Exotic Flowers in Boston

Like many Bostonians, there is a huge rush of energy in the city lately and that’s all due to the opening of our beloved Fenway Park!  Get your peanuts, pretzels and soft drinks ready kids because this year, the Red Sox seem to be planning on having a sensational six months ahead of them!  Last week, just happens to be my first time back to the old ballpark and boy- was it great to be sitting in those familiar red seats waving at Wally again.  Everyone around me seemed to be taking in the smells, sounds and sights that are synonymous with Fenway such as the decadence of sweet sausage and authentic hot dogs, the brightness of the overhead lights and the cheer of the crowd as the first ballplayer took his turn up at bat.  Visiting the park really is an experience in itself that many people keep the memories of long after they’ve left. How do you keep these fond thoughts alive? We can browse through old programs, take a look at snapshots or wear our favorite team member’s jersey you’d do anything to be just like!

If you are a flower lover who happens to share the same adornment with Boston’s favorite baseball team, you can even combine the two notions to make a gorgeous piece of memorabilia!  There’s zillions of ways to make a beautiful Red Sox arrangement to either showcase at your next birthday party or simply keep for yourself. The first step to designing this piece is to keep in mind the obvious:  the colors of the team are red, blue and white. This might seem tricky at first glance but in actuality, there are several varieties of flowers that are grown in these hues. The obvious answer might be to whip up a bubble bowl stuffed with red roses to encircle the vase.  This, no doubt works perfectly with little fuss but if you’re looking for a challenge-here are a few more ideas to mull about.

photo credit via: twitter.com/BSmile

If you go to baseball games as much as I do, you will witness all types of ceremonies at the ballpark. Famous first pitches, tributes to heroes past and present and on occasion the host will incorporate flowers into the festivitives. Flowers at a baseball game goes back more than one hundred years. Author Glenn Stout tells us in Fenway 1912 that Fenway Park had planters filled with flowers to greet fans on the grand opening of Fenway Park.

The photo above shows Babe Ruth alongside a horseshoe of flowers. The floral arch was a symbol of luck and success. While these tributes are not quite as fashionable as before, they can still be made. One step better would be to have a florist design for the times. So many major league parks have an event every night before the first pitch, it's time to bring back flowers back to the diamond.

photo credit twitter.com/BSmile

Above Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto makes his MLB debut in 1941 underneath a floral horseshoe. Once again flowers at the ballpark marking history and symbolizing luck. 

photo credit: via twitter.com/BSmile

Knowing the Babe's reputation as a playboy, I am not sure if he was gving or receiving this hand tied bouquet.

 AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye

Thankfully, across the Pacific, the Japanese still honor the game and each other by having managers exchange floral bouquets.

What do you get a girl who’s a huge baseball fan and not just any old baseball fan, a Red Sox baseball fan!  Sure you could go crazy buying hats, caps and other Fenway paraphernalia but why not use your noggin and think outside of the batting box for a change?  Get creative with your gift giving and send her something with a little class, and little grandeur!  How about giving her a floral arrangement inspired by the Boston Red Sox where the design reflects her inherent passion for the team? Not fall for the misconception that the bouquet will be confined to merely blue and red toned blossoms - there are hundreds of gorgeous combinations that are sure to knock her off her feet.  So as you begin planning to impress your die-hard Red Sox fan girlfriend/wife, check out these awesome creations whipped up by Bean Town’s most famous florists!

photo credit: lakenurseries.com.au

“Red Sox” Calla Lilies

Yes, really!  These calla lilies are actually named “Red Sox” and are the exact deep shade of red that is associated with the team’s uniform and emblem!  This variety is exquisite alone in a vase or can be easily paired with other softer hues of red to make a jewel tone presentation.  Another interesting fact about this species is that they are known for their longevity just as long as they’re stored somewhere cool and away from extensive heat.

photo credit: theplantexpert.com

“Festiva Maxima” Peonies

Here’s another great option for baseball lovers, which is called the “Festiva Maxima” peony that ironically looks a whole lot like a baseball!  The fine red flicks that mark the petals can be compared to the red stitching of a ball and the shear white color of the blooms themselves are spectacularly round and full.  You don’t need much more added to this stunner but if you must, only combine small stems, which will appropriately accent this peonies’ sophisticated appeal.  

