Peony season is considerably short, starting in late April and lasting merely until June. Peonies bloom most magnificently in May. Since peony season is so short, fans of this glorious flower might look for ways to keep them around longer. One way is to buy preserved peonies, which are guaranteed to last for weeks or even months with proper care. But if you’re one of those who prefer fresh flowers, read on to find out how you can best take care of your beautiful peonies so that they will stay fresh for the longest time possible!
1. Trim the Stems
Cut off around 3cm from the bottom of each stem with a pair of sharp scissors! Make sure to cut the stems in a diagonal fashion as this ensures that there's a large surface area for the peonies to 'drink' water easily.
2. Give Your Peonies a Clean 'Home'
Find a vase and clean it thoroughly to prepare it for your peonies' moving in! Fill about 2/3 of it with fresh, cool water, as peonies are sensitive to heat. Then, add some flower food in and stir gently.
3. Remove Leaves and Foliage
Now that the vase has been prepared, hold your peonies by the vase and estimate how much of the stems will be submerged in water. Remove all leaves and foliage that are on that part of the stems so that they won't fall into the water and cause bacteria to grow, which can harm your beautiful peonies!
4. Place Your Peonies Somewhere Suitable
To make sure your peonies last long, place them somewhere cool away from direct sunlight. (They don't last long in heat, remember?) Also, avoid placing them near fresh fruits as some fruits release chemicals that make flowers fade fast!
5. Repeat the Process
Every 2 to 3 days, cut the stems off diagonally again and refill the vase with fresh water! This ensures that your peonies stay fresh for as long as possible!
With that, your peonies should brighten up your room for a longer time. Feel free to also download/print out this little card we created just for flower pals such as you!
Love,
Ana Hana
1. Unwrap Your Roses
After bringing home the roses you received, unwrap them from their packaging carefully. If the florist tied them together around the stems, leave the tie as it is as the florist must have arranged the roses in a proper way already! This saves you the effort of having to arrange the roses when you place them in a vase.
2. Trim the Stems
Cut off around 3cm from the bottom of each stem with a pair of sharp scissors! Make sure to cut the stems in a diagonal fashion as this ensures that there's a large surface area for the roses to 'drink' water easily.
3. Prepare a 'Home' for Your Roses
Find a vase and clean it thoroughly to prepare it for your roses' moving in! Fill about 2/3 of it with fresh water, then add some flower food in and stir gently.
4. Remove Leaves and Foliage
Now that the vase has been prepared, hold your roses by the vase and estimate how much of the stems will be submerged in water. Remove all leaves and foliage that are on that part of the stems so that they won't fall into the water and cause bacteria to grow, which can harm your beautiful roses!
5. Remove Guard Petals
After removing the leaves and foliage, turn your attention to the roses themselves! See those dark and 'bruised' petals? They're called guard petals that are intentionally left untouched by the florist as they have the task of protecting the perfect petals inside. Give them a gentle pluck and they'll fall away to reveal the beauty within!
6. Place Your Roses Into the Vase
Now, you can finally place the roses into the home that you've prepared for them! For those with the roses tied together, simply place them in as they are. For those without, arrange them such that their weight falls on the sturdier stems and the taller ones are at the center or the back of the arrangement!
8. Place Your Roses Somewhere Suitable
To make sure your vase of roses lasts long, place them somewhere cool away from direct sunlight. Also, remember to avoid placing them near fresh fruits as some fruits release gasses that make flowers fade fast!
9. Repeat the Process
Every 2 to 3 days, cut the stems off diagonally again and refill the vase with fresh water! This ensures that your roses look good for as long as possible!
Follow these steps and the roses your loved one gave you are sure to last for a longer time! (Or just print out the little card above that we made for your convenience and you're good to go!) Now that you know how to care for roses, buy one to give back to your loved one or for yourself! Check out our range of fresh roses here.
If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact us via our website, email, Instagram (@anahanaflower) or via Whatsapp at +65 98569650. We’re based in Singapore but can also deliver non-living items overseas. We also do same-day deliveries locally.
