Gently squeeze the base of the flower head where it meets the stem. It should feel firm ; if it's soft or mushy, the flower is old.

Look for a mix of open flowers and tightly closed buds . Fully open flowers look great now but will die sooner.

Buying flowers ranges from grabbing a quick grocery store bunch to ordering a custom masterpiece from a local florist. Success comes down to checking for specific physical "red flags" and matching the variety to the occasion. 🕵️ How to Spot the Freshest Blooms