State Flowers: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Flower:

Mountain Laurel is the official Pennsylvania State Flower. Mountain Laurel, a wildflower, is also the state flower of Connecticut. Copycats. J/K ...... :)

Mountain Laurel flowers are star-shaped, growing in clusters, with colors ranging from red to pink to white. They bloom between May and June. The Mountain Laurel flower stamens have a mechanism to eject pollen when tripped by a bee. (You can see the hooked stamens in pic) How great is that?

Mountain Laurel flowers are also called Ivybush, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, Sheep Laurel, Lambkill and Clamoun.

These are just so pretty. Why not add a local beauty to your bouquet?

Flower of the Week: Calla Lily

The beautiful Calla. What do you think you know about it? Let's see....

1 Name games.

Most commonly known as callas or calla lilies in the United States, these distinctive flowers of the Zantedeschia genus are also known as arum lilies (primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe); pig lilies (in their native South Africa, where they’re common roadside plants); and trumpet lilies (a reminder of the archangel Gabriel and his trumpet).

2 Mistaken monikers.

Despite their common names, callas are not related to lilies (Lilium); rather, they are members of the Araceae (arum) family, which includes Anthurium, Caladium, Philodendron, Dieffenbachia (dumb cane), Spathiphyllum (peace lily), Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen) and Arisaema (jack-in-the-pulpit).

3 Anatomy lessons.

These elegant flowers are made up of a funnel-shaped spathe (actually a colored petal-like leaf) that surrounds a fleshy spike, called a spadix. The actual “flowers” are the “bumps” on the spadix. Callas’ stems are smooth and leafless. Standard callas have a head size of about 6 inches and stem lengths ranging from about 20 to 48 inches. Miniature callas’ head sizes vary from about 3 to 5 inches, and stem lengths range from about 8 to 20 inches.

4 News about hues.

Standard callas are available in white, white/green variegated (e.g., ‘Green Goddess’) and blush pink (e.g., ‘Diva Maria’). Miniature callas also are available in white as well as a wide variety of yellows, oranges, pinks, reds, lavenders, purples and bicolors. Hues vary depending on growing conditions, so two flowers of the same variety may have slightly different colorations. Think in terms of a “color range”.

Blue Hydrangea

My favorite flower in the whole wide world is the Hydrangea. More specifically the blue Hydrangea. There is even a breed called "Nikko Blue!" You know I LOVE that. (see image below)

And how great is this arrangement?!

Yea Hydrangea!!!

Blue Rose

This news was recently published in a Floral Industry Trade publication.
Exciting!!!

04/01/2009 The first blue rose is a step closer to becoming reality. Scientists have discovered a new gene that makes blue flower varieties possible.
Scientists in the Genetics Department at the Earth and Life Sciences Faculty of the Amsterdam Free University have discovered the secret of flower colors. Researchers have tracked down the gene PH5, which plant cells use to regulate acidity (pH). Mutations to the gene can result in Petunia petals taking on the aberrant color blue.

pH dependentFlower color pigments produce the color in flowers and are contained in so-called vacuoles. These are fluid filled blisters in which reserve matter, pigments and waste products, are stored. The vacuoles are found in the scarfskin cells of the petals. The color of the pigment depends on the level of acidity, i.e. the pH. Where there is a low pH (an acid environment) the pigments are red, where the pH is higher (a neutral environment) they are blue.

Blue color -
The scientists used the flower color to find Petunia mutants that have lost the facility to acidify the vacuole. This results in a blue color. The research has shown that there are at least seven different genes (specifically PH1 to PH7) that result in a blue flower color and an increase in the pH in the vacuole. The PH5 gene is unusual because it appears to be a part of a specific acidification mechanism that is unique to petal cells. A blue color results when the PH5 in the flower is ‘switched off’. The discovery of this gene opens up possibilities of finally producing a blue rose (or carnation, lily or Gerbera).

Do I Have to Have Roses?

Some people still think that wedding flowers mean roses and only roses. And more roses. That is so LAST MILLENIUM!

Don't get me wrong, if you happen to love roses, by all means, have roses. But lately, wedding flowers aren't even always flowers. Some of us are a little more avant garde than others. You may like twigs, grasses or even certain objects on your wedding day. I just saw a bouquet of strawberries!

You love birds? How about antique metal birdhouses for a centerpiece? Add flowers to it, or not...

A big trend is beach themed weddings. Incorporate shells into your bouquet, not just at the reception. For the ones who want to be "a little more traditional", try seashell bouquet jewelry. Bouquetjewels.com is someone I work with and they have beautiful starfish bouquet gems.

The point is, this your wedding day, and you should love everything about it, even your flowers. ESPECIALLY your flowers

How Can I Save Money?

Not many of us are riding high, floating down the money river in this recession. BUT we still want to have the wedding of our dreams. Right? Right. So what can you do?
Well, if flowers are a big deal to you, and they should be :), you want the most bang for your buck. Sooooooooo.

I suggest lots of color..... Your bouquet is your finishing touch. The "icing on the cake." (corny, I know) You want to look at your pictures and say "wow!" Nothing makes people look prettier than being photographed in nature, or with nature. The colors, and lighting lend to the greatest shots. I fyou can't afford the most exquisite orchids or gardenias, go for your favorite rich colors. There are beautiful flowers like stock, alstromeria and certain Oriental lilies that are so vibrant and very cost effective.

You don't want people to look at your flowers and say, "Poor thing, she ran out of money." But you also don't want to break the bank. So make sure that you make the perfect statement. One that says, "I am beautiful, don't these flowers complement me perfectly???"

And rich, vibrant color can do that. At any budget.

No matter what your color theme is, ask me which flowers will work for you and I will be glad to work with you on your wedding design. The best design for you!!


Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next installment, "How to save money at the reception".....

How to save money at the reception.

So you've saved, asked your parents for a little help and now you have a pretty good budget. You're happy. But you still aren't working with Taj Mahal type money. What can yo do?
You can save with a few small cut backs on reception decor. Cutting back doesn't mean scripming on style. By no means would I EVER suggest that. Style comes at every budget...
So what to do?
I discussed in an earlier thread about cute, inexpensive centerpieces. Lots of small groupings, various votive holders, some with candles, some with single, full blooms. Maybe shells, or a starfish. How about frames? Pretty wrapped boxes even, to tie in your colors. There are endless possibilities that match YOUR theme.

One popular trend right now is one tall vase with one or two stems completely submerged. That look is very minimal, yet very striking. Some have even floated a candle on top of the vase. Sparkly :)
You could also do another minimal look with various sized vases with branches and hanging gems. That look can actually be very cost effective, depending on the vase type.
I guess the point here is to think out of the box, the "normal" centerpieces. You don't have to have a vase overflowing with orchids and stephanotis. That can be gorgeous, but it doesn't have to be you.
Be you, and be happy the day after when you still have some money left.

Happy blog days................