Here’s how to help your gorgeous fresh cut flowers last a teensy bit longer.

Oodles of moms around the world scored a beautiful bouquet yesterday for being so awesome—and even though those fresh cut flowers won’t last forever, there are a few tricks of the trade to keep in mind to make them last as long as possible.

Jenny Barker, BloomNation florist and owner of Magical Blooms in Redondo Beach, CA shares her quick and easy tricks to extend the life of your fresh cut flowers:

1. Start with a clean vase

If you use your vase on the regular, it may contain microorganisms that will mess with your flowers. Before placing your new bouquet, give your vase a thorough cleaning by filling it with hot water and stirring in a tablespoon of baking soda and white vinegar.

2. Avoid placing them in a sunny locale

Make sure you steer clear of placing your bouquet near a window that gets a lot of sun. “The sun beats down on the flowers and makes them sweat/wilt,” says Barker. “It also warms the water in the vase, which spoils the hydration of the flowers.” Display them in a locale that’s room temperature (65-70 degrees).

3. Keep them away from vents and tech

Keep your fresh cut flowers as far away from heating vents and items that give off heat as possible (such as your television or computer). “Flowers can’t stand warmth and will die within a 24-hour period—even if you just got them,” says Barker.

4. Keep tabs on the water level

If you received flowers already in a vase, Barker recommends checking the water level: “Sometimes the water is at a much lower level due to travel, so the key is to have the vase filled almost to the top.”

To keep your bouquet fresher longer, change out the water daily and give the stems a small trim so the flowers get better access to water. Make sure to cut them on a slant using a sharp knife that isn’t serrated.

5. Mist the petals

If it’s particularly sweltering out, give each of the flower heads a spritz. It turns out flowers love it as much as we do!

6. Do some plucking

Sometimes some flowers tend to die quicker than others. Simply pluck out the sad looking flowers to keep the rest of your bouquet looking purdy.

How do you keep your fresh cut flowers… well, fresh?

Related on EcoSalon

6 Prime Spots for Viewing Wildflowers in the U.S.

7 Edible Flowers with Tasty Health Benefits

How We Buy Flowers Online is Changing: Meet BloomNation, ‘the Etsy for Flowers’

Image: Fresh cut flowers photo via Shutterstock

The post 6 Pro Tips to Make Fresh Cut Flowers Last Longer appeared first on EcoSalon.

Spring flowers straight from the French capital.

Spring in Paris–there’s a reason that everyone loves this time of year. The sun comes back, the sky turns blue and flowers turn the city from gray to colorful. Between the flowers and branches of city parks and the multitude of flower shops and fresh bouquets at markets, there is plenty of flora to enjoy.

Want a full dose of flowers while in Paris? Check out the Jardin des Plantes. And if you can’t make it for a spring in Paris, why not Parisian spring flowers at home?

Here are 11 flowers and blossoms that make a Parisian spring beautiful.

1. Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms are the quintessential flowers of Parisian parks, and when the breeze comes through just right you almost feel like you’re in the countryside. Paired with the bright blue sky, it makes for the perfect Parisian springtime afternoon.

2. Daffodils

What better way to say spring than daffodils? The yellow spring flowers can be found all around town at floral shops and local markets.

3. Peonies

Peonies are a favorite of Parisian flower boutiques, and this time of year you’ll find them practically overflowing onto the sidewalk.

4. Irises

There are a few Iris varieties native to Paris and it’s a common flower found in the big gardens like Jardin du Luxembourg.

5. Lilies

With many species and colors it’s no wonder that the French love lilies. In fact, the fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, appears on countless French coat of arms and is a common symbol in French culture.

6. Roses

Roses are in abundance in the Paris flower markets this time of year, and if you’re lucky you can even track down the native wild climbing rose Rosa Canina.

7. Nasturtiums

Pass by a community garden in Paris and you’re sure to see some blossoming nasturtiums. But these aren’t just pretty; they’re edible too.

8. Gourdon Flowers

A purple widlflower, you’ll find this flowers growing wild all around Paris. While you may not be able to get a hold of these at home, you can replicate that beautiful purple color in any flower arrangement.

9. Lily of the Valley

Known as muguet in France, the Lily of the Valley has a special place in French culture, and you’ll find it in everything from perfumes to teas. On May 1st, the French have a tradition of gifting bouquets of lily of the valley to friends and loved ones.

10. Tulips

While tulips are most often associated with Holland, you’ll find them all over Paris. In plenty of colors they are the perfect pop for spring.

