Flower News: August’s Stories of Interest from Around the World

Why Florists Are Loving Dried Flowers Right Now

The antique-inspired variety is having a moment
and it isn't just because of Instagram.

If there's anyone who knows a thing or two about flower trends, it's Chris DeMeo, wholesale florist at N.Y.C.'s Dutch Flower Line. He's privy to what all of the city's top florists, stylist, and event designers are buying and has been in the business for more than 20 years. In other words, he's seen it all (or, quite a lot). Right now, he says, dried flowers are having a moment. "It all started because people are going for colors that feel a bit antiqued with a patina to them, and there are only so many [fresh] flowers in that palette. So, people became more and more creative and started using dried elements—to give their arrangements that vintage vibe," says DeMeo.

Read more here.
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The power of flowers — how they accompany us,
heal us and ‘make us gasp with pleasure’

‘Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower,’ wrote Hans Christian Andersen. Jay Griffiths explores their emotional pull.

‘Archangel,’ said a friend, picking one of the plentiful wildflowers in my garden and introducing me to it as to another friend.

Flowers are companions for us. They can be company in a lonely present, witness to memory and a promise for the future. They are characters: the chalk-pale, but still courageous snowdrop, the irrepressible daffodil, the flamenco-dancing fuchsia or the loyal nasturtium.

Read more here.
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Heat-Resistant Wedding Bouquets Perfect for Summer

Finding the perfect can be a challenge, whatever the season. But what about sourcing buds for a celebration that takes place, when the weather adds an extra variable to your decisions? That makes things even more difficult. If you're planning a celebration in a location known for its summer heat waves, it may be in your best interest to pick an arrangement that'll stand up to the sky-high temps.

Read more here.
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Flower power: how they improve emotional well-being, and which ones to pick for happiness at work and home

• Science shows that having bright and fragrant blooms around your home can reduce your anxiety, make you more compassionate and boost your energy at work

• One study even suggests flowers help in the healing process after hospital surgery. So which kinds should you pick for a happiness-inducing arrangement?

Ellna Yu Chun-ha loves flowers. They bring her joy and enhance the look of her home.

“Just looking at a pretty arrangement relaxes me instantly, which is just what I need after a long and stressful day,” says the safety instructor, who lives in Hong Kong. “And no matter where I place the arrangement, it has the effect of brightening up the space and making the area look more inviting.”

Read more here.

Flower News: August’s Articles and Blogs of Interest from Around the World

DVCrush Celebrates #AmericanFlowersMonth

Our DVCrush Program has come a long way since we started back in March 2018. The excitement and creativity that has spawned from it in just these few short months is a reminder of the beauty our industry provides. We have seen countless images of stunning designs, florists working outside of their “comfort zone,” and even hosted a “Crush for a Cause” contest.

So when we started planning a theme for July, we quickly realized that it would be fun (and challenging) to celebrate American Flowers Month and include certified American Grown Flowers in the surprise boxes. Read more here.
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The World's 10 Best 'Table to Farm' Dining Experiences

“Farm to table” has become so ubiquitous that it’s boring. (Also, the term never really made sense to me—doesn’t all food start out on a farm and end up on a table, even if that farm is some massive corporate entity and the food is processed along the way?) Now any chef worth his or her salt is making the most of seasonal ingredients from local farmers, with minimal intervention to them. Read more here.
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Science just uncovered one very good reason to buy yourself a bouquet of flowers today

No matter what your circumstances are (and how much you love your life) stress is something we all have to deal with. This is true for women especially: research has shown that about one in four women report feeling stressed multiple times per day. But what if there were an easy and inexpensive way to bring those stress levels down? Well, according to a new study, having flowers in your house can help keep your stress under control. Who knew it was that simple? Read more here.
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Florists in 36 States Plan to ‘Petal It Forward’ on Oct. 24

As of late August, florists in 36 states and the District of Columbia had notified the Society of American Florists of plans to hold Petal It Forward events in their communities on Oct. 24. That leaves 14 states to go — Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming — for industry participation in all 50 states.

Support in every state, and as many cities as possible within each state, is critical to the success of Petal It Forward from a public relations standpoint, said the Society of American Florists Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Sparks. Read more here.

The Wedding Arch

Being wed under a wedding arch, chuppah or canopy is a tradition steeped with beautiful meaning for many cultures. It’s a roof that symbolizes the home and family a couple will build together. And, while it's representative of a marital pact, it also implies a union with your community, as well. It can change the mood of the ceremony entirely, giving it poise and originality and it can also be fun.

Wedding arches are often used in ceremonies in untraditional venues and provide a festive backdrop. Particularly for ceremonies held outdoors, a wedding arch provides a unique and creative focal point. Arches now come in many shapes and forms, from elaborate floral arbors to simple fabric backdrops and help to frame the most important part of the wedding day, the union, in a beautiful way. We've found 10 more beautiful wedding arches using protea to help inspire couples planning their special day.

Marissa Maharj

The Wedding Playbook

Ruffled Blog

Hello May

Southbound Bride

Green Wedding Shoes

Mondo Floral Designs

Peninsula Wildflower

Hello May

Green Wedding Shoes

Top Photograph: At Design Maven

Home for the Holidays

To me, a room is never finished without fresh flowers and greens.  When getting the house ready for holidays, there's nothing better than bringing the freshness of the outdoors in.   Whether it's a festive handmade wreath to decorate the door or a beautiful garland to garnish the table or mantle, flowers add life to a home and make it welcoming!

Debra Prinzing, outdoor living expert, author and lecturer specializing in interiors, architecture and landscapes recently shared with readers how to stay local and sustainable when creating holiday wreaths and garlands.

From harvest to holiday

It’s easy to stay local when you make a wreath from homegrown San Diego greenery and blooms. 

Subtropical plants are enjoying a huge surge in popularity in the global cut flower market, which is why it’s so satisfying to know that San Diego County has many family farms, large and small, that are producing Protea, Leucadendron, Leucospermum, Banksia, Leptospermum, Chamelaucium (Wax flowers), Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paws) and other Mediterranean specimens.

DIY holiday garland made with foliage, flowers from California's backyard

For millennia, garlands created from intertwined foliage, flowers and fruit stems have symbolized home, hearth - and hospitality.

During the holidays, we expect to see evergreen garlands, often made with cedar boughs.  But according to floral designers who want to "go local", you don't have to rely on the Pacific Northwest's forests to decorate doorways, mantels or tabletops.

May your holidays be filled with fresh flowers and greens that bring you a bounty of joy and happiness!