The Latin name for the aster is Aster, meaning star. It’s name reflects it’s shape.

Asters are sometimes called the Michaelmas daisy because their blooms coincide with the feast of St Michael. Wells writes poignantly that “Michaelmas was always the date of beginnings: the academic year at Oxford and Cambridge, the quarterly court session, the day for debts to be settled and annual rents (often including a goose) to be paid. In the garden both Michaelmas daisies and Chinese asters bloom in the autumn, magnificent curtain calls of summer but reminders too of new beginnings after winter’s sleep.” (8)

Legends Surrounding the Flower

According to Greek mythology, before humans fell into evil, the gods and goddesses walked the earth. When humans began to become more and more corrupt, Astraea the goddess of innocence left earth to dwell in the heavens as the constellation Virgo.

Eventually, even Zeus became tired of the corruptness of humanity and created a flood to cover the entire earth except for the top of Mt Parnassus. Two humans, Deucalian and Pyrrha survived the flood on top of Parnassus. However, after the flood receded they wandered the earth lost and alone. Astraea took pity on them and created starlight to guide them. As she wept from pity, her tears landed on earth and formed the star-like flower, the aster.

The Language of Aster:

If you send someone asters you are speaking to them of romantic things such as Love; Daintiness, and Affection.

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Basket Arrangement – An arrangement in a container of wicker, plastic, or metal with or without a handle. The width of the container is equal to or greater than the height. It can be displayed on the floor or on a stand. In the South, plastic containers are often used. If a basket arrangement in a wicker container is preferred, it should be specified.

Blooming Plant – A flowering potted indoor plant such as an azalea, chrysanthemum, or spring bulb.

Casket Cover Designs

Blanket – A design of flowers with a draping base, such as burlap, on which flowers and/or foliage are fastened. The design may cover the entire top of the casket, and it may even flow to the floor.

Scarf – A design of flowers, often placed on fabric, that drapes over a small portion of the casket.

Spray – A spray designed to cover a major portion of the top of a casket. A full couch casket spray is deisnged to be placed on a casket that is fully closed

A full couch lid spray is designed to be placed on the rack immediately behind the open lid of a fully open casket. This spray appears as if it is sitting on the lid.

A half couch casket spray is designed to be placed ont he lower portion of the lid of a half-open casket.

Casket Lid Inset – A cluster of flowers placed inside the casket, often a tribute from the grandchildren. It may be placed on a pillow, fan, etc

Couch – A classic, older term referring to the casket.

Cross – A structure consisting of an upright or standard with a transverse beam called an arm. Serveral variations include the following: Latin or Christian cross, Celtic cross, Maltese cross, Cross of Lorraine or Tubercular Leage Cross, and Red Cross.

Easel – A frame, usually three-legged, made of wood, metal, or branches that displays and supports sprays and set pieces

Fireside Basket – A design set in handled, low-sided wicket basket

Grave Covering (Grave Blanket) – Seasonal greens, usually trimmed with flowers, cones, or bows, placed on a frame and used to cover a grave.

Green Plant – A non-blooming indoor plant.

Heart (Set Piece) – A set piece in the shape of a heart, usually featuring one flower variety and trimmed with a small flower spray. Other variants include the following.

Bleeding Heart – A white heart as a background for a spray of red roses. Often ribbons extend the effect; construction may vary.

Broken Heart – AA white heart as a background to a zigzag placement of red flowers.

Open Heart – A heart with the inside of the form removed (also in the shape of a heart), often designed with one type of flower and ribbons. An alternative can be a grapevine heart wreath designed with a flower cluster and ribbons.

Needle Pak – A mechanic for set pieces made of pine needles wrapped in serveral layers of tissue on a cardboard base. Pillows, wreath bases, and casket saddles are available in this form. The mechanic is frequently used on the West Coast.

Pall – A fabric piece placed on the casket. In the south, any design placed on a casket.

Pedestal Arrangement – Flowers and foliage set in a container; it is designed to be displayed on a pedestal.

Pillow – Flowers and/or foliage, usually of one color and variety, imbedded directly into a styrofoam or needle-pack pillow form. A cluster of flowers is usually placed in one corner of the design, which is displayed on an easel. It may also be called a standing pillow.

Rosary – Blooms secured into a rosary form, most often made with rosebuds, usually displayed on or in the casket.

Satin Cross, Heart, Pillow – Small set pieces made of satin fabric in the shape of a cross, heart, or pillow; they are usually set inside the casket lid.

