Florist Wilmington NC | Bloomers Flowers Blog - Wilmington NC | BloomersBlog

Speaking of Roses

2011-12-31T14:56:00.018-05:00

At this year's MoMA Film Benefit, honoring film director Pedro Almodovar, attendees were greeted with an eye-popping wall of beautiful red roses. Designed by Raul Avila, the wall was comprised of 25,000 red roses, in 3 varieties: Cherry Love, Freedom, and Charlie.

The wall proved to be a popular spot for photo ops.
Here, actress Blake Lively strikes a pose.

You might ask, aren't all red roses alike?
Not at all!
Some of the differences in roses can be vase longevity, resistance to disease, head size,
stem length, number of thorns (less is more, to a florist!) and fragrance or lack of.
Based on these criteria, Freedom is easily the most popular red rose,
and the number one variety used by florists the world over.
If you are the lucky recipient of a red rose bouquet this Valentine's Day,
it will no doubt be comprised of Freedom roses, thanks to its classic shape,
gently rolling petals and long vase life.

Here is Cherry Love, with its bright red, large blooms.

Not all reds are created equal-
For instance, this 'Black Magic' rose, is actually a red rose as well!
It's deep dramatic coloring gives it the effect of being black,
especially when placed near other colors.

Sexy Red, a favorite of mine, is a deep red that opens into a huge, long-lasting bloom.
It's a scene-stealer !

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

2012 Color of the Year

2011-12-31T13:57:00.001-05:00

Tangerine Tango was recently announced by Pantone
(The Color People) as the 2012 Color of the Year.
What does this mean for you as a consumer?
Well, along with 2011's color "Honeysuckle" (a vibrant pink),
it heralds a move away from subtle earth tones,
such as the sands and soft greens,
instead moving toward vibrant, happy colors.

Tangerine Tango is a bold reddish orange, full of energy.
But don't think pumpkin! This is a hue that plays well with others.

We've already seen it pop up in the fashion world...

...and in home decor, as small accents...

...or as the focal point for the entire room.

Brides have already begun asking for orange tones for their wedding flowers.
Either as a bouquet composed of tints, tones and hues of orange,
or mixed with other, complimentary colors such as blue,
this is a choice for the bride (or consumer) who wants to make a statement!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Baby's Breath-Love it or Hate it?

2011-12-17T13:26:00.002-05:00

Baby's Breath. The very word conjures up unpleasant images for some folks.
True, over the years, it became a tired staple in every Dozen Rose arrangement,
seemingly tossed in at the last minute, a "cheap filler".

Fast forward to 2011.
No longer 'cheap', no longer simply an afterthought, Baby's Breath, or, let's call it by it's true name "Gypsophila" , is experiencing a rebirth of sorts. Brides especially may be looking for a true romantic touch for their bouquets, and "Gyp" can add that as no other accent flower can.

There are now several different varieties available as well.
Some with petite florets, others give a fluffy mini-snowball effect.
Aren't these filled buckets lovely?

Look how fabulous "Gyp" can be on it's own!

So, while I'm not advocating the return of Baby's Breath
as the be-all and end-all of filler flowers,
I do think it's time to turn it's use upside down...
and give it the presence it deserves!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Bella Swan's Wedding Dress

2011-12-11T15:00:00.001-05:00

Unless you have been living in a cave for the past years, you've no doubt at least heard about the Twilight series of books, and the successful movies they have spawned. The stars of these stories are Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and in the most recent movie to hit the screens, "Breaking Dawn, Part 1", Bella and Edward are to be married. In this day of cross-promotions, it was bound to happen that one of the country's top wedding dress manufacturers would hop on the bandwagon, and agree to design a replica for sale to the general public.

Bella's dress heralds a return to a more demure type of gown. For several years, we've seen strapless and very bare dresses be the norm. This beautiful gown, designed by Spanish designer Carolina Herrera, changes that completely. At a cost of $35,000, it is breathtakingly simple on arrival, and beautifully embellished with lace and 152 covered buttons on the peek-a-boo back.

Perhaps it's a bit reminiscent of Pippa's buttoned-up maid of honour gown?

National wedding dress designer Alfred Angelo is offering a
'Bella" dress for $799.
So yes, you can look just as elegant as a movie star!

This isn't the first time a movie gown has been interpreted for sale to the public.

Elizabeth Taylor's dress in Father of the Bride...

Audrey Hepburn's ballerina style in Funny Face...

...even Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic, over-the-top Vivienne Westwood confection from the Sex and the City movie, have all been made available to the public in their various incarnations.

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

White House Florist

2011-12-03T14:00:00.002-05:00

I recently came across an interesting book: My First Ladies, by Nancy Clarke. In this slim volume, Nancy holds the reader's interest with little tidbits about her 30 years as the White House Florist, and her interactions with those first ladies. Starting with Rosalynn Carter, on to Nancy Reagan, Barbara and Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and finally, a few months with Michelle Obama.

The White House has employed 'bouquet makers' since the 1850's.
But it was President Buchanan's niece who returned from England and
told of fresh flowers gracing the most elegant homes there.
This heralded the end of the use of wax flowers, and the White House hasn't looked back since.
Even in these days of economical austerity, Michelle Obama is careful to use long-lasting forced branches, natural elements and even asks that flowers be 'recycled'
to other rooms when they are past their prime.

Nancy started out as a volunteer in 1978, quickly moving up to Head Florist and working through 5 administrations. Nancy's patience and dedication are evident throughout the book, as she tells of the many long hours spent meeting with White House staff and the First Ladies themselves, each one having their own idea of what the White House flower arrangements should look like. It was Nancy's job to help each First Lady put her own stamp on the White House, while also maintaining a certain decorum.

And of course, each First Lady also had her own favorite colors or flowers. For instance, Nancy Reagan loved the color red, but for flowers, her favorite was pale peonies, and she requested them often during her stay in the White House. But peonies are notorious for their short period of availability. So much so that Nancy had a small pillow embroidered for her that read:
"Peonies bloom in May", as a gentle reminder.

Decorating for the holidays is no small feat, and decorating the White House even more daunting, requiring an army of volunteers, and hundreds of man-hours of planning for Nancy and her staff. The First Lady would generally decide on the theme for the year, such as Mrs. Carter's "Antique Toys" theme, and then most everything else floral and decorative was left to Nancy to plan out and execute.

There were few weddings in the White House during Nancy's tenure, but she was asked to help with the flowers for Jenna Bush's wedding in 2008 at the family ranch in Crawford, Texas. Flowers were selected in Washington and sent to the ranch for the big day, arranged there by Nancy and a team. Jenna had requested a rustic but elegant look, which Nancy achieved using birch containers, roses and Hydrangeas.

One big change brought about by a First Lady was Hillary Clinton.
Until she came to the White House, the florists wore skirts and pantyhose...
not the most convenient outfit for a physical job!
Hillary wore pantsuits, and shortly thereafter,
so did the florists, and they all breathed a sigh of relief!

Along with keeping flowers in the public rooms in top condition,
there were multitudes of dinners large and small to plan for visiting dignitaries, at times involving travel to Camp David, or flowers for Air Force One.
Here, the staff is shown preparing flowers for Queen Elizabeth's visit in 2007.
You can see there wasn't much elbow room!

How lucky is this florist that she had beautiful vases, pitchers and containers,
not to mention all the different patterns of beautiful White House china patterns, to work with!

To help with new-home jitters, Nancy took Sasha and Melia Obama to the flower shop when they first moved into the White House, and had them create their own flower arrangement for their rooms. What a great way to welcome the new First Family,
and a special touch that helped Nancy be considered family by all her First Ladies.

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

DIY Weddings

2011-11-26T11:20:00.000-05:00

There's a new trend in weddings on the rise...the Do It Yourself Wedding.

This is not to say that the bride and her family intend to do everything themselves.
Instead, it's a reference to a certain look, a vintage/handmade feel, where everything from the decor to the food has a more personalized feel.

For instance, instead of a formal sit-down dinner, some brides are opting for a full array of unique hors d'oeuvres, where guests will be treated to bites of wonderful foods they may not have tried before.

They may pull their color scheme in with a 'candy bar',
where multiple containers hold an assortment of candies, beautifully presented.

Instead of a traditional cake, perhaps a Cupcake Tower...

Of course, the bride will want to be unique in her dress as well, and color is appearing everywhere. From colored embroidery and stones to a pop of color in her shoes, today's bride is all about expressing her personality with color!

For table decor, huge matching centerpieces are giving way to mix-and-match flowers and containers. For outdoor events, colored bottles and jars can be filled with an assortment of blooms in the bride's color palette.
For a more formal look tables filled with single-bloom containers are hot right now.

And the all-important bridal bouquet is much more personalized.
From a burlap wrap to all-succulent bouquets, today's bride wants to express her unique personality in every aspect of her special day.

Even photography is less formal, less expected.
Today's bride is more likely to jump into the ocean wearing her wedding dress,
than she is to pose for the expected formal portrait.

Come see us at Bloomers for help in creating your unique day!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Floral Headressing

2011-11-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

On the fashion runways this year, no accessory was more interesting than the floral tiaras from Meadham Kirchhoff designers. Perfect for those days when you're feeling princess-y!

London-based milliner Nasir Mazhar is responsible for Lady Gaga's metallic orbit headpiece, which was eye-catching in itself, even without flowers.
But these tiaras are beautiful because they aren't 'prissy".
Nasir uses crystal and antique porcelain flowers,
which he trolls London's Covent Garden market for.
Truly works of art.

Isn't this one darling?
Look closely-the little ballerina spins in front of her mirror!
I love the jewels, organza and whimsy of this one.

They do remind me of something I've seen before...
perhaps this beauty on Elizabeth Taylor?

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Ori Gersht

2011-10-23T16:28:00.001-04:00

Is it art? Is it photography?
I think it's up to the viewer to decide, but fine-art photographer Ori Gersht is turning both worlds on their heads. Born in Tel Aviv, Ori is currently Professor of Photography at the University for the Creative Arts in Kent, England.

His 2006 series is the most interesting to me.
Called "Exploding Flowers", Ori created lavish floral bouquets that are reminiscent of 19th century still lifes. (Think Henri Fantin-Latour). Then the magic happens, as he ignites a small explosive, taking photographs of the explosion in action with ultra-high speed cameras.
The end result is shocking, unexpected, and beautiful all at once.

But don't think this photographer is stuck in his studio. Rather, he travels the world looking for inspiration. From cherry blossoms in Japan to bullfights in Andalusia, Ori's photos transcend 'mere' photography, and pull the viewer in, asking questions: what is this? Is it real? How did this happen? What does this remind me of?

In summer of 2012, Gersht will exhibit at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts...
and I for one can't wait to see it!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com

Starting Your New Terrarium

2011-09-17T11:55:00.001-04:00

Now that's I've whet your appetite for a terrarium,
(see last week's BloomerBlog post)
where do you begin?
With only a few simple rules to follow,
terrariums are really a fun way to garden indoors.

To begin, select a container. Almost anything will do.
It should be watertight-remember that your terrarium will be generating moisture on it's own.
Most plants will require a cover of some type as well,
which maintains the humid environment.
This is your chance to be creative!

When you're ready to plant, first lay down a base of horticultural charcoal.
(No, not briquets from the BBQ!).
This is an important step, helping to keep the soil sweet,
providing drainage,and preventing root rot.

