Garden of Grace

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As a previous guest of The Flower Podcast, Gracie Poulson has shared with us her floral story, a lovely tour of the rose gardens, is a gracious supporter of the podcast, and I am grateful to have Gracie share her newest dream-come-true addition to her gorgeous rose journey. Gracie and her husband, Ryan, have truly embodied everything fabulous about growing garden roses.

The roses have been flourishing this year at Grace Rose Farm. With the addition of hoop houses to protect from the winter cold, the harvest is more lush than ever, and the hoops are creating the perfect environment and extending their season. This year, Gracie, like so many saw the need to adapt their business model and established more of a retail store and marketing direct to consumers creating a better customer experience.

Introducing Garden of Grace, a field-to-fragrance experience that truly embodies the femininity, romance, and timeless beauty of their garden roses, ethically grown and harvested on the Grace Rose Farm in Santa Ynez, California.

Steam distillation captures the very essence of the roses, transporting you to their fields by bringing to life the crisp, light scent of garden roses. Precious rose hydrosol and essential oil are combined with clean beauty ingredients resulting in luxurious and fragrant products meant to nourish and uplift.

This new beauty line radiates femininity and whimsy, while imparting sweet, floral notes. Infused with the romance and tenderness of the rose petals they’ve grown, they have crafted a timeless trio to carry through the seasons.

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As current stewards of the land, Gracie and Ryan have spent years nurturing the soil and rose plants with the utmost care and love. While growing cut roses was always the goal, Gracie, a beauty product enthusiast, also dreamed of a 'field to fragrance' experience. It took years of patiently nourishing the plants to finally produce the quality of rose petals needed to make that dream a reality, and we couldn't be more excited to transport you to the Garden of Grace.

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One refreshing addition to the beauty line is the Garden of Grace Rose Water. With 95% rose water and only 5% organic stabilizer, Gracie shares the process perfected by Ryan, collecting petals and distilling directly on the farm with a distiller built by Ryan. By harvesting petals to be used in the collection, Gracie and Ryan are cultivating a more sustainable operation and eliminating as much waste as possible.

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Rose Botanical Collection

Another lovely addition to Grace Rose Farm is their Garden Rose Botanical fine art prints. A celebration of nature, botanical art provides us with a connection to the outdoors and are the epitome of timeless romance and elegance. Click here to see each beautiful print and check availability.

Bonus Episode

Gracie and I recently reconnected for a special bonus episode of The Flower Podcast. Known for her beautiful, organically grown roses, Gracie has launched her new beauty line and shares the process, the journey, and what is next for Grace Rose Farm.

Original episode with Gracie Paulson

What began with a few beautiful rose images shared on Instagram blossomed into a beautiful story!  Gracie Poulson of Grace Rose Farm shares her floral journey this week on The Flower Podcast. From early childhood to dragging her rose pots into her New York apartment for the winter, Gracie has always had a soft spot for roses. Along with her husband Ryan, the two have grown her love of roses into a remarkable business specializing in organically grown old fashioned garden roses. Gracie shares her rose journey, business and rose advice, and pivoting during the effects of COVID-19.

Ryan and Gracie Poulson join Scott through Instagram Live and share the beauty of their rose farm specializing in old fashioned garden roses. It’s a bit fuzzy at times but a wonderful chat showcasing the growing process, varieties, and answering questions

Many thanks to Gracie and Ryan for their continued support of The Flower Podcast. Be sure to visit their website, Grace Rose Farm to shop the Garden of Grace Collection featuring the Garden of Grace Candle, Rose Water, and Eau De Parfum perfect for holiday gifts, the Rose Botanical Collection, and of course, the magnificent, fresh rose bouquets!

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Up and Coming Talent: Amanda Rodgers

My most cherished days of working in floral wholesale will always be working with my clients. Each one presented opportunities to learn something new, to share in our common love of flowers, and most importantly to grow a relationship. I especially love opportunities to assist someone just starting their floral journey. Maybe I feel the same excitement and anxiousness as they are feeling and the joy of being able to help them along the way.

I believe we all have gifts and talents to share with one another even as we continue to grow ourselves. Lending a helping hand, encouraging words, constructive critiques, engaging through human interaction (hopeful for the day): each connection is important. While still at Cut Flower Wholesale, I had the privilege of meeting Amanda Rodgers as she began her new floral journey. I recently asked Amanda to share a little about her floral story, and I am happy to share with you.

 
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Why flowers?

Ever since I can remember, I have planted flower gardens.  When I was a little girl, I was fortunate to have a large flower garden.  We grew a mix of perennials and annuals.  I remember the cleomes always taking over the garden each year.  When I was 10, I went to the Philadelphia flower show with my grandmother and those remarkable displays are still on my mind.  After college, I moved to the country outside of Athens, Ga and started farming vegetables and flowers for a couple of years.

Funny story, in high school, I took a career aptitude test and my result was florist.  I thought they were crazy at the time!  Florist? Why would I ever want to be a florist?  So instead, I went to Paris to study cooking.  I worked in restaurants and food retail, finally settling on teaching cooking.  About a year ago, I just randomly started buying floral arranging books, then more books, then every book I could get my hands on.

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What have been your greatest sources for learning floral design?

Playing with flowers, lots and lots of flowers!  I try to reuse flowers many times, making something, then taking it apart and trying something different.

I have signed up for many online video courses including Tulipina, Susan McLeary, Sinclair and Moore, Putnam and Putnam, and Joseph Massie.  Each designer provides a unique perspective and approach to design.  Last year, I attended Flowerstock, seeing the designers work up and close (and in 3 dimensions) was very helpful.  This year, I attended a wonderful hands on workshop with Hitomi Gilliam.

Of course I have to ask, What is your favorite flower ?

Hyacinth (for as long as I can remember). The perfum is intoxicating!  In the springtime, I become the crazy lady at the grocery store, picking up every hyacinth plant, closing my eyes and inhaling! 😂

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Perry Ann Photography @perryannphotgraphy | Venue: Meadowlark 1939

Perry Ann Photography @perryannphotgraphy | Venue: Meadowlark 1939

Bouquet Atlanta

My business is me and my 140 lb Newfoundland dog in the basement.  I have an online shop on Shopify to sell arrangements for delivery.  Instagram is a great platform for me, driving lots of business through emails and DMs. Currently the business is delivering locally in Atlanta: bespoke garden style arrangements and hand tied bouquets. We also have started corporate floral installations and florals for intimate events. Eventually I would love to open a retail shop, but for now I want to grow the business organically. 

Photography: Bon Photage | @bonphotage | www.bonphotage.comPlanning & Design: Krissy Campbell | @krissycampbell_celebrations | www.krissycampbell.comVenue: Swan House at Atlanta History Center | @atlantahistorycenter | www.atlantahistorycenter.c…

Photography: Bon Photage | @bonphotage | www.bonphotage.com

Planning & Design: Krissy Campbell | @krissycampbell_celebrations | www.krissycampbell.com

Venue: Swan House at Atlanta History Center | @atlantahistorycenter | www.atlantahistorycenter.com/explore/destinations/swan-house

Floral Design: Bouquet Atlanta | @bouquetatlanta | NA

Day of Coordination: Ashlie Muller Celebrations | @ashliemullercelebrations | www.ashliemuller.com

Gowns, Shoes & Veil: Claire Pettibone | @clairepettibone | www.clairepettibone.com

Tux: Common Wealth Proper Atlanta | @commonwealthproper | www.commonwealthproper.com

Tabletop Rentals: TableMade | @tablemadeco | www.tablemade.co

Linens: I Do Linens | @idolinens | www.idolinens.com

Tables & Chairs: Peachtree Tents & Events | @peachtreetents | www.peachtreetents.com

Stationery: Erin Braun Design | @erinbraundesign | www.erinbraundesign.com

Cake: Cake Envy Georgia | @cake_envy_ga | www.cakeenvyonline.com

Rings: Mineralogy | @mineralogy | www.mineralogydesign.com

Bride: Jasmine Raiford | @jayraiford_

Groom: Justin Burgess | @iam_jburgess

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Who inspires You?

