Hydrangeas: Where to place the flowers to prevent wilting and keep blooms 'fresh for as long as possible'

Marks and Spencer expert Floral Product Developer Samantha Walker recommends cutting the stems at an angle and avoiding certain areas of the kitchen to prevent wilting.

Cut flowers generally wilt when dried stem ends prevent the uptake of water, ultimately causing the stems to droop and flowers to wilt.

Cutting the stem at a 45-degree angle, however, will ensure cut flowers thrive for the longest period possible.

Walker said: “When looking to keep your rose or lily bouquet fresh for as long as possible, hydration is key.

“To help with this, always trim the stems when moving them into a vase, as this encourages the stems to absorb the water.

“When trimming, aim for a 45-degree angle. This will allow for a larger surface area, meaning increased hydration.

“Cutting stems horizontally can also encourage them to sit flat on the bottom of the vase which makes it harder for water absorption.”

Another important tip is to place the vase of flowers as far away as possible from any fruit bowls.

“The old tip of keeping fresh flowers well away from fruit is an interesting one, yet this is actually true thanks to the gas certain fruits release," explained Samantha.

“Fruits such as bananas, apples, and pears release ethylene gas which stimulates maturation.

“In other words, this gas can cause things to go bad at a quick rate including flowers and plants.

“With this in mind, you should reconsider the placement of your flowers if they are usually near your fruit bowl.”

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Steve Chilton, gardening expert at LeisureBench, claims replacing vase water can also help benefit the plant.

When prepared correctly, hydrangeas can live up to two weeks in a vase, according to the expert.

“There are a couple of ways to prolong the life of a hydrangea once it’s in a vase on display,” noted Chilton.

“I recommend changing the water every couple of days,” adds Chilton. “This prevents bacteria build-up and infection and keeps the water nice and fresh which is the best option for the plant.”