June is California Grown Flowers Month

Did you know that June is California Grown Flower Month?

This week, California Sen. Mike McGuire took to the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to support California’s flower-farming families by passing Senate Concurrent Resolution 58 declaring June “California Grown Flowers Month.”

In presenting the resolution, McGuire acknowledged California’s hardworking flower farmers for the beauty, variety and economic value their flowers bring the Golden State.

“Today, we are recognizing California as America’s best source for high-quality cut flowers,” Senator Mike McGuire said. “The industry has blossomed since its inception back in the late 1870s. California flower farmers, distributors and florists generate thousands of jobs and drive $12.2 billion in economic activity every year. Our own Humboldt County is one of the largest flower producers in America growing more fresh tulips than anywhere else in the nation.”

As part of the announcement, each senator received a bouquet of California Grown Flowers from McGuire to help commemorate the occasion.

“The month of June is the perfect time to celebrate the beauty and bounty of what our farms grow in California,” explained California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) CEO & Ambassador Kasey Cronquist. “The resolution helps to remind people that the origin of your flowers does matter and buying California Grown Flowers does make a difference – not only in the quality of the flowers, but also by helping the state’s economy.”

So, the table is set and it’s time to celebrate!

Honoring Mom: Field Bouquets

This month we're honoring moms by featuring some very special bouquets... bouquets we think give new meaning to our flowers. These gorgeously colorful bouquets are created everyday right in the fields. Often hidden creations that tell a story of life in the fields and the seasonality of each harvest.

These amazing 'Field Bouquets' as we call them are not often seen, they're crafted quickly and... it's on to the next one. Usually, there's little time to appreciate their beauty. And so, as a tribute to moms we're sharing of some of our favorite field creations. We love the idea of sending a special message about life in the fields through our blooms.

Happy Mother's Day!

What’s Blooming: Leucadendron

The rumors are true, it’s ‘Leucadendron Season’. Often one of the first hints of spring in our fields, leucadendron serve as a welcoming committee for warmer and longer days. These barometers of the season begin to emerge as winter winds down, blooming from the cold days of February all the way through May. Though often known as "conebush" due to their colorful nuts, leucadendron are considered the foliage side of the protea family. Most leucadendron are indigenous to South Africa, though some varieties have been found in Australia as well. Around 80 known species exist and all share the same emphasis: the beauty of their foliage. The colorful petals of the leucadendron are called bracts (modified leaves), and the true flower is the cone nestled among their bracts.

Leucadendron includes evergreen shrubs and small trees which have green, often waxy, leaves which are arranged in spirals on the stem. They are dioeceous plants. That is, the male and female plant parts are produced in separate flowers on separate plant species of all species in this genus. Leucadendron thrive in freely-draining soil. They require sunlight most of the day and can be propagated by cuttings or seed.

With so many fabulous varieties to choose from, it's hard to play favorites with leucadendron, but we've gathered a few outstanding varieties for you here.

Advocating for America’s Flower-Farming Families

The voices being heard in Washington D.C. this month weren’t solely those of a new administration, they were those of America's Flower Farmers too. Their conversation wasn’t about who won or lost the election, it was about preserving our country’s Flower-Farming Families. Farmers from Alaska to Florida, California to Virginia spent two days conveying an important message to their elected officials - “Origin Matters”. Whether it is to support ‘local’ jobs and the economy, retain generations of flower farming knowledge, share improved sustainability efforts or to simply ensure that they can compete fairly with the daily flow of imported flowers.

This delegation has assembled as a national group (this being the largest yet) in D.C. for the last five years. They gather to share their stories, experiences and pass on some key messages with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. New farmers, small farms, young farmers, big farms and seasoned farmers all working together, advocating for the future of America's Flowers-Farming Families and leaving a powerful impression with members of Congress and with the new administration. The meetings were a success on all measures and the benefits of American Grown Flowers – The highlight.

Winter Wreaths

Despite the fact that a moody groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, we’ve got a ‘welcome’ cure for the winter blues. Handmade with 10 to 16 small bouquets —our designers create wreaths so lush that they’ll take the chill out of winter and brighten up dark days. Crafted with the season’s freshest flowers and foliage – blooming leucadendron, textural greens, accent flowers and colorful protea, pincushions & banksia... all the ingredients necessary to create a joyful spirit and cheerful welcome.

Floral News: Inspirational Stories of the Week

Three-Dozen Floral Designers Transform a Condemned Detroit Duplex with 36,000 Flowers.

Last November, florist Lisa Waud went to a public auction and purchased an abandoned house in Detroit, Michigan—sight unseen. Crumbling and condemned, the aging duplex was filled knee-high with trash, broken bottles, and even a dead dog. Her winning bid: $250. But Waud had a vision. She planned to invite florists from Michigan, Ohio, New York and Canada to fill the house with a temporary art installation of 36,000 flowers. This morning, Flower House opens to the public. After a year of planning and three days of solid labor from dozens of volunteers, Flower House now contains room after room of independent flower designs and installations that flow together to create an immersive blooming environment. The piece is part art installation, part memorial to Detroit’s history, and an effort in sustainability and responsibility to American-grown flower farms. Read more>

Flower House grows from art installation inspiration.

Beyond the crumbling plaster, busted pipes, and peeling paint, a small ceramic plate remains fastened to the wall of an abandoned duplex in Hamtramck.“This is my house,” the plate reads, “and I’ll do as I darn please.” It’s a mantra Hamtramck floral designer Lisa Waud has taken to heart. With the help of more than three dozen floral designers from Michigan, Ohio, New York and Canada, Waud and her friends have taken an unlikely canvas, an abandoned house on the I-75 service drive, and transformed it with flowers, plants and foliage. Read more>

A Detroit Florist’s Vision Turns an Abandoned House Into Art.

Eleven months ago, a derelict house here that is now filled with 36,000 flowers contained far grimmer things. A dead dog. Jammed toilets - untouched for years. Broken glass from beer bottles and shattered windows. Twelve thousand pounds of trash had to be hauled out before Lisa Waud, a florist who bought the duplex at auction for $250, could see what kind of canvas she had purchased. Read more>

Flowers - What We LOVE!

With Valentine's Day just weeks away we've began harvesting some amazing flowers and we want you to see them first! 

 

Share a little of our LOVE this Valentine's Day and give the gift of Flowers!