Real talk — you don't need to spend a fortune on flowers to make someone's day.

I've been arranging flowers for years at our small shop, and here's the trick the pros use:

1. Trim at an angle. Cut stems at 45° under running water. This opens up the stem so it can actually drink. Most people skip this and wonder why their flowers die in 2 days.

2. Strip the leaves below the waterline. Any greenery sitting in water breeds bacteria. Pull it off. Your flowers will last twice as long.

3. Mix heights and textures. Put your tallest stems in the center, medium ones at angles around them, and any filler (baby's breath, greenery) on the outside. Even 3 different types of flowers can look lush if you layer them right.

4. Use a clean vase with lukewarm water. Not hot. Not cold. Room temp with a pinch of sugar and a few drops of vinegar. Sounds weird, works like magic.

5. Re-cut and change water every 2 days. This alone will get you 10+ days out of most bouquets.

If you ever want the real thing — hand-picked, seasonal, arranged with care — that's what we do at Petal & Pine. Small shop, big love. Come by anytime. 🌿