Peonies and Hollyhocks

***This is the eleventh article in a series of 100 articles on floral design and running a flower shop. If you have a topic you would like me to write about let me know,  moabflowers@live.com.   


Peonies are one of the oldest documented blossoms. Peonies were in existence 1400-4000 years ago in China. The peony flower is considered a blossom of wealth. In past days, if one could afford a peony plant in their garden they were certainly a prosperous family.  For the flower shop, peonies come on around Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. They can be bought at your local wholesaler or at a local farm. We used to purchase peonies grown in Grand Junction, Colorado at a local grower. We would get buckets and buckets and buckets of them.  The excitement was on. They come in very tight buds. It is only after a few days in a warm shop they begin to burst open. They are so showy, they sell themselves. Everyone has to have some!!

Peonies come in a nice range of colors from ivory to soft blush, to lavenders, purples and burgundies. They are a very large showy flower, with one big blossom and a few buds on each stem. The stems can range up to two feet tall.  Peonies have lush green foliage, almost making it unnecessary to add other foliage to the arrangement. They are fragrant and fairly long lasting. 

Peonies can be used in floral designs, corsages, memorial pieces, wreaths, and vase arrangements. They can be used fresh or dried. Drying peonies is easy. Just hang blossoms upside down in small loose bunches. Do not crowd. Hang in a dark, cool space.  They retain their color very well. They can be sprayed with a specifically designed dried flower sealant when dry, about 2-3 weeks. 

Peonies make an impressive, old-fashioned bouquet. While they are very seasonal, it is good to get all you can out of them while they are available. This is a flower that will keep customers coming back year after year. 

Hollyhocks have to be one of my most favorite flowers. They are easy to grow and forgiving. Of course they can be bought at your local wholesaler as well, in season. You will see them growing along ditch banks and anywhere the wind happens to blow the seeds. They are a tall flower, reaching up to three feet. They range in colors from white and ivory to pinks, reds, purples, and magenta, almost black. Traditionally, hollyhocks are associated with cottage gardens. They need to be planted in the rear of a mixed border or along a wall. There are both single and double forms. Hollyhocks seed freely and will always come back from seed year after year. 

In floral designs, hollyhocks make nice line flowers, establishing the height and width in a design. Add carnations and daisies for an attractive garden look. Add foliage such as ivy, asparagus fern and wax flower for a more upscale look. As a matter of fact, peonies and hollyhocks together would make an absolutely stunning design. And for the June bride, well if it is different they want, peonies and hollyhocks, ranging from off white to blush pink to a greening tint, would look spectacular. Again, accent with asparagus fern, ivy and wax flower, maybe even a little heather. Wow!! Beautiful!!  Once again, always be creative and different. Do not be afraid to offer your customer savvy and unique. Your shop will stand out from the rest and you be viewed as an artist of floral design.

Refurbishing Baskets and Clay Pots

Many times we run across baskets and clay pots at yard sales or in a thrift store for pennies. We may hesitate on buying these used containers, but should not. Maybe they are a little dirty. Maybe they are not shiny and new looking like we think they should be for our shop. It is very chic to recycle. There are many ways to update the look of baskets and clay pots, so that they may be used in a new style. Keep on the lookout for these bargains and get creative. You will be designing something unique while adding to your bottom line in the accounting department for your shop.

When purchasing used baskets do make sure they are structurally sound and are not coming apart. It is okay if they look a little dull and uninteresting. You get them to your shop. Now what? First of all, think color! Lots of bright colors! Get out the spray paint and get busy. Florists have available floral spray paints that can be bought for refurbishing wicker. Design Master is the brand name. This paint is available at your local wholesaler and maybe the larger craft stores. This spray dries very quickly and does not have a lasting paint smell. The paint dries to a satin sheen. There are over 50 colors with 4 metallic hues. Design Master Paint complies with all environmental regulations. I like to use the glossy wood tone spray to make any wicker basket look new again, while maintaining the naturalness of the basket.

Begin with a dry, clean, dust-free surface. Spray lightly building up the paint as thick as you would like. Once painted, your basket can be sealed with a sealant for an even shinier look. Spray your project lightly for a whitewashed look. Once painted your thrift store find will look just like new. You could keep going by adding dried flowers and ribbons to the basket. By adding a waterproof liner your basket can be used for a basket garden full of green house plants or herbs. Use newly refreshed baskets for gift baskets. A trunk overflowing with newly painted baskets of many colors can be an eye catching display. For a festive look try the glitter spray, along with the metallic colors.

Frequently, we find clay pots in a second hand store or a yard sale. I used to shy away from used clay pots, but not anymore. I thought the water stains were not cool. The ideas to refurbish clay pots are numerous and cost effective. Before restoring clay pots to their new look, once again, wash and scrub pots thoroughly with hot soapy water to clean and disinfect. Dry them well.

I have three refurbished looks for a creative end product that can be sold in your shop... The first is applying a crackle finish. This is where you apply a base coat of one color, then apply a crackle medium, and finish with an alternate color. The crackle medium cracks the paint allowing the base coat to show through. This technique could also be topped off with by decoupaging a rose or other picture of your choice onto the pot. Check online for a book on painting techniques for detailed instructions.

