Your Guide to Spitalfields Flowers: Expert Care Tips

Expert Flower Care Advice from Spitalfields Florists

Whether you’ve just received a beautiful bouquet from Flowers Spitalfields or selected the perfect arrangement for your home, wedding, or business, knowing how to care for your flowers is essential for enjoying their full beauty and lifespan. Our team of experienced Spitalfields florists, who serve local households, events, and businesses, have compiled top flower care guidance just for you. These tried-and-true methods will help your Spitalfields Flowers look vibrant for as long as possible.

Unpacking Your Spitalfields Flowers: The First Steps

When you receive your Spitalfields Flowers, it’s important to unpack them carefully as soon as possible. Remove any wrapping and cellophane, and give each stem room to breathe. If your flowers arrive in a bouquet, gently untie and separate the stems just before arranging them in a vase. This crucial first step helps to prevent bruising and ensures every bloom receives enough air flow. Our Spitalfields florists recommend not leaving flowers in packaging for more than an hour after delivery.

Preparing Your Vase: The Foundation of Freshness

Never underestimate the importance of a clean vase! Bacteria are the main culprit behind wilting flowers. Wash your vase thoroughly with hot, soapy water to remove any residue. Rinse well and fill with fresh, lukewarm water. Before adding your Spitalfields Flowers, mix in the provided flower food or a homemade version (a splash of lemonade or a pinch of sugar and a drop of bleach can work in a pinch). This combination feeds the blooms and keeps bacteria at bay.

Florist Tips for Perfect Stem Preparation

Proper stem care is a hallmark of our expert Spitalfields florists. Here’s their advice:

• Trim the stems: Use sharp, clean scissors or secateurs to cut each stem at a 45-degree angle. This allows greater water uptake and prevents stems sitting flat at the vase bottom, which can block absorption.
• Remove foliage below the waterline: Leaves submerged in water encourage bacterial growth. Strip any foliage from the parts of stems that will sit in water.
• Repeat every few days: Re-trim stems every 2-3 days to keep water uptake efficient, especially for arrangements that include roses, tulips, or hydrangeas.

Arranging Your Spitalfields Flowers for Maximum Impact

The artistry of arranging flowers is a part of Spitalfields’ local heritage. When preparing your own vase at home, start with greenery to create a base, and then nestle in your feature blooms. Our florists recommend regularly rotating your vase to let the flowers sunbathe evenly. Mix varying heights and textures for a professional, eye-catching display reminiscent of our shopfront on Brushfield Street.

Seasonal Flower Care: Tips for Every Time of Year

The Spitalfields Flowers you bring home will likely change with the seasons. Here’s how to adapt your care:

• Spring: Many spring blooms like tulips continue growing after cutting. Trim stems every couple of days and use cold water to keep tulips upright. Ranunculus and narcissi are delicate; avoid drafty locations.
• Summer: Warmer temperatures mean water evaporates quickly. Top up your vase daily and keep flowers away from direct sunlight and fruit bowls (ripening fruit releases ethylene gas that causes wilting).
• Autumn: Rich, textural blooms like dahlias and sunflowers make autumn arrangements sing. These can drink a lot, so change water more frequently and remove spent petals promptly.
• Winter: In cooler months, heating can dry out flowers fast. Place arrangements away from radiators, and use room-temperature water. For festive displays, add a touch more flower food and consider misting leaves to retain moisture.

Vase Life Hacks: Extend the Beauty of Spitalfields Flowers

Our veteran Spitalfields florists have a few secret hacks to help you extend the vase life of every bouquet:

• Add a copper coin: Especially effective for tulips and daffodils, a clean copper penny can hinder bacterial growth in the water and perk up drooping stems.
• Minimal foliage: Bouquets last longer when most foliage is removed and stems have breathing space.
• Hydration station: Some flowers (such as hydrangeas) benefit from a quick dip of their blooms in water if they start to wilt. For woody stems, like lilac, split the ends vertically to improve water uptake.
• Change location: If your room is too warm or bright, move flowers to a cooler spot overnight to help them rest and recover, especially during summer evenings.
• Mist and revive: Drooping blooms can sometimes be revived with a gentle misting from a spray bottle. Avoid direct sprays on petals; aim for foliage and stems.

Special Care for Wedding & Event Flowers

For those celebrating with Flowers Spitalfields at weddings and special events, care is crucial to ensure every arrangement looks spectacular on the big day. Our Spitalfields florists recommend:

• Keep arrangements cool: Store flowers in the coolest room available until needed.
• Transport with care: Keep blooms upright, stems hydrated, and avoid crushing. For bridal bouquets, lightly mist before use and provide a water source wherever possible.
• Last-minute checks: Remove any blooms that look past their best just before display for a pristine look in photos and on tables.

Florist Insight: Common Myths About Flower Care

Our Spitalfields florists often hear misconceptions about keeping blooms fresh. Here are a few myths debunked:

• "Sugar alone is enough food." Not true—sugar feeds not only your flowers but also bacteria. Always combine with a mild anti-bacterial (like a drop of bleach or lemon juice) to keep water fresh.
• "Cutting stems straight is fine." Angled cuts expose more surface area and prevent stems from sitting flat, which can block water uptake.
• "Hot water revives tired flowers." Lukewarm or cool water is best for most varieties, except some woody-stemmed flowers which may benefit from a quick dip in hotter water to open up water channels.

Keeping Flowers Fresh for Homes, Businesses & Events

The care you give your Spitalfields Flowers will reward you with days—sometimes weeks—of fragrance and glory. These expert florist tips ensure that households, businesses, and wedding venues across Spitalfields enjoy blooms at their best. Regular care, seasonal adjustments, and a handful of local secrets are the difference between a fleeting bouquet and a lasting memory.

Remember, the expert advice and flower care tips shared here come from our passionate, local Spitalfields florists who treat every arrangement with skill and pride. Whether for a home dining table, a shop window, or a wedding aisle, your Spitalfields Flowers deserve care that’s as distinctive as our neighbourhood itself.