Monday, December 26, 2016

Grand Floral Staircase


The Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte is a 142-step monumental staircase from 1608 in the old part of the town of Caltagirone, located on the island of Sicily, about 70 km southwest of Catania. This breathtaking staircase that connects the high part of the city to the low part, is the center of many cultural events in Caltagirone.

http://sudestsicilia.it/en/places/caltagirone/staircase-santa-maria-del-monte

The peculiarity of the staircase is each step is decorated with different hand-decorated ceramic tile, using styles and figures derived from the millennial tradition of pottery making. Twice a year this staircase is used a backdrop for which images of patron saints and other local themes are illustrated using thousands of flowers or candles.

Between the month of May and June, the town celebrates La Scala Infiorata, the flower festival of Caltagirone. During this period the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte is decorated with hundreds of potted plants artfully arranged to create beautiful geometric patterns that climb up the staircase. Then later in July, the Luminaria Festival is held in honor of the town's patron saint, San Giacomo, and the steps undergo yet another transformation. The staircase is illuminated with thousands of candles of different colors arranged in order to reconstruct an artistic drawing of several tens of meters.

The represented themes divide ideally the staircase in a dozen of sectors, in which figurative, geometric and floral elements representing different styles and different eras alternate: from the Arab-Norman to the Angevin-Aragonese one, from the Swabian to the Spanish one until chiara montana, passing through the inevitable baroque, the eighteenth and the contemporary nineteenth-century one.

Paper Cutting


The art of paper-cutting in China may date back to the second century C.E., since paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China.
As paper became more affordable, paper-cutting became one of the most important types of Chinese folk art. Later, this art form spread to other parts of the world, with different regions adopting their own cultural styles. Because the cut-outs are often used to decorate doors and windows, they are sometimes referred to as  window flowers or window paper-cuts. People glued the paper cuts to the exterior of windows, so the light from the inside would shine through the negative space of the cutout.

There are two methods of manufacture: one uses scissors, the other uses knives. In the scissor method, several pieces of paper — up to eight — are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors.

Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which is usually held vertically. Skilled crafters can even cut out different drawings freely without stopping.

There are several great paper cutters such as Maude White.
New York-based artist Maude Whites comes from a family of visual storytellers> She was fascinated by the various stories and ways of telling them that she experienced in her youth. The discovery of paper as a medium for her own visual stories came next.

Incredibly enough, White works by hand, using a craft knife to cut tiny lines and draw images with the paper’s empty negative space. “I have great respect for paper. When I cut, the thin membranous material reveals its strength to me,” the artist explains on her website. “Paper is everywhere and it has been telling stories for centuries.




To check out more of her work, visit White’s online portfolio and keep up with her latest creations, including fascinating process photos, via her Instagram account. She also offers some of her creations for purchase via Etsy at Brave Bird Paperwork


Breathtaking Floral Art Hangings.



Meet Rebecca Law

In the past five years, she's designed dozens of breathtaking pieces: a whimsical rose-garden-turned-wall-hanging for an upscale restaurant, pink peony garlands and chandeliers for a Jo Malone London fragrance launch and a grand suspended curtain at La Monnaie opera house in Brussels, where Law and a team of 50 strung nearly 5,000 blue and green hydrangeas (carefully tying each one to copper wire) above the stage. The work is painstaking, and it happens fast: "When you're using fresh-cut flowers," says Law, who handles an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 every year, "they typically need to go up within 24 hours. It gets intense."

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/rebecca-louise-law-floral-art#ixzz4TxxWkglL


The daughter of a gardener, Law is finding a different outlet for her love of nature. A classically trained artist, she started off painting flowers, abstract works inspired by the bold colors of Kandinsky and Rothko.





Some installations are permanent, such as 150,000 flower work "The Canopy" (2016) at the Eastland Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Others are dismantled, with some flowers encased in glass and kept by patrons.

Floral Sculptures

Flowers are often the subject of artist such as the wonderful examples below.

Hitomi Hosono
The japanese ceramic artist’s subject and theme and influenced by various botanicals — blooming foliage, leaves and flowers studied in the garden, as well as collected memories of nature from her own childhood in japan, where her family runs a small rice farm.

I find myself drawn to the intricacy of plants, examining the veins of a leaf, how its edges are shaped, the layering of a flower’s petals. I look, I touch, I draw.’

