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september 2008

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September 24, 2008 | floral trends

Red alert: A great fall neutral for flower fans

by Jacqueline


Teleflora's Indian Summer
 
Sure, red is the color of roses and Valentines. But it also rocks for autumn arrangements. "Red is a great way to add a dash of bright color, whether it's a wreath or plant for your front porch or a floral arrangement for your table," says Carol Caggiano, freelance floral designer AIFD, PFCI.

And if you’re giving a bouquet as a gift, red blends in well with many decors.

You could take the red theme even further, Carol says, recalling a memorable wedding she designed in NYC using red roses and dahlias. The reds were accented with leaves and bittersweet for texture as well as more roses and dahlias in burgundy and orange.

To translate that rich, romantic look to a dinner party at home, Carol suggests thinking of your dining area as a “tablescape” with several vases of loosely arranged flowers (say one of dahlias, two of roses), rather than one large, structured centerpiece.

And now the fun part: Fill in with votive candles, fruit, pumpkins, cabbage, leaves and/or petals loosely scattered (perhaps leaves and orange rose petals) along the table. Closer to the holidays, you could swap pine needles for the leaves.

Because of all the rich color that’s naturally available in the fall, this is a great time to create arrangements. Carol suggests using no more than 3 variations of flowers in the same color family (say orange roses, red callas and yellow lilies) and 2-3 types of foliage or other accent, such as berries, seed pods or wildflowers.

And of course you can never go wrong with different kinds of flower, all one color (burgundy hydrangea and burgundy roses, for example) or one type of flower in a few different colors (yellow, orange and brown mums perhaps).

To sum it up: One color OR one type.

Crunched for time? Your Teleflora florist can help out whatever the occasion. And Carol offers this quick and easy tip using real or artificial apples. Line a 20" by 14" basket with birch branches, cut into 3" pieces. Place the apples inside and sprinkle more birch on top. Voila!

Flower Fact of the Day: The colored part of the calla lily can bruise easily, so be careful when handling. And callas are thirsty so be sure to refresh their water frequently.
 

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September 23, 2008 | floral calendar

“Bella Italia” is the theme for 2009 Philadelphia Flower Show

by Jacqueline


About 250,000 are likely to visit the country’s largest flower show next spring. The show is inspired by the landscapes, gardens and culture of Italy or as Flower Show Designer Sam Lemheney puts it: “It’s about the allure of Italy, the artistry and the passion.”

When: March 1-8, 2009
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia
Price: $22 for adults/advance purchase
Contact: 215-988-8899, theflowershow.com  

Flower Fact of the Day: Want sweet sleep? Try fresh roses. German researchers found that roses’ fragrance before bedtime led to more pleasant emotions in their research subjects’ dreams. Read more at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7628744.stm.  
 

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September 22, 2008 | floral trends

Top 5 fall flowers: Surprise a special guy

by Jacqueline


Over the weekend, three friends of mine, all men, told me that they’d love to get flowers as a gift. One’s a gardener so that wasn’t a shock. The other said he puts flowers on his desk the first day of starting a work project because the bouquet helps him focus. The third liked the novelty of it.

Whether birthday, anniversary or no reason at all (my favorite reason), you can be sure you’re giving a unique and memorable gift.

With that in mind, I’ve made a list of the top 5 fall flowers (because they’re in peak season, prices should be very reasonable) and checked it against the wedding anniversary list.

If you’ve sent flowers to men, I’d love to hear about the experience. Drop me a note and tell me about it.

Carnation
A classic fall flower that will look good for up to two weeks, carnations are stunning or their own or mixed with other blooms. Carnations are the flower for couples celebrating their 1st anniversary.

Hayride

Sunflowers
Not ready for fall? Keep the summer vibe going with cheerful yet regal sunflowers. Long-lasting and easy to care for, these blooms symbolize loyalty. Sunflowers are the 3rd anniversary flower.

Hydrangea
I love the full, lush look of hydrangea, especially white. And in the language of flowers, they represent praise and appreciation. Hydrangeas are the 4th anniversary flower.

Callas
Callas are one of this fall’s most popular flowers. Their prices have fallen and they come in cool colors galore. Callas are the 6th anniversary flower.

Chrysanthemums
Long associated with abundance and loveliness, the chrysanthemum is also a symbol for fidelity. Chrysanthemums are the 13th anniversary flower.

Also great for men, but not specific to the fall season are:

Bird of Paradise
Sometimes called the Crane flower, the sleek, striking bloom radiates strength and vigor. BoP is the 9th wedding anniversary flower.

Orchids
Anyone with an eye for beauty will appreciate an orchid. Despite their high-maintenance reputation, orchids are robust and hardy. They’re the 14th anniversary flower.

Rose
The ultimate romance flower, your man will be impressed. After all, they’ve worked for famous couples ever since the days of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. They’re the 15th anniversary flower.

