Make them last.
Most bouquets give up early for the same three reasons: dirty water, a blocked stem and a warm radiator. Here’s how we look after flowers in the shop.
- 1
Cut
Snip 2–3cm off every stem, at an angle, with something sharp.
- 2
Strip
Remove any leaves that would sit underwater. They rot and feed bacteria.
- 3
Clean
A scrubbed vase, cool water and the sachet of flower food we tuck in the wrap.
- 4
Refresh
Change the water every two days and give the stems another trim.
- 5
Place
Away from radiators, sunny windows and the fruit bowl (ripening fruit ages flowers).
Day-by-day helper
How old is your bouquet?
Cats, dogs and flowers
Every Larkmead bouquet is lily-free
Lilies are dangerous to cats: even pollen licked from fur can cause kidney failure. We never use them unless you specifically ask. Several other flowers are mildly toxic if eaten, so we note pet safety on every guide below. If you’re worried your pet has eaten part of a plant, call your vet straight away.
Guides by flower