Comments : 34

Hi there…this is somewhat a followup to my massive party post.THANK YOU for all of your incredibly kind comments, talk about knowing how to make a girl feel good!!! If you missed my post on my soiree this past Saturday click here to see it. The hydrangeas were definitely one of the stars of the evening, I had some people email me about how I had them looking so perky and fresh which brings me to this post!

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If you have been coming to my blog for two weeks or 2 years you know I love flowers and I in particular love hydrangeas. They are like the little flower that keeps on giving. I just adore them in every color, every season. I used them abundantly for my party last weekend and took away a few tips that I will apply for the rest of my life, so simple and yet they made a world of difference!

And here it goes-

1.

When you get your hydrangeas whether it be from your yard, local market or a florist, invest in a decent pair of clippers and make a good ,clean 45 degree sharp cut on the stem immediately upon getting home. I used to do this with scissors or a knife, but think a pair of clippers is the way to go.? Then remove all leaves that will be submerged in the water. All leaves close to the flower can remain. Hydrangeas have a very woody stem and their heavy blooms need a lot of water.

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2.

Once you make the cut then cut? a little slit in the fresh cut (see below).

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3.

Then, fill your vase with HOT that’s right HOT water….as in about 80-85? degrees not boiling but almost, it should be hot to the touch. I had a hard time at first (with my husband over my shoulder telling me I had no idea what I was? doing as if he was the resident flower whisperer) but trust me on this one! Fill it up to the brim and let them soak up all that water, they will thank you later and believe me I had fun rubbing it in to my husband later:)

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You will be AMAZED at how long your flowers will last. Below, you will see my flowers the day of the party until day SEVEN,? still looking honestly as good as the day I brought them home! I did make fresh cuts two other times after the party and replenished with fresh hot water and it seems to have made the difference.

Ordinarily I would say by day 2 or 3 the flowers would have been on their way out. Here we are going on day SEVEN and the flowers literally could be on their way to another party….amazing if you ask me! So here is a picture playbook of how they are looking……

 

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DAY OF THE PARTY….

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DAY AFTER THE PARTY…

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DAY TWO I? MADE THIS ARRANGEMENT? FOR MY HUSBAND AKA THE FLOWER WHISPERER TO TAKE TO HIS OFFICE…..

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DAY THREE STILL GOING STRONG….

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DAY FOUR ADDED TWO ALL WHITE ARRANGEMENTS TO MY HALLWAY CONSOLE….

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AND DAY FIVE? GETTING A LITTLE HALLOWEEN ACCENT……

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?DAY SIX AND LOOKING AS GOOD AS EVER AFTER A FRESH CUT AND A DOSE OF HOT WATER….

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HOT OFF THE PRESSES TAKEN JUST THIS MORNING…..DAY SEVEN AND STILL TICKING!

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By the way, side note just received this book, Markam Roberts, it is FABULOUS you MUST add this to your design book library, a total winner!

 

I have to say I don’t think I have ever had fresh flowers last this long and look this good for nearly a week! I don’t know if this is an exceptional batch of hydrangea and I am sure the milder weather has only helped but I really think the fresh cuts and hot water have been the main reason these flowers are still going strong on day six and seven, almost makes me wish I was having another party this weekend. I said almost but on second thought, I am just happy to have them around the house still enjoying them a week later (much to the flower whisperer’s surprise). I have to remind him to just “watch and learn” lol.

Something way better than a party is happening though…… my son is coming home later today from college for a short fall break,? making his favorite meal tonight, bolognese sauce!! And even though he said no dessert I am indulging him with chocolate cake (not that I was thinking of myself , oh no not one bit:) Thanks for stopping in, wishing you a fabulous day and a wonderful weekend!

 

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Tina, your house looks like a castle in England….Fabulous…and my favorite flowers after roses are hydrangeas…can’t wait to try this trick with the hot water…wonder if it would work with roses and other flowers..love and blessings from a Southern Lady in Florida !!

Tina, you and me both love this lush flower with its explosive show of white and BLUES! Your parties must be a blast to be at in person; they are a delight to visit on-line.

Thank you for always making me feel like a queen in your manor!

HAPPY FRIDAY! Anita

Great tip, Tina! Hydrangeas are my faves; and I have used this method for years. I have had some that have lasted two weeks! All of your arrangements are beautiful!

Tina,
Thanks for the tips on the hydrangea. I am always looking for ways to make them last . Another tip I found is after they have been cut, take a potato peeler and peel the stem, I tried it and it worked.

Tina, Many Congratulations on your so enchanted evening……
you are the party hostess extraordinaire :))

Everything looked exquisite, you are gifted to entertain in this beautiful way and in such a setting. I almost feel as though I were there, I hope your guests had a wonderful time ( Im sure they did !) I am a romantic at heart and the dusk photos of your home are breathtaking. You are making lovely memories

Wow what great tips for hydrangeas, they are one of my favourite flowers but can be tricky. I will certainly take all your advice, and maybe share it.
Another thing you can do, is leave the flowers in the water until dried. The blue ones will go a pretty, soft lavender shade- perfect for a winter arrangement… in a blue and white container of course.