I am drawn to the work of Kiana Underwood and Christin Geall.

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Can you share a piece of advice that has resonated with you so far in your floral journey?

From Hitomi at the workshop in Atlanta.

She said she likes to judge an arrangement from the side and back first.  That piece of advice changed how I start and compose arrangements.

Thank you Amanda for sharing your amazing images and your new endeavor with Bouquet Atlanta. I am looking forward to watching your business thrive and your success in the floral industry. Keep pressing forward! Our floral community is excited for you and I know you are among friends and colleagues eager to help as well as learn together.

Falling in Love with Roses

Fall has always been my favorite time of year for flowering. The cooler weather and the autumn colors inspire a symphony of colors and textures that are a floral feast to behold. We love ALL of the stunning Dahlias, heirloom mums, berries, and the plethora of beauty that comes with this season. Recently, I was scrolling through the tens of thousands of images of flowers on my phone and came across a rose, a single rose that was so amazing it totally inspired me to create this blog post this week.

Every year, I am asked about my preferences of roses, what I like and what is available for the beautiful color stories for this time of year. So I thought I would focus on my favorites for this blog post. I’ve divided the roses up by the regions from which I sourced them. I’d love to know you’re favorites!!

Heirloom Garden Roses

Californian Grown Roses

Holland Roses

South American Roses

I hope you found inspiration and acquired a few new roses along the way. Seasons and availability can vary with all of these roses. Sometimes it’s due to the high demand and only a handful of growers, so be sure to place orders early and have a substitute in mind just as a back up plan. In some cases, roses may be grown in multiple regions of the world so check with your local wholesaler, grower, or favorite online source.

Rose images of Grace Rose Farm provided by Gracie Paulson. Caramel Antike image from Garden Roses Direct. All other images by Scott Shepherd.

Staying on Trend with Accent Decor

I believe we have all learned from the events of 2020: the importance of flexibility, adaptability, perseverance, and empathy. We are thankful to have the support of companies that understand the nature of the floral business and continue to accommodate the changing needs of the industry.

I am excited, once again, to highlight just a small offering from the beautiful collections of Accent Decor. Each season Accent Decor’s Creative Team analyzes trends across the globe and continues to be the go-to-source for what’s new, current and trending for the coming year. This year, with so many changes from large scale events to microweddings, Accent Decor’s versatile selections provided ease in adapting to any event.

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Show Stopper

Create a memorable WOW moment for any size event with the new addition of the Moon Gate and Lunar Grid Hanger. I am loving the Moon Gate! Made of metal, this sturdy piece will withstand the weight of full floral covering yet beautifully designed to accommodate partial exposure. Perfectly sized to be the focal point or used in multiples, the uniqueness of the Lunar Grid Hanger adds a starry element of magic and celestial ambience. Explore more options for suspendible pieces, hanging saucers, vases, pots, and more at Accent Decor.com

Geometric Metals

Geometrical structures have always fascinated me. A piece of art by design alone, geometric patterns bring an element of dimension and character to design. I chose these pieces for their modern yet classic appeal not only in shape but material. To me, metal will always be in style. It’s look can be very simplistic and can stand alone, or incorporated into innovative and futuristic design. Available in an assortment of finishes from burnished finishes to timeless golds, Accent Decor has a fabulous collection of metal vessels, stands, columns and more. 

Make a Statement

More than ever, we are longing to gather and connect with family and friends. Events and weddings have always provided the perfect backdrop for such gatherings. Although the grandeur of an entrance, the splendor of the venue, the thoughtfully, curated welcome gifts are wonderful components of an event, I believe the most intimate element for guests may be the reception, dinner, etc. Each season, Accent Decor introduces standout pieces fashioned to compliment any design or aesthetic. Search your favorites of vessels, stands, urns, compotes, and more.

Ambience

Last but certainly not least, llighting. An essential element to create the perfect ambience, lighting transforms a beautiful space and sets the mood for an event.  Whether you are creating a romantic starry sky, illuminating garden paths, or setting a romantic tablescape, the choice of lighting cannot be neglected. Explore Accent Decor’s vast selection of lanterns, candelabra, chandeliers, candles, votives, and more to add a warm welcome and romantic element to your event.

Although my focus for this blog post is events and weddings, Accent Decor has collections for so much more. Accent Decor brings you a vast selection of ceramics, glass, and natural vessels along with accessories for the home as well as the great outdoors. Visit their newly user-enhanced website, create an account, and begin your floral inspiration experience.

Catalogs and Trendbooks of Accent Decor

Bouquet Inspiration from Ariella Chezar

I am delighted to begin our new season with Ariella Chezar as our first guest! Ariella has astounded clients and admirers around the globe with nature-inspired and seasonal relevant delicious designs. Along with this week's episode is an additonal segment with Ariella as we discuss business changes in the recent months. Ariella shares her inspirations, business tips, sustainability, and more.

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Weddings are an intimate celebration shared with family and friends. From the moment guests arrived, they enter the couple’s vision for their special day. From the selection of the venue, the carefully planned and executed decor, to the send off of the newly married couple, there is one moment that usually transcends all other wow moments…

The entrance of the bride is truly an iconic moment for any wedding. Smiles and emotions abounding, the bride captivates us with her joy, the perfectly chosen dress, and of course our floral senses are attracted to beautiful wedding bouquet.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

I always love the classic white bridal bouquet. Ariella’s choice of florals for this piece truly give this classic look that something special we all are excited to see. This stunning design has two elements that I especially want to highlight. First, the purple accent from the Auriculas flowers which are actually plants that have been adapted for this bouquet. Not only a beautiful flower, but a great technique incorporating plants in bouquets, root ball and all. Secondly, the use of Eucharis, also known as Amazon Lily, throughout this elegant bouquet is pure white, reminding me of the shape of a daffodil, but has a hollow stem like an amaryllis. Usually they come with several buds that often will continue to open as the older flowers begin to fade. A very special flower, which is very white and unusual.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

Gorgeous, Elegant, and I can’t stop gazing at this bouquet. At first glance, this bouquet is a gorgeous collection of white’s, pinks, and greens creating a soft pastel color combination. With the stunning gown as a backdrop to this bouquet, the flower palette echoes the beauty of summer florals. From the Dahlia’s and the Zinnia’s to the blushest of Snowberry and Autumn Clematis, there are so many elements that have been orchestrated in this stunning creation both feminine and graceful. Don’t miss the use of Carnations, Nerines, and Japanese Anemones.

Photograph by Judy Pak

Photograph by Judy Pak

Don’t let the casual manner in which this bouquet is being held fool you. It’s a work of art like all of the bouquets by Ariella. I especially love the use of a couple of varieties of Fritillaria, mixed with the spring bulbs like hyacinth and tulips. It can be difficult to work with branches in a bouquet because of their size and rigidity, however, by using the tips of the crabapple you can see the white of the blossom, along with the blush daintiness in the bud. And that dogwood, is so wonderful too! There are so many things about this bouquet that makes it seem traditional, yet is unlike anything that you would grow to expect in a bridal bouquet.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

Why does yellow get such a bad rap? We often find ourselves drawn to these flowers, especially in the spring, but may seldom have the opportunity to work with them because of traditional wedding color stories. This bouquet, I hope, will make us think twice before we ditch the ideas of yellow as a wedding color. I love the use of Yellow Parrot Tulips with the mix of Creamy Fringed Tulips. What makes this bouquet so special is the hidden treasures within the masterpiece, like the Fritillaria, Dicentra(Bleeding Heart), Gloriosa, Daffodils, Clematis, Spirea, and yes, Lily of the Valley.