11. Paulownia Blossoms

While not native to Paris (Paulownia trees come from Eastern Asia) they’re symbolic with a Paris spring. They line many a Parisian street and their beautiful pink and white flowers are certainly a sign of the spring season.

Related on EcoSalon

7 Vegetarian Restaurants and Cafes in Paris

50 Best Quotes About Paris

7 Stunning Do-It-Yourself Flower Arranging Tips

Images: Anna Brones, waitscm, Andrea Anatasaski, Daxis, olibac, juanedc

The post 11 Spring Flowers That Make Paris Beautiful appeared first on EcoSalon.

Flower arranging may be an art form, but it’s one that is attainable by all of us. Sure, we may feel more comfortable leaving our wedding and other special occasions to the pros, but you should feel like everyday flower arranging is a skill you have in your wheelhouse.

If you aren’t quite comfortable with the notion of do-it-yourself flower arranging here are some tips to get you started. The key is to get in touch with your creative side, think about the effect you are looking to create and where you want to display your flowers. Arrangements for the mantle or table centerpiece will be very different from arrangements for the bathroom or a sunny windowsill. The most important thing to remember about flower arranging is to jump in and have fun. It’s not just about creating an end result, but also enjoying the process!

1. Use Wildflowers

Image: bernadettemacphersonmorris

The addition of Queen Anne’s Lace and Black-Eyed Susan flowers to this beautiful and simple  arrangement of Hydrangea blossoms is genius. Sometimes the prettiest flowers grow right in our backyards!

2. Create an Ombre Effect

Image: thedessinee

Pick a flower and choose a variety of shades of the same color family to create an ombre effect.

3. Volume

Image: InfoMofo

Keep it simple. Pick your favorite bloom and fill a container to the brim with it. Sometimes a simple statement can make the most impact.

4. Complementary Colors

Image: bobosh_t

Remember the color wheel? You know: primary, secondary, tertiary colors? Well complementary colors are those colors that are opposites on the color wheel, but that complement each other. Combinations like blue and yellow, red and green and purple and green can make striking arrangements like this pretty blue and orange example.

5. Texture

Image: torbakhopper

Use a variety of textures to create a visually stunning effect as in this gorgeously bold arrangement.

6.  Height

Image: David Blackwell

Use height to create drama as with this simple and stunning display that utilizes a tall slender vase to showcase tall beauties. The sleek and simple effect is the perfect showcase.

7. Vases

Image: Jinx!

Try a variety of vessels from everyday mason jars and coffee cans to vintage art deco vases and exotically-shaped blown glass vases.

Related on Ecosalon

Flowers That Add Color to Your Garden and Spice to Your Menu

8 Garden Secrets for Making Outdoor Blooms Last Inside

Create Gorgeous Late Summer Centerpieces from What’s In Your Backyard—Wherever It Is!

Top Image: aussiegal

The post 7 Stunning Do-It-Yourself Flower Arranging Tips appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ever wish the florist’s shop were run more like a buffet? You could stand in line with a vase in hand and ask for six pink daisies, four orange roses and six yellow lilies. Welcome to the fun-filled world of flower arranging! But, before you break your dependence on professional florists and set out on your own, brush up on the basics of this fascinating art form to craft beautiful bouquets.

Brainstorming is the first essential step in every creative process. Decide whether you’d like to make a horizontal, vertical, triangular, crescent, oval, minimal, lazy “S” or freestanding arrangement. Click here for more information about these varieties.

Choose your vase based on which type you picked.

If your vase is clear, line it with decorative greens like hydrangea leaves to hide the stems.

Move on to the line materials. Think of them as the skeleton of your flower arrangement, and use these greens to form the basic shape.

Continuing the analogy, fill in the flesh and blood of your arrangement with the dominant materials. These are the pieces that will determine your color scheme because they are the main focus of the arrangement. Stick to flowers of a similar hue, like purple and blue or red and orange.

Place the secondary materials evenly around the dominant materials. These smaller groups of flowers simply serve as an accent to the heart of your arrangement.

Plug the gaps with the filler materials. If you’re aiming for a minimal arrangement, don’t go overboard with this step. Just play around with your materials until you find a visually appealing balance.

Pass on this expressive, handmade gift to somebody special and proudly let them know that you’re officially florist-free.

Learn more about the different components of flower arrangements and find more tips at Better Homes and Gardens or get pointers from a professional at Apartment Therapy.

Image: Muffet

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Flower Arranging in 8 Easy Steps appeared first on EcoSalon.