Marks and Spencer is one of the best suppliers of fresh cut flowers in the UK; their website is packed full of flower arrangements and food and wine gifts.

Caring for Cut Flowers

Are you put off buying cut flowers because you think you can’t arrange them to look good? Even if you haven't got a vase, you can still enjoy cut flowers. Glass bottles come in interesting shapes and colours, and reduce arranging to its basics. Choose flowers with large heads like gerbera, lilies, orchids or sunflowers - add one stem per bottle and line them up on your mantelpiece for instant glamour. Most household containers, such as jugs and jam jars can be used for displaying flowers. With smaller containers the flowers look better with the stems cut short, so that the flower heads just reach the rim of the container. Choose flowers with full heads like dahlias, carnations, chrysanthemums and daffodils.

Try using flowers of the same colour some instant impact or use lots of interesting foliage for a rustic feel. If you have an attractive container but it isn’t waterproof, place a jar or glass inside to old the flowers. To quickly change the look of a vase or container try wrapping a headscarf or gift wrap around it. Use flowers which co-ordinate with the colours in the fabric or paper. Alternatively cover the outside of the vase in double-sided tape and stick leaves, raffia or ribbons all around. A really interesting and very easy feature to produce is to cut off individual flower heads and float them in a shallow dish of water. Add small floating candles for a dramatic dinner party feature.

To keep your new arrangement looking fresh and to ensure it lasts as long as possible, follow these top tips: