There’s nothing like a bunch of fresh flowers to lift our spirits on a dull, boring day. Flowers, with their vibrant appeal and captivating fragrance, send out warm, friendly signals that are hard to ignore. A cluster of fresh flowers in some corner of our homes is just enough to bring a smile on our faces. Flowers radiate joy and beauty, filling our homes with the freshness they are synonymous with.
Flowers also add a touch of magic to the interiors. No wonder, flowers are an indispensible part of any celebration. And, how best to wish a person on a special occasion than with flowers? People down the ages have ascribed different meanings to different flowers. But there is no disputing the fact that flowers mean different things to different people, depending on their likes and dislikes.
No set rules
The same thumb rule holds good when it comes to choosing flowers for our interiors. There should be no set rules and no compulsions, except our instincts. For, any homemaker knows fully well that flowers of their choice add that extra ‘zing’ to tastefully done interiors.
However, a little bit of ‘green knowledge’ about the health of flowers that we bring home can actually make a lot of difference to their capacity to last. In fact, the selection of flowers is itself an art, necessitating a lot of patience and love for nature’s beautiful creations.
A visit to the florist should always be at leisure, so that we have enough time to pick and choose the flowers of our choice. If flower vases are a part of every cubicle at home, then the choice of all the members of the family should be taken into account. And, of course, the allergy factor as some people suffer from pollen allergy of certain flowers. It also pays not to forget the size and shape of vases at home during our flower-shopping.
Always fresh
When it comes to the selection of flowers, fresh flowers are the best bet. They should always be picked from a loose bunch. Flowers that are tightly packed in polythene, which the florist tries to palm off as ‘pre-packed to retain freshness’, should strictly be avoided as he is only trying to exhaust his stock of old flowers. A close look at the stem and the outermost ring of petals are an absolute must as they are vital signs of a flower’s health. Flowers that have been just picked will have a clean tip and all their petals will be intact.
Try and select a bunch that has flowers in various stages of blooming. Never go in for flowers that are in full bloom as they wither away in no time. Likewise, avoid buying only buds as chances are that they may not open up at all.
Once we finish with the selection and buying of flowers, we must insist that the florist pack them in such a way that they can breathe easily.
On reaching home, it is always advisable to first dip them in fresh water, allowing them to replenish their loss of moisture. When it’s time for them to be arranged, care should be taken to cut the stems with a slant as such a cut will maximise their absorption capacity.
If vases are a ‘no-no’ at home, then a clean test tube, glass decanter or a transparent jam jar should be chosen for their display. The cleaner the vase, the longer the flowers will last. Hence, care should be taken to clean the vase appropriately with a pinch of bleaching powder and fill it with clean, fresh water. A dash of lemonade, a pinch of salt and a few crystals of sugar in the vase can actually add life to your favourite flowers. If you already have flower food with you, then there’s nothing like it.
It should also be seen that the vase we arrange flowers in, is filled with water to the brim. For, most plants have stems that absorb water from all over and not just from their tips. Larger the neck, the better it is, as flowers definitely detest being cluttered. They need their space too.
If flowers have any leaves on their stems, and if they are underwater, they need to be plucked out as they absorb a lot of water. Moreover, the more the foliage underwater, the faster the water in the vase gets dirty, affecting the life of flowers. Care should be taken to clean the water in the vase on a regular basis.
The beauty of flower arrangements can be enhanced by placing a few colourful pebbles inside transparent flower vases. Of late, many underwater lights have also started adorning large flower vases, enhancing the look of the interiors, especially in the living room.
A little care and creativity with flowers can actually make our homes more appealing. Pick your fave flowers, follow your instincts and arrange them the way you want for that ‘perfect’ look to your dream homes.

Quick tips
Running a hair dryer gently over flower buds will help them bloom faster.
If you’re hard pressed for time and your vase badly needs a clean-up operation, then just place the flower container under running tap water in a sink for it to replace itself.
Never keep flower vases near sunny windows or in places like kitchen and bathroom, where heat is generated. If forced to do so, then add a few ice cubes to the vase to make flowers last long.