Gardening expert shares simple 5p trick to make Mother's Day flowers last longer trends now
While there are many different ways to celebrate the special women in your life on Mother's Day, sending a beautiful bouquet of flowers is among the most popular.
Yet even the most expensive bouquets won't last more than a few days without proper care.
'Flowers are one of the most beloved Mother's Day gifts, and it's disappointing that they don't last longer than they do,' says Julian de Bosdari, CEO of UK plant nursery Ashridge.
'However, putting in the effort to take special care of cut flowers will both allow shoppers to get the best value for money, and recipients to enjoy their gift for as long as they possibly can.'
Fortunately, it is possible to ensure flowers last for a week or even longer. What matters the most, according to Julian, is preventing conditions that allow bacteria to flourish.
Even the most expensive bouquets won't last more than a few days without proper care
He explained: 'Keeping your bouquet clean, hydrated, nourished and out of the sun will go a long way in maintaining it, and eliminating nasty bacteria from its environment can help prevent the flowers deteriorating prematurely.'
Julian is also keen to remind fans of cut flowers that it's possible to press or dry them once they've reached the end of their lifespan.
For those who are put off by the fleeting nature of cut flowers, Julian recommends a houseplant or garden flowers as 'an equally beautiful alternative that your loved one will be able to enjoy for many years.'
Here, Julian shares his top tips for keeping flowers looking healthy and helping them to live longer...
Choose a long-lasting variety
One of the easiest ways to ensure that flowers will continue to brighten the room beyond a couple of days is to choose a naturally long-lasting variety.
Chrysanthemums, carnations and orchids are good examples of more durable varieties that can last for several weeks.
By contrast, more delicate varieties, such as tulips and peonies, have a vase life of around five days, and are likely to wilt much more quickly.
Since plastic vases often harbour bacteria due to the porous material, go for one that's either glass or ceramic
Always start with a clean vase
It's essential you place your flowers in a clean vase.
Vases with narrow openings are harder to clean, and are more likely to trap bacteria, which can contaminate the water and cause flowers to age and decompose more quickly, so look for a vase with a wide opening.
Since plastic vases often harbour bacteria due to the porous material, go for one that's either glass or ceramic.
As well as being easier to clean, these kinds of vases will help your flowers make an even greater impact.
Trim flower stems at an angle
While the flowers in a bouquet have their stems pre-cut, they are likely to
