Exotic Flowers in Boston

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day where we gain most of our energy, preparing ourselves for the tasks ahead.  Florists are the first ones to agree with this philosophy although they make their own amendment to the belief by suggesting that breakfast should be served with more than just a side of eggs.  Yes, designers are inclined to advice their clients to accompany the first meal of the day with a fresh bouquet of flowers which can contribute specific essentials to maximize the success of a person’s day.  Just by setting a vase of perky daffodils in the center of your table while you munch on some toast can:

-Increase one’s overall mood

-Adjust self-modulation for better interpersonal connections

-Increase serotonin levels

-Apply aromatherapy benefits

-Encourage relaxation and deflect anxiety

-Promote problem-solving skills at work and at home

-Generate an increase of creative thinking in the brain

-Help to facilitate an organic and natural start to your day

Wow!  That’s a lot of persuasive reasoning to include a bunch of your favorite florets into your morning rituals and luckily, I’ve found some perfect examples of blooms which pair perfectly with delicious breakfast menus.  Take a peek and see if these stunning blooming companions are what you’re looking for next time you sit down to eat a bagel. You’ll be amazed what the change can do for your health and happiness!

Your Basic Eggs and Bacon

If you’re an easy going fellow who likes plain old eggs and bacon then matching this dish with another simple, yet satisfying flower bouquet such as daisies or gerberas is exactly what you need.  The scent will not interfere with the aroma of the food but the color will properly compliment the plate, making it even that more enjoyable to taste.

Waffles Loaded with Butter and Syrup

If this is your idea of the perfect plate to wake up to, then I know you’re into the richer things in life-stuff you can really sink your teeth into…  In this case, adding a bouquet of chocolate cosmos, burgundy scabiosa or plum calla lilies is what will appeal to your appetite! The intoxicating hues will melt right into the cuisine, accentuating the scrumptious texture while not interfering with the enjoyment of the plentiful stacks.

Pastry, Pastry and More Pastry

You’ve got a sweet tooth alright so we want to make sure that the flowers on your table will mirror this personality trait.  Stick with scented garden roses, lily of the valley or peonies to add to the tray or pastel ranunculus that have a delicate appeal similar to the baked goods.  Any spring smell will only make things better so don’t be afraid to venture out into more intoxicating scents. 

As you may know, spring has had a slow start around here in the Boston area where snow banks are still noticeable even though winter is officially over.  For those of us who have fond remembrances of sprouts already greening our backyards at this time last year, the weather may be a bit depressing as we all steadily and patiently await its return.  While it may take a few more weeks to see hellebores bloom or a stock of delphinium to emerge, there are some species that are capable of defying the odds of Mother Nature… Not every New England perennial cowers away so easily, in fact you may have even spotted greenery popping up from the earth, clearly not being able to stall their regrowth any longer.  Which superhero variety of flora and fauna may I be referring to? The HERB family of course!

Herbs are far and away my most favorite crop to harvest in raised beds and here are the five reasons why:

1. For the most part, herbs are hardy, which make them able to take a beating when it comes to a rough northeast winter season.
2. Herbs are multi-purposeful.  They can be used in cooking, aromatherapy therapy, and several other useful medicinal areas.
3. Many varieties of herbs bloom florets that look stunning in mixed arrangements.
4. You don’t have to possess a green thumb to grow herbs.  Many species are pretty simple to plant and easy to take care of.  
5. When all else in your garden is still decayed from the frost, the herbs will always lift your spirits by sprouting in late March to early April.

As I begin to sift through the leftover remnants of fall and winter, I’m starting to see some greens lift from the ground, mainly chive, thyme, lavender and rosemary.  This makes me smile because the first thought that comes to mind is dreaming about the lush and vibrant bouquet I’ll be able to make in the upcoming weeks. By this time, I’ll be able to utilize the pleasant smells and textures the herbs offer as either the primary bloom or as a foliage to tie the piece together.  Not only will the pretty leaves and blossoming heads dress my entire home with an appealing centerpiece, but the aroma will provide a crisp scent of spring that we are all waiting anxiously for.