Next, the soil. Your plants will only be as successful as the soil mix they are potted in.
It's easy to test the consistency by squeezing a ball of soil in your hand-
if it clumps together, it's too heavy.
A soil that falls apart easily will be appreciated!
Hint: Chopsticks are a great tool to use in
positioning items within your container.

Plants will be the most important selection you make for your new terrarium.
Rock-garden or desert plants would not do well in this humid environment.
But there are dozens and dozens of plants that will love this new home.
Look for cuties like Begonia, Bromeliad, Pepperomia,
ferns, mosses, and ornamental grasses, to name just a few.

Then you can have lots of fun selecting the decorative bits...
artificial mushrooms, tiny houses, fanciful bugs, even elves!

When selecting a place in your home for your terrarium,
be sure to site it out of direct sunlight.
Remember, light entering this glass container will be magnified!
Bright, indirect light is your key to success.

Of course, if you're rather just bring one of these beauties home, ready-made,
we now have them, here at Bloomers!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com

Terrariums are Back!

2011-09-11T09:00:00.003-04:00

Terrariums are back, and in a big way!
Even if you consider yourself a 'brown thumb' gardener,
you can be successful with a terrarium.
Once planted, these enclosed gardens nearly take care of themselves.

When you think 'terrarium', you probably remember some dusty glass case
in the back of biology class, surviving despite attempts to sabotage it.
But do you know where they began?

The classic terrarium is housed in a 'Wardian" case, named for the 19th century amateur biologist Dr. Nathaniel Ward. Out on a woodland walk one day in 1830, he gathered a moth pupa and slipped it into a bottle he happened to be carrying. Once home, he forgot about it, only to come upon it months later. He found no butterfly, but instead, a seedling fern had sprouted. And thus began a Victorian "fad" that has survived over decades.

More importantly, this discovery allowed scientists and botanists to travel the world and successfully transport seedlings back home. Up until that time, travelers had only been successful with seeds. If you've ever tried to bring home a plant specimen from your vacation, you know how difficult that can be! The Wardian case allowed all sorts of plants to travel across the ocean safely, without exposure to salt water.

Today, the new terrarium is not limited to a classic Wardian case. Any watertight container with a cover will do. And depending on the type of plant you would like, you may even find a unique container with no cover...perfect for those plants that don't appreciate a closed, humid environment, such as succulents.

At Bloomers we now have terrariums, the perfect gift!

Next week: How to care for your terrarium.

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com

A Rose for Kate

2011-08-20T12:05:00.000-04:00

It pays to be a princess!
Venerable English rose breeders David Austin Roses have
introduced a new rose,
named in honor of the equally-new Duchess of Cambridge.

Rosa Kate is a mouthwateringly-beautiful magenta color,
and opens to a 4'' bloom-
as gorgeous as its namesake!

Princess Catherine isn't the first royal to have a rose named in her honor.
Princess Diana before her was honored with two:
one a beautiful pinky-yellow rose, named
Diana, Princess of Wales and an earlier Lady Di.

Queen Elizabeth, arguably one of the most popular roses ever...
two others were also created for her, one in honor of her Silver Jubilee
and another for her Ruby Anniversary.

Princess de Monaco, named of course, for Grace Kelly,
a hybrid tea with a fruity fragrance...

The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla Parker-Bowles)
was honored with her own rose in 2005,
a large-flowered orange-pink shrub rose with a strong scent.

The Queen's younger sister was also honored with a rose:
Princess Margaret, one of my all-time favorites, in a beautiful shade of peach.
I just love the ruffled petals of this old-fashioned variety.

The Queen Mum was honored with a
beautifully soft pink ground cover rose,
named Queen Mother.

And before her, Queen Victoria,
a beautiful soft pink Bourbon type from the late 1800's.

I predict many brides will be asking for Rosa Kate for their weddings!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Blooming Restaurants

2011-08-06T10:26:00.001-04:00

Flowers in a restaurant.
The perfect match.
Sounds like a given, doesn't it?

But how many times have you reserved at a nice restaurant,
only to sit down to a table bare of blooms?
Didn't you somehow feel the experience was just a bit less, then?

Sigh. What's missing here?

Ah! That's better!

Some restaurants take the matter of flowers as seriously as they do their food.
La Grenouille, in New York City, is just one such establishment.
Their flower arrangements immerse you in the experience,
before even opening the menu!

No bedraggled bud vase here!
Instead, lush arrangements of seasonal blossoms and branches,
inviting you to linger...

Even the loo is blooming with a fresh arrangement,
here at Grammercy Tavern.

Planning on dinner at a local restaurant soon?
Reserve some flowers while you're reserving your table...
your meal will be that much more memorable!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Lovely Lilies

2011-07-30T12:13:00.035-04:00

Who doesn't love the lily?
Symbolising peace, majesty and purity,
it it the flower of choice when an elegant floral is needed.

Lilies are found growing in the Northern Hemisphere.
The hot tropics are not for this cool-loving bloom!
There are approximately 100 varieties available, with varied shapes such as star, bowl or trumpet. Here, acres of lilies growing in a cool mountainous region of China.

Forget about lilies being "just" a funeral flower.
Here's a beautiful bridal bouquet composed of nothing but Stargazer lilies and lily grass.
Elegant, simple, beautiful and fragrant.

Though there are no blue lilies as yet, the multitude of colors that are available makes them a good match for so many other types of flowers, such as this monochromatic arrangement of peonies, alstromeria, roses and lilies.

Here's a gorgeous variety called "Oprah Winfrey",
very similar to one we used for one of our brides recently.

In the garden, this variety of tiger lily can reach 7 ft high, requiring staking.

In Holland, one lily farm alone ships out 180,000 stems weekly.

You can imagine, it's a massive undertaking to provide suppliers with lilies the world over...

You may have received or picked lilies at one time or another, and later found an orange stain on your hands or clothing. This is pollen, and most florists will remove these stamens before sending them out. However, as the buds open up, there will be others to remove...don't rub if it gets on your clothing! The best method of removing the stain is to use adhesive tape, pulling it off quickly. Repeat as needed until the stain is gone.
It's a small price to pay for such beauty...

Do you have lilies in your garden? Lucky you!
And if you don't, come see us at Bloomers!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

El Ain Paradise Gardens

2011-07-30T10:30:00.001-04:00

Located in the city of Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates, the Paradise Garden was recently awarded the Guinness World Book of Records- for the most hanging flower baskets!
2,968 baskets are arrayed throughout the 363-acre garden, which represents the latest in landscaping and irrigation technology.

Surrounded by desert, the lushness of this garden makes the feat even more remarkable.
With more than 10,000 flowers, this garden is considered to be in the forefront of water conservation and irrigation.

This category did not previously exist with Guinness, and was created specifically for this garden. Wonder who will try to break the record next?

Incredibly, the park was closed for a time in 2010 due to vandalism,
where many baskets were pulled down, and structures damaged.
The good news is that the park re-opened in March of this year.

Entrance to the garden is free, and visitors are greeted with a replica of the Eiffel Tower,
which was again lit to signify it's resurrection from the vandalism incident.

Now, visitors are required to remain on the paths, and are strictly prohibited
from picking the flowers, facing fines if they choose to stray.

The park has also constructed a giant pyramid of flowers, growing right in the structure,
rather than the usual method of regularly-replaced cut flowers.
This design required a unique irrigation system, which has also been submitted to Guinness,
now studying the submission.

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Will & Kate's Florist

2011-07-17T17:00:00.001-04:00

Imagine you've just become engaged... so much to plan!

Now imagine you're going to marry a future king of England.
Well, of course you'll have help. Lots of it. And one of those helpers will be your florist...

Shane Connolly is no stranger to Royal events. The Duchess of Cornwall chose him to do the flowers for her wedding to Prince Charles in 2005. Shane is known for his "sustainable" approach to floristry, often incorporating live trees or potted plants into his designs.
Above, he selects plants in Windsor Great Park for the wedding of Prince William
to Kate Middleton, arguably the wedding of the century.

Rather than massing thousands of flowers,
Kate chose to use 20-foot Hornbeam and Maple trees in Westminster Abbey,
which were later donated or replanted. It was a perfect choice, making the vast interior of the Abbey more intimate and inviting.

Which is not to say there weren't any flowers....

Shane holds a Royal Warrant-meaning he is an official supplier of flowers for royal events. Having worked with several members of the royal family on events of varying size, he is well positioned to know their tastes, and perhaps even more importantly, what is appropriate for each occasion.

Not only must the royal couple's tastes be considered, but also, security!
Here, a bomb-sniffing dog checks out the blooms.

Kate's petite bouquet was composed of fragrant lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth and
myrtle, which Queen Victoria planted in 1845.
As a nod to her new husband, her bouquet also included Sweet William blooms.

Bloomers Floral Design
Modern Design, Vintage Passion
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585

Interpretation at WAFA Boston 2011

2011-07-09T12:42:00.000-04:00

At the World Association of Flower Arrangers event last month in Boston, interpretation was the order of the day, and uniqueness ruled. Designers were challenged to design floral arrangements that interpreted things such as...

...lightning,
Doesn't this fun design just say "Shazam"?

...fire
I loved how this designer chose to incorporate
'charred" wood into his interpretation.

...wind
This large, evocative design used only dried leaves!

...zippers.
Taking the challenge quite literally, this particular designer installed
a large white zipper all around the leaf.

...or tiny "candies".
Size was key here, as these designs had to fit within
the dotted space on the exhibit board.

...natural materials
A butterfly and bug necklace, anyone?

...an "everyday" item...
this, with wooden spoons and green peppers.

...color.
Using only the tints, tones and shades of a particular color,
as in this beautiful amethyst design.

There was inspiration to be found in every corner at WAFA Boston!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com

World Association of Floral Arrangers-Boston 2011

2011-06-24T14:17:00.023-04:00

Last week I was delighted to attend the The World Association of Flower Arrangers event in Boston...and what a show it was! WAFA holds a show like this only every 3 years, and always in a different country. The last show had to be cancelled due to political unrest-so after waiting 6 years, floral arrangers around the world were chomping at the bit for the show dubbed This Glorious Earth! And attend they did- over 600 exhibitors from over 35 countries! Over the course of 5 days, many events were planned. I attended on Saturday, and we were treated to the sight of over 350 flower arrangements! Needless to say, these were not your typical Daisies-in-a-Coffeecup type designs.

Some were quite complicated, using exotic blooms, like this one,
filled with Anthurum, Midolino sticks and Heliconia.

Others were deceptively simple, like this clever play on water pouring from a pitcher, utilizing not much more than Lily grass and Hypericum berries.

Some hung from the ceiling from giant spheres.
The use of Hapene was prevalent-
(skeletonised tenax leaves from New Zealand)

Some countries had a representative arrangement.
France's was particularly evocative, while using very few elements.

Some were minimalist.
Just a few Callas and a beautiful piece of driftwood here.

Others were stuffed full.
Roses! Carnations! Stock! This list goes on...

There were tours, demonstrations, lectures and awards ceremonies. Sunday's event was the highlight...5 European masters showcased 35 gigantic designs on the stage of Boston's magnificent Wang Center, each more eye-popping than the next. And certainly a good example of how different everyone's design style is!

