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december 2007

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December 20, 2007 | flower facts

’Tis the season for amaryllis

by Jacqueline

Amaryllis has replaced the poinsettia as Britain’s favorite Christmas plant, according to a recent story in the Daily Telegraph telegraph.co.uk. Not surprising, given this flower’s radiant beauty.

This news brings to mind a few other facts about amaryllis:

* About 10 million amaryllis bulbs are imported to the U.S. every year. Check out marthastewart.com for a video demo on potting them.

* The name is derived from the Greek word amarysso, which means to sparkle.

* According to legend, Amaryllis was a lovesick maiden who pierced her own heart with a golden arrow to woo the man she fell in love with (Alteo). A flower with crimson petals arose from the blood.

* The National Safety Council nsc.org notes that amaryllis is on the list of plants that can cause severe stomach problems if ingested. Others to avoid: mistletoe, holly berries and Jerusalem cherry. NSC doesn’t say anything re: piercing your own heart with a golden arrow. That Alteo must’ve been quite a guy.

* On a lighter note, there’s a variety of amaryllis called Pink Floyd and one called Dancing Queen. I’ll keep that in mind for New Year’s Eve.
 

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December 19, 2007 | out and about

Flowers in the movies: A fun trivia quiz

by Jacqueline

Youth Without Youth movie poster with roses

Love in the Time of Cholera movie poster with red rose
Roses represent lost love in “Youth Without Youth,” Francis Ford Coppola’s new movie, starring Tim Roth.

Brilliant red petals also command attention in the poster for “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by director Mike Newell, based on Gabriel García Márquez’s novel.

These posters made me think of other moviemakers who’ve used the beauty and symbolism of flowers to enhance their storytelling. You probably have your own floral film references. See if we’re on the same page, or should I say screen, and take this quiz.

There’ll be another installment next month so if I forgot one of your faves, add a comment and let me know.

1. Bill Murray’s character in “Broken Flowers” (2005) buys flowers for one of his many ex-girlfriends. What else does the florist do for him?
A. Gives him a single red rose
B. Bandages his wounds
C. Buys him lunch
D. Lends him her car

2. “The Wizard of Oz” shows Dorothy (Judy Garland) falling asleep in a field of poppies. Guess that never happened in Kansas. What is Kansas’ state flower?
A. Daisy
B. Peony
C. Sunflower
D. Goldenrod

3. Which of the following flowers is eaten in “Monsoon Wedding” (2001)?
A. Marigold
B. Pink rose
C. White lily
D. Yellow carnation

4. Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” (1955) stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, filmed in glorious Southern France. Where is Cary Grant when he knocks over a flower cart?
A. The marketplace
B. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Cannes
C. The airport in Nice
D. No idea; Cary Grant distracted me.

5. A less famous Hitchcock is 1969’s “Topaz,” in which Roscoe Lee Browne plays a florist who moonlights in another line of work. Name it.
A. Photography
B. Catering
C. Espionage
D. Who’s Roscoe Lee Browne?

6. Flower seller Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) in “My Fair Lady” (1964) sells flowers in which area of London?
A. Mayfair
B. Covent Garden
C. Piccadilly Circus
D. Knightsbridge

For Extra Credit: Audrey Hepburn was a plant and flower enthusiast off screen as well; both a rose and a tulip were named for her. What was the name of the 1993 Emmy-winning PBS series she hosted?

ANSWERS
1. B. Bandages his wounds
2. C. Sunflower
3. A. Marigold
4. A. The marketplace
5. C. Espionage
6. B. Covent Garden
Extra Credit: “Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn”
 

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December 18, 2007 | out and about

Same-day floral delivery a super holiday treat

by Karin - Merchandising

Red roses, carnations, cedar, pine, oregonia and holly holiday flower arrangement 
I love shopping online. It is a rare week when a box of clothing, books, jewelry, décor or gourmet food does not arrive at my doorstep. But it was not until I started working at Teleflora that it occurred to me to order fresh floral arrangements for myself online.
Last weekend I ordered this beautiful Ice Petals centerpiece from Teleflora.com for same-day delivery. What a convenience! Within a couple of hours, my local florist delivered a perfect, artistic, hand-designed centerpiece that was ready to be placed in the center or my dining room table. When my guests arrived, they loved it.

