Preserved Arrangements
The value of preserved arrangement is only beginning to be realized. Drying of flowers is an ancient preservation technique. They look like the fresh version and can often replace fresh arrangements in corporate environments. Someone who has made a success of this is Barbara Scott.
Flowers are dried by immersing each bloom in silica gel, a nontoxic, dried compound of sodium silicate and sulfuric acid that removes all moisture from the flowers without changing its natural shape. The bloom looks very similar to the original, and will not wilt, fade, or crumble provided it is not exposed to too much humidity or handling. The typical corporate headquarters is the perfect environment.
The key to satisfaction, as Scott hastens to explain to any new customer, is good air-conditioning. Placed in a hospitable, dry environment, one of her $400 to $1,400 arrangements will look fresh and beautiful for up to a year. Sometimes a bit too fresh, Scott notes with a laugh:”Once in a while a client will forget to tell her housekeeper that an arrangement is preserved. It gets watered, and that’s the end of it.”
January 28, 2007
Valentine Tablescapes
In keeping with contemporary trends in floral arangements, we are offering Valentine’s Day Tablescapes. A tablescape is like a centerpiece, familiar from Thanksgiving or Christmas, with addional landscape design elements. Teleflora offers a simple tablescape for Valentine’s Day here with roses and ivy.
Simply Roses - by The Secret Flower Garden
A contemporary presentation of red roses that seemingly grow out of the surrounding grass and ivy. It’s simply the right choice for that special someone.
The standard version has six red roses, grass and ivy delivered in a simple square dish. Deluxe and premium versions have more roses, are larger with candles.
Ideal for that special dinner on Valentine’s evening!
How to Make Floating Flowers
Here are two ways to make floating flowers:
- Use a very small vase, such as a votive candle holder, place the flower in it and float it in a larger container. This approach can be elaborated to use more vases floating within each other.
- Fill the bowl with water and put shells or stones at the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle the surface with rose petals until they form a layer. Then place the flowers on the rose petals.
January 21, 2007
Unusual Floral Tablepieces
In Centerpieces and Table Decorations 2005 Trends and Traditions by Kentucky University Extension reviews current market trends and Kentucky consumer choices in table decorations and floral design. They refer to an interior design called “tablescapes” — creating table top presentations by combining accessories — not limited to the dining room or dinner table but can include mantels, shelves, dresser tops and foyer, end, and coffee tables.
Examples of display items that can be used with floral arrangements are
- Lamps, Stacked books, Plants,
- Figurines, Toys, Bowl of fruit,
- Pictures, Baskets, Candles,
- Decorative plates, Table runners, Teapots,
- Stacked books, Candle holders, Greenery,
- Decorative boxes, Decorative pillows, Doilies,
- Tassels, Pitchers, or Shells.
The idea is not to use items in isolation, but to combine elements with flowers in unusual but harmonious ways. For examples, birdcages containing plants, a teddy bear riding an car with dasies, a small vase of flowers on stacked books, etc.
The article attributes increased “nesting” behaviour to post-911. Well nests don’t have to be boring. Unusual floral table arrangements are a way of releasing pent-up creativity.
Preserved Orchid
Preserved orchids seem to be growing in popularity. Just like there are no two identical snowflakes, there are no two identical flowers. Unique and beautiful fashion jewelry, most people’s reaction is “I’ve never seen anything like this!”.
There are many kinds available. Lacquered flower jewelry is one of a kind jewelry is made of real leaf and flowers - roses and orchids that have been preserved, lacquered and sometimes gold-plated in 24 karat gold. The jewelry is then made by setting these creations in necklaces, earrings, pin brooches or pendants. Despite its delicate appearance, floral jewelry is strong and durable and will last as long as regular fashion jewelry.
Other types of preserved flowers are dried, either by freeze drying or immersion in silica gel. These are usually then mounted in display boxes for display. Bridal bouquets or other significant arrangements can be preserved for enjoyment like this.
