Thank you for Frabz.com and my colleague Lisa Greene of Eric's Greenhouses and Flower Emporium of Reading, Mass.
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When we think of Valentine's Day in Boston - roses, romance and restaurants come to mind. Valentine's Day in Boston is a celebration of love and also the busiest day of the year for florists too. Yesterday, October 4, 2012 Valentine's Day came early. Red Sox fans paused to briefly celebrate the termination of Bobby Valentine as manager of the Boston Red Sox. Valentine watched over the worst Red Sox record in decades.
The hiring of Valentine never sat well with this Red Sox fan. I knew his ego would never fit in Boston or in the Red Sox clubhouse. More than twenty five years ago I used to collect autographs at the Sheraton Hotel in Boston when visiting teams came to play the Red Sox. There was always a handful of kids and some adults too waiting outside and inside for players to show up and sign. One time when Valentine was managing the Rangers, I got his signature. Thank you Bobby. But he was not exactly friendly about it. When security came to shoe me away, Valentine quickly had to throw in his 'now run along, you're not supposed to be here,'. Dear coach, I was a kid. I knew I was breaking the rules. No need to embarass me. I see why your players felt like you did not know how to speak to them either.
I do find it admirable that Valentine walked out of his firing with his head high and wishing the team the best. But after reading an article by the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, it all made sense. Valentine has a gag order. He cannot bad mouth the team or his 2.5 millions dollars due in 2013 will be withdrawn for breach of contract. So I ask this, if the North Korea-like Red Sox PR team knew Valentine could not control his words when the contract was written then why even put him in the pressure cooker of Boston sports ?
I wish you the best Bobby. 'Run along now, you're not supposed to be here,'. Valentine's day came early in Boston and this Boston florist is thrilled. The Red Sox lost their last game to the Yankees who scored '14' runs. Valentine was fired '14' hours and '14' minutes after the last pitch of the season. Valentine's Day is February '14' - coincidence ? Maybe or maybe the baseball gods needed a laugh.
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Tags: Baseball, Red Sox Florist, Rick Canale, Valentine's Day, Red Sox
Vanessa Diffenbaugh is the author of "The Language of Flowers,". Her debut novel takes the reader on a journey with floral designer Victoria. Diffenbaugh even garnered much of her floral research in Cambridge at Brattle Square Florist in Cambridge. The protagonist Victoria creates her own floral dictionary that shows flowers and their meanings. This dictionary serves as a great sales for her growing florist business.
As Boston florists, we often get asked about flowers and their meanings. Below is "Victoria's Dictionary of Flowers," as written by author Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
A
Abutilon (Abutilon) . . . Meditation
Acacia (Acacia) . . . Secret love
Acanthus (Acanthus) . . . Artifice
Agapanthus (Agapanthus) . . . Love
letter
Allium (Allium) . . . Prosperity
Almond blossom (Amygdalus
communis) . . . Indiscretion
Aloe (Aloe vera) . . . Grief
Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria) . . .
Devotion
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) . . . Worth
beyond beauty
Amaranth (Amaranthus) . . .
Immortality
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) . . . Pride
Anemone (Anemone) . . . Forsaken
Angelica (Angelica pachycarpa) . . .
Inspiration
Apple (Malus domestica) . . . Temptation
Apple blossom (Malus domestica) . . .Preference
Aster (Aster) . . . Patience
Azalea (Rhododendron) . . . Fragile and ephemeral passion
B
Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) . . .
Everlasting love
Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus) . . .