The artist’s technique draws initial reference from the 18th century potter josiah wedgwood, who used thin ceramic reliefs or ‘sprigs’ applied as surface decoration to a piece. through extensive experimentation with different methods and clay bodies, two new sculptural ways to use approach emerged: one is to cover the entire surface of a shape with sprigs while the other is to construct the art object solely out of many layers of the relief, carving each with modified dental tools to add incredibly fine details.colossal.com/

 
 
 
 

 
 

Working from a tiny table in the nook of her living room, California-based artist Angela Schwer crafts explosive dahlias, gardenias, poppies, fungi, and sea creatures all from a custom blend of polymer clays. Meant primarily as decorative objects, the dense handmade pieces are surprisingly detailed, assembled from hundreds of perfectly formed clay pieces and formed into large tiles that can be hung from a wall or set on a table. You can see more in her online shop, Dilly Pad.
 colossal.com/






London-based artist Rachel Dein of Tactile Studio has spent the last few years perfecting the art of plaster casting, an admittedly straightforward process of pressing objects into clay and then filling the voids with combinations of plaster and concrete. However Dein’s time spent as a prop making apprentice for the English National Opera, The Globe Theatre, and The Royal Opera House, has greatly influenced her techniques, elevating a simple craft process into something else entirely.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/10/plaster-cast-plant-fossils-rachel-dein/

The New 2017 Trends



Flower Trends Forecast 2017 identified five emerging trends in consumer preferences for their cut flower purchases:
  • The French Connection. The French Connection trend is luxurious and sophisticated. The color palette features soft red hues, hints of orange and chocolate brown, as well as other muted earth tones. Small botanical prints come together with lace overlays decorated with adoring delicate blooms. Romantic blossoms of roses and orchids complement viburnum berries within pedestal vases and refined metallic vessels.
  • Force of Nature. The Force of Nature style invokes casual nautical themes overflowing with garden wonders. Serene shades of blue and green calmly mingle with bright white. Bundles of hydrangea and corn flower come together with nigella and scabiosa and are housed in frosted and clear glass vases. Subdued patterns harmoniously connect with aged metallic finishes.
  • Modern Wonders. The Modern Wonders look unites the young with the old as it morphs modern sophistication with cultural antiquities. Picturesque chic lines combine with aged Asian style through beaded accents, irregular geometric patterns, and crafted textures. Graphic oranges and reds are offset by hints of gold and muted purple. Anthurium come to life alongside ginger, cymbidiums, and astilbe.
  • Into the Jungle. The Into the Jungle theme is rich in exotic prints showcased in brilliant muted tones of tropical hues. Sun-kissed shades of orange, yellow, and red glisten alongside earth-tinged gold. Calla lilies and bird of paradise cluster together in hand-woven baskets and cork covered vases. Heliconia, pincushion protea, and bromeliads are accented by moss, vine, and bamboo.
  • UrbanLux. The Urban Lux design is big bold flowers making single statements in a repetitive design.


A new video summarizing the emerging preferences found in Flower Trends Forecast 2017 is now available. Visit http://www.flowertrendsforecast.com/video or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdJH2cXddT8 to see the newest Flower Trends Forecast video.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Want a Pick-Me-Up? These Flower and Animal Photos will Do the Trick!

Want a Pick-Me-Up? These Flower and Animal Photos will Do the Trick!

Did you know?

  • Flowers and animals are #1 in evoking true feelings of bliss.
  • Looking at flower and animal images help you do better at work or complete a project.
  • Taking time to meditate on an image helps you outperform your peers.
  • Giving and looking at flowers gives the receiver a feeling of euphoria.
  • Both men and women scored higher in their social behavior when they were given flowers.

    Gerbera Daisies – give off a warm fuzzy feeling.


    Roses – gives you a sense of love and security.

    Lilies – evoke romance with its fragrance.
  • Gladioli – makes you motivated.

    Tulips – helps lighten you up, don’t sweat the small stuff.

Saturday, June 25, 2016



Know the conditions you’ve given your plant to thrive in. Plants can be grown in almost any container, but some containers are better suited for plant life than others.

Clay pots are porous and tend to draw moisture from the soil, so plants in clay pots will more easily dehydrate. But if the container is enameled, or if it is metal, glass, plastic, or other non-porous material, the container will not leach moisture. Because these pots conserve water, you must be careful not to overwater.

If your planter does not have drainage holes in the bottom, be sure to provide for a drainage layer of stones or other non-degradable material in which excess water can collect away from the root zone and can be gradually reabsorbed. Plants grown in closed containers may not need watering as frequently.

Peat, a natural product of bogs, is generally an ingredient of potting mixtures. A word of caution about peat-based potting mixes: peat is added for its water-retention ability.


However, once allowed to dry, peat is very difficult to rehydrate.

