Spring Everlasting

May 8, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Getting the most oomph from the season’s blooms

Chicago Tribune

You know you’ve had it with drab days of winter when you find yourself out in the dark, with a flashlight scanning the beds, in search of the first dabs of green pushing through the thawing crust of old Mama Earth.

You know you are making the most of the bursting of spring, when you never leave home without your trusted garden clippers — the better to bring home the beauty.

Well, then, no wonder you’re breathless to learn the tricks of the trade for keeping those long- awaited stems fresh as a daffodil.

We checked in with a bevy of folks who make it their business to keep blooms perky as long as possible.

A favorite place to turn is Suzy Bales’ “Garden Bouquets and Beyond” (Rodale, $35).

The headline here is that these vernal beauties — built to withstand sleet and snow and raging winds, whatever springtime hurls their way — are sturdy fellows, and don’t require too much primping and fussing.

Except for that odd exception (narcissus will do best with a bit of a presoak, branches never mind a quick vertical snip to soak up extra-big gulps of water), spring bulbs are happy to get a simple dunk in a vase filled with cool water, kept fresh with a teaspoon of household bleach and a pinch or two of sugar.

Change the water every few days — or sooner if the water looks murky. (Rather than pulling the bouquet from the vase to change the water, simply hold the vase and flowers under the tap and flush till the water in the vase is clear.)