flower blog

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  


It is such a healing and comfortable feeling to have flowers all around the home. We have customers that have a standing order for flowers for their home. They do not have to be expensive.

A few dollars for a seasonal assortment to spread around the house each week goes a long way. I can’t wait to see what each week’s assortment will bring. Now that is fun. It is like a never-ending display of nature.

If you are or hosting an Easter meal, flowers can go in more places than just as a centerpiece for the table. Try creating a gerbera or rose curtain against a wall. Use pearl head pins from your florist on top of each flower head and secure it with some monofilament, thin ribbon or decorative beading wire, depending on the look you want.

Tie the next one on the short stem of the top one. Make several and pin to the ceiling to create your curtain. This can also be used over the party table for a fantastic display.

Here are some other fun ideas to try. Make a tall frame of bamboo, attach to each chair and hang wind chimes accented with flowers and streaming ribbon for an outdoor spring do. Set the table with square boxes paved with daisies interspersed with shoots of grasses.

Or, if you are more ambitious, prepare the boxes with wet cotton sheets and layer with birdseed or beans and let them germinate for a sod effect. You can intersperse with daisy heads for extra color on top of the sheets of sprouts.

There are so many creative ways to spruce up your home or party with flowers. They are so versatile and, in essence, are essential to every facet of our lives. In this time and age, we need to have fun and that fun is flowers.
 

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  


Flowers are special. That is so serious sounding. We use flowers for serious occasions like a wedding or a fancy dinner party. We send flowers to wish someone speedy recovery or to send love to survivors of the dearly departed.

I think flowers should also be fun. Flowers’ bright and cheery nature calls for its use in bright and cheery occasions. I often take flowers home just because I can. Flowers can also be a source of joy when you arrange them just for yourself. No need to take it seriously.

Pick up a bunch of gerbera daisies at your local florist and plunk them into a tall thin cylinder vase with some bear grass. Letting them fall every which way gives them a playful look. The same goes for tulips. The taller French tulips make even more of a statement.

I am passionate about flowers. I don’t have any preconceptions about which flowers are trendy and which are not. I love them all. It is ok to pick up a bunch of carnations for the home. There are so many new varieties of these amazing flowers in so many incredible colors. Cluster a bunch of natural green ones and mix them with the new dark purple ones in a purple vase for a vibrant setting.

Teleflora's Fashionista Blooms is a mix of roses, gerberas, hydrangea, carnations and buttonspray chrysanthemums.

Some other flowers that are severely overlooked are chrysanthemums and gladiolus. Mums are long lasting and also come in several shapes. Try mixing varieties in a heaping bundle on a coffee table. Gladioli placed in a vase are impressive on an entrance table. They can be collared with a base of assorted greenery for a fuller look.

Imagine red gladiolus against a hot pink wall or green ones against a purple or plum wall! When dahlias are in, I would mix different varieties and cluster them tightly in a low ceramic bowl. They look good anywhere. A single stem of phaleonopsis orchids or cymbidiums set in a vase exude a sophistication that is unmatched.

It does not have to be a special occasion to use flowers. Pick up a mixed bunch of flowers when you are just visiting friends. Most florists will custom mix your bunch for you. Have fun picking and choosing your colors and flowers. If you know where the flowers will be placed, have the florist arrange the bunch so that it will be ready to be placed into a vase with the right mix of colors and flowers.

It is also fun to arrange them with your friends. I always recommend that the bunch of mixed flowers can be separated and placed in several different containers. That way, every room will be beautified with flowers.

A couple of roses in a bud vase for the bedroom or a stem of dendrobium orchid florets floating in a bowl on a coffee table or an assortment set in a vase for the dinning table…all from that bunch of flowers you brought.

Remember to do this for yourself as well because you deserve flowers!
 

Spring makes us ponder the beauty and mystery of nature, particularly flowers. And who better to muse on the meaning of color and form bursting into new life than a gifted poet like e.e. cummings?

in time of daffodils

in time of daffodils (who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why, remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so (forgetting seem)

in time of roses (who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if, remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek (forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me, remember me

-- e.e. cummings

Reading this made me think of a Teleflora bouquet called Love Letter Roses. Just right to welcome sunny days and a little romance, yes? ;) 


 

Don't forget to enter Flower Blog's monthly flower bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for March will be picked on or around April 6. To see the official rules, visit www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/It's-that-time-again-a-chance-to-win-flowers.aspx. Good luck, flower fans, and enjoy your spring bouquets.