Learn to spot check a plant’s moisture level. If your plant is small, make a habit of
picking up the plant before and after watering noting its weight change after watering. With practice, this method of checking soil moisture, together with other signs of plant vigor/weakness may help you assess a plant’s watering needs.

Similarly, a finger submerged an inch or so into the container soil should reveal a general sense of soil moisture. Or better yet, use a moisture meter. This is a foolproof, inexpensive device available at most nurseries. It will measure the soil as "wet", "moist" or "dry". For large container plants, a meter is almost essential.

Signs of dehydration and overwatering
Stem and leaf wilt signal dehydration, but you should avoid waiting for this sign. In addition, the soil mixture may pull away from the side of the pot. At this stage a plant is stressed, and repeated treatment of this sort is ill advised.


Watch for these signs of dehydration:

  • Leaf growth is slow.
  • Leaves become translucent.
  • Leaves or flowers drop prematurely.
  • Leaf edges become brown and dried.
  • Lower leaves curl and yellow.
Frequent watering with small amounts of water can lead to waterlogging. This forces air from the soil and provides ideal conditions for the growth of fungi and bacteria. These organisms attack the plant’s roots causing rot and plant death.
Certain plants thrive in wet conditions--cypress or umbrella plants, for example. Many tropical plants with thin, delicate leaves--hibiscus, for example-- will not thrive in dry soil. Other plants will fail under wet conditions. A late and obvious sign of overwatering is growth of fungi or mold on the soil surface.

Early signs of overwatering signs include:
  • Young and old leaves fall at the same time.
  • Root rot--mushy, brown possibly odorous roots--are seen in pot bottom.
  • Standing water noted in container underliner.
  • Flowers become moldy.
  • Leaves develop brown soft rotten patches and fail to grow

Saturday, April 30, 2016





Where would we be today without all those pearls of mothering wisdom, passed down through the ages from mothers to their children, and from our moms to us? Just in time for Mother's Day, in honor of all the times our moms have shared their advice and tried to help us be better people, we've recollected, collected and collated all their motherly sayings into a gigantic list o' momisms...

Enjoy some of these fun sayings.........

From the predicable Mom

  Eat your vegetables, they're good for you.
- I can always tell when you're lying.
- If God had wanted you to have holes in your ears (… tongue, eyebrows...) He would have put them there!
- If you could stay out last night, you can get up this morning.
- If you're too full to finish your dinner, you're too full for dessert.
- If you're too sick to go to school, you're too sick to play outside.
- When you have kids of your own you'll understand.
- When you have your own house then you can make the rules!
- It's no use crying over spilt milk.
- You won't be happy until you break that, will you?
- Beds are NOT made for jumping on.
- Cupcakes are NOT a breakfast food!
- Go play outside! It's a beautiful day!
- Always wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident.
- If you don't learn how to cook, no one is going to want to marry you.
- You're the oldest. You should know better.
- You can't find it? Well, where did you leave it last?
- Someone is going to end up crying.
- Go to your room and think about what you did!
- The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
- When I was a little girl...

-When mom seems confused
  Who do you think you are?
- Who do you think you're talking to?
- Do you think I'm made of money?
- Who said life was going to be easy?
- Am I talking to a brick wall?
- All I do is follow you around, picking up after you like some maid.
- A little "birdy" told me!
- I'm not your cleaning lady!
- I'm not your maid!
- I'm not your waitress!
- No child of MINE would do something like that.
- Stop acting like your father!
- What did I say the FIRST time?
- At work my mind's on the children, at home I think of the office.
- You’re just like your father.
- Are you deaf or something?
- What part of NO don't you understand?
   
Surely you ( mom ) must be exaggerating!
Eat everything on your plate. There are starving children all over the world who would be glad to trade places with you.
- How can you have nothing to wear? Your closet is FULL of clothes!
- Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back.
- If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times.
- Life isn't fair.
- Look at this room! It looks like a pigsty!
- There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.
- There's enough dirt in those ears to grow potatoes!
- This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.
- Turn off that light. Do you think we own the electric company?
- Well, people in Hell want ice water too!
- When I was young we had respect for our elders, now look at the world!
- When I was your age, I had to walk ten miles through the snow, uphill, by myself, to go to school.
- You kids are trying to drive me crazy!
- You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached to your shoulders!
- A little soap and water never killed anybody.
- Bored! How can you be bored? I was never bored at your age.
- Close the door! You don't live in a barn.
- You should have that phone surgically implanted in your ear.
- Do you live to annoy me?
- If wishes were horses...
- Well, I haven't figured out how to cook "cold" yet.
I think Mom is being a little picky.