The second technique I use involves tissue/wrapping paper. Select a pretty floral pattern, checks, or stripes. Whatever sparks your creativity! Dip the paper in a mixture of white glue and water. Apply to the pot in a semi-orderly fashion. Apply to the inside of the pot to at least halfway. Let dry. Apply a sealant. Wrap with a French wired ribbon. The recycled clay pot is ready for a fragrant herb or maybe even a topiary design. Make plenty of them just to have for sale all by themselves. They are very attractive and French Country.

The last method is more of a natural method. Once again, be sure to scrub the pots thoroughly. Many used pots have natural water stains from the minerals in water. Do not worry. Go with it. The used, discolored look is very stylish. Put a sealant on the clay container. Add some moss here and there, maybe a sprig of preserved evergreen and a dried rose. Play up with whatever you have to work, be imaginative! Your pot is now ready. Fill with natural bath toiletries. Make a garden pot by adding flower seeds, garden gloves and a small shovel and trowel. There are endless possibilities. Relish in the fact that you have recycled. You have made something old, new again. You have extended the life something that is so quickly tossed. Have fun!! You are adding uniqueness to your shop. 

Set of 3 Espresso Finish Storage Wicker Rattan Baskets 

Badger Basket Five Basket Storage Unit with Wicker Baskets, Espresso 

10 Mini 1 3/4 Clay Pots - Great for Plants and Crafts"

Stack and Grow Terracotta Planter with 20 Planting Pockets 

Moss Rose in the Garden Growing Kit Starter Soil Clay Pot Moss Rose Seed Packet 

The Martha Stewart Gardening Collection - Martha's Spring Garden 

Aqua Cone Aqua Spike - Green - Set of 6 Automatic Plant Watering System 

Painting and Decorating Clay Pots - Revised Edition: 150 Step-by-Step Projects for Making People, Animals, and Fantasy Characters from Terra-Cotta Pots 

Plant Stand, Three Tier, Terracotta, Large 



 

Valentine’s Day in a Flower Shop

***This is the ninth article in a series of 100 articles all about floral design and running a flower shop.

Valentine’s Day is a profitable holiday for the florist industry. It is one of our main events to amass cash flow to help get us through the slower summer months. This holiday has been around for centuries, the first valentine having been sent in the 14^th century. There are many myths and tales as to the origin of the holiday. We celebrate our love and affection with loved ones mainly by exchanging flowers, candy, cards, gifts and stuffed animals.

One has not seen chaos until they have experienced Valentine’s Day in a flower shop. Wow!!! Laughing all the way to the bank!! After two days of healing so you can walk!! February 14^th, it is the second biggest holiday for the floral industry next to Christmas. The difference between Christmas and Valentine’s Day is a big one. Christmas is a season celebrated all month. Valentine’s Day is one day, maybe three or four depending upon what day it lies. It will fall on a different day every year. A florist would want to plan carefully for this holiday for there is a lot of money to be made as well as an opportunity to get new customers in your door and make regular patrons out of them.

Roses will be your biggest seller. Although the wholesale price of roses climbs tremendously, it is all relative. You have to pass the price increase on to your customers. That is why rose prices go up on this holiday. Your wholesaler raises his price and you must raise yours to make any money. We can pay anywhere from one to three dollars a rose wholesale price each  So you can see why and how the prices have to be raised. Those roses are costing you an arm and a leg. There are always going to be those who want roses, yet you need to have other offers as well. In addition to red roses, other colors of roses need to be available. Furthermore, you can offer short stem roses as a selection. Some relationships are not up to the “long stem red rose level” and one may be celebrating with a friend or relative. Have other choices that can provide a larger profit margin such as balloons, mixed bouquets, stuffed animals, candy, and plants or a combination. Depend on cute little bears, ribbons, and heart insertions to make the V-Day gift special. Offer delivery to the point of where you know you will get it delivered in a timely fashion. All your pre-ordered floral deliveries should take precedence.

Flower in reds, pinks, purples, and whites most easily substitute for roses. Flowers that are popular and available on Valentine’s Day include tulips, daffodils and irises, heather, and stargazer lilies, orchids and gardenias. Many people favor a mixed flower bouquet on Valentine's Day, as it looks colorful and springy. Some may need a corsage for that special Valentine’s Day dinner or dance.

A fresh mixed-flower bouquet can be made to look “heartily loving” by adding balloons, candy or a small plush animal. A florist can make a loose, mixed flower bouquet by selecting flowers that convey the emotions of your heart. Maybe have a book of flower meanings nearby. By all means do not encourage this kind of assistance on the actual holiday. This would be a good way to presale flowers. You will be too, too busy on this day!! It will be all you do to keep up with designs and deliveries that are preplaced. Wrap the flowers in some heart paper and clear cellophane and add a natural raffia ribbon and stick a heart in it. As Valentine's Day comes at the end of the winter season, one can find a large number of spring flowers in full bloom. Be sure and order lots of everything because by the end of the day your shop will be bare!