Top Tips for Spring

1Put copper coins in water, tulips especially benefit from this – it helps to avoid drooping 2 When placing flowers in a vase, strip all foliage below the water as this can cause bacteria to form 4 For flower arrangements the rule of thirds works well. 1/3 vase, 2/3 flowers. 3 Always cut off about 5cm diagonally from each stem. Roses benefit from a small cut up the stem too. Toptips for spring!

Get the most from your flowers this spring with these tips from our green-fingered volunteers

7A drop of bleach, an aspirin, vinegar, a small glass of fizzy water or lemonade or a cube of sugar all help revive tired flowers.

8Water should be lukewarm or warm where possible as this aids hydration. Scene.

9Don’t place flowers near fruit - as ethylene gases from the fruit can cause flowers to wilt.

10 When making a flower arrangement start with greenery then add flowers.

5Sometimes when flowers drop it is due to air bubbles in the stem, a pin prick around the neck area of the stem may re-energise your the bloom. Gerberas, tulips and sunflowers are prone to this

6When starting with floral arrangements, if unsure, stick to white flowers – it’s hard to go wrong with them!

11 Be creative, don’t just use vases. Teapots, jars, milk bottles, etc. can all make for amazing displays.

12 To position flowers, chicken wire, Oasis, green tape (crosshatched across the top of the vase or jar) and gauge wire are a great help.