Les Fleurs Du Moulin, France
Christina Brosnan Photography
Les Fleurs Du Moulin, France
Christina Brosnan Photography
La Fleur
Wedding Wednesday :: Urns full of Flowers
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Fleur Friday
Hello Flower Friends!
I’m back from a 10 day trip to Denver, and must say that it was quite fabulous! I attended the AIFD Symposium for two days and will share pictures from that event soon here on the blog. I also got to spend time with old friends that I’ve missed dearly since moving to the West Coast. Then I finished of the trip with working, because working is what us flower people do, right!? I spent 5 days with my friend, Robyn of Bare Root Flora, and her team working on a large wedding in Beaver Creek. It was quite the stunner!!
I just posted a few new floral design workshops – check them out here. I have 3 classes in Seattle and 1 in Chicago scheduled for August & September. Hope to see you at one soon!
Meanwhile, my garden is blooming up a storm – luckily, considering we are in quite the drought this season in Washington. Here’s an arrangement from my garden:
Hydrangeas and clematis with mint and blackberries set in a milk glass compote.
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Alluring Blooms’ Farm Tour of Blooming of Beloit
Today we have a guest post by the lovely Amanda of Alluring Blooms in Madison, Wisconsin. Amanda toured Blooming of Beloit, a flower farm also located in Wisconsin. Thank you, Amanda, for this great piece and for introducing us to a new-to-us flower farmer!
Alluring Blooms Farm Tour – Blooming of Beloit – May 19, 2015
Back on a cold, dark mid-May day I had the pleasure of taking the short drive south to visit Shlomo at Blooming of Beloit. He was kind enough to open his farm up to me for a tour to share with the readers of Flirty Fleurs! Blooming of Beloit specializes in specialty cut flowers grown right in southern Wisconsin. They also have an import line which brings in product from Israel and other locations abroad.
Shlomo began the tour by telling me about his process of purchasing the farm. When he purchased the farm (nearly 20 years ago), it was 100+ acres of cornfield. They had to add a well, roads, drip irrigation systems, etc. The first three years consisted of a lot of trial and error. They planted many different varieties to test which plants would perform best on the farm. When a variety proved its worth, it was mass-planted in a different section of the farm.
There were so many plants that caught my eye on the tour, but I’ll share some of my favorites:
Viburnum – I’m a total sucker for viburnum, so this was a real treat for me. This beautiful shrub is cut at various stages on the farm. Early in the season it’s cut for its green buds + flowers. Later it’s cut for its green berries. Even later in the season it’s cut for its purple/blue/black berries.
Aronia (chokeberry or chokecherry) – This pretty shrub is also cut at various stages. In the spring it’s cut for its beautiful little flowers, then about a month later for its green berries.
Lilac – They have so many different shades and varieties of lilac! I was particularly smitten with the blush pink variety called Beauty of Moscow.
Hydrangea – I thought it was very interesting that they grow some hydrangea under shade cloth, and others directly in the sun. Shlomo explained that this was to spread out the bloom time.
Variegated Willow – I really liked this unique foliage. I really loved how the tips were the most perfect hue of champagne.
Crabapple – I love crabapple on the branch! What a wonderful addition to floral arrangements.
I asked Shlomo if he had one thing to share, what would it be? He wanted florists to know that growers are dealing with mother nature – and sometimes mother nature just doesn’t cooperate when it comes to bloom times. They can’t force blooms to mature quicker than they do! He stressed that if florists keep this in mind, they can avoid disappointment.
Blooming of Beloit sells to wholesalers only. If you’re interested in purchasing some of their gorgeous product, ask your wholesaler for Blooming of Beloit. Shlomo is very willing to custom pack orders just for wedding and event florists (no minimums, and they’ll mix cases) but all orders must be placed through your wholesaler. If your wholesaler doesn’t their product – reach out to get a recommendation on a wholesaler who does!
A giant THANK YOU to Shlomo and the staff at Blooming of Beloit who were kind enough to show me around their farm, and a huge THANK YOU to Alicia at Flirty Fleurs for connecting us!
Contact Information:
Amanda of Alluring Blooms
Shlomo of Blooming of Beloit
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Cute Boutonnieres
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Wedding Wednesday :: Floral Chandeliers
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Q&A :: Wedding Proposal Programs?
Hi Flower Friends,
We have a good question today from one of our readers. Please leave your advice and thoughts in the comments section!
Thank you,
Alicia
I am in need of updating my wedding proposal program. I’d love to know what other florists are using and their thoughts on functionality.
-Bill
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Fleur Friday
The Compote Floral Arrangement Workshop With Dahlias
Saturday, August 1, 2015 | 2:00 to 4:30pm
In this class we’ll discuss how to design a lush, garden style flower arrangement in a compote vessel using chicken wire as the support structure. After the discussion each student will create their own floral arrangement masterpiece using a gorgeous variety of flowers.
