Month: May 2009

I am very fortunate to have had the chance to have known florists and flower growers who were born in the late 1800’s and who shared stories of growing, selling and designing flowers in the early 1900’s. This was a time when many florists grew their own flowers and in addition to selling flowers through their flower shops, they sold their flowers to consumers and to each other through farmer’s markets.

One might think that flower varieties and design styles were greatly limited a hundred years ago. In fact, there was greater diversity in design and varieties in 1930 than in 1960. Check out the 1934 book “Flower Decoration” by Constance Spry sometime. It was the post-world-war-II “industrialization” of the floral industry that resulted in the inventory of many flower shops being limited to carnations, roses and chrysanthemums.

The farmer’s market is in resurgence throughout the world and a big part of the markets are locally grown flowers. I am discovering small flower growers, local commercial growers and retail florists at the markets. It is thrilling to see the new varieties of flowers, foliage and the design experimentation found in farmer’s markets. It’s just like the “old-days”.

It’s fascinating how history repeats it’s self.

Think of the many ways we use the word “nest” in our language: When we decide to spend a quiet evening at home and alone with our family, we say that we are “nesting”. When our children leave home, we refer to “the empty nest”. When we put money in savings we “feather the nest”. When a full-term expectant mother does an impulsive house cleaning we say the she is “nesting” and will deliver soon.

Yes, a nest design speaks to our basic emotions, which makes it perfect for a centerpiece in the home. The fresh flowers in this featured centerpiece have been tucked into a bit of hidden floral foam. The nest has been secured to a branch which is then laid on the table as a centerpiece. How stylishly wonderful!

Some of the very first Europeans to explore the Great Lakes area of North America were French fur trappers, traders and the “voyageurs”. These were very tough men, capable of traversing the roaring rapids and stormy lakes of the far north in birch bark canoes filled to the gunwales with heavy beaver pelts. Their 18^th century exploits, drinking fests, displays of courage and feats of strength are legendary. Yet, on Macanac Island in northern Lake Michigan there are beautiful old Lilac bushes whose dates of planting have been traced back to the late 18^th century. They were most likely planted by the missionaries, fur trappers, traders and voyageurs of the time, well before any European women had traveled into the area.

I will always remember my visit to Fort Macanac, lingering in an ancient grove of lilacs. The deep purple color, the heady sweet fragrance and the wonder of those French-Canadian voyageurs who left their homes in France, traveled across the treacherous Atlantic, then hiked and canoed thousands of miles into the uncharted and hostile far north with only the very barest of essentials…… including their most precious lilacs. How they must have loved those flowers.

We are all familiar with the practice of memorializing the death of a loved one with flowers. It seems natural and almost instinctive to do so. Flowers are a part of the funerary practices of almost every culture in every country of the world.

When famed rock and roll star Elvis Presley died in 1977 the lawns of Graceland Mansion were covered with floral tributes. Each year on the anniversary of his death hundreds of floral bouquets are piled on his Gravesite by fans. When Princess Diana of England died in 1997 tens of thousands of floral bouquets were laid outside of Kensington Palace.

But, did you know that the practice of memorial flowers has been proven to be at least 40,000 years old. In 1960 archeologists excavating prehistoric graves in Iraq discovered patterns of pollen in graves indicating the placement of floral garlands.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
and satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
and run my stick along the public railings
and make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
and pick the flowers in other people’s gardens . . .

Jenny Joseph

Yes, purple flowers are very much in style. But, you don’t have to pick flowers from other people’s gardens. Flora2000 has dozens of purple flowers to choose from – roses, iris, carnations, dahlias, freesia, hydrangea and more.

Fill your house with your favorite purple blooms and wear a red hat – I promise, life will be a little more fun.

First off, we want to start by thanking everyone who took part in this contest. When we put up the Mother’s Day Contest, we had no idea that we were in for an emotional roller coaster ride. Some of the comments made us laugh and smile while others brought a tear to our eyes. Some made us relive similar moments in our lives but overall, we were carried away by the emotions all of you put across in your posts.

We want to wish all of you and your mothers a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Now, the time you all have been waiting for. The 2 winners are –

1) L Bermudez

2) Myla

CONGRATULATIONS – You have won our contest. Do check your email for your prize.

Thank you all once again and keep coming back. We try our best to keep all of you smiling.