STEP 3: REMOVE THE GUARD PETALS

The flowers may be slightly limp upon arrival and that's perfectly normal. They will perk up when placed in water. Hydration can take up to 6 hours so please be patient.

Remove the outer two layers of petals from each rose and discard. The petals may have slight browning or discoloration on arrival and this is perfectly NORMAL. These are called the “guard petals” and are left on the rose intentionally to protect the other interior delicate petals in transit. As the flowers open, any remaining the discoloration will be on the inverse of the petals and the beautiful interior petals will be displayed. This opening process can take 2-3 days depending on the conditions in your location.

 STEP 4: PREPARE YOUR VASE

Choose a vase. My rule of thumb is one that covers at least half the height of the stems.

Give your vase a good scrub with soap and hot water or diluted bleach (ratio of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water) to make sure no bacteria is remaining. Bacteria left in the vase will enter the tissue of the flower which will case the roses to prematurely age. 

Fill your vase three-quarters of the way full and pour in the contents of the flower food packet included with your bouquet. The flower food is crucial to extend the vase life of your flowers and make them last longer. It contains a bactericide & food to keep them fed and looking their best.

STEP 5: RECUT THE STEMS & ARRANGE YOUR ROSES

Recut the bottom of each stem removing at least 1/2” to your desired height. I love to stagger the height of our stems to give our arrangements a more casual and full look. So cut some a little shorter and leave some a little longer.

Be sure there is no foliage below the water line. This can cause bacteria to form in the water and will shorten the vase life of your roses.

PRO TIP: If you prefer to arrange with flowers that are more open (not in tight bud as when they arrived), leave your roses banded in their bouquet. Place them directly in a vase or bucket with water for 24 to 48 hours and allow them to hydrate and open up. To get them to open more quickly, place in a sunny location with indirect light at room temperature. It can take 2 or more days for the flower to open into a full bloom. When they are more open, remove the rubber band from the bouquet, trim the end of the stems and arrange in your favorite vase as demonstrated in the photos below.

STEP 6: TAKE CARE OF YOUR ARRANGEMENT 

The flowers will take up a lot of water in the first couple of days. Check the water level daily and top-off the water as needed. No need to replace the water since you placed flower food in the vase that is both feeding & keeping the bacteria away. If the water is dumped, you will be also dumping those two crucial elements for vase life extension. 

Remove older flowers as they fade.

Keep your flowers away from direct sun, drafts, and sources of heat (like stoves & fireplaces) and they’ll last longer. 

Garden roses are a special delicate flower and their fleeting beauty is meant to be enjoyed for 3-5 days.

Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography

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