The next show will be held in Dublin, Ireland in 2014. Definitely worth the trip!
In the meantime, watch for the next BloomersBlog posting with more photos from WAFA!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Year of the Zinnia

2011-06-04T10:43:00.003-04:00

The National Garden Bureau recently announced it's selection of the Zinnia as Flower of the Year. The organization has selected a flower and vegetable for this honor every year since 1982, and helps showcase varieties that are versatile, easy to grow and widely adaptable throughout the country. The name Zinnia is derived from the German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759)

Not familiar with the Zinnia? Originally from Mexico, it now can be found in gardens throughout the country, and are generally started from seed. In milder areas, they may re-seed the following year-a bonus! The beautiful coloration on this variety reminds me of a Mexican sombrero.

Butterflies love Zinnia- another bonus! You'll have your choice of colors if you plant Zinnias-the number of varieties available is countless! They can be as small as a quarter, and go up from there. One variety I particularly love is called "Cut and Come Again", as the more flowers you cut, the more flowers are produced. What's not to love?

Love a 'splashed" flower?
Then look no further than the Candystripe Zinnias.

Maybe you've composed an all white-and-green garden?
Then Zinnia "Envy" is the one for you!
This chartreuse color makes everything around it just pop.

Zinnias are easy to start from seed, and are drought tolerant-which makes them a great choice for our hot southern gardens. Though they are prone to mildew, it's easily controlled. (mix baking soda and water, then spray onto plants). And with all the varieties available, you're sure to find a color that works in your garden or container!

Wondering what the 2011 Vegetable of the Year is? Why, it's the tasty Tomato!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Garden of Cosmic Speculation

2011-05-22T12:30:00.000-04:00

Hold on to your hats! This is one eye-popping garden design you won't see on every corner. Scotland's Garden of Cosmic Speculation was designed in 1989 by Charles Jencks, an American architectural theorist, who is becoming a leading figure in the British landscape movement.

This magnificent garden is actually Jencks' own garden, located at Portrack House, in Dumfries, Scotland. His landscape work, including this spectacular example, is "inspired by fractals, genetics, chaos theory, waves and solitons". Ummm, ok! Whatever inspires it, it's fabulous!

Flowers, plants -really anything natural takes second place behind the mathematical calculations evident around every turn. Natural features, such as existing trees and swaths of lawn, are contrasted with artificial symmetry, giving the entire property a "Cat in the Hat" feel to it. Magical!

Alas, the garden is only open to the public one day a year!
The money raised on the one open day is donated to a cancer charity named for Mr. Jencks' wife.

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

TrendSpotting: Lace

2011-04-30T13:00:00.000-04:00

Last week's post touched on color trends, with Pantone selecting Honeysuckle as the color of the year. Another trend that is turning out to be huge this year is lace. Yes! That old-time decorative element is back, it's BIG, and it's very fashion-forward. Witness Kate Middleton's choice of lace for her royal wedding gown, which was hand cut by artisans at the Royal School of Needleworkers. Turns out that designers from all walks of life are taking a fresh look at lace and turning it on it's head. Even wedding dresses are suddenly all about lace, but on a simple silhouette, keeping it fresh and modern.

You can surround yourself in lace, with Graham and Brown's "Mosaico" wallpaper.Chanel used lace in a recent collect in a really interesting way
(though probably not very useful) in these glasses.

Givenchy toughens it up in a chic black lace stilletto bootie.

Artist Cal Lane welds steel works, and I love that flowers are integrated into this "lace" wheelbarrow art piece!

Aurelie Biderman makes it luxe in an 18k. gold cuff!

These ceramic vases remind me of old-fashioned crochet doilies.
Does anyone remember doilies?

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

TrendSpotting

2011-04-17T12:41:00.000-04:00

Whether you realize it or not, you follow trends. We are immersed in trends in our everyday life, without even trying. In all things decorative, color is one of the most important considerations. Decorators and designers from all walks of life keep a sharp eye on style and color,
which ultimately makes life easier for the consumer...
we're assured that colors of items we are buying this year will coordinate with each other.
Consider this: would you buy a Harvest Gold refrigerator this year?

In the floral industry, color is one of our top considerations.
Designers watch trends closely. You may have heard that the "color of the year" for 2010 was turquoise. And we surely saw many variables of that color over the year, in events from small weddings to large corporate functions!

For 2011, Pantone has selected Honeysuckle as the Color of the Year.
Not a shy color, honeysuckle is a strong pink, and definitely in keeping with one of the trends this year called "Techno-Glam".

Fuschia and navy will be featured colors in this trend, accented by metallics and lots of bling. Design may still be traditional, but also stylized and clean at the same time. Rather than a floral arrangement packed with a dozen different types of flowers, "Techno-glam" styled arrangements will focus on 2-3 types. Color and style are the point, rather than a 'mass'.

This simple arrangement (above), is composed of only white roses, Ornithogalum and but a few greens, dressed with white angel hair, in a simple white cup and saucer.
Compare this to that old stand-by the Daisies-in-a-Coffee-Cup arrangement from years ago!
So much more fresh and modern.

This gorgeous arrangement is a perfect example of "Techno-glam". The mirrored glass vase is beautifully accented with silvery balls, which then play off the lovely soft blush of the roses.

Is "Techno-Glam" the right style for you?

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Fulvio Bonavia

2011-04-02T14:47:00.025-04:00

Here's an artist you won't see on every street corner.
His name is Fulvio Bonavia, and I just love his design ideas!
As a photographer and graphic designer, he combines fresh flowers, fruits, veggies and plants
to construct everyday items. They may be for fun, for an advertising client, or for his book, recently released.
His creations aren't comfortable, or even useful,
but they certainly are unique!
Isn't this football mum atomizer is adorable?

This great stilletto's bands are made of flax leaves.This daisy bikini bottom won't cover much...A darling helmet of Allium blossoms

All I can say about these clogs is ouch!

For more on Fulvio, check out his book: "A Matter of Taste"

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com

"Jewels" at the Philadelphia Flower Show

2011-04-02T14:00:00.001-04:00

At the recent Philadelphia Flower Show, I expected to see an exhibit or two where designers were asked to interpret an item in flowers. And what I saw was pretty impressive!

I love how this designer cleverly interpreted Van Cleef and Arpel's wildly popular Alhambra design. Remember, this is composed of all natural materials!

The delicacy of this pin is astounding.

This lovely little clutch purse took the prize for first place-and rightly so!

This designer chose a whimsical path...
and it was especially in keeping with the Parisian theme of the show.

Do you recognize the 'wings'? They're the seed pods of Maple trees!

Have you seen the floral "jewelry" at Bloomers?
They're perfect for proms and weddings, and custom made just for you!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Philly was Pretty in Pink

2011-03-09T15:35:00.025-05:00

One thing was evident at the Philadelphia Flower Show this year...

exhibitors were in love with pink!

Carpets of pink carnations...roses in all different shades; orchids in soft shell pinks to deep burgundies...

Pink on the walls....

This crazy pink fur Dr. Seuss-like thingy....with flowers on it no less!

A giant installation composed of pink ginger, heather, amaryllis, pink wire, pink flooring...

You could even look at the world through rose-colored glass if you were so inclined...

I loved this beautiful antique dresser filled with pink blooms.

Even the usually red Anthurum got in on the pink act...

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Springtime in Paris at the Philly Flower Show

2011-03-08T14:53:00.018-05:00

Spring was bustin' out all over last weekend, on the first day of the fantastic
Philadelphia Flower Show!
With a theme of Springtime in Paris, a warm welcome was extended from the moment you stepped in from the wet and blustery Philly day outside.

I could have used this Eiffel Tower Umbrella!
And the chic beret would have been a jaunty touch to a chilly day.

I think this "jolie chapeau" is more up my alley, really...

These tiny Can-Can ladies were installed in a miniature vignette. Adorable!

And this interpretation of a flower market in Paris is spot-on.
The scent was intoxicating! What is France if not a flower-loving country?

You couldn't swing un chat without seeing an Eiffel Tower of some sort..

...even one done up in moss!

Not to mention a fabulous market cart heavily laden with all things french and fabulously fragrant...

Bloomers Floral Design
Flowers in the French Fashion!

122 South Front St. Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

I'm a Belieber!

2011-03-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Ok. I'm maybe going a bit overboard with that title about mega-pop-star Justin Bieber. But after hearing that the 16 year old singer and heartthrob was a hopeless romantic, I just had to change my mind about him, at least temporarily!

So what did "the Bieb" do you ask? Well, being newly smitten with Disney's actress Selena Gomez, who is 18, he rang up a local flower shop and bought out the whole place!
They were only too happy to oblige, delivering truckload after truckload of beautiful blooms
to Selena's home.

Reports are that Selena was "thrilled" with the gift. Who wouldn't be?
Maybe Selena will post a photo for the world to see....

You may not be looking to send a truckload of flowers,
but Bloomers can help you send a beautiful floral gift anywhere!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

The Trouble with Wire Services

2011-02-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

Is this how your Valentine's Day flower gift arrived,
left for you to put together yourself?

Now that Valentine's Day is over for another year, the overriding consensus among florists and wise customers is that the wire services are going the way of the dinosaur. Companies such as FTD, 1-800-Flowers, and all the rest are seeing their membership numbers dwindle because of the growing number of people simply finding local florists online. In today's technology-savvy world, a third party is no longer necessary to order flowers.
A quick online search is all one has to do to send flowers to Aunt Mary in Minnesota!

Perhaps not everyone realizes this. It may be a question of perceived convenience.
Yes, it's handy to call or go online and place an order for that pretty picture of flowers.
But consider this: up to 60 percent of your floral order dollars go to the ordering company,
NOT to the florist who will be filling your order. So, once that wire service has finished taking delivery fees, convenience fees, online-ordering fees, etc, the filling florist isn't left with much to actually make your pretty bouquet with, and Aunt Mary will not receive the full value of your order. Poor Aunt Mary!

Another traditional method to beware of is the Yellow Pages.
Yes, that tried-and-true method of finding a company, unfortunately allows "order gatherers"
to advertise in the Yellow Pages posing as a local company.
So you may see "Jean's Flowers" in your local pages with an appealing photo, call their handy 1-800 number, and never realize that you are speaking to a call center located very far away! What could that person possibly know about what is in your local florist's cooler?
By all means, use the Yellow Pages. But protect yourself when calling by asking the clerk what their physical address is. If they hesitate, consider taking your business elsewhere.

The bottom line is this: next time you would like to order flowers, call a local florist.
He or she will be happy to help you, letting you know what's beautiful in their shop at the time, what's the best value, or even to place an order for you in another state.
You'll save on fees, get the full value of your order, and you'll be supporting a local florist!

Doesn't that sound like a blooming good idea?

Bloomers Floral Design
Locally-owned and operated!
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com

Paradise in Plasticine

2011-01-24T12:20:00.001-05:00

At the 2009 RHS Chelsea (England) Flower show, exhibiter James May created a stir when he constructed an entire garden out of Plasticene! Though this stalwart garden show is known for showcasing unusual exhibits, this particular one got more than a few noses out of joint, not least because there were no real flowers included at all-a clear violation of the rules!

Plasticine, a clay-like material, is available in 24 different colors, and designer May took full advantage of that fact by including them all in his fantasy garden, using 2.5 tons of it! Flowers, vegetables, garden ornaments, paths, artificial water-nothing was missing!
The garden was created with the help of hundreds of volunteers, including children and professional artists from the Aardman Animation Studios,
where the characters Wallace and Grommit were created (out of Plasticine, of course!).

