What is the first step to ensure flowers are fresh before arranging them?

Immersing flowers in water is a crucial first step to ensure their freshness before arranging them. When flowers are cut and left out of water, they begin to dehydrate quickly. By placing them in water right away, you provide them with the necessary hydration they need to maintain their vitality. This helps prevent wilting and ensures the flowers are robust and lively when it comes time to arrange them.

Cutting the stems is also important, but it typically follows the initial immersion in water. Removing foliage can likewise play a role in prolonging the life of the arrangement, but it is usually done after the flowers have been hydrated. Arranging them by color is an aesthetic consideration that comes later in the process and does not directly contribute to the freshness of the blooms. Focusing on hydration first is essential for maintaining flower health and longevity in an arrangement.