Love,
Ana Hana
But did you know? There are actually many varieties of roses out there, so many more than the ones we usually see - over 150 species of them! They are divided mainly into three categories - Modern Roses, Old Garden Roses and Wild Roses, with the first two being further divided into subcategories. So, let's take a look at the different varieties of roses today!
1. Modern Roses
(Some examples of Modern Roses)
Modern Roses are the roses we usually see nowadays - the common ones out there! These roses were bred after 1867. They bloom continuously throughout the year and have a larger bloom size as compared to Old Garden Roses. They are also less hardy than Old Garden Roses and lack the fragrance and resistance to diseases that the latter have. The subcategories of roses under Modern Roses are: Climbing Roses, David Austin/English Roses, Floribunda Roses, Grandiflora Roses, Groundcover Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Miniature Roses, Polyantha Roses, Rambling Roses and Shrub Roses.
2. Old Garden Roses
(Some examples of Old Garden Roses)
Old Garden Roses, also known as Heritage Roses or Historic Roses, are those that existed before 1867. They usually only bloom once a year and have many petals. They are also more hardy than Modern Roses and have a strong fragrance and are resistant to diseases. Old Garden Roses are further categorised into: Alba Roses, Bourbon Roses, Centifolia roses, China Roses, Damask Roses, Gallica Roses, Hybrid Musk Roses, Hybrid Perpetual Roses, Hybrid Rugosa Roses, Moss Roses, Noisette Roses, Portland Roses and Tea Roses.
3. Wild Roses
Wild Roses are the wild child in the world of roses! They are also known as species roses. These roses are those that haven't been hybridised, which means they occur naturally. They also only have five petals and are almost always pink in colour.
Now that you have learnt more about roses, you can explore and find the type you love the most! Some of them look really different from the conventional roses we normally think of! (My favourites are Venus and Catherine Mermet!) You can also check out our collection of roses here.
If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact us via our website, email, Instagram (@anahanaflower) or via Whatsapp at +65 98569650. We're based in Singapore but can also deliver non-living items overseas. We also do same-day deliveries locally.
Love,
Ana Hana
Doesn't it feel great when you reach home to see the flowers you received some time ago looking as beautiful as they did the day you got them? Even with the least maintenance, the beauty and colour are just as they were the first day - they have yet to wither and are still part of your beautiful home decoration. Whether they are roses, hydrangeas, gardenias or other types of flowers, these type of flowers last for up to years! Yes, these long-lasting beauties are preserved flowers!
Preserved flowers come in different arrangements - in domes, as bouquets, in vases, in bloom boxes and more! Preserved flowers are starting to become more and more popular these days because with minimal care, you can enjoy them for many months or even years! They might even last up to three years with proper care! These indoor flowers do not need water, fertiliser or sunlight, which is perfect for the busy you.
However, since preserved flowers are fresh flowers that were picked when at bloom and preserved in their best state, they're actually still as fragile as fresh flowers. Hence, there are things you can do to make sure these beauties last for as long as they can. So, let's look at some tips on caring for your preserved flowers!
1. Keep them away from moisture and water!
Do not keep your preserved flowers in humid places or environments. In coastal or rainy areas where humidity is very high, keep them away from places where air enters or where there are ventilation grilles. Instead, keep them in cool and dry environment. Remember - water is not their friend!
2. Keep them out of direct sunlight!
To keep your preserved flowers from discolouring, avoid placing them under direct sunlight. Also, dust them every now and then with a tissue or a hairdryer and take care not to damage their delicate petals! This brings me to the last step...
3. Be gentle with them!
Do not press, bend or squash the petals or stems. They're delicate and can be easily damaged!
Preservation makes it possible to have all kinds of highly ornamental interior decoration. But don’t forget that preserved flowers are still natural plants, just that they've undergone a preservation process so that they can maintain their beauty without needing maintenance. So when you take care of these beauties, remember: they're treated flowers and they're not alive, even if they look like they are!
After learning about these long-lasting flowers, are you itching to buy some too? Check out our collection of preserved flowers here!