Photograph by Corin Gurkin

Photograph by Corin Gurkin

I’ve been asked many times over the years about cut Azaleas in design work. I know that it’s great for weddings and events especially, but the vase life depends on the cut stage. I’ve seen it open in the vase and shine with all of it’s glory, but in this bouquet I especially love the use of the White Azalea in the bud form. The flowers are so white and the cluster of buds adds lovely texture. The wispy, thin, flowering branches are Cotoneaster, a wonderful foliage with a very small white flower and silver-grey leaf that’s lighter on the underside. In addition, Sweet Peas, Columbine, Fritillaria, Ranunculus, Anemones, Gloriosa, Leucocoryne, Parrot Tulips, Hellebores, Garden Roses, and Lilac.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin

From Roses to Ranunculus, this bouquet takes us on a color journey. From the palest of Peach Roses, to the darkest of Coral Ranunculus, this bouquet is the perfect image of the amalgamation of fabulous colors. In several of the bouquets in the post, you’ll see Hellebores, Carnations, and Eleagnus, a foraged greenery. Add the perfect combination of color to bridge the palest of colors to the richest of colors and you have another masterpiece. Mix in the White Muscari and White Fritillaria, with the Salmon Parrots and the eye continues its journey of vibrant colors. This bouquet has the feel of freshly harvested flowers during a morning stroll in the garden.

Photograph by Jose Villa

Photograph by Jose Villa

So many different flowers all working together like each one was made for this moment and this moment alone. There are two flowers in this bouquet that I want to mention…the Orchids and the Ranunculus. Even though you might not have thought they belong together, their similar spotting or markings bring them together perfectly. By adding just the smallest amount of Acacia or Mimosa, the soft yellow texture creates an airiness among the more bold additional elements like the yellow Ranunculus and spray roses. One of the tips that I saw from a designer was to edit the Acasia stems by removing just a few of the yellow blooms. The abundance of yellow can sometime be overpowering and take away from the overall aesthetic, but used in this manner works wonderfully. In addition, this bouquet contains, Paper White Narcissus, Seeded Eucalyptus, and Hellebore.

I love exploring these amazing bouquets by Ariella Chezar! Each bouquet is perfectly unique and invites us to participate in this floral bouquet journey . It’s easy to take a look and say, “Wow!”, but when you start to really examine the sophisticated collection in each of these designs, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect what makes them so magical. I’m often asked how does one stand out in such a strong community of talent. THIS is how you stand out, you dig deeply into floral varieties and explore the wonder of the flowers of the season and find sources that provide brilliant options. Explore, Create, Embrace Challenges, and dare to be adventurous with flowers….this can and will set you apart. Flowers will never disappoint!

All the Best, Scott

Listen to Ariella’s floral journey below or visit our webpage to learn more about Ariella and her amazing designs.

What a pleasure to begin our new season with Ariella Chezar. I love this portion of her bio, "Whether it is collaborating on a spectacular event, teaching a room full of flower lovers, planting thousands of tulips or styling a photo shoot, I consider myself lucky to love every aspect of my color filled world."


Flower Pull by Debbie Kline at Florabundance

Joost Bongaerts, owner and president of Florabundance, was a recent guest of The Flower Podcast. As one of the premier sources for wholesale fresh cut flowers, branched fruits, garlands, and greens in North America, Florabundance supplies floral designers with amazing variety, value and versatility.

After my chat with Joost, I thought our listeners would enjoy a closer look into the coolers of Florabundance and Joost agreed a ‘Flower Pull’ (as we in the industry say) was a great option.

Debbie Kline selected this beautiful collection of fresh and dried flowers, grasses, and foliages in a popular color palette for an Instagram Live. I certainly miss having my hands on flowers everyday so this was a wonderful treat especially to share with a fellow flower enthusiasts.

With this wonderful assortment of flowers, I wanted to share a list of the selections by name and variety (if known) for greater ease in identification. Being able to identify and communicate your preferences in your floral order is helpful to everyone in the process. We always encourage supporting our local growers and wholesalers but not everyone has that option so being able to source product from trusted companies with experience in shipping is a must.

Be sure to explore Florabundance.com for their full catalog or contact one of their floral experts. The Florabundance.com online shop is open seven days per week, 24 hours a day. Receive 10% off your first online order when you mention The Flower Podcast.

 

Amaranthus, Hanging - Bronze

Areca Palm Leaf per stem

Calathea, White Star 5st bu

Calcynia - White

Carnations, Specialty Putumayo - Beige

Carnations, Specialty Lege Marrone

Chestnut Foliage

Cosmos, Chocolate - Brown

Cotinus Flower - Brown, Fluffy

Dried Bleached Bougainvillea

Dried Bleached Protea Pods

Dried Bleached Yarrow

Echinacea Pods

Eremurus Peach

Eucalyptus, Willow

Eucalyptus, Pods

Eucomis, Pineapple Lily - White and Purple

Fountain Little Bunny Tail Brass

Grass Mixed Bouquet

Grevillea - Red

Helleborus

Hypericum - Peach

Limonium, Misty White

Lisianthus, Double Terra - Light Brown

 

Lisianthus, Double Terra - Light Brown

Lysimachia - White

Millet - Black

Mums, Spray-Cushion - Bronze

Orchid, Lady Slipper - Burgundy

Pampas Grass - Fresh

Papyrus, Umbrella

Pieris, Andromeda - Pink

Ranunculus - Butterfly - Light Pink

Rose CA Garden, Chiffon - Peach

Rose CA Garden Spray, Chantilly Lace

Rose CA Spray, Bridal Viel

Rose Dutch, Cappuccino Beige 10 stems

Rose S.A. Garden, Playa Blanca/White Beach

Rose S.A., Toffee 50cm - Beige/Brown

Rose S.A., Quicksand 50cm - Beige

Rose S.A. Spray, The Earth - Beige

Rudbeckia - Chocolate

Rudbeckia - Yellow

Scabiosa - Black

Scabiosa - Pods

Seastar Fern

Sword Fern

Yarrow - Red/Rust

 

It was so great to see several of these beautiful flowers from Florabundance!! Thank you Debbie, for pulling such a fabulous mix of flowers with so many of the trending tones. I hope this will help provide several of our listeners with inspiration for now or weddings and events to come soon.

Sunflowers: Exploring the Sunshine of the Summer

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It’s what the sunflowers do. – Helen Keller

Flowers and Photo by Basecamp Farms

Flowers and Photo by Basecamp Farms

Sunflowers have been a staple in the floral industry for as long as I can remember. They have been the shinning star of the summer season, the sunshine of flower field, and I can’t help but smile when I see a sunflower! Over 20 years ago I was asked by a customer if I thought sunflowers would be a fleeting fad or would they endure as a long lasting favorite. I thought back then, as I do now, that sunflowers were here to stay and stay they have. They have only grown in popularity which has led the breeders to develop more and more varieties and styles.

I hope to share some of the names and faces so you can ask for them by name. With every season there is a shift in certain types of flowers and colors. Why not include sunflowers in that transition from spring through fall. There is so much variety within this flower group, we will never have to look at sunflowers as a one trick pony.