Single blessedness
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) . . . Hate
Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) . . . I change but in death
Begonia (Begonia) . . . Caution
Bellflower (Campanula) . . . Gratitude
Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) . . .Good luck
Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) . . .Magnificence
Blackberry (Rubus) . . . Envy
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) . . . Justice
Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) . . .Constancy
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) . . . Passion
Bouvardia (Bouvardia) . . . Enthusiasm
Broom (Cytisus) . . . Humility
Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) . . .Ingratitude
C
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) . . . Profit
Cactus (Opuntia) . . . Ardent love
Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) . . .Modesty
Camellia (Camellia) . . . My destiny is in your hands
Candytuft (Iberis) . . . Indifference
Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) . . . Gratitude
Carnation, pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . I will never forget you
Carnation, red (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . My heart breaks
Carnation, striped (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . I cannot be with you
Carnation, white (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . Sweet and lovely
Carnation, yellow (Dianthus caryophyllus) . . . Disdain
Celandine (Chelidonium majus) . . . Joys to come
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) . . .Energy in adversity
Cherry blossom (Prunus cerasus) . . .Impermanence
Chervil (Anthriscus) . . . Sincerity
Chestnuts (Castanea sativa) . . . Do me justice
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) . . . Frugality
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum) . . .Truth
Cinquefoil (Potentilla) . . . Beloved daughter
Clematis (Clematis) . . . Poverty
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) . . . I have loved you and you have not known it
Clover, white (Trifolium) . . . Think of me
Cockscomb (Celosia) . . . Affectation
Columbine (Aquilegia) . . . Desertion
Coreopsis (Coreopsis) . . . Always cheerful
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) . . .Hidden worth
Corn (Zea mays) . . . Riches
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) . . . Joy in love and life
Cowslip (Primula veris) . . . Pensiveness
Crab-apple blossom (Malus hupehensis) . . . Ill-tempered
Cranberry (Vaccinium) . . . Cure for heartache
Crocus (Crocus) . . . Youthful gladness
Currant (Ribes) . . . Thy frown will kill me
Cyclamen (Cyclamen) . . . Timid hope
Cypress (Cupressus) . . . Mourning
D
Daffodil (Narcissus) . . . New beginnings
Dahlia (Dahlia) . . . Dignity
Daisy (Bellis) . . . Innocence
Daisy, Gerber (Gerbera) . . .Cheerfulness
Dandelion (Taraxacum) . . . Rustic oracle
Daphne (Daphne) . . . I would not have you otherwise
Daylily (Hemerocallis) . . . Coquetry
Delphinium (Delphinium) . . . Levity
Dianthus (Dianthus) . . . Make haste
Dittany (Dictamnus albus) . . .Childbirth
Dogwood (Cornus) . . . Love undiminished by adversity
Dragon plant (Dracaena) . . . You are near a snare
E
Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) . . .
Noble courage
Elder (Sambucus) . . . Compassion
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) . . . Protection
Euphorbia (Euphorbia) . . . Persistence
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) . . .Inconstancy
Everlasting pea (Lathyrus latifolius) . . .Lasting pleasure
F
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) . . . Strength
Fern (Polypodiophyta) . . . Sincerity
Fern, maidenhair (Adiantum capillusveneris) . . . Secrecy
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) . . .Warmth
Fig (Ficus carica) . . . Argument
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) . . . I feel your kindness
Forget-me-not (Myosotis) . . . Forget me not
Forsythia (Forsythia) . . . Anticipation
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) . . .Insincerity
Freesia (Freesia) . . . Lasting friendship
Fuchsia (Fuchsia) . . . Humble love
G
Gardenia (Gardenia) . . . Refinement
Gentian (Gentiana) . . . Intrinsic worth
Geranium, oak-leaf (Pelargonium) . . .True friendship
Geranium, pencil-leaf (Pelargonium) . . .Ingenuity
Geranium, scarlet (Pelargonium) . . .Stupidity
Geranium, wild (Pelargonium) . . .Steadfast piety
Ginger (Zingiber) . . . Strength
Gladiolus (Gladiolus) . . . You pierce my heart
Goldenrod (Solidago) . . . Careful encouragement
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) . . .Abundance
Grass (Poaceae) . . . Submission
to be continued with H thru Z on another post. Stay tuned.
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Tags: Flowers as Symbols, Language of Flowers, Flower Dictionary, Author, Vanessa Diffenbaugh
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (RICK CANALE, 617.524.4455)
Harvard Study Investigates the Home Ecology of Flowers Behavioral Research Concludes:Living with Flowers Strengthens Feelings of Compassion, and Decreases Anxiety and Worry
(BOSTON, MA) – With people’s desire for tranquility and stress relief stronger than ever, fresh research takes an insightful look at flowers and the important role they may play in our daily lives. A behavioral research study conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, reveals that people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when fresh cut flowers are present in the home.
