The lilac, one of the oldest ornamental shrubs, should not be missing in any cottage garden. It exudes a wonderful scent and has beautiful flowers ranging from white to purple-blue. With a bouquet of lilacs you can bring the scent of spring into your home - and keep it for a particularly long time with our tips and tricks.
How do you keep lilacs fresh longer in a vase?
To make lilacs last longer in the vase, remove all leaves, peel off 2-3 cm of bark at the end of the stem, make a vertical cut and use lukewarm water. Change the water daily, cut the stems every two days and keep the bouquet cool and out of direct sun or drafts.
Cutting lilac flowers for the vase – this is how it works
To cut the lilac stems you will need sharp, pointed scissors and a sharp knife. Always cut off the flowering shoot directly at its base and also choose branches with buds that have not yet fully bloomed. Leave flower shoots that have already withered as they will not stand up again in the vase.
Cutting lilac stems early in the morning
Not every time of day is suitable for cutting lilacs. Ideally, grab the scissors in the early morning or evening, as flowers cut during midday wilt much more quickly. It is best to pick only lilac flowers that need to be dried around midday. It's best to take a bucket of water with you so that the flowers stay fresh longer.
Prepare, care for and arrange the lilac bouquet correctly
After cutting, you should place the lilac flowers in a vase as quickly as possible. With the following preparatory tips, the stems will last longer as they can absorb more vital water.
Preparation
First remove all leaves on the stems, as leaves rotting in water reduce the longevity of the bouquet. In addition, the lilac evaporates a lot of valuable water through its large leaves, which is why leafy flower shoots dry out more quickly. Only cut the flower stems immediately before placing them in the water so that no air bubbles form in the stem's conductive pathways. Peel off two to three centimeters of bark at the end of the stem and then cut vertically into the stem at this point. Always use lukewarm water.
Keeping the lilac bouquet fresh
Rot bacteria that spread on the stems and in the water reduce the longevity of the flowers. That's why you can keep the lilac bouquet fresher for longer using the following methods:
- Change the vase water completely every day, don't just fill it up.
- Rinse the vase thoroughly too.
- Re-cut the stems every two days.
- Avoid sun and drafts.
- Do not place the lilac bouquet next to a fruit bowl.
- Place the bouquet in a cool room or basement overnight.
Tip
A lilac bouquet looks very lush on its own, but also harmonizes very well with other flowering plants such as gold lacquer, late tulips or roses.
