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.
Here at Starbright Floral we love the earthy elements that characterize this time of year. We’re all about leaves, pinecones, sticks – the whole woods and the whole harvest. But when you’re planning an event that isn’t holiday related, beware of seasonal stereotypes.
Seasonal sophistication is about incorporating an aesthetic without sticking to the standards. Go ahead and look past the pinecones and pumpkins – they’re not going anywhere. The fall/winter season offers a host of alternatives to the traditional floral fare.
A few of Starbright’s favorites this year include:
Lotus Pods : These seed pods are exceptional. The wood-like appearance and organic texture is unlike most formal elements. The pods, which grow alongside lotus flowers, begin small and as the seeds grow, the holes in the pod increase to accommodate them. We’re not saying that every flower has to have a meaning, but the idea of growing into each other strikes Starbright’s fancy.
Fruits and Nuts : Generally speaking, using edibles in floral arranging is pretty traditional unless you go for the exotic types. We love using pomegranates and citrus for the shots of color and a festive nature.
Of course, any floral variety can be dressed up to fit a seasonal occasion with supporting details. Some of Starbright Floral Design’s favorite seasonal floral supporters include :
Curly Willow : Wrap vases or integrate curly willow into the arrangement for a refined version of rustic that will fit a sophisticated style. The rich sienna color also echoes the warm tones of the season without being seasonal.
Sprayed Seeded Eucalyptus : Ok, ok – this one isn’t at all natural, but we love it anyway. Seeded eucalyptus has a delicate appearance, and is a great filler for large flowers that want a little something more than greenery. The natural silvery green color of eucalyptus can soften the overall appearance of an arrangement. Our favorite ways to dress up the seeded eucalyptus are in gold, silver, copper, and black.
Deep Colors : Starbright loves the warmth and drama of saturated hues. Many floral varieties are available in deep shades of red including the anthurium (in photo), roses, carnations, and calla lilies. Check out one of our modern favorites.
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!
New York City might be a Concrete Jungle, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not also a great place to catch some fall foliage. We’re in the thick of October, which means that the next three weekends are going to be among the best of the year for viewing fantastic local color. This week’s blog is a collection of great places to catch some great trees without leaving New York City limits.
Without further ado, here’s our breakdown for Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan:
QUEENS:
1 – Alley Pond Park’s “Yellow Trail” – Alley Pond is an interesting park. It sits more-or-less in a glacial moraine, which is a land formation composed of many mixed materials left behind by the glaciers that created Long Island and Manhattan. As a result, Alley Pond Park has a highly diverse ecosystem, with a whole bunch of trees. There are mostly hardwoods, oak and hickory. Alley Pond also boasts a public high-ropes course!
2 – Astoria Park – The color here is offset by the mixed-blues and greys backdrop of ocean, sky and Manhattan Skyline. While you’re here, you might as well get some great Greek food at Stamatis on 23rd Avenue or BBQ at Strand Smokehouse on Broadway.
MANHATTAN:
1 – The West Village – There are a ton of trees here. Every block looks like a movie set for “old timey New Yawk,” if you can ignore the fro-yo shops. What’s cool about a West Village foliage walk is that you can also do some shopping, stop at Magnolia Cupcakes, or expand your world percussion collection at the same time.
2 – Central Park – But you knew that, you’re a smart cookie. I mean, there’s over 23,000 trees there, which is an average of over 1,000 per acre. Anywhere you go, it’s going to be great.
BROOKLYN:
1 – Prospect Park – The same rules as Central Park apply – there are a ton of trees here, and it’s beautiful everywhere.
2 – Ocean Parkway – If you’ve got a car, try heading for a ride down Ocean Parkway, from the Prospect Expressway down to Coney Island. It’s tree-lined the whole way down, and passes through a wide range of neighborhoods. The drive is a real slice of old-skool New York City, taking you through the real Brooklyn.
And if you can’t make it outside – don’t forget that Starbright Floral Design is happy to bring the season to you. We’re featuring a ton of autumnal arrangements with colored leaves, fall foods, and seasonal weeds (the pretty sort).
Apples are showing up everywhere!
And because we can’t help our seasonal joy – today we’re sharing a special New York style apple pie recipe from the Starbright team! Happy Fall!
BIG APPLE PIE
In New York, sometimes there just isn’t room for kitchen equipment – it’s a cold hard fact that can really cramp one’s cooking style. This recipe comes from one our team, who first learned how to make this recipe entirely by hand! She’s since then added a food processor to the process, both methods are listed below.
PIE CRUST :
2 1/2 cups flour (the general sort)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 cup of butter (still cold! cut into small cubes)
1/3 cup water (ice cold)
1. Combine flour, salt and sugar in a bowl – give it a couple gentle stirs to mix.
2. Add the butter – mix the butter and dry combination until combined and looking like course meal.
By Hand : Use a wooden or metal spoon to sort of mash the butter into the dry mix repeatedly against the side of the bowl, while turning the bowl for the best leverage – cold butter can be uncooperative. Be careful to not overdue it though, the goal is to keep the butter cold throughout this process. Chasing just the big lumps of butter into only the very dry floury leftovers will help. And get ready, this hand process won’t be quick
By Food Processor : Add your dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and pulse for 2 seconds to combine. Next, add the butter, and pulse again until the mixture looks like course meal – about 8 seconds.
