Exotic Flowers in Boston

For years we have been displaying ghosts, vampires and ghouls for a Halloween display. Over the years, we have found that less clients were purchasing pumpkins. In 2018, we did not sell pumpkins and did not decorate for Halloween. We had been losing hundreds of dollars selling these items.

Halloween 2019 - Pumpkins, goblins and scarecrows are back. Why are selling items that we know we are losing money on? 

Last weekend, my family and I bought our pumpkins at a farm in Peabody. My fourteen year old son asked why Exotic Flowers no longer sold pumpkins? I explained that we lose money on them. His response, 'Dad, if you decorate for Halloween and celebrate fall- it shows the community you care about them.'

Talk about a proud parent moment. I must be doing something right. Sometimes, it's not about the money. It can't be. We appreciate our place on the highway and will no longer lose sight of that.

If you live in New England, then it’s pretty safe to say that fall festivities are right up your alley.  One annual tradition that is of particular importance is the one night where we can all transform into anyone we want… Yes, I’m talking about Halloween!  You may have noticed that I used the word “all” because contrary to what you may think, Halloween is a holiday for all of us (not just the kiddos).  Perhaps you’ve been invited to a party or maybe an office celebration where friends and coworkers will be whipping up wardrobe creations and you just haven’t found the inspiration yet to make your own?  No problem!  For those who love to garden or have a fancy for florals, I have just the ideas for you and most of the materials needed can be found already at home.

photo: Victor VIRGILE—Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Become a Wrapped Bouquet!

This costume is too cute if you love flowers, plus it’s quick and simple so you don’t need a whole lot of time to accomplish the look.  Just wrap yourself in an extra-large piece of paper and tie with a ribbon.  Add blossoms to the packaging by cutting large blooms out of construction paper and either glue to the back of the paper or attach to sticks that can be inserted inside the cone.  Be sure to dress in a single color such as black, navy or red and presto!  Your Halloween look is complete.  If you own a flower shop and have an employee who is willing, have them put on this outfit on October 31st to greet customers at the door. Patrons will get a kick out of the company’s holiday spirit as well as attract others who might be passing by.

Become the Flower Dude!

This design is quick and easy to throw together in a pinch since all you really need is a smock, clipboard and maybe either a small arrangement or bouquet of roses to hold.  Simple jeans and a t-shirt are the best pieces to wear underneath and letting a little stubble grow in will also add to the effect.  Florists are typically NOT glamourous people who often work long hours contrary to what most believe.  Sporting fancy jackets, pants or expensive jewelry will draw away the authenticity of “florist role” so be sure to stay in character as much as possible.  If you know a florist already, ask them to borrow some arrangement cards that you can put in your front pocket or hand out to others as an added accessory.  If you really want it to look real, hold a dixie cup in your hand and tell people it’s coffee.  I haven’t met a florist yet who isn’t addicted to the stuff!

If you were born in October, the gemstone that represents your birth is the beautiful opal.  Opal is a one of a kind stone as is often looked upon as being a favorite to many who adore the multi changing colors of the rainbow that can be seen on its surface.  Some cultures respect the gem as being the most impressive of all because it is believed they hold magic powers due to the unique properties they possess.  The gem holds several meanings as well such as hope and purity but can also translate into a sign meaning loyalty or faithfulness, which is why it is the official gift for 14th and 18th wedding anniversaries.  Lure also says that the Greeks believed opals had healing properties to cure ailments associated with the eyes and could possibly even have the ability to give the owner insight into the future.

Opals are undeniably stunning with their multitude of distinctive traits which is why many florists are constantly trying to mirror this beauty with similar eye-appealing arrangements.  Unlike gems such as rubies and sapphires that are much more easily matched to red and bloom blossoms accustomed to a designer’s inventory, opals require a bit more thought when attempting to mimic their similarities in flowers.  It isn’t every day that florists come across translucent or opaque varieties when doing their ordering so they have to use a little creative thinking to replicate the presentation.  The good news is, there’s just about every tint imaginable within opals, giving way to the possibility that you can work with several different shades at one time.  Another approach is to study more of the translucent side of the stone, which can open a door into a whole other set of options. Depending on what the clientele’s objective and preference is when ordering, designers might gain a bit of wiggle room around the species they choose as well as the texture they plan to construct the centerpiece.