This is a very busy time of year, especially for the 20,000 florists in the Teleflora network who are working long hours to brighten their customers’ holidays.
 

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December 17, 2007 | out and about

Flowers make their mark for 45 years

by Jacqueline

La Grenouille restaurant in New York City la-grenouille.com is famous for its stunning, sumptuous bouquets of flowers.

The New Yorker’s latest Talk of the Town highlights proprietor Charles Masson’s passion for arranging blooms, which he does on a weekly basis.

Says Masson: “This is the most relaxing thing about working here. It’s my favorite part of the week.”

Masson’s father and mother opened La Grenouille 45 years ago and to celebrate the anniversary, Masson is creating arrangements with his father’s favorites, including flowering quince, deciduous holly, red dogwood, hot-pink nerines, and red, white and purple anemones.

(See the full story at: newyorker.com/talk/2007/12/24/071224ta_talk_sheraton.)

If you’re not in NYC or likely to be there in the near future, check out www.amazon.com for Masson’s book “The Flowers of La Grenouille” where he shares his knowledge in flower care and aesthetics.

Speaking of flower books, I’m planning to order “The Flower Shop Christmas: Christmas in a Country Flower Shop,” $34.95, 1-800-841-0873, halffullpress.com. Author Sally Page looks at the 12 days of Christmas from her little corner of the world - a small flower shop in England. Page’s first book “The Flower Shop: A Year in the Life of a Country Flower Shop,” also $34.95, chronicles events and activity at the shop.

Do you use flowers to heighten the atmosphere in your restaurant or store? If so, drop Flower Blog a picture of your latest design.
 


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December 14, 2007 | out and about

An offer Manolo Blahnik couldn’t refuse and Emeril Lagasse’s rosy outlook

by Jacqueline

What do stiletto star Manolo Blahnik and celeb chef Emeril Lagasse have in common? Flower power.

Blahnik designed a gorgeous poster for next year’s Chelsea Flower Show, which is run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

On the RHS Web site, Blahnik says: “I grew up in a house surrounded by gardens. They have always been an important part of my life – and my work – so when the Royal Horticultural Society invited me to design the poster for the next Chelsea Flower Show, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. It is a privilege for me to be working on such an institution of an event, as well as an honour to be taking part in one of the most important dates in the Chelsea calendar.”

See the poster and learn more about the show at rhs.org.uk/news/manolochelsea.asp 

Pale pink rose

And on hgtv.com chef Emeril Lagasse shares some of his favorite recipes that use flowers as ingredients.

The grand marshal for the 2008 Rose Bowl Parade, Lagasse says he’s happy to spend time in California, with its sun, scenery and flowers.

He writes: “To many people, flowers are just something bright and beautiful found in nature. We bring flowers into our homes and offices and place them on the dinner table in arrangements. But it may surprise you to hear that the table setting is not the only place you'll find flowers in the kitchen – they're excellent to cook with too!”

Lagasse gives recipes for: Lavender Lemonade; Nasturtium Risotto; Persian-Style Jeweled Rice With Oven-Roasted Chicken and Rose Petals; and Crispy Phyllo-California Date Rolls With Orange Flower Water-Orange Blossom Honey Syrup.

Read the full story and check out the recipes at: hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_recipes_other/article/0,1801,HGTV_3186_5766539,00.html 

Maybe this weekend, I’ll whip up one of Emeril’s fragrant dishes. Then, with the money I save from cooking at home, I’ll be able to splurge on a pair of Manolo’s …

Hey, a girl’s gotta dream!