This variety is Starburst Lemon Aura, grown by Sapelo Farms.

This variety is Starburst Lemon Aura, grown by Sapelo Farms.

As a grower, there are several determining factors when deciding to grow sunflowers and then which variety to grow. Do you have enough space to grow successions of sunflowers? Is your season long enough? (and most are.) How are you selling them and when are you selling them? Many of the varieties grown for cut production are single cut flowers/plants and the size of growing space and timing plays an important role in profitability.

When we write a blog post, especially about flowers, it’s usually to help you grow in awarenesses of all the varieties or choices that are out in the world of flowers. Well, the family of sunflowers is quite extensive so I hope to scale this information down to the top choices in the family of sunflowers.

I want to also add that all the varieties that I’ll be sharing are considered pollen-less. Your customers will appreciate this more than you’ll ever know. No matter if you make market bouquets or bridal bouquets, pollen gets messy. I’ve seen it happen several times, especially with new growers, if you don’t pay attention and check the varieties you’re going to grow, you may have unhappy customers with yellow stained dresses and tableclothes, or worse.

Vincent’s® Sunflower Series

I have to admit that I was surprised that these three sunflower varieties above are so popular. As I learned more about them, I can totally understand. This series meets all the regular criteria for growing sunflowers. They have a high germination rate and are pollenless. When growing a flower that only produces a single cut flower, days to maturity is key factor for turning the land and increasing your total production. Vincent’s® Sunflower Series is perfect for cut flower production and has become a favorite among flower farmers. Being day length neutral gives more flexibility and is a wonderful choice for succession planting to provide sunflowers through your seasons.  Vincent’s® Choice and Vincent’s® Deep Orange have traditional brown eye centers while Vincent’s®Fresh brings a refreshing pale green center. With its extra layering of golden petals, its appearance boasts a double flowered and fabulous look while also being perfect for bouquets with its bloom facing more upward.

ProCut® Sunflowers

If there is one series that I hear discussed time and time again, it is the tried and true ProCut® series of sunflowers. I’ve heard from several people that the first ProCut® Orange is one of the favorites for strength of stem and brightness of the traditional coloring we’ve all come to love in sunflowers. The second variety is ProCut® Gold. Again, great stems and with the absence of the brown center the brightness of color is bold and beautiful. Last, but not least, ProCut® Horizon has all of the great qualities of this series, however the flower tends to be directed more upward when compared to its cousins. Horizon, refers to the orientation of the flower, which by the way, only enhances this wonderful flowers curb appeal in bouquets or bunches.

I have heard it said that sometimes their flowers are too large. However, these varieties as many of them, are directly affected by temperature, day length, and especially spacing. If you want smaller size flowers with thinner stems, spacing them 6” x 6” or closer will accomplish this. For larger blooms and bigger stems, planting the sunflowers 9” x 9” or more will help give them the space and sun to produce more substantial flowers. You may be surprised that there is a market and uses for both sizes.

The Many colors of Sunflowers

When I read that it could take up to 6-10 years to hybridize a new variety of sunflower I was amazed. I don’t believe any of us will ever grow weary in anticipation of new colors or new varieties in any flower, but sunflower colors will always fascinate me. One of the reasons I get so excited about additional colors is the extension of the growing season providing us with seasonal palettes of beauty. For example, some of the yellow varieties with green centers are very popular in the early spring while the darker chocolates and plums are stunning in the fall. The traditional varieties with the yellow/orange petals and brown/dark centers are in demand year round.

One of my favorites is the first image, ProCut® Plum. Over the years of selling locally grown sunflowers, or for that matter any sunflower, the traditional coloring of the yellow/orange sunflower is always popular throughout the summer and the fall. This traditional flower however, isn’t always popular for weddings and events and tends to be more theme specific. . ProCut® Plum lends itself to bridging so many of the stunning color palettes of the fall wedding and event season and easy to incorporate with the more muted tones of cocoas, blush, and golds. This sunflower definitely makes its presence known.

ProCut® Red is nothing short of rich lushness. Over the years I’ve been asked for red varieties, and I have to admit that I would have never thought of this as “red,” but as this deep rust-colored flower opens, it unfurls to hints of red wine and crimson extending from a chocolate center. Not a traditional red, but a beautiful rustish red, perfect for the late summer into the fall season.

The third image is ProCut® White Nite, one of the newer varieties of “White” sunflowers. Haven’t we all longed for a white sunflower? Our wait is over. This lovely cream fades to ivory and continues to grow lighter and more beautiful. Be sure to check out the ProCut® White Lite as another option. The difference of two being their lovely centers. White Nite with its traditional brown center compared to the yellow honey colored center of White Lite . These varieties of ProCut® sunflowers have increased the marketability and range of colors within the world of sunflowers, and I am eagerly anticipating future varieties!

Branching Sunflowers

Branching sunflowers are something that I’ve recently started exploring. Many years ago, I would have local flower farmers bring me selections of branching sunflowers much to both of our disappointment. Their stems were too short and the shelf life was less than favorable. Recently, I visited a flower farm in North Georgia, Sapelo Farms. Gabe and B.A., a wonderful mother/daughter team have experienced a great level of success growing these varieties above and refreshed my interest to look at them again. We took these images while we were visiting, and I was very impressed. Gabe said the stem length and flower size work great for their market bouquets. The shelf life was greater than 7+ days, while each plant continues to produce several stems increasing the production in each row. All three provided clean pretty flowers on nice stems, of course shorter than single stem varieties, but still beautiful flowers for smaller spaces.

Fan Favorites

Recently we conducted a very informal survey through Instagram and many of the varieties above were included, however these three I felt needed to be mentioned.

The first image is of what many call the Teddybear Sunflower. With it’s apparent lack of a center and abundant petal count, there are now several hybridized varieties that fall into this category. I’ve seen Teddybear Sunflowers large and small, both have always been popular among the novelty sunflower connoisseurs.

The next two varieties have definitely paved the way to a pale lemon shade of yellow, Sunflower Jade and Sunflower Limoncello. Limoncello was a popular variety that we were able to source from California from time to time. It’s lighter yellow would sometimes clash with other yellow shades, but the novelty, size, and clarity of color, made it a true favorite for florists.

ProCut® Plum grown, designed, and photographed by Jennie Love, Love ‘N Fresh Flowers.

ProCut® Plum grown, designed, and photographed by Jennie Love, Love ‘N Fresh Flowers.

If you’re new to sunflower growing and processing, I might add that these pillars of the summer cutting garden need a good clean cut and LOTS of water. I was regularly accused of putting too much water in a sunflower bucket, only to return to it the next day half empty. These thirsty giants will perform well for you and your customers all summer long, so prepare to plant almost weekly successions.

Sunflowers are the main attraction of summer. If you’re part of a busy weekend farmers market and you sell sunflowers, I’m sure you’ve seen it time and time again… Someone across the crowded distance sees those big happy faces of yellow and brown smiling brilliantly and they make a bee line straight to your table or booth! These beauties ooze sunshine and spark a sense of joy and delight just waiting to be scooped up and taken home.

It’s so tempting to stick with the tried and true, but with all of the new varieties available now, I encourage you to explore these incredible selections. So whether you are the florist or the farmer, I believe you will be delighted with the new color innovations in the world of sunflowers.

This is but a taste of the world of sunflowers. With over 70+ cultivars of sunflowers, we’ve only scratched the surface of an ever-growing family of flowers that bring so much joy and happiness from a single bouquet to changing the face of a large event. There is sunflower for every occasion! If you haven’t grown sunflowers before now, it’s probably not too late to add this incredible addition to your garden or cut flower farm. Find your favorite variety, explore the offerings, and most importantly give your feedback to a local wholesaler or local flower source.

