Exotic Flowers in Boston

It’s one of the biggest nights of the year for seniors and probably the most exciting as well.  Everyone will be dressed in their best, sporting flashy tuxedos and ballroom gowns fit for princesses while they groove the hours away on the dance floor.  Limousines will pull up to the curb and flash photography will be illuminating the skies as dates promenade proudly wearing corsages.

Any guesses what this special event might be?

That’s right- it’s Prom Night!  This late spring gala ends the year for the triumphant graduates and allows them to celebrate their experiences in the last four years with one last evening out together.  The wardrobe, decorations, music, food and after parties make this one of the most anticipated functions of a senior’s high school career so its important to go with just the right person!  It’s no wonder it can be nerve racking when asking a special someone to accompany you so how do you do it without breaking a sweat?  There are several ways to accomplish this task, depending largely on your personality and/or the nature of the relationship to the person you’re asking.  Here are some suggestions on how to break the ice and find your perfect date for the senior prom!

You’ve Been Dating Awhile…

If this is you, than you really have nothing to worry about.  Simply saying at an opportune time, “Will you go to the Prom with me?” should do the trick.  Just make sure you ask and don’t assume they’ll agree with no formal commitment.  You wouldn’t want them showing up with someone else over a miscommunication and after all, there’s no one better to go to the prom with than your significant other!

You’ve Never Even Said Hello…

There is always that girl/guy that you’ve had your eye on that you’ve never even spoken to but are dying to ask out.  Well, here’s your opportunity and seriously at this point, what do you have to loose?  Send her/him a note in their locker or bribe one of their buddies into giving you their cell number.  Write a text or better yet, CALL THEM!  Surprise invitations from admirers have an alluring appeal so just go for it!

It’s Your Best Friend…

Spring is finally here and that means opening day at Fenway Park is just around the corner!  Popcorn, cracker jacks, hot dogs, peanuts, foam fingers and baseball caps will be sold by the millions inside the park but Bostonians are also gearing up to make their own plans… Team spirit runs rampant during this time of year in Bean Town, where fans are throwing parties thematic after our love for the Boston Red Sox.  Everything from the color scheme to the menu can be manipulated to include clever accessories and entertaining display décor.  All you have to do is use a little imagination and think “Baseball”!  Monday, April 11th is the official date when Fenway will be reopened to play a little ball against the Baltimore Orioles so why not have a few friends over to enjoy the game?  Here are a few party planning ideas fabulous for opening day soiree!

Menu

You’ve got to have a lot of finger foods if you’re having a fete mirrored after the cuisine served inside Fenway and the good news is that most of these dishes are really inexpensive to make.  Think pigs in a blanket, popcorn, sliders, chips, dips and pizza.  You can also have a little fun with veggie and fruit platters if you arrange the food to look like a baseball diamond or even an outfield.  Don’t forget the dessert either, because a quick batch of cupcakes decorated with the letter “R” in blue and red frosting are the perfect sweet treats to compliment game day!

photo credit: ChalkandPatina via etsy.com

Decorations

This is really simple because right about now, every grocery store in Massachusetts is stocking up with paper and plastic Red Sox dishware and cups.  If you don’t want to pay the extra to have their logo printed across your plates, just pick up plain white, red and blue Dixie brand ware, which works just as well.  Another great idea is to gather some old mason jars and paint them completely white and then add the small detail of red lining, much like an actual baseball would have.  Place candles or lollipops inside and watch how easy dressing up your Red Sox part really is!

Party Games

If watching the game isn’t entertainment enough, then you’ll want to have some party games to fall back on if things get a little dull.  “Cups” is one that comes to mind for adults, but for younger audiences, playing ”Pin the Tail on the Opposing Team” is also a lot of fun (particularly if the Red Sox fall behind).  If you have your own baseball bat, “Balance the Bat” relay races are also a good idea to get people moving as well as an egg toss game to see who has the best catching hands!

