniversary this week, and I was excited to try some of your tricks to help them live longer. Thanks for the tips!