Look closely at the photo above- and remember that nothing here is "real"!
Mr. May, while defending his creation, did acknowledge that he put the judges in a bind, as the rules of exhibiting clearly state that only natural materials be used.
But they in turn recognized the amount of work and creativity involved,
and awarded him a 'gold' medal, which was also made out of Plasticine!

Children clearly loved the whimsy and fun in this garden, and weren't bothered at all by the tiny sleeping gnome, another rule breaker that the judges overlooked.

Bloomers Floral Design
www.bloomerswilmington.com
910-815-8585

Fantasy Floral Parasols

2011-01-17T15:26:00.001-05:00

The world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show, held yearly in England, is a spectacular sight to behold. But beyond the flower exhibits themselves, many competitions are held, showcasing the design talents of different groups.

One fun exhibit in the 2010 show was the Fantasy Floral Parasol Competition, where exhibitors were challenged to construct an "umbrella" of floral components and other materials. Exhibitors were not allowed to use any part of an actual umbrella, however. So the construction of this piece itself would be a challenge, along with adding the floral elements to accentuate and tell a story.
Not only must the parasol be beautiful, but it must also function properly, being well balanced, and not too heavy-not an easy challenge when dealing with so many different components!
The parasol above highlights calla lilies and orchids.

Though the exhibitors were given their instructions months ahead of time, the actual construction could not be done until showtime...due to the fragility of the floral materials. Some parasols took over 60 hours to construct!

One of my very favorites is this beauty, constructed mainly of Lambs Ear, accented with only a few beautiful blooms and beads. It won the Young Chelsea Florist of the Year award. This exhibition is sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, a group very instrumental in promoting interest in the art of floristry among a younger generation.

At Bloomers, we LOVE creating novel designs, just for you!
910-815-8585

What's an Armature?

2010-11-14T13:49:00.007-05:00

The dictionary defines armature as : "A framework serving as a supporting core for the material that is used to make a sculpture". With this in mind, florists the world over are using armatures in innovative ways, concocting gravity-defying designs that delight and astound. Europeans are leading the way in armature-style arrangements. But even mom-and-pop florists are jumping on the design wagon and using some of these techniques to freshen up their everyday offerings.

When seeing some of these design, some questions may come to mind: Where's the water source? What's holding up those blooms? How long will this last? Who is the customer for this type of arrangement? The answers will vary. For instance, this design (above) has no water source. The wire-wrapped leaves act as the armature for the assorted blooms above, all placed on a flat tray. This may be used as a centerpiece for a particular occasion-not needed for more than a few hours. Perfectly appropriate for your dining table!

At the other end of the spectrum, this unusual design took hours to construct. It is meant for a high-end event, with a price to match. Here, the sticks act as the armature, both horizontally and vertically. The flowers are nearly an afterthought. But the effect is beautiful!

Another high-end design, this one extremely complicated to construct, and using relatively few blossoms. The majority of design time was spent constructing the twig armature, but the end result is that the blooms and leaves are more focused.

Looking for something different than the usual "Daisies in a Coffee Cup"?
Call Bloomers- we specialize in the unusual!
910-815-8585

The Language of Flowers

2010-10-31T12:49:00.004-04:00

Just about everyone has at one time or another, given flowers as a way of expressing a sentiment: "I love you." "Forgive me." "Congratulations!" "Happy Birthday!" "Happy Anniversary!" "I'm sorry for your loss"...

But did you know that individual flowers each have their own meaning,
many dating back to Victorian era?

The beautifully fragrant Lilac, a bush not easily grown here in the South, stands for humility.

The true flower of the South, the magnificent Magnolia, stands for Love of Nature,
the heavy scent is almost too much to bear.

Sunflower: haughtiness-really? Sunflowers are very nearly the national spokesperson for sunshine and happiness. They also stand for devotion, which certainly explains why so many brides are asking for sunflowers these days!

The Carnation, that flower everyone loves to hate-oddly enough stands for Woman's Love.
It is the bane of every florist, and suffers from a poor reputation. But really, what other flower has this combination of range of color, long life, spicy fragrance, and a budget-conscious price?

Lily of the Valley, meaning Return of Happiness.
That description certainly suits this scented sweetie,
returning every spring no matter how cold the winter or how much snow has fallen.

Tulip: stands for fame.
How appropriate, given the lengths that 18th century Europeans went to
secure even one bulb of tulip!

Rose: Love, passion. The Latin name Rosa means "red".
Different colors have their own varying meanings such as white for friendship, yellow for joy,
and light pink for beauty, to name just a few.

Bloomers and flowers: a true match!
910-815-8585

Over-The-Top Weddings

2010-10-18T16:38:00.001-04:00

Expensive celebrity weddings are nothing new. But perhaps you'd be surprised to know just HOW expensive some have been. The average American couple will spend approximately $28,000 for their wedding. Let's see what a million-dollar wedding "budget" will get you:

Paul McCartney and Heather Mills: $3 million
Paul and Heather were married at the 1000 acre Castle Leslie in Ireland. Heather came down the aisle to a song that Paul had written just for her, and she clutched a bouquet of 11 "McCartney" roses. Two 40-ft refrigerated trailers were needed to transport the thousands of flowers, brought from Holland specifically for this event. Fireworks entertained their guests late into the night, who had no reason to fear for their safety thanks to a 100-man security unit.

Liza Minelli and David Gest: $3.5 million
For this, her fourth wedding, Liza wore an Edwardian-style lace dress
designed by the celebrated Hollywood designer Bob Mackie. Her walk down the aisle was highlighted by Natalie Cole singing "Unforgettable".
Her all-star guests were treated to a 12 tier wedding cake,
and danced to a 60 piece orchestra.
Michael Jackson was David's best man, with Liz Taylor as maid of honor.

Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar: $2.5 million
This lavish celebration lasted 8 days, entertaining over 300 guests in the medieval Sudeley castle in Gloustershire, England. Elizabeth carried only a tiny bouquet of Lily of the Valley.
Days later, a second Hindu ceremony was held in India to celebrate the groom's heritage.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes: $2 million
Tom and Katie chose a 15th century castle outside Rome for their extravagant nuptials in 2006. Katie wore a Georgio Armani gown custom-designed for her.
Armani also designed Katie's bouquet of Calla Lilies and Steelgrass.
Guests were treated to a 5 tiered chocolate wedding cake, while being serenaded by none other than Andrea Bocelli.

Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky: $2 million
For her 8th wedding in 1991, Elizabeth wore a lacy yellow Valentino gown,
valued at $25,000, which was gifted to her by the designer.
The event was held at Michael Jackson's 2700-acre Neverland Ranch in California.

Donald Trump and Melania Knauss: $1 million
There's no need to book a venue when you own a Florida estate named Mar-A-Largo, including a 17,000 square foot ballroom! "The Donald"s wedding was organized by celebrity event planner Preston Bailey. Billy Joel provided the musical entertainment. Famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten delighted guests with his menu. Melania wore a custom Christian Dior gown comprised of 300 feet of satin and 1500 crystals, with a 13 foot train,
featured in a lavish spread in Vogue magazine.
Interestingly, she carried only 3 tiny white roses.

Whether you are planning a small wedding for just friends, or an all-out bash,
Bloomers can help bring your vision to life!
Call for your free consultation: 910-815-8585.

Deconstruct a Bunch

2010-10-03T12:38:00.018-04:00

At Bloomers, we often run Build-A-Bunch specials where customers may select their own flowers to take home. But what happens once those flowers arrive home?

Deconstruct!

First, think outside the box, er, vase.
Look around your house for unusual containers; things that you may not necessarily associate with flowers. Think pitchers, tea cups, mixing bowls, mason jars, even assorted pretty tins...

Lay all your flowers out on a table, then break them up.
For instance, if you have one tall stem, place that one into a tall, thin container by itself.
Suddenly, it will take on more importance.

Full headed blooms, such as carnations and roses look great grouped tightly together.
Try a tea cup, or a pretty glass.
This is a great way to use an item you love that may have a chip or crack in it.

The most gorgeous bloom? Float it in a gorgeous bowl.

Mums are the workhorses of the flower bunch.
Group them together using similar containers in varying colors.
You've just turned them into instant stars!

If you've picked up fall color flowers, a baby pumpkin is the perfect container!

Or hide a plain-jane glass vase behind a wall of veggies, like this asparagus!

Need more ideas? Call Bloomers anytime! 910-815-8585

Gerbera Daisies

2010-09-12T14:55:00.002-04:00

Who doesn't love a Gerbera daisy?
It surely is one of the merriest flowers out there.
Gerbera's floral meaning is the same as those attributed to daisies in general,
which is innocence and purity. But the Gerbera itself is known as the Happy Flower.

The Gerbera daisy was discovered in 1884 in South Africa. The flower's scientific name Gerbera Jamesonii reflects the name of it's founder, a Scot named Robert Jameson; and the scientific name is thanks to German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Breeding programs in England in the late 1800's helped augment the quality and color variation.

Today, Columbia is the primary distributor of the cut version, helping the Gerb rank as the fifth most popular flower in the world behind the rose, carnation, chrysanthemum and tulip.

If you love a colorful bloom, look no further!
Gerbs come in a huge array of colors, from soft cream and bright white, yellow, orange, red,
a range of pinks from soft to hot and even deepest burgundy.
There are even new bi-colors, such as the pink and cream, (top).
Don't look for blue, though, as they aren't yet available in blues or purples.

Because of their leafless, straight stems and uniform head size,
they lend themselves nicely to 'globe' type arrangements.

A recent introduction is the 'Germini', an adorable miniature version of the Gerbera.
It's the perfect size for boutonnieres!

Bloomers Loves Gerberas!
Call us for design ideas today!
910-815-8585

Traditional vs. Modern

2010-08-29T13:50:00.006-04:00

Floral design has come a long way, even in the last 5 years.
The traditional "Dozen in a Vase" is now almost the exception
rather than the norm (except maybe at Valentine's Day).

I love nothing more for a customer to ask for "Designer's Choice", meaning we have no limits on what we can do! Instead of daisies, maybe we'll use chartreuse spider mums. Instead of a traditional red rose, perhaps we'll push that a bit further and use the Black Bokara rose. Uhule fern curls as accents. Wax flower in place of Baby's Breath. Pincushion Protea in place of, well, you get the idea. A truly innovative floral designer will choose blooms that are beautiful and unusual. And that means your floral gift will stand out from the crowd!

Here are a few ideas for shaking up the traditional floral order:

Instead of: "Dozen in a Vase with Baby's Breath" try this modern rose beauty:

Instead of "Funeral Spray" try this unusual design,
utilizing delicate tulips and branches:

Instead of "Baby Arrangement" ask for a fabulous mix of blooms, like this one,
utilizing orchids, roses, tulips, and hydrangea:
(who says it had to have Baby's Breath in it?)

Instead of a "Dinner Centerpiece with candles" try this
stunning conversation piece of roses and calla lilies
arranged in a unique container:

Bloomers is known for innovative designs.
Perhaps you saw us at the recent Grand Opening of Wilmington Water Tours?
Call us next time you're looking to make a fresh impression!
910-815-8585

Chocolate Weddings

2010-08-15T15:25:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love chocolate?
Brides surely do, as "Chocolate" is proving to be a popular color for weddings!
It melds well with peach, with pink, with green, with blue, even!

Start with the non-florals first: you can pull the color in with ribbon
and accessories, giving you a rich, yummy look.
Beautiful with this soft pink rose!

