Okay, well I did a test of one stem just cut into plain water and 4 days later it still is very nice so I guess no boiling water needed.

Thank you, Pudge, for sharing your experience with Cerinthe. I plan to grow this next year.

Teresa

You're welcome, Teresa. I'm very pleased with this plant as a filler and suspect it will find its way into many of my bouquets. A bouquet containing Cerinthe, soft pink Peonies, Lady's Mantle & Baby's Breath and set in preservative water is still looking very fresh today (Tuesday).

Pudge,

That bouquet sounds gorgeous!!

Teresa

Hi Pudge -
Quick question -- at what stage did you cut this? I think my cerinthe are ready...I've never grown them and planted them in May outside...they have the blue flowers, still droopy though, do they "stand up" and then they're ready? Or, are they just filler?
Thanks,
Wendy

I've been cutting for a month so I'm sure yours must be ready. No, it doesn't stand up although it does get somewhat perkier once cooled and set in preservative water. I used it only as filler, but a lot of customers noticed it right off and asked what it was. Some really liked the little purple bell flowers. A nice plant and I'll grow it again but only about half the amount I planted this year - I didn't know it would get as big as it did.