The lilac, one of the oldest ornamental shrubs, should not be missing in any cottage garden. It exudes a wonderful fragrance and has beautiful flowers ranging from white to lilac-blue. Bring the scent of spring into your home with a bouquet of lilacs - and keep it for a particularly long time with our tips and tricks.

If the water is changed daily, the lilac will stay fresh longer

Cut lilac blossoms for the vase - Here's how

To cut the lilac stems, you need sharp, pointed scissors and a sharp knife. Always cut off the blooming shoot directly at its base, and also choose branches with buds that have not yet fully blossomed. Leave already withered flowering shoots, they will not straighten up again in the vase.

Cut lilac stems early in the morning

Not every time of day is suitable for cutting lilacs. Ideally, grab the scissors early in the morning or in the evening, because flowers cut at midday wither much faster. It is best to pick only lilac blossoms that are to be dried around midday. It is best to take a bucket of water with you, so the flowers stay fresh longer.

Properly preparing, caring for and arranging a bouquet of lilacs

After cutting, you should put the lilac flowers in a vase as soon as possible. With the following prep tips, the stems will last longer as they can hold more vital water.

preparation

First, remove all the leaves from the stems, as leaves rotting in water will reduce the bouquet's durability. In addition, the lilac evaporates a lot of precious water through its large leaves, which is why leafy flowering shoots dry out faster. Only cut the flower stalks immediately before placing them in the water so that no air bubbles form in the stalks' pathways. Peel off an inch or two of bark at the end of the stem, then make an equal vertical slit in the stem at that point. Always use lukewarm water.

Keep lilac bouquet fresh

Putrefactive bacteria that spread on the stems and in the water reduce the durability of the buds. Therefore, you can keep the bouquet of lilacs fresher for longer with the following methods:

  • Change the vase water completely every day, don't just fill it up.
  • Rinse the vase thoroughly at the same time.
  • Recut the stems every two days.
  • Avoid sun and drafts.
  • Do not place the bouquet of lilacs next to a fruit bowl.
  • Place the bouquet in a cool room or basement overnight.

tips

A bouquet of lilacs looks very lush on its own, but also harmonises very well with other flowering plants such as gold lacquer, late tulips or roses.

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