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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Happy National Poinsettia Day!

Traditional Red Poinsettia

Today marks the celebration of Poinsettia's. These beautiful star-shaped red flowers have become a world-wide symbol for Christmas.

Poinsettia Greenhouse
The poinsettia was introduced to America in 1828, but didn't become popular at Christmas time until the 1960's. It began making it's appearance during the holiday's on television thanks to shows like The Tonight Show and the Bob Hope Christmas Special. As one can tell, the poinsettias have only become more popular since it's humble beginning.

While originally available only in red, new varieties are now available in white, pink, red, burgundy, and mixes of these colors.  My favorite is the 'Winter Rose.'

Varieties available from our favorite local grower.
Poinsettias are delicate plants and don't really hold up well over long shipping distances or with sever temperature changes.  Luckily, we have a wonderful local grower for all our poinsettias.  Westwood Gardens has been growing Poinsettias for years and always have a wonderful selection.  

Before we wrap up this post, we wanted to make sure and squelch the rumor of the plant being poisonous  It does secrete a latex like substance from it's stems after being cut away from the main plant.  While the poinsettia is not recommended for consumption humans, it would take a massive amount of bracts (the red part of the flower) to make a child sick.

Enjoy your poinsettias this year!

For more information about poinsettias check out the following links.
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/is-poinsettia-really-poisonous
http://pauleckepoinsettias.com/


**Top photo via web, multiple sources. Other photos via www.westwoodgardens.com**

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

True Love Tuesday: Warren & Julie

Julie & Warren were wed on October 13 at Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks. They both wanted to keep their wedding true to the season they were getting married in. Drawing from the colors of Fall, we made her bouquet out of Asiatic Lilies, Button Mums, Sunflowers, Seeded Eucalyptus, and Hypercurium berries wrapped with Jute twine. The buffet arrangement was made from Curly Willow branches with hanging Dendrobium Orchids.

This was a beautiful fall wedding, and we were so happy to a part of their big day!!

Enjoy!!

Button Mum & wheat boutonniere

Calla lily & button mum corsage

Bride's Bouquet

Buffet Arrangement: curly willow & orchids

Cake decorated with fresh dahlias, button mums,
eucalyptus and gerbera daisies

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

True Love Tuesday: Stacy & Dave

Stacy & Dave were wed back in May at Pratt Place Barn. For their reception, they wanted to keep the barn open and bright so we chose a cream and white palette that would achieve their look. We used Hydrangea in the centerpieces, made the wreaths from Baby's Breath, and for her bouquet we used Peonies. When we were finished, the look was perfectly simple and bright. 

Enjoy!!


Holiday Wreath Class Pictures

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of working with some local crafters on creating their own holiday wreath! Here are a few pictures of our amazing class hard at work on their wreaths. A big thanks to Botanical Gardens for hosting us, and we look forward to having another class there soon!!










Saturday, December 1, 2012

Poinsettias - not just your average Christmas plant

It's that time of year again - Christmas! And with Christmas comes the call for Poinsettias probably the most recognized flower for winter time since the 1960's. As florists, we often get calls from people wanting to order Poinsettias for a loved one in lieu of an actual arrangement. Some people, though, would prefer not to get the plant considering they don't want the mess of a plant in the middle of their dinner table. Well, we have good news for those people -- we can actually incorporate the "flower" of the Poinsettia into a larger arrangement that can be used on a table without worrying about the dirt and mess from a plant.

Below we have included a few simple ideas that we plan on using as our own Poinsettia inspirations this year! And don't forget to order your Poinsettia or Poinsettia arrangement before National Poinsettia Day!

Enjoy!!
This simple arrangement turns the traditional decor into a clean, modern centerpiece. All you have to do is cut the "flower" to your desired length and float it in water. If you singe the end of the stem, the bloom will last longer.
These Poinsettia gifts are adorable! 
This is similar to the first picture. But instead of using vases and bowls here they used crystal stemware. 

All images come from Google and are not owned by Rose of Sharon, Floral Designs
These are simply our inspirations - not our work.