3. Add ice cold water.
By Hand : Add about half of the water and combine gently. Add more water slowly until the dough holds together. The goal is to get all the dough to hold together with the least amount of water.
By Food Processor : Add the water in a steady stream through the processor’s tube until the dough just holds together. Do not process for more than 20 seconds to combine the water.
4. Turn out the dough onto a surface and divide into two roughly the same size balls. Press the dough flat (by hand). Wrap the flattened balls in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least an hour.
FILLING :
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
1 lemon, squeezed – about 2 tbsp juice
8 apples (your choice!)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1. Peel and cut apples into slices or wedges that are about 1/4″ thick. Toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Combine remain ingredients in a bowl and mix until apples are fully coated with sugar.
PUT THE PIE TOGETHER
2tbsp butter (cut into small cubes)
1. Roll out one of the flattened dough balls and lay it into a buttered pie plate to form the outside crust. Let any over hanging dough stay there for a minute.
2. Add the pie filling to the crust. It’ll look like there’s too much – pile the filling mound higher at the center.
3. Press the butter cubes into the filling – spaced out.
4. Rollout the second dough ball on a floured surface. This will be for the top of the pie. Wet the edge of the bottom of the pie crust and lay the top on evenly. The wetted edge will help them stick together. Look up some decorative designs if you’d like to make yours unique!
5. Make sure the pie crust has a vent. If the crust is left solid, it will probably break and ooze apple filling…A lesson learned after one memorable mess. Cutting 4 or 5 slits in the top crust should do the trick.
BAKE IT!
1. When the oven is at 450 degrees, slip in the pie. Bake for 20 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees and continue baking until the pie looks done. “Looking done” requires about 45-60 more minutes and a golden-brown crust.
3. If you don’t want to globby mess, allow the pie to cool completely before serving. It’ll take about 5-6 hours.
ENJOY!
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
A favorite flower in August, crocosmia is a common flower in the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. In the United Staes, these lovely blooms are often referred to as Coppertips or Falling Stars. They grow as evergreens or as deciduous perennials and come back year after year to please the senses with their trumpet-like shapes and bright colors.
Crocosmia is distinctive for its colorful inflorescence in shocking orange and reds. The stems branch out and display a number of blooms along one side of each stem near the end and nod and sway gracefully above your flower beds or your late summer arrangements. The Crocosmia leaves are long, pointy and have parallel veins along their length. They grow in clumps in bloom in a spectacular
Insider Information /
Crocosmia are great for attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Astrantia is commonly known as masterwort, melancholy gentleman, or Hattie’s pincushion. It is native to the grasslands and meadows of Europe and western Asia, especially in moist areas near rivers or streams. Astrantia is part of the carrot family.
Visual Notes /
Astrantia can grow to be one or two feet tall. The center of the flower resembles a pincushion, and the flowerhead is reminiscent of a star or firework. Hence the name astrantia, from the Greek word “asteri,” meaning star. The petals are beautiful, vibrant summer colors of red, pink, and white. These flowers are the perfect choice for brightening up your home, because they remain vibrant even after they are cut, and will stay healthy in a vase.
Flower History /
Astrantia is an herbaceous flower and has long been utilized for its medicinal qualities. The essential oil that can be extracted from the flower is used to quell stomach pains. The dried leaves of the astrantia flower are also helpful. Used as an infusion, they are thought to amplify the appetite and aid in digestion.
Insider Information /
Astrantia blooms throughout the summer, and exudes a sweet and pleasing fragrance. Not only gorgeous in the summer, these flowers will also brighten up your winter months. They are durable and resilient when dried, and are the perfect choice for a dried flower arrangement. Choose astrantia to bring some summer warmth into the darker months of the year.
Echinacea is part of the daisy family. This flower is unique to the areas of eastern and central North America, where you can find it growing in large numbers in open wooded areas and prairies.
Visual Notes :
Echinacea comes from the Greek word “echino,” meaning sea urchin, and the flower is certainly reminiscent of this spiny creature. The center of the flower is a spiky, cone-shaped disk, which leads its other nickname: the coneflower. The purple petals that surround the spiky center are removed before the flower is sold, because the petals are very delicate and bruise easily. Their absence makes the sea urchin-like center of this flower all the more striking.
Flower History :
Echinacea has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Native Americans originally observed this flower being eaten by elks that were sick or wounded. They adopted the flower for their own use in medicinal practices, and called it elk root. It was used to treat a variety of ailments, including sore throats, headaches, and the common cold. Native Americans passed on their knowledge of echinacea to Europeans, and the plant became popular in European medicine in the 1930’s. Feeling under the weather? Echinacea is still used today to boost the immune system. It’s great as a tea, but don’t try to boil anything from an arrangement – these guys have been drinking flower food which makes them unsafe as human food.
Insider Information :
Echinacea is a great choice if you’re looking for an ornamental or decorative flowers, thanks to its unique appearance. You can find it in bloom from early to late summer. The cone will dry exactly as it looks and is great for decorating.
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Blooming Thoughts 