Location: Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, 5840 Airport Way S #201, Seattle, WA 98108
Investment: $150.00 per person
Register Here
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Why you need to set a Minimum by Alison Ellis
Setting a minimum is essential for your small business. A minimum can help you navigate through hot leads and potential clients to ensure you attract people who really want to work with you. Here’s why you want to set a minimum (for both you and your clients!).
Contact Information:
Alison Ellis
Floral Artistry of Vermont
http://floralartvt.com
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Florabundance Inspirational Design Days 2016
Check the Florabundance Website for additional information and to register:
http://www.florabundance.com/blog/
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Wedding Wednesday :: Chairs with Flowers
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Flowers + Family = Fun
Hi Flower Friends!
My sweet niece has been visiting me for the past week, actually my family has been visiting and it has just been wonderful to all be together. One of the activities that my niece and I just love to do when together is to have photoshoots – she’s always game for my flower antics and loves to have her photo taken. So here’s a glimpse into the fun we had, playing outside in the garden as the sun went down each evening.
I hope you can feel the love and joy in these photographs. For many years all I did was work non-stop every day during the summer wedding season, but since leaving Colorado I’ve been working on this thing called ‘balance’. Slowly, but surely I think I’m finding it — letting myself just take off days from work and just have fun with family, play outside in the garden, enjoy a BBQ (my husband is so good at grilling!).
It’s all good, you know?
I hope you are finding time to enjoy summer, too. 
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Floral Design Class Tomorrow!
I’m teaching a floral design class tomorrow in Seattle and there are a few spaces left! Sign up for the class is at the bottom of this post – I’d love to have you join us if you are in the area!
The Compote Floral Arrangement Workshop With Dahlias
Saturday, August 1, 2015 | 2:00 to 4:30pm
In this class we’ll discuss how to design a lush, garden style flower arrangement in a compote vessel using chicken wire as the support structure. After the discussion each student will create their own floral arrangement masterpiece using a gorgeous variety of flowers.
Location: Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, 5840 Airport Way S #201, Seattle, WA 98108
Investment: $150.00 per person
Register Here
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Logos for Florists
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Flower Hearts
3 Leaf Floral
Martha Stewart
Lola Creative
Verbena Flowers
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Wedding Wednesday :: Summer Yellows
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Q&A :: Styled Shoots
Hello Flower Friends,
I have a question for all of you today from a business owner. Please leave your suggestions, comments, thoughts and advice in the comments section of the blog.
Thank you in advance!
Alicia
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Styled Shoots. How do other people handle working with other professionals? Does everyone cover their own costs or are contracts exchanged with the organizer paying everyone for their services? I recently agreed to provide arrangements for my first styled shoot, being organized by an event planner. Upon further discussion I realized that there was no rain plan and she intended to cancel the event if the weather did not cooperate. Since I would have to purchase and design the flowers father in advance of the shoot this seemed to only be a problem for me (i.e. the photographer, model, etc. did not have a problem with this arrangement). Anyway, just curious how others approach these opportunities so that they are fun and beneficial.
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Fleur Friday
Well, this Fleur Friday is posting so late today that it is practically a Fleur Saturday!
I’m sure you’ll all empathize with me … I’ve been slammed this week!
Today I’m putting the finishing touches on a wedding for tomorrow, here’s a sneak peek –
Ok, let’s talk about my cooler drama this week. So I bought a floral cooler from a friend of mine, so happy to be getting a cooler after two seasons of doing without! I spent last Sunday cleaning out my studio (aka-garage) to make space with the plan that the cooler would arrive on Monday. Sure enough, the movers canceled the Monday deliver last minute and said they’d deliver on Wednesday. BOO! Cooler arrives on Wednesday and it won’t turn on, those (not nice word) movers moved it on its back! So next we have to call the repairman, he arrives on Friday to fix the cooler. By mid-day Friday he had the compressor running again. YEA! Well, that was short lived because next it blew the circuit breaker. Yep. No Cooler for this weekend’s wedding. We now wait for an electrician to come and re-wire the outlet. I’m just crossing fingers that the cooler is working before the next wedding!
At least the dogs are enjoying running thru it –
Isn’t it funny how often us floral designers hear – “Oh, You are so lucky to play with flowers everyday!”
When in truth most of our time is spent fixing situations: flower orders not coming thru as planned, coolers not working, sourcing containers, brides adding on flowers last minute, etc.
Flexibility is a must in this business!
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Bloompop Interviews Free Spirit Floral
Today we hand the blog reins over to Bloompop, who is interviewing Free Spirit Floral–
Free Spirit Floral is owned by Mary Beth Buchholz in Alexandria, Virginia
Check out the Free Spirit Floral page on Bloompop
When did you start your business and where are you based?
I started Free Spirit Floral in 2012 after dreaming about it from my office in downtown DC. We are home-based —I can’t even call it “studio-space!” In truth, we are a floral speakeasy or the floral industry’s equivalent of a garage band.
