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Photo: Image courtesy of Felicia Feaster
Dahlia (Dahlia hybrids)
Dahlias are the divas of the fall garden, bringing explosive color to autumn bouquets. For longest vase life, pick blooms when they’re three-quarters to fully open—but before any outer petals start to fade. Take water to the garden and plunge stems into it immediately after cutting. Research shows that professional floral preservative in the vase is the secret to long life. Packets are available from any florist. Average vase life: 5 to 11 days.