Exotic Flowers in Boston

Bachelor's Button

The color ran down the canvas

Watery blue like the shoreline of some port town

As blue as the button on the waist coat

That lay forgotten in your wooden trunk.

It was given to you long ago

When you were still a young gent

By the lovely lady who lived next door

The one you married a year later

With eyes the color of the sea

In some old forgotten port town.

Author Unknown

Bachelor Buttons are one of the most striking gifts we are blessed with during the summer months and luckily, they seem to spring up almost anywhere.  They are deemed an old blossom associated with traditional times and are typically seen in English-styled postcards and paintings.  The flower’s happy blue faces are enough to make anyone smile along with their delicate shaped heads stretching out like tiny individual stars.  Otherwise known as “Bluebottles”, Bachelor Buttons are common across the northeast and grow like weeds where you least expect them, especially within wheat fields where they receive their symbolism of “opulence”.  There have been a few surprise sighting throughout history, one of which was during the excavation of an Egyptian tomb.  When archeologists went to explore King Tutankhamen’s crypt, the last thing they expected to find amongst gold was a wreath still intact made out of these indigo wonders.  

Dating even before King Tutankhamen, myth says that the Bachelor Button was even tied to Greek Mythology when Chiron was attacked with an arrow but cured with the flower’s powerful nectar.  This soon became the basis for making the blossom signify “protection” and “healing”.  Interestingly enough, Bachelor Buttons are proven to possess medicinal properties when the petals are soaked in boiling water.  If the heads are then placed on a person’s eyelids, they are supposed to be soothing and capable of alleviating issues like puffiness or redness.  

Turns out I’m not the only fan of this electric blue stunner either since France holds this variety as part of their national flower collection.  Bachelor Buttons were also John F. Kennedy’s favorite as well.  He loved the flower so much that he wore it on his lapel the day he married Jacqueline.  He did this in order to pay tribute to his father.  

Along with it being symbolic of “delicacy”, “purity of feelings” and “good fortune”, the flower is said to be able to tell the future outcome of a new relationship.  Place one head in your pocket and if the flower is still alive the next day, the couple will have a long future together.  If it dies before the next day, then it's time to call it splitsville fast.  

I’ve always had a sweet spot for sunflowers in the summertime and clearly I’m not alone judging from the beautiful pictures I always see while scrolling down social media feeds.  Maybe it’s their happy faces or maybe it’s their colorful warm glow of yellow that triggers pleasant thoughts from onlookers.  For me, a sunflower’s simple elegance as it towers above all other flowers growing from the earth is what has kept this bloom my one my seasonal favorites.  

The funny thing about sunflowers is that although they can be easily grown by seeds in a variety of different soil conditions, they are commonly threatened by wildlife such as chipmunks, rabbits and worst of all, woodchucks!  I have my own battles brewing in the yard against pests that bend the sunflowers stems until it snaps, allowing them easy access to the plant’s leaves.  Yes, you can attempt to stake the stalks but even that’s no sure fire way to ward of those horrible rodents from ruining your gardening efforts.  This year, I decided that I would try to out-seed the demand by growing three times the amount of sunflowers that I have in the past.  Right now, I have around ten sunflowers out of thirty looking hopeful but you never know when their number is up when it comes to critters.  After all, they have to eat too, right?

So the better answer to enjoying these stunning summer blossom is to locate farms that professionally grow them, allowing you to not only view the sunflower fields but to also take a few stems home for yourself!  Typically, these are called flower-cutting farms where you bring or borrow a pair of clippers, tote a bucket and clip from their crops cultivated especially for this activity.  Make sure you ask what their rules are before cutting since many of these operations take the care of their harvest very seriously and what to ensure a long season of beauty for all.  

Interestingly, there are many places that offer this fun and memorable chance to clip sunflowers and here are a few that I’ve found to be wonderful so far!

