First fill a clean vase with fresh water and add flower preservative. If you don't have preservative, one teaspoon of sugar and two drops of bleach can be just as effective. This will nourish the flowers as well as help to keep the water clean and prevent bacteria from forming.

Remove any leaves and thorns that will fall below the waterline so they don't rot and once again encourage the growth of bacteria which will shorten the life of your roses.

Fill a sink or bowl with water. Holding the stems underwater, cut them at a 45 degree angle about 2-3cm from the end.

Change the water every day or two. Ensure the vase is always full enough to keep the ends submerged.

If you receive roses that are already arranged in a container with florist's foam, they do not need to be removed and treated. Simply top up the container with fresh water daily.

If roses have been out of water for some time they may be looking wilted. In this case cut the stems on a sharp angle 3-4cm from the end and plunge them into warm water for 30 seconds, ensuring protect the heads from the steam. Transfer them to a vase of cool water. This will help speed the uptake of water.

Flowers are natural and perishable items, and are very sensitive to their environment.

Aim to keep your roses in a cool area, out of direct sunlight and away from draughts.

Keep roses away from appliances such as heaters, coffee machines, microwaves, fridges, televisions, and away from fruit. If you have any problems with your flowers please contact us immediately. Our florists need to sight the flowers to assess their condition, and we must be contacted within 48 hours of delivery

Note: Certain varieties of roses tend to have a longer vase life than others. Generally the more voluptuous and fragant the bloom, the shorter the life.