I said CLOSE the door, I did not say SLAM it.
- I'll treat you like an adult when you start acting like one.
- Don't pick your nose in public.
- Don't put that in your mouth, you don't know where it's been.
- Don't use that tone with me!
- Don't walk away when I'm talking to you!
- Don't you have anything better to do?
- Are you going out dressed like that?
- Don't run with a lollipop in your mouth.
- I don't know is NOT an answer.
- If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
- Look at me when I'm talking to you.
- Now, come back downstairs and go back up WITHOUT stomping your feet!
- Now, say you're sorry...and MEAN it!
- Say please.
- Turn that racket down!
- Watch your mouth!
- What kind of a grade is that? You could do much better!
- You can go out to play...after you brush your teeth and comb your hair.
- You can go out to play...after you pick up your room.
- You can go out to play...after you've done your homework.
- You just ate an hour ago!
- I don't care what


Do Mom's make threats?

Do not make that face or it will freeze in that position.
- Don't eat that, you'll get worms!
- Don't go out with a wet head, you'll catch cold.
- Don't EVER let me catch you doing that again!
- Don't pick that scab, it'll get infected.
- Be careful or you will put your eye out.
- I brought you into this world, and I can take you right back out!
- If I catch you doing that one more time, I'll...
- If it were a snake, it would have bitten you.
- If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.
- Don't sit too close to the television, it'll ruin your eyes.
- If you don't clean your plate, you won't get any dessert.
- If you stick your tongue out again it will fall off.
- If you don't stop crying, I'm going to give you something to cry about!

What did we miss???
   Remember a momisms? Tell us

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Sunday, March 20, 2016

Prom Season







In Egypt, private schools have proms similar to ones held in the USA but with slight differences. The prom is held for a maximum of 3 hours, where teachers attend and enjoy some time with their students. Then there is the "after-prom", where no teachers or parents are allowed, during that time, the real party begins with all the students dancing and enjoying their time. The after prom can continue to 4 am and 5 am.

In South Africa, the equivalent of the American prom is the Matric Dance, taking place during the matriculation year of high school . It takes place towards the end of the third quarter, shortly before the spring break, after which the matriculation examinations commence. It usually takes the form of a formal dinner and dance. In most schools, the 11th grade class is responsible for arranging the event. Sometimes teachers and parents also attend.




In Hong Kong, prom culture is inherited from the western countries and is generally called ball, such as Christmas Ball. This usually takes place during Christmas and Summer Break. This is more popular in the secondary education stage rather than in universities. Schools, apart from international schools, holding proms are usually single-sex school where normally the Student Unions in the schools will cooperate each other in organizing the event. In recent years, more and more individual unions got united and formed different student unions associations so as to organize large-scale events including large joint-school proms. Except those proms within the academic field, there are also adult proms for charity yearly where celebrities and government officers always go to these functions.
In India and Nepal, the equivalent to some extent is a farewell party or farewell gathering. The outgoing students are given a warm send-off by the junior students and staff. All the seniors are felicitated with souvenirs and superlatives are given awards.

In Israel, high school graduation parties usually combine a play and a humble ceremony, followed by a dance party. In the past years, influenced by American culture, more and more graduates decide to hold a private graduation party similar to the American prom, with dress code, prom dates, limousines, and prom kings or queens, although usually not supported by the school.

In Lebanon, proms are held after the graduation ceremony at night. They are usually held at hotels with a formal dress code, prom dates, rented cars and, occasionally, prom kings and queens.




In Singapore, proms are held at the near end of a senior year for secondary schools. Proms are normally held after the final examinations of all senior students before graduating.

In Malaysia, proms are gaining in popularity, especially in the bigger cities. However, these gatherings are usually organized by students, and the school administration is not involved.

In Pakistan, the equivalent to the American prom is a farewell dinner or farewell function that takes place at the end of the college academic year. In a farewell function, one girl is appointed “Lady of the Evening”, and one boy is appointed “Gentleman of the Evening”.

The Swiss equivalent of a prom is the bal de printemps. Literally translated, this is a "Spring Ball." At some schools in the German speaking part, it is called "Maturaball." This is not always organized by the schools, but sometimes by a student's committee. It takes mostly part before the final exams.


Friday, March 18, 2016

Birds are gardeners too!

Date:
May 27, 2014
Source:
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum
Summary:
Scientists have described the oldest known fossil of a pollinating bird. The well-preserved stomach contents contained pollen from various flowering plants. This indicates that the relationship between birds and flowers dates back at least 47 million years. The fossil comes from the well-known fossil site “Messel Pit.”

