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

21 Compote Centerpieces
That'll Upgrade Your Reception Tables

When it's time to choose your wedding centerpieces, you want to consider what type of reception table dynamic you're looking for. If you're attempting to create a high-drama, big-impact floral arrangement, you'll likely go with sky-high, vertical arrangement. These types of displays might make your guests' jaws drop, but they do have one downside—they definitely limit conversation once all attendees have taken their seats. If you want to encourage across-the-table, mid-dinner mingling, smaller-scale centerpieces are a better option. Luckily, going small doesn't have to mean sacrificing that wow factor.

Read more here.
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Certified American Grown farms shine
at Fresh Summit booth

Certified American Grown staff members were joined by six certified farms in a large booth at Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California, last week. Within the 20×50 booth space, each farm had dedicated space to put their American Grown Flowers and Greens front and center. A sign over the booth ensured that no one on the show floor could miss them, a huge Certified American Grown logo heart created with Certified American Grown Flowers attracted lots of attention.

Read more here.
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The wonderland that is
Kirstenbosch Garden, South Africa, in Spring

If you find yourself in Cape Town, South Africa in Spring, as I did, then you simply must visit the amazing Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden, a mere 13 kilometres from downtown Cape Town. Acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world, Kirstenbosch offers visitors not only the chance to view one of the most biodiverse environments on the planet, but also to enjoy the warm, friendly and relaxed African charm, entertainment and cuisine at the wonderful Moyo Kirstenbosch restaurant nestled inside the gardens.

Read more here.
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American Flower Farmers Participate in Trade Mission
to South Korea, Vietnam

During the trip, the delegation hosted an industry seminar in Seoul to introduce U.S. cut flower and foliage varieties, and to provide handling, shipping and display techniques to preserve shelf life and maximize profitability. Five U.S. cut flower and foliage farmers spoke and presented to the group of approximately 16 South Korean import companies and Pruitt gave a keynote address. The delegation then traveled to Vietnam, an emerging market for American Grown Flowers and Greens, where they met with cut flower and foliage import companies and toured the domestic growing region. They also met with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) to discuss market opportunities and challenges.

Read more here.

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

South Africa wins gold
at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

South Africa just won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show for the 37th time. This is reportedly the 37th time in 43 years that SA has been awarded Gold at the international flower show.

Kirstenbosch – who is representing South Africa on the show’s world stage – was awarded their 37th gold for their stunning floral kingdom display – ‘Mountains of Abundance’, reports Traveller24. Kirstenbosch received the award at the 2019 RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Chelsea Flower Show in the UK today.

Read more here.
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A Luncheon With CA Grown & Husbands That Cook

Celebrating the fresh seasonal produce grown in California!

This spring, #TeamFeedfeed traveled to sunny Los Angeles where we hosted an amazing luncheon to highlight vibrant seasonal produce from CA Grown and to celebrate Husbands That Cook's newly launched book.

The setting was Adam and Ryan’s very own breathtaking backyard overlooking the city, filled with beautiful flowers and plants. They have many trails with fruit trees, herb bushes, huge succulents and monumental blue agave plants (I was so tempted to take some succulents back to New York with me!). It was a perfect day filled with lots of sunshine, birds chirping happily and great company. The wonderful and gracious co-host Rebecca Firth, who is a long time friend of Feedfeed and Husbands That Cook, arrived early to welcome the guests and share a few appetizers and salads.

Read more here.
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June: California Grown Flowers Month

For the fifth year in a row, the California Legislature will honor the state’s flower farmers and recognize their contributions to the state’s economy and workforce by declaring June California Grown Flowers Month.

State Sen. Mike McGuire is again putting forth the resolution to “honor the men and women of the California grown flower industry for their dedication and productivity.”

Read more here.
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Research Says Having Fresh Flowers in Your Home
Can Actually Reduce Levels of Pain

Sending flowers to your sick or sad friend might be a universal go-to gift, but the heartwarming gesture is actually more helpful than you think. I know it may be surprising, but there are more to flowers than just a sweet smell and a pretty face—they can have some seriously positive effects on our health, too.

The American Society for Horticulture Science performed a study evaluating if plants have therapeutic influences on surgical patients, and the results are honestly kind of shocking. 90 patients were split into rooms either with plants or without plants, and those with some kind of foliage had wildly different results than those who had not.

Read more here.

Flower News: January’s Articles of Interest from Around the World

Search the internet today for “proteas wedding flowers,” and you will find an abundance of eye-catching photos—far more than just five years ago. Some will come from trendy bridal magazines and websites. But a good many will have been created or promoted by just one California flower farm.

Read more here
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Gardening: Five of the best gardens to visit around the world when you're on holiday

If you're planning your holidays and fancy taking in some gardens while you're away, here are five to savour and inspire:

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, South Africa: Anyone lucky enough to get to Cape Town shouldn't miss a trip to these stunning botanical gardens on the lower eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The 36-hectare nature reserve supports fynbos (shrub and heathland), forest and a variety of animals. It was the first national garden in the world devoted to a country's indigenous plants and is home to many collections, including cycads, proteas, ericas, pelargoniums and succulents. Best time to visit: January (summer), when the agapanthus are in bloom, May to October when the Protea Garden is in flower, or September and October when wild flowers bring a riot of colour (sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch).

Read more here.
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Allsup: Updated weddings start with florals

It may be hard to predict what a bride will want for her wedding day, but it is likely to include gorgeous flowers. Barn weddings with rustic materials have been popular for years, but now are shifting toward 1970s bohemian styles and elegant industrial styles. Here are some specific trends brides are asking their floral designers for this year.

Read more here.
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Gardening Matters: Native plants of the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains National Park (BMNP), west of Sydney is one of a number of national parks that virtually surround the NSW capital in the north and south as well as west. BMNP has an area of 270,000 hectares and provides a sanctuary for a wide range of native plants. As an example, over 90 species of eucalyptus are found in the park.

This time we will concentrate on plants that have horticultural potential. Some are already in favour with local gardeners whilst others are waiting to come into local cultivation. In spring probably the most visible plant is the Telopea speciosissima, the Waratah. The large, beautiful red flower is in fact a number of individual blooms supported by red floral bracts.

Read more here.

Instagram: Photos We Dig

This month’s Instagram Inspiration is all about Kings! 10 fabulous photos showcasing these awesome flowers - the perfect styling for dinner, curation of the week, obsession with these pretties, absolute fave, drooling over this protea, FLOWER :: BOMB, beautiful in bridal bouquets and with diamonds too. Finally, a trip to the Kirstenbosch display at Chelsea Flower Show where the protea, especially the white Kings are simply stunning – Enjoy!