Floral Media - Flower Agenda - week 9-12 - Freesia

I'm back this month with another 'Flower Agenda' - where the Flower Council of Holland feature a special cut flower every month. This month it's all about the Freesia.

Freesia was first found in South Africa where the flower is called 'Cape-lily-of-the-valley'. It was given it's name by the South African botanist Ecklon in 1830. He named it after his friend Dr Friedrich Freese. 

The freesia are grown from tubers and they come as single or double flowers. It also comes in a wide variety of colours - white, yellow, orange, red, blue, pink and purple - as well as bi-coloured and multi-coloured. Many varieties have a beautiful sweet scent and they carry on growing in the vase. 

Here are some care tips: 

- Use a clean vase and fill it with water at room temperature.

- Add flower food for a longer vase life.

- Trim the stems diagonally with a pair of sharp and clean flower scissors.

- Don't place freesias in a draught, in full sun or near central heating.   

- Also don't place freesias near fruit or vegetables that emits  ethylene gas which will cause the flowers to age more rapidly.

- Remove wilted flower heads to encourage further flowering and change the water in the vase every two days. 

Traditionally a spring flower but is now available all year around and its one of the world's most popular cut flowers. 

It can be used in many different ways - in bud vases with just one or a few stems in each vase. Mixed with other flower in larger bouquets where it will provide fabulous colour and texture to the whole arrangement.

The freesia has wonderful long arching stems that gives interesting long, lovely lines and the flower buds keep opening along the stem ending at the tip in little green buds. 

I hope you have enjoyed my little feature on freesias and why not try some this season yourself. 

Have fun with your arranging and I will be back with another Flower Agenda next month - when I will be featuring Gerberas.

[All images are provided by the Flower Council of Holland.]

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous floral day!

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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Floral Media - Flower Agenda - week 5-8 - Rose

For the second year in a row I'll be doing the Flower Council of Holland's monthly information about cut flowers. Its called The Flower Agenda. I'll be covering 15 different flowers during 2016. Last month it was the Tulip and this month it's the Rose.

The rose goes back to Roman, Greek and Egyptian times - but was not introduced to Europe until the 16th century. 

The rose is often called the Queen of Flowers - it is available to buy twelve months of the year and is bought for all occasions from weddings, birthdays, Valentine's to funerals. 

The rose comes in many different colours and shapes - red, white, yellow, pink, purple, orange and green as well as multicoloured.  

Red roses are often associated with love - other colours have their own symbolism.

White: purity, dignity, true love.

Pink: happiness, gratitude, virtue.

Orange: longing , sympathy, longing.

Yellow: intimate friendship, solidarity  

• Look after your roses and they will last longer. 
• Remove any leaves that will end up below the water line in the vase. 
• Use a clean vase and fresh water. 
• Trim the stems with a diagonal cut. 
• Change water and re-cut stems every 2-3 days.
• Don't put roses in direct sunlight, in a drought or near any source of heat.
• Don't place roses near a bowl of fruit. 

Roses are perfect for making classic bouquets - but they can also be combined with lots of other flowers to make something less traditional.

Add lilacs, stock flowers or gerberas or like in the next two images a whole host of flowers mixed with roses to make stunning and unusual bouquets.

Have a Lovely Floral Monday!

I'll be back later in the week with more floral delights from 

Of Spring and Summer.

Ingrid

~ xoxo ~

[All images provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Tulip Week - Day 2 - More Inspirational Tulips

Here are some very colourful images of tulips provided by The Flower Council of Holland as part of their promotion of cut flowers called Flower Agenda - week 1-4 it's all about tulips.

A riot of colour showing different ways of combining colourful tulips with ribbons, fabrics, wallpaper, bags and a multitude of vases and containers.

Why not be inspired by some of these new and trendy ways of displaying the flowers.

Enjoy!!

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous floral Tuesday!

I'll see you again tomorrow with Day 3 of Tulip Week. I will tell you a bit about tulips and how to look after them to make sure they last as long as possible.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Images provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]

You can also find me on:

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Floral Media - Flower Agenda - Week 48 - 52 - Amaryllis

This is the last installment for 2015 - from The Flower Council of Holland's campaign about cut flowers - it's called Flower Agenda and during the weeks 48-52 - its all about Amaryllis - used as a cut flower.

Here is a little bit of information and facts about Amaryllis:

Anyone looking to discover the amaryllis's birthplace needs to travel to South, Central America and the Caribbean. This radiant flower is a descendant of the Narcissus family, and grows from a bulb. Did you know that the name 'Amaryllis' comes from the Greek word 'amarussein', which means 'sparkling' or 'radiant'?

The amaryllis's petals are very unusual; they look like they're made from fabulous velvet. In terms of colour, they come in white, red, yellow, pink, salmon, purple, orange and bi-coloured. 

 

There are usually four to six imposing flowers on the stem. The amaryllis does not have any foliage. That's why they sometimes call her the 'Naked Lady' in the United States.