Peony Highlights from Alaska Peony Cooperative

As the curtain falls upon the glorious peony season in the lower 48, a new season is just beginning to peak among the majestic backdrop of white tipped mountains, 20 hour sun filled days, and fields patiently waiting to burst into a kaleidoscope of color. The Alaskan Peony Season has arrived!

I recently spoke with Martha Lojewski, Sales Manager for Alaska Peony Cooperative, in a podcast episode and also was joined by two amazing peony growers on IG Live for tours showcasing their own peony fields. Peonies continue to be one of the favorite flowers for floral work and for personal gardens around the world. With its signature lush blooms, versatile color palette, and of course their unforgettable fragrance, peonies are a perfect choice for the simplest of bouquets to the luxurious most dreamy wedding.

In a previous blog post, we featured the Alaska Peony Cooperative “ How to Plant a Peony Cutting Garden”, a guide to creating and maintaining a beautiful display of peonies. Click Here to learn more about the comprehensive guide to planting, irrigation, maintenance, cultivars and more.

I am excited to bring you just a few of my favorites from this latest guide by Alaska Peony Cooperative, “Passionate for Peonies Guide”. For the complete PDF follow the link at the end of the post.

Be sure to listen to Martha’s episode and visit our YouTube Channel for the peony farm tours through Instagram LIVE. We’ve included links at the end of this post. We’re also excited to share, that for the 2020 Peony Season, you can use the Discount Code THEFLOWERPODCAST and save 20% off your peony order when you Shop Alaska Peony Cooperative.

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Image by @abigaillewisphoto ⁠

Image by @abigaillewisphoto ⁠

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There’s so much great content about each of these peonies, some of which I’m just now learning about too. Being able to source peonies throughout the summer, especially this summer with the downsizing of weddings to a more intimate congregation of family and friends, it’s nice to know that you can access peonies to make your wedding and event extra special.

The season for peonies with the Alaska Peony Cooperative begins June 29th and hopefully will extend to August 13th, give or take a few days, due to weather. So if you need flowers for a bridal bouquet or to create a stunning tablescape, know that you can order as few as 20 stems up to whatever number of stems you might want. With the Cooperatives smaller packing you can even order these amazing flowers for friends and family members as special gifts.

Again, We’re also excited to share, that for the 2020 Peony Season, you can use the Discount Code THEFLOWERPODCAST and save 20% off your peony order.

If you’ve enjoyed these information packed pages, I would encourage you to follow the link below to see the full 30 page resource from the Alaska Peony Cooperative. Thank you Martha and the entire cooperative for you dedication in creating this resource and for growing such beautiful peonies.

Celebrating American Flower Farmers of The Flower Podcast

The Flower Podcast has been greatly honored to have featured a wonderful guest list of American flower farmers sharing their own floral journey with us. Let’s join in the celebration of our American Flower Growers/ Farmers, and showcase their endless labor of love. Family farms, sustainable organic farms, specialty flower farms, educational farms: the American Flower Farmer is vital to the floral industry. Thank you for your tireless efforts to spread the beauty of flowers across the country.

American Flowers Week is quickly approaching! You might ask what is American Flowers Week? Debra Prinzing of the Slow Flower Movement was inspired by British Flower Week and in 2015 launched American Flowers Week to celebrate and highlight American Flower Growers across the country. This year, American Flowers Week is June 28th through July 4th.

Also highlighting our growers is The Certified American Grown Council celebrating American Grown Flowers Month in July. “Certified American Grown is led by a council of American flower farmers and industry advisors. The members of the council are flower and greens farmers from throughout the United States who are committed to a unified promotional and advocacy effort that establishes an identifiable and iconic brand that communicates to the public the domestic origins as well as the high quality, freshness and consistency of American Grown Flowers.” (taken from Americangrownflowers.org)

3 Porch Farm

Steve and Mandy O’Shea

Steve and Mandy O’ Shea own and operate 3 Porch Farm, A Certified Naturally Grown flower and fruit farm. Solar powered and biofueled farm specializing in beautiful, local, seasonal flowers for farmers markets, wholesale to designers, weddings and events.Their approach to growing flowers organically and sustainably has truly set them apart. Steve and Mandy give us peak into their flower farm from under the trees at 3 Porch Farm.

3 Porch Farm is a local grower outside Atlanta owned by Mandy and Steve O'Shea. Their approach to growing flowers organically and sustainably has truly set them apart. Scott Shepherd sits down with them under the trees in their garden to talk about flowers, growing, and business.

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Having grown up on a cattle and horse ranch outside of San Angelo, Texas, the love for the outdoors is deep for Georgia as she is now a 5th generation farmer in Texas. One grandfather, Bill Helwig, was a cotton farmer and gin manager for 30 years, and raised a small herd of Hereford Cattle. Her other Grandfather, Eddie Huckabee, was a wheat farmer with a small herd of Black Angus Cattle. Her dad, Todd Huckabee, had a cattle ranch and grew winter wheat for grazing, as well as rodeoed on the side, participating in team roping events, calf roping, and steer wrestling. Almost all generations had large gardens at one time or another and Georgia learned about landscaping from her parents who had beautiful properties landscaped by themselves.

Georgia was also very active in 4-H and FFA, participating on the Livestock Judging Team and showing market lambs and breeding ewes at various Texas Livestock Shows. After her high school graduation, Georgia studied nursing, graduating in 2010 and began working at a hospital as a Registered Nurse while her husband, Jordan, served in the Army in Killeen, TX. Around that same time, Georgia began learning about gardening and landscaping, which started her interest and passion for growing plants.

Our guest this week is Geogia Monroe, owner of Basecamp Farms located in College Station, Texas. It's always exciting to chat with a flower farmer in different parts of the country. Each area has different challenges and opportunities. Georgia shares her love of flowers and her flower journey.

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Floret Flower's, Erin Benzakein is our guest this week on The Flower Podcast. Erin and her team have influenced both flower farming and floral design by bringing her passion and love of nature and flowers to the floral community.

Erin is Floret’s founder, and is honored to be considered one of the nation’s leading “farmer-florists”—a term used to describe those who specialize in both growing and designing with seasonal flowers. Erin’s work has been featured widely in numerous books, magazines, and websites. Her first book, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: How to Grow, Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms, was published by Chronicle Books in 2017 and won the American Horticulture Society’s 2018 Book Award.

A researcher at heart, Erin conducts extensive field trials on a wide selection of flowers and foliage, including many varieties that are highly fragrant, delicate, and not commonly available in the flower industry. She regularly shares her trial results plus  growing tips and photos of her lush fields via Floret’s popular blog and social media channels. Erin also teaches a 6-week course on small scale flower production to other farmers, designers, and enthusiasts from around the globe through the Floret Online Workshop. Images by Chris Benzakein

What began with a few beautiful rose images shared on Instagram blossomed into a beautiful story!  Gracie Poulson of Grace Rose Farm shares her floral journey this week on The Flower Podcast. From early childhood to dragging her rose pots into her New York apartment for the winter, Gracie has always had a soft spot for roses. Along with her husband Ryan, the two have grown her love of roses into a remarkable business specializing in organically grown old fashioned garden roses. Gracie shares her rose journey, business and rose advice, and pivoting during the effects of COVID-19.

What began with a few beautiful rose images shared on Instagram blossomed into a beautiful story!  Gracie Poulson of Grace Rose Farm shares her floral journey this week on The Flower Podcast. From early childhood to dragging her rose pots into her New York apartment for the winter, Gracie has always had a soft spot for roses.