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140527214938.htm







Relationship Between Plants and Birds


Birds perform an essential service to plants by carrying seeds away from the parent plant to other locations.  Seed dispersal over a wide area is vital, because seedlings that germinate below their parent are usually doomed as a result of competition with each other and the parent for sufficient light and water.

Unlike rodents, such as squirrels and mice, which destroy seeds by chewing them with sharp teeth, birds swallow plant seeds intact.  Seed germination is improved by the scarification (scratching of the seed coat) that takes place as the seed passes through the gizzard before being deposited in nitrogenous fertilizer, far from parent and sibling plants.

Attractive Fruits

Because birds are important to plants, the plants have developed fruits that are attractive and conspicuous to birds.  For example, the fruits of bird-distributed plants typically have single, hard seed that are no more than three-fifths of an inch in diameter, the largest size that a seed-eating bird can swallow.  Most bird-distributing fruits are bright red, a color that is attractive to birds.  In contrast, orange, yellow, and green fruits generally signal unripe fruits with immature seeds.  Some plants that rely on certain birds for seed dispersal appear to disregard the red color rule by having fruits that are blue, black, or white.  Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and wild grapes all depend upon birds to distribute their blue or white fruits.  In these plants, enzymes prematurely break down the green chlorophyll in the leaves, which allows underlying yellow, red, and orange to show through.


 Flowers can also attract a greater variety of birds, especially shy species that may be unwilling to come out in the open to visit feeders. Depending on the types of flowers selected, they can continue producing seeds for years with minimal pruning or maintenance required, and even a few flowers can be beneficial to backyard birds.

Seed-Bearing Flowers That Attract Birds

There are dozens of flowers that produce seeds to tempt birds. The most popular seed-bearing flowers for backyard birds include:
  • Asters
  • Black-eyed Susan's
  • Coneflowers
  • Coreopsis
  • Cornflowers
  • Cosmos
  • Daisies
  • Evening primroses
  • Goldenrods
  • Hibiscus
  • Marigolds
  • Moss roses
  • Sedum
  • Sunflowers
  • Violets
  • Zinnias

Tips for Attracting Birds With Seed-Bearing Flowers

When choosing which flowers to use to attract seed-eating birds, consider:
  • Climate: Choose flowers that can thrive in the local climate, taking into account water and sunlight levels.
  • Growth Height: Opt for flowers of different mature heights for a multi-layered, thick garden that will attract many birds.
  • Native Plants: Native flowers are often best because they're well adapted to local conditions and birds will recognize them as a food source more easily.
  • Seeding Time: Choosing flowers that go to seed at different times will ensure an ongoing source of available seeds for birds in any season.
To attract the most birds with seed-bearing flowers, allow the blooms to grow with as little interference as possible. Avoid deadheading, since it is the dried heads that birds will pilfer for seeds. Similarly, avoid spraying the flowers with insecticides – once birds learn about the flowers, they'll happily feed on insects as well.
Flowers can be a great seed source to attract and feed birds on a beautiful budget. By choosing the best seed-bearing flowers, backyard birders can add plants to their yard that are both visually attractive and can tempt hungry birds without the need to fill feeders.


Friday, March 11, 2016

The Tulip





The vibrant tulip flowers are one of the most popular spring flowers of all time. The tulip is a plant of the large genus Tulipa which belongs to family Liliaceae. Tulip plant has been cultivated for as much as 500 years. Tulips are the third most popular flowers world-wide after that only to the Rose and Chrysanthemum. These vibrant flowers are available in an unbelievable variety of colors, heights, and flower shapes. Some Tulips are even odorous

Tulips are a part of the lily family.The tulip is native to central Asia and eventually made its way to Turkey. But it was when the flower was first cultivated in the Netherlands that it really came to prominence.

The Dutch obsession with tulips began with Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius. When he was made director of Leiden University's new Hortus Botanicus (botanical garden) in 1593 he planted some of his own tulip bulbs. As a result, 1594 is considered the official date of tulips first blooming in Holland.

Carolus Clusius was also the first person to identify "broken tulips" which is a viral infection that caused beautiful streaks in the petals. Clusius would go on to create many new color variations of tulips.
Tulips st
arted to become highly prized in Holland in the 1600s as some of Clusius unique tulip variations at Leiden became much sought after. This led to a period from 1634 to 1637 known as "Tulip mania" when enthusiasm for the new flower started an economic frenzy and one of the world's first 'speculative bubbles'. The value of tulips shot up nearly overnight, they became the most expensive flower in the world, so expensive that they were treated as a form of currency.