Baby yellow ranunculus, dahlias and roses make a wonderful gift for an October birth child because it relies heavily on the softer tones of yellow that many opals possess.  The gift recipient will also appreciate the upbeat and happy appeal that is sure to brighten up any day.  

A simple bouquet of pink peonies may also be the answer because almost all opals have a strong pink pigmentation laying on the the surface. Stick again with the lighter varieties and you can’t go wrong with this springtime arrangement that still packs a “WOW” throughout the fall.  

I love this combination of soft and severe blooms that when mixed together cause quite a show stopper!  Purple thistle, mauve roses, white ranunculus and black privet berries perfectly match the allure of October’s gemstone while offering a sultry and seductive charm.

Now that we are officially submerged in the fall season, our floral fashion is beginning to mimic the change in color, texture and style.  While September still seems to foreshadow the days of summer while interweaving fresh tones of deeper hues, this month continues to bring about further tints of warmth that reflect the autumn season.  As we look around us, all we see is color, color and MORE COLOR so it’s important to show this in our décor as well.  Pretty soon, you’ll see more of an influx in orange, brown and burgundy, which will continue into the month of November.  For those of you who prefer drama within their centerpieces, you’re in luck because during the next few weeks, florists will begin to utilize this palette by selecting a fresh inventory of fall flowers.  If you’re not ready to say goodbye to some of August’s favorites such as sunflowers or zinnias, have no fear…  Designers are well aware of the lingering summer beauties and will do their best to incorporate a touch of this within your arrangement if desired.  For those of you who are ready to embrace the October festivities with zeal, you’ll want to concentrate on a deeper and more enriching spectrum of color. Here’s a few suggestions to get your wheels turning…

photo credit via aboutflowers.com

October Flowers: October Foliage:

1. Rudbekia           1. Kale
2. Lanterns             2. Bittersweet
3. Hydrangea         3. Hay
4. Black Calla Lilies 4. Millet
5. Orange Day Lilies 5. Maple Leaf Branches
6. Mimosa               6. Green Amaranths
7. Asters                 7. Cabbage
8. Mums                 8. Artichoke
9. Marigolds           9. Grape Vine
10. Orange Gerberas 10.Leather Leaf
11. Dahlias               11. Pittosporum
12. Chocolate Cosmos 12.Wheat

photo credit via aboutflowers.com

Foliage encouraged for this month’s floral arranging is also incredibly beautiful and will likely consist of a hearty leafage that is sure to stand out in a vase.  Since these plants are used to the cooler temperatures we experience during this time of year, not only will they look dazzling but will likely last a lot longer, too!  Another fun trick is to fill vases with native fruits such as apples, small pumpkins or acorns to give pieces an authentic presentation.  You can ask your florist to add this bit of extra texture to your order or simply pick up these items at a nearby farm stand. If you live near forested areas or have a garden still thriving, you might even find these treasures in your own back yard…

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

   Flowers have consistently been utilized as a focus by some of the world’s most ingenious designers for centuries.  This creative thinking has led the way to innovative styles that appeal to those attracted to blooms and appreciate their exotic presentation.  

Magazines such as “Modern Bride” and “Vogue” often showcase clothing that is entirely inspired after flora and fauna and has become some of the hottest styles in places such as New York, LA and even Rome.  Fashion and flowers have gone hand in hand for a long time and with the October holiday approaching, it’s no wonder why several new patterns for costumes are being dreamed up right this minute!  Both children and adults are in store for a treat this Halloween because fun and fancy wardrobes are being styled after some of our favorite blossoms.  Whether you’re planning on trick-or-treating with friends or attending a spooky festivity, you’ll have loads of options to choose from when transforming yourself this year.  

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.  

Let’s face it…. There’s no better place in the world to go Trick or Treating other than New England and if you are lucky to be living in Massachusetts, you’ll experience double the fun!  After all, we do live in spook central being conveniently located close to Salem where the heart of witches and cauldrons were born.  Yes, Halloween is a wonderful and fn time for all of us but its important to keep in mind safety factors for our little goblins and ghouls.  This October 31st, make sure that you and your children go over precautionary tips that will help everyone enjoy Halloween to the fullest.

photo credit: clipartsheep.com

Safety Tips

* Never trick or treat alone!  Always find a group of Dracula’s and Frankenstein’s to accompany you

* Carry a flashlight with you at all times and wear glow sticks for extra luminescence.