Ready to start shopping and elevate your space? Shop from our Preserved Flower Collection!
Love,
Ana Hana
Just received a bouquet of flowers and not sure what to do with them? We've got some simple floral care tips to help the flowers last a little longer.
Steps to caring for your flowers:
1. Gently remove the flowers from their packaging
2. Fill a vase 2/3 full with room-temperature water
3. Empty the entire packet of flower food provided (if applicable) and stir to mix
4. Trim 1 to 2 inches off the stems diagonally using scissors or a sharp knife
5. Place the flowers into the vase and arrange them as you like!
6. Recut the stems and change the water every 2 days
If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact us via our website, email, Instagram (@anahanaflower) or via Whatsapp at +65 98569650!
Love,
Ana Hana
I'm sure we've seen flowers all around Singapore in our estates, neighbourhoods and parks! But did you know which ones exactly grow naturally in Singapore? In this Flower 101 guide we'll show you some of the flowers that are grown right here in our homeland, Singapore.
As one of the more popular garden flowers in Singapore, peonies are usually sold as cut flowers and used in commercial bouquets by florists. These large flowers have a fragrant scent and are known as the Chinese king of flowers. You can usually find peonies in shades of white, pink and red.
The lily comes from the flowering plant belonging to the Liliaceae. This plant has large flowers that comes in multiple shades like white, orange and pink. It has been said that every shade of lily has a certain meaning. Lilies are also known to be used in traditional Asian medicine.
Hibiscuses are fairly common in Singapore, you can usually spot them in parks and are bright in colour. Fun fact — hibiscuses are actually a rich source of natural dye which are used in the food industry! Regularly hibiscuses are used for ornamental purposes and as decorative flowers for the home and gardens.
Orchids are well-loved not only in Singapore but around the world too! Our national flower the Vanda Miss Joaquim is in a fact a hybrid orchid cultivar. Fun fact —Singapore is the only country in the world to have a hybrid species for a national flower! Orchids are mostly used for decorative purposes in the home, especially during the festive season. They make for great gifts too!
Another well-known and well-loved flower by many, the rose! The rose is also known as ‘the Queen of flowers’ because of its sheer elegance and beauty. They come in a wide variety of colours and are sometimes even dyed to be special colours like black or rainbow. They are very popular for use in commercial floristry and also in perfumes!
Known as the Hawaiian Lei flower and commonly seen in tropical locations like Bali, they are highly scented and are often used for decorative purposes on the table. They come in various colours from deep crimson to pale pink and yellow.
Another popular flower best known for its scent is the Jasmine. These flowers are usually white or yellow and have been said to originate from the Himalayas in Western China. They are actually commonly grown in gardens and are heavily used in incense, fragrances and perfumes!
The name of the ranunculus flower is derived from a combination of two Latin words — "rana" and "unculus" which means "frog" and "little" respectively. It is assumed that the ranunculus got its name due to how it grows in abundance near streams during spring, similar to little frogs.
Ranunculus symbolises charm, attractiveness and beauty. It is an appropriate choice to send ranunculus flowers to someone you admire!
Ranunculus flowers are a popular choice as wedding flowers due to their soft petals which make them look romantic. Their wide variety of colours also make them a suitable for many different bouquet colour palettes!
Ranunculus flowers come in many different colours and each has their own meaning! Red represents passion and romance; pink represents love and gentleness; orange represents joy and happiness; purple represents royalty while white represents elegance and pure love.
We hope you have gotten to know more about ranunculus through these fun facts! Send your loved ones some ranunculus today!
If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact us via our website, email, Instagram (@anahanaflower) or via Whatsapp at +65 98569650. We're based in Singapore but can also deliver non-living items overseas. We also do same-day deliveries locally.
Love,
Ana Hana
Peonies derived their name from the Greek word "Paeon" — a physician to the Gods who was transformed into a peony flower by Zeus as a form of protection when his skills surpassed Asclepius, the God of Medicine.
Explorer Marco Polo described peonies to be "roses as big as cabbages" when he first encountered them.
