This time of year, the daffodils have faded but the tulips take up the trumpet to herald the arrival of spring in all its colorful glory.  A vase of tulips in my home makes me happy and reminds me of my grandmother.   Especially, these two tips Grandma used to keep them looking fresh as long as possible:

• Drop a penny in the vase. If you prefer the look of your tulips with straight stems rather than bowing over the edge of the vase, adding a penny will do the trick.   If your stems are already bowed, the penny will stand them upright again like magic.
• Stab your tulips. This sounds violent but this is what Grandma said.  When the bloom has opened to your preferred look, take a paring knife and pierce the stem vertically just at the base of the flower.   I have no idea why, but this halts the bloom from opening further.

The other tips for flower arranging from Grandma: 1.  Flowers are individuals, always go with an odd number in the vase; 2.  Daffodils and tulips never mix.  Have tulip or other flower tips of your own?  Please comment below to spread the knowledge.  Happy Spring everyone.

—  Liesl McWhorter