*  Never run from house to house!  Enjoy the stroll throughout the night-it only       happens once a year!

*Look both ways before crossing the road!  People driving should be extra aware of the occasion and SLOW DOWN.

* Wear tight fitting masks and costumes that do not have material or other                                       accessories hanging that might cause an injury.  Let’s make sure you say BOO instead of Boo Boo.

* Walk on sidewalks instead of lawns and never get into a car with a stranger!

* Do not enter any homes without an adult.  Trick or Treating should remain outside and only visit houses that are well lit!

* Have your parents check all candy before eating and throw away anything that is hand made.  Grandma Jenkin’s cookies are ok but never eat anything unwrapped from strangers!

* If you have food allergies, be on the look out for teal pumpkins, which are a sign that the house is giving out gluten free, peanut free treats!  

* Trick or Treating in Boston is from 5-8pm so make sure you’re home in time for curfew since that’s when the werewolves come out!  

New Englanders are crazy about the fall season, a time where brilliant colors surrounds us, new flavors are created to comfort us and a vast array of new activities are invented to keep us moving when the temperatures begin to drop.  Although we are still gifted with the pleasures of the outdoors, including hiking and harvesting, there are still those “iffy” days when we start to realize we’ll be hunkered down indoors very shortly.  Kids, in particular are sensitive to this realization and that’s why parents need to be fully prepared with options of entertainment.   Rainy, cold, autumn days can be tough on little ones so moms and dads want to be stocked with crafting ideas and materials helpful towards staving of the inevitable winter blues.  Try these fun and festive do-it-yourself art projects for children that not only will keep them occupied during the drearier times of the month but will also enhance your home’s décor for the holidays!

        Fall Leaf Sun Catcher’s

photo credit:  homemadethingsandapronstrings.com

  Materials:

(2) Laminating Paper

Tissue Paper

Paint for Outline

Scissors

These are not only easy to make but they are simply stunning in glass windows!  To start, lay out a piece of clean 5 x 8 piece of laminating paper.  Shred small, flat sections of red, yellow, green and orange tissue paper and then lay them on top of the laminating paper.  Select a preferable leaf shape and carefully eye ball an outline using paint (or a thin marker) that will dry quickly.  Once it dries, cut out the leaf and lay it on top of the second sheet of laminating paper.  Seal all sides and hang the leaves in the window immediately to enjoy!

    Kid’s Autumn Themed Hand Paintings

photo credit: babble.com

Black Spiders

Sometimes making beautiful pictures is as easy as this!

Fall Tree   Acorns

By just using your hands, you can make spectacular painting perfect for this season! All you need is finger paints, newspaper, construction paper and a little imagination to create these lovely seasonal themed pieces of artwork!  These are great to do after school or even give them away to guests as hostess gifts for your holiday gathering!

It’s time again to start getting a little spooky decorating for Halloween!  Not only will our homes need to be accessorized with cob webs, witches hats and fake spiders climbing the walls, our flower arrangements needs to be made to reflect this ghostly spirit as well!  Boston florists are devising cleverly creepy pieces for their customers who possess a fun imagination and passion for celebrating this BOO-tastic holiday in style.  Designers are considering all elements when putting together arrangements including style, décor and texture that will coincide with this scary time of year.  That means the slimier, furrier, scalier, sweeter and eerier we can make these floral presentations – the better!  Halloween flowers are among the top most requested ornamental pieces for New England residences and particularly for businesses.   Local establishments even claim that one of these festive arrangements can actually increase sales and revenue for the month of October.  

My husband always sends me Halloween flowers. The one above was created with a Frankenstein mask. He used candy for the eyeballs. His head rests on top of spanish moss. his scar is celosia flower, while the blood drip from his mouth is an orchid. Red roses and bittersweet provide the ideal frame for this creepy floral creation.

Last year, Ricky sent me this Frankenstein  arrangement at the Westwood Public Library. The focal point is the Universal Studios Frankenstein action figure. Antique hydrangea and sheet moss set the stage while pink and yellow spray roses, freesia, free spirit roses and bittersweet frame the arrangement. 

Neither of these floral designs will break the bank and either one will set your Instagram account on fire. 

Happy haunting.

- Suzie