“Other research has proven that flowers make people happy when they receive them,” Etcoff says. “What we didn’t know is that spending a few days with flowers in the home can affect a wide variety of feelings.”
The Home Ecology of Flowers Study at Harvard uncovered three main findings:
-
Flowers feed compassion.
Study participants who lived with fresh cut flowers for less than a week felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others. -
Flowers chase away anxieties, worries and the blues at home.
Overall, people in the study simply felt less negative after being around flowers at home for just a few days.
Participants most frequently placed flowers in their kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms, where they spend a lot of time at home. They reported wanting to see the blooms first thing in the morning. -
Living with flowers can provide a boost of energy, happiness and enthusiasm at work.
Having flowers at home can have a positive carry-over impact on our mood at work, too. The study found that people were more likely to feel happier and have more enthusiasm and energy at work when flowers were in their home living environments.
“As a psychologist, I’m particularly intrigued to find that people who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings,” Etcoff says. “Our results suggest that flowers have a positive impact on our well being.”
Editor’s Note: For high-resolution floral photography, visit www.aboutflowers.com/media.
The Home Ecology of Flowers Research Methodology
Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and her research team investigated the effects of flowers in the home environment on well being. Fifty-four people, ages 25-60, were studied using a series of self-report measures allowing the research team to know where the person was, with whom and what they were doing when they experienced an emotion, both when flowers were and were not present. Half of the participants received a “control” home decor item, other than flowers, to ensure study validity. After living with either flowers or the control intervention for approximately one week, participants rated their feelings during specific periods of the day, recording emotions during each episode. The research team also took photographs before and after flowers were delivered to determine any changes in use or appearance of the room.
About Dr. Nancy Etcoff
Dr. Nancy Etcoff is a faculty member of the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard University Mind/Brain/Behavior Initiative and a practicing psychologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry where she is the Director of the Program in Aesthetics and Well Being. At Harvard, she currently teaches a course entitled “The Science of Happiness.”
Use these tips to put this historic floral research into action immediately.
• Display flowers in common areas
such as your kitchen, dining and
family rooms to experience the
greatest mood-boosting effects.
• The kitchen table might be the best
place for flowers, because it’s
where people gather.
• Match a room’s décor with one of
the hottest flower trends —
monobotanic (arrangements of all
one type of flower) and
monochromatic (using all one color
palette, such as a range of pinks).
• Even just a few flowers in a bud vase
can perk up a room.
• For a contemporary look, group
several vases together holding just
one or two stems.
• For an easy, elegant table
decoration, set a series of crystal
vases on a fabric runner. Place fresh
flowers in each of the vases and
surround them with greenery.
• In the foyer, create a space to hang
your keys that also includes a
weekly vase of flowers. It will be
the last place you see on your way
out the door and the first you see
on your way back inside.
• An abundant arrangement of lilies,
gladiolus, hydrangea or any large
blooms creates an inviting
environment for an expansive
entryway or dining room.
• Choose soothing colors, like blues
and greens, to create a tranquil
feeling, or bright reds and oranges
for a sensual arrangement.
© 2007 SAF
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Tags: SAF, Society of American Florists, Harvard Medical, Floral Studies
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh was released in August, 2011. Since then, this novel has touched the hearts of florists, flower lovers, romantics and fiction fans. As a florist in Boston, many of my clients, colleagues and vendors have been asking me for months if I have read the novel. I am an avid reader and what better target market for the author than a florist in Boston who enjoys reading.
Upon the book's release, Diffenbaugh was living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She even credits Cambridge florist, Brattle Square Florist in Harvard Square as being a valuable resource for the creation of the novel. Although the author is not a florist, she creates real life floral characters in Renata and Victoria as florists and Grant as a wholesale florist.
