| Flower | Handling group | What the published guidance says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulips | Bulb flower | Process in a bulb-specific formula. | Society of American Florists |
| Lilies | Bulb flower | Process in a bulb-specific formula rather than a general one. | Society of American Florists |
| Freesia | Bulb flower | Process in a bulb-specific formula. | Society of American Florists |
| Anemones | Bulb flower | Process in a bulb-specific formula. | Society of American Florists |
| Sunflowers | Field-grown | Clean first drink, then flower food after two to four hours. | Society of American Florists |
| Dahlias | Field-grown | Clean first drink, then flower food. | Society of American Florists |
| Gerberas | Field-grown | Clean first drink, then flower food. | Society of American Florists |
| Garden roses | Wilt-sensitive | Prioritise hydration; they droop first when water balance slips. | Society of American Florists |
| Hydrangeas | Wilt-sensitive | Prioritise hydration, as with garden roses. | Society of American Florists |
| Peonies | Sugar-lover | Named as a sugar-lover; follow the source for the specific tip. | Society of American Florists |
| Carnations | Has a U.S. grade standard | Covered by USDA grade standards. | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service |
| Chrysanthemums | Has a U.S. grade standard | Covered by USDA grade standards. | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service |
| Roses | Has a U.S. grade standard | Covered by USDA grade standards. Garden roses are additionally wilt-sensitive. | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service |
Values marked "See source" have no single authoritative figure; follow the linked source for the latest published data.
Frequently asked questions
Why do tulips and lilies need different flower food?
They are bulb flowers. The Society of American Florists advises a bulb-specific formula for lilies, freesia, tulips and anemones.
What is a field-grown flower and why does it need a clean first drink?
Field-grown stems can quickly contaminate solutions. The recommendation is a clean first drink, then flower food after two to four hours.
Which flowers wilt first?
Garden roses and hydrangeas are named as wilt-sensitive: their water balance goes out of sync first, so hydration is the priority for those stems.
Does this tell me how many days each flower lasts?
No. Vase life is a range that moves with variety, handling and conditions, and we have not found a source that publishes reliable per-species day counts. The guide explains what determines vase life instead.
Sources
- Care & Handling Tips for Wedding Flowers that Last — Society of American Florists
- Debunk Care and Handling Myths to Boost Vase Life — Society of American Florists
- Flowers & Plants — Grades and Standards — USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
- The Use of Beneficial Microorganisms to Enhance Cut Flower Quality and Vase Life — American Floral Endowment
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