If you love flowers, then you probably do your fair share of visiting public gardens, reading books about floral arranging and grabbing a bunch of fresh blossoms for your home any chance that you get.  It’s also a pretty safe assumption that you’re also a frequent customer to local flower shops in the area who tempt you with stunning bouquets every time you walk through their door. You’re a personality easily tracked in the floral industry where professionals dedicate much of their time and energy trying to study what people like you prefer for blooms.  Are you big into country varieties that you might see at a local farm stand or perhaps you’d rather enjoy a sleek bundle of all white roses? These taste differentiations make all the difference in the world to buyers and designers who attempt to please customer bases in a consistent manner. Even if you’ve never self-reflected on what you tend to gravitate towards, it’s a safe bet you do in fact have a favorable color palette, design frame and odor criteria when ordering centerpieces.  If you’re unaware where you lie on the flower spectrum, check out this variety of creations that are all unique from one another and can tell us a lot about you in the process.

Wild Flower Design

If you love to watch the naturally stunning flowers bud up by the side of the road, you probably fall within the wild flower category.  Species such as Bachelor Buttons, Queen Anne’s Lace and daisies will be right up your alley and easily either ordered by your florist or grown in your summer garden.

Bright and Beautiful

This is one of the most popular methods of arranging because it appeals to a wide demographic of flower lovers.  Purple, orange and lime green pops from any vase and sends a message of happiness to whoever receives it. If you ever get depressed during the drearier months of the year, this type of arrangement is the perfect medicine.

Contemporary

This style isn’t for everyone but if you are a creative person who loves drama in your flower pieces, contemporary design is just right for you!  These mixtures are usually architecturally compelling and strive to be different from anything else on the designing bench. The key to this genre is modernization with a focus on artistic composition.

European Designing

This is my sweet spot when it comes to flower arranging because the style originates in the countries of France and Holland.  Instead of stretching stems and strong contrasting color, European methodology relies heavily on the simple blends of similar hues, which are typically placed in a compact shape.

It’s finally SPRING and part of this season’s chores are dusting the cobwebs from darkened corners to get ready for a brighter season ahead.  For many of us, our chores consist of washing floors, cleaning drapery, changing up the linens and other tedious tasks that are reminders of more temperate temperatures soon to arrive in our near future. It’s a whole new section of the calendar most New Englanders have waited six months to enjoy so it’s no wonder why we put forth so much effort in the upcoming weeks.  While we often become overwhelmed with the daunting jobs that we’ve waited a whole year to resume, there are a few ways to make the process more enjoyable-especially for you!

If you are a lover of flowers but need an excuse to indulge in the cost, then look no further…  Adding a fresh bouquet of flowers to your home as you spring clean can bump up your efforts to create a more beautifully, smelling home.  While we associate the springtime with ideas of newness, freshness and vitality, we can also use these motifs to showcase within bouquets and centerpieces.  Blossoms native to the Boston area during this time period are perfect reflections of this sentiment and will look incredible as a showcase piece once your cleaning is done.  Need a few recommendations for New England spring cleaning bouquets? Here are examples of the best blooms to reward yourself with!

Crisp and White Blooms

The shade of white is often associated with cleanliness and rebirth which makes it one of the most popular hues for colors during April and May.  There is an abundance of white flowers that grow natively around these parts that contain breathtaking smells promised to infuse your entire home.  Lily of the Valley, Snowdrops, Crocus and white hyacinth are among my top four varieties to place in every freshly, polished room.

Fragrantly Fresh

Once we put away the Windex and Pledge bottles, often we look for something to mask or diffuse the chemical smell.  One way to accomplish this is to place a vase of strongly scented blooms to disguise leftover fumes until they have vanished from the house.  Suggestions for this include any type of aromatic rose, grape hyacinth, fringe tree branches and freesia. If you are wondering what other species might be available from other countries, ask your local florist for a possible request for purchase.