Lilies are the birth flower for May and the 30th wedding anniversary flower. Lilies of the valley are the 2nd wedding anniversary flower.
 

After a long and relentless winter in many parts of the country, most folks are ready to celebrate spring! And with Easter right around the corner (April 12) why not welcome the season with a beloved tradition for kids and adults: Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit.

Since 1996, as part of its licensing agreement with ©Frederick Warne & Co., Teleflora has featured a bouquet with this adorable bunny and this year’s arrangement, full of fresh spring flowers, is especially cute. After the holiday, the container makes a perfect cookie jar.

Peter Rabbit’s literary legacy stretches back more than 100 years, to 1902, when Potter published “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” In 1903, Potter showed that she was a keen merchandiser as well as a gifted artist by making Peter the first patented soft toy; he’s now the oldest licensed character.

She published another 22 small-format books and worked with the UK’s National Trust to preserve the beauty of the Lake District, in Northern England, before her death in 1943. To learn more about her life and her art, visit www.peterrabbit.com.  

Teleflora’s bouquet is a great reminder to introduce a child in your life to Potter’s unforgettable series of books with their charming stories and lovely illustrations or to bring back your own fond memories of reading about Peter, his sisters (Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail), his cousin Benjamin Bunny, Squirrel Nutkin, Tom Kitten, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and many more whimsical creatures.

In honor of Peter and his pals, take our trivia quiz on Beatrix Potter and her work.

1. Potter was born in 1866 into an affluent London family and was taught by governesses. She later became a lecturer in art history at Oxford University. True or False.

2. At 15, she kept a diary and wrote entries in a secret code so that she could freely express her criticisms of artists, writers and politicians. Later in life, even she found it hard to understand, but the code was eventually cracked. When did that happen?
A. 1945
B. 1950
C. 1953
D. 1958

3. Potter was engaged to her publisher Norman Warne, but he died before the marriage took place. She was unmarried for several years until she wed solicitor William Heelis. How old was she at that time?
A. 25
B. 37
C. 47
D. 51

4. In “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” Peter disobeys his mother’s warning and eats vegetables from a garden. Name the farmer who planted them.
A. McGregor
B. McDonald
C. MacIntrye
D. McKenzie

5. At the end of the story, what does Peter’s mother give him before bedtime?
A. Bread and jam
B. Chamomile tea
C. Porridge
D. A carrot

6. In the 2006 movie “Miss Potter,” Texan actress Renée Zellweger played the title role. Who played her fiancé Norman Warne?
A. Colin Firth
B. Ewan McGregor
C. Cillian Murphy
D. Ryan Reynolds

ANSWERS

1. False. As a Victorian girl, Potter received no formal education and was discouraged from developing her intellect.
2. D. 1958
3. C. 47
4. A. McGregor
5. B. Chamomile tea
6. B. Ewan McGregor

 

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  


Last week, my partner and I decided to make a trip up the coast to San Francisco for a design workshop. We went up Interstate 5, which took us into the agricultural heartland of this state. I expected to see the usual deserts, ranches, farms and of course the huge herds of cows corralled close to the freeway.

It is always such an experience driving through the cow zone. We try to go as quickly as possible, holding our noses to no avail as the waft of stench from accumulated dung creeps into the vents of the supposedly air-tight car. We laugh giddily, wildly, trying not to gulp large doses of that foul air. Fun times!!

What I didn’t expect was that all the fruit trees were in bloom. It’s not that I haven’t seen a peach, apple or cherry tree in blossom but to see thousands of them was intense. Set in rows and rows, and grouped in varieties blooming in shades of blush white to hot pink, we went through hundreds of miles of them. Some of the farms came right up to the highway and I could see each tree and the way they lined up, packed with color.

The aisles too were covered with fallen blossoms and from afar it looked like snow on the ground. It was surreal. I can only imagine how it would be to walk among these trees or, better yet, can you imagine having a wedding there? Walking down the tree-lined aisle, peppered with blossoms, and having reception tables lit by tons of hanging paper lanterns. As a famous interior designer on HGTV puts it, "How Divine!"

Visit your local florist for blossoming branches this time of year. Just a few branches in a simple tall vase are enough to brighten any room. For a party feel, cut out butterflies from colored card stock and hang from the branches with thin ribbon for an added accent.