Libraries are amazing places and serve their communities far beyond the task of lending books.  Most local libraries also provide informative classes and workshops for both children and adults to enhance their knowledge and education throughout many different topics.  There are science programs, writing workshops and impressive guest lecturers including top authors from the area who offer stimulating presentations throughout the year.  While all are open to the public, these sessions are provided for the sole purpose of connecting members of the community and growing comparable interests that will foster both new ideas and relationships.  Plus- almost everything offered is free of charge, allowing anyone with a library card to join in.

That’s pretty cool, right?

On Tuesday, March 22nd I was fortunate to assist my husband with an impressive floral demonstration to the patrons of the Westwood Public Library.  During the two-hour program, guests were given their own vases, supplies and flowers to learn the easy and fun way to arrange their own centerpieces.  Along with teaching proper technique and form, Rick Canale led an interesting talk about the do’s and don’ts of handling the blooms as well as giving a brief background of the flowers he was using.  Varieties included stunning garden roses, spray roses, alstroemeria, anemones and lemon leaf for the finishing foliage.  The vases were rectangular, heavy glass, which provided a sturdy base for the product and a cardboard box for easy carry home was also available.  In the end, the room couldn’t have smelled better with the luscious spring color bursting from every table.

We had a great time during this adult flower arranging class and hope to return with a fresh new look designing in the future!

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “A picture speaks a thousand words” but have you ever looked inside of the incredible world of floral photography?  Taking photographs of flowers is actually becoming one of the more popular areas within the creative industry and artists are wowing their audiences!  Bright images with delicate accents and soft shading paired with dramatic landscapes are all being sold as top selling pieces in galleries across the world.  The talent is endless which makes this an exciting time for art collectors and critics.  Although premier floral photographs are tricky to get your hands on, it’s a great lesson for those who are interested in broadening their photography skills to include this genre.  All it takes is a keen eye and a camera to catch spectacular shots of the beautiful horticulture surrounding us.  Travel to your favorite scenic location or simply take a stroll through your summer garden to see what might catch your eye.  If you’re looking for a little inspiration, here are a few examples from a few hand picked genius floral photographers who have recently been able to take their craft to an exciting new level.  Who knows?  You might just be the next Georgia O’Keeffe!

  Andy Small, Wild Flower Meadow, RHS Wisley.

 Sue Bishop, http://www.suebishop.co.uk/gallery

 Wendy Kappy, wendykappyphotography.kappyworks.com

I have this friend who is always sending me pictures of plants and flowers with her phone when she’s stumped by the variety or species.  For most of them, I can pretty much quickly give her an answer but for others that I’m not familiar with, it can be a real problem.  For many of us who have the same habit of curiosity, we can sympathize with the frustration of seeing a beautiful bloom or appealing shrub that might look great in our yard and having no idea how to find it!  Although the greenhouses and florists located within the Boston area are on the whole, sharp as tacks when it comes to deciphering the Morse code of unusual flora and fauna, it would be quite helpful if they had a name to go by.   

So wouldn’t it be awesome if someone inventedan app that could do all of this for us?

You’ll be excited to learn that there’s a brand new way to identify plant life using cutting edge technology developed in France!  With the use of the already popular application, Shazam, creators have now found a way to decipher breeds in a habitat just by clicking a photo and filtering it into the program.  With a vast collection of plants and flowers being loaded into the system named PlantNet, not only can you find what you’re looking for but also add to the collection.  Taking another step forward inside the future of horticultural technology, IdentiPlante is evolving to include the name of the featured flower/plant and also supporting data on subjects such as the preferred habitat and care instructions.  

How cool is that?  

Pretty soon a walk in the woods will inspire snaps of sensational living foliage, which you can now instantly learn more about with a simple swipe of your phone.  Landscaping issues, wedding planning and garden architecture will be as easy as one, two three with the use of this fascinating “i invention”!

Flowers are an enormous tradition associated with the Easter holiday.  For some, it’s because of the religious attributes and for others it’s the seasonal celebration of spring.  Whichever attribute resonates with you most, it is true that more than have the homes in the Boston area will feature a floral arrangement during the next few days of festivities.  As some are purchased in order to brighten up their dining room tables while some are otherwise gifted from a loved one, Easter flowers are the most beautiful presentations that mark the warmer weather of the year!  As the temperatures begin to warm, a brighter and bolder color wheel of options is renewed giving us a breathtaking palette to work from.  With options such as tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, hydrangea and other little bulbed beauties that are finally available, florists are whipping up sensational treats for you to enjoy.  

Its that time again for all of New England's garden lovers to enjoy the world famous Boston Flower Show! Running through Sunday, March 20th, spectators will be left in awe at the presentations made by our cities most prominent designers.  This year’s theme, “Nurtured by Nature” promises to be a special one where all exhibits must reflect this idea throughout their entire display of flowers including props, containers and subject matter.  From divine intricate sets to scaled landscaping, this year’s show is already being named one of the best in its history!  You also won’t want to miss the judging for who wins best for creativity, complexity and originality, which has categories for both experts and beginners.  How exciting, there’s just no telling who will achieve solid gold thumb stature!

photo via: rutlandvermont.com

And that’s not all…

Along with the stunning floral installments, there’s a whole bunch of other programs and events to take notice of as well.  There will be lectures from guest speakers who are industry leaders as well as demonstrations for those who want to learn the tricks of the trade.  If that’s not enough- bring your wallets and purses because the marketplace has a fantastic lineup of vendors selling beautiful accessories including hats, silks, baskets, jewelry and more!  It's quite an impressive line up so get ready for a fun filled four days enjoying the Boston Flower Show of Boston!

Things to Keep in Mind if Attending:

1. Parking is limited although there is shuttle service available from nearby garages.  Parking on the grounds is competitive so arrive early!

2.   Tickets are available for $20.00 per adult, $17.00 for seniors and only $10.00 for children.  Make a day out of touring the beautiful flowers arrangements and let spring inspire you!

3.  The Address for the Boston Flower Show is:

The Seaport Hotel

200 Seaport Boulevard

Boston, MA 02210

When we think of Hollywood starlets, we commonly associate them with glitz, glamour and a whole lot of sparkle.  We figure their job mainly consists of looking fabulous in all places from the red carpet to the silver screen but recently we’ve been reminded that this isn’t true for all of L.A.’s A-listers.  Several very famous actors and actresses including Oscar and Emmy award winners have been know to roll up their sleeves and show their adoration for the great outdoors by using their green thumbs!  

photo credit: hdwallpapershoot.com

Do you find this hard to imagine?  

Well, it seems that gardening has become one of the fastest growing pastimes amongst this crowd because it enhances a spiritual connection to our environment as well as providing an excellent means of relaxation.  Plus it’s way healthy, too!  Stars including Brad Pitt, Rob Lowe, Ellen DeGeneres, Lisa Kudrow and Tiffani Amber Thiessen all enjoy getting a bit dirty in their backyards and produce some, if not all of their dietary vegetables and fruit for themselves and families.  Not only is this new trend in Hollywood excellent for the earth’s natural resources, it’s fun and engaging as they teach their children and the world the value of planting seeds.  

Are you curious about who are the most serious harvesters from our television and movie favorites?  Here are a few of the most vigilant gardeners from the acting industry!

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr is not only famous for her successful career in TV sitcom, but she’s also really into exploring the botanical front.  Reports show that she is an avid grower of nuts on her Hawaiian property, which hosts fields and fields of macadamia trees!