Tangerini’s Farm         Indian Head Farm                  Land’s Sake Farm

 Spring Street                232 Pleasant Street                90 Wellesley Street

 Millis, Ma                       Berlin, MA                               Weston, Ma

Flowers are commonly referred to as sweet smelling for the most part and are associated with a perfume-like scent, which provides aromatherapy for homes and offices.  While this is true for varieties such as lilies, roses, lily of the valley and several other common blossoms that we’re all familiar with, Mother Nature has been known to cultivate unusual species possessing other interesting properties.  Instead of gifting all floras with pleasant, sugary odors, some species actually smell similar (if not identical to) some of our favorite foods!  Can you imagine having an arrangement that breathed blackberry ripple or chocolate mousse cake?  Or how about a healthy waft of grapefruit or even tomato soup to infuse your surroundings?  The truth is that there are many types of flowers that do in fact give off a scent similar to particular foods and are actually considered valuable for this exotic trait.  Take a peek at these famous food fragrant flowers and see if there’s one here perfect for you!

Chocolate Cosmos 

This is my absolute favorite flower because not only does it have a rich brown to burgundy hue, it also smells exactly like real chocolate!  Don’t fret if you don’t smell it right away since it takes heat to trigger the aroma property.  You’ll likely have to wait until July or August if you live in the New England area.

Grape Hyacinth 

                                photo credit via Flower Factor

These beautiful miniature bulb plants not only smell like real grapes but they also have a shape similar to the fruit’s structure.  Small balls are piled on top of one another creating a long tower of deliciously sweet and fragrant spring blooms.

Scented Lemon Geranium

There are many species that have a citrus aroma but if you want a strong pungent smell, select a lemon geranium for your kitchen and/or bathroom.  The plant will produce a “clean-like” appeal to small rooms that are typically in need of deodorizer.

Tuberose

Tuberose might be one of the only flowers in existence that actually smells similar to soda!  That’s right- this variety is said to remind one of Dr. Pepper so if you’re a big fan of the popular drink, this might be the right bloom for you.  

Lilac

Although lilac is sweet, it also has a mixture of vanilla that makes this a favorite of many gardeners and home décor professionals.  

Bradford Pear

I know I said I would name flowers that had fragrances similar to food but I never said they would all be pleasant!  If you come in contact with a Bradford Pear, you might want to grab your nose because this flowery tree smells like rotting fish!

Thistled

Flower of thistle

Ardent in violet tops

Full of passion

Laced in milky desire

It seems

I've pricked

My heart

SPT

The thistle is an interesting specimen to research because although many varieties produce a pretty purple or blue head, the plant’s prickly stem and branches wins most of the attention.  Like its rough exterior, the meaning of the flower is associated with aggressiveness, pain, protection and pride.  Since thistle is defined as both a flower and a weed, the exact inference of the bloom can extend from less positive symbolism such as poverty and weakness all the way to qualities of might and brilliance.  

Throughout history, many cultures have adopted the flower as a positive emblem, cultivating unique stories that tell the tales of past heritages.  France for instance associates thistle as a weapon against witches and bad doers.  Commonly called “Flower of the Sun” or “Herb of Witches”, the French believed that witches could not look into the sun, but the strong thistle always stood proudly to face the light.  Because of this, lure proclaims that the flower is the icon for the sun sent down to protect others from harm and evil.

photo credit: via Flower Factor

Another example of how the thistle has been cherished around the world is its popularity in Scotland where it is the national flower.  The reason can be traced to a battle fought during the fifteenth century when the Normans initiated a brutal assault on the country.  Heavily outweighed and unarmed, the Scottish army believed they were doomed until one night when a band of soldiers snuck through the pasture in order to initiate a surprise attack.  It would have worked but the Normans were unfamiliar with the prevalent, prickly plant that grew in abundance in Scotland.  When one enemy yelped and cried in pain from being stabbed by the thistle, the Scottish army woke up and was able to protect themselves, conclusively winning the war.  From that point on, the thistle became honored and was even written about in sacred documentation.  “Nemo me impune lacesset” became the Scottish Order of the Thistle which translates into “No one attacks me with impunity”.  The flower is also stitched on the Scotland rugby uniforms to stand for fierceness and bravery.  