Colorfully Inspiring

Sometimes we get excited to see new bursts of color during the spring months and lucky for us, we have a ton of options to choose from!  Mix hyacinth with ranunculus, sweet pea and tulips for a striking arrangement or opt for a single massive bouquet of green hellebores! Spring is all about giving light to color so don’t be afraid to sprinkle a little rainbow of shading into your arrangement.  

It’s the type of entertainment that most generations have experienced during their youth and perhaps even enjoyed later on in their adulthood-VIDEO GAMES!  Yes, the truth is, I spent much of my childhood and teen years in front of a gaming console; battling out demons and other monsters who stood in the way of my character’s mission.   Asteroids, Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Centipede, Pong, King Kong and Tetris is just a short list of the digitalized adventures that I devoured over the decades and continue to find myself enticed by every time I take my boys to the arcade.  Let’s face it- gaming is a massive part of most juvenile entertainment that not only teaches us hand eye coordination but also problem solving and coding skills. That is why gaming still remains one of the largest sources of revenue for major technology companies who spend millions of dollars pouring research and development funds into cultivating new ideas to hook untapped demographics.  Each year, brilliant innovators are able to attract a fresh customer base to try their luck at a specific game matched according to their individualized, unique interests. Could that perhaps even include flower enthusiasts? Well, I do believe so…

Flowers have actually made several appearances within some of our most beloved games and contribute attributes such as super powers and even assistance against evil nemeses.  Programmers have cleverly inserted these seemingly innocent blooms to become anything from a bomb to a weed that allows players to climb up to higher levels. Florists may want to take notice of this finding for purposes such as teen birthdays parties, graduations or even a gaming fanatic’s wedding celebration.  Creative and inspiring centerpieces can be designed to mimic our favorite digital icons, which not only provide an interesting theme but a sure-fire conversational piece for events. If this idea sounds alluring, here are some of our favorite arcade challenges which all feature a crucial flower as part of the game.

Super Mario Brothers

Flower Fire: These are essential “power up” icons to find during Mario’s travels which allow him to throw fire balls at all of his enemies.

Piranha Plant:  These hungry plants are awfully scary, especially since they pop up out of tunnels unexpectedly attempting to eat our hero!

The Legend of Zelda

Flower Bombs: Be careful with these buds because once you throw them, they’re likely to go BOOM!

Flower

This whole game is comprised of petal exploration as gamers travel through a world, manipulating factors such as wind intensity to grow new fields of blooms and regrow those that have died.

New Englander’s love the idea of no more snow, no more shoveling and no more layering clothing with a dozen wool pullovers to keep warm.  If you live around these parts, you probably agree that although the first snowfall can be a beautiful sight to behold, the daydreaming of warm beaches usually follows quickly.  That’s why the first blooms of the fresh spring season are an exciting event in the northeast and are often looked upon as a sign of better things to come. Who doesn’t love the blankets of crocus, daffodils and hyacinth sweeping across our backyard lawns and the beautiful addition of bright color that replaces the dismal ice we’ve lived with for months.  It’s a welcome change to look forward to each spring although there are a few of us who can be bothered by a select portion of their properties…

Flowers can be troubling for those afflicted with allergies, particularly when it comes to the scent.  While many varieties have less ability to produce a strong smell, others produce a fragrance that is quite pungent and can be annoying to some.  If you belong to this group who ducks for cover every time blooming season arrives but still would like to enjoy the beauty of flowers, you might want to take a look at this list which separates the stinky species from the less assuming.  No one has to go without a cheerful bouquet of seasonal bloomers as long as we recognize the species set that will be less bothersome to their health issues.