To enjoy amaryllis for a long time follow these tips.
•    Trim the stems diagonally.
•    Select a sturdy glass vase.
•    Make sure that the vase is nice and clean, fill it with water and use cut flower food for bulb flowers.
•    Place the vase in a reasonably cool place, not in a draught or next to the fruit bowl.

The amaryllis symbolises pride and enchanting beauty. It expresses a feeling of friendship and affection. This is the perfect flower if you want to capture hearts.

The amaryllis combines well, and effortlessly fits into various styles. If you like simplicity, then combine amaryllis with Viburnum. If you prefer something livelier, but still restrained, make a fantastic white bouquet with amaryllis, lilac and magnolia. A robust bouquet also works well. Take a sturdy vase and place holly and amaryllis bulbs in it to create a bouquet that no-one can ignore!

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a great floral day!

I will be back later in the week with more floral delights from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Images provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Floral Media - Flower Agenda - week 45-48 - Orchid

I'm back with another instalment from The Flower Council of Holland's campaign about cut flowers - it's called Flower Agenda and during the weeks 42-45 - it's all about the Orchid as a cut flower that is featured.

Here is a little bit of information and facts about Orchid: 

The orchid is the second largest family of plants - but nobody knows exactly how old it is.

The orchid originates from the tropical rain forests where they grow in trees and on rocks.

There are more than 25,000 species. The flower comes in a range of impressive colours, from powder pastels to candy pink or zen white. There's even a tiger print.

This will help to enjoy orchids for a long time by giving them the following tips.
•    Cut 1 cm off the stem and place the orchid in clean tepid water.
•    Repeat this every five days.
•    Do not use any cut flower food.
•    Do not touch the flower's delicate interior; this will avoid rapid wilting.
•    Keep the flower away from direct sunlight, central heating and the fruit bowl.

The orchid represents pure friendship. When Brazilians give it as a gift, they give a kiss for each flower. Alongside kisses and flowers, an orchid is also a gift with style - the orchid was First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s favourite flower. So wherever there's an orchid, a style icon is never far away.

You can use the stylish orchid in many ways. Opt for an imposing large bouquet made of orchids, Cymbidium and Salix. Or choose a refined arrangement with a natural look by combining orchids with roses, Calla and Salix. To make a sunny statement, create the yellow bouquet in the photo above using orchids and branches with yellow berries.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a great floral day!

I will be back later in the week with more floral delights from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Images provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Floral Media - Flower Agenda - Week 42-45 - Lisianthus

I'm back with another instalment from The Flower Council of Holland's campaign about cut flowers - it's called Flower Agenda and during the weeks 42-45 - it's the Lisianthus that is featured.

Here is a little bit of information and facts about Lisianthus:

The lisianthus originates from North America, where it grows in riverbeds in the desert and prairie. In the states of Texas, Nebraska, Nevada and Colorado this plant is also called the prairie gentian. Although originally an American beauty, the lisianthus' rise to fame really started in Japan. It was Japanese growers who crossbred the prairie gentian in the 1930s. This resulted in today's lisianthus.

The lisianthus is multifaceted. It comes in white, red, blue, yellow, pink, purple and orange. Some flowers even have petals in multiple colours. Lisianthus petals are not only colourful, but also very soft and delicate.

Trim the stems slightly diagonally. Use a sharp knife for this.
Remove the excess leaves so that there are no leaves in the water.
Place the lisianthus in a clean vase with clean water.
Regularly top up the vase: lisianthus needs a lot of water.
The thin petals mean that the water in the flowers evaporates rapidly, so do not place them in direct sunlight or near other sources of heat. Do not place the lisianthus in a draft or next to the fruit bowl either.

With beautiful, soft petals, Lisianthus is a great flower to display in small bowls or mason jars. The colourful flowers have a striking effect even if when their stems are cut short - just remember to keep the water topped up!

Prior to cultivation the lisianthus is commonly called eustoma, derived from the Greek words, eu, meaning beautiful, and stoma, meaning mouth.

The name lisianthus, which refers to the cultivated flower, comes from the Greek word Iysis, meaning dissolution, and anthos, meaning flower.

Lisianthus is also sometimes referred to as Texas bluebell, prairie gentian and tulip gentian.

With its tubular flower heads and delicate, frilled petals, the lisianthus is the epitome of femininity and romance, making it an ideal wedding flower – and versatile enough for buttonholes, headdresses and table centrepieces.

The lisianthus appears gentle and cute, but it has a powerful symbolism. This flower represents appreciation, gratitude and charisma. Making it the perfect candidate for a gift bouquet.

Lisianthus lasts for about two to three weeks in a vase once cut, lisianthus also make an ideal gift-to-self for the home – or a beautiful addition to a bouquet.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a great floral day!

I will be back later in the week with more floral delights from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Images provided by The Flower Council of Holland.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson