Dust off your favorite shorts and connect the air conditioners, Summer is here NYC! Summertime in NYC means sunflowers in NYC. Sunflowers have a way of brightening up any location.
What a difference a simple bouquet of sunflowers makes to the NYC’s Columbus Circle.
Columbus Circle Sunflowers
The beautification of NYC’s Washington Square park has been completed with the addition of Sunflowers.
Washington Square Sunflowers
What would an East River view of downtown Brooklyn be without a bouquet of Sunflowers?
Sunflowers in Downtown Manhattan
Lady Liberty’s beauty is dwarfed by the natural beauty of Sunflowers.
Hudson River/West Side NYC Sunflowers
New Yorkers don’t just rely on Sunflowers to beautify their outdoor spaces. Sunflowers are brightening Event spaces throughout NYC.
Sunflowers for NYC Events
Sunflowers come in a wide variety of yellow, red and golden hues. They might not look alike but they all spread cheer to whomever they come across. Let Starbright deliver a fresh bouquet of Sunflowers in NYC or wherever smiles need to be encouraged.
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Millions of people around the world gathered to celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year this week. Here in New York, the party is just getting started! Celebrate the holiday in style this weekend with these helpful floral hints.
Flowers and Fruits For Chinese New Year
Narcissus
These cheerful yellow flowers, also known as daffodils, are a sign of good fortune and prosperity. They are one of the most auspicious flowers to include in New Year celebrations.
Oranges
A symbol of the sun, these fruits are a sign of abundant happiness. If you’ll be attending a Chinese New Years party at a friend’s or family member’s home, consider taking a basket of these cheerful fruits. To make a tasty treat basket more traditional, add some candied nuts – peanuts are a favorite and symbolize a long life.
Orchids
These delicate blooms are symbolic of abundance, refinement, and luxury. Whether you prefer the large Cymbidiums, smaller Mokaras, or living Phalaenopsis – orchids are a highly desirable gift during this season. Check out some of our favorite arrangements featuring orchids here and here.
Peonies
These lovely blooms are often associated with riches and honor. This blooms are also a popular symbol of feminine beauty and affection. For Chinese New Year celebrations burgundy peonies are considered particularly auspicious.
Colors For Chinese New Year
While selecting your blooms this weekend, focus on warm colors. Red is by far the most popular color as it traditionally is associated with good fortune and joy. It is also a good idea to avoid white flowers as this color can represent mourning.
Want to join the fun? Check out the Chinese New Year parade this Sunday at 1pm, February 22nd 2015. See you all there!
Planning Florals for a Valentine’s Day Wedding in NYC
Roses and Valentine’s Day are like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Is there anything more romantic than a Valentine’s Day wedding in NYC?
The story of St. Valentine is one of hopeful love. During the time that he lived, soldiers weren’t allowed to marry under Roman law. That wasn’t acceptable for ol’ Val who (as we like to think) believed that if any two people wanted to get married, they should have the right to do so. He married many soldiers despite the harsh laws and harsher punishment – it was the right thing to do – but ultimately, for this practice, he was executed.
It’s been an exciting few years, but just because we all can get married in many states doesn’t mean everyone can get married everywhere yet. This Valentine’s Day, we’ll be looking to St. Valentine as an inspiration because we know there’s nothing more inspiring than watching two individuals embark on a lifelong journey of love and partnership.
So, flowers. Here’s the thing about Valentines Day and flowers – flower shops are pretty-much going to be jam-packed with roses – and sometimes, very little else. If you’re having an an event on Valentine’s Day and you don’t want roses, you need to let your florist know a few weeks in advance. Valentines Day is a bit of a stress on the gears that keep the industry moving – for about 96 hours, all anybody is going to want when they call up the shop is a dozen (or more) roses. All these roses get the shelf space that usually goes to the rest of the inventory – while other flowers are around, they’re in a bit of a short supply compared to the rest of the year. Flower biz is like any other biz – if you let your vendors know what you want with as much “time to go” as possible, you’ll get the flowers you want without any stress.
