Flower & plant care

At Shirley Snells Florist we pride ourselves on delivering high quality flowers. Bouquets are sometimes delivered in bud to prolong their longevity. Please be reassured that your flowers are not dying or damaged. They are delicate and sensitive and need some TLC.

Caring for your Cut Flower

If you've received flowers and you’re not at home, give them a drink of water as soon as you can, even if that means putting them in a bucket of water. It will keep them fresh until you can get them home. If you need to travel with them, try to ensure the stems are wrapped in something wet like a paper towel covered by a plastic bag (so they don’t drip everywhere).

On receipt of your flowers, unwrap with care. Cut approximately 1cm off the bottom of all the stems.  Make sure the vase is clean before filling it with water with the supplied flower food. Arrange flowers and place vase away from direct sunlight, radiators and draughts. The cooler the room, the longer the flowers will last.

Change the water at least every couple of days; remove any faded blooms to encourage buds to open Remove stamens from lilies as the pollen can stain not only the petals but also clothes and soft furnishings if they drop. It also makes the flowers last longer. Don’t cut them just use a paper towel to pull them off

Cut the base of the stem every couple of days don’t break or crush them remove any foliage that will be below the water level.. If daffodils are mixed with other flowers, do NOT recut the daffodils, otherwise you risk the sap from the daffodils poisoning the other blooms.

Caring for your Roses

Cut the stems and place immediately in DEEP water up to the neck. Leave in a cool place for a "good drink". Arrange in a DEEP vase or again cut stems to suit the vase, allowing for PLENTY of stem in water. DO NOT leave them in a draught, near heat, or in direct sunshine. If the roses should flop at their heads re-cut and plunge the stems only into deep water up to the neck and leave for 12 hours.

Caring for your Hand Tied Aqua Pack

Your bouquet can be left in its aqua pack for up to 48hrs. After this the water will need to be changed, so snip the base of the water bag over the sink to release the water. Remove the lower packaging, the upper gift wrap can be left on if desired, do not untie the flowers. Fill a vase with tepid water, add the flower food following the instructions on the packet, cut approx. 5cm from the end of the stems, for best results cut stems at an angle. Stand the Hand Tied Design in the vase. REMEMBER - Keep flowers in a cool draught free area but out of direct sunlight. The cooler the room, the longer the flowers will last. Remove any faded blooms or foliage as soon as possible. Change the water in the vase twice a week.

Caring for your Flower Arrangement

Make sure the container is filled to the brim with water upon receipt and is kept topped up each day thereafter.  If, however, the flowers have been arranged in a water retaining material oasis floral foam(which has the property of soaking up water like a sponge)  Make sure the container is filled to the brim with water upon receipt and is kept topped up each day thereafter. Keep the Arrangement away from draughts and radiators. The cooler the room, the longer the flowers will last. 

Any Questions

If in any doubt with any of the above, consult your florist at Shirley Snells. We want your flowers to last well and give you satisfaction. If after 24 hours you have any questions or concerns about the condition of your flowers after following this advice, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01722 329152 and we will be happy to help.