Clear Vase Filled with Baseballs

Sometimes all you need is a little edge.  A tall, clear cylinder vase filled with traditional baseballs can make quite a hit for the person who loves this sport.  Fill with dried flowers of place a bubble bowl on top of the opening and arrange with whatever flowers you like the best.  Perhaps you’ve saved mementos from baseball games you’ve enjoyed together previously?  Here’s a terrific way to display them!  Not only is it a conversational piece, but she’ll be able to keep the contents for years to come!

I used to listen to Abbot & Costello's Who's on First every Opening Day. Now my ride to work on Opening Day is Michaela Murphy's story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Happy Opening Day !

Spring is finally here and that means opening day at Fenway Park is just around the corner!  Popcorn, cracker jacks, hot dogs, peanuts, foam fingers and baseball caps will be sold by the millions inside the park but Bostonians are also gearing up to make their own plans… Team spirit runs rampant during this time of year in Bean Town, where fans are throwing parties thematic after our love for the Boston Red Sox.  Everything from the color scheme to the menu can be manipulated to include clever accessories and entertaining display décor.  All you have to do is use a little imagination and think “Baseball”!  Monday, April 11th is the official date when Fenway will be reopened to play a little ball against the Baltimore Orioles so why not have a few friends over to enjoy the game?  Here are a few party planning ideas fabulous for opening day soiree!

Menu

You’ve got to have a lot of finger foods if you’re having a fete mirrored after the cuisine served inside Fenway and the good news is that most of these dishes are really inexpensive to make.  Think pigs in a blanket, popcorn, sliders, chips, dips and pizza.  You can also have a little fun with veggie and fruit platters if you arrange the food to look like a baseball diamond or even an outfield.  Don’t forget the dessert either, because a quick batch of cupcakes decorated with the letter “R” in blue and red frosting are the perfect sweet treats to compliment game day!

photo credit: ChalkandPatina via etsy.com

Decorations

This is really simple because right about now, every grocery store in Massachusetts is stocking up with paper and plastic Red Sox dishware and cups.  If you don’t want to pay the extra to have their logo printed across your plates, just pick up plain white, red and blue Dixie brand ware, which works just as well.  Another great idea is to gather some old mason jars and paint them completely white and then add the small detail of red lining, much like an actual baseball would have.  Place candles or lollipops inside and watch how easy dressing up your Red Sox part really is!

Party Games

If watching the game isn’t entertainment enough, then you’ll want to have some party games to fall back on if things get a little dull.  “Cups” is one that comes to mind for adults, but for younger audiences, playing ”Pin the Tail on the Opposing Team” is also a lot of fun (particularly if the Red Sox fall behind).  If you have your own baseball bat, “Balance the Bat” relay races are also a good idea to get people moving as well as an egg toss game to see who has the best catching hands!

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we are huge baseball fans. We sponsor little league teams in Boston and Westwood. We even sponsored the Red Sox from 2007-2009. The Official Florist of the Boston Red Sox was cool and we still maintain a lot of contacts at Fenway Park. We remain strong supporters of the arts and literature, we enjoy sharing classic poems with our friends.

Below is the poem

"The Base Stealer" by Robert Francis 

Poised between going on and back, pulled

Both ways taut like a tightrope-walker,

Fingertips pointing the opposites,

Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ball

Or a kid skipping rope, come on, come on,

Running a scattering of steps sidewise,

How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases,

Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic bird,

He's only flirting, crowd him, crowd him,

Delicate, delicate, delicate, delicate - now!

This poem is offered in almost every high school English class. I first read this poem at The Roxbury Latin School. It has stuck with me all these years and I am happy to share it with you.

My favorite base stealer was Rickey Henderson. Who was yours ? Henderson signed this card me as teenager. He was always great with the fans. If you ever want to know how cool a guy Henderson was, read this article by social media giant Gary V.