A Flower Pro Shares 9 Hacks For Transforming Cheap Bouquets Into Stunning Arrangements

"Check the flowers' quality on their own by shaking them gently to ensure that the leaves don’t fall off," Nick advised.

Bronwen recommends paying close attention to the condition of each bloom by looking for thinning, tearing, and browning of petals or wilting of greenery. "You’ll become aware of thinning petals if a petal starts to wither and wrinkle, and to the touch, the petals may feel leathery and dehydrated," she said. "You should definitely avoid any blooms that are showing these signs, as they won’t last much longer."

Nick recommends mixing in a half cup of Sprite with a half cup of water to preserve your blooms and adding in a drop of bleach to kill any bacteria. "For specific flowers like roses, you can also add a rose pearl solution into the water (available at any local florist), which will help them thrive," he said.

Skip varieties that won't stay fresh as long to keep your bouquet looking lush for as long as possible. Some types to consider avoiding include garden roses, lisianthus, and poppies, but if you want to work with these flowers, Bronwen recommends paying even closer attention to your prep and maintenance.

This will ensure a healthy foundation for your arrangement. “Leaves that fall below the waterline will decay and cause harm to your flowers," Bronwen said. "These leaves will become poisonous due to bacteria that forms as they rot. The bacteria will disrupt water uptake and cause your blooms to die."

The first step to a healthy and long-lasting bouquet is picking flowers that are going to stay vibrant and lively. "These include roses, hydrangea, and tulips." Nick said. "Freesia can last up to three weeks in a vase, and cymbidium orchids traditionally last anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks."

Never skip putting the packet of flower food in your new bouquet's water, and make sure to change the water every two to three days, even if it looks perfectly fine!

Although many tend to go for bouquets with buds that haven't bloomed yet because they assume that means the bouquet will last longer, they can actually leave you pretty disappointed." When it comes to longevity of your flowers, unbloomed buds will last longer but aren’t always guaranteed to open," Bronwen said. "If you buy healthy-looking blooms and you want to save them for an event, you can keep them in a fridge until you want to display your arrangement, as this typically helps your florals last a little longer."

For Bronwen, the key to creating an eye-catching arrangement is the use of volume and depth. "Use multiple varieties of greenery, such as eucalyptus, to place throughout your arrangement for a natural and less expensive filler," she said. "When it comes to creating your arrangement, place florals and greenery in various heights and angles to create a robust centerpiece."