You'll need shoes, of course.
How about some fabulous brown peep-toe platforms?

Now you're asking, what flowers are chocolate colored?
Chocolate Cosmos comes to mind first.

And some gorgeous deep hues of Calla Lily.
Not truly brown, but such a deep burgundy that they work...

Then, some 'greenery', in the form of these unusual Uhule fern curls.

For the cake...what's better than chocolate fondant?
(Tastes something like Tootsie Rolls).
It's pliable, much like pie crust, and opens up a whole new world of design,
like this pink and brown beauty!

Whether it's brown, blue, green, or any other color,
Bloomers can help with your wedding designs!
Call anytime to schedule your free consultation at 910-815-8585

Petals of Honor

2010-08-08T14:35:00.004-04:00

I love roses. Just l-o-v-e love them! Any color, and size, I just adore them.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have one named after yourself? Lots of well-known people have been immortalized in roses, and many of those have then gone on to become legends in their own right. But creating a new rose is a painstaking process, often taking up to 10 years and involving cross-breeding of tens of thousands of varieties.

To name a rose after an individual, the hybridizer must first obtain permission from that person or their estate. The next step is registration with the International Registration Authority for Roses, through the American Rose Society. A good practice is to also apply for a trademark.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Elizabeth Taylor
A ravishing lavender-pink, as elegant as the lady herself.

Lady Diana
Princess Diana has had many roses named for her, but this particular burnished pink is the one used at royal occasions. A tall, nearly thornless variety.

Ingrid Bergman
A full, deep red which continues to bloom even after frost.

Audrey Hepburn
A free-blooming, scented hybrid tea. One of the few American roses to have ever won a gold medal at the esteemed rose competition in The Hague.
Delicate and elegant, just like Audrey.

Cary Grant
Commissioned by the actor's fifth wife in 1986, this highly
fragrant orange bloomis also extremely thorny! Hmmm.....

Queen Elizabeth
A beautiful soft pink grandiflora, it won the All-American Rose Selection prize shortly after breeding, and was then given Royal approval by the Queen.
It has been one of the 10 most popular roses for over 40 years.

Dolly Parton
A interesting orangy-pink blossom, as large in personality as its namesake.
Dolly loves it so much she's planted it at Dollywood and in her personal garden in Nashville.

John F. Kennedy
A true classic and one of the most fragrant of the white hybrid teas.

Of course, naming a rose to honor someone is nothing new. Many of the antiques, such as the Noisettes, Moss, Damask, and Gallica roses are named after benefactors, or noted people of the times, such as Napoleon, Mozart, and even Don Juan, which is appropriately enough, a climber! (pictured)

The American Rose Society currently lists over 25,000 names, so I don't think I'll hold my breath waiting to see my mine on a rose...

If you would like your own personal rose arrangement, call us at Bloomers!

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

http://bloomersfloristwilmington.blogspot.com/2010/06/june-is-national-rose-month.html

Flower Design On High

2010-08-01T15:46:00.007-04:00

Now here's an interesting place to do a flower arrangement! In London, artist Antony Gormley conceived of an idea using the 'Fourth Plinth" in Trafalgar Square. Applicants were asked to state why they wanted to take part in the live installation, and if selected, would have full use of the Plinth for 1 hour, to do whatever they wanted! Participants could sing, cook, sit and read quietly, or even be naked! The project ran 24 hours a day for 100 days beginning in July of 2009.

Julie Phillips, a floral design student at Myerscough College was one of those selected, and she decided to use her hour of 'fame" to construct a large-scale floral arrangement, utilizing roses, hydrangea, lilies and gladiolas. Using a cherry picker, Julie and her flowers and equipment were transported across Trafalgar Square and lifted high into position.

With the day dawning, Julie completed her arrangement, even setting an extravagant wedding table to showcase her arrangement, before relaxing with a hard-earned glass of champagne. She then thanked the crowd by throwing white roses down to them.

The Fourth Plinth is the only pedestal of the 4 in Trafalgar Square that remains empty. It was originally designed n 1841 to house an equestrian statue, but the funds were never obtained and it has remained empty ever since.

A delighted Julie said: “This has been a fantastic experience for me and one that I will never forget. To be involved in something like this is truly special, and while I was daunted by the height of the plinth, I also found it to be exhilarating and thrilling too!”

While I can't say that I've ever stood on a plinth to design a floral arrangement, Bloomers can design something impressive for your next event!

"I Do" Balloons

2010-07-25T15:57:00.004-04:00

I've noticed a trend building...balloons used in weddings.
And not just a few bunches here and there, but dozens and dozens!
Arches! Huge bunches! Intricately constructed adornments!

When done right, balloons can add a real air of celebration and fun.
And of course, they are available in a zillion colors,
so the chances are very good
that you can match your wedding color scheme.

You can be married under a balloon arch...Or really make an entrance!

Show off your dance floor with a balloon "gazebo" of sorts.

Have a halo over your head table...

...or highlight the yummies on your cake table.

There are so many novel things that can be done with balloons now.
Available to us are tiny battery lights that go right inside the balloon itself,
creating it's own sparkle and glow. Isn't this balloon 'chandelier' fabulous?

And when you think of balloons, don't just think simple single-color!
Think see-through, multiple-layer balloons. What fun!

Looking for new ideas for your wedding?
Call us at Bloomers anytime!
910-815-8585

Emily Dickinson: The Poetry of Flowers

2010-07-18T12:28:00.002-04:00

American poet Emily Dickinson is perhaps less known for her love of flowers than for her writings. Born to a wealthy family in Massachusetts in 1830, she quickly became eccentric and reclusive. Her poetry was mostly viewed unfavorably during her lifetime, and in fact, it could be argued that in her day she was better known for her gardens. In the 1950's, the bulk of her poetry was published by scholar Thomas Johnson, and her place in American literary circles was firmly anchored. Flowers of all sorts appear in many of her poems.

The New York Botanical Garden recently held a flower show recently in their beautiful Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Based on extensive research, the NYBG created a superb display including her favorite flowers, such as daylilies, tulips, roses and jasmine, to name just a few. Victorian-era gardens overflowed, and these surroundings are what inspired a great deal of her poetry. Her first published book of poetry even featured flowers on the cover.

Also at the NYBG, there were representations of both Emily's and her brother's home, which were on the same property in Amherst, Massachusetts. Adding a whimsical note was a re-creation of the woodland pathway, which Emily wrote was "just wide enough for two who love." How charming!

During her lifetime, Dickinson kept an extensive leather-bound book filled with floral pressings. Though she kept no flower diaries as such, researchers have easily recreated what her garden would have looked like in her day.

Many of Dickinson's poems were untitled, but here is one about my favorite flower:

A Rose

A sepal, petal, and a thorn

Upon a common summer morn

A flash of dew, a bee or two,

A breeze,

A caper in the trees,

And I am a rose!

If you would like to know more about Emily Dickinson's gardens', check out these two recent publications on the subject: "Emily Dickinson's Gardens" and "The Gardens of Emily Dickinson".

For more information about flowers in general,

call us anytime at Bloomers! 910-815-8585

Flowers Underwater!

2010-07-10T14:12:00.001-04:00

Sometimes a heavy rainstorm is good for more than just keeping you indoors.
It got me thinking about flowers and their relationship to water.

Which then led to submerging flowers in the arrangements!

I love how the pink tulips (above) are massed together in the vase, forming a pretty pink huddle and complimenting the orchids and branches.
Notice that everything looks magnified underwater!

Not all flowers will appreciate this treatment. For instance, anything with fuzzy leaves will not be happy completely submerged for very long. But there are many more that will be just fine, as will many greens. Changing the water often will be even more important with this type of arrangement, as will using a preservative.

Sometimes you just want to break the rules-and do something completely different!

Roses are a good choice for submerging. Their solid heads and straight, sturdy stems hold up well under the pressure of being submerged. Careful placement is key in this design. You may be able to see the bubbles that have formed around the edges of the roses...adding a magical touch!
Here, decorative glass marbles are used to help weight the flowers. You could also use a "kenzan", a Japanese flower frog. Kenzan literally means "pack of needles".
These are great for holding on to stems.

Orchids are another good possibility.
In this tall cylinder vase, they just seem to be floating lightly and delicately.
How lovely!

Adding candles, either in their own votive cups, or using the great underwater battery candles adds a touch of romance and atmosphere!

This 'bookend" vase is beautiful with the addition of yellow and cream calla lilies.
Though there is very little water, thanks to careful placement every stem has access to it.
This is a simple and effective design!

Submerged leaves of all sorts are an effective way to fill the space in very large vases,
such as these tall cylinder vases.
It's a great way to add interest to what would otherwise be a plain glass cylinder.

Innovative designs. That's what Bloomers Floral Design is known for. Call us today! 910-815-8585

Daisy Wedding

2010-07-04T13:22:00.004-04:00

Summer is very definitely here. And what flower says summer better than the Daisy? As a wedding flower, it has been somewhat out of favor for a little while, being usurped by the showier Hydrangeas and Calla Lilies. But they are making a comeback, and this sweet little blossom lends itself to many interesting designs.

The Daisy itself stands for innocence, loyal love and purity, making it the perfect symbol for weddings.

Because a Daisy has a consistently sized flower head, it easily becomes a beautiful 'globe," which can be used (with a ribbon handle) for the flower girl. She'd feel like a grownup having such a fun thing to carry! Or, attach the globes to garden stakes, for use as cheerful aisle markers. Hanging one from a doorway or tree turns it into a "Kissing Ball"-how romantic!

This simple bridal bouquet is given a lift by the addition of some bling- beautiful "diamante" pins inserted into the face of the blossoms. They almost look like raindrops!

Daisies can be mixed with lots of different flowers, making them casual and playful or, with the addition of more 'serious' flowers such as these roses, can become a bit more formal.

And you can carry the Daisy theme on through to your cake,
either with real blooms as a garnish, or have your baker create beautiful gum paste Daisies, as in these two fun examples!

What's the difference between a Daisy from Bloomers and one you picked on the side of the road? Excellent quality and unparallelled lifespan! Call us anytime. 910-815-8585

Patriotic Posies

2010-06-28T12:03:00.001-04:00

Are you throwing a bash for the 4th? Don't forget the flowers! You can go well beyond the usual mason jar of white daisies and really show some creativity this year. Here are some fun ideas for you-and I guarantee that flowers will make your event more special!

Using permanent botanicals is an option. This cute red lantern makes an unexpected container.

And adding flags to this hanging basket arrangement adds a patriotic touch without being over the top.

This pinwheel centerpiece is gorgeous. The red Geranium and white Hydrangea are stunning together, and the red striped container ties it all together. What fun!

A wreath is appropriate anywhere. This dried wreath incorporates varying shades of blue, and with the addition of herbs, is fragrant, too!

3 colors of Hydrangea, a triple-tier basket, a bit of moss, and voila! A stunning centerpiece in just a few minutes!

I love how this gardener has incorporated a weathered chair into this still life of Iris, Poppies and Peonies, all blooming at the same time.

And how's this for a patriotic yard? Love it!