Have a wonderful weekend with your son..how lovely for you xx

Tina you must be so excited that your son is coming home bet the house smells good!

Great tips on hydrangeas can’t believe how great they look at 7 days old they look amazing! I am so in lone with your party have shared the pictures with so many and now a friends sister is rethinking her wedding flowers after seeing yours!

Enjoy your family weekend- you had me laughing at the ” flower whisperer” comment.

What a great tip. I love hydrangeas and have been so frustrated that the lasted only a couple of days. Can’t wait to try this tip.

Tina, the party was beautiful, I am sure every guest had a wonderful time, and I will make sure and use your “trick” with my flowers. Enjoy every moment with your son this weekend.

Tina, thanks for the “hot” tip on preserving hydrangeas, my fave flower as well, I so enjoyed your pictures of your fabulous party. You are a woman of many talents. Oh, to be one of your guests…
Have a wonderful time with your son this weekend. I just love it when my sons come for dinner and it feels like old times….

Just beautiful!
Congrats to “Mr. Teddy ” for his overseeing such an extravaganza!

Thanks for the great advice, especially the hot water tip. I expect this might work with other woody stems such as lilacs. I hope it does as my lilacs usually do the dreaded droop! I will have my chance to try it our as the lilacs are just about ready for picking, with the snowball viburnums to follow in a few weeks time. (Australian springtime). Enjoy having your lovely son home for a bit Tina.

Well I would say Tina that you are definitely along side your husband as the Flower Whisperer!

Great party planning the table looks equisite and I loved seeing the white linen napkins!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Tina… love the tip on the hot water!! I think the pic of your gorgeous home at nite is one of the prettiest photos ever. Enjoy every minute with your son!

I heard that you soak the hydrangea in hot water first and then in room temp water. I’m going to try leaving them in the hot water as you do.
The other trick {again, haven’t tried it yet} is to cut the stem and immediately dip the stem into Alum – then put in water. Alum is found in the spice aisle at the grocery.

And I agree – your son can not possibly come home and not have chocolate cake with you and his Dad. Enjoy the time together.

What an awsome insight! I’m however, from South Africa – will this work with our Hydrangeas?

Who knew HOT WATER, I wonder if that would work with other flowers or if it is just exclusive to Hydrangeas, but either way your arrangements and party table is glorious,
HAPPY WEEKEND,
KATHYSUE

Your last post was so memorable and exquisite. What a treat to have one more look back at a detail that made it so special. The guests were truly fortunate to be invited. Thank you for sharing all the beauty!

Thanks so much for the tips, the hydrangeas are beautiful! I am so excited for you that your son is coming home, I know you will have a wonderful weekend!
Looking forward to your next post 🙂

Just gorgeous! What a lovely party you had in your beautiful home. Thank you for the great tip for hydrangeas. Going to give it a try.

I remember my twin sons’ first visit home for Fall break after they started college……..best thing ever!!! Enjoy him, Tina!

Hi Tina! The flowers are gorgeous! One more tip – if you are cutting them fresh from you own garden, plunge them immediately into ice water. My friend Dana taught me this over the summer and it made a HUGE difference in the longevity of my arrangements.

How wonderful that your son is coming home! Enjoy, Tina. I hope you have a beautiful weekend! XOXO

Thanks for the heads up on the hot water. Love hydrangea and have a few huge plants growing in one of our shady areas and they have produces beautiful huge blooms for me. Beautiful dinner party, my love. Just simply splendid !!!

hydrangea have become my favorite here. i have about 10 vases of em at the moment–all from the garden in pink, blue, and green with pink. they ask for so little!

just got the markham book but haven’t cracked it open, yum!

thank you thank you for this hot water tip. who knew? can’t wait to give it a try. and i’m stoked you’re attending my virtual disco brunch. and score! barry gibb has agreed to pick you up with the limo. enjoy the weekend!

I am definitely going to try your tips – mine usually list for the day of the party and maybe the day after, then they are pretty sad. So excited for you that your son is coming home for fall break – know you are over the moon!!

Hi Tina,
I live in Savannah, so of course I love hydrangeas too! My back yard is filled with them, but mostly the blue mopheads, and no whites! Thanks for the tips on making them last………….next summer I will make good use of them. Love everything about your party, and that blue/white porcelain that you have is just the most! Have a wonderful time with your son. Best,
Dotti

Amazing and talented Tina ! You knocked it out of the park again. I think I’ve looked at your party pictures at least three times. Thank you for the tip on lengthening the life of hydrangeas.

Hi Tina. I loved your party post. Hydrangeas have not been on my radar before but suddenly I find myself thinking about them. Today within minutes of seeing your all white arrangement I became the proud owner of 6 fab faux ones. In England we have an online company called Bloom who sell exquisite faux flowers. Whilst ordering I thought Tina would love these!! Haha. Regards. Sharon.

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