I got these directions with some flowers one time, and I think these are good so I’ll share with you:

• Start with a clean vase.  (I clean my clear vases in the dishwasher.  If I can’t do that, then I’ll soak the inside of the vase with white vinegar and water.  Martha Stewart said one time that flower vases should be clean enough to drink out of - that’s before the flowers are added.)  
• Use warm water to fill the vase.  
• Add flower food to the water.  
• The next part is real important.  Remove all foliage below the water level.  (Otherwise, the leaves will start to rot in the water and the flowers won’t last as long.)  
• Recut the stems on an angle.
• Place flowers in vase and enjoy!
• For long lasting flowers, change the water and recut the stems daily.

My flower garden is in need of work.  I have worked in the front yard flower beds and they’re OK.  But our back yard definitely needs improvement.  Our Crepe Myrtle trees need to be trimmed as well as some other things.  It has been so dry here in Texas that the trees are not blooming as much, and neither are the Canna lilies.  The Day lilies are not blooming at all.  Maybe I need some garden decor to brighten up my backyard?