Fresh-cut flowers can enliven a room and bring a sense of warmth and comfort into a space. For those who live in urban areas or where outdoor gardening space is limited, flowers brought inside may be one of the only ways to embrace seasonal blooms. Cut flower arrangements are not only beautiful for everyday appeal, they often serve as centerpieces when dining and entertaining -- being the preferred choice when having company over.

Some flowers tend to fare better than others after they are plucked from their happy growing spots. When considering cut flowers, pay attention to how your favorite blooms will last in order of longest to least.

• Orchids: Long-lasting appeal

• Mums, gladiolas and carnations: Stellar survivors

• Peonies, roses and lilies: You’ll get your money’s worth

• Gerbera daisies: Not so stunning

• Irises: Best left blooming in nature

While some of these flowers have better staying power, how long flowers last is also dependent upon their health when purchased and how they are maintained indoors. Florists recommend cutting stems on an angle while submerged in fresh water. Some believe the shorter the stem the longer the flower will last in a vase or bowl.

When purchased from a florist, a packet of powder is included with the blooms that supposedly makes the flowers last longer. Some experts say that this is merely a substance similar to sugar. Extending the life of flowers involves limiting the amount of bacteria that grows in the water that could cause the end of the stems to clog and fail to adequately absorb water. Home-grown ideas for extending the life of flowers range from adding a little sugar to the water to dropping in an aspirin to pouring a touch of vodka in to clipping stems daily to keep them open to water absorption.