Women’s Day 2021

Did you know the first Women’s Day was celebrated in 1909 when the Socialist Party of America marched on the streets of New York, to pay tribute to garment workers who had protested against poor working conditions the year before? Every year since then, on the 8th of March the world unites to support, raise, inspire and motivate women. The purpose of this day is to focus on themes such as inspiring change, recognition of women in the arts, or the importance of education and career opportunities. This year’s theme: “Let’s all choose to challenge”… which focuses on the importance of defying biases and misconceptions in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal world.

The UN also announced a 2021 theme: “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-10 world.” This theme applauds the efforts of women who are striving to create a more equal future and COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Feeling inspired and wondering how you can celebrate Women's Day? We have a few ideas:

• With Flowers, of course! It doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman to join in on the celebration - it is perfectly acceptable for a man to give flowers to the women in his life, as well as, women to share flowers with their friends, family and co-workers. 
• Learn why the day is important. As women's accomplishments, particularly those that have to do with the home (raising children, educating, cleaning, cooking, etc.) are often ignored and overlooked. This day helps to remind people of the important things that women do every day. 
• Help raise awareness. Mention that it's Women's Day to people you know, your family, your coworkers, your friends. Discuss with them why it's an important day and why it's important to treat women with respect and to acknowledge their contributions to society.

This year’s hashtags also include: #WomensDay, #ChooseToChallenge, the straightforward #IWD2021, #InternationalWomensDay, and #SeeHer.

November Articles of Interest

The one sure way to kill these beautiful,

hardy plants is with too much water and fertilizer

Some of the most glamorous plants for Southern California gardens come from a region whose soil is so poor in nutrients that fires are essential in providing fertilizer in the form of ashes for the existing flora. I am speaking about South Africa’s Cape floristic region. This area is more packed with endemic species than any other place on earth.

“Endemic” describes plants that are native to a specific place. Our own Channel Islands, for example, are famous for the seventy endemic species that grow there, and California has more endemic species than any other state. Yet the number of endemic species in the Cape floristic region — an area the size of Colorado — approximates the number of endemic species in all of North America.

Read more here.
________________________________________________________

The florist behind Melourne’s Urban Blooms project

What better way to celebrate a reawakening than with flowers. Capturing the spirit of Melbourne after months of lockdown is the huge floral display that Cherrie Miriklis-Pavlou of Flowers Vasette installed over the grand archway at the entrance of the iconic Flinders Street Station last Saturday.

The Flinders Street installation falls under the Urban Blooms project that is part of the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund delivered by the City of Melbourne and the Victorian State.

Read more here.
________________________________________________________

Dried flowers are an Instagram obsession.
Here’s how to preserve, arrange and photograph them.

At first glance, Euclid Farm’s storefront might catch your eye as just another stylish Queen Street boutique, but look a little closer and you may be surprised at what you see. The shop window is filled with a display of dried flowers - and containers of dried blooms and grasses wrapped in bouquets of brown craft paper are the first thing you see when you step into the shop located directly across from Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Read more here.
________________________________________________________

Handcrafting Beautiful Bloom Arrangements

I have always loved the sight of a fresh, unique bouquet inside my home. Not only do flowers incite mood-enhancing qualities, but they also add just the right pop of color to a room. And while I enjoy my weekly routine of picking up premade bunches from a store, I thought it would be fun to learn how to create an arrangement using dried/preserved flowers, which are gaining popularity in home decor and at events. They’re also low maintenance since they don’t require changing of water and can be swapped throughout the seasons.

Read more here.

Flowers Keep Us Connected

In times like these, it’s more important than ever to stay connected to the people, places and things we love. Right now, staying home and avoiding travel is in everyone’s best interest. In the meantime, we have been and will continue to share and celebrate the things about flower farming here in Rainbow that bring us joy and inspiration. We can’t wait to get back into our workshop & farm tour mode and extend a warm welcome when the time is right.

Embrace the things that bring you joy – Stay connected with Flowers!

