Every year, lilacs signal spring with their lush purple, pink or white flowers. The flowering shrub is one of the later harbingers of spring and is not just a treat for the eyes. Its irresistible scent delights us humans and attracts numerous butterflies and other insects. If you want to bring the scent of lilac into your home, it is best to cut the flower-bearing shoots early in the morning. Our other tips also help the lilac bouquet last longer.
How do you keep lilacs fresh in a vase?
For lilacs in a vase, you should cut the flower stalks early in the morning, cut the stalks several centimeters, dip the stalk ends in hot water and place them in warm water. Place the lilac bouquet in a bright but not directly sunny place, change the water daily and cut the stems again.
The best time to cut lilacs
As beautiful as lilacs look in the vase, they also wilt quickly. So that you can enjoy such a bouquet for longer, it is best to cut the flower stalks early in the morning. Choose panicles whose flowers have not yet opened. In addition, the stems should have no leaves or as few leaves as possible. Do not simply snap the shoots off the bush, but cut them cleanly at their base with sharp scissors or a knife.
Preparing lilacs correctly for the vase
Then you should treat the stems as follows to ensure the flowers last longer:
- Cut the stems at the bottom by several centimeters, i.e. H. split the end of the shoot.
- This measure increases the area and thus the possibility of water absorption.
- Now dip the stem ends briefly in hot water.
- This also increases the ability of the stems to absorb water.
- Always place the flower stems in warm (and not cold!) water.
Don't make the mistake of simply flattening the stem ends. In doing so, you destroy valuable area and plant cells for water absorption, with the result that you shorten rather than extend the flowering period.
Optimally care for lilacs as cut flowers
Cut lilacs should, if possible, not be placed in a sunny and warm place, for example on a windowsill. Here the bouquet dries out more quickly. Instead, place the vase in a bright but not directly sunny place. Change the water every day and do not add any home remedies such as sugar. This often only leads to fungi settling and the lilacs quickly fading. You should use this opportunity to cut the stems again for the same reason.
The most beautiful combination options for a lilac bouquet
Solo, a lilac bouquet naturally looks impressive, regardless of whether you put it together in one or more colors. However, when you take a walk you will find numerous other plants that harmonize wonderfully with lilacs in a colorful bouquet:
- yellow dandelion as a color contrast to violet lilac
- white garlic mustard
- various green grasses from the side of the road or field, such as barley and other grains
- Storksbill
- Wollziest
- beautiful green leaves of various plants
Such a bouquet can not only be arranged in a vase - you can also use other vessels, for example an old watering can or a woven wicker basket.
Tip
Lilac blossoms can also be easily dried so that you can preserve the scent for a potpourri, for example. You just shouldn't eat them, because lilacs are considered slightly poisonous.
