Herb Love: Prepare Fresh Herbs for a Floral Wedding Arrangement

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<li>To prepare fresh herbs so that they will hold up in a floral wedding arrangement, immediately plunge freshly cut stalks into a container of water at room temperature, then leave it in a cool place for several hours to overnight. Commercial floral preservatives or bleach may increase longevity, but I avoid using them when working with herbs that may later be eaten. Herbs conditioned without preservatives will last about a week, plenty of time to assemble and enjoy them at a wedding.</li>
<li>Pick herbs early in the morning, when they contain the most water and are least likely to wilt after cutting. Cut stems at a 45° angle with a sharp blade as bruising them can reduce water uptake; remove any foliage that will be under water. Always use clean containers to minimize bacterial contamination.</li>
<li>Keep completed the floral wedding arrangement in a cool location out of direct sunlight; mist them occasionally to prevent wilting.</li>
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<em>Theresa Loe is the author of</em> Herbal Weddings: Past and Present<em>.</em>
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<p>Click here for the original article, <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/garden-projects/the-language-of-love.aspx”>Herb Love: A Wedding Tradition</a>.</p>