We love June here at Starbright Floral Design – not because of the weather changing (though that’s nice) and not because school’s out. We love June because we get to celebrate one of New York’s favorite flowers – the Rose! June is National Rose Month and the rose is the state flower of New York – which makes it doubly important in our books. For the next few weeks we’re going to be shining a light on that thorniest of buds.
Roses are found all around the world – there are over 100 different species. The first rose gardens were cultivated in China over 5,000 years ago. Ancient Rome used rose petals as confetti, and rose hips were among the first perfume ingredients.
In 17th century Europe, roses were in such high demand that both the shrub and rosewater extract were commonly used as legal tender. In fact, many of the heritage rose gardens across Europe and on the island of Britain were founded as banks of a sort, a soil-based savings account.
You probably can’t use any of our NEW! June Arrangements to buy groceries, but they’re sure to be fantastic addition to your home, office, kitchen or bedroom! Don’t forget to save your petals for a luxurious confetti at your next event or special night “in.”
Check out some of the arrangements the shop put together to celebrate roses for this month.
Lavender Rose Enchantment
Thornless lavender roses say “I loved you at first sight”.
Karl Albert Beuher was one of the early Chicago painters to adopt Impressionism. He joined other American artists in Giverny, France, to paint en plein-airin the commune established by Claude Monet. These impressionists developed a style that required quickness in order to finish a piece before the sun moved and the light changed. They wanted to capture their subjects, which were generally natural scenes, as the eye might see them. Instead of hard lines and lots of detail, Bueher’s brush delivered bursts of color and light that seem to illustrate a fleeting moment in time. He wants us to see ripples in the leaves instead of the angles in the bark. He wants us to see a sea of long grasses and field flowers instead of individual blades of grass and carefully represented blooms.
The art of floral arrangement is as varied as any art form. Last week, we showed you our Georgia O’Keefe inspired arrangements and how color and line can be used to suggest energy and emotions. This week we’re looking at another bouquet – this one designed on the same principles as Bueher’s early works.
We’re focusing on the impression of these flowers as a whole, instead of on any one individual “wow” flower. There is a lightness represented in Beuher’s work that we wanted to capture. In regards to the design above, we wanted to create something genuine, unfettered, and at one with the scene. Something that would be memorable for the occasion, but serve to enhance the impression of the overall, rather than draw attention to itself.
Take a look at Beuher’s painting below and the flowers we selected to make up this arrangement. For our “plein-air” bouquet, we want to create a light and feathery texture similar to that of Beuher’s brush strokes. The vibrance of the colors in the artwork are also important. We love how shadows are created with vibrant shades of green and the pink – they create contrast we might describe as “lightness” instead of “brightness”.
Each flower was carefully selected for it’s size, color, and texture. Our wind-swept bouquet of wildflowers is purely fantastical – few of these flowers are native to any one common region. Luckily, here at Starbright, we had no problem getting the flowers we wanted. Our selection included :
1/ Dusty Miller – The quaint name isn’t the only thing we love about this hardy foliage. With it’s silver-white color and soft texture, this leaf adds a wistful element to any arrangement.
2/ Stock – Noted for it’s heady, clove-like scent. This example of the variety, with double flowers, adds texture to our arrangement. Stock also is a symbol of a happy life and a contented existence.
3/ Astilbe – These remind us of wildflowers. The feathery stalks seem to float in this arrangement.
4/ Lisianthus – Native to equatorial areas of the American continents. This delicate, long-lasting, prairie flower has ruffled petals. They represent warmth and geniality.
5/ Dahlia – Sometimes called the “Queen of the Autumn Garden”, the dahlia belongs to the Asteraceae family which is noted for their star-shaped blooms and includes flowers lie the daisy and sunflower. Traditionally these flowers symbolize hope for an everlasting union.
6/ Freesia – Sweetly, citrus-scented and long-lasting, these graceful flowers are perfect for a bouquet. Each wiry stem can have up to 10 flowers.
7/ Ranunculus – The fine layers of petals give this weighty flower a delicate appearance.
8/ Muscari – Small and fragrant, the shape of these flowers is reminiscent of little bells.
Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.
Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by what she saw in nature – over here at Starbright, we’re inspired by her perception and the images she shared.
The painting above is Ms. O’Keeffe’s Music, Pink and Blue No. 2. This abstract expression of music has an informal balance that gently flows across the canvas to create a soothing rhythm. The pattern, created by repeating circular lines and colors creates the impression of layers. Even the color harmonies mimic music. The deep pools of concentrated color create a base (or bass!) for the sweeping mid-values to stand out against. The orange and white splashes, which are only partially visible in the above image, add focus – like lyrics, they sit slightly towards the foreground of the painting and give the eye something to pivot around.
Armed with inspiration, it’s easy to interpret O’Keeffe’s interpretation back into the natural. The medium – flowers.
The bouquet in the above image was composed of the following flowers:
1/ Ranunculus : These bright orange flowers have crepe-paper thin petals. We’re reminded of the layered feel of the pattern in Music. The bright color is creating bright points of focus in these arrangements. Ranunculus come in a brilliant variety of colors. Giving a ranunculus says “I am dazzled by your charms”.
2/ Calla Lily : These undeniably elegant flowers mimic the central shape in Music. The washed pink color also reminds us of the calming shades of pink in the painting. These flowers represent abundance and beauty.