You may also enjoy this past post:
http://bloomersfloristwilmington.blogspot.com/2009/05/feeling-blue.html

Need Red, White or Blue flowers? Bloomers can fill the bill!
Give us a call any time. 910-815-8585

Art in Bloom

2010-06-20T14:58:00.001-04:00

Art museums are always on the lookout for an event that will prove to be a successful fundraising event. One of the most popular is usually called something along the lines of "Art in Bloom", where local gardening groups are invited to design a floral arrangement to compliment a particular piece of art, be it a painting or a sculpture. This may sound like a fairly simple exercise, but as you'll see here, the outcomes are as varied as the art itself!

This design (above) is very successful. The designer has extracted the two strongest parts of this artwork: shape and color, and then interpreted both with flowers. Well done!

This next example is very pleasing. As in the artwork itself, the colors are soft and muted. The most powerful element of the painting is the waterfall, and this designer chose white Orchids to successfully interpret the color and movement. Curly willow, Kangaroo Paw and ferns add to the rhythm.

This large-scale design is very daring. The designer has chosen to interpret the set of woodcuts behind it very simply...in fact, only 2 floral elements are present. The unifying piece is the aluminum banding holding the grasses in place. A very unique and successful design.

This next exhibit is perhaps more expected and literal. The designer focuses on the hat in the painting, and rather than interpret it in flowers, she added in an actual hat, accompanied by blue fabric. She also brought in seashells as a nod to the painting's location at the shore.
The assortment of flowers seems a bit random.

This final design is stunning...the simplicity of the artwork is interpreted in the strong linear placement of the flowers. This designer chose Gladiolus, placed at sharp angles. And notice the cube of Daisy Mums placed to the right, echoing the white space in the art. Very effective.

You may not have an art museum you'd like to decorate, but Bloomers can design something wonderful for your next event!

Floral Beer for Dad

2010-06-14T13:10:00.001-04:00

Father's Day is right around the corner. What to give Dad this year?
Not another tie, I hope!
As a florist, I would of course advocate for a beautiful floral arrangement, but failing that, consider a gift of floral beers. Most beers are crafted primarily from hops, which are the flower clusters of the hop plant. Prior to their widespread use around the 11th century, bitter herbs and flowers such as marigold, heather, ground ivy and dandelion were used for flavoring.
Today, brewers the world over are using flowers in new and unexpected
combinations to craft their beer.

The Southampton Brewery on Long Island crafts a tart beer with a blend of chamomile, rose hips, marigold and lavender. Named "Cuvee des Fleurs" which appropriately enough means "Vintage of the Flowers", it brings to mind a lovely summer meadow!

Scotland is famous for heather, and Williams Bros. Brewing has produced an anniversary ale in honor of it's 20th birthday, called Fraoch Ale. "Fraoch" is Gaelic for heather, and these brewers add the heather flowers to the boiling malt, resulting in a spicy, herbal flavor.

Delaware's Dogfish Head brewery has taken a cue from China,
reinterpreting a 9000 year old beverage made from chrysanthemums and wildflower honey.
The resulting Chateau Jiahu is sweet and complex.

While Bloomers does not sell beer, we do have lots of ideas for flowers for Dad.
Try sending a gorgeous custom-made bouquet, guaranteed to delight!

June is National Rose Month

2010-06-07T14:05:00.011-04:00

If you are one of those people who feels there needs to be a reason to give roses, then look no further than National Rose Month!

Roses have always represented beauty and love, but there is other symbolism associated with them, and not just the red roses. White roses are linked to the Virgin Mary, who was known as 'the rose without thorns". White roses also are associated with death, but more commonly today stand for purity and innocence.

When giving or sending a gift of roses, people generally think of the traditional "dozen in a vase":
12 roses, accented with greens and baby's breath, with a bow around the neck of the vase. While this can be lovely when done properly, there are many more options available now. When talking with your florist, ask what she can do to make that dozen new and fresh! This arrangement (left) is stunning: an interesting use of leaves and greens, a modern container, all to highlight the gorgeous roses!

To mark National Rose Month for yourself, why not plant a new rose bush in your garden?

Or send yourself a gorgeous rose bouquet in an interesting color, such as lavender or the beautiful bi-colors we have available to us now.

Take roses to an elderly friend or neighbor who doesn't get out much. Such a simple gesture can mean so much to someone!

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like this past BloomersBlog posting:

http://bloomersfloristwilmington.blogspot.com/2009/01/extreme-roses.html

"Royal" American Weddings

2010-05-31T14:34:00.001-04:00

Aren't we all fascinated when someone famous gets married? We want to know everything...what is the bride wearing? What will her flowers look like? How large will the cake be? How many guests are invited? Few American weddings elicited more excitement in their time than our American "Royalty"! Read on...

When actress Grace Kelly married Monaco's Prince Rainier in 1956, she chose a dress that was classically demure, with long sleeves and a high collar. Classic, elegant and fitting her movie star image, it was constructed of rose point lace and seed pearls by Helen Rose, who headed the wardrobe department of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. The wedding party's flowers were very understated, and Grace herself carried a simple bouquet of fragrant Lily-of-the-Valley.

Kennedy weddings have always elicited lots of excitement. When Jacqueline Bouvier married Senator John F. Kennedy in 1953, she chose a gown constructed of more than 50 yards of silk. Her bouquet was just as elaborate composed of pink and white spray Orchids and Gardenias.

Years later, when her son John married Carolyn Bessette, she chose a dramatically simple sheath by Narcisco Rodriguez, at the eye-popping cost of $40,000. She clutched an equally simple (and expensive!) bouquet of Lily-of-the-Valley, designed for her by Bunny Melon, the designer of the White House's Rose Garden.

No matter what size wedding you are planning, Bloomers has beautiful ideas for the celebrity in you!

Pretty Peonies

2010-05-22T10:47:00.001-04:00

As a 'Northern" gardener, one of my favorite flowers was the Peony. It was always thought of as the grandmother's flower, since a well-established bush can live for generations. Once I moved to the South, I was disappointed to find that it's nearly impossible to grow them here, in part due to the warm winters. I did manage to get a single bloom on my year-old bush this spring, but attribute that to the unseasonably colder winter we had.

This variety (left) is called "Bowl of Beauty", and certainly lives up to its name!

So what's a Peony-lover to do if they can't grow them? Well, head to your nearest florist! Many people aren't aware that Peonies are a cut flower that we can obtain for you for a short time in the spring. This year, I've had the deep rose, light pink and white varieties at Bloomers, and each is more gorgeous than the next! No sooner do I announce they have arrived, then they go right back out the door in the arms of a smiling customer.

Do cut Peonies need any special care? Not really. When purchasing them as a cut flower, they should still be in a tight bud. Resist buying the ones that are already blown out. They may be beautiful, but they'll have a shorter lifespan. As usual in preparing cut flowers, once they have arrived home with you, cut the stems underwater with a sharp knife (never scissors!) Remove any foliage that may be underwater. Add floral preservative to the water, and then let them drink, taking care to keep them out of direct sunlight. Then sit back, as those blooms scent your entire room.

Cut Peonies can be pricey, but that shouldn't keep you from enjoying them. Float a single blossom in a beautiful bowl, and place it where you'll see it often and enjoy their fragrance up close.

Of course, if you can really splash out, go for an exuberant arrangement of nothin' but! Isn't this centerpiece stunning?

If you're in the mood for Peonies, call or stop in to Bloomers quick! They won't be here much longer...

Flowers UpClose

2010-05-16T12:10:00.001-04:00

Whenever I am out and about, I am sure to have my camera with me. And the one thing that's guaranteed to have me lingering for a photo is a flower!

Close-up photography of flowers isn't difficult, but it does take patience. Not all cameras will zoom in as close as you'd like, so some trial and error will be necessary. Wasn't this creamy yellow Rose worth the wait?

Lighting will make a difference. Different times of day, different weather, different seasons, all have an impact on what your final result will be.

Close up flower photography can be a way to document a flower in whole or in part, or the photo can become an artform in its own right. This photo of a Calla Lily is beautiful in its subtle coloring. It almost looks like a landscape! You may not even be able to recognize a flower in an extreme close up, but the final result is still gorgeous.

Flower close-ups will often reveal secrets you may not have discovered otherwise. For instance, did you know that the common Dandelion is actually composed of 2 colors? To the casual glance, it may seem yellow, but on closer inspection, we see the subtle orange center revealed.

In my Montreal garden, a beautiful stand of Hollyhock "Nigra" would appear in different spots every year. And every year I'd photograph it. These spires sometimes reached 7 feet tall, with purple-black flowers all along the stem.

And every now and then, a visitor will make itself known...just as you're about to snap the shutter!

You can get a close up look at lots of beautiful flowers at Bloomers! Stop in anytime...

Our First Flower Class!

2010-05-10T13:17:00.001-04:00

Our first Floral Design class was held back in March. Five brave participants signed up for the Sunday afternoon session, and what fun they had!

Flower selection was fierce! There were various colors of daisy mums to choose from, plus assorted color options for accent flowers and greens. And, everyone had different colors of mixing bowls to coordinate with. These were important decisions!
Mary Ann (center) found just what she wanted.

These 'beginner' designers were speedy! What started as nice neat buckets of daisy mums, ended with stems and severed flower heads everywhere!

The gals could choose their own color combinations.
Charlene chose all purple hues, and went with a 'more is more' effect.

Bonnie was pleased with her fresh yellow and white combo...

Gwen pondered the greenery...

A few chose to add a beautiful feather butterfly to their creation (above) - a nice touch!

Centerpieces complete, Class dismissed!

Watch for announcement of more Bloomers classes coming soon!

Lovely Lavender

2010-04-25T11:21:00.003-04:00

Of all the scented items available at Bloomers (other than flowers), the most popular by far is Lavender. Candles, sachets, bath products, bunches of dried Lavender, all are the first to go out the door. Why? What makes Lavender such
a favorite?

When thinking of Lavender most people associate it with France, and dream of romantic postcard-perfect fields. But I recently came across a beautiful book:
The Maui Book of Lavender, which opened my eyes to the Hawaiian Lavender industry! The book does a great job of documenting the history of Lavender over the years...in fact, for the past 2,500 years! Its uses are well known in health, beauty and culinary circles. Haleakala's Ali-i Kula Lavender Farm encompasses an area on the side of a volcano...a dry, south facing slope that allows this herb the full sun it craves. I can't imagine a more perfect place to live and work!

The scent of Lavender is thought to be very comforting, hence the reason it's used in sachets and those popular heated herbal pillows.

The color Lavender is big this year, as well. Approximately 80% of the brides we are working with now are using some shade or hue of the color for their wedding. With so many flowers in the lavender-to-purple range, this gives the lucky bride many options!

I love this package of "Wedding Rice" which is actually Lavender!

Have you had a Laven-tini yet? It's a martini made with essence of Lavender!

At Bloomers, we just love Lavender!

Liberty of London

2010-04-19T13:04:00.001-04:00

With Liberty of London experiencing a resurgence recently, I thought I'd have a look at the story of this venerable fabric company. Have you seen their pretty prints at Target recently? It's another of the upscale collaborations that has Target customers crying out for more.

In 1875, Liberty of London got it's start, oddly enough, as a result of Arthur Lasenby Liberty's interest in
Japanese Kimonos. After being denied a partnership at the renowned Regent Street shop of Farmer & Rogers, where he'd worked for many years, Mr. Liberty struck out on his own and with 1,000 Pounds borrowed from family, opened East India House right across the street. The shop was an overnight success, and caused Farmer & Rogers to close shortly thereafter.