But, this is Valentine’s Day – you probably totally do want roses. They’re a great choice – your grandma and aunt will think they’re lovely, they’ll smell nice but not too strong, and when the event is done you’ll have a whooooooole bunch of rose petals to strew about everywhere. When you’re designing your rose centerpiece, keep in mind that roses come in lots of lengths, some on very long stems – this is great for creating arrangements with with a lot of height variance. Roses also come in many, many colors – it doesn’t have to be all red and white! You’ll find oranges, pinks, purples and yellows – again, just make sure to mention this to your florist a few weeks before Valentine’s, so they can order what they’ll need and schedule your event into their busiest time.
Composite Rose bouquet by Sokratis
One of Starbright Floral’s amazing designers, put together this composite bouquet to match the latest floral trends walking down the runways. This is a carefully crafted piece made by wiring individual rose petals and arranging them into one giant rose. It’s high on impact, but deceptively low on fuss (in actuality, this takes a long, long time!). While this would make an amazing centerpiece, the time it takes may be prohibitive to the budget. For an alternative rose centerpiece, these pave styles are flawlessly refined.
Pave roses sparkle as a centerpiece
Whatever is in your centerpiece should also be in your boutonniere (you can read all about boutonnieres here). If you’ve got a wedding party, make sure the folk getting wedded are in a different boutonniere from the folk standing up with the couple.
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
From Left : 1.Spiral Eucalyptus 2.African Boxwood 3.Myrtle 4.Italian Ruscus 5.Pittosporum 6.Acacia 7.Seeded Eucalyptus 8.Broadleaf Dusty Miller 9.Lace Dusty Miller
Glorious Greens
So, design. When it’s good, it’s usually great – and when it’s bad, it’s usually “ugh, awful, no way!” This is true across the board – fashion, graphic design, food, flowers, you name it. Many people think that the trick to good design is “having a great concept” – those people aren’t wrong, but they’re missing the secret: a good design covers all the details. When it comes to flowers, one of the details we almost never hear customer’s mention is the Green Stuff. But any floral designer with an attention to detail knows better. Starbright’s designer’s are fully aware what a difference upscale greens can make in an elegant flower arrangement for NYC floral consumers.
They may not be the star of the show, but these glorious greens can have a huge impact on the “vibe” of an arrangement. They are also a great way to personalize the standard Valentine’s Day fare of “a dozen roses”. Whether your looking to send something light and airy or lush and full – the greenery is a great place to make it your own.
Some of Starbright Floral Design’s favorite greens :
1. Spiral Eucalyptus : These “dusty” green shoots are ideal for filling in lofty arrangements and adding height. One of Starbright Floral Design’s favorite uses of seeded eucalyptus is with long-stem roses. This classic combination creates an airy elegance perfect for the minimalist in your life.
2. African Boxwood : Notable for it’s fine-toothed leaves and reddish tint, this green is a great compliment to all sorts of arrangements. The little, but lush clusters of leaves will fill in a lot of space and add a slightly “fresh-from-the-garden” feel to your arrangement. Boxwood has a long-vase life and will dry-out nicely as well.
3. Myrtle : This is another fantastic green to accompany your long-stem roses for Valentine’s Day. The bright jewel-green leaves and wood-like stems also have a sharp, clean smell and will stand up nicely in taller arrangements. In ancient Greco-Roman times, Myrtle was considered sacred to Venus, the goddess of love, and used to decorate wreaths and make garlands.
4. Italian Ruscus : Ruscus is an interesting addition to any arrangement. The large leaf-like cladodes are a brilliant green that matches the green stem; the tonal color makes these waxy greens look almost too perfect to be real.
5. Pittosporum : These are one of the more common greens that appear in short and mid-height arrangements. The plain leaves are bright green while the variegated variety is a softer shade of green with ivory details around the edges. But our favorite part about working with this green at Starbright Floral Design is the sweetly scented leaves.
6. Acacia : This unique green isn’t as common around the shop as some of the others, but it’s always worth asking. Acacia has a unique appearance that makes it great for tall arrangements. The thin branches are entirely covered in sharp triangular leaves, while pre-flowering yellow pods sprout wildly on the top third. In the language of flowers, the acacia signifies secret love. Check it how Starbright Floral Design used acacia in this arrangement to add height and texture :
Acacia makes a fantastic backdrop for delicate flowers while adding height
7. Seeded Eucalyptus : This eucalyptus variety has a softer appearance than the spiral eucalyptus. The leaves of this variety are slightly larger and droop romantically around cluster of lighter, and brighter seeds. If you’re looking for something softer that could potentially be described as “dreamy” – this is the eucalyptus for you.
8. Broadleaf Dusty Miller : These leaves are prized for their uniquely sliver appearance and soft felt-like texture. Another “romantic” green, broadleaf dusty miller looks great in low arrangements where it’s short stems can get to water.
9. Lace Dusty Miller : Another variety of dusty miller, known as silver ragwort, which is perfect for adding extra romance to an arrangement. The leaves of this variety also have a soft felt-like feel and silvery color.
Dusty Miller adds a complimentary “softness” to any arrangement
Next time you call the shop and order some flowers, feel free to give us some hints about the whole arrangement. We want you to be 100% happy with your flower purchase – the best way for us to do that is to give you exactly what you want!
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
NYC beware, Valentine’s Day is coming up. Soon, roses in NYC will number in the millions. Starbright Floral Design, is keenly aware of how roses in NYC are an integral part of Valentine’s Day floral gift giving. In fact, Valentine’s Day flowers in NYC and red roses in NYC are synonymous to many New Yorkers. Therefore we thought it’d be a good time to go over some rose history and get to know how some deep rooted traditions sprang up around these flowers that has NYC oh-ing and ah-ing come Valentine’s Day.
the appeal of red roses is pretty obvious to us!
Why are Roses sent
Roses in History
Roses are one of humanity’s oldest commodity goods. There are two main families of rose – Mediterranean and Oriental. The Mediterranean rose was extensively harvested by societies in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome and the Greek City States. In general, the ancient world used the rose as decoration – in addition to a lovely visual, a rose also offers a strong fragrance, so it makes sense that the bloom would be adopted early as a go-to cultivar.
With the fall of the Roman Empire we would expect to see a fall of the rose – and in a sense, we sort of do. At this point in human history, monks and their monasteries are popping up to hold on to/pass-on the ancient world’s medicinal secrets – and the rose has a starring role. Rose oil, pressed from rose hips, has curative properties that ease many stomach concerns, and also help manage blood pressure. NOTE: YOU ARE NOT A MEDIEVAL MONK – IF YOU NEED MEDICAL ADVICE, YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR DOCTOR, NOT READ OUR BLOG! WE DO NOT SUGGEST YOU ACTUALLY TAKE ROSE HIP OIL WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR PHYSICIAN. This is very, very lucky for the rose – as Europe transitioned out of the Dark Ages and into the Medieval era, monasteries became the nodes that the rest of society would rebuild around. Think about it – you’re a merchant, your country has just about seen the last of the bubonic plague, and it’s time to go consolidate populations a little bit like ya do, when over half of the population gets wiped out by the plague. Where are you going to go? You’re probably going to set up near one of those medicine- and beer- and cheese-producing monasteries, because medicine, beer and cheese are all necessary things. This is where you’re going to get your flowers, too – and that’s where the rose comes in.
Roses are one of the prime commodity goods exchanged by upper-class European citizens from about 500CE-1875CE. They have utility (medicine), they are relatively hardy, and most importantly they can be endlessly hybridized. When you’re looking at a commodity’s value, what’s happening is you’re evaluating the average cost of that good in the market, in comparison to the quality of the good in front of you. With rose plants, you need to keep in mind that while the rose originally comes from warm climates, most of Europe is cold. Many hybrids make the plant hardier or longer-blooming, or maybe they’ll bloom more times per year, or maybe the hips are big enough that a short grow season isn’t awful, or…Roses are an interesting commodity. Today there are lots of varieties and lots of colors and even a lot of shapes and sizes.
The rose’s history as a commodity good is not dissimilar to that of an engagement ring. Both goods were originally given to help provide an economic foundation in times of extreme stress. With an engagement ring, for example, it was understood that the provider in the marriage might die. In that event, the ring could be sold and a new living situation could be arranged. Roses, too, are high-value gifts – although in the modern era, we cut our flowers, so this symbolism has been obscured by all the other romance of the occasion. Extravagance for extravagance’s sake never hurt anybody!
Alex finds a new love for rosesValentine’s Day Roses 2015
So why are we bringing all of this to your attention? Nic Faitos, the founder of Starbright, has given us permission to clue you in, dear reader – the roses are going to be cheaper if you order them before January 20th. Roses are an “inelastic commodity” – there are only going to be as many roses available for purchase on February 14th as there were grown, picked and shipped by February 13th, and no matter what the vast majority of consumers will be after some roses. In this scenario – “there’s a rush on a thing who’s quantity is finite” – the single best move you can make is to get in early, so you can maximize your dollar’s value.
Patti Ann cleaning roses at Starbright Floral Design
Right now, roses in NYC within e-commerce websites are being sold without regard to the inevitable demand driven cost increases. The skyrocketing wholesale cost of the roses have a corresponding effect on consumer prices. So if you have a special person you’re planning to send long stemmed red roses in NYC for this upcoming Valentine’s Day, placing an order with Starbright sooner rather than later can help you stretch your resources.
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Amaryllis Home Gifts are made For NYC’s Holiday Hosts
Be the most welcomed guest this Holiday Season when you arrive with a potted amaryllis home gift!
Here at Starbright Floral Design potted amaryllis are flying off the shelves. Available in shades that range from Red to White, these potted plants are some the easiest to bring to bloom year after year.
In last week’s flower file, we reviewed some facts about Amaryllis blooms; like how they ended up with two names and where the name Amaryllis stems from. Popular during the holidays, these potted plants are an easy to care for lively addition to any home.
An amaryllis plant will keep you with a company of blooms for about 7-10 weeks. They’ll bloom for a longer time during the winter than if they open later in the spring.
Read on for instructions on how to care for an amaryllis plant.
Potted Amaryliis
How to Care For An Amaryllis Plant
When the plant is in bloom
Through the holiday season keep potted amaryllis is a place with diffused light and cooler temperatures. When watering the amaryllis plant, be careful not to get the part of the bulb or plant that sticks above the soil wet. Keep the soil moist and fertilize as frequently as your favorite floral fertilizer suggests.
After the blooms have wilted
Later in the winter, the amaryllis will stop blooming. Cut the old flowers from the stem a bit below the wilted blooms. You’ll be left with some sword-like leaves and a long stem. As soon as the stem starts to sag, cut it off about an inch above the bulb. This triggers a growth period. Move the amaryllis plant to a sunny location.Continue to water and fertilize the potted bulb as normal for at least five to six months so that the leaves can reach their full potential.
When the plant is ready for storage
When the leaves begin to yellow cut them back to about two inches above the bulb. After the leaves are cut, remove the bulb from the soil and gently clean it off before storing it in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator for a minimum of six weeks.
WARNING : Don’t store amaryllis bulbs in the same space as apples. Apples will sterilize the bulb.
When the plant is ready to be potted
When it is about two months prior to when you desire the bulb to bloom again, plant the bulbs in fertilized soil. If the steam begins to droop under the weight of the flowers securing it to stick will support the steam. Then enjoy the beauty of the blooms as they open over during the
The bloom will appear again and again as long as these easy steps are followed. It’s a rinse and repeat process that will be enjoyed year after year.