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Floral Designer and Flower Farmer Julio Freitas, owner of The Flower Hat, shares his insights on flower farming, floral mechanics, the addition of new workshops, and the story behind his signature style. Julio discusses one of his main flower crops, dahlia's! Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify.

Julio Freitas, owner of The Flower Hat shares his incredible journey from Brazil to starting his own floral studio. The beautiful mountains in Bozeman, Montana are home to Julio's romantic floral designs that are inspired by the movement of his selection of flowers. Julio chats about flower farming, floral mechanics, the addition of new workshops, favorite flowers like dahlias, and the story behind his signature style.

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Diane Szukovathy with Jello Mold Farm, along with her husband, Dennis Westphall, have been farming for 11 years in the heart of the Skagit Valley in Washington State growing over 80 varieties of florals and foliage. Diane shares their flower story of creating a sustainable farm, respecting the lands and its wildlife inhabitants, and the importance of educating our flower clients and building community. As a founding member of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, Diane gives us brief overview of this co-operative group of flower growers working together to provide beautiful locally sourced flowers to the Pacific Northwest.

Diane Szukovathy with Jello Mold Farm is this week's guest on The Flower Podcast. Along with her husband, Dennis Westphall, they have been farming for 11 years in the heart of the Skagit Valley in Washington State growing over 80 varieties of florals and foliage.

The Alaska Peony Cooperative was formally established in the spring of 2015 as a way to bring together farmers and represent them as a unified voice in the specialty cut flower market. Our principles of responsibility, stewardship and cooperation allow us to achieve more collectively than as individual farms. We take great pride in helping our member-farmers succeed at growing the very best for our customers. We serve those needing only 20 stems to brighten their day, as well as florists, event planners and wholesales serving a larger market. It is our pleasure to present premium Alaska grown Peonies, on behalf of our farmers, to peony lovers across North America.

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With Peony season in full swing here in the US and around the world I'm excited to dive into the world of Alaska Peonies! this week! My guest this week farms peonies in Alaska and manages sales for the Alaska Peony Cooperative. I can't wait to dive into my chat with Martha Lojewski.

 
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Carly Jenkins with her husband Jamie operate Killing Frost Farm in the Potomac Valley of Western Montana. Besides growing flowers and opening Westside Flower Market, she is passionate about responsible foraging. Realizing the impact on the environment and our native species, she is an advocate for educating yourself before cutting.

Carly Jenkins with her husband Jamie operate Killing Frost Farm in the Potomac Valley of Western Montana. Besides growing flowers and opening Westside Flower Market, she is passionate about responsible foraging. Realizing the impact on the environment and our native species, she is an advocate for educating yourself before cutting. Carly also values the relationships with their customers and has earned the respect of both sustainable flower growers and florists.

Andrea Gagnon owns LynnVale Studios with her husband Lou. Andrea combines her professional design education and experience with her expertise in floriculture to grow premium flowers and design unique arrangements that range from formal to fantastic. We talk about the history of the family farm, learning how to grow and over come challenges, being American Grown Certified, learning your market, and so much more

Andrea Gagnon owns LynnVale Studios with her husband Lou. Andrea combines her professional design education and experience with her expertise in floriculture to grow premium flowers and design unique arrangements that range from formal to fantastic. We talk about the history of the family farm, learning how to grow and over come challenges, being American Grown Certified, learning your market, and so much more.

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Image by Victoria Pearson

Image by Victoria Pearson

This week's guest is Danielle Dall'Armi and Bill Hahn of Rose Story Farm. Garden Roses are one of the highlights of any wedding and hearing the stories that brought Dani and Bill to this property, their journey and struggles growing them allows us to appreciate what goes into every Garden Rose you use. Dani shares her favorite varieties, growing tips, and the changing landscape of the farm.

This week's guest is Danielle Dall'Armi and Bill Hahn of Rose Story Farm. Garden Roses are one of the highlights of any wedding and hearing the stories that brought Dani and Bill to this property, their journey and struggles growing them allows us to appreciate what goes into every Garden Rose you use.

Sarah Pabody founded Triple Wren Farms in 2012. She owns and operates the first generation family farm together with her husband Steve, where they share beauty by growing and selling amazing cut flowers and dahlia tubers, building gorgeous weddings, and mentoring new flower farmers. Sarah works closely with our field crew manager to handle harvesting, grocery bouquet production, field maintenance, and dahlia tuber shipping, and is the lead designer for our wedding crew. She can be caught inspecting the bark on the trees, and is thankful for a visionary partner.

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Our guest this week is Sarah and Steve Pabody of Triple Wren Farms. It's great to be able to take some time and interview both Sarah and Steve. With a busy family and flower farm, we're grateful that both of them were able to join this weeks podcast.

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Steve Mydelski owns Natchez Glen in Franklin, TN. Steve shares his background from the nursery industry to flower farmer. Steve specializes in growing Garden Roses and Dahlias in the south. Scott toured Steve’s gardens and chatted about the growing and marketing of specialty cut flowers and using his gardens as backdrops for weddings and photography backdrops. You can also find Steve with his own Nachez Glen Podcast Stories.

Steve Mydelski owns Natchez Glen in Franklin, TN. Steve shares his background from the nursery industry to flower farmer. Steve specializes in growing Garden Roses and Dahlias in the south. Steve shares his experiences growing and marketing speciality cut flowers from his part of the country.

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Although not an American Flower Growers, Nicole shares the same philosophy of growing organic flowers and sharing with local markets. Nicole Schenkel-Zureikat is the owner of Rox & Rose, an organic flower grower in Wolfstein, Germany. Nicole's floral journey began in 2013 when she began growing organic cut flowers on 3 acres in southwestern Germany. Joined by her husband, Samer, their cut flower farm is thriving and freshly cut organic flowers are cultivating their way throughout the markets of Germany.

Traveling abroad this week, Scott chats with Nicole Schenkel-Zureikat, owner of Rox and Rose, an organic flower grower in Wolfstein, Germany. Nicole's floral journey began in 2013 when she began growing organic cut flowers on 3 acres in southwestern Germany.

 

I’m constantly amazed at how hard our domestic flower farmers work to supply us with both unusual and super delicate flowers. I don’t know what kind of flower community we would have without each and every one of them. It’s exciting to be able to celebrate our local flower farmers every week, but especially on American Flower Week. I can’t say how much I’m looking forward to broadening our collection of guests that share their passion, blood, sweat, and tears with us. I am forever grateful for all of them!

Thank you to all of our guests and each flower grower/farmer. We look forward to sharing more with you in our next season. Please continue to support your local farmers and wholesalers and together let’s spread our shared love of flowers with the world. Now more than ever, our industry needs to shine.

 

Planting a Peony Cutting Garden by Alaska Peony Cooperative

Martha Lojewski, the Sales Manager of Alaska Peony Cooperative, was a recent guest of The Flower Podcast. Discussing the cooperative, shipping to the lower 48, business, and of course peonies, Martha has also shared this wonderful guide for planting peonies. Be sure to check for your perfect planting zone and growing particulars for your area.

Enjoy listening to Martha’s episode below and if you would like more about peonies, check out my personal blog about peony varieties. Peonies: Varities to Look For This Year

With Peony season in full swing here in the US and around the world I'm excited to dive into the world of Alaska Peonies! this week! My guest this week farms peonies in Alaska and manages sales for the Alaska Peony Cooperative. I can't wait to dive into my chat with Martha Lojewski.

