Get inspired this autumn with these floral tricks that will help you make the most of your flowers and floral arrangements.

Don't throw away flowers with short stems. Think outside the vase! They would look beautiful displayed in a vintage teacup, for example. Keep the stems together using a clear hair tie.

Open closed flower buds quickly. After cutting the stems, put them in a glass of warm water first, then cold water. Leave them for 20 minutes.

Keep your flowers longer. By adding several drops of vodka and a teaspoon of white sugar to the water before putting your flowers in a vase to delay wilting. When your flowers eventually do start to die (sad face), add a shot of vodka into the water and the stems will stand up straight again for a day or two.

Water your orchid with an ice cube. An ice cube is ideal because it melts slowly, watering your orchid by releasing a slow drip that won't drown it.

Keep your flowers from falling out of shallow vases. To keep short flowers from falling out of shallow vases, make a grid with clear water-resistant tape and insert flowers to fill in the holes.

Dry flowers. Get another life from your flowers by tying the ends of the stems together with s ribbon and hanging them upside down in a cool space to dry them.