Flowers elevate any special occasion or holiday. With the fall and winter holidays rapidly approaching, area florists are gearing up to create memorable arrangements, from table centerpieces to decorative mantels to wreaths on doors, to house or corporate holiday parties and occasionally, an interior floral design for someone’s home.
Although floral arrangements can be ordered to reflect any décor or one’s signature style, florists say that most people stay true to the traditional colors of the seasons: brown, yellow, red, and orange hues for fall and Thanksgiving, and reds, greens, and whites for Christmas. But some people are changing things up a bit, adding in unique colors or creating themed arrangements.
Janet Woloszyk, owner of McCandless Floral, said that sunflowers are very popular in the fall; she frequently puts them in fall floral arrangements or creates entire bouquets around sunflowers. Mums are also highly requested in the fall, and she uses rust and brown roses in bouquets as well.
“Florals for fall include zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, panicle hydrangeas, ornamental kale, plumes, and more, all of which are available in our very own local Pittsburgh gardens,” said Tara Gillespie, owner of Violet Street Florist in Avalon.
Sometimes it’s the presentation that further elevates an already beautiful bouquet, in addition to the incorporation of unique materials. For example, Gillespie will often use a pumpkin as the vessel for fall floral bouquets and include things like squash, berries, plumes, or pheasant feathers.
Woloszyk predicts that the trend this fall, particularly for eco-conscious customers, will lean toward items that are nature-oriented, like ferns and pine cones, especially arrangements in birch boxes as well as bark logs.
Carrie Powell, owner of One Happy Flower Shop in Millvale, also has customers who are seeking nature-inspired arrangements. “In the fall, I will add dried elements like preserved leaves, branches and cattails, which provide an outdoorsy feel.”
“Some people go all out with fall colors and some ask for shades and winter foliage that can easily transition into the Christmas season,” said Gillespie, adding that these include deep reds and creams with a touch of evergreen and berries.
As Christmas approaches, Woloszyk said that while people most often choose the classic Christmas colors, there is a little bit of a mix. “People are looking for a whimsical or nostalgic look. Some people are using purples,” she said. She has also created Nutcracker-themed arrangements.
As expected, florists have many requests for poinsettias and orchids, particularly white orchids, as well as white calla lilies, in addition to traditional window wreaths and outdoor garlands. “After all the greening, I can then add special touches of ribbon and ornaments. Some clients choose to go with more of a traditional look, including red, green, silver, and gold ribbons and ornaments. Others go with a more natural look, including ilex berry, eucalyptus, pinecones, and birch branches,” said Gillespie.
Like the other florists, she said that people choose traditional Christmas colors, but occasionally, people choose a new color or theme every year, such as the pink disco Christmas which included disco balls and pink sparkle ribbon everywhere, with another client choosing chartreuse, blue and peacock feathers.
Powell said that in addition to poinsettias, during Christmas, people are ordering garland or loose evergreen boughs for decorations. Wreaths to hang on the front door or garland strung along the mantel are popular. “Last year, we did a lot of mauve colors with gold ribbons,” she said. For bouquets at Christmastime, she also adds in berries, or evergreens that are accented with ribbons.
In terms of preparing a bouquet, Woloszyk said she is veering away from using bows but often incorporates burlap into a floral arrangement, particularly if she is putting together something with fern or pine cones, as it creates a natural feeling. Even so, she predicted that golds and silvers are going to be trending again this year.
No matter what flowers you choose, one thing is incontrovertible: flowers add to the holiday atmosphere. “I feel like when flowers are in your home, it warms the space up and gives you a nice, familiar traditional vibe going on,” said Powell.
In addition to livening up your home for the holidays, flowers make for an excellent gift, and they can be personalized to the recipient’s tastes, such as when Woloszyk put a Christmas arrangement in a cookie jar and in an ornament.
Powell said that one of the most popular and touching gifts that she creates are for grandparents who have downsized and can no longer put up a big tree. “We’ll do petite tabletop trees, something that they can keep in a small space,” she said. Woloszyk also provides miniature Christmas trees for nursing homes.
Gifts of flowers can be tailored to the recipient’s style. “If they have a nice farmhouse décor, we may include plaid ribbons on it to match their style and personality. Or if you know your great-grandma loves a certain flower, you’ll send her something she’s always loved,” said Powell.
“Calling your local florist to place an order for delivery or pick up during the holiday season or any time of year is always a wonderful idea. Not only are you supporting small businesses, you will be putting a smile on your recipient’s face. Who doesn’t love flowers?” said Gillespie.
Comentários