11. AFTER THEY ARRIVE.

flowers are still living things.

A flower arrangement doesn’t stop changing when it leaves the florist…

In many ways, that is when another part of its life begins.
Some flowers arrive tightly closed and slowly open over the next few days.
Some turn towards the light.
Some drink more than you would expect…
And some simply decide they have had enough before everybody else.

That is the nature of working with something living.

A little care can help them stay with you for longer…
Keep flowers somewhere cool and away from strong direct sunlight.
For flowers in a vase, keep the water fresh and remove any leaves sitting below the waterline.
Trim the stems occasionally to help them continue drinking.

For arrangements made in floral foam, check the foam regularly and add water carefully when needed.

And perhaps most importantly…
don’t expect every flower to age at exactly the same pace.
You may remove one or two tired stems while the rest of the arrangement continues opening beautifully.

Sometimes an arrangement even looks different on day four than it did on day one.

Not worse…
Just different.

day one isn’t the only beautiful day.

Eventually, of course… the flowers will fade…

That is part of what makes having them around feel a little special in the first place.
They were never meant to stay exactly as they were.

Only to stay for a while.

water. light. time.
and a little looking after.