Oscar Wilde is credited with bringing Liberty to the attention of Americans. On his 18 month tour of the States, he frequently mentioned Liberty prints as part of his interest in the Aesthetic Movement of design. The public could not get enough and Liberty hasn't look back since.

Though Liberty of London prints have had periods of perceived 'dowdiness", 21st century designers are looking at Liberty prints with a fresh eye. Check out this creation from Jean Paul Gaultier. This is a far cry from frumpy!

I love how Liberty recently "papered' the outside of their London shop with this great print. How cheeky!

I'll bet if you looked far enough into your closet, you'll find something with a Liberty of London print on it!

Bloomers Loves Liberty of London!

Looking Back over 100 Blogposts

2010-04-11T10:27:00.028-04:00

This is the one hundreth BloomersBlog! Unbelievable isn't it? Some of you have been on board since the very first post on August 19, 2008. Others have discovered us along the way. Here's a look back at some of the topics the Blog has touched on over the past 2 years....

We've certainly discussed all sorts of flowers. Hydrangea, Gardenia, Dahlias, Roses, Bouvardia, Camellias, Carnations, Cherry Blossoms, Amaryllis, and Poinsettia, right up to a review of all-green blossoms and 'blue' flowers.

Sex and the City was a theme a few times, with Carrie being the main fashionista flower lover.

Floral shoes made several appearances...not to mention floral hats, jewelry, and loads of floral accessories.

We scoped out pretend florists in the movies, and real florists in the White House and in Paris.

Holiday flowers of all sorts have been mulled over...Christmas wreaths, Thanksgiving centerpieces, Valentine roses, Halloween party pieces, and ideas for wedding and baby showers.

Flowers as food, flowers decorating food, and flowers resembling food have all been tasty topics.

We've been to gardens in Europe, from lavish castle gardens to grand carpet gardens in town squares and even vertical gardens, as well as wildflower gardens started by a First Lady.
And we can't forget the window boxes and container gardening either!

Wedding topics have ranged from this year's 'it' color of turquoise, to using succulents in place of flowers, and of course, weddings a la Paris.

We've compiled loads of information on topics such as why you should avoid wire services, how flowers are imported, how to buy, care and arrange flowers, and even how to wax flowers!
The 'new' style of flower arranging was reviewed, too, with some eye-popping designs featured.

We've found out fun information about Blooming Teas, and the making of perfumes.

We discovered flowers made of such diverse materials as paper, metal, frosting, Swarovski crystal, fruits and vegetables and even X-Rays.

And of course, famous weddings could not be ignored....

What was your favorite blogpost?
Do you have an idea for a future blog topic?
I'd love to know!
Be one of the first 5 readers to post and I'll send you a free VAZU!
(be sure to include your email address)

Flower, Vegetable or Fruit?

2010-04-04T11:16:00.011-04:00

You won't believe what you're seeing. Is it a flower or a vegetable? You'll have to look closely! The book The Decorative Art of Japanese Food Carving: Elegant Garnishes for all Occasions by Hiroshi Nagashima will open your eyes to this fabulous art.

Fruit and vegetable carving is extremely popular in Asian countries, and they truly have taken what we would consider as craft, to high art. Known as Mukimono in Japan, these decorative garnishes are much more than just decoration. The Japanese feel it is as important to delight the eye as well as the palate, and these sculptures do just that. Some are made to be eaten; some are made to hold the food itself, and some are designed to sit on top as decoration. In China, watermelon carving is the most popular form of this art.

Chef James Parker has been featured on the Food Network, winning the Gold Medal for Fruit Fantasy Sculpture. These folks take their fruit seriously! Though there are countless specialty tools for the 'experts', anyone can try this art at home with peelers, knives and scoops.

Bloomers can't carve fruit for you, but we do have beautiful floral arrangements that incorporate fruit and veggies-perfect for a buffet or food-centered event!

A Parisian-Style Wedding

2010-03-28T11:44:00.005-04:00

After last week's post where I talked about Parisian florist-to-the-stars Jeff Leatham, I got thinking about Paris. I love all things Parisian! I love visiting Paris, I love reading about Paris, I love photos of Paris! My idea of a really chic wedding would be a Pink (or maybe red), Black and White theme...complete with the stripes that frenchys are so fond of. (And why do they always look great in them? )

This gorgeous Armani gown isn't a true 'wedding' dress, but could work on the right gal...

it's all about the attitude!

How about a glorious paper hat from Chanel Haute Couture?

And don't forget the tables! A properly dressed table will help carry your theme all the way through. Black and White stripes just say Look at Me!

Striped wedding cake, anyone?

Carry the stripes through to your flowers...courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

And as for the reception venue, the Palais Royal has coordinating striped pillars!

Classy, sophisticated, maybe a little edgy...Could you be a Parisian Bride?

Bloomers has beautiful ideas for your wedding, striped or otherwise!

And as always, free consultations!

Fresh From Paris-Jeff Leatham

2010-03-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

I'm smitten. Totally in love. Head over heels. But can you blame me? Jeff Leatham appeared on TLC's Flowers Uncut in the fall, tempting me with what turned out to be only a few episodes. I was disappointed, but went on with my life, until this month when TLC started running all the episodes, and I couldn't be happier! And since they air when I am busy in my own flower shop, well, thank you TiVo! There are muscles, flowers and drama in every episode-what's not to love?

So who is this Jeff Leatham? Most recently, he was the resident florist at the famed George V hotel in Paris (where he often used 17,000 stems just for the lobby!), and has done floral designs for private clients such as Gweneth Paltrow and George Clooney. Having conquered Paris, Jeff and his assistant Mathieu decided to move to New York City and try their luck at wooing
high-end clients in yet another world-class city. Not a shabby resume for someone with no formal florist training. He's brash and outspoken; definitely not a shrinking violet!

This beautiful church photo is of Eva Longoria's wedding in Paris a few years ago. Did someone say all-white flowers are boring? I think not!

I love the simplicity of his designs; the reliance on masses of form and color and balance rather than an elaborate 'arrangement', though his final design is far from simple. These are events that often have flower budgets in the 6 figures. Jeff is fearless with flowers...got thousands of flower stems that need to be cut? He'll take the whole bunch and crack them against his knee! Obviously, these blooms are not meant to last for weeks. They are simply to be enjoyed for the moment, for the event. Many aren't even in water, which shocks and sometimes upsets flower lovers!

Though his favorite flowers tend to be hot-hued Vanda orchids, roses, Calla lilies, and Hydrangea, on a recent episode I was happy to see he used masses of hot pink Carnations for a designer's fashion show party. And it was beautiful!

I do have to say though, that his signature look occasionally makes me nervous. Leaning a bunch of flowers over the top of a huge glass vase: well, I just envision broken glass and wet party patrons! But I love the 'drowned' blossoms, the over-the-top blowsy blooms, and the masses of loose petals scattered everywhere.

What do you think of his designs? Do you think they are fabulous? Do you love the bold simplicity? Or do you think it's really all just too much? Do tell!

Bloomers has lots of beautiful ideas to make your party sparkle, even if you don't have a six-figure budget!

St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-14T10:38:00.001-04:00

March 17. St. Patrick's Day. Who is this St. Patrick, anyway? Why, the Patron Saint of Ireland! It's a National Holiday in the Emerald Isle, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Ireland, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their clothing or hats. Girls may wear green ribbons in their hair.

Many countries, including the US, hold large parades on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day. In Boston, there has been a parade there since 1737. Canada's longest running parade, in Montreal, began in 1824. Having attended both over the years, I can attest to the festival atmosphere that prevails!

34 million American have Irish ancestry, and that is nine times the population of Ireland in total. That's alot of Carnations!

Are you one of those who dislikes the Carnation, in any color? You'll have lots to choose from if you're looking for green flowers for the day. There are now beautiful green roses, tiny green button mums, and large green spider mums, to name just a f ew!

Bloomers has green flowers for your St. Patrick's Day celebration!

You may also enjoy this past post...

And Speaking of Floral Cupcakes...

2010-03-07T10:36:00.004-05:00

In last week's post I mused on the trend of using masses of cupcakes in place of a traditional wedding cake. Well, what if you aren't clever with a pastry bag? What if your baking skills aren't up to par? Then it may be time to create those "cupcakes" out of flowers!

WHAT? You've never heard of such a thing? Then here are some fun ideas for your next bash. This muffin tin (above) filled with carnation "cupcakes" is especially fun for birthdays, and, it's so easy: fill each muffin cup with a bit of wet floral foam, then insert your blooms and candles. Done!

Since carnations (Dianthus) come in so many great colors, you'll have fun matching them to your party's color theme. And they are relatively inexpensive. Order them in advance from your florist to assure they will be the freshest possible. Your guests will be closely scrutinizing your creation-this is no time to buy frumpy flowers!

And this chubby Cupcake-for-One makes a unique centerpiece! Two colors of Dianthus gives the impression of frosting. And remember to add the candle!

The pink carnations in this scrumptious creation perfectly sets off the 'chocolate' candle and cake pan. Yum!

These aren't exactly cupcakes, but I love these cocktail glass centerpieces. They're filled with colored floral foam, which provides the water needed for the white mums and the yellow rose topping the whole thing. Adding a slice of real limes and a color-coordinated straw is a fun touch.

Need something larger than 'cupcakes'? How about the whole "cake"? Daisies, roses, mums, Dianthus- what a fun surprise this would be!

Call Bloomers anytime. 910-815-8585. We can help you with your creation, or deliver one to someone special for you!
PS: have you reserved your space in our upcoming Floral Design Class yet?

It's a Cupcake Wedding!

2010-03-02T12:30:00.001-05:00

Cupcakes are all the rage! Have you noticed? At the last few weddings I've attended, the brides opted for 'cupcake cakes', rather than a traditional tiered confection. And they were lovely! Of course, wedding cupcakes don't have to be decorated with flowers, but many are (and of course are my favorites!). Here are some really beautiful examples. And you can relax- this page is calorie-free!

Floral-decorated cupcakes are well-suited to other occasions, too. Birthday parties, baby showers, anniversary celebrations-cupcakes just add an element of extra fun that a regular cake just can't match.

Isn't this one beautiful? I love the vintage-looking wrapper. Anything wrapped this gorgeously just has to taste good!

These fun laser-cut cupcake sleeves really elevate these beauties to a whole new level of yum!

I'm not sure why, but these particular floral cupcakes make me very hungry. I especially love that they have a fondant icing rather than the traditional gooey creme frosting. They'd be great for a bridal shower, or even a baby shower!

Now that I've whet your appetite for cupcakes, watch for next week's BloomersBlog, where I'll talk about real flower cupcakes and other goodies!

Turquoise Weddings

2010-02-16T14:48:00.012-05:00

If you are a soon-to-be bride, one of the questions you may be asking is "What are the popular wedding colors this year?

Believe it or not, the hot color for 2010 is turquoise! This color is eye-catching, bold and modern and is especially perfect for destination weddings at the beach! Now, there aren't any true "turquoise" colored flowers. But that doesn't mean you can't have that color for your wedding if your heart is set on it!

Turquoise is an intricate color that can lean in many different directions, from the true turquoise that we all know from southwest jewelry, to a more peacock blue-green, to aqua.

If you just must have a turquoise flower, there are excellent floral paints available to florists now, giving us many options for coloring blooms just the right shade. Done properly, they are subtle and beautiful.

