By Monica Ewing, Sunset senior designer

I have a love/hate relationship with cut flowers. I love how beautiful they look and smell the first couple days. Shortly thereafter, love turns to hate. That’s when the wilting and stinking phase kicks in.

Even more annoying—none of the roommates I’ve had ever changed the water, and they kept the poor, dying blooms around long past their prime. Inevitably, I faced droopy flowers in mucky, reeking water on my kitchen table when I ate. Not very appetizing.

Then, last summer I made an amazing discovery: Some flowers last much longer than others. I received a mixed bouquet for my birthday. Over the next few days, I removed each dead flower and changed the water. Soon, all that was left were a bunch of lavender mums. I checked them day after day, and they continued to look beautiful. After I had them for a month, I took the picture above.

That got me thinking. What other flowers are long lasting? Lauren Swezey, Sunset garden writer, suggested alstroemeria, carnations, and daisies in addition to chrysanthemums. Then, I discovered that cut greens can look just as beautiful as flowers and last even longer.

On page 112 of the June issue of Sunset magazine, you’ll find this photo of philodendron leaves (cut from one of our plants in the office) in a stone vase. Rob D. Brodman shot that image in our studio March 28. They’re still alive and beautiful in a vase in my apartment. I took the picture below last week.

(Our garden editors have also told me that I could get the leaves to root with not much effort. I think I’ll try it.)

After finding these enduring plants, I looked to Sunset for cut-flower tips to make them last the longest possible. Check out this article on how to extend vase life.

Now I'm eager to display these cut flowers and greens all over my apartment—knowing they have long, gorgeous lives ahead of them.

Next week: Funky lampshade.