Do you condition the flowers in any way?

I leave the stems as long as possible and cut 2cm at the bottom at a diagonal angle to increase the surface area for water absorption. I always make sure there is no excess foliage and that all the leaves that might sit under water have been removed. Another tip is to leave them in a bucket of cold water somewhere cool for as long as you can spare (overnight is good) before putting them in the vase. 

Any rules of arrangement?

Lay the flowers out on a table so you can see what you’re working with. A good trick when arranging your bouquet is to crisscross and alternate any foliage you have in the vase first. Then do the same with your statement flowers like roses, hydrangeas or peonies. Finish by filling any gaps with smaller flowers such as scabious, clematis or sweet peas. 

How do you make them last?

I’m not a complete believer in adding things to the water or sticking pins in the head of tulips and tricks like that, but I always like to add a Milton sterilising tablet to the water to keep it free of bacteria, which keeps the flowers fresher for longer. 

Any other handy floristry tips?

If you have a rose or a sunflower and it’s looking a little sad, cut the stems and plunge about 5cm into boiling water – you’ll see the difference, as the heads will perk up. With a hydrangea that’s gone a little soft, plunge the head into cold water and the flower will be invigorated.