CHRYSANTHEMUM : The flower has been grown as far back as 15th century BC in China, also significant in Japan. Here, in America they have been grown by horticulturist since 1798 and commercially since 1884. Two types are grown for floral use : Disc Buds and Pom-Pons. Foot Ball; large single flowers (5-6”) on a stem up to 4 feet. Found in bronze, gold, lavender/purple, yellow and white, bunches of 5-10 & 25 stems Use in bouquets, large basket arrangements, pew and altar pieces, large table and vase arrangements and as loose cut flowers. Fuji & Spider: large single flower (5-6”) on stems up to 4 feet. Found in white, yellow and lavender/purple, bunches of 5-10 &25 stems-each flower encased in a plastic cover for safety. Use in bokays, table and vase arrangements, Altar, arch and pew pieces, and as loose cut flowers. CARE: Remove all leaves but top few (4-6), remove safety collar, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared bucket or tall waste container. Flowers can be sprayed or stem dyed to achieve unusual colors. POM-PONS: medium to small flowers (1”-4”), multiple flowers per stem of up to 24 to 30 inches, bunches of 5-10 stems. Found in bronze, gold,lavender/purple, yellow and white; there are many varieties which are recognized by their petal appearance. Use in bokay, personal flowers, ceremony and reception pieces and as loose cut flowers. CARE: Remove all leaves but top few (4-6), fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared bucket or tall waste container. Flowers can be sprayed or stem dyed to achieve unusual colors. Save lateral stems for bokay and personal flower work. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weathers. MAGNOLIA: is in a large genus of 210 flowering plant species, some early species date back 95 million years. Native to Asia, North America, Central America, West Indies and South America. Most design work is done with m.grandifloria or Southern Magnolia. A large to medium tree of up to 120 feet, dark green, stiff-leathery leaves of 4-6 inches. Large flower of 8-12 inches, white petals of 5-6 inches, citrus like fragrance. there can be other varieties commercially available during the blooming season, check in your area. Bunches of 5 stems, greens available all year, flowers are seasonal. Use in bokays, ceremony and reception work. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with shears or smash if too thick, and in to prepared container. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to hot climates. CALLA LILY: first mentioned in a 1664 French illustration, are not in the Lily Family but that of caladium & philodendron family of plants. Associated with the Greek goddess Hera- wife of Zeus. Large size-flower 5”-6”,w lg yellow stamen, stem 3’-4’. Found in white, purple, pink, yellow, orange, bunches of 10. Use for all bokays, ceremony and reception arrangements use (not recommend for boutonniere or corsage) Miniature size-flower 3”-5”, w yellow stamen, stem 1’-2’. Found in white, pink, purple, yellow, rust/orange, variegated (wht w purple center), bunches of 10. Use in bokays, boutonnière, corsage and reception centerpiece work CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with knife and place in prepared container tall enough to support flower heads. Keep refrigerated or in very cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to very warm climates. Misting helps to keep flower face fresh. GLADIOLAS: derived from the Latin word gladius- a sword. Called the Sword Lily, but is placed in the Iris family. Extensive hybridization has produced a wide variety in colors from the original colors of pink, red, purple, white. A medium to large(2”-4”) flower in linear cluster of about 6-12 flowers on stems of 24” up to 48”. Found in white, pink, red, yellow, peach, purple, green and bi-color. Use single flowers in all bokays, personal flowers (treat like Gardenia) and table arrangements; whole stems in table and vase arrangements, ceremony and reception pieces; both forms use as loose cut flowers. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with sharpe knife or shears and place in prepared container or tall bucket to support stems. To force blooms to open, snap off top two inches of unopened stem and place in hot tap water with bit extra flower food. Keep in cool place. Flowers wired for bokay or personal flower use should be kept under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weather types. GINGER: Flower from a plant whose rhizome- Ginger Root is used as a spice throughout the world. Found in white, pink and reds. Sub variety called Bee Hive are a smaller size-very popular for bokay work. Limited use in bokay and personal flower work, use in ceremony and reception arrangements. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with sharp knife or shears, remove all leaves which will be below water line, and place in prepared container or tall bucket to support stems. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weathers. HALICONIA: also called Lobster Claw, this tropical plant is native to Tropical Americas and western Pacific, related to Canna and Bird of Paradise. Found in white, yellow, pink and reds. Limited use in bokay work, use in all ceremony and reception arrangements. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with sharp knife or shears, remove all leaves which will be below water line, and place in prepared container or tall bucket to support stems. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weathers. SNAPDRAGON: also called Dragon Flowers, a reference to the face of flower and that it opens and closes when squeezed laterally. Native to rocky areas of Europe, US and North Africa. Multiple flowers (10-20) around 2 inches, around a central stem, small lateral leaves. Divided by stem length: midget (6-8 inch), medium (15-30 inch), tall (30-48 inch). Colors in white, pink, purple, lavender, red/rust, red/burgundy, yellow, orange. 10 stem bunch. Use in all bridal and personal flowers, ceremony and reception arrangements. CARE: Remove all damaged leaves on stem and those below water, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container or vase. Keep refrigerated, flowers wired for bokay or personal flower use should be kept refrigerated TEMPERATURES: Do well in cool to warm climates. Loose cut flowers should be on water tubes. RANUNCULA: comes from Late Latin meaning “little frog”, refers to the many species that are found near or around water. The flowers we enjoy today are the result of extensive cultivation. The flower’s multiple petals can often be lustrous and paper thin, poppy like in appearance when fully open- 1 1/2 to 2 inches on a stem of 10-14 inches. Bunches of 10. Found in a wide variety of colors except blue. Use in all brides flowers, personal flowers, ceremony and reception pieces. CARE: Remove any leaves damaged or below water line. fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared vase or bucket. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in most weather except extreme heat. HYACINTH: a spring blooming bulb that is native to the Mediterranean, each bulb produces 4-6 linear leaves with 2-3 spikes of flowers. Flowers, about 1/2 inch, are densely clustered around a central stem of 6-8 inches. found in red, blue, white, pink, orange, violet and yellow, bunches of 10. Use as focal flowers in bokays, wire single florets for personal flowers, whole stems in reception designs. Short size restricts the usage in large ceremony pieces. CARE: Separate leaves from stems if damaged and discard, fresh cut with sharp knife and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place to open then keep refrigerated. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in medium to cool climates, keep misted in hot climates. Loose cut flowers should be on water tubes for use. GRAPE HYACINTH: a bulb plant native to Eurasia. Originally named a hyacinth in 1061 later changed to the botanical Muscari in 1754. Blooming in early spring producing a 6-12 inch stem with a dense cluster of urn-shaped flowers resembling clusters of grapes. Found in blue to dark blue, purple, some white are available. bunches of 10. Use in all bouquet and personal flower work, reception designs. Small size restricts use in large ceremony pieces. CARE: Separate leaves from stems if damaged and discard, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container. Keep refrigerated. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in medium to cool climates, keep misted in hot climates. Loose cut flowers should be on water tubes for use SUCCULENT: Do Not confuse with Cactus and sharp thorns. The word comes from the Latin sucus meaning juice or sap. Succulents store their water in leaves and stems to survive in time of drought. These adaptive plants have become a staple in today’s wedding designs. Their many sizes, variety of colors (greens, grays, dark reds and black) and their configurations have endless uses in the wedding event. Both the plants and cut plants are used. To achieve unusual colors or richer hues, you can use a water based food coloring, diluted in water for watering the succulent plants for a few weeks while they absorb the color with no harm. Use in all bridal bokay and personal flower work, ceremony and reception arrangements and displays. CARE: fresh cut and placing in prepared container for cut plants. Not necessary for plants in soil- a light watering is enough-keep moist, but not wet. Cut plants should be kept in cool place. Refrigerate bokay and personal flower work as necessary. TEMPERATURES: plants do well in all climates. ASTERS: found in the family Asteraceae with 32,931 species, that includes Daisy and Chrysanthemum, all with compact flower heads composed of many smaller flowers in center with radiating petals. The name comes from the Latin word of aster which means star. Prized by gardeners for their bright colors and longevity. Found in purples, pink, white, yellow and reds. Flower is about 2-3 inches on stems of 24-30 inches. Miniature varieties are available in white, pink, lavenders, multiple flowers on a single stem, about the size of a dime. Use in all bridal and personal flower work, all ceremony and reception designs. CARE: Remove all leaves but top few (4-6), fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared bucket or tall waste container. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weathers. DAISY: part of the Asteraceae family-small grassland plant with flowers that have yellow composite centers with radiating white petals- light green, lobed leaves. Flower about 2” on stems of 8-12 inches, bunches of 10-12-Not to be confused with Daisy Pom-Pons. Found in yellow, white and a seasonal pink. Use in bokays, not recommended for personal flower work (use mums if necessary), table and vase arrangements. SHASTA DAISY: leucanthemumL.x superbum- a tall perennial plant with the classic Daisy designs of yellow center and white petals. Flowers is about 3 inches across, pointed, dark green leaves on stems of 24-30 inches. However, the flower has a strong scent which some can find unpleasant. Use in bokays, not recommended for personal flower work (use mums if necessary), ceremony and receptions pieces. CARE: Remove all greens except top 2-3 leave sets, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared vase or bucket. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in most weather except extreme heat. AMARYLLIS: known by it’s common name, it’s real name is Hippeastrum- which means “knight’s-star-lily”. This genus is native to the Americas from Mexico to Argentina and across Caribbean. The bulb has been extensively cultivated since the 19th century to produce large, showy flowers in winter. Judged by flower size- single, double, miniature, trumpet (Easter Lily) and jumbo. Found in reds, pink, salmon, white, some in yellow & pale green. Use as focal flower in brides bouquets, ceremony and reception pieces. CARE: Separate stems and leaves, give fresh cut with shape knife and place in prepared container. Keep refrigerated. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool climates to warm weather COREOSIDEAE: summer blooming flowers that grow in a airy cluster, plants are favored by gardeners for attracting bees and butterflies. Coreopsis (yellow flower) and Cosmos (lavender, white and magenta) both are daisy-like with yellow center. Use in bouquet and personal flowers, ceremony and reception arrangements. CARE: Remove all leaves that will be below water line, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared bucket or container. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to warm weathers. AGAPANTHUS: name means Love Flower, often called Lily if the Nile, is not a Lily but more closely related to the Iris. Native of South Africa are found throughout warmer climates especially Northern California. Summer blooming, thick green, leathery leaves, single stem of 3-4 feet that ends in a cluster of funnel shaped flowers. Colors range from blue to purples, white, bunches of 5. Use in all bouquet and personal flowers, ceremony and reception pieces. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with knife and place in prepared container tall enough to support flower heads. Keep refrigerated or in very cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to very warm climates. ALLIUM: a large genus of bulb plants that includes onion, garlic, leek used as food, while others are used as ornamental plants, many retain the characteristic order. Giant allium is prized for its large size and striking globe of flowers on large stems. The flowers are small (1/4 - 1/2inch) and bloom from the outside flowers inward. Other varieties make their way into floral design work of other colors and sizes, many are seasonal to specific areas of the country. Giant Allium; flower cluster is 5-6 inches, on stem of 3-4 feet, found in lavender/purple and white, bunch of 5 stems. Use in bouquets, ceremony and reception work. Drumstick allium; flower cluster is 1 inch on stem of 10-12 inches, found in purple with green at bottom of cluster, bunch of 10 stems. Use in all bouquet and personal flower work, ceremony and reception designs. CARE: Give fresh cut to ends with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place or under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in spring warm to cool climates. |