Pulling the color in through accents such as ribbons
and wire is another option. Turquoise works well
with certain greens; is beautiful with pinks, both hot pink and soft pink: and adds zing to browns. I love how this bride bucked tradition and went with turquoise shoes! And look how a turquoise wrap makes these sunflowers pop!

At Bloomers, we have lots of ideas for your wedding. Call us anytime for a FREE consultation!

Waxing Flowers

2010-02-15T13:50:00.003-05:00

Just when you are lamenting that your Valentine flowers will be gone soon, here is a trick to make them more then just a memory.

Waxing fresh flowers is a craft that dates back to the Victorian era. It’s quite easy and inexpensive to do, but takes a little practice; the most important part is getting the temperature just right for the types of flower that you are waxing. Almost any type of bloom can be waxed -so go ahead and experiment!

What you will need:

Fresh flowers
Paraffin wax
Double boiler
Wax or Parchment Paper
Empty vases or bottles for drying the flowers

How to:

Melt two blocks of paraffin wax in the top of a double boiler. Using a wax or candy thermometer to measure temperature, heat the wax to 150 degrees, and maintain temperature throughout the process. Too hot and you'll cook your blossoms!
Cut the flower stem to about two inches. Holding the flower by the stem, dip the flower head completely into the wax. Immediately lift it out, allowing excess wax to drip into pot. Let wax harden 30 seconds, then place blossom on its side on a parchment-lined tray to harden completely for about 5 minutes. For large multi-petal flowers such as a fully open rose, I prefer to place the stem into a bottle so that it can dry while upright.
Repeat the dipping process once more, allowing the wax to fully cool and harden between each step. Be sure to handle waxed flowers carefully to avoid cracking them. Use your waxed flowers to make beautiful arrangements or to decorate a basket or a wrapped gift.

I've found the best results with fresh flowers, rather than waiting until they are wilted.

Don't you love this vintage chapeau decorated with wax flowers?

Need help with your wax project? Call Bloomers !

Caring for your Valentine Flowers

2010-02-07T13:55:00.001-05:00

Valentine's week is upon us. And with roses being the most popular floral gift by far, you may be the lucky recipient of a beautiful bouquet sometime soon. You'll enjoy them longer if you follow a few simple care steps.

First, it's important to note that no amount of care will revive blooms that were not properly handled before purchase. A good florist will follow the important "chain of life" for all their flowers, as well as purchasing from suppliers that follow it, too. This will assure your bouquet a long vase life.

Now that your flowers are in hand, what do you do with them? If you received cut flowers, they will need to be hydrated. To achieve this, simply prepare your clean vase with the package of preservative that arrived with your flowers. Then, using a clean, sharp knife, recut all the stems, preferably underwater. They're now ready to be placed in your vase. Using a knife rather than scissors keeps the stems from being crushed, which shortens their vase life.

Change the water ever few days,
using more flower food if you have it.
Old 'remedies' such as pennies, bleach, or lemon soda are not useful or recommended! Remember to recut the stems at this time, as well.

At some point, your roses or other blooms will be very short, but this is no reason to toss them out! Get creative and find interesting small containers to showcase your short beauties. This little metal birdsnest container holds just 3 blooms, but what impact!

If you would like to dry your roses on the stem, it's best to do that before they die off completely. Hang them heads-down in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.

Once your Valentine flowers have moved past their prime, you'll no doubt want more, and Bloomers can help, whether a simple bunch of daisies, or an unusual arrangement of mixed beauties.

If you enjoyed this post, you may be interested in last week's entry, "Why Buy Valentine Flowers"

:

Why Buy Valentine Flowers?

2010-01-30T14:04:00.002-05:00

Another Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Did I hear a huge sigh? As a florist, I've heard it all: "Valentine's Day? Phooey! It's just an excuse to make me spend my hard-earned money on flowers." "Flowers don't last." "Flowers are a waste of money".

Let's review why this perception came about. Probably the biggest reason is poor quality of past purchases. I am never surprised to discover that someone who is 'down' on flowers, generally buys them grocery stores or corner convenience store. Those tired blooms have suffered from poor quality control and will never be good value for your money. Purchasing from a reputable florist will guarantee that your flowers have been properly cared for all along their travels, with the added bonus that you will also receive information on how to extend the life of your investment.

Another reason is boredom. Every year, the same tired 'dozen in a vase with baby's breath" is trotted out, touted as THE Valentine gift. But who says it has to be red Roses? Try pink Tulips instead! Or a heart-shaped wreath of purple Dianthus! A good florist will have a loads of innovative ideas for you, in all price ranges, and your recipient will be even more delighted with a creation that's out of the ordinary. You could even skip the vase entirely-a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet of beautiful blooms is just as appreciated. Try finding that at the local grocery store!

But isn't the true purpose of giving flowers at Valentine's Day to make the recipient happy? Perhaps this is the very first time someone has ever received flowers! You will touch and delight him or her in a way that can't be measured in dollars. And even if it's the hundreth time you've given this person flowers, he or she will still be thrilled.

Let Bloomers help you thrill someone this Valentine's Day!

If you enjoyed this blog entry, you may also like this past post "All the Fuss over Valentine's Day"

Why Use A Real Florist

2010-01-24T14:17:00.009-05:00

Buying flowers to send as gifts is a much different proposition than it was years ago. With the advent of the computer, there really is no need for anyone to utilize a 'wire service" anymore. If you're looking to send flowers to someone in the next town, the next state, or around the world, you need do nothing more than look online for a local florist in your friend's town. Or if you already have a relationship with your local florist, he/she can suggest a reputable florist, or place the order for you. Why trust your special bouquet to someone sitting in a cubicle?

The next big question is cost- do you really know how much of what you spend goes towards the actual flowers? Those lovely wire service photos showing a full bouquet of roses is quite likely not what your friend is going to receive. Read the fine print...and don't be deceived by the photos that most often show many more flowers than will actually be included.

How do you know who you are calling? Check them out with Better Business. Ask what their physical address is. A bonafide florist will be glad to tell you where he or she is located. A call center or "Basement Betty", (someone who works out of their home), will be much more hesitant.

When using the Yellow Pages, be alert to ads that use leading words such as "your local florist", or "your hometown florist". Especially when no address is listed, these are often fronts for Order Gatherers and should be avoided.

A local florist will deliver your beautiful bouquet by hand. Isn't that much nicer than having a crushed box sitting on the doorstep, left to the elements? (Not to mention the flowers will be stressed from lack of water!)

Keep business local-use a home-town florist the next time you'd like to send flowers.

Fusion Flowers

2010-01-17T12:05:00.007-05:00

The floral industry has come a long ways from the ubiquitous Daisies in a Coffee Cup bouquet. Today's modern florists are using new methods, new materials and new design techniques. And with the globalization of the flower industry, we have access to really fresh and innovative materials all year round.

Much of what's been considered 'old' is new again, in a new "incarnation"! In the 60's, Carnations were all the rage, then later gained a reputation as a cheap filler flower. No longer! Today's Carnations are full and fluffy, longlasting, sometimes sweetly scented, and gorgeously colored. Bloomers recently did a wedding where the bride requested nothing BUT Carns, and it was gorgeous.

Moving away from the tried and true, designers are structuring arrangements with more than just flowers. Leaves of all shapes and sizes may be glued, woven, stapled, bent, twisted or submerged. Wire may be used in place of ribbon. Powdered foam used instead of plain water. Fruit or vegetables may be incorporated. Flowers may be suspended or appear to be floating in air.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, why not go for something original this year? While there is nothing wrong with the 'Classic 12", a dozen red roses arranged in a glass vase with greens, an innovative florist can design something completely fresh that will wow your sweetie this year! Instead of relying on the wire service's tired offerings, call your local florist and ask what she can do especially for you!

Have you placed your Valentine's Day order at Bloomers yet?

Hawaiian Lei

2010-01-10T13:52:00.009-05:00

A Bloomers customer recently asked us to make some lei for a Hawaiian party she was attending. Which of course got me thinking about lei in general! Here is what I found:

The word Lei itself means wreath and is traditionally given in greeting or congratulations. When many lei are presented, it's called "piling", and this photo shows why!

Hawaiians are fortunate to have a plethora of material to work with such as: Orchids of all colors, Black, White and Brown Kukui Nut, Seashells, Sea Grape, Tuberose, Crown Flower, Plumeria, Ti Leaves, and yes, even Carnations, just to name a few.

Immigrant workers in the 19th century brought flowering plants with them when they immigrated to Hawaii. Over time, these new varieties were slowly adapted for use in making leis. The Chinese brought Chinese violet and Jasmine; missionaries brought the American roses; and the Portugese brought the Plumeria. Today, Thailand imports the Dendrobium Orchid in huge quantities, and these have replaced the Plumeria lei traditionally used at airport greetings.

But lei are not limited to fresh flowers. They can also be constructed of paper, plastic flowers, origami, feathers, leaves, fish teeth and even money! In effect, a lei is a series of anything strung together for the purpose of wearing. This beauty (below) is rare, composed of Bougainvillea blossoms.

Here, the original King Kamahameha statue, on the Island of Hawaii, is draped with 13-foot lei for his special day.

Here are some made with nuts, orchids, shells, leaves- what a beautiful assortment!

Having a Hawaiian-themed party of your own? Bloomers can help add that special note of authenticity with real-flower lei!

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-04T10:50:00.002-05:00

It's a New Year. And as Barack Obama said, it's time for Change! Out with old thinking, and in with the new! In case you've not yet made your New Year's Resolution, here are a few to consider:

Resolve to buy flowers for yourself, for no reason at all! When it comes to flowers, Europeans have the right idea: for them, buying flowers is as important as buying bread. Flowers make life just that much more special, and doesn't everyone deserve that?

Resolve to make flowers part of your life. They are a small joy that you can give to anyone, anytime. And is there any more 'green' gift than flowers? They needn't be expensive. Even a simply classy bud vase will lift someone's spirits-no need to wait until a holiday or special occasion. And to ensure that your purchase will be long-lived, buy your flowers from a reputable florist rather than the corner store! Remember that flowers make at least two people happy: the giver and the receiver!
Resolve to call a local florist instead of a wire service. With the advent of the internet, the need for wire services has gone the way of the dinosaur. Most good florists have their own website where you can order directly. You'll cut out the middleman, support a local florist and save money, all at the same time!
Do you need help placing an order out of town? Bloomers can help!

Tournament of Roses

2009-12-28T11:12:00.001-05:00

What is New Year's Day without the Tournament of Roses Parade? I never miss it. Though the other acts are interesting, the floats are everyone's favorites, not just for the fanciful designs, but for the sheer volume of flowers used to achieve those designs! I especially like this past winner for it's use of roses.

I once read that the parade floats utilize so many flowers, they are responsible for two-thirds of Holland's GDP!

The first Tournament of Roses was staged in 1890 in Pasadena, CA., by transplanted Easterners who were eager to showcase the mild weather of their adopted home. (In other words, they were bragging that they weren't knee-deep in snow!). In those first few years, it expanded to include such oddities as ostrich races and bronco busting.

Today's floats now feature high-tech computerized animation and use exotic materials from all over the world. A few floats are still made by volunteers working to benefit their organization, but most are now made by professional float building companies, and can take up to a year to reach completion.

It's not the only parade on New Year's Day, but it's surely the reason this one is called "The Granddaddy of Them All"!

At Bloomers, we can't build you a float, but we can definitely create something beautiful for your New Year!