How to Care for Flowers Bloomsbury: Professional Tips
Expert Advice on Bloomsbury Flowers Care
At Flowers Bloomsbury, our passion for exceptional floral arrangements is matched only by our commitment to helping you enjoy them for as long as possible. Our experienced Bloomsbury florists, who have served households, wedding venues, and local businesses across the community, want to share their favourite flower care secrets with you. Whether you've received a hand-tied bouquet or a classic vase arrangement, these tips will help your blooms stay fresher, longer, every season.
The Basics: Unpacking and First Steps
When your Bloomsbury Flowers arrive, time is of the essence. Unbox your bouquet immediately, gently removing all packaging while supporting the stems. If you've received your flowers hand-tied in water, give them a fresh cut before placing them into a clean vase. Always use sharp, clean scissors or a florist’s knife to trim 2–3cm off the stems at a 45-degree angle. This encourages better water uptake and lessens the risk of the stems sitting flat against the bottom of the vase.
Remove any foliage that might fall below the waterline. Leaves in water will start to decay, encouraging bacterial growth that can dramatically shorten the life of your bouquet.
Best Water Practices: Keep It Clean and Fresh
The right water care can add days to your flower’s vase life. Our Bloomsbury florists recommend the following routine:
- Use lukewarm water, which is absorbed more easily than cold.
- Clean your vase thoroughly before use to eliminate any lingering bacteria.
- After arranging your flowers, add the flower food provided with all Bloomsbury Flowers bouquets. If you need a homemade solution, a teaspoon of sugar, a dash of bleach, and a splash of lemon juice in 1L of water make a simple substitute.
- Change the water every two days, and re-trim the stems slightly with each change.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Where you display your bouquet has a big impact on its longevity. Our florists suggest these pointers:
- Place arrangements in a cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight, radiators, and draughts.
- Keep blooms clear of fresh fruit bowls, as ripening fruit emits ethylene gas which can speed up ageing in flowers.
- If you can, move flowers to a cooler spot overnight—for instance, a hallway or pantry. This helps slow down transpiration and preserves their vibrancy.
Seasonal Flower Care: Adapting to the Time of Year
Every season brings its own floral favourites and care considerations. Our Bloomsbury florists tailor their care strategies to each season’s unique demands—here’s how you can too:
Spring
Delicate buds like tulips, narcissi, and hyacinths thrive in cooler spaces. Avoid mixing spring bulb flowers with others in the same vase, as some bulbs ooze sap that can reduce the vase life of other stems. For instance, always rinse daffodils before placing them with other spring blooms.
Summer
Hydration is key for thirsty summer favourites like peonies and sunflowers. Change vase water more frequently to keep bacteria in check, and consider misting the petals lightly on hot days to prevent wilting. Summer bouquets also benefit from early morning or evening placements, avoiding peak midday heat.
Autumn
As temperatures dip, arrangements featuring dahlias, chrysanthemums, and berries should be kept from overly cold spots. Regularly check for wilting, as autumnal blooms tend to be fuller and can drink more than expected.
Winter
In heated interiors, watch out for parched foliage and dry air. Keep vases away from radiators and fireplaces, and ensure flowers have plenty of water. Consider adding a little extra flower food to help fight the effects of lower winter light and warmth.
Expert Florist Hacks for Longer Vase Life
Our experienced Bloomsbury Flowers team have a trove of extra tips to get the best out of every bouquet:
- Remove faded stems first: Prune out spent blooms to prevent ethylene build-up and encourage the rest to last longer.
- Support floppy stems: Wrap kitchen twine or raffia around the bouquet base, or use a grid of floral tape on top of the vase to keep stems upright.
- Refresh the display: As flowers fade, rearrange remaining stems in a smaller vase to make the most of every last blossom.
- For wedding and event flowers: Keep arrangements refrigerated until display time and mop up excess water on vase bases before transporting, to avoid slips and spills.
- Business clients: Assign someone to daily flower checks in your reception or workspace—clear wilted flowers, top up water, and keep your Bloomsbury arrangements looking their best throughout the week.
Care Tips by Flower Type
Some blooms benefit from unique care:
- Roses: Remove the lower few petals (guard petals) for the perfect appearance, and give the stems an extra deep cut in warm water.
- Lilies: Carefully remove pollen-carrying anthers with a tissue as soon as the flowers open, preventing pollen stains and prolonging petal life.
- Hydrangeas: Submerge drooping heads in cool water for a few hours for instant revival.
- Tulips: Stand them upright in wrapping and fresh water to encourage straight stems before transferring to a vase.
- Peonies: Unfurl tightly closed buds by gently rolling them between your fingers or placing in slightly warmer water.
Common Flower Care Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Even the most enthusiastic flower-lovers can fall victim to easy-to-make mistakes. Our Bloomsbury florists know these pitfalls well and share their remedies:
- Don’t overcrowd your vase – flowers need room to breathe for proper hydration.
- Never leave flowers in direct sun after delivery – it speeds wilting.
- Don’t skip stem trimming – a fresh cut is vital for water uptake.
- Avoid using unwashed old vases – lingering bacteria will drastically reduce vase life.
The Bloomsbury Flowers Difference
With every bouquet, we include a care card designed by our experienced Bloomsbury florists. But our knowledge doesn’t stop there—our team serves every kind of client, from busy homes to grand weddings and bustling offices. Our local expertise means you always get the finest advice tailored to your needs and the changing seasons. Your Bloomsbury Flowers arrangement receives the same professional care from our studio to your table, ensuring every stem is primed for beautiful, long-lasting display.
Enjoying Your Flowers Bloomsbury for Longer
With regular, thoughtful care, your Bloomsbury flowers can continue brightening your space for a week or more. Remember, flower longevity starts with how you treat them on arrival and continues with attention to their water, placement, and environment.
If you ever need more advice, our knowledgeable florists are here to help with bespoke tips for your arrangement, whether you’re a household, wedding, or business customer. Let your Bloomsbury bouquet be a joy that lasts, filled with the vibrance and expertise our local reputation is built upon.