There’s nothing like reading a good book but when you couple it with a beautiful flower arrangement, what could be better?  “Books in Bloom” is a new trend that is sweeping libraries, bookstores and flower shops throughout New England and is showing both flower and book lovers a clever and creative approach to combining the two things they love most in this world.  Perfect for display work or events, this interesting way to dress up a great story not only proves successful within increasing customer and patron visitation, but it can also initiate a positive marketing effect for book and floral sales.  Due the fact that merchandizing can become stale over time for both industries, this idea is a perfect way to amp up an organization’s style with an ingenious and imaginative fresh way to exhibit product lines.

photo credit: Flower Factor

So how exactly does it work?

Thanks to our city’s talented florists, designers are able to recreate a physical reflection of the content stored in some of our favorite titles by selecting particular varieties and showcasing them next to the book.  As patrons glance at the arrangement, their mind is believed to connect the pleasurable eye candy with the actual book, encouraging the reader to engage with the material at a more enjoyable level. The architecture of the floral pieces can be simple or elaborate depending on the details of where they are to be shown and props are encouraged to be included as well.  The great thing about “Books in Bloom” is that this concept works for both children and adult novels, making almost any book in a library you see possible to include within the presentation.  Of course certain titles work better than others such as “The Hungry Caterpillar” and the “Great Gatsby” so selecting the books should be carefully calculated beforehand.  

photo credit: AboutFlowers.com via Flower Factor

By designing arrangements that mimic the essence of the media, we can foster a whole new level of appreciation for reading and foster a blossoming love for literature.  

Here are a few examples of my favorites!

Trump ? Hillary ? Can't decide. We understand. This is hard, maybe beautiful flowers can sway you. We now have an Election Day Category on our webiste for the decided and undecided. No matter where your heart is, make sure you vote. Every vote counts. 

The Trump and Hillary bouquets are available in the Boston area only. Each bouquet arrives with a sticker to show support for that candidate. Priced modestly at $64.95, these bouquets are too fun to pass up. Sorry, no Jill Stein or Gary Johnson yet. We're working on it. 

1969 maybe remembered

Lady Highgate, Martha thought alone.

Death or the gladioli,

the train tracks have already taken

companions , too quick to take in the malady.

Park benches, astute cold Sundays,

but no invited parties,

suitcases increasingly deftly packed…

By Sarah Gentry

photo credit: via Jeff Leatham

Gladiolas are looked upon as a traditional species within the flower industry, a bloom that has proven dependable and available through the changing climate of the business.  Their appeal is duly associated with their spike-like shape and large blooms that spear out of the sides of the stem along with the wide spectrum of color that is cultivated.  The impressive length to which the gladiola grows makes it a very useful variety when designers look to create high standing centerpieces that need to promote a “showy” presentation.  Typically, the cost of the flower is fairly low, making floral buyers attracted to adding glads to their list of regular purchases from wholesalers.  If you’re a summer lover who also loves flowers and just has to fill those table vases with something that won't croak in the heat, gladiolas are just the right pick because they can withstand slightly warmer temperatures compared to other options.

photo credit via Jeff Leatham

Funny enough, their symbolism doesn’t reflect their physical attributes in quite the same way.  Gladiolas are associated with arrogance and combativeness.  One can make an argument that their spear-like appearance is responsible for this reference because it looks like a weapon but in actuality, the Latin root word ”gladiolus” has historically been tied to the fierce gladiators of ancient Rome.

Like all flowers and their meanings, the gladiola also has a counter interpretation of reflecting passion, integrity and infatuation.  Some believe that if you give the person you love a bouquet of glads, you will pierce their heart causing them to become blinded with love in return.  The 40th wedding anniversary of a couple is traditionally honored with an arrangement of these blooms with the intention to promote another 40 years of continued passion.  

A third implication of the flower’s meaning can be paired with remembrance and sadness.  If you don’t think you’re familiar with gladiolas, I bet you’ve seen them when attending a funeral since this variety is almost always used with casket sprays, altar pieces and other components of funeral flower arranging.  

W At Exotic Flowers, we are huge Star Wars fans. We sell Star Wars balloons, have in-store Star Wars action figures on display and we now offer the Lightspeed Bouquet. In the wake of Comic-con and the announcement of Rogue, this bouquet is for for all Star Wars fans.

