Try these tips from America's Flower Man!

• Always cut stems on an angle. This allows a larger surface area for water uptake and keeps your flowers fresh longer.

• There are no wrong color combinations! Green foliage will unite all colors. Follow your tastes and experiment.

• Experiment with combining different flower shapes. Work with the natural lines of the flowers and trust your eye to make sure your arrangement is balanced.

• For longer lasting foliage, such as galax and leather leaf fern (or even Christmas greens), submerge the foliage in a solution of one part liquid floor wax and two parts water. Soak at least 20 minutes and then allow to dry. Once dry, the foliage can be reused.

• Shorter stemmed flowers of all varieties (including roses!) make longer-lasting cut flowers because the water doesn't have to travel as far up the stem!

• Recycle! Flea markets and garage sales are great places to find interesting containers such as small perfume bottles to use as bud vases. Small aspirin bottles covered in ribbon and fabric also work well!

Looking for more tips? Visit the Flower Shop and look for Dale's booklet, Tricks of the Trade!