Stinky        VS    Less Stinky

Narcissus (←same family→   Daffodils

Hyacinth         Poppies

Lilac                Tulips

Clematis         Crocus

Stargazer Lilies       Hydrangea

Sweet Pea       Ranunculus

Lily of the Valley       Anemones

How many of you out there have a furry friend living at home who you would do absolutely anything to please?  “Cat People” are notorious for going to great lengths to pleasure their felines including buying them gourmet food, cashmere beds and even imported toys. Yes, the “cat craze” is one many of us experience as we welcome our favorite pets into our lives (myself included).  The companionship, laughs and an abundance of love given to us on their parts leave it no wonder why we make their happiness one of our top priorities.

Much like humans, cats have a propensity to become attracted to certain types of flora and fauna and for the most part, reap both physical and mental attributes just by being in their presence.  While it’s true we have to be cautious of exposing felines (or any animal for that matter) to dangerous specimens that might contain poison, there is a healthy list of plants and flowers that are encouraged by veterinarians to be a part of their everyday lives.  We’ve all heard that Catnip is preferred by many kitties and as long as the exposure is kept in moderation, they are enhanced by a natural “buzz”, which is nontoxic. Interestingly, Catnip is not the only plant that can affect a feline’s mental state in a positive manner as well as many others that can assist with proper digestion and other critical organ function.  If you have a kitty who you’re happy to oblige, take a look at this list of plants that can make your animal’s life even better than it already is now.

Sniff List

Dactylis Glomerata

Better known as “Cat Grass”, kitties love to brush their faces against the plant which soothes their nerves just by making contact.  It is also safe for them to ingest the blades of grass since they can actually help with a cat’s digestion of food. Don’t worry if they puke it up, it’s just nature’s way of cleaning out the bad to let in the good.  Also try Lemon Grass if Cat Grass is unavailable.

Mint

They say never to plant mint in the garden unless you want it to spread but your cat will thank you kindly if you provide a small patch for their entertainment.  Kitties love the smell of this plant and it’s not unusual to see them trying to hug bunches of leaves out of sheer pleasure.

Parsley

There’s more to adore about this popular cooking spice now that both you and your cat can enjoy some mutual benefits!  The herb is jam packed with healthy vitamins such as Vitamin A and C and can increase immunity to infection and disease.

As we slowly approach our New England spring season, there is much anticipation over the earth re-warming herself to produce a fresh crop of blooming bulbs.  It’s the sign we all await, which tells us Mother Nature is through with snow and ready to move on to the warmer months of the calendar. For many of us, the appearance of a bright and beautiful harvest is the highlight of March and April that reminds us of the theme surrounding rebirth and renewal.  If you’ve lived in the northeast for a while, you are already familiar with the process of watching the first flowers grow after the last thaw has occurred and perhaps have made your own bouquet to celebrate within your home. One of the most anticipated treasures to arrive is the cheerful daffodil which has become one of the most cherished spring signs we are mindful to look for.  Besides the obvious allure of the blooms’ color, there are many other reasons to admire the flower. Here are some more reasons to love the daffodil as our premier recognition of the spring season.

1. Daffodils were first traced back to Roman times but were never really considered a desired addition to a garden until farmers in England realized their superb beauty.  Once they adapted the bloom into their seasonal spring crop, other countries jumped on board, realizing their attractive properties.

1. photo credit via aboutflowers.com

1. Daffodils are both a sign of good and bad luck depending on the context they are used in.  If you force a bulb to grow during the Chinese New Year, the household is blessed with the possibility of prosperity in the next coming year.  But if a single stem is ever gifted to another person, the gesture is tied to the possibility that a windfall of bad juju might be headed to the recipient.  Better to be safe than sorry so always present a bouquet to evade the omen.

1. The daffodil is officially a part of the narcissus family which also includes the amaryllis even though the shape is closely associated with a trumpet.  

1. The daffodil is the country of Wales official flower which is honored each spring as it sweeps across wild blooming countryside.  

1. The sap of the daffodil stem is very important because it has the ability to poison other flowers if arranged immediately without soaking a full day beforehand.  On the flip side, there is also speculation that the sap may help positively treat certain patients afflicted with brain cancer.