Types of Tulips:

Based on the time of bloom, Tulips can be divided into early, mid, and late season flowering Tulips.
  • Early Flowering Tulips:-These Tulips flower head in March and early April. Early Flowering Tulips are Species Tulips, Kaufmanniana (eg., Waterlily), Fosteriana (eg., Red Emperor), Single Early (eg., Apricot Beauty ), Double Early, Greigii Tulips, etc.
  • Midseason Flowering Tulips:- These Tulips flower head in April and early may. Eg., Triumph, Swan Wings Tulip, Darwin Hybrids, Parrot Tulips.
  • Late Flowering Tulips:- These Tulips flower head in May. Eg., Single Late, Double Late, Viridiflora Tulips, Lily-Flowered, Fringed Tulips, Rembrandt Tulips, Multi Flowering Tulips


Saturday, March 5, 2016

Exploring the important role of flowers in cinema

Top 10 Flowers on Film Moments

To celebrate the launch of our first Modern Cultural Curators documentary, which considers Kally Ellis of McQueens Florist, we've put together a list of our top ten flowers on film moments. From the enchanted poppy fields in the Wizard of Oz to a mobster florist in The Town, and the blood-red roses in American Beauty to the delicate cherry blossom in Memoirs of a Geisha, we explore the important role of flowers in cinema in terms of their symbolism, timeless beauty and visual impact.



Plucking the Daisy sees Brigitte Bardot in one of her earliest leading roles as the provincial Agnès Dumont, whose ambition to become a novelist takes her to Paris. There, a series of unforeseen circumstances and misunderstandings lead to her partaking in a striptease contest complete with mask, pseudonym and a tantalizing barrette made from faux daisies

Broken Flowers centres on Bill Murray as Don Johnston, a man in search of an anonymous letter-writer who claims to have fathered a son by him. There are 5 ex-girlfriends in the running, and Don finds himself increasingly in despair as he ticks them, one by one, off his list. Here, prior to the fifth and final meeting, he enters a flower shop and takes solace in the kindness of the pretty young florist who dresses his wound (inflicted by "ex number 4") and creates a beautiful bunch of pink carnations and lilies. The same flowers and pink colour scheme occur throughout the film – in floral centre pieces and the clothing of the women he visits.

Ewan McGregor plays hopeless romantic Edward Bloom in Big Fish, the tale of a man who "tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories." In one of the film's most mesmerising scenes, Bloom makes grand and surreal attempt to secure the girl of his dreams by planting an endless sea of bright yellow daffodils (her favourite flowers) outside her window.

In Tim Burton's take on the tale of Alice in Wonderland, a now 19-year-old Alice returns to Wonderland once again to fulfil her destiny as the slayer of the Jabberwocky, a dragon-like creature controlled by the vicious Red Queen. Alice remains unconvinced of her ability to do this until she meets Absolem the Caterpillar, who reminds her of her visit to Underland (which she mistakenly called Wonderland) as a child, where she painted the demanding queen's white roses red. This is one of the original story's most memorable moments, and is brilliantly recreated in Burton's reprise.


Now a much-loved classic, The Wizard of Oz stunned cinema-goers in 1939 with its pioneering use of Technicolor and special effects. Its filmmakers took great delight in creating an Oz that brimmed with bold and beautiful colours, with few scenes more striking than the one in which Dorothy falls asleep amid a vast field of deadly, scarlet poppies.

The vivid red American Beauty rose is not only the namesake of Sam Mendes' 1999 Oscar-winning drama but is also one of its most defining motifs. It plays a key role in Lester Burnham's fantasies about his teenage daughter's best friend Angela, who basks naked on a bed of crimson petals in one of the film's most iconic scenes.

Marlon Brando's monologue to Rosa, his character's dead wife, in Last Tango in Paris is considered by many to be the actor's magnum opus, and the scene is complemented perfectly by the arresting sight of Rosa in an open casket, caked in make-up and surrounded by a lavish bed of pinky-purple flowers. "I wish you could see yourself; you'd really laugh," he tells her mockingly. "You're your mother's masterpiece." As Brando's speech draws to an emotional close, he grabs petals from the flowers and desperately tries to wipe away the cosmetic mask from Rosa's face to great dramatic effect.