Women's Day 2020

Did you know the first Women’s Day was celebrated in 1908 when a group of women marched on the streets of New York, demanding their rights? Since then every year on the 8th of March the world unites to support, raise, inspire and motivate women. The purpose of this day is to focus on various themes such as inspiring change, recognition of women in the arts, or the importance of education and career opportunities. This year’s theme: I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights. It’s a call-to-action for each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let's all be #EachforEqual.

If you’re feeling inspired and wondering how you can celebrate Women's Day… we have a few ideas:

• With Flowers, of course! It doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman to join in on the celebration - it is perfectly acceptable for a man to give flowers to the women in his life, as well as, women to share flowers with their friends, family and co-workers.

• Learn why the day is important. As women's accomplishments, particularly those that have to do with the home (raising children, cleaning, cooking, etc.) are often ignored and overlooked. This day helps to remind people of the important things that women do every day.

• Help raise awareness. Mention that it's Women's Day to people you know, your family, your coworkers, your friends. Discuss with them why it's an important day and why it's important to treat women with respect and to acknowledge their contributions to society.

Protea-Inspired Baby Shower Arrangements

The arrival of a new bundle of joy is such an exciting time and what better way to celebrate than with a beautiful baby shower? Baby showers give family and friends the opportunity to shower the Mother-To-Be with well wishes and gifts. And while sharing this memorable occasion with family and friends is already wonderful enough, beautiful floral arrangements can help make the event even more special.

OMG… we absolutely loved the idea of creating Protea centerpieces for a recent baby shower! With the baby's February due date, the grandma-to-be, Maryann, knew she wanted beautiful flowers, “especially protea”. Selecting a protea theme seemed like the perfect fit, especially after finding out the color scheme was natural greens, ivory and pink. Scroll on down for a glimpse of these enchanting fairy-tail centerpieces!

Farm Tour: The San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society

Every September, we commemorate the start of gardening season with a bountiful nursery, farm tours and protea workshops. Autumn is the best time of the year to plant perennials, shrubs and even seeds. Plants established in the fall grow faster in the spring and require less water when summer comes.

This month, we opened our farm gate and welcomed the San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society (SDCSS). This passionate group of hobbyists, researchers, and enthusiasts all share a common interest and appreciation for the uniqueness and beauty of plants. The SDCSS ‘s mission is to promote knowledge, study and interest in cacti and succulent plants through educational programs, public exhibits, a public garden, and special events.

Given the abundance of South African and Australian plants being grown here in San Diego County, having this group of 50 tour the farm and experience our day to day activities seemed like a natural fit. With the perfect mix of Proteaceae, we knew it would be the just the place for them to capture some garden inspiration.

Many thanks to the SDCSS for visiting and helping us celebrate a new season and all things protea. The love of plants is something we all share together.

Event: The Wine Country Table Launch

This week we ventured to Sacramento to help celebrate the launch of the Wine Institute’s new book, The Wine Country Table – a book we’re so excited to be featured in. Bursting with wine, food and our flowers, this tome conveys a fresh, meditative, and beautifully-photographed celebration of California, its natural beauty, its unrivaled bounty, and its determination to remain just as productive for generations to come. It’s all about sustainable farming, taking readers on a visual tour of 23 stunning farms and wineries throughout the state, introducing them to some of the vintners, winemakers, and farmers (like Mel) whose harvests are profiled.

Pictured above: Diana Roy, Francesca Marchini, Janet Fletcher,
John Taylor, Nick Matteis & Vincent Ricchiuti

Grape Harvest

Olive Harvest

Protea Harvest

Written by award-winning author Janet Fletcher with photographs by Robert Holmes and Sara Remington, the book highlights California's key wine regions, its eminent fruit, vegetable and flower crops, with suggestions on how to select and use them. It also includes fifty rustic-elegant recipes covering all bases, from breakfast to dessert and pairs them with the perfect California wines.

Roast Chicken with Lemons, Paprika & Olives - this recipe is fabulous and a perfect Spring weeknight meal!

Heirloom Apple Galette with Honey Ice Cream

And, there’s no doubt in our minds… Great food, wine and flowers make for the perfect pairing.

Click here to order your copy – Cheers!