Exotic Flowers in Boston

It’s a sad time for many of us when we have to say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn.  After all of the glorious beach days, barbecues and warm nights spent underneath the stars, it’s no wonder why we cringe at the mention of chillier weather approaching.  The kiddos aren’t too pleased about the major change in schedule as well, and who could blame them when back to school session is inevitably closing in. There’s no doubt, the transition is a tough one for us all but what if we could look at some of the brighter points of beginning a new fall?  Specifically, the stunning array of fresh color that will drape across the landscape in the weeks to come?

Yes, Boston florists are consistently pushing the idea to their favorite clients that just because the summer blooms have faded, it doesn’t mean September back to school flowers aren’t just as beautiful as their preceding species!  Think gold, red, orange, green and yellow, which are designer’s top choices when selecting this season’s premier palette. While the steamier months of the year boast wildflowers and garden varieties with an airy personality, things are nicely swapped up for a more rustically dignified presentation when September arrives.  Imagine bright sunflowers, green/burgundy foliage and decadent blooms such as celosia and amaranths to get your creative floral wheels turning! The possibilities are endless but here’s a few back-to-school crowd pleasers which are sure to never disappoint!

Keep an eye out for these deliciously seasonal flower varieties:

Dahlias Calla Lilies

Sunflowers Aster

Privet Berries Peach Roses

Viburnum Hypericum Berries

Football Mums Gerbera Daisies

The kiddos are back in school after a long and entertaining summer, leaving parents the time to get back to their own business and regular schedules.  For some of us, this means doing a little fall cleaning, putting things back into storage or redecorating our homes with a fresh seasonal makeover.  Bittersweet wreaths, pumpkins and hay bales are popular symbols of autumn that you may see frequently along with large pots of mums dressing up neighbor’s doorsteps.  If your home appears to be vacant of these celebratory items, you may want to think about adding a bit of fall motif such as a fresh vase of beautiful flowers.  Just because summer is over doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy stunning bloomers found at our local florist!

Typically, the colors you’ll see this season tend to revolve around warm and gem tinted tones.  Gold, orange, crimson, bright green, yellow and sometime fuchsia are the most requested varieties by designers.  This of course, doesn’t mean that you have to stick to the manual.  Feel free to venture out on your own and make selections based on your personal tastes but if you want to effectively mirror the season, this is a great place to begin.  You might also notice the use of natural props such as birch tree, sticks, moss, flowering branches, rose hips and bark intertwined with September/October arrangements.  This tactic not only genuinely reflects the time of the year appropriately but it will also (quite often) save you money in the end since these items tend to cost less and will take up space as opposed to a vase stuffed with only flowers.  A talented designer will know this strategy and be able to make a perfect balance between the two, resulting in dazzling autumn centerpieces.

photo credit via McQueen's Flowers in London

Now as I said before, there are no rules which types of flowers you can or cannot use to make these bouquets but there are a few staples that most professionals agree work best.  For instance, green/red hydrangea, Asiatic lilies, roses, mokara orchids, dahlias, aster and gerbera daisies are dependable picks along with Bells of Ireland, mimosa and celosia.  You’ll love the crisp feel to the presentation as well as adore the harvest appeal of fall flowers in New England.  

Fall is here but there are still some remnants of our summer gardening efforts thriving in our flowerbeds.  Although many of our favorites have gone to sleep for the season, you might be lucky to find a few late bloomers poking their heads out of the ground.  Many people give up taking care of their gardens when September rolls around, foregoing the watering, feeding any other important tasks but I assure you this is a mistake.  There are abundant amounts of species that enjoy the crisper weather and will stay healthy for you all the way up until the first frost.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could steal the last remaining warmer days on your deck gazing at a garden, which is blooming well into October?  Trust me- It can be done!  All it takes is a little pre-planning when planting particular varieties and you could also have a plethora of flowers right at your fingertips!  Especially if you are a clipper like me who loves to snip a few stems for indoor arrangements- you might want to check the below list.  

Picking types of blooms that will do well for you during the last end of summer to the beginning of fall are usually on the heartier side, which are resilient against a nip but also perfect for transportation from soil to water.  

Excellent options include:

1. Hydrangea
2. Coleus
3. Sunflowers
4. Nasturtiums
5. Mums
6. Asters
7. Sedum
8. Scented Geraniums
9. Millet
10. Catmint

Not only will these look gorgeous in your homes, but the price is affordable and you’ll actually be doing your garden a favor.  Trimming back species extends the longevity of a plant as well as stimulate new shoots of growth.  Simple yet elegant, this style will compliment any décor as well as remind you of how wonderful a gift of a garden truly is…

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 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.  

Summer 2015 was certainly a beautiful couple of months in New England and although it went by way too fast, we still have one last opportunity to celebrate!  Labor Day weekend is September 4th through the 7th and Boston is booming with parties and barbecues to close out the season.  If you’re hosting your own event, you’re going to want to head over to your local flower shop for some beautiful décor to go along with the grilled steak tips and potato salad.  Of course, we all know that different occasions call for different styles including the flowers you display on tables and decks.  Adding the right vase or centerpiece to your party can add the perfect touch in making this a summer we’ll never forget!  These are a few of this year’s favorites that have been organized according to the particular type of event.  

Brunch

I love Labor Day brunches because the cuisine is delicious plus the decoration is light and airy.  Most of the time, light is used as the design base and often uses blossoms that are white or soft peach and pink.  The trick is to make the displays as easy breezy as possible keeping them low and dainty.  Think simple and delicate like short jars of one variety like dahlias, sunflowers, cosmos, lavender or garden roses.  You can mix and match if you like but make sure that there are no color combinations that fight each other instead of blending nicely.  Don’t be afraid to use clippings from your herb garden too like rosemary, thyme or sage.  Many of the dishes associated with brunch use these as ingredients, which make it the perfect detail to add to your floral presentation.  

Barbecue

photo credit: Lisa Greene via FlowerFactor

Okay, so you might think that flowers are the last thing guests are going to care about when scanning the buffet filled with barbecue delights but displaying a vase or two of blooms can actually enhance their mood and appetites!  Unlike the brunch, which uses a calmer mean of creativity, backyard-grilling parties can manipulate a bigger impact with texture and tone as well as taller heights and sizes.  Gerbera daisies make excellent choices along with yellow sunflowers, blue delphinium, hydrangea and anthurium.  You can have a huge urn of multicolored stems or showcase a single variety.  Colors that induce hunger are typically red, yellow and orange so if you’re looking to really put out a feast this Labor Day, try to keep these three options in mind.  Also, stay away from fragrant blooms like lilies