This limited edition bouquet's colors are inspired by the sunsets of the planet Tatooine. The bouquet is only available in the Boston area and arrives with a 2015 pack of Star Wars trading cards.

At only $64.95, this arrangement is sure to sell out quickly.

If you’re a soon-to-be bride planning on walking down the aisle this August, you’ll be happy to know that this month plans on being the best time of year for wedding flowers!  What makes this month so special when selecting blossoms for bouquets and centerpieces?  Well it just so happens that the top Boston designers are planning on “wowing” their clientele with trendy options that promises to shy away from the traditional summer of long ago style.  I know we appreciate the pure as white look and the blushing pastels that have graced the cover of magazines for decades now but don’t you think it’s time that we’ve shaken things up a bit?  Can’t we find other options to incorporate our favorite garden blooms without designing the same bouquet over and over again?  Well according to floral experts, their answer is yes!  By showcasing a contemporary color palette and adjusting architectural style, these hot-shots are saying, “look out bridal world, there’s a new trend hitting Bean Town!”

Take a look at these fresh and favorable designs that our blushing brides are excited to dawn during their special day…

Orange is the flavor of the month and florists are incorporating this color within every square inch of their wedding planning.  From bright orange to a softer peach, this interesting hue is bringing shock and awe to all, particularly to those who are attracted to the happy and bright pop of shine.  Varieties that are being heavily requested are mokara orchids, cymbidiums, celosia and even some species of sunflowers, which hold the summer kissed tint.  Also watch out for the re-introduction of orange lilies, which are becoming a popular bridal flower once again!

Lime green is also a recurring flavor, which is being added to more and more pieces because of its property to easily contrast with several other shades as well as a perfect symbol of the summertime theme.  Green hanging amaranthus is specifically one example reflecting this style and designers can’t get enough of it for high vase work and even bridal bouquets.  

Photo credit: via Jeff Leatham

“Black is the new red” might seem an unlikely idea but dark burgundy and purple flowers are being regarded as a high commodity right now.  Black callas reign as the most popular crowd pleaser, especially when grouped together in mass clumps or mixed together with pure white stems of hydrangea or orchids.  Yes this style is for the sophisticated but if it appeals to you, your photographer will adore your decision when shooting the black and white portraits for your wedding album.  

The Water-Lily and the Moon

in the bosom of the silver waves

grew a single water lily

speckless and spotless

the colour of pure milk

a private bud, it lay unopened

till the night it blossomed

complete, open, a whorl of whiteness!

By

Vijayalakshmi Harish

Water Lilies have always been looked upon with adoration because they’re found in the midst of slow moving bodies of water instead of the soil and are stunning to behold in their orchid-like appearance.  The bloom grows in a unique manner by extending long roots to anchor onto deeper particles contained in their aquatic habitat.  The plant’s majestic submersion in places like ponds and lakes makes these beauties special in a magical sense, which coincides perfectly with the flower’s root word, “Nymphea” or otherwise referred to as “nymph”.  It is common to stumble upon the water lily in fairytales where they are often the home to sprites or possess potions of enchanted nectars.  You can also spot the spectacular imagery of water lilies in several of Claude Monet’s paintings where he featured them quite regularly.

Interestingly, there are three varieties of the species, which are pond lilies, water lilies and the lotus flower.  All vary in coloring where the pond lily is white and the water lily can be seen in shades of blush pink, yellow and even lavender.  The Lotus Lily has its own fascinating properties that include its ability to open and close during the evening.  The Egyptians recognized the extraordinary beauty of the blossom and honored it within art and architecture.  Bangladesh is also a huge fan since the country made the water lily its national flower.

The specific meaning of the forest flower mainly suggests a purity of essence.  Virgins are typically associated with the lily but so isn’t the emotion of “coldness” and “unattainable”.  On the opposite side of the spectrum, it also means “unity” and a continuation of the “cycle of life”.  Several religious cultures maintain the water lily as a sacred symbol for ceremonial rituals, specifically weddings and funerals.

If you are lucky to come across the flower on your walk through the woods, be careful not to pick the heads from the lily pads since they are an endangered species throughout most of America.