Below is a list of links to some orchid and jewelry suppliers.
La Madonna Litta
What an amazing painting this is! I am a huge fan of Leonardo da Vinci. Completed around 1490, it is the kind of masterpiece that reaches into you. Perhaps it is the gaze of the child attached, or the strange combination of spirituality and earthiness in it. I won’t go on like an art critic.
But you don’t need to be an art critic to use paintings like this in arrangements. Even though there are no flowers, the colors and composition can be inspiration for flowers. In this case, look for a central red and blue and black at the extremities. Notice also the amber satin sash between the red and the blue. Look also at the unifying diagonal in flesh tones threading up through the picture via the body, breast, neck and head. These sorts of color combination, using Alstromeria and Hypericum berries say, with Roses or Lilies for the red and Iris or Larkspur for the blue, create a dramatic yet pleasing combination.
Getting ideas from great painting helps me to break away from the habitual approaches. An arrangement based on La Madonna Litta is not a subtle feminine bouquet, but a large and dramatic, yet well united piece of work.
January 14, 2007
What is a Premium Rose Variety?
Most orders for premium roses are filled with varieties such as Freedom or Classy, grown in Mexico, which are not really premiums. Premium roses from The Secret Flower Garden are long-stemmed roses from Ecuador, in stunning varieties such as Royal Maasai, and Intuition.
Premium roses are at least twice as large and twice as long lasting as regular roses. Ecuador happens to have ideal conditions for growing the largest, longest stem roses, at 9,000 feet, and 12 hours of sunlight each day,and cold at night.
Here is a nice simulation of an opening rose from http://www.flowersunlimitedworldwide.com/roses.html.
January 7, 2007
Growing Myrtus communis
Having talked about the history of myrtle and the use of plants in the family Myrtaceae in arrangements, I have had a few questions about growing it.
Particularly in the Mediterranean the plant is regarded as a symbol of love and peace and is used in wedding bouquets. The late Princess Diana had some of Queen Victoria’s myrtle in her own wedding bouquet. A Welsh bridal bouquet usually contains myrtle, and the bride gives to her bridesmaids a cutting of myrtle to carry in their bouquets. Welsh tradition holds that if the bridesmaid plants her myrtle and it blooms, she will soon marry.
Myrtle succeeds in any reasonably well drained soil in a sunny position. It is hardy so long as it is sheltered from cold drying winds, but can be damaged by late frosts. It is moderately fast-growing when young but soon slows with age.
There are a number of named varieties:
- ‘Tarentina’ with narrow small leaves is hardier than the type and is especially wind-resistant.
- ‘Microphylla’ is a dwarf form.
- ‘Leucocarpa’ has white berries.
To propogate, pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in late winter. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
January 6, 2007
Preserved Orchids in Floral Arrangement
Preserved orchids (Real orchids) set in various glass shapes are a cool way of enjoying the subtle joys of orchids for longer than the fresh flowers.
Dried orchid sprays can also be used in floral arrangements, extending their life and usefulness.
Most flowers are dried using silica gel. It absorbs moisture from flowers rapidly, essential for preventing decay and preserving flower color. To prevent the flowers reabsorbing moisture and wilting, flowers are displayed in a closed container.
Wedding flowers, such as the bride’s bouquet, may also be dried an preserved in this way. Contact us in advance (415 3461001) for more information.
January 5, 2007
A Center of Event Professionals
The Secret Flower Garden is an historic San Francisco site, the building the shop currently occupies was originally a stable, and the courtyard a carriage yard.
The Secret Flower Garden courtyard is now surrounded by event professionals including:
- The Union Street Papery (Ultimate destination for classic and one-of-a-kind invitations, stationery and gifts)
- Alana Leigh (Atelier - Create the dream, live the joy)
- Blush Beauty (Hair and Makeup for your event)
- Strike-a-Pose Studios (Photography)
Here you can meet, relax and talk with friendly professionals about your event needs in a pleasant garden setting.