Exotic Flowers in Boston

Winterizing your gardens can be depressing to say the least but I assure you, it is necessary if you’re looking for another successful spring season.  I know, I know, you don’t want to say goodbye to the beautiful cascading nasturtiums or the striking sunflowers that are standing tall and proud but if we don’t get a few of the necessary tasks accomplished, you can actually hurt next year’s crop and damage perennials that are more than willing to sprout again if well managed.  It’s really not as bad as you think and honestly doesn’t take up a ton of time during your last summer days of outdoor enjoyment.  The clean up simply consists of tidying and readying your beds for a long winter’s sleep so that when the warmer weather arrives, your flowers will be able to successfully perform once again.  Healthy and strong root systems depend on your gardening grooming technique so be prepared and make time to winterize your green thumb efforts.  New England is known for our chilly season of snow and sleet so do your plants a favor and tuck them in right before the storms hit once again!  

 

Bulbs

Now is the time to plant those new bulbs if you are seeking to grow new alliums, tulips or other fancy varieties.  Fall is the ideal period to start digging and placing them throughout the garden but keep in mind that some of the older bulbs might need your attention as well.  Some varieties cannot withstand frigid temperatures and need to be taken out of the earth and stored in a cool dark place such as a wooden box.  Once the ground thaws again, replant them in their original places to see them sprout strong and vibrant stems.  

 

Wildflowers

If you’re a wildflower lover, you can do a few things to ensure their return such as spread mulch over the tops of their dormant stems and leaves to alleviate some of the harsh impact of ice.  Clearing the area from debris can also help them “sleep” better for the winter as well as clipping off any dead blossoms.  Generally, wild flowers are fuss free and will cultivate all by themselves but you never know the real damage caused by a tough January or February so its better to be prepared for the worst.  Your Black Eyed Susan’s will thank you in May!

 

Outdoors to the Indoors

Just because there are several annuals in your garden that won’t make it outside during the winter doesn’t mean that you have to say goodbye forever!  Certain plants do quite well when repotted and placed in a sunlit area of your home and can be put back outside when the spring arrives.  Blooms that I’ve tried and had success with are herbs (lavender, parsley, rosemary and basil do the best), geraniums (remember to consistently prune and nip dead flowers throughout the year), chocolate cosmos (yes, this delicate warm loving flower can be brought inside just don’t over water it) and succulents (again, don’t over water) can outlast the snow and the cold until the next gardening season arrives!

 

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I worked in the wholesale flower business for decades specializing in high-end invents-weddings in particular.  Although most of the time, the florists whom I consulted were gifted with pleasant (and most importantly) realistic brides, there was always that one client who proceeded to torture designers unmercifully.  Here’s the top five snags Boston Florists run into when planning their floral work:

photo credit: estestherapy.com

1. The eminent request for a variety of flower that DOES NOT GROW during the season she wishes to wed.  
2. They insist on a particular color palette that is so ugly, the florist is afraid to be recognized as the designer.
3. Desiring the most expensive flowers available but not wanting to pay for them due to budget constraints.  
4. Changing their order a week before the affair leaving the florist to cancel their order from the wholesaler who is bound to go bananas.
5. Asking for the most heat sensitive flowers such as sweet pea and lily of the valley for a July date forecasted to be in the 90’s.  (You know they wont live to see the aisle).  

 

So I know we all recognize these agonizing situations but a few tips can help alleviate these ugly confrontations.  Stress is usually the number one instigator for disagreement and ridiculous requests so whatever a florist can do to prepare the customer will be helpful to decrease surprise costs or failure of availability.  Contracts set up before the florists makes any attempt to fulfill the order is always wise and can deter “you promised” or “I never agreed to pay that” from being said in the long run.  Other ideas that might help render a difficult bride are these five tips to assist the florist in experiencing a fuss free wedding day.

