Exotic Flowers in Boston

I’m a New Englander, through and through and that means raising a hardy garden is pretty important during the harvesting months.  I’m also a lover of flowers having once been a wholesale florist right in the heart of the city.  These two passions sometimes simultaneously combine to create new ways of putting vegetables, fruits and yes-blossoms together.  

photo credit: rossirovetti.com

Since we’re nearing the time when gardens shed their summer food and focus more on root vegetables such as kale, cabbage, broccoli and onions, many florists are taking this opportunity to push forth-innovative ways to use the changes of the season within their daily work.  Why use edibles in centerpieces when traditionally they’re used to eat?  Because they too offer a boom of color and can compliment autumn floral varieties better than expensive stems that would otherwise be used as the primary product.  Not convinced yet to try out this new trend?  Just take a look at what some of the finest designers came up with just by adding a typical bunch of carrots to their bouquets!

photo credit: designsponge.com

Fall has officially arrived in New England and we are nothing short of thrilled about the wonderful change in season!  What’s not to love about this chillier time of year where the apple orchards burst with fruit, pumpkin patches swell with rotund gourds and overhanging leaves sparkle in a colorful splendor of wonder.  To put it mildly, our home state of Massachusetts is stunning right now and should be enjoyed for everything she offers.  Flower lovers are especially rejoicing because of the refreshed batch of environmental change that inspiring different textures, pigmentation and overall style.  One faction of floral design that is seeing an interesting alternation is the containers where centerpieces and smaller arrangements are being displayed within.  While the summer season usually depends on a lot of clear glass and turquoise blue ceramics, the fall months rely on a very different platform to present their blossoms.  As clever designers often exhibit, their idea of a perfect autumn vase is often decided by its connection to the season.  Rich in color, three-dimensional surfaces and warm tints often decide which container will be used for October flower orders.  

According to industry reports, the top five criteria for a suitable autumn container are:

1. Affordability
2. Accessibility
3. Reflective of an Autumn New England Motif
4. Eye Appealing to A Wide Variety of Customers
5. Water Tight

The list seems pretty simple but in actuality, these guidelines make finding proper fall containers somewhat challenging if they’re trying to implement some imaginative ideas in their design work.

It’s tricky stuff, I tell you…

New Englanders are notorious for placing large urns at the foot of their steps and when they are filled with cabbage, kale and chili peppers, they are simple gorgeous for the fall season.  Pumpkins and gourds are also excellent options because they will hold water without leaking plus give off an interesting textured look.  If you’re going to use glass, try selecting a style that has a soft brown or cream hue to reflect the months of October and November adequately.  

It is finally October-the time of year when we dress up in costumes, tell ghost stories and most importantly, profess our love for the pumpkin!  Everything from our desserts to our lattes seem to become thematic with this icon of the month, leaving us New Englanders with a wide array of tasty treats and festive décor.  Lucky for us, there’s no shortage of beautiful orange pumpkins in these parts, making it all the more pleasurable to dive right into the fun!  Whether you love baking seeds or carving jack o lanterns, surrounding patches in the Boston area will surely help you find what you are looking for!  Here is a list of some of the best patches, which will provide you beautiful pumpkins and other seasonal activities perfect for the whole family!

Smolak Farm

315 South Bradford Street

North Andover, MA

(978) 682-6332

Smolak Farms is one of my favorites because they hold some of the biggest festivals such as the scarecrow and pumpkin head event!  They also facilitate an ice cream stand, hayrides, corn maze, tractor tire playground, pony rides and face painting that will keep the kids entertained for the entire day!

Boston Hill Farm

Route 114, North Andover, MA

(978) 681-8556

This farm has everything you’re looking for this October including several different pick-your-own patches plus their very own petting zoo!  They also throw an enormous party that runs every weekend until the end of the month luring patrons in with live music and lots of food including barbecue, roasted corn and specialty chicken prepared over the fire.

Belkin Family Lookout Farm

89 Pleasant St., South Natick, MA

(508) 651-1539

Not only is this one of the oldest working farms in the state, but this beautiful orchard boasts acres upon acres of fruit for your picking enjoyment!  Once you’ve picked out your pumpkin, don’t forget to take a ride on their train that circles the property.  Choo Choo!