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts is one pretty woman and there is a good reason why!  For decades, the famous actress has raised her own crops, feeding her children from garden to table since birth.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, potatoes and an extensive collection of berries are among the few varieties she takes pleasure in growing on her extensive property.

photo credit: gardenista.com

Sting

Sting is cool all on his own but when you pair him with his love for cultivating natural products such as his own home made olive oil, he’s awesome!   Although he swears there is a garden present surrounding almost all of his abodes, his favorite seems to be his estate in Italy where he is able to enjoy grape growing.  The perfect weather conditions present in Tuscany make this hobby a successful and delicious venture!  

I don’t know about you, but I’m already getting the itch to start my indoor seedlings even though there’s still snow falling on the ground!  For many New Englanders, this is a common frustration since we know that planting too early in the spring season will not cultivate a healthy crop once it is transferred outdoors.  Plants like tomatoes, cucumbers and peas are perfectly ok but for other species, it can be a problem.  While the average time to begin this process is usually the middle of April, you’ll be glad to know that there are actually a few varieties of vegetables that will do just fine if not benefit from a March potting.  Usually, these types are typically those that take a prolonged period of time to get going, which is an important variable to learn about when selecting your seeds.  Since we must keep in mind the temperature constraints of our climate having such a short summer season compared to other southern states, veggies that take four to five months to mature with fruit almost have to be planted indoors way before the normal gardening season.  Fussy produce such as peppers, corn, cauliflower, celery, garlic, onions and eggplant can be challenging for Boston green thumbs so getting a jump on these before April will be helpful.

All you have to do is find a warm and sunny area of your home and set up camp!  Select your seeds from either a catalog or store and then grab an empty egg carton or potato chip container.  They might not seem like it but they are excellent for nurturing organic soil because both materials encourage growth and moisture.  Finding a radiator in close proximity will also give your seeds a nice little push as well since an added bit of heat can trick the seeds into thinking it’s summer.  Water as needed and let them do their own thing on their own time until the stems are at least two to three inches in height.  When they get that big, they are ready to be transplanted into your garden.  That is, if the earth has warmed enough to be adequate for growing.  If the ground is still frozen, you’ll have to wait a bit longer but don’t worry because the seedlings will do just fine inside.  

Did you know that flowers are considered one of the top ten luxury items bought in the United States?  We usually don’t consider a bouquet of roses to be expensive enough to be deemed “luxurious” but still, according to surveys, flowers continue to remain a popular purchase for dispensable income.  

Interesting isn’t it?

But what if I told you that there are real varieties of plant species that have been recorded as sold in the hundreds and even sometimes thousands?  There are virtually species in existence that are regarded as priceless specimens, which are heavily sought out after to be included in rare flower and orchid collections.  There is proof that on auction, a priceless plant can demand close to a million dollars from bidders. I don’t know about you but the most I think I’ve ever spent is a couple of hundred dollars on ranunculus, hydrangea and chocolate cosmos arrangements.  Never, have I come close to spending anywhere near to the price tags hanging from some of the world’s most expensive blooms.  Have you?

Saffron Crocus

Many of us have some sort of variety of crocus pop up from our gardens during the early spring but if you happen to posses this particular breed, we’re talking big bucks because the average price is around $1300.00 per pound for the nectar!  The precious herb, saffron, is derived from the pretty deep purple flower, which is why it is considered so valuable.  Since it takes several blooms to collect enough saffron to be ground properly, the flower heads are worth even more to owner.

The Juliet Rose

We all know that there are many different varieties of peach and pink roses but have you ever heard of a rose costing five million dollars to create?  Well, in this case, the Juliet Rose is one of a kind and has infamously been named as the most expensive rose in the entire world!  Now commercially cloned this rose was a pioneer in the wedding rose world.

photo credit: higherlearning.com

Rothschild’s Orchid

I’m an orchid lover, through and through but this species, which has a unique green and red striped head with long thin petals extending from the middle, supersedes my budget.  Each plant costs around $5000.00 per unit and sometimes even more depending on the seller.  Because of its beauty and rarity, the plant has come close several times to becoming extinct from thieves and hoarders who didn’t take care of them properly.  Now it grows sparingly in Malaysia.