We love this time of year when Easter arrives because not only is it another fun holiday to celebrate with friends and family, but a time to start crafting spring themed projects again!  Flower arrangements are included on this list and make excellent decorations for the gathered festivities so make sure to save time during your planning stages. If you are a person who prefers to let the experts handle the heavy work, you’ll have no problem ordering a stunning arrangement for your table.  If on the other hand, you look forward to the challenge of maybe making your own, here are some tips to guide you through the process. Don’t be intimidated if your bouquet doesn’t turn out exactly like the picture you’re studying from because all creations will vary in size, shape and dynamic. This is what makes floral designing so much fun and a true artistic simulation.  Remember, when you put your heart, soul and imagination into what you do, beautiful outcomes are bound to happen…

photo via aboutflowers.com

Do-It-Yourself Easter Floral Arranging Directions

Go online and check out the local flower shops and farm stands around your area who carry fresh flowers sold in bundles.  Most floral outlets do not sell inventory in this fashion so you’ll want to do your research beforehand. Once you have located your destinations, browse the selections available and opt for varieties which appeal to you.  If you are sticking with the Easter motif, grab species in pastels or those typical to the season such as hyacinth, tulips, hydrangea, pussy willow, forsythia, sweet pea and delphinium. You’ll notice the selection has drastically changed overnight from winter’s hardier blooms to softer pedaled heads, so don’t shy away from trying something new.  If you like branches, there should also be cherry blossoms available which make stunning centerpieces all on their own. If you prefer the European style of tightly compacted bouquets, choose types that have similar surfaced heads like ranunculus and anemones. Don’t forget to pick up a bunch of greenery like lemon leaf or ruscus to use for filling in wholes and finishing off your arrangement.

Alright…now that you have all your flowers at home, undo the packages and lie the different varieties next to each other to make arranging easy.  Select a vase such as a bubble bowl, ceramic container, urn or glass cylinder, fill with warm (not hot water) and begin to “green” the insides. This means make a ring of foliage on the outer inside of the container to place a base for the flowers to rest upon.  Next, layer with the blooms you’ve chosen while remembering to constantly turn the vase. This will ensure that you are properly leveling the piece evenly. When you have finished, fill in the spots you may have missed with remaining flowers and foliage and place in the middle of the table.  Be proud of yourself because you have just designed your first Easter centerpiece!

There’s very little not to love about New England’s spring season when skies become bluer, the air smells sweeter and the temperature rises to a comfortable 72 degrees.  In most cases, people around these parts are automatically put into better moods and seem to enjoy the days a bit more once the ice and snow melts away.  Yes, March, April, May and June offer a bright and happy chapter of the calendar with the exception of one tiny problem…ACHOOOOO!!!  Yes, those poor allergy sufferers out there might want an exemption from the spring season and if you’ve ever experienced any of the common symptoms, you’ll have every idea why.  While those with immunity towards environmental pollen might be ticking off the days until they can frolic freely outside once again, this might not be the case for others…  Chest pain, sneezing, headaches, watery eyes, wheezing and sore throats can be a total drag and leave those ailed in complete misery from now until summer rolls over.  

Due to the extensive range of severity in reaction to new growth from trees, grass and flowers, thousands of Bostonians must stay vigilant of keeping their health on track so they don’t wind up in the hospital.  How do we keep those nasty allergies away?  One good start is to know exactly what specific type of species are the most threatening and then do whatever you can to avoid contact.  If you’re unsure of what to look out for, here’s a list of the most common flowers that might be a smart idea to leave out of your weekly order.  If you see something that you’ve always loved but realize it’s in your best interest to avoid, take a look at the right column where I’ve listed substitutions that will still give you your blooming fix.

Common Allergy Inducers 

Forsythia     

Chamomile                  

 Daisies                          

Sunflowers                    

Asters                     

Dahlias                     

Lilies                       

Jasmine                                        

Roses