What is your favorite thing about being a Bloompop Floral Partner?
Well, I think more than anything I am grateful to be one of the first floral partners that were part of the initial launch of Bloompop here in the Washington, DC metro area. I truly admire their entrepreneurial spirit and their approach to allow florists to be the artists who we really are!
Can you tell us what prompted you to partner with Bloompop?
Why not? There was absolutely no downside!
What (in your mind) is the biggest challenge facing the floral industry today?
I think the biggest challenge is conveying the total value of the floral design to our clients and potential customers. Many people believe that because flowers at the local grocery store are relatively inexpensive that ALL flowers must be affordable or inexpensive. So they are really only looking at the cost of the flowers –not the preparation, design, and heavy lifting that go into making beautiful floral elements to enhance their celebration or event.
Where & how do you find inspiration for your floral designs?
There is so much inspiration in nature itself! I love designs that incorporate something unexpected whether it be in shape, texture or color. I also love a beautiful vase or bowl or using something unusual for the vessel.
Can you describe a typical day at your shop?
Well, it’s not a shop. First and foremost, it is a home –one shared with my fabulous husband, our two daughters and two cats. So, they have to all get out the door before the floral work really begins.
As a designer it isn’t always easy to go hunting for new business opportunities- Would you say that Bloompop helps augment your sales team for business?
Yes. More than anything, I like the synergy it creates with other floral designers in the area. I’m not really a competitive person; I just like flowers and I have a team of designers that share that zen-feeling! I am so blessed!
What would you say to a florist who is interested in Bloompop?
In the words of Nike, “just do it!”
Want to know more about joining Bloompop? Click here
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A Blush Wedding
Hi Flower Friends!
This past weekend I designed a wedding with blush flowers. Believe it or not, this was my first blush wedding since 2012. I might be the only floral designer out there that has gone three years without a blush wedding?! (I tend to get a lot of green and white weddings.)
Anyway, onto my point of today’s blog post. I had some real pretties in this past week and thought I’d share a few flower notes with all of you. I know how the search for the perfect rose is always ON!
Here goes –
The oh-so-beautiful White O’Hara Rose. This one is a real beauty, opens up huge and takes up a lot of space in centerpieces. Plus, smells delightful!
Wedding Spirit by Nevado Roses. This one was a pretty one! The bloom is huge and great blush-peach color. The bloom doesn’t open much wider than what you can see here-
Pink Garden Roses!! Voyage from Alexandra Farms is the true pink rose, it is a perfectly rounded shape and packed of petals, a really pretty one! Rosalind is by David Austin. Ok, so I wasn’t familiar with Rosalind and was quite surprised to see the David Austin packaging on it when it arrived. I put in a call to Eleanor, director of cut flowers for David Austin, to inquire about Rosalind. Turns out there are only two farms in the world that grow this particular rose for David Austin; Green Valley in California and Agrinag in South America. It is a rose they’ve decided to ‘discontinue’ if you will, but as long as those two farms want to grow it that’s fine, just no more plants will be added into production – interesting, right?! AND Keira — she was the star of the show last week. I love the variations in the pink colors, super ruffly, super pretty. Plus, delightful scent. I designed the petite bridal bouquet with only David Austin Keira Roses (sorry, no pictures)
David Austin Juliet. There is only one Juliet. I don’t care how often anyone offers up a substitution, there is no substitution for this rose. This particular one is from Green Valley Growers. I received Juliets from both Green Valley & Alexandra Farms. The Juliets are Alexandra Farms are a lighter peach color.
Moonstruck Spray Roses from Peterkort Roses. This is a great spray rose, love how it blows open and has an awesome petite spray. It holds great, too!! Each bloom is on a long stem which is impressive with spray roses. I highly recommend this one –
What blush wedding is complete without Cafe Au Lait Dahlias?! I picked these up from Kelly of Botanique Flowers. She has a great cutting garden!
Now Foliages — one of the things I’ve been working on this year with my very own cutting garden is growing foliages. I want a variety of foliages at my finger tips. As soon as I booked this wedding I planted a bunch of dusty miller in the garden. I swear it holds up better than dusty miller purchased at the wholesalers. Oh, and I grew these dahlias, a perfect addition to the centerpieces.
Vines, growing my own vines seems to be key to getting good, not bruised stuff! This is Porcelain Berry Vine (my husband suggested this be added to the centerpieces) and Jasmine Vines. I bought the jasmine vine to use for a class a few months ago and then planted the plants in the garden – I had plenty of long vines for my centerpieces. I highly recommend adding some vines into your cutting garden! –
An overview of some of the centerpieces-
What’s your favorite Foliage to grow?
Hope you enjoyed today’s post!
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Wedding Wednesday :: Bouquets with Proteas
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More Pages to Explore .....