The book which is now in papeback was a New York Times and Boston Globe best seller. The accolades and reviews continue to pour in for the first time author and this novel. What really grabbed me as a reader was the insight into the meanings of flowers. Often times as a florist, we get the question "what does that rose mean,"? The author gives the reader so many floral meanings that your head will spin.
Victoria Jones, the protagonist, realizes what many other florists come to realize as well. Depending on which book you read, there are many flowers that have multiple meanings. This revelation forces Victoria to create her own floral dictionary. Florists throughout the world will realize that working with their own interpretations of the language of flowers will work best for their clients too.
Here is a video of Vanessa Diffenbaugh sharing her personal commentary on her debut novel.
"The Language of Flowers" cane be purchases in local bookstores, like The Andover Bookstore.
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Tags: Author, Working in a Florist, Rose Symbolism, Books, Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Boston Red Sox have been playing baseball for more than 100 years. They are a part of the community. The Red Sox are our heroes, our co-workers, our neighbors and our friends. Of course, Dustin Pedroia does not call me over his house to play cribbage, but the team employs hundreds of New Englanders and millions more of us cheer them on even when the season is as bleak as 2012.
As a pillar of our community, the Red Sox also show how important flowers are at a funeral or upon someone's passing. The Red Sox realize how important flowers in easing the grieving process. I have personally handled funeral flowers for the team on many occasions. Recently the public got a first hand look on how much the Red Sox value funeral flowers and what they mean during as a symbol of celebrating one's life.
On Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 the world witnessed Red Sox players past (Jason Varitek, Pedro Martinez) and present (Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz) et al. on the field at Fenway Park presenting single red roses upon the landscaped '6' on the infield dirt. This ceremony not only shows how much the Red Sox value flowers, but also how much flowers serve as a symbol as a celebration of life.
Even upon Johnny Pesky's death in August, the Red Sox had a wreath of flowers hung over his retired #6 in Fenway Park by our colleagues at Winston Flowers. What is most important of this gesture is that the Red Sox were not even playing at home during this floral installation. The Red Sox were looking to show their respect with sympathy flowers.
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Tags: Baseball, Red Sox Florist, Fenway Park, Flowers as Symbols, Sympathy Flowers, Funeral Florist, Funeral Flowers, Red Sox, David Ortiz
Florists know that no party is complete without flowers. The United States Constitution turned 225 years old. Ask any Ron Paul fan and you know that the Constitution is the umbrella of our society, protecting every citizen within its words. On September 17th, 2012 dozens of florists collaborated on a once in a lifetime floral design to honor and celebrate the birthday of the document.
Philadelphia florists Bill Schaffer, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, and Kristine Kratt, AIFD, PFCI, have a reverence for history, inspired by their hometown. They spearheaded the idea of celebrating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution with an unforgettable floral display. Schaffer and Kratt rallied florists all over the world to help with the project. From 46 states, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom florists became 'the stars' of the monumental floral display. The florist volunteers created red, white and blue stars using botanicals and other fibers and shipped them to Schaffer and Kratt at Schaffer Designs in Philadelphia. These stars are designed to hang under a 12 foot by 16 foot umbrella shaped canopy on the lawn of the U.S. Constitution Center for one day only on September 17th, 2012.
The striking bouquet included eighty starts, suspended spheres of flowers and a perimeter of flowers surrounded the structure. Flowers included were carnations, hydrangeas, larkspur and carnations. Bravo to Delaware Valley Wholesale flowers for donating the flowers. Kudos to Smithers-Oasis and Floracraft for their donations of hard goods. Schaffer gave a conservative estimate of $20,000 of creative and material costs, which were donated by the floral industry's elite forward thinkers.
To get a more detailed look at one of the stars, check out the star of Alice Waterous, AIFD, CF, PFCI, from Michigan. She made this star with seeds “to represent the seeds the Founding Fathers planted for our country to bloom,” she said.