Spring is also the time for spring cleaning, not only for my house but my workplace as well. It's great to reuse old containers in a creative way instead of throwing them out. Tin cans stripped of their paper labels and painted with a solid color (see below) create a makeshift herb garden for the kitchen.



For more color, cover them in wallpaper discards or just place them in different sizes of brown bags and singe them with some raffia. Place the grouping on a windowsill in the kitchen and you will have an instant herb garden.

Old jelly jars are another source of containers for flowers. Place them between two twigs and tied with twine. Filled with flowers, they will exude an air of farmhouse charm. Flower shops always have some sort of specials going on in spring. Tulips will be in bloom soon and the daffodils are following closely so check them out periodically.

Friends of ours are planning to get married in their yard and they decided to line vintage bottles down the reception table. The small intimate party of twenty will be sitting down to a long table set with these vintage bottles. We are planning to put California poppies and feverfew in each of them.

I suggested putting a runner of sod first and then the bottles on the grass. Small votives on the table, some tied with ribbons and hung from the orange trees in the yard, will provide a magical glow for the evening’s festivities.

If you want a more sophisticated look, use old plastic containers from past take-home meals and place them in wood boxes covered in beautiful fabric. Check out the ones from http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/. Depending on the style of boxes, heap mounds of mood moss on the table for a natural look or glass beads for an urban chic feel.

To decorate an Easter table, use old lamp stands or candle sticks as risers for egg-shaped orbs of green, white or lavender button mums, each accented with butterflies made from feathers. Or cover old bottles with a mosaic of egg shells and set several on a table with stems of yellow Asiatic lilies.

Accent the table with more eggs tinted with various colors, set on a bed of colorful shredded paper. For even more color, use polka-dot ribbon to tie onto each chair. Then dangle colored eggs off the ends as tassels.

Whether you are planning a party to celebrate a wedding or just to celebrate spring, recycling is good for the planet, good for your pocketbook and just plain good fun.
 

Teleflora's Victorian Garden Basket

And later, after the basket arrived: "My Mom & Dad received the flowers, they are so happy. Thank you so much again. You have made 3 people very happy."

For those who entered but didn't win: the Flower Blog March Sweepstakes is under way. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)
 

Love green flowers? Next Tuesday is a great excuse to wear green and to send flowers to your o’friends and family. Or if you prefer designing your own bouquets, try mixing in some wild roses, bells of Ireland or fuchsia, all of which are associated with the Emerald Isle because they grow in such abundance there. That said, none of those flowers are native to Ireland.

Green blossoms such as orchids, mums or succulent plants also send a rich and varied message. Depending on their tone, they can convey prosperity, vigor, resilience, renewal and good health. And if you’re planning a party, green and white mums are an easy and budget- friendly way to spruce up your decorations, whether you create a huge shamrock as a centerpiece or simply place a few mugs brimming with mums around your home.

And don’t think the recipient needs to have a brogue to appreciate St. Pat's blooms. Apparently even President Obama can claim Irish ancestry. According to a recent report on Yahoo News, our nation’s leader is 3.1% Irish, based on the fact great-great-great grandfather Falmouth Kearney came to America in 1850 from a village outside of Dublin. Who knew?!
 

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  

One cold spring day, I walked out to a gray and wet world. It was raining and the skies were clouded. It was not a day to go outside. I turned back into my warm and cozy house. Here is where we have surrounded ourselves with things that bring us joy and comfort. Here is also where we surround ourselves with perpetual color.

Ever since man discovered the element of color and could put it on a cave wall we have been fascinated and enthralled with it. Color literally covers our world. The pairing of different colors from analogous, complementary and triadic mixes drives our fashion and decorative-arts industries.

The eighties saw mauve and gray. Lately it has been brown and blue. Earth-conscious eco chic has brought us green, which is the new brown, which is the new black. It is always changing to suit our insatiable appetite for something new. Today, color trends move even faster since Generation X and Y are incredible consumers of change.

Purple has seen a resurgence of popularity in contemporary floral design.

In the world of flower design, this is true too. Contemporary color mixes that are popular today include hot pink and tangerine with pops of apple green, and light blues, creams and gold. Even purples are making a comeback. For containers, metallic is in; this time in mixes, like gold and silver, brush chrome and gunmetal.

Cheerful mixes can include almost every color of the rainbow. An arrangement of red, orange and yellow gerbera highlighted with hot pink mini gerberas looks hip and young set in an acid green cylinder.