Daisy
Who doesn’t love a daisy? No man or woman I know. Perfect for a friend, boyfriend, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, cousin, boss, colleague … you get the idea. They’re the 5th anniversary flower.

Flower Fact of the Day: The tradition of picking a flower’s petals to determine if “he loves me” (or not) began in Victorian times using daisies.
 


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September 19, 2008 | out and about

Gardens at Getty Villa let you travel back in time: Part Two

by Jacqueline


At the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, CA., you can get in touch with your inner aristocrat. These lovely surroundings, modeled after a 1st century Roman house, remind us of how a wealthy, well established family of that time would have escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

Manicured and formal, the gardens were almost like outdoor rooms, echoing the symmetry and elegance of the house, says Professor Frank McDonough, botanical information consultant at the L.A. County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, arboretum.org.

Also key to their design: areas for private, even secretive, conversations. These spots would be walled off or separated from other areas with plants.    

Romans loved flowers just as we do, though, of course, much has changed since then. For example, roses were grown not for ornament, but because their petals were used in ceremonies and cooking. And when mixed with water, they provided an early form of deodorant. "

Roses back then were ugly plants," explains McDonough, adding that the flowers were flat, wide open and bloomed infrequently. Still, petals were used so much that huge quantities of roses were imported from Bulgaria and Egypt.

So, if you have the chance, visit the Getty and its gardens. After all, carpe diem!

Getty Villa Gardens
Outer Peristyle
Photo: Richard Ross

The Outer Peristyle is the largest garden at the Getty Villa and offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Plants favored by the ancient Romans, such as bay laurel, boxwood, myrtle, ivy and oleander, are planted around a spectacular 220-foot-long reflecting pool.

Note the bronze sculptures and replicas of statues found at the Villa dei Papiri.


Getty Villa Gardens
East Garden
Photo: Ellen Rosenbery

This walled sanctuary, with two sculptural fountains, is shaded by sycamore and laurel trees. Theatrical masks adorn the mosaic-and-shell fountain on the east wall, while sculpted bronze civet heads spout streams from the center fountain.

Peach-leaf bellflower, Serbian bellflower, blue chimney bellflower, bay laurel, mulberry and butcher’s broom grow here.

Flower Fact of the Day: Another must-see is the Getty’s Brentwood campus where renowned artist Robert Irwin created the central garden. The 134,000-square-foot design features a natural ravine, tree-lined walkway, bougainvillea arbors, a waterfall and a pool with a floating maze of azaleas. 
 

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September 18, 2008 | out and about

Gardens at Getty Villa let you travel back in time: Part One

by Jacqueline


Flowers have brief lives, but their history stretches back centuries.

And in Roman times, gardens were a status symbol in a competitive society. “They were there to impress,” says Professor Frank McDonough, botanical information consultant at the L.A. County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, arboretum.org. (Some things never change, right?)

He notes that the Romans used their gardens for exercise, relaxation, contemplation, conversation and learning. “Romans wanted a sense of control over their surroundings and gardens provided that. Once they felt in control, they had a sense of serenity. That’s still true with many gardens today.”

At the Getty Villa getty.edu in Pacific Palisades, CA., you can get an idea of how a patrician Roman might have enjoyed the flowers, trees and herbs of the era.

The Villa, which now serves as an educational center and museum, is a stunning re-creation of a 1st century Roman country house, modeled after the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy.

According to the Getty Web site: “Gardens are integral to the setting of the Getty Villa, as they were in the ancient Roman home. Open spaces around the site feature bronze sculptures, fountains and lush plantings. … About 300 varieties of plant material are used in the landscaping of the Getty Villa.”

I visited the Getty recently and wanted to share the experience with fellow flower lovers. These images are used with special permission from the J. Paul Getty Trust.


Getty Villa Gardens
Inner Peristyle
Photo: Juergen Nogai and Julius Shulman

A peristyle is a covered walkway. Around a narrow reflecting pool sit replicas of finds from the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, including square marble basins and bronze statues.

Plants in this area include acanthus, boxwood, Serbian bellflower, foxglove, hellbore, English ivy, bay laurel and yew.


Getty Villa Gardens
Herb Garden
Photo: Juergen Nogai and Julius Shulman

A small pool of water lilies forms the centerpiece of this quiet spot.

The ancient Romans used plants and flowers in cooking, ceremonies and medicine. What grows here now? Wormwood, calamint, fig, fennel, lavender, apple, peppermint, English mint, horsemint, spearmint, catmint, olive, oregano, marjoram, stone pine, cherry, peach, pomegranate, pear, damask rose, rosemary, feverfew, thyme and grape.


Getty Villa Gardens
A view of the Herb Garden and the southwest facade of the villa.
Photo: Richard Ross

Stop by tomorrow to see more pix!

Flower Fact of the Day: The leaves of the lamb's ear plant are so soft that Romans used them as bandages.