Florists have a unique ‘glimpse of friendship, romance, birth and death’

With so many days and ways to send flowers, florists are behind-the-scenes witnesses to the milestones, celebrations and turning points that so often unite friends and families.

Sally Page, author of “The Flower Shop: A Year in the Life of a Country Flower Shop” ($34.95, 1-800-841-0873, halffullpress.com), puts it this way: “As the year passes the flower shop becomes quietly and discreetly intertwined in people’s lives. We catch a glimpse of friendship, romance, birth and death.”

I recently talked with a florist who surprised me by saying that funeral flowers are a challenge she especially enjoys.

Marie Majusiak of Watertown Flowers, Inc. in Watertown, South Dakota, watertownflowers.com, told me: “I think flowers are such a part of everyone’s life and when someone has died, flowers are extremely important for family members. They see how their loved one is honored and remembered – it means so much to them and makes it easier to accept what’s going on.”

Florists

Marie Majusiak and her mother Olga of Watertown Flowers.

Marie's aim with floral arrangements is to create a beautiful setting so that the family has something else to focus on besides grief. “The flowers have to be done quickly and they have to be perfect,” she says.

The fact that flowers span so many aspects of our lives also makes her work rewarding. “Every day is different,” she says, “and our town is extremely generous about sending flowers.”

To read more about Marie’s family-run business, founded in 1954, visit: teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Florist-in-focus-Watertown-Flowers-Inc-of-Watertown-South-Dakota.aspx.

Florists: What events in your customers' lives give you the greatest challenges and rewards?

Flower Fact of the Day: If you’re a Midwestern gardener looking for a rose that’s well suited to a tall hedge, the Ballerina, Buff Beauty and Carefree Wonder are good bets. For a low hedge, try Anabell, Escapade, or Wife of Bath. To see the full list and get lots more advice on roses, read Maggie Oster at: garden.org/regional/report/arch/inmygarden/2753.

Jacqueline - Editor

April 29, 2008

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Comments (1)

Comments

s.malik

it really sounds a bit ironical that a florists loves taking challenges on funeral flowers. indirectly wishing more funerals so that she could enjoy the work!! i wonder the ways flowers are used to pass a meaning to an event. its like a master key for all occasions. thats the beauty of flowers.

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