I also like to make arrangements with even more color but limit the shapes so that it is more cohesive visually. For example, I would use a bunch of gerberas in red, orange and yellow with purple anemones and hot pink matsumoto asters thrusting out from a base of deep purple/blue hydrangeas tucked in tight.

This arrangement would look great in a low cylinder wrapped in several layers of matching ribbon to create a rainbow of stripes. This would work well for a kid’s party. Grouped in threes and set in taller cylinders, this color pairing would be incredible for a spring or summer wedding, especially arranged on an equally bright solid-colored tablecloth.

As floral artists start experimenting with other elements to complement flowers, we are turning more to containers in myriad forms and materials. Color mixes can be simple to achieve with just a few flowers.

Try floating blue and red anemones in a grouping of porcelain bowls in red and blue. Alternate the colors and place them in a line down a long dining table for an informal look. Gerberas work well for this setting too.

The carnation, with all its color choices, look great made into orbs and placed in glass cylinders of different, staggered heights. When lit by small votives on a mantle or entrance console, they make an incredible impact.

As floral artists, we are paying more attention to the overall site where flowers are placed too. We would consider the color of the wall or adjacent drapery. Red gladiolus in full bloom collared with white hydrangea in a metallic gray vase looks great against a gray-and-black striped wall.

Pink protea is an excellent choice to anchor an arrangement. Here, it's paired with red roses and river bamboo.

Pink anthurium spraying to one side anchored with pink protea and artistically placed in several tall glass cylinders or matched ginger jars are contemporary and cutting edge against a bright apple-green wall. Tall white callas in tall white slender ceramic cylinders against a gloss white wall accented with white vinyl drapes on a glass and chrome table are sophisticated and ethereal all at once!

Like notes of music, the colors of the rainbow are also limited to a specific number. Yet like the incredible range of different types of music that can be created by musicians, floral artists can be just as creative with colors in flowers. I am passionate about flowers and truly I have found that I can color my world with them.
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (March)

Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers.

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON MARCH 6, 2009 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON APRIL 6, 2009.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about April 6, 2009 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

Thank you to all who entered the Flower Blog February Sweepstakes. I have drawn the winner's name at random and will make the announcement as soon as I hear back from the person selected. I wish I could send you all free bouquets – alas there is only one winner.

Btw, our January winner Virginia P. chose to give her bouquet (below) to her son so that he could give his girlfriend a bouquet for Valentine's Day. What a cool mom!

Says Virginia: "The Valentine's flowers were delivered to the house on Friday afternoon. They were gorgeous. As of today almost a week later they are still beautiful. My son brought them to Torries' house on the 14th where she just melted. Hugs and kisses were in store for my son. I can't believe how much he can smile. Thank you again for the opportunity of the contest and THANKS for picking my name!!!!"

Teleflora's Princess Roses bouquet

For those who entered but didn't win: the Flower Blog March Sweepstakes is under way. I will keep running these on a monthly basis, so keep the comments coming. After all, comments are like flowers, you can never get enough! :)
 

Flowers make any event more elegant and festive, and that’s particularly true for weddings. Whether your taste runs to just-picked sunflowers or elaborate bouquets of roses, the fresh and pretty petals remind the bride, groom and guests of the delicate and beautiful bond between the couple.

That’s the easy part. What’s often harder is choosing the right flowers when there are so many that tempt the senses. With many of you planning or helping to plan weddings, I checked in with Atlanta-based florist Amber Schoepp, who runs Flower Bar, http://www.flowerbar.org/, for advice on what to think about when meeting with a florist for your big day.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta-based florist Amber Schoepp of Flower Bar.

Color
It will be better on the budget if you stick to what's in season. White is always available and always beautiful for weddings, but if you want to add color, here are some suggestions for each season.

Spring: light pinks, purples, yellows, blues
Summer: dark pinks, dark purples, reds, peaches
Fall: oranges, greens, peaches, purples
Winter: reds, greens, yellows, browns

Roses vs. No Roses
Most brides want (or don't mind) roses within the mix. An all-rose bridal bouquet would cost probably half of what it would using most other flowers. The key is to use a good florist who will condition the rose over several days so that it is at a perfect full bloom. Rose buds are not as petally and romantic. One other tip about roses is to use a color palette. Combine dark and light oranges with peaches, or a combination of three of four shades of pink.

White flowers are always in season and always beautiful at weddings. Pale pink adds a subtle splash of color.