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Tags: Floral Design, U.S. Constitution, Philadelphia Florists, Event Florist
“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” ~ Ansel Adams
Wedding planning is an elaborate design comprised of many stages and layers. Each segment must work together in harmony, enabling an orchestration of precise presentation. For example, the floral color palette was chosen to match the bridesmaid’s dresses, which in turn, were selected to highlight the ambiance of the ball room, which was chosen for the kitchen chef's famous authentic New England cuisine. The coordination between details are responsible for achieving an overall impeccable bridal exhibition. One important part of this blue print is the photography and the layout which the couple chooses to express their wedding memoirs. Often, wedding photographs become of the most precious keepsakes for years to come.
Photographers offer a wide variety of taste, style, and expertise, so it's very important to select one that matches your expectations. Like any other profession, there are a multitude of options available, making research and word of mouth powerful tools during the process offinding a compatible picture taker. Once you feel comfortable hiring someone well footed in the camera biz, start to think about what you would like your photos to capture. Some couples wish to harness the romance of the occasion by snapping close ups with little else in the background. Others want their album to tell a story of their favorite places or similar hobbies shared such as including baseball caps or skis in the framework. There are even couples who prefer to show humor by making silly faces with one another, imparting a special personality trait within the relationship. Whichever style preferred, mirror the true essence of your relationship without being sidetracked by others opinions of where and how you and your partner should be standing.
Couples should also take notice of the photographic arrangement of a location before committing to sites, especially those that include fees. Mountains, beaches and woodlands make amazing areas for wedding poses due to their natural “unfettered” beauty. The light present in a photo venue is another issue to be weary of, making sure you have investigated the different times of day if you happen to be shooting outdoors. Dark shadows and poor lighting can be intrusive when trying to capture a special moment, leading to blurred shots and messy compositions. Water sites such as rivers and lakes hold fabulous lighting attributes, utilizing the glisten and sparkle of sunsets and sunshine inspired days. Recommended Boston photographers include; Eric Limon Photography, Roberto Farren Photography and Lisa Rigby Photography.
by Suzie Canale
Suzie is not only a great Boston Author, but also a regular contributor to the Exotic Flowers in Boston blog.
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Tags: Suzie Hearl Canale, Weddings, Wedding Favors
A chill goes up my spine every time I think back to that morning, we were getting orders ready at Exotic Flowers in Boston to deliver flowers to people at work and home. One of my co-workers came up from our employee kitchen and said that an airplane had crashed into the world trade center. Before we knew what was happened, another plane crashed.
We lost thousands of lives on that day and I lost a childhood friend (Mark Bavis) on one of those planes.
This past Sunday, I drove with my family to New York and we visited ground zero. The buildings are now rising again from the ashes, that infamous day reminds how precious life is and how lucky we are to live in a free country. How lucky we are to have such courageous first responders that think of themselves first.
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Tags: 9/11, New York, Patriot Day, World Trade Center, Springsteen
For the past ten years, Exotic Flowers in Boston has been creating hundreds of arrangements for the Deutsche Bank Golf Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. In 2012, the designers and staff at Exotic Flowers in Boston created, delivered and maintained more than four hundred plants and floral arrangements for this high profile PGA golf tournament featuring Tiger Woods and Rory Mcilroy.
Please take a moment to view photos of flowers for the event from Labor Day weekend 2012.
Prime sponsor FedEx always asks for florals in their signature colors of purple and orange.
Extra refrigeration is a requirement at Exotic Flowers in Boston when creating and storing hundreds of fresh flower arrangements. Hardy flowers like sunflowers, roses and alstromeria are chosen to ensure longevity.
More than three hundred mum plants were housed in our greenhouses in Roslindale to be decorated in sponsor chalets throughout TPC Boston.
An impact arrangement for the clubhouse greets guests, golfers, celebrities and the media of TPC Boston in Norton, MA.
Sponsors like BMW choose a sleak and elegant look to match the classic lines of their vehicles.
If you would ever like to witness our staff in action, Exotic Flowers in Boston is open seven days a week and we're happy to share our show with you.
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Tags: Deutsche Bank Championship, TPC Boston, Golf Florist, Exotic Flowers Employees, Event Florist