Flowers are also a recurring motif in Hitchcock's masterpiece Vertigo – the story of John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart), a newly retired detective employed by an acquaintance to follow his wife Madeleine (Kim Novak), whom he believes to be possessed. At the beginning of the movie, Madeleine enters a magnificent florist and buys a beautiful and delicate bunch of flowers. These are perhaps representative of the character herself – later, in a highly fragile moment, Madeliene tears the flowers to shreds. The bunch also appears in Scottie's iconic and foreboding dream sequence, directed by graphic design master Saul Bass.

Pete Postlethwait plays Boston crime lord Fergie in Ben Affleck's 2004 movie The Town. The character – who upholds a legitimate front as a Boston florist – was loosely based on Irish American mobster Dean O'Banion (1892-1924), himself a successful Chicago florist and excellent floral designer. A number of scenes depict Fergie in the flower shop arranging exuberant bouquets, in potent contrast to his otherwise violent nature.

This famous scene from the film adaptation of Arthur Golden's acclaimed novel Memoirs of a Geisha pays perfect homage to the cherry blossom, a stunning tree of great cultural significance and symbolism in Japan. Here, protagonist Sayuri goes for a walk with the enigmatic Chairman – the one man she loves but cannot be with – and stands beneath a cherry blossom tree which sprinkles its delicate pale pink petals upon them like snow.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Tulips

Tulips and Me: Shall We Dance?



The introduction of the tulip to Europe is usually attributed to Ogier de Busbecq, the ambassador of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor to the Sultan of Turkey, who sent the first tulip bulbs and seeds to Vienna in 1554 from the Ottoman Empire. Tulip bulbs were soon distributed from Vienna to Augsburg, Antwerp and Amsterdam.Its popularity and cultivation in the United Provinces (now the Netherlands) is generally thought to have started in earnest around 1593 after the Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius had taken up a post at the University of Leiden and established the hortus academicus. He planted his collection of tulip bulbs and found they were able to tolerate the harsher conditions of the Low Countries;[shortly thereafter the tulip began to grow in popularity

I love tulips. There is something about them that is so endearing. The way they “dance” is so fun and flirty. Never staying still, they constantly move around searching for light. Their blooms open wide in the day and close up at night. Not even content with their cut length, they continue to stretch and grow. Elongating stems extend further and further as their days in the vase move forward. Sometimes a frustration for floral designers, these animated blooms definitely “do their own thing.”

Many are bothered by the “stretching” nature of the tulip. They grow out of their bouquets and often their vases as well. It can be frustrating to arrange your flowers and then come back the next day to tulips that grow away from the other flowers, or if alone in the vase have extended past and even drooping over the container that holds them. It’s like containing a wild animal; they just don’t listen and want to be free.

Try cutting the tulips a little shorter than you normally would, tuck them further down in the bouquet when you arrange them or if the arrangement will be all tulips, try a little taller than normal vase to allow for the “stretch.”

Tulips are very alive even after they are cut. Let them do their thing and you will enjoy them so much more than trying to keep them controlled. Irregular and unusual shaped vases are great vessels for tulips as they create a “playground” for our energetic tulips. This can add a fun and funky flair to a party. What a great conversation piece!
Tulips
Photo Courtesy: Carol Caggiano, AIFD, PFCI


Friday, February 5, 2016

Roses and Their color




While every flower has a wonderful story to tell, the rose stands alone in its abundant history and color meaning. So much so that we couldn’t resist giving it a little preferential treatment and dedicating a separate space to its rich symbolism.


Used for hundreds of years to convey messages without words, roses have long been a symbol of confidentiality - the Latin expression sub rosa (literally "under the rose") means something told in secret.
Regardless of color, their unique beauty and subtle fragrance convey a message guaranteed to elicit delight from the recipient and envy from others. If you’re looking for a way to add a little extra sentiment to your silent message of affection, we’ve put together a list of the meanings associated with the different colors of roses.

red

Red roses are the traditional way to say “I love you,” and are, therefore, the most popular flower sent on Valentine’s Day. However, think beyond red this year. Valentine’s Day is when we celebrate love, of course, but in the people we love, there is often much more to celebrate

 
There’s nothing secret about the red rose’s symbolism of love. Valentine’s Day would hardly exist without this bold and dramatic bloom. The ultimate symbol of romantic love and enduring passion, the red rose also conveys respect and the creative spirit of love. Representing true love stronger than thorns, the red rose is known universally as the lover’s rose.         
               

white

Representing, humility, purity and innocence, the white rose - often referred to as the bridal rose - is associated with young love. In Scotland, when the white rose bloomed in autumn, it was seen as a token of early marriage. Also symbolizing truth and reverence, it sends a message of loyalty and says "I am worthy of you.         
                 

