Scents (and Sensibility)

With Mother's Day just around the corner, you may have flowers on the brain. One of the most beautiful scents I've come across on women is 'Red Roses' by Jo Malone. Made from seven different varieties of roses, crushed violet and citrus notes it makes a soft but lasting impression. Available at Holt Renfrew, JoMalone.com and eBay.ca. Gift box $100.

If actual flowers are more your style, keep these simple tips in mind:

• Never put daffodils in arrangements with other flowers. Acidic enzymes in their stems will toxify the water and kill the other flowers. Daffodils should be arranged on their own.

• Cut stems at a 45-degree angle. This keeps the stems from sitting flat in the vase and creates a larger surface area for the stem to absorb water.

• Remove any leaves that might sit under the water in the vase. Foliage under the water will rot and spawn bacteria, which will shrink the flowers' lifespan. Stripping the stems of leaves below the water level will ensure a longer life for the blooms.

• For cut flowers to survive, they need sugar for nourishment and an acidic ingredient, like lemon-lime soda or an Aspirin tablet, which softens the stems, allowing them to absorb more water. A tiny drop of bleach in the water will keep bacteria at bay.