3/ Sweet Pea : These richly colored, sweet-smelling flowers come in a variety of colors and represent blissful pleasure. The flowers themselves are about one inch big and resemble butterflies with folded wings. We chose a purple shade.
4/ Rose : This rose variety has a color gradation effect in its petals – the outer petals are light pink and get darker near the center. According to The Language of Flowers, a pink rose represents perfect happiness.
5/ Cornflower : These brilliant blue flowers are often called bachelor’s buttons. The name comes from an old folk tradition that claims if worn by a young man in love the flower can divine the feelings of his beloved. Because of this tradition, the cornflower has come to represent hope in love. We’re going to use these in the groom’s boutonniere.
6/ Hypericum Berries : These smooth peach colored berries add another texture to our arrangement. We especially like how clean they look against all the ruffled petals.
7/ Thistle : Ok, these are a little out there for the inspiration, but the rich blue/purple color and spiky prickles add great color and texture. The thistle is also a Scottish symbol of noble character – which we think is pretty fitting for a wedding.
The inspiration can be seen throughout the bridal parties pieces. Below is the groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres.
We had a lot of fun making these colorful pieces!
Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!
Starbright Floral Design began as a husband and wife team who had a passion for hard work and floral artistry. Over twenty years later, we continue to stand by these founding principles. Looking for flowers in New York City? visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com
Peony derives its name from the Greek Paeon; physician of the gods. If anything can cure the ills of winter it’s the site of a peony flower. Its majestic blooms of white, pink and red have aptly earned it the nick name “King of Flowers”.
In the language of flowers a display of Peony expresses bashfulness. The meaning is an oddity considering the flamboyancy of the flower. Any arrangement containing Peonies shouts out “take notice of me!.”
In today’s global community and travel, Peonies are available throughout the year. However, their vibrancy and quality peak in spring.
Starbright is fortunate to be situated in New York City’s Flower Market making the “King Flower” available to our clientele. Let Starbright Floral NYC help liberate those spring smiles from the winter blues with Peony flower delivery in NYC. Choose from a vast array of springtime NYC flowers from Starbright’s Springtime Collection.
This scribe is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design, NYC, Voted NYC’s “Best” florist. Along the way we try to find and write about the fun side of flowers in NYC. Starbright Floral Design NYC delivers flowers all over the world for the endless romantics everywhere.
Starbright Floral Design is the “Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps” and most of the time we deliver flowers, love, passion and hope everywhere in Manhattan and worldwide.
Give us a call, visit our website or pop on in! We would love to meet you….
Passionately yours,
The Official Florist
Starbright Floral Design
Located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District
The chrysantemum is the flower that welcomes the fall season every year since the start of time…
Florists can tell that it’s autumn when chrysanthemums show up in the market. Their large, full heads are the embodiment of the last offerings of the warmer weather, and they are generally found in typical autumn colors- golds, bronzes, reds, oranges and yellows. Some chrysanthemums even lean towards brown, and the green varieties help unify both summer and autumn designs. Chrysanthemums, which are the most widely grown potted plant in the U.S., bloom towards late summer and throughout fall, further making them a perfect symbol of the season.
There are over one thousand varieties of chrysanthemum, which are part of the family Asteraceae. There are actually such an abundance of varieties within that category that they are further divided into thirteen sub-families. Sunflowers, spider and football mums, aster, carnations, gerbers, chamomile and daisies are all part of the Asteracea family! How they are further grouped is dependent upon the shape of the petals, which may lay flat, curl underneath themselves, be reflexed, or even only partially closed in the middle of the petal.
The chrysanthemum pictured is called a football mum, so named for its popularity in use for mothers’ corsages at American football games. Its petals, which are a dark orangey bronze, are a much lighter shade on their underside- a yellow-beige- which make it a visually interesting and quite attractive flower. Although one of the longest-lasting flowers available for floral design, (and gardening,) chrysanthemums have gotten a “bad rap,” in Europe, where they are widely used as funeral flowers, due to their inexpensive cost. In Japan, however, chrysanthemums have been cultivated for so long that they hold a revered place in Japanese history. The emperor’s throne is called the Chrysanthemum Throne, and the highest level of chivalry awarded to Japanese military is called the Imperial Order of the Chrysanthemum.
So next time you call Starbright for a fall arrangement, consider requesting that chrysanthemums be included. There is no more perfect flower than the “Queen of Fall Flowers.” In case you’re wondering, Aster, a member of this same family, is the September birth flower; chrysanthemums are the birth flower for November, officially bringing autumn to a close as the season gives way to winter.
One of the best orders our designers can be asked to fill is a seasonal arrangement. If you call (800) 520/8999 or place your order online at www.starbrightnyc.com, during fall, we will be sure to make it all things autumnal, be that through the colors or the quintessential chrysanthemum!
Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District. We deliver flowers and all kinds of great gifts throughout Manhattan, all of New York City and to the rest of the country. Give us a call, stop by or visit us on the web. Many have said that we are the best florist anywhere!
Green Cymbidium Orchids floating atop polished river stones.
From time to time a flower variety comes around that earns the top spot at Starbright Floral Design as the gold-standard in most of our floral compositions. Orchids have earned their rightful place in the sun at Starbright and you can expect to see one of the many varieties of orchids in pretty much every flower display that we create. There are more varieties of orchids in our world than one can even imagine. The cymbidium orchid is prominently featured throughout the year in many of our flower centerpieces for event and in