If you’re not sure about how to best bring or send a host gift for the home check out this blog (Saying Thanks With Flowers) for some suggestions. Situated in the heart of NYC, we’re ready for your last minute orders in Manhattan.
Starbright celebrates the holidays with Teleflora in New York City!
Hanging on various walls and scattered throughout the shop, are a number of plaques proclaiming Starbright Floral Design as one of the top 50 sellers in the Teleflora network. It’s a great place to be – in the Top 50 of a network including more than 15,000 member florists in the US and Canada. For over twenty years now, Starbright Floral Design has filled and sent orders to this network of talented florists. We’re all unique shops, many of us with our own unique styles, but together, with the stellar design direction of the Teleflora team florists all over are able to send exactly what you’re looking for.
Earlier this week, Jasmine Corzo, a familiar face from the Teleflora design team, stopped into Starbright Floral Design with a camera crew, some clippers and a plan to introduce us to the Telefora holiday centerpieces and seasonal lineup collection for 2014.
The Teleflora arrangements this year remind us of being home for the holidays. The designs include traditional premium floral varieties, which bring out the colors of the season. Pieces like Teleflora’s Candy Cottage and Thomas Kinkade’s Meet Me Under The Mistletoe include winter greens like white pine and noble fir with snowy bright whites and velvety deep reds. Frosted pinecones and peppermint carnations, and big red berries are playful seasonal favorites that add great texture to these lush pieces. But it’s not just about the flowers!
Many of the Teleflora holiday arrangements are made to fit a special seasonal keepsake. While the premium flowers used in these arrangements have a great vase life, the vase they come in will surely be a longtime favorite. You’ll want to bring these cookie jars, mugs, and decorative vases out year after year and reminisce about when Aunt Ana, Grandpa Redd, or your nephew Hugo sent you flowers.
But Wait! There’s more!
As if the fancy flowers and festive vases aren’t enough, sending any item from the Teleflora Homemade For The Holidays Collection comes with a chance to enter their Holiday Sweepstakes to win a trip to NYC!
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Hydrangea, peonies, roses, and orchids get extra dressed up with gilt leaves and golden colored wire. The ruffled texture and rich rosy shades are the type of holiday lush you want to bring home for dinner. The wine and gold coloring of this arrangement makes it suited for the season, without a holiday theme.
There’s nothing like New York during the Holidays and one of the best places to celebrate – Rockefeller Center. Whether you’re planning to visit for the tree lighting (Wednesday, December 3rd!), seeing the 41st annual Merry Tuba Christmas performance (Sunday, December 14th) or going to the Top Of The Rock Rockefeller Center will show you a great time. This arrangement with berries, calla lilies, anthurium, pinecones and winter greens echoes the hustle and excitement of one of our favorite centers of commerce here in NYC.
“Central Park”
This dramatic piece echoes the natural beauty of Frederick Olmsted’s Central Park design. With the arrangement’s classic tribute to the holiday designs of yesteryear you can transform your space into a seasonal winter wonderland…without having to step outside!
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! How are you dressing up your table?
What’s on your table?
Whether your’e planning the traditional turkey or untraditional take-out, why not get the party started with a festive atmosphere? While the family, the friends, the food, and the football may be Thanksgivings main attractions, it’s amazing what a few additional decorations can do to put people into the holiday mood. Here at Starbright Floral Design we’ve had over twenty years of experience helping hosts and hostesses in New York City find just the right floral spin for their parties. Here are some of our favorites :
1. The Centerpiece
There’s no doubt that the main attraction on any Thanksgiving table is the food. All manner of dishes – roasted, baked, broiled and steamed – somehow need to squeeze onto a table between the place settings. While all the delicious food is a sight for hungry eyes, a floral element will keep the mood going even after the food is all gone. In past posts, Getting Back to Happiness and Scent and Memory – Starbright explored studies that tested the effects flowers have on mood and memory. The findings were pretty conclusive and crucial for any host or hostess to keep in mind. Not only do flowers make people smile more often, they also tend to make experiences more memorable (especially for your elderly guests).
When you’re planning florals for the table, begin with how much room there will be, what the color theme is, and what kind of style is preferred.
Some ideas to consider :
Roses, dahlia, hydrangea and calla lilies
Long and low arrangements are fantastic for a rectangular table. These arrangements look great when they’re filled with lush, colored flowers with a lot of texture.
If you have a more intimate evening planned, an arrangement in a square vase, like the one above, can pack the same amount of presence as it’s long and low cousin. The best part, these centerpieces are still low enough that they won’t get in the way of conversation.
Hosting a party can seem intimidating. One of the tips we often share with nervous dinner party planners is the power of a name card. A hostess or host’s duty is primarily to make their guests feel welcome – their ultimate tool for accomplishing this? A little place card that helps guests identify their “space” for the evening. Whether the seats are assigned or open to whoever lands there first, guests will appreciate the chance to mark their spot for the evening.
In the twenty plus years that Starbright has been working in the floral industry, we’ve seen all manner of fun place card holders. Some of our favorite techniques have involved holding the cards up in the quills of a pincushion protea, between the lobes of a living succulent, or cleverly attached to apples or mini pumpkins.
Matching the cardholders to the centerpiece will keep things looking consistent.
3. Around the House
It can also be fun to play with placing other floral elements around the house. Bud Vases like the below, can be filled with flowers that match you centerpieces and set around the home.
Bud Vases are a great way to subtly stretch your floral theme beyond the dining room.
Or for the traditionalists – the true symbol of the season, a cornucopia, is a great way to dress up a coffee table of sideboard.
Here in New York City, it’s easy to forget about the fields that have been harvested, the geese migrating south for the winter, or the smell of leaves. One of the best ways to remind people of the season is with a fall wreath to greet guests at the door. We like to welcome our seasonal visitors in a BIG way!
Starbright Floral Design’s BIG seasonal welcome wreath
Whatever your theme or floral strategy – Starbright Floral Design is looking forward to helping you dress up your dinner!
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Well, that’s it, it’s over – those long days of summer are gone. Even though our days are getting shorter and it’s almost always dark by the time we get home, here at Starbright, we’re finding lots of ways to brighten things up. Autumn flowers are winding down, but some of our very favorite staple flowers are at their peak: alstroemeria, carnations, lilies, and roses and most importantly – the flower of the month – the chrysanthemum.
The name “chrysanthemum” is derived from the Greek words chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower). Don’t let its name fool you into thinking these guys are only available in the beautiful yellow/orange combo that is so common at this time. There are about 40 different species of chrysanthemums and countless varieties and cultivars that are available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Because of this overwhelming diversity, chrysanthemum plants are further described as being either a “garden hardy” or an “exhibition” variety and the bloom types can be further described as belong to one of the thirteen bloom forms recognized by the US National Chrysanthemum Society, Inc., which follows the international classification system.
According to principles of Feng Shui, Chrysanthemums are the floral representation of the Fall season and are ideal for brightening up a space. According to this practice, the cheerful presence of these blooms excites happiness and laughter. During the Fall season, displaying chrysanthemums creates especially good luck.
Here are five Feng Shui ways to use chrysanthemums to brighten up our days as they keep getting shorter!
The showy, yellow, round-headed chrysanthemums are perhaps the most sought after due to their symbolic association with a life of ease.
White and Yellow chrysanthemums are great for energizing “metal” spaces of the home which are associated with children, creativity, and helpful people.
Chrysanthemums encourage tranquility and help to alleviate of grief and anxiety.
Wish someone a long life and much contentment with a bouquet of chrysanthemums.
Living chrysanthemum plants acts as indoors air filter, are easy to care for, and last will bloom for much longer than cut flowers – while having all the same symbolic perks of the cut flowers. Ask about Starbright’s Plant Boutique!
Blooming Thoughts 