 

1. Have everything in writing so there is a concrete paper trail during the entire floral buying process.
2. Make a quick pamphlet for each season, which showcases the readily available flowers so that the bride has a firm understanding that you are not a magician.  
3. Do not leave the sordid topic of cost until the end.  Deal with a clear budget concept during the first meeting and hold tight to your guns.  Make sure this information is clearly printed in the contract mentioned in tip#1.
4. Try not to get too specific about each and every bloom you plan on using for the affair.  With the exception of the bouquet, chances are she won’t notice every bloom anyways.  You can use this as a little wiggle room if a problem occurs with your market order.
5. Keep reflecting back on her and the wonderful occasion marriage is instead of focusing solely on the role of the flowers.  The event is about joining two people who love each other after all, not the centerpieces or boutonnières!

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A diamond is said to be a girl’s best friend but so isn’t a stunning bouquet of brightly colored flowers!  Boston florists are well aware of this fact and have decided to take the “jewel tone” fad to another level.  By matching precious stones to varieties of plants and flowers, they are able to create majestic looking arrangements that are just as showy as their customer’s jewelry preference.  Bean Town’s designers are getting so good at it, they have even been able to make pieces to match a birthstone for birthday orders!  Now who wouldn’t love to receive a specifically tailored vase of blossoms that is uniquely thematic just for them?  Selecting product that is the same color of gems has also been extended to include wedding anniversaries as well as family heirlooms.  If you haven’t yet been introduced to the growing sensation of flower decorating, here is a list to find your perfect jewel tone bloom!  My birthstone is the diamond so I can’t wait to see if a giant bouquet of lily of the valley or white phalaenopsis arrives for me on my special day!

photo credit: gemsbymail.corecommerce.com

Amber (orange/brown)  - orange tulips, gerbera daisies, poppies

Sapphire (deep blue)      - delphinium, bachelor buttons, hydrangea, iris

Citrine (green/yellow) - cypripedium orchids, fritillaria, amaranthus, sedum  

Emerald (green) - bells of ireland, hellebore, cymbidium orchids

Garnet (deep red) - roses, amaryllis, ranunculus

Onyx (black) - calla lilies, chcoolate cosmos

Opal (iridescent) - antique hydrangea

Tanzanite (purple) - hydrangea, lilacs, roses,

Diamond (clear/white) - roses, phalaenopsis orchids, delphinium, larkspur, calla lilies

 

 

 

 

 

The kids are finally back in school- yahoo!  Okay, we’ll miss the little whipper snappers from time to time but honestly, it’s time for fall to put us back on track that includes our flower arrangements!  Boston florists are already in full swing preparing for a product line dedicated to bring out the autumn feel.  Red, yellow and gold will likely be the featured palette for the next few months so why don’t we add a little something to the mix?  Bean Town’s flower lovers are asking their designers to create back to school styled pieces that reflect the very essence within texture, color and sizing.

photo credit: Flower Factor/ Aboutflowers.com 

For a minute, a few of our finest florists were stumped as to how to deliver such a request but after a little research, they have come up with some pretty cool ideas!   The best part is, if you have a garden still flourishing outside in your backyard, you might even be able to make some of these styles on your own!  They don’t cost a lot and are most likely varieties native to New England’s present climate.  Farm stands are also a great resource to find workable material so make sure you check those out, too!  Here are a few ideas to get the apple rolling!  

photo credit Flower Factor/aboutflowers.com

September is a time when the kids go back to school, the air turns cool and nights are starting to darken early again.  It’s also the time when we pick up those books that we were too busy to read over the summer, which have been piling up in our bookshelves.  For me, the first titles I’ll be perusing are those thematic after my favorite hobbies such as cooking, painting and flower arranging of course!  The literary industry is bursting at the seams with compilations teaching you the basics from filling a vase with water to designing beautiful floral pieces using the hottest cut stem varieties.  There are even books that teach you about the in’s and out’s of the floral business including product transportation, market branding and price variations (for those of you eager to dive deeper in the subject matter).  Here are a few of my favorites that I hope find their way to your library or nightstand tables!

Flowers

 

As if the cover wasn’t reason enough alone to pick it up off the shelf, this stunning picture book showcases spectacular images of both rare and traditional flowers.  Written by Carolyne Roehm, the photographer captures the seasonal changes of gardens and their magnificent characteristics of shade and texture!  The book release date was November 6, 2012 and can be found on websites such as Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com.