yellow

While in Victorian times, the yellow rose symbolized jealousy, today it represents friendship, joy and caring. A bouquet of these sun-filled blossoms conveys warmth, gladness and affection.         
       

pink

Symbolizing gentility, femininity, elegance and refinement, the pink rose also carries additional meanings depending on its hue. A deep pink conveys gratitude and appreciation, while pale shades connote grace and gentleness, admiration and happiness.   
       

orange

With their warm, vibrant tones, orange roses symbolize enthusiasm and desire. If you’re looking for a way to express admiration and attraction - with an underlying message of passion and excitement - then send a bouquet filled with these fiery blooms.           

lilac & purple

Thought to be almost mystical in nature, with symbolism tied to enchantment, desire and even proceeding cautiously, it’s not surprising that lilac and purple roses send a message of love at first sight, A great Valentine flower.  
To learn more access below:

http://www.proflowers.com/blog/valentines-day-roses-saying-more-than-you-think?ref=organicyahunkwn&prid=pfseoyahunkwn
 

 

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Smelling Celebrities



Flowers and Names


You may have walked past and even gotten close enough to smell a Barbara Bush, Chevy Chase or Prince Charles without being aware of it. You may think this is impossible, but if you've ever been to a rose garden, the possibility of walking past a celebrity -- a celebrity-named rose that is -- is endless. Breeders have named hundreds of roses after famous people, real and fictional, from movie stars to entertainers and even royalty

Fictional Characters

The 'Sir Lancelot' floribunda rose features amber, peach and pink swirls. Both the tea rose and floribunda named after Snow White are, of course, pure white, while the miniature blooms on 'Cinderella' miniature are white with light pink markings. The 'Robin Hood' shrub blooms with small bright red roses while 'Othello' roses blend red with bright pink. A climbing vine honors ladies' man Don Juan and features romantic deep red, ruffled roses with an intense damask scent. 'Frankly Scarlet' honors the beloved "Gone with the Wind" heroine, and is, naturally, deep scarlet.

Artists, Composers and Authors

The 'William Shakespeare' rose blazes with burgundy red petals, while Chaucer's rose boasts a yellow center surrounded by light pink. 'Mozart' is bright pink with a white center on a modern shrub rose. Breeders recognized Michelangelo's contributions with two roses--an orange floribunda and a yellow hybrid tea. 'Agatha Christie' scrambles up pillars and posts in a climbing vine suffused with pale pink blooms.

Crooners and Rockers

Barbra Streisand's hybrid tea rose blends lavender and mauve, while Bing Crosby's tall shrub hybrid tea bears handsome dark orange blooms with a mild spice fragrance. Dolly Parton's spirit is embodied with a big-bloomed red-orange blossom suffused with a rose-clove fragrance, and fellow country singers Reba McEntire and LeeAnn Rimes are honored with an orange-red grandiflora and pink-yellow hybrid tea, respectively.

Royalty

Several roses have honored England's Queen Elizabeth and the various anniversaries of her crowning. The award-winning 'Queen Elizabeth' grandiflora offers striking pink blossoms which seem to let sunlight shine through the petals. 'Princesse de Monaco' celebrates the former Grace Kelly with a large-flowered hybrid tea in white with pink edging and a fruity fragrance. Princess Diana's legacy lives on with a blended-pink hybrid tea rose.

Movie Stars


The 'Ingrid Bergman' hybrid tea rose boasts masses of deep red blooms, while breeders celebrate Bergman's frequent costar Cary Grant with another hybrid tea, this one bright orange with gold streaks. Dramatic pink petals adorn the 'Elizabeth Taylor' hybrid tea. And while she usually graces the small, rather than silver, screen, Rosie O'Donnell gets the "a rose for a rosie" with a multicolored hybrid tea rose sporting red petals with bright yellow undersides. Marilyn Monroe lives on with a luscious apricot hybrid tea and Audrey Hepburn is remembered with a light pink hybrid tea. Vivacious Judy Garland gets an equally vivid rose named for her--a scarlet, orange and yellow floribunda.

Icons

Florence Nightingale's
floribunda fits nicely in a container, and bears ruffled, cream-colored blooms. Julia Child personally selected her legacy rose, a frilled floribunda colored in the warm tone of butter--of course--with a strong anise candy scent. The 'Amelia Earhart' hybrid tea sports
pointed cream petals on the outer petals, intensifying to a buttery yellow in the center.


For more info:

http://www.
allaboutrosegardening.com/Roses-named-after-famous-people.html

http://www.
famousbirthdays.com/names/rose.htm



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