King Charles’ gardener shares which flowers to avoid this Mother’s Day & why you must not buy them from the supermarket 

WITH Mother’s Day right around the corner, if you aren’t sure what to get your mum this year, you’ve come to the right place.

Flowers are a staple of most people’s Mother’s Day, and with less than two weeks until the big day, you may be starting to think about which ones to buy.

According to King Charles’ former senior gardener Jack Stooks, there are two flowers you should stay clear of buying for March 30.

Not only this, but Jack also explained why you must never buy flowers from the supermarket.

Speaking to JeffBet, the gardening expert gave his top tips on how to impress your loved one this Mother’s Day, as well as advice on ways to keep your flowers thriving – including the one household object that could be the reason why they're dying quicker than normal.

When it comes to which flowers Jack would recommend people buy for Mother's Day, he expressed: “You should be getting your mum the flowers you know she will love.

“If you know she loves an orchid, get her an orchid. If she loves tulips, don’t think about any other flower – go with what she likes.

“If you’re wanting to get them a flower or a plant that will last a long time, I would recommend a cherry blossom plant as it will flower every year or a phalaenopsis orchid.

“They last quite a while and have more longevity. You’re getting your money’s worth and more enjoyment out of it.

“If not phalenopsis – I would suggest looking at potted plants, they’re a bit different to a bouquet and it makes for a lovely gift.”;

Ditch roses and lilies

But whilst a phalaenopsis orchid is a top pick for Jack, he then warned: “You should avoid buying any flowers from the supermarket.

“I would avoid roses or lilies in particular. They’re likely to have been pre-packed and pre-bought from all over the world.

“You have no idea where they’ve come from half the time. They could likely have had loads of pesticides poured all over them and they just won’t last long at all.”;

Not only this, but he also recognised: “Lilies can be toxic for a lot of pets, particularly cats and dogs.

Go to a florist or garden centre

“But if you really want to buy some, definitely ask the florist before you buy as they should know what they’re selling.

“There’s no point spending your money on something that will die so quickly. We need to start asking people where these flowers are grown and whether they are organic. It’s best to go with flowers or plants that are locally grown.”;

You should avoid buying any flowers from the supermarket. I would avoid roses or lilies in particular

Jack Stooks

As a result, he advised: “You should go to a local florist or a garden centre, as they will have the freshest ones on offer.

“They will be able to put together a lovely bouquet for you, too.”;

Make them last

And if you’re wondering how to make flowers last longer, Jack recommended: “The best way to keep your flowers lasting for a good amount of time is to put them in water straight away, and to change the water when it’s gone a bit dark.

“You don’t want too many leaves or fallen petals in the water as they will start to rot quickly, and the water will go bad from that – so make sure to clear them out.

“To prevent leaves falling into the water, I would recommend snipping off any leaves that are low down on the stems before placing them into the vase.”;

As well as this, he explained: “You should avoid keeping the flowers in a place that gets too hot. For example, anywhere near a radiator or a fireplace, as they won’t last very long at all.

“You should also keep them away from direct daylight. You want to put them somewhere nice and cool.

“Flowers typically last longer when in a cooler place, but of course some would need more warmth than others.”;

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