Set Piece – A design that has a specialized shape or form which is created with floral products and is usually constructed using styrofoam, floral foam, or a moss form as a base. A set piece is usually placed on an easel. Examples: heart, cross, clock, gates ajar, Bible, anchor, harp, empty chair, broken wheel.

Sheaf – An informal tribute made to look as natural as possible. The materials are secured into a central tying point, which is finished with ribbon, leaving the stems exposed below the tie. It is made to tie flat on the casket or grave.

Spray – A one sided flower design, flat on the back side, which can be displayed in various ways, for example, casket spray, easel spray, or flat spray.

• Easel Spray – A spray designed to be displayed on an easel. It is also referred to as a standing spray

Flat Spray – A triangular spray of greenery with flowers and a satin bow that is often designed in styrofoam. The sprays are often grouped by funeral directors to foam arches, crosses, or other shapes.

Vase Arrangement – A design palced in a container of ceramic, glass, plastic, metal, or papier-mache. The container’s height is twice its width, and does not have a handle.

Visitation – A memorial time before the funeral (the day before or immediately before) to express condolences to the bereaved family. Visitation is often held at a funeral home, and flowers are usually in place at this time.

Wake – A visitation, often an expanded length of time, to include a celebration of the deceased person’s life.

Wreath – A ring or circle of flowers and/or foliage symbolizing eternity. A variation is a ribbon or foliage-wrapped wreath with a flower cluster.

Ever wanted to talk the talk?  Here’s what you need to know when it comes to working with your florist:

Florist terminology:

CONSUMER BUNCH (aka ‘split and wraps’)—A bunch smaller than a grower bunch, good for a customer, with sleeve. ‘Split and wrap’ is the term used in the northwest.

GROWER BUNCH—The size bunch delivered from your farm.

FRESH TO DRY BOUQUET—Bouquets sold as fresh, but have elements (such as strawflower or statice) that also dry well.

MIXED BOUQUET—Bouquet with different flower types and colors.

MONOCHROMATIC BOUQUET—Bouquet with a color mix comprised of different shades of one color group.

RAINBOW BUNCH—A bunch comprised of one kind of product but with stems of different colors (like all zinnia or all statice in different shades).

SLEEVE—Plastic sleeve to hold bouquets for consumer sales. (Cuts down on flower breakage from manhandling customers at farmers’ markets and provides a professional look). Sleeves can be purchased from specialty dealers like A-Roo.

Delivery terminology:

WET PACK—Delivering flowers already in water.

DRY PACK—Flowers are sleeved and packed in boxes according to bunch count per box.

PROCONA—Special wet-pack used in California.

HAMPERS—Upright boxes sometimes including a bucket.

CLEATS/STAKES—The wooden sticks used to secure flowers to keep them from shifting in a box.

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There are over 270,000 species of flowers that have been documented and are living in the 21^st Century.

The first plant fossils found were woody magnolia

Paleobotanists have more recently uncovered tiny herb-like flower fossils dating back 120 million years.

The Emperor of China owned over 600 books about Roses

Empress Josephine of France collected 2,562 different roses

There are nearly 25,000 varieties of Orchids

Tulip Bulbs were traded like stock!

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Grandparents’ Day: September 7

On Grandparents’ Day, grandchildren show their appreciation for their grandparents by spending quality time with them and by sending cards, flowers, and gifts.

Grandparents’ Day has three purposes: to honor grandparents; to give grandparents the opportunity to show their love for their grandchildren; and to help children realize the insight and guidance older people can offer. Every grandchild may be involved in the celebrations, as it’s a day for discovering family roots and for learning patience and understanding.

Originally observed by the state of West Virginia, Grandparents’ Day was declared a national holiday by U.S. congress in 1978. To signify the “autumn years” of life, September was chosen for the holiday. Today millions throughout the United States observe this event.

Name: The botanical name is Helianthus. The Greek word “helios” means sun and “anthos” means flower. It is aptly named after the sun which it resembles.

Origin: South and West of the USA.

Color: Most sunflowers are bright yellow with dark brown centres, but varieties are appearing now which have tan, orange, maroon or striped petals, and green-yellow centres. Some are even without the central disc, but are fully covered in petals instead.

Availability: A summer flower, but some are available all year round (‘Orit’) and most can be available from late spring to late autumn.

Family: Asteraceae, Aster family

Care Tips: They need a lot of water.
Did you know that lifejackets used to be filled with sunflower stems?

Name: From the Turkish for turban, after its rounded form. Botanical name Tulipa.

 
Colors: Everything except blue and true black.

