Fresh flowers can transform any space, bringing colour, fragrance, and a sense of wellbeing to homes, weddings, and businesses across Brixton. However, getting the most from your Brixton flowers requires proper care and a little insider knowledge. At Brixton Florist, our experienced team has been keeping flowers looking their best for years, from simple kitchen vases to grand wedding arrangements. In this guide, we share our top advice on how to care for flowers Brixton-style, ensuring you get the longest vase life and most enjoyment from every bouquet.
A stunning arrangement is only as good as the care it receives after delivery or collection. Without the right attention, even the freshest flowers can wilt early, missing out on days of potential beauty. With a little time and some of our Brixton florists’ best tips, you can extend the life of your cut flowers, maintaining their vibrance and vitality longer.
When you first receive your bouquet from Brixton Florist, resist the urge to place it straight into a vase. Remove all packaging, being gentle with delicate stems and petals. Many arrangements come with a water-soaked wrap at the base—be sure to remove this too.
Next, use sharp, clean scissors or garden shears to trim 2-3 centimetres from the base of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Cutting stems this way maximises water uptake. For woody stems (like roses), a small vertical slit in the base can help them drink better.
Choose a vase that is large enough for your flowers, allowing the stems space and avoiding crowding. Wash the vase thoroughly to remove any bacteria which can harm your blooms, and fill it with lukewarm water—most flowers prefer this over cold.
Always add the flower food supplied by your Brixton florist, as it contains nutrients and antibacterial agents to keep your arrangement fresh. If you run out, a homemade solution of a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of bleach per litre of water makes a good substitute.
Once prepared, arrange your Brixton flowers in the vase, removing any leaves that would sit below the waterline—this stops bacterial growth and keeps water clean. Take the opportunity to style your bouquet; taller flowers work best at the centre, while shorter or softer stems can fill out the sides.
Change the water every two days, refreshing the flower food and giving stems a quick trim each time. This promotes maximum hydration and arrests the build-up of bacteria—a major cause of wilting blooms.
Where you display your flowers can make a big difference. Avoid placing vases in direct sunlight, near radiators, or in areas with draughts. Fruit bowls, while visually appealing as a companion, release ethylene gas which can shorten flower life—keep your arrangement on a separate surface for best results.
Remove any drooping or decaying blooms promptly; these can speed up ageing for the whole arrangement. Top up the vase with fresh water as needed, and if certain flowers are fading faster, trim the stems again—sometimes a fresh cut is all they need for a new lease on life.
With warmer weather, flowers drink more. Top up water daily during heatwaves and move arrangements to cooler spots overnight if possible. Spring bouquets often feature delicate stems like tulips and ranunculus—keep these away from direct sunlight for longest-lasting blooms.
Colder months mean slower water uptake, so refresh vases every few days and avoid positioning arrangements near drying heat sources. Many Brixton weddings and events feature winter classics like amaryllis and berries—these are durable, but benefit from a clean vase and sharp, regular stem trims to stay perky.
Some varieties—like roses and hydrangeas—can be revived if they start to droop. Re-cut their stems and submerge them in a sink or bathtub of lukewarm water for 30 minutes to an hour; this deep drink can often restore their crispness. For tulips, wrapping the stems in paper before standing in cool water helps them regain firmness and prevents dramatic drooping.
If you have trailing or floppy stems, use a grid of florist tape across the top of the vase before arranging. This supports fragile blooms and helps create a professional look, a favourite trick among our Brixton florists.
If you need to make your own flower preservative, mix one part lemon-lime soft drink (not diet versions) with three parts water and a drop of bleach. This concoction provides sugar for energy and acid plus bleach to keep water clear, closely mimicking shop-bought flower food.
Whether you’ve bought a treat for your home, are enjoying Brixton flowers at your wedding, or decorating your business premises, proper care makes all the difference. Our local florists have prepared arrangements for every imaginable setting, developing best practices for a wide range of blooms and styles. Reach out to our Brixton florists for advice tailored to your chosen flowers, venue, season, or theme.
With the right flower care and some seasoned know-how, your fresh Brixton flowers will retain their natural charm and bring joy day after day. From prompt trimming and water changes to clever hacks for specific stems, a little extra attention pays back with lasting beauty. With these tips—drawn from years of local experience—your arrangements will look stunning whether displayed at home, at the office, or as the centrepiece to a magical Brixton wedding. Happy flowering from your neighbourhood Brixton florists!
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