When it comes to decorating with flowers, roses are a timeless choice, and for good reason. Their lush petals and gorgeous range of colors make them stunning table centerpieces. Even Martha Stewart agrees.
The expert gardener recently shared a snap of her fresh-cut, pink roses to her Instagram page, and it turns out they were personally curated by (and named after) Martha Stewart herself. 'The rose, which I chose as the Martha Rose two years ago, is now a real product,' Martha states in the caption. 'It is a sturdy bush, the flowers are large and abundant, and they are extremely fragrant.'
They are also noticeably fresh and healthy-looking, making us consider rose care strategies. Luckily, we got expert insight so that you can achieve long-lasting blooms like Martha.
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The 'knock out' family of roses are famed as the most easy-to-grow shrub roses and will reward you with a season-long show of blooms. Easy, beautiful and hardy? It doesn't get any better.
The perfect, pared-back base for any flowers, long beyond rose season. This crystal vase is hand-blown and made from thick glass that's ready to create the perfect table centerpiece.
These Felco pruning shears have hardened blades for effortless trimming in your yard, making light work of tough rose pruning jobs. Our gardening experts rank them among their favorite tools.
First and foremost, when considering ways to keep flowers fresh, experts say that trimming the stems is crucial to the growth and longevity of roses.
'One of the biggest mistakes people make is not cutting the stems properly,' explains expert florist David Denyer from Eflorist. 'Always cut each stem at a 45-degree angle, ideally under running water or submerged in a bowl of water. This helps prevent air from entering the stems, which can block water uptake and accelerate the process of wilting. The angled cut also increases surface area for hydration.'
We all know that changing water in a vase is necessary, but the temperature itself is also a determining factor in how long a bouquet will thrive.
'Roses prefer cool water,' David explains. 'Change it daily to prevent bacteria from building up, and always rinse the vase thoroughly before refilling. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. They rot quickly and can contaminate the water.'
Finally, consider where you are placing flowers. While roses make fantastic table decor, placing them near windows can cause them to die faster.
'Heat and direct sunlight may make your roses open more quickly but will shorten their overall lifespan,' David says. 'Instead, place your roses in a cooler spot, away from radiators, appliances, or sunny windowsills. Even a few degrees cooler can make a big difference.'
This summer, we're entertaining like Martha. Beautiful, vibrant roses are the perfect place to start.