Table Centerpieces
One of the most important items on your list that will make or break your flower budget, will be your table centerpieces. Most Flower Bar table centerpieces range between $45-$85 per table for low arrangements, and $85-$125+ for tall centerpieces.

There are plenty of ways to substitute different containers or different flowers to get your look on a budget, just ask your florist for suggestions. Flower Bar also rents vases and containers to lower your cost. Also consider whether or not you want your guests to take home your arrangements.

Ceremony Arrangements
Most couples have two or more large ceremony arrangements for the exchanging of vows. Re-purpose those pieces as buffet centerpieces or entryway arrangements, or DJ decor at the reception. Flower Bar also rents urns and columns, or candelabras for your ceremony flowers. We'll move them to your reception if it is in a different location than the ceremony.

To contact Amber directly, call 404-641-0590 or email: flowerbar@gmail.com. And be sure to read her blog at: www.atlantaflowerbar.blogspot.com.  
 

The Philly Flower Show www.theflowershow.com, a favorite and famous harbinger of spring, wraps up this weekend. If you live close enough to visit, it's well worth your time. And elsewhere, it is finally warming up, 65 degrees in the Midwest, no less!

Another classic symbol of spring: the tried and true tulip. I'm planning to send some to my aunt who has a milestone birthday this month.

In honor of warmer weather and the uncommon loveliness of the tulip, here are some fun facts about this flower.

Purple tulips symbolize royalty, making them perfect for the HRM (His/Her Royal Majesty) types in your life. :) 

* Tulips hail from Persia and Turkey, and they get their name from the Turkish word for turban. When tulips bloom, they greatly resemble turbans.

* Tulips arrived in Europe in the 1500s. By the 1600s, tulips had become so popular, especially in the Netherlands, that they cost more than diamonds.

* There are almost 4,000 horticultural varieties of tulips. While you can find purple and midnight black tulips, there is no true blue tulip.

* The tulip is the 11th wedding anniversary flower.

* As for symbolism, the black center of the flower is said to represent a lover's heart, made dark by passion. One legend holds that a Turkish prince, grief-stricken when his beloved died, rode his horse over the edge of a cliff. Scarlet tulips appeared from each drop of his blood. So, like red roses, red tulips are the perfect flower to express an intense love. Yellow tulips convey joy, white mean forgiveness and purple tulips stand for royalty.

Can't decide? Just ask your florist to create a mixed bouquet and you can't go wrong.
 

   Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 20 / Flower: African violet

Your creativity and determination has paid off and you’ve seen a string of major successes at work. But don’t be alarmed if there is a slight lull in your progress. This is natural and you will rebound by month’s end. Be sure to make time to plan that romantic evening; otherwise your sweetie may feel neglected. And go on, wear that dress that borders on the risqué. Life is short, look cute!



   Aquarius: Jan. 21-Feb. 19 / Flower: Orchid
 
When you meet a friend’s new romantic interest, you may be less than thrilled for her. Be diplomatic and see what happens; the situation could change quickly. You may get two cool invitations for the same night around the 21st. If you can swing it, try to make both. The first may be a good networking opportunity; the second may yield a fun flirtation.




   Pisces: Feb. 20-March 20 / Flower: Alstroemeria

A change in your routine will do you a world of good. If you’ve been contemplating some volunteer work, go for it! This is an ideal time for extra projects because your energy will be high and your outlook bright. You’ve been frugal for the past several weeks, but the 14th is a fine day to indulge your inner Shop-a-holic. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder on the 31st.




   Aries: March 21-April 20 / Flower: Tulip
 
Take pains to avoid getting stuck in the middle of a skirmish with your extended family. Listen to both sides and urge both to forgive and forget. You will get some good news on the financial front. Don’t worry about the past or the future; just be present in the moment and enjoy it as much as you can. If you’ve struggled through a harsh winter, why not welcome spring with a stunning bouquet of tulips?




   Taurus: April 21-May 21 / Flower: Lily
 
You’ve been toying with starting a creative project, but have been hindered by scheduling obstacles. If not now, when? Remember Somerset Maugham’s wonderfully inspiring observation: Self-doubt is the bitterest enemy of the artist. A tense situation at work will ease. Don’t put pressure on a new romantic relationship. Have fun, be yourself and just see what happens!




   Gemini: May 22-June 21 / Flower: Rose
 
Despite receiving an apology, you may not feel like forgiving. Give yourself time to think and figure out the best way forward. You will have a series of fun outings with your friends this month. Be sure to tell them how much you value their companionship. Make a point of listening to what your body is trying to tell you it wants – hint: plenty of sleep, fresh air and healthy food.