Flower Arranging: The Complete Guide for Beginners

You might think you have to be an expert to be a flower arranger but that’s simple not true! Judith Blacklock takes you through a step-by-step guide to explain how to successfully manipulate design with cut flowers.  Using a multitude of different textures, sizes and color, readers will be impressed by the simplistic approach as well as the creative options available to flower lovers!

The Flower Recipe Book

This fabulously chic guide takes readers down the path of floral design in a quirky yet fun manner!  All the arrangements are shown as a cooking recipe where the floral supplies (including the actually stems) are all part of a recipe.  Written by Alethea Harampolis, the concepts are directly taken by the top designers in the country of Choo Studios.  Enjoy and get cooking with flowersClick to edit your new post...

We are less than 100 days away from the premiere of The Force Awakens. 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.

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.

September Designing

September is here and there are a bunch of new styles that are going to dazzle the flower lovers of Boston!  This season promises a fresh outlook on vase work and centerpieces including new shades of glass and interesting textured plants.  Cut stems are also being used within contemporary techniques, promising complicating structure and woven detail.  New York customarily supersedes the floral efforts of Boston possessing a firmer understanding of cutting edge industry fads and trends but this year Boston will shine!  Due to extensive overbroad studies in champion floral countries such as France and Holland, Bean Town’s creative efforts are predicted to trump the competition from surrounding cities.  Check these out for a preview of this autumn’s impressive floral line.

Okay, you may have seen this angular look before but this time, designers are using bold colors of yellow, orange and red to express this dynamic piece for weddings and other high-end events.  Showcased in a glass rectangle with a slim opening and six inch height, stems dramatically are bunched together and fold outwards creating a gorgeous and sophisticated presentation that is perfect for Boston’s nightlife! This image holds blossoms of calla lilies, roses and amaryllis.

Another funky creation that uses architecture to bend and mold is this cool and fresh rectangle vase that is being sold by the millions to our city’s most posh hotels.  These black calla lilies are visually impressive alone but really pack the “wow” factor when constructed similarly to this piece where their stems are carefully woven and tied to form a bridge shape.  Needing little water and maintenance, this style of arrangement also promises longevity, which Boston businesses appreciate from their florists.  

Boston is going to show the northeast its talents by reflecting what we have to offer which is a rich history, particularly in terms of Thanksgiving tradition.  This seasonal arrangement encompasses this theme perfectly using deep toned stems of protea, roses, anthurium and hypericum berries.  Wonderful for weddings as centerpieces or bouquets, Bostonians can also add this to their holiday wish list!  

Labor Day is a holiday tradition celebrating the great efforts of American workers and their contribution to society both economically and socially.  Traditionally celebrated on the first Monday of September, the day is symbolic to rest, play and enjoy the people around you.  Weather permitting, a last summer visit to the beach, a family barbecue or a pool party is commonly the events you see being used to observe Labor Day usually planned to also say good bye to the warmer days of the year.  For those of you anticipating on hosting a feast to accompany your special soiree, you’re going to want to incorporate the characteristics associated with this holiday within your food selection.  Menus should coordinate well with the feel of the get together so the cuisine should be brightly colored, veggie based and prepared predominantly in the outdoors.  These might seem to be sticky guidelines for the struggling chef but I can assure you there are a few recipes perfectly suitable for your Labor Day fete!  These are the hottest recipes for 2015’s end of the year celebration.

German Potato Salad

You’ll need a bag of small wax potatoes (either red or white your choice) and clean well to remove any dirt on the skin.  Boil the potatoes in a pot of water with salt and a tablespoon of olive oil.  Once cooked, rinse in a colander with cool water and set aside.  In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil and add one medium sized onion finely chopped and sauté until softened.  Place the cool potatoes and onions in a large mixing bowl and then add finely diced scallions, one tablespoon of vinegar and three sprigs of dill mashed well.  Stir together until all of the ingredients have combined and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Place the dish in the refrigerator until serving time and watch your guest go wild for the beautiful tasty sensation!  