Availability: November to May

Origin: Middle East

Care Tips: Tulips continue to grow in water and will curve towards the light. Make allowances for this when putting them in a vase or wrap the stems tightly in newspaper and stand them in water directly beneath a light for a few hours. Tulips have a vase life of just over a week, and buy flowers in bud but with colour showing.

Trivia:
Facts: Tulips are the third-biggest selling flower in Holland and are also very popular in the UK where many are also grown. The painter David Hockney displays them in his studio in Los Angeles and so they appear in many of his autobiographical paintings and for a long time were seen as his trademark.

Language of Flowers: In the Victorian language of flowers red tulips are a declaration of love, making them ideal gifts for Valentine’s Day.

History: In the middle ages tulipmania saw bulbs change hands for the equivalent of £4million pounds a bulb!

What’s the BEST Way to Care for A Bouquet of Fresh Flowers?

Sending or receiving fresh cut flowers is such a meaningful experience for both the sender and the recipient.  Since they are so special, we want them to last as long as possible! 

Her are some secrets:

• Choose flowers that aren’t fully developed yet – why?  The will continue to open over time
• Look for petals that are firm and mark free
• Stems and leaves should be green
• Feed your flowers with the solution that accompanies your bouquet.
• Read the instructions and mix the solution properly.  A solution that is too potent can irritate the flowers
• Cust the stems at an angle with a knife – This ensures a clear stem for water passage
• When filling the vase with water and plant food, make sure leaves aren’t kept under water as they can break down and grow bacteria
• Keep flowers away from drafts or extreme heat
• Tropical flowers might have different needs.  Check the directions included with the bouquet

Most of all enjoy one of earth’s finest pleasures!

“Some flowers spoke with strong and powerful voices, which proclaimed in accents trumpet-tongued,”I am beautiful, and I rule”. Others murmured in tones
scarcely audible, but exquisetly soft and sweet, “I am little, and I am beloved”.”
– George Sand (Armandine A.L. Dupin), (1804 – 1876) French writer

Our blogs have mentioned very different things and we have used very different terminology.  Here are some terms defined to help you when reading our blogs

Longevity

• Refers to the vase life of a flower
• Can last from 3-14 days

Scent

Color

Showiness

• Contains an intricate petal design, big blooms, and/or a vibrant color scheme
• Includes flowers such as gerbera daisies and sunflowers

]]> http://seminoleflorist.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/floral-terms-defined/feed/ 0 seminoleflorist http://seminoleflorist.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/did-you-know-2/ http://seminoleflorist.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/did-you-know-2/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:57:08 +0000 seminoleflorist http://seminoleflorist.wordpress.com/?p=162 ]]> Ok history buffs…heres’s some info for you!

The History of FTD

Founded in 1910, FTD is one of the largest floral companies in the world and is a leader in quality, artistry and dependability. FTD connects approximately 20,000 North American retail florists and supports an international floral delivery network of 50,000 affiliated FTD Florists in 154 countries. FTD can deliver products to nearly 100% of the U.S. population. FTD stands behind our Satisfaction Guarantee on all orders sent through FTD for delivery within the U.S. and Canada.

On August 18, 1910, fifteen American retail florists agreed to exchange orders for out-of-town deliveries. Originally called “Florists’ Telegraph Delivery”, FTD was the world’s first flowers-by-wire service.

Fifty-five years later, FTD expanded to include international transactions. The company was renamed “Florists Transworld Delivery” to reflect its growing worldwide presence.

In 1914, FTD adopted the classic figure of Mercury as its official logo. With worldwide visibility, the gold “Mercury Man” is one of the most recognized logo in the world. It has become the floral industry’s emblem of quality.

Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect arrangement:

• Look for a florist you can trust
• A well known and respected florist is a step in the right direction
• Ask someone in your community they recomment
• Once you have a florist in mind see if they will work with you to create special arrangements
  

When should you send flowers?

• Office promotion
• Retirement
• Anniversary
• Grand openings or Grand Re-Openings
• Brithdays
• Just to be thoughtful – your child’s teacher, your pastor, a secretary or assistant who helps you out
• Recognition for excellent customer service
• To say I love you or I’m thinking of you
• I am sorry
• Condolences
• Good luck
  

The Details:

• Make sure you select a container that is complementary to the arrangement and the space it will be held in
• Are allergies a problem?
• Will the recipient be there to accept the arrangement?
• What is the recipient’s favorite color? favorite flower?

Put thought into your order.  If you do, you are sure to make their day special!

Order flowers for someone special today!