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Source: https://alaskapeonycooperative.com

Romantic Fritillaria

Design by Sarah Winward, Photograph by Kate Osborne

Design by Sarah Winward, Photograph by Kate Osborne

With the beginning of Spring, there are so many flowers that stir my soul and speak to my heart. I love tulips, lilacs, hyacinths, daffodils, my favorite hellebores, ranunculus; the list goes on and on but Fritillaria has awakened a new interest.

With so many events and weddings being cancelled or postponed, I wanted to highlight a flower that has evoked so much happiness and conversation within the floral community.

Floral designers create that additional touch of magic by tucking these whimisical blooms in their bridal bouquets or wedding designs. I’m not sure there is any flower that can cause goose bumps and chills like the family of Fritillaria among flower enthusiasts.

In this blog post, I want to introduce you to this wonderful bell-shaped flower sure to add personality to any design with its dripping and effortless movement. I hope to brighten your day and encourage you to keep feeding your love of flowers.

Fritillaria meliagris

Fritillaria meliagris

Fritillaria meleagris ‘Alba"‘ Image from Vanengelen

Fritillaria meleagris ‘Alba"‘ Image from Vanengelen

This video was posted about 4 weeks ago. Hilverda De Boer visited Gia Flowers; grower of Fritillaria. More about Hilverda De Boer: - website: www.hilverdadeboer.nl - facebook: www.facebook.com/hilve...

Fritillaria persica

Fritillaria persica

Fritillaria persica growing in the field at GIA Flowers.

Fritillaria persica growing in the field at GIA Flowers.

Fritillaria persica ‘Alba’

Fritillaria persica ‘Alba’

Fritillaria acmopetala

Fritillaria acmopetala

Fritillaria imperial orange

Fritillaria imperial orange

Fritillaria imperial ‘Rubra Star’ in the field from GIA Flowers

Fritillaria imperial ‘Rubra Star’ in the field from GIA Flowers

Fritillaria imperial yellow

Fritillaria imperial yellow

The Imperial Fritillaria are among the largest of the species and to me, the most majestic of them all. This amazing flower exudes elegance and charm as it flourishes in a garden or flaunts its beauty in a floral design.

Harvested Fritillaria imperial ‘Lutea’ at GIA Flowers

Harvested Fritillaria imperial ‘Lutea’ at GIA Flowers

Image by Emily Avenson of Fleuropean

Image by Emily Avenson of Fleuropean

GIA Flowers one of the only growers of this special variety. Fritillaria Radeana

GIA Flowers one of the only growers of this special variety. Fritillaria Radeana

The amazing Fritillaria Radeana may not be as well known, but it is truly beautiful. I love its bright green flower that transitions into white.

The image to the left is from Emily Avenson of Fleuropean. Emily shares a love for this amazing family of flowers. What does this piece speak to you? I feel a sense of calm when I look at this image. My busy thoughts seem to melt away and bring me back to focus with a sense of peace. Thank you Emily, for sharing your gorgeous image. The Fritillaria featured in this image is the F. Radeana.

Fritillaria ‘michailovskyi’ held by Susan Mcleary and grown by @marillafieldandflora

Fritillaria ‘michailovskyi’ held by Susan Mcleary and grown by @marillafieldandflora

Fritillaria ‘Sewerzowii’ from Gia flowers

Fritillaria ‘Sewerzowii’ from Gia flowers

Fritillaria Uva vilpis in the field from GIA Flowers

Fritillaria Uva vilpis in the field from GIA Flowers

Fritillaria elessi is a smaller variety that maintains its darker coloring. Image from Gardenia

Fritillaria elessi is a smaller variety that maintains its darker coloring. Image from Gardenia

Whatever your favorite variety, Fritillaria is an extraordinary family of flowers, and I love the anticipation of its spring arrival. My hope is that I’ve stirred your imagination and nourished your love for the fritillaria family. If you haven’t discovered this charming flower, I encourage you to experiment with its versatility and uniqueness. Some varities are more fragrant than others, and you can expect the larger varieties to have an unusual scent, but this flower as you see below always finds itself as the center of attention.

I have to thank everyone that shared their images for this post. I know you will fall in love with this ballerina of the floral world and look forward to its season for years to come.

Another amazing image by Emily Avenson of Fleuropean. Fritillaria imperialis amazingly partners with Daffodils to welcome the Spring season.

Another amazing image by Emily Avenson of Fleuropean. Fritillaria imperialis amazingly partners with Daffodils to welcome the Spring season.

Ian Prosser and Accent Decor creating for Wedding and Events

Large scale events, flower walls, hanging florals, freestanding pillars….floral installations continue to make a statement. Accent Decor continues to stay on trend and to focus their designs to meet the needs of event designers. Ian Prosser, of Botanica Design Studio in Tampa, Fla. and Accent Decor have created a NEW video series featuring a variety of show-stopping wedding & event products for 2020.

The Ceremony Stand is perfect for creating floral walls, ceremony backdrops, a placecard holder, and more. Use as a single stand or combine multiples for a large scale design the ceremony stand is very versatile. Ian completes the look with the addition of assorted lighting using the Selima Vase, Hepburn Lantern, Golden Lantern, and the Bena Lantern.

Hanging Installations have evolved into glamorous focal points, and designers are pushing the boundaries of creating these stunning floral masterpieces. Accent Decor’s Superior Hanger is complete with chains for easy hanging and also the perfect base to be used with chicken wire for foam free designing. Ian finishes the design scape with Antique Candlesticks and assorted Fat Pyramid Vases.

Need more options for hangers? Accent Decor’s Palatial Hanger is perfect for circular designs, the Showtime Hanger for open design pieces, and the Ovation Hanger for very versatile large pieces.

Whether used for florals or plants, the Formal Stand is a multifaceted piece to incorporate in your design. With working space in the top and usable open space in the bottom, the formal stand is an excellent option for weddings or any event. Ian explains the importance of not only designing in scale for your event, but the importance of designing in scale to your container.

The dreams of sun filled days and the promises of new bursting colors give us hope spring is on the way. Accent Decor is introducing an event collection inspired by the warmth of the tropics. Ian creates a lush vignette featuring sea grass and rattan pieces surely to transform any event into a dreamy masterpiece. Add your own lighting source to add that extra intimate component. Using the Canal Lantern, an assortment of the Rye Lantern, the Tindra Lantern, and the Orsen Candleholder, Ian shares tips for creating this perfect tropical paradise.

The New 2020 catalog is now available with over 450 pages of beautiful artistry.  Accent Decor brings you a vast selection of ceramics, glass, and natural vessels along with accessories for all of your weddings and events. Accent Decor’s new website navigation was re-designed with you in mind. Intuitive shopping. Enhanced discoverability and as always, Endless inspiration.

Visit Accent Decor, register your business and shop the new collections of 2020.

Ian Prosser and his daughter Zoë Gallina, of Botanica International Design and Decor Studio, share their floral journey with Scott in a previous episode of The Flower Podcast. Click below

 

Watch, Learn,& Love:

A new video tutorial

Series

From

Accent Decor

 



Top 10 Episodes of The Flower Podcast

We’ve had so many new listeners over the last several months I thought it might be helpful to recap some of the most popular episodes of 2019. Each week I am honored to bring a personal flower story from professionals featuring different aspects of the floral industry. I invite you to a seat at the table to enjoy relaxing soulful conversations my guests share from the heart. It doesn’t matter your floral profession, I believe you will be inspired and encouraged by the voices of The Flower Podcast.

I can’t believe we had a tie in our top 10 , therefore our list has 11 of our guests. Click on the name of my guest to learn more or listen directly below. Let the Countdown Begin!

