Flowers arrangements make great gifts for Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries. Never the wrong size, never the wrong style, and guaranteed to brighten any room. They are also the perfect choice for someone who “doesn’t need anything,” because after they’ve been enjoyed for a few days or a week, they’re gone.

If you are ordering flowers for someone via the internet or telephone, choose a company that offers a refund if you are not satisfied. If you don’t have the opportunity to see the flowers personally once they’ve been delivered, ask the recipient what the arrangement looks like. Does it sound like the one you ordered? Are the flowers fresh? Did it arrive on the right day? If the arrangement was already wilting when it arrived, or didn’t match your expectations, contact the company and let them know. To ensure timely delivery of the flowers, don’t wait until the last minute to place your order – this is especially important for busy holidays like Mother’s Day.

Some cut flowers last longer than others – but any arrangement you buy should look good for at least several days. There are some easy things you or your loved one can do to prolong the life of the flowers:

• If the flowers arrived with a packet of floral preservative, make sure to use it, following the directions on the packet. These packets contain ingredients that feed the flowers and help discourage the growth of bacteria.
• If you are preparing a new bouquet for a vase or refreshing a floral arrangement, trim the flowers’ stems. Most experts recommend cutting the stems on the diagonal with a sharp, non-serrated knife. Some suggest cutting the stems under running water, which can help prevent the formation of air bubbles that can effectively “seal” the stems. It is also important to trim off any leaves that fall below the water line.
• Change the water in the vase every couple of days, adding new preservative with each change. Most flowers prefer water that is room temperature or almost lukewarm - but bulb flowers, such as tulips and daffodils, like being in very cold water.
• Place the vase in a cool place, away from sunny windows or vents. Fresh flowers will not last as long if they are in direct sunlight or heat.
• If the arrangement contains a variety of flowers, some may wilt earlier than others. Once a flower wilts, remove it from the arrangement – one decaying flower can contaminate the whole bunch.

Crafty people know that a gift of flowers doesn’t have to be discarded when the arrangement wilts. After blooms have peaked, they can be pressed and used on homemade stationary or decorative items; and dried petals can be used for potpourri or sachets – making your gift of flowers a very lasting pleasure.

Contributed By Laura Weaver