Modern Nature

Spring is arriving, bringing with it the vibrant colors and early blooms that symbolize renewal and fresh beginnings. For those who love flowers, spring is a magical time filled with a variety of blooms, each one more beautiful than the last. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or someone who simply enjoys the beauty of flowers in your home, there’s something truly special about the season's blooms. At our flower studio, Modern Nature, we embrace the spirit of spring with a curated selection of seasonal flowers. As part of our dedication to providing flower delivery in Seattle, we ensure that our customers have access to the best that spring has to offer, all while embracing the principles of modern floral design.

Early spring brings forth a remarkable array of flowers, each offering something unique to your space. Most early spring blooms are bulb flowers, which grow from underground storage organs called bulbs. These bulbs store nutrients and energy to help the flowers bloom each season. Notable bulb flowers include tulips, daffodils, and anemones. Their vibrant colors and structured blooms are perfect for modern floral designs, adding freshness and energy to any arrangement. Hellebores and blooming branches, however, do not fall under the bulb flower category, as they grow from roots or woody stems, respectively.

Bulb flowers are particularly valuable in early spring because they tend to be some of the first flowers to bloom after the winter. Their ability to bloom in cooler temperatures makes them essential for creating beautiful early spring floral designs. Understanding how to care for these bulb flowers will help you enjoy their beauty for as long as possible.

As your trusted florist, we want your early spring blooms—whether they're tulips, daffodils, hellebores, blooming branches, or anemones—to stay fresh and vibrant for as long as possible. Below, we've put together some simple care tips for keeping these stunning flowers alive and flourishing in your home. Follow these guidelines, and your flowers will brighten your space for days to come!

1. Tulips impress with their variety, colors, and shapes! Once cut, they continue to grow and tend to lean toward the light, which can be a fun feature in an arrangement. Here’s how to keep them at their best:

   • Trim the Stems: Before placing your tulips in a vase, make a straight cut with sharp clippers. This helps them absorb more water. We recommend trimming the stems every couple of days to keep them hydrated.
   • Cool Water: Use cool water in the vase. Tulips prefer a fresh, cool environment to thrive. They are big water drinkers, so keep an eye on the water level! Don’t forget to change the water at least every 2 days to prevent bacteria buildup and keep the tulips fresh.
   • Keep Them Cool: Tulips are sensitive to heat, so place them in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators or windowsills. This will help prevent them from wilting too soon.
   • Avoid Overcrowding: Tulips will continue to grow after being cut, so make sure they have enough space in the vase to lean naturally. If they’re overcrowded, they might bend too much and lose their shape.
   • Choose the Right Vase: Since tulips continue growing and opening every day, their heads can become heavier and might start drooping. It’s a natural process, so choose a tall vase that can help support the stems and keep the heavy bloom upright.

2. Daffodils and narcissus may take your breath away with their incredible fresh fragrance! However, they release a sap from their stems that can shorten the life of other flowers if not properly handled. Here's how to care for them when they’re cut:

   • Separate Them First: Daffodils should be placed in a separate vase for the first 10-12 hours if they are being mixed with other types of flowers. The sap they release can damage other flowers, so allowing it to dry before combining them with other blooms will help ensure that your bouquet lasts longer.
   • Change Water Regularly: Daffodils drink a lot of water, so make sure to change the water every day to keep them hydrated and fresh.
   • Trim the Stems: Before placing them in a vase, trim the daffodil stems at an angle to help them absorb more water. Cutting them regularly will also help them stay hydrated longer.
   • Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep daffodils in a cool, well-lit area, but out of direct sunlight, as too much sun can cause them to wilt prematurely.

3. Hellebores require a little extra care, but they’ll reward you with their beauty for several days.

   • Trim the Stems: As with all cut flowers, trim the stems at an angle before placing hellebores in a vase. This ensures they’ll take up water more easily. When you bring them home from outside, they may experience difficulty adjusting due to sudden temperature changes. If they start looking weak or drooping, they are likely not dead—they just need a "shock therapy." Place 1 inch of the stems in hot, boiled water for 10-15 seconds, cut the "boiled" part of the stems off at an angle, and immediately place them in a vase with cold water. This will help revive them and keep hellebores hydrated.
   • Change the Water Regularly: Change the water every 1-2 days to keep it fresh. Hellebores are delicate, and fresh water helps prevent bacteria growth, which can cause wilting.
   • Indirect Light: Hellebores prefer to stay in indirect sunlight. Keep them away from harsh sunlight, as their delicate petals can fade quickly if exposed to too much direct light.

4. Blooming Branches, like cherry blossoms, magnolia, and forsythia, add drama and height to your space. These sturdy branches can last for weeks with proper care and are perfect for creating a striking floral display in your home.

   • Cut the Stems: Just like with any other flower, trim the stems of blooming branches at an angle before placing them in water. This will help the branches absorb water and continue to bloom beautifully.
   • Water: Fill the vase with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems. Blooming branches tend to drink a lot of water, so make sure the water level stays high enough to keep the stems hydrated.
   • Change Water Every Few Days: For long-lasting blooms, change the water every 2-3 days. This helps prevent bacteria from building up and keeps the flowers in peak condition.
   • Keep Them Cool: Blooming branches prefer a cool environment, so avoid placing them near heat sources. A cool, well-lit area will help them stay fresh and vibrant for a long time.
   • Speeding Up the Opening: If you want to speed up the opening process, switch the water to a warmer temperature. While it doesn't give a fast result, this trick works well during the winter when you're eager to see the blooms. We sometimes repeat this step a couple of times a day, and it rewards us with delicate, opening blooms!

5. Anemones are delicate, eye-catching flowers, and with proper care, they’ll last for several days.

   • Trim the Stems: Trim the stems at an angle before placing anemones in a vase. This helps them absorb water efficiently and stay hydrated longer. But don’t overload the vase with water, as their soft stems may start to rot and mold. Just 2 inches of water to cover the bottom of the vase should be a good level.
   • Cool Water: Anemones are very sensitive to water temperature, so always use cool or room-temperature water in the vase. Avoid placing them in too hot or cold water, as this can cause the petals to wilt prematurely.
   • Change the Water Frequently: Anemones are water-hungry flowers, so make sure to change the water every day to keep them fresh. This also helps prevent bacteria from forming, which can shorten their vase life.
   • Avoid Direct Sunlight: Place anemones in a spot with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause their petals to fade quickly, so it's best to keep them in a shaded area for longer-lasting blooms.

Additional Tips:

• Always use clean vases and sharp clippers to prevent bacteria growth, which can quickly cause flowers to wilt. Make sure your vase is free of any dirt or old water before placing fresh flowers inside.
• Don’t let any leaves touch the water! They cause bacteria to spread and absorb water, so the actual bloom receives less of it.
• Keep flowers away from fruits and vegetables. Many are sensitive to ethylene gas, which is emitted by ripening fruit. Keep them away from bowls to prevent premature wilting.

By following these simple care recommendations, your early spring blooms will stay vibrant and beautiful in their vase for as long as possible, bringing joy to your space. We hope these tips help you enjoy your floral arrangements to the fullest! If you ever need more personalized care advice or a fresh bouquet, don’t hesitate to reach out for flower delivery in Seattle from our studio!