All American Burger Dog

This is a great recipe I found that the kids have a great time preparing and eating!  The combination of a hotdog and hamburger (really, what’s not to love?) becomes a fun grilling treat, which is a perfect main dish accompanied with chips and potato salad.  All you have to do is make a regular hamburger patty with lean meat and form into a tube.  Wrap plastic around the beef and work with reshaping until you are confident the form has been set.  Unwrap the hamburger dogs and grill on medium heat until cooked through.  Add a slice of Swiss or cheddar cheese and continue to cook until the topping has melted.  Place the dogs in a long bun that has been seasoned with a light spread of mayonnaise.  Right before serving, give it a thick swipe of ketchup on top to finish the decadent masterpiece!  

Hot Flower Fads for September!

The summer is gone but not forgotten for Boston florists trying their best to impress their customers with a new fall line!  Designers are bustling behind their workbenches constructing cool and crisp floral products that will reflect the fresh start of a beautiful New England autumn.  In the past, popular styles incorporated bright yellows mixed with burnt reds typically found in roses and freesia but this time around, there’s a whole different approach for centerpieces and vase display.  If you like romantic fall colors integrated with a cozy “home” feel, you’re in luck because that’s just where the trend is traveling!  Color palettes, texture, size and height are being brilliantly engineered to match the essence of the season, which generally is defined by a warm and friendly feel.  After all, it won’t be long before we are all hunkered down once again for the east coast winter weather.  So here’s our last hooray for an outdoorsy and cool style just right for a September in Boston.

Sunflower Sensation

Red sunflowers are not only glamorous but they are also rich in color which means they can be combined with several different varieties of flowers including gerbera daisies, mums and particularly roses.  My taste is tints that easily blend and don’t force a hard contrast visually.  There’s nothing worse than a flat red up against a bold yellow or blue.  Variegated orange garden roses are stunning within this style as well as hypericum berries, hay and green amaranthus.  One word to the wise, stay away from “propped up” pieces that can look cheap and junky like added fake fruit or stuffed scarecrows.  A simple presentation with these flowers is all you’ll need to impress!

Dreamy Dahlias

 

Dahlias are another flower that trickles over to fall from summer and boy, are they fabulous in centerpieces!  Bright and cheery yet country themed as well, these beauties look great with just about any pairing, especially black or green calla lilies.  Ask for these in bubble bowls or fill your own antique jars and vases to create a lacy feel for a luncheon or evening dinner party.  Wedding planners also utilized dahlias in table centerpieces as well as boutonnières and bouquets.  They look perfect in pictures and surprisingly have an extensive longevity.  

People have many ways of expressing their feelings.  For some, they use words, for others their face changes expression and sometimes a mannerism can even be a strong indicator of an emotional state.  One interesting way to read someone’s feelings is by picking up on their aura.  An aura is defined by the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place.  Sometimes they are seen as light or actual color shades describing specific types of sentiment that are present at that exact time.  Now there’s a large portion of the population that don’t believe in this science and claim that it’s nothing more than empty fortunetelling.  

I strongly disagree.

Not only do I think that a person’s inner state is readable by light and color but I also believe that its possible to recognized auras based on the plants and blossoms one selects!  Florists might want to pay close attention and be prepared for the changing elements in mood a customer possesses and be prepared to accommodate by utilizing this theory.  Here are a few basics to be on the look out for if you’re a Boston designer!

Yellow Flower Auras

Yellow is a great aura to have since it usually means you’re in a good place both spiritually and mentally.  Positive energy and happiness usually surround this person who is likely to select varieties such as yellow tulips, gerberas, sunflowers, roses or freesia.  This customer will be pretty easy to please so put on your best smile and think bright and sunny.

Red Flower Auras

These guys are extremely physical and have strong senses of touch and smell.  If you witness a customer asking for red blooms of amaryllis, James Story orchids, geraniums or peonies, you’re going to need to aim to please an active and vibrant person who will be very particular about what they want.  Commonly sexy, passionate and adventurous, florists should be prepared to understand that this aura always knows what it wants and usually gets it!

Magenta Flower Auras

For those who are magenta flower lovers, their auras will tell you that they are creative and innovative dreamers.  They’ll be fun to design for, too because usually they are open to new architectural arrangements within centerpiece design.  Top varieties that you should have on hand for them are deep pink calla lilies, stargazers, phalaenopsis and sweet pea.  You’re going to have fun with this customer who promises to add a little adventure of their own within their flower purchases.