Lilac is spring and it is in the market. Remove the lower lateral spikes from the branches, keeping those with buds. Keep the branch long, leaving a plume at the top- 10 inches or so. Buy at the market until local lilac becomes available. Use tall lilac branches in tall vases and the side pieces that you cut in smaller vases. To add a little more luxury mix a few peonies in with the lilac (shown above). Late spring is here and few warm days will reveal her glory, hurry up! – Michael George.

Check out Michael’s amazing book, Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George. It’s like a master class in cutting, caring and arranging flowers.