Favorite Floral Designers

A rainy day in California so indoors and on the computer.  I spend a lot of time looking for new ideas and products online that I can incorporate into my own work or pass on to my fellow flower fans. While searching the web I always run across photos from other designers.  There are so many wonderful floral designers out there and many of them have beautiful websites to showcase their work.  It's fun to see how other designers are combining flowers, textures and colors!  Here are a few of my favorite sites to check out and be inspired.

Botany is located in Southern California.  I wish this shop was close to me!
www.botanyflowers.com

Florali is the florist I recommend the most when asked where to get high end flowers in the East Bay.
www.florali.com

Florisity uses a combination of Asian and classic, old world styling in stunning arrangements.
www.florisity.com

 

Rosenow, a San Francisco florist that makes everyones list of favorites.
www.rosenowfloral.com

Custom Creations

"Dried flowers" - makes you think of dust, attics and overly cute country decor.  Not exactly my style, so I never thought about working with anything but fresh flowers.  When I was thinking about starting a new business I was searching for a way to be creative with flowers, but without always having to deal with a perishable product.  Somehow I stumbled upon a dried flower wholesale website which showcased the flowers brilliantly and introduced me to soft preserved flowers such as hydrangeas and roses.  Okay, now we're talking!  I could work with these and started looking at all the possibilities dried flowers offered.  Hey, just because it's dried doesn't mean it can't be fun, colorful, and contemporary.  So here are a few new designs.  Of course I can make anything, just ask!

Green hydrangea, sola flowers, scabiosa seed heads and eucalyptus seed pods

Preserved purple hydrangea, nigella seed head and echinops

Oregano 'Kent Beauty', fuchsia cockscomb and peonies

Lambs ears, echinops and preserved blue hydrangea

Hydrating Hydrangeas

"There are no unattractive flowers, just unattractive flower arrangements."

I'm not sure who to attribute this quote to but I couldn't agree more.  All flowers are beautiful.  Yes, even the lowly carnation (but not the dyed versions--that is just wrong!).

I really don't have a favorite flower but if I am forced to pick just one I would have to say the hydrangea.  What's not to love?  They can be the front and center star in an arrangement or play a supporting role; they last for weeks and weeks once cut and can be easily dried; and, they come in a glorious range of colors--pinks, purples, blues, greens, white and, in the fall, a combination of rich colors called "antique".

Early spring hydrangea can be a little finicky--they are not as hardy as their fall cousins!  So it's important to make sure the hydrangeas are properly hydrated.  To help the hydrangeas absorb enough water, add a pinch of Alum powder to your vase water.  Alum is a preservative used in pickling and can be found in your grocer's spice section.  I can't explain exactly how it works but picked up the tip from growers at the San Francisco Flower Mart.  

Sometimes even proper care can result in a wilted flower.  But all is not lost!  You can usually revive the hydrangea by floating the flower in a bucket of water.  Just fill a bucket with cool water full enough that the stem will not touch the bottom of the bucket.  Recut the hydrangea and place in the water so it is floating and then ... wait.  It may take a few hours or even overnight but almost every time your hydrangea will emerge happy and healthy and ready to be put back in your arrangement.   

A sad, sorry looking hydrangea

floating the flower in a bucket of water

the next day...a re-hydrated hydrangea!