Peonies are a symbol of prosperity, honor and a happy marriage. They also represent good fortune in the Chinese culture and wealth in Japanese culture.
Peonies are known to have medicinal purposes. In fact, their roots have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Peonies can also be used to treat anxiety and depression. Apart from medicinal purposes, peonies are also traditionally used to celebrate the 12th anniversary!
Peonies are able to bloom for over 100 years if given the right care and living conditions!
Peonies thrive in cool places! In fact, they require at least 400 hours of being in a temperature below 40 degrees in order to bloom in the spring.
We hope these fun facts have shed some light on peonies! Gift your loved ones some peonies today!
If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact us via our website, email, Instagram (@anahanaflower) or via Whatsapp at +65 98569650. We're based in Singapore but can also deliver non-living items overseas. We also do same-day deliveries locally.
Love,
Ana Hana
Before placing your fresh flowers in a vase, do trim their stem at a 45-degree angle and cut off 1-2 inches. This helps to ensure that your flowers absorb more water and get enough nutrients.
It is important to change the water in the vase daily to ensure that the water is clean and to replenish the water to so that the flowers remain hydrated. Do note that the water should be cool to allow your fresh flowers to last longer!
Avoid leaving your fresh flowers near the window where there is direct sunlight. Instead, leave them somewhere cool and with more shade. The ideal temperature should be between 65 and 73F.
Mix flower food into the water of the vase to help your flowers last longer due to the nutrients provided. The flower food also contains a bactericide that keeps the water fresh for an additional one to two days!
Remove any wilted blooms you spot amongst your fresh flowers to maintain their overall appearance and allow energy to be channeled from seed production and to further flower production!
We hope this quick guide on bouquet care has been helpful in giving you clearer directions on how to keep your flowers fresh!
If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to contact us via our website, email, Instagram (@anahanaflower) or via Whatsapp at +65 98569650. We're based in Singapore but can also deliver non-living items overseas. We also do same-day deliveries locally.
Love,
Ana Hana
Whether it’s a surprise bouquet from a loved one or a congratulatory bouquet, you have a few options for drying and preserving your flowers. You might be wondering how to dry flowers or where to start! Fret not, here are 2 simple ways to dry your flowers and keep them in shape :)
Items you’ll need:
Steps:
You saw that right! A quicker alternative would be to use your microwave and silica gel to preserve your flowers.
Items you’ll need:
Steps:
Now that you have your beautiful dried flowers, here are a few tips to keep them in good shape:
We hope you managed to find some inspiration on preserving your flowers further!
Love,
Ana Hana
They are the perfect gift option for the an upcoming birthday, anniversary or special occasion in your life. What's more these preserved floral domes will never go out of style nor will they wither with time. Brightening someone's day has never been easier!
Check out Ana Hana Flower's wide range of floral domes here: https://anahanaflower.com/collections/preserved-flower-dome
Here are some of the preserved floral domes we carry:
We have cylindrical domes here which are a classic favourite. Tall and slender, these domes have an elegant touch to them and make for great decor pieces.
My Only Love - Hana Flower Dome
We also have circular domes which are a little more petite and cute usually featuring one large flower in the dome. These make for great desk decor whether it is a bedside table or work desk!
Other than just flower domes, we also have a range of unique domes featuring unicorns, bears and even ferris wheels! These quirky domes are great for those who don't just want flowers as gifts.
Bluetooth Flower Dome Speakers
With bountiful options to choose from we're sure you will find the right preserved flower dome or unique dome to get someone as a gift!
Shop from our Preserved Flower Dome collection today!
Love,
Ana Hana
They even include ideas for repurposing items from around your house like tin cans, tea cups, and perfume bottles that make for unique and one-of-a-kind displays!
Idea #1: A ceramic pitcher
Idea #2: Tin cans
Idea #3: Mason jars
Idea #4: Wooden crates
Idea #5: Perfume bottles
We hope you managed to find some inspiration for your preserved flower arrangements!
Love,
Ana Hana