Cut flowers are often thought of only for special occasions. The Flower Promotion Organization estimates that “...more than 180 million stems of roses will be bestowed on sweethearts around the world” on Valentine's Day. Mother’s Day and Easter see a huge assortment of cut flowers wired to grateful recipients – hopefully you.

Beautiful bouquets of cut flowers can turn any room into a garden. Whether you receive them as a gift, buy them yourself or grow your own, sometimes even the best gardeners have trouble keeping their cut flowers fresh and blooming indoors. A lot depends on how fresh the flowers were when you bought them, but there are some tips that can get your flowers off to a running start and keep them blooming

• What to look for when selecting cut flowers - clean and healthy

Flower stems should be green and smooth, not slimy

Water should smell fresh

No broken stems or drooping buds

• Before you put them into the vase

Keep cut flowers cool, until you can get them into water

Make a fresh cut an inch or two up the stem, while stems are under water

Make sure the vase and cutting tools are clean

Remove any leaves that will be below the water surface

Use the packet of flower food that comes with your flowers

• Caring for your cut flowers - keep them blooming

Keep cut flowers out of direct sunlight and drafts

Change the water frequently (Every other day)

Make a fresh cut each time you change the water

• Good choices for long lasting cut flowers

Alstroemerias (6-14 days) Very popular, even though jost people wouldn’t know them by name. However they are sensitive to fluoride in water and ethylene gas. Keep away from produce.

Carnations (7-14 days) Carnations are extremely dependable. They just keep coming out with new varieties and what colors they can’t breed, they simply dye.

Delphiniums (7-14 days) You can’t beat Delphiniums for shades of blue and purple. Like Alstroemeria, these are sensitive to ethylene gas.

Lilies (7-14 days) Choose sprays with a few slightly opened lower buds. Remove the anthers to prevent pollen from coming in contact with clothing and staining.

Roses (6-12 days) The classic. And with over 20,000 varieties, they never get boring.

Sunflowers (6-12 days) Generally available in late summer. Sunflowers can be top heavy, so use a vase that can support them.