Baskets
Baskets are an ideal accompaniment for flowers. They are available in a multitude of materials and an amazing assortment of shapes and sizes, so it is possible to purchase a suitable basket for any occasion. Small delicate baskets can be used for designs to be carried, large ones for planted displays, and all the sizes in between for fresh, fabric or dried arrangements.
With a coarsely-woven rustic basket, use a profusion of dried country-style flowers, such as larkspur, yarrow, alchemilla and tansy. Fabric flowers in a small pastel-coloured basket can create a wonderfully romantic display for a bride or her attendants. Complete the design with a bow of good- quality fabric ribbon just as any good florists O'Connor would do.
It is a good idea to link the colour of the basket to the arrangement, so choose pale pastel shades to fill a straw-coloured willow basket, or vibrant exotic flowers to complement baskets of woven palm or bamboo.
Best loved flowers - Consolida orientalis (larkspur)
Characteristics: Larkspur is a graceful flower that is indispensable to the summer border. Densely flowered spikes provide masses of color in the border or along a fence or wall. It is one annual that every florist Dunedin will find essential. Its color range and height make wonderful additions to any arrangement.
For a more informal feeling, grow larkspur in a wildflower meadow or on a sunny slope. The single or double florets and fine, light green foliage provide splendid color from late spring into summer. 'Giant Imperial Mixed' from Burpee blooms in shades of blue, pink and white and dries beautifully. It is an outstanding cut flower and easy to air-dry. It retains its bright colors all winter. Don't confuse larkspur with delphinium, which is a tender perennial in many zones. Delphinium has a thicker flower stalk and tight clusters of larger flowers that make drying more of a challenge.
A Prayer Book Spray
A prayer book decorated with a spray of flowers can be carried either by the bride or by a bridesmaid. You need to see the book to assess the size of floral spray required. The completed design must look attractive without overpowering the prayer book. Ask the bride to bring the book into the shop prior to the wedding. Wrap, label and store it carefully, as the item is of great sentimental value to the bride. When organising the flower delivery Bromsgrove ensure that the book spray is included, and packaged carefully to prevent damage. Use plenty of tissue paper to support this delicate arrangement.
Treating Stems
Soft stems
Flowers with soft, succulent stems, for example, tulips, arum lilies and clivia should have their stems cut at an angle and be placed immediately in deep water, Some flowers from this particular group exude a slimy sap. Hyacinths and narcissi come into this category. Place those types of flowers in water on their own for an hour or so and then put them into fresh clean water.
Tulips also require additional care to bring out the best from them. Cut their soft stems at an angle and if they are thick, split them at the base for about 1 cm (1/2 inch). Remove the bottom leaves and then, before placing them in deep, tepid water for a long drink, bunch them together with their heads level and roll them in greaseproof paper just covering the flower heads. This will stop the heads falling forward and breaking off.
Hard, woody stems
Plants that fall into this category should have their stems cut on an angle and then split with a pair of secateurs, or hammered to break up the fibres. Florists Reddish always have a tricky time with this kind of stem. If a stem is particularly woody, 2 cms (1 inch) of bark should be stripped from its base before hammering so that the white stem beneath the bark shows clearly. Remove unwanted foliage and stems. Place the material into a deep bucket of water initially.
If there is a time delay between cutting and placing the material into water in its final receptacle, dip the tips of the stems into hot water for a few minutes first and then stand in warm water.
It's not all rosy . .
Although yellow roses are symbols of positive ideas such as freedom, marital bliss and friendship; they can also have some negative connotations. During the early part of the last century, yellow roses were known to mean lukewarm affection and sometimes jealousy. A yellow rose could signify infidelity within a relationship (not really something you would want to advertise). It symbolised the waning of passion; a relationship that has been reduced to a certain monotony and a relationship that lacks passion. This analogy could be why yellow roses could also mean farewell in certain circumstances.
Whenever you're unsure of the meaning of a particular flower, pick up the phone and contact your reseller of flowers Castellammare for some sound advice before deciding on the kind of flower you wish to send.
Wiring methods
Small flower heads need to be supported and controlled when used in the traditional construction of corsages, buttonholes and headdresses. It would be convenient if there were just one basic wiring method, but unfortunately this is not so. The modern florist handles a wide range of flowers requiring individual wiring methods, such as:
Singapore orchids
Handling the orchid with care, as petals are easily cracked or damaged, remove the flowers Battlefield head from the main stem, leaving only a small portion of stem. Insert a length of silver wire through the base of the flower, leaving one end longer than the other; bring the wire ends together, twisting the short end around both the stem and the longer end of wire, which is brought down to form an artificial stem. Neatly tape this stem.
Hyacinths
Bend a silver wire in half, twisting it to make a small loop. Gently remove a flower head, leaving a short stem. Insert the wire down and through the flower head, so the loop is hidden in the flower head. Complete as above.
Carnation spray
Leaving a small portion of stem, remove an individual flower from the spray. Make a small hook at the top of the wire and insert the wire through the head of the flower, pulling it carefully so that the hook is hidden in the flower centre. Start taping at the base of the stem.
Rose
Remove most of the stem; insert a stub wire up into the stem, pushing it securely into the seed box, then tape.
Grow your own
There are literally thousands of flowers that you can grow in your garden, and the riot of colors and scents that they each bring will be calming and relaxing. They will make your garden look magnificent when in full bloom. If you choose flowers that grow in different seasons you will add a burst of beautiful color throughout the whole year. Certainly a lot cheaper to grow your own flowers in your garden rather than using a florist to send flowers Greasby!
Bulbs’ Resistance to Cold
Summer-flowering bulbs come from so many parts of the world and are available at virtually every Fairwater flower shop. They belong to so many genera that they have few things in common except that they bloom sometime between spring and fall. Some, like most lilies and camassias, originated in cold climates and are hardy enough to survive winters outdoors anywhere in most climate zones. Others such as the caladium, which is native to the banks of jungle rivers in South America, are tender, or susceptible to cold; even their dormant tubers cannot stand temperatures that fall lower than 55°. In most areas such bulbs must be dug up in fall before the ground freezes if they are to be saved for flowering the next year. Resistance to cold (or the lack of it) determines not only how a bulb should be handled during winter but also when it should be set out to grow in the garden.
Your florist should . .
- Store the flowers in an upright position for, preferably, no more than 2 days. If flowers are to be stored for more than 2 days, extra handling steps should be taken to assure good postharvest quality.
- Before selling the flowers, cut off the ends but leave the wrapping on the bunch. Bunches should remain in an upright position and tightly wrap during rehydration (6 to 8 inches of lukewarm water) to prevent stems from becoming wavy.
By following these guidelines any of the reputable Carroll Gardens Florists will ensure that your flowers are delivered to you as fresh as can possibly be!
How about this?
Whilst we aim to provide you with a never ending supply of flower facts, you may like to check out Flower Trivia Gold if you want even more! You can never have too many tips and facts when you love flowers, or wish to have a career in the floral industry.
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