It's no secret that Martha Stewart has inspired a generation of green-thumbed gardeners and homemakers. This week, she showcased some of her most beautiful blooms to date – cut fresh from her farm in Bedford, New York.
'Kevin Sharkey [the author of Martha's Flowers] spent the afternoon cutting hundreds of lilac branches to create some massive arrangement for me and my guests to enjoy,' Martha shared via Instagram. 'The lilacs this year are spectacular. We have many colors and varieties, and they work so well together in arrangements. Enjoy!'
Comprising deep purple with pastel pinks and white, the abundant arrangement Martha shared on Instagram makes an instant statement atop a gray wooden table in her home. So, how can we recreate the look? And how to keep them fresh when cut? Our garden expert is on hand to help.
How to keep your lilacs healthy – for a bouquet like Martha's
Naturally, Martha's flowers were met with widespread admiration, but alongside the compliments, there was another question on her followers' minds: how do we keep our flowers fresh?
Whether gathering plentiful blooms to create a stand-out piece like Martha's or opting for a slightly more pared-back arrangement – tips for a longer vase life remain the same.
'Lilacs will keep for longer if you cut them in the early morning when fully hydrated and place the cut stems into a bucket of water,' says H&G's garden expert, Drew Swainston. 'Cutting them later in the day will make them more dehydrated and wilt much sooner.'
After gathering lilac cuttings, Drew recommends placing the bucket of cut stems in a cool and dark place for a few hours to take up lots of water. 'Remove all foliage that would be submerged in the vase as any extra leaves left on the stem will use valuable water,' he explains.
'Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to create the largest surface area possible to allow the water to soak in.'
The placement of our vase is also important. Unsurprisingly, it appears that Martha has followed the correct procedure – placing her vase away from direct sunlight or radiators or vents that pump out extra heat.
When it comes to watering plants, Drew explains we should top up the water daily – 'and consider re-trimming the stems if they do show signs of starting to wilt.'
For the ultimate Martha-inspired look, we're storing our cut lilacs in a faux bois container, similar to the one seen in her home (available via Etsy below).
You can use much of this advice as prep for propagating lilacs successfully, too.
