flower blog

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  


It is such a healing and comfortable feeling to have flowers all around the home. We have customers that have a standing order for flowers for their home. They do not have to be expensive.

A few dollars for a seasonal assortment to spread around the house each week goes a long way. I can’t wait to see what each week’s assortment will bring. Now that is fun. It is like a never-ending display of nature.

If you are or hosting an Easter meal, flowers can go in more places than just as a centerpiece for the table. Try creating a gerbera or rose curtain against a wall. Use pearl head pins from your florist on top of each flower head and secure it with some monofilament, thin ribbon or decorative beading wire, depending on the look you want.

Tie the next one on the short stem of the top one. Make several and pin to the ceiling to create your curtain. This can also be used over the party table for a fantastic display.

Here are some other fun ideas to try. Make a tall frame of bamboo, attach to each chair and hang wind chimes accented with flowers and streaming ribbon for an outdoor spring do. Set the table with square boxes paved with daisies interspersed with shoots of grasses.

Or, if you are more ambitious, prepare the boxes with wet cotton sheets and layer with birdseed or beans and let them germinate for a sod effect. You can intersperse with daisy heads for extra color on top of the sheets of sprouts.

There are so many creative ways to spruce up your home or party with flowers. They are so versatile and, in essence, are essential to every facet of our lives. In this time and age, we need to have fun and that fun is flowers.
 

Today's post is from expert florist Gerard Toh, AIFD.



In addition to being Teleflora’s Educational Specialist/Industry Relations, Mr. Toh serves as:

*Creative Director, Sherman Oaks Florist, http://www.shermanoaksflorist.com/;  

*Creative Director, Human Resources, Century City Flower Mart, http://www.centurycityflowermart.com/;  

*Special Projects Art Director, Bride and Bloom magazine, http://www.thebrideandbloom.com/.  


Flowers are special. That is so serious sounding. We use flowers for serious occasions like a wedding or a fancy dinner party. We send flowers to wish someone speedy recovery or to send love to survivors of the dearly departed.

I think flowers should also be fun. Flowers’ bright and cheery nature calls for its use in bright and cheery occasions. I often take flowers home just because I can. Flowers can also be a source of joy when you arrange them just for yourself. No need to take it seriously.

Pick up a bunch of gerbera daisies at your local florist and plunk them into a tall thin cylinder vase with some bear grass. Letting them fall every which way gives them a playful look. The same goes for tulips. The taller French tulips make even more of a statement.

I am passionate about flowers. I don’t have any preconceptions about which flowers are trendy and which are not. I love them all. It is ok to pick up a bunch of carnations for the home. There are so many new varieties of these amazing flowers in so many incredible colors. Cluster a bunch of natural green ones and mix them with the new dark purple ones in a purple vase for a vibrant setting.

Teleflora's Fashionista Blooms is a mix of roses, gerberas, hydrangea, carnations and buttonspray chrysanthemums.

Some other flowers that are severely overlooked are chrysanthemums and gladiolus. Mums are long lasting and also come in several shapes. Try mixing varieties in a heaping bundle on a coffee table. Gladioli placed in a vase are impressive on an entrance table. They can be collared with a base of assorted greenery for a fuller look.

Imagine red gladiolus against a hot pink wall or green ones against a purple or plum wall! When dahlias are in, I would mix different varieties and cluster them tightly in a low ceramic bowl. They look good anywhere. A single stem of phaleonopsis orchids or cymbidiums set in a vase exude a sophistication that is unmatched.

It does not have to be a special occasion to use flowers. Pick up a mixed bunch of flowers when you are just visiting friends. Most florists will custom mix your bunch for you. Have fun picking and choosing your colors and flowers. If you know where the flowers will be placed, have the florist arrange the bunch so that it will be ready to be placed into a vase with the right mix of colors and flowers.

It is also fun to arrange them with your friends. I always recommend that the bunch of mixed flowers can be separated and placed in several different containers. That way, every room will be beautified with flowers.

A couple of roses in a bud vase for the bedroom or a stem of dendrobium orchid florets floating in a bowl on a coffee table or an assortment set in a vase for the dinning table…all from that bunch of flowers you brought.

Remember to do this for yourself as well because you deserve flowers!
 

Spring makes us ponder the beauty and mystery of nature, particularly flowers. And who better to muse on the meaning of color and form bursting into new life than a gifted poet like e.e. cummings?

in time of daffodils

in time of daffodils (who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why, remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so (forgetting seem)

in time of roses (who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if, remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek (forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me, remember me

-- e.e. cummings

Reading this made me think of a Teleflora bouquet called Love Letter Roses. Just right to welcome sunny days and a little romance, yes? ;) 


 

Don't forget to enter Flower Blog's monthly flower bouquet sweepstakes. Make a comment on any post this month and you'll be automatically entered. The winner for March will be picked on or around April 6. To see the official rules, visit www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/It's-that-time-again-a-chance-to-win-flowers.aspx. Good luck, flower fans, and enjoy your spring bouquets.





Lilies are the birth flower for May and the 30th wedding anniversary flower. Lilies of the valley are the 2nd wedding anniversary flower.