Christin Geall

Cultivated by Christin

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Christin’s incredible eye for gardening manifests itself in her love for floral design. Her skills with photography and writing explode into images of beauty and thankfully are shared through her social media pages. I am eagerly awaiting the release of her new book Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style. Be on the lookout for another upcoming chat with Christin. Her passion for flowers is contagious.

Image by Ana LaFramboise

Image by Ana LaFramboise

Gabriela believes it is important to connect with flowers and finds she connects through her floral designs and while caring for her personal garden. Every aspect is so important and taking the time to relate to the flowers gives space to relax in one's creative process. Gabriela chats about teaching, her design process of layering, her garden, learning from growers like Erin of Floret and much more. Featured in publications such as Vogue US and Vogue Italia, Martha Stewart Weddings, Architectural Digest, and clients including Yves Saint Laurent and Mont Blanc, La Musa de las Flores continues to inspire the floral community.

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With a degree in counseling and a self-professed obsession with personal growth and the development world, Julie's background paved the path for her work as a Career Pivot Coach. Julie chats career changes, life balance, and what defines you...And it's not your career! So much encouragement in this episode you do not want to miss Julie’s insights. I know from personal experience the importance of not letting your career define you.

“I help creative professionals pivot into the fulfilling careers and lives they actually want to be in.” Julie Tobi

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Carly Jenkins along with her husband Jamie operate Killing Frost Farm in the Potomac Valley of Western Montana. Besides growing flowers, Carly’s business has expanded to opening Westside Flower Market and adding a floral route to surrounding areas. Realizing the impact on the environment and native species, Carly shares her passion for advocating responsible foraging and educating yourself before cutting in the wild. Carly also values the relationships with their customers and has earned the respect of both sustainable flower growers and florists. I love foraging natural materials myself, and appreciate Carly’s insights and tips to forage with good intent and actually benefiting nature.

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Emily Coulter owns Morrice Florist on beautiful Martha's Vineyard. Purchasing an 80 year old flower shop with little flower knowledge, Emily revamped and re-branded the business, turning it into part floral shop, part boutique, and part greenhouse which can be used for demonstrations, workshops, and dinners. Emily chats about the importance of building relationships with growers, vendors, and customers. My chat with Emily will leave you feeling warm in your heart and bursting with enthusiasm to spread kindness.

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Amy Balsters, owner of Amy Nicole Floral has been in the retail floristry and special event industry for over 20 years and now uses this experience to teach others. Amy chats about the importance of learning the fundamentals, hiring, teaching, and how to change mindsets. Believing one must teach from a place of empathy, Amy shares the importance of critiquing your work without critiquing yourself. Amy and I could have chatted for hours. All of us benefit from being more kind to ourselves and showing ourselves grace through our mistakes. Of course are there really mistakes are opportunities for growth?

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Susan McLeary, floral designer, artist, and educator shares her innovation and inspiration through amazing wearable florals and designs. With her passion for teaching and pushing the boundaries of wearable floral art, Susan continues to ignite our curiosities to explore this growing genre of florals and so much more. In a special bonus episode, Susan also chats about creating foam free installations and shares personally tried and proven techniques and tips to help others in their own creations. Coming Soon, I will be chatting with Susan about her new book, The Art of Wearable Flowers, an amazing how-to guide with stunning images and detailed illustrations.

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Garden Roses are one of the highlights of any wedding and hearing the stories that brought Dani and Bill to this property, their journey and struggles growing them allows us to appreciate what goes into every Garden Rose. Fires, floods, insects are all part of the growing trials and triumphs at Rose Story Farm®, and I love Dani’s openness in sharing the family story. Dani shared with us in a special blog post her personal rose favorites. Read Dani’s favorites HERE

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Sweet Root Village, owned by Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood is located in Alexandria, VA outside the DC area. This was such a fun chat with Lauren and Rachel, and I believe you will appreciate their candid and open discussion on motherhood and how they find balance as working moms. We also discuss hiring, working with vendors, pricing, and more. Over the past decade, they have developed a deep love for small business and now share what they know through workshops and classes. They strive to build meaningful relationships, create special experiences, and incorporate sustainable practices in to their business

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Emily Thompson owner of Emily Thompson Flowers is located in New York City. I have followed Emily's creative artful design work for years and her artistic gift for taking the raw beauty in nature and orchestrating a floral masterpiece in any season. Emily chats about sustainability, technical excellence, and designing as the seasons change. There is so much goodness in this episode I hope you find it invigorating in your own approach to business and your designs.

“We collaborate with the rough hand of nature, drawing the eye to the infinite glory of the living world with our piercing contrasts and juxtapositions of materials. For our sometimes ornate, other times austere and stripped-back designs, we seek out rare, ill-used, and unlikely flowers, seed pods, branches and undergrowth to achieve design that creates desire for the obscure and love for the hard-to-love.” Emily Thompson Flowers

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Shane Connolly, owner of Shane Connolly and Company in London, England tops our list as the most downloaded episode. Bringing a unique perspective, Shane shares his approach in designing for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Shane also chats about his love for the meaning of flowers, and his passion for creating foam free designs. In 2011 Shane was appointed Artistic Director for the wedding of TRH’s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was awarded a second Royal Warrant of Appointment, to HM The Queen in 2015. With Royal Appointments and worldwide recognition, Shane is graciously down-to-earth, and I know you will be refreshed by his humor and find his insights meaningful to your own business.

 

Wedding Bouquet Inspiration for 2020

Our amazing guests create incredible floral masterpieces and are so kind to share their images and inspirations, we have picked a few to showcase. Trending colors and designs, new trends on the horizon, timeless classics and a wide assortment of materials are perfect inspirations for 2020.

Gabriela Salazar

Image by Christina McNeill Photography

Image by Christina McNeill Photography

Gabriela Salazar has included the beautiful trending colors of pale golds and blushes. This trend seems to be gaining momentum. The use of dried product is the perfect compliment to Gabriela’s use of color.

With the Pantone Color being Classic Blue, there will be requests for blue accents in our weddings. Isha has created a beautiful bouquet with a hint of light blue that blends perfectly with the blue/green color of eucalyptus. As one of our favorite colors, We are looking forward to this latest Pantone inspiration and are eagerly awaiting fabulous floral creations for 2020.

Image by Suzanne Rothmeyer Photography

Image by Suzanne Rothmeyer Photography

I love the elegance of this bouquet showcasing the companionship between pale blushes and assorted pinks. The stars of this bouquet are the fabulous roses from Alexandra Farms. Bridal Piano (Pinker) and Mariatheresia (Blush) blend perfectly with the astilbe, sweet peas, lambs ear, and butterfly ranunculus.

Image by Kristin Sweeting

Image by Kristin Sweeting

Holly has a simple love for nature and bringing unconventional flowers into her floral pieces. The use of grasses, crape myrtle seeded pods, and fuschia blooms blend beautifully with the ruffle look of the peonies, soft roses, and the airiness of the scabiosa. Letting nature speak to you and incorporating these inspirations into your designs truly makes it your own.

The white bridal bouquet is a trend that is rooted in tradition and truly is a classic. Garden Roses are another trend that has gained momentum and with increased availability and variety, we believe this trend is here to stay. In this classic bouquet, Alicia used the white rose, POLO. This is considered a traditional rose that opens with the garden rose shape and is a perfect substitute. It does take some time to open to its full potential to process according to your needs.

Image by Elizabeth Wells Photography

Image by Elizabeth Wells Photography

Deep moody colors continue to inspire us no matter the time of year. It’s fun to play with this color palette and make it your own by taking it in the direction that works for you and your client. So soak in these wonderful rich tones and assorted textures.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these amazing images from our talented guests. With so many possible styles, plethora of colors, and wide variety of flowers your sources of inspiration are endless.