A Fresh Approach to Outdoor Spaces

Although the dreary cold days of winter may be approaching for much of the country and preparations for the holidays are being added to the to-do list, outdoor activities and gatherings have become an essential part of our well-being. Reimagining an outdoor space to be more than just patio furniture and a few planters has become almost important as preparing our indoor sanctuaries. We have definitely witnessed an ‘outdoor’ boom in the last couple of years as many weddings, events, and family gatherings embrace the beauty of our natural surroundings and accentuate them for one’s perfect event.

 
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The Creative Team at Accent Decor analyzes trends around the world and continues to be the go-to-source for what’s new, current and trending. The multiple collections include purposefully designed pieces for home as well as pieces for small and large scale events, decorative spaces, and so much more. The Great Outdoors is a beautiful canvas awaiting the artistic creations from this amazing industry.

Featured below are images from the Accent Decor Outdoor Collection for 2022 but with an occasional image from the Accent Decor Catalog 2021. Click images for more details. Be sure to take note of the icons that are extremely helpful while browsing the Outdoor Collection.

The beautiful backdrop of the outdoors provided a much needed destination for gatherings. The creative genius behind planning events is only limited by lack of imagination and ingenuity. The last few years, we have seen boundaries being pushed like never before and outcomes have been nothing short of magical.

Accent Decor has designed pieces to be not only functional but versatile, and many are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Archways, Wall Stands, Gates, and Wall Hangings create ideal canvases for inviting entryways and stunning backdrops. With an assortment of metals and wood grain options, these pieces are a must for any collection.

Lighting, Lighting, Lighting…..We all know the importance and necessity of fabulous lighting. I believe the vibe of any space is effected by lighting and something as simple as a small votive flickering on a workspace desk can bring a sense of calm to a stressful day in the office. Accent Decor has an extensive collection of lanterns, votives, candleholders, candelabras, and candles for creating the desired ambience for the home, your own serene garden setting, and options for your business.

Anyone who knows me is well aware of how much I love plants. Accent Decor designs functional yet stylish vessels to not only serve as container vessels but are true design pieces for creating the perfect greenspace in any setting. Working from home and spending more time indoors only fortifies my love of having fresh greenery in the home. Not only for its obvious beauty but also as a necessity for cleansing the air and nurturing the environment.

Vessels for tabletops to large troughs for a variety of plant material, Accent Decor designs for all spaces and aesthetics. Adding height to any plant is not a problem with the addition of stands. The new collection also has a great selection of textures, materials, and colors that are classic and trendy yet still remain functional.

 
 
 

Kenji Plant Trough

Juneau Pot Collection

With the anticipation of a new move, I am looking forward to creating a relaxing outdoor space to enjoy the beautiful backdrop of the Tennessee mountains and precious time with my family.

Scott Shepherd

Explore and Shop the amazing collections of Accent Decor through their Virtual Showroom or peruse the pages of the Accent Decor Catalog and Trendbooks. With expanded and extended customer support the team at Accent Decor is available to answer your questions!

Create your account today and be inspired!

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."


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.

Floral Design and the Golden Ratio/Spiral

By Holly Carlisle

Let us begin by unpacking the concept of the golden ratio and spiral that Scott and I discussed during the podcast. The golden ratio is a classical, organic proportion that exists within nature. It can be easily identified within the spiral architecture of a shell, the pattern of the seeds in a sunflower or in the tip of a bourgeoning fernshoot, to give a few examples.

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It can be defined by a mathematical formula which repeats infinitely and can be outlined geometrically. As I was a fine arts major and perhaps am not one hundred percent qualified to be discussing mathematics, here is a drawing of the ratio and the spiral that exists within it.

Holly Carlisle

Golden Ratio and Spiral

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To me, the infinite repetition of the spiral within the ratio itself represents an energy that succeeds in constantly drawing a viewer inwards. As an artist, I am always trying to guide a viewer closer to the core of my work, so I am interested in creating that sort of energy in the works that I build. Understanding this and other systems of proportion (such as the rule of thirds)  can be a useful tool in creating harmonious compositions evocative of the beauty we see in nature.

Image by Nancy McColl

Image by Nancy McColl

In my work, I have found that my understanding of the golden ratio has become more instinctual than methodical. That said, I believe that studying and developing a deeper understanding of these classical systems of proportion can become a useful tool in developing compositions that catch the eye. 

Thank you Holly for sharing these images and post with The Flower Podcast!! - Scott

Holly Carlisle owns Rosegolden in Birmingham, Al. Holly and Scott chat about the golden ratio as it relates to floral design, the Birmingham Style, and how she practices sustainable floristry. Holly has been published in Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Veranda, and Flower Magazine. She was also published in the book In Full Flower by Rizzoli.