Flowers will add color, beauty and inspiration to your home. Whether you buy them from your local florist, a grocery store or a farmers market, fresh cut flowers are an easy display that can transform any room. Their simple beauty has the ability add elegance to any occasion.

By taking the time to choose healthy flowers and arrange them properly, with care, you may be able to extend their life and enjoy them for much longer.

Here are a few helpful tips to get the most from your fresh cut flowers:

• As soon as possible, remove any cellophane or any other wrapping from the flowers and separate them.

• Remove any excess foliage or greenery at the bottom of the flower stem to avoid the leaves rotting below the water line.

• Choose a vase about half the height of your flowers and its important to use vases that are clean.

• Add plant food to the bottom of the vase. If there is no plant food included with the flowers you can use one teaspoon of sugar to a gallon of water and add an aspirin to help keep the water clean.

• Add water to the vase and swirl a few times to mix with the plant food. Do not fill the vase more than half full.

• Take one flower at a time and cut the stem on an angle, not straight across. This will permit better water absorption.

• Use garden shears for cutting flowers as scissors and knives can tear or damage the stem.

• Place the green foliage into the vase first when you begin your arrangement. This helps to stabilize the flower arrangement.

• When arranging your flowers, place the larger flowers in the center of your vase.

• You want your stronger, bolder colors in the center of the vase with the lighter colors on the outside. You can choose different types of flowers but try to keep them in the same family of colors or have colors that are complimentary opposites to one another in the arrangement.

• Change the water in the vase every two to three days. Trim the stems again when you change the water to increase longevity.

• Add fresh plant food when you change the water as well. You can purchase little packets of plant food at most nurseries inexpensively. Keep a few on hand.

Flowers actually keep better in indirect light as opposed to direct bright light. And, it is best not to place flowers near heaters, vents, drafts, or on top of fridges or televisions. If the flowers appear limp, you may be able to refresh them by taking them out of the vase and place them in cold water for one hour. Remove, and gently shake off any excess water, re trim then re arrange back into your vase.

Flower arranging is an art. Let your creativity emerge and experiment using different colours, styles and containers. Ask your florist for their advice, they may be happy to give you some of their favorite tricks on presentation. Don't forget to check out the style magazines as they will be full of design ideas.

Appreciate the beauty in your flowers with a just a little extra TLC, and it will go a long way towards your enjoyment and longevity of your arrangements.