   Cancer: June 22-July 22 / Flower: Delphinium

You will get the chance to acquire a new skill this month in an area where you have little experience. Turns out, though, you have a tremendous talent for this subject – who knew?! That looming deadline at work finally passes and you have a bit more free time on your hands. Be sure to reward yourself for a job well done. The 19th will be lucky.



   Leo: July 23- Aug. 22 / Flower: Sunflower

You’re used to the spotlight, but for the first two weeks of March, it behooves you to step back, listen and observe. Besides, every performer needs a break from time to time! A promise you made may feel very hard to keep, but do your best to honor it; you’ll be rewarded in a surprising way. You’re set to receive great news the week of the 16th.




   Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 23 / Flower: Daisy
 
A friend who is usually fiercely independent will suddenly be a bit needy. Keep some time open in your calendar, which will be particularly busy this month. A colleague may “borrow” an idea of yours, but don’t fret. You’ll find a graceful way to claim the credit you deserve and, besides, logical solutions come easy to you. Not every is so lucky. :)



   Libra: Sept. 24-Oct. 23 / Flower: Hydrangea

The power of positive thinking will be oh so handy on the 16th. Don’t get too caught up in having a perfect plan. Go with the flow and let things happen spontaneously. Advice that once confused you now seems crystal clear. A minor annoyance will disappear on its own.



  Scorpio: Oct. 24-Nov. 22 / Flower: Peony

A goodbye that seemed tough turns out to have a huge upside. For example: A free place to stay in a fun city! Your weekends will be full of romance this month. A friend may reveal something you’ve suspected for quite a while now. Be grateful that he/she made you part of the loop. The 27th turns out be an exciting day.



   Sagittarius: Nov. 23-Dec. 21 / Flower: Carnation
 
Be patient with yourself this month – you have a lot to juggle. Trust your instincts at work and be the consummate professional, as always. Follow the urge to talk it out with your partner. Your sense of humor serves you well on the 25th. Make a point of smiling, just for the heck of it.


Flower Fact of the Day: Alstroemeria takes its name from Baron Claus von Alstromer, a Swedish baron who collected the seeds on a trip to Spain in 1753. In the language of flowers, it represents devotion and friendship.
 

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  

Weeds!! I see the rascals poke their thin green spikes up from the ground. Peeking up from cracks in the pavement, pushing sideways from under a rock or just filling the still-dormant flowerbeds.

Spring has come early to my California home and, I am sure, to the envy of my many friends who live in regions still either shrouded in snow or blown by bone-chilling wind and rain. When I first bought my home, I used to love the look of these weeds. There were so many varieties that they covered my humble patch of yard. It is fascinating to get down close and really look at them.

Their placement in relation to each other really is an arrangement designed by the great visionary and Creator. In our hurried times, fraught with issues of economic uncertainty and climate threatened to global proportions, we are turning to the earth, looking for the comfort of a less troubled past.

Weeds indeed are such an extension of our longing for this simpler time. I have seen this developed in all facets of design, like Lalique’s bucolic collection. In the floral design field, wild flowers are making a comeback.



After all, what are weeds but wild flowers before the advent of the overly cultivated garden? Instead of that compact cluster of monochromatic, mono-botanical humdrum, the look is now an exuberant mix of colors and textures.

The tight geometric form is giving way to a dimensional and casual arrangement of an exotic assortment of flowers and greenery. Yes, greenery. I love the look of some leaves peeking out of a cluster or some errant vines trailing out from the bunch. It is such a natural look. I see it more and more in magazines as designers take the eco hint and pour on the innocence of the flower-child hippy era.

Grandma’s vintage flowers are also making a comeback. Clover, pansies, even bachelor buttons, are appearing in the mix as bridal bouquets loosen up and even open up more with spike flowers like belladonna delphinium/larkspur.



The greenery is homier too, continuing with the vintage garden look of geraniums and herbs like rosemary, thyme and mint all mixed in with that just-picked-from-the- garden look. Stores like anthropologie and urban outfitters are capitalizing on that look. Indeed, we could do with something that invokes the comfort of trouble-free memories.

Ordering flowers from local growers and designing with a “local” style so to speak will support a neighborhood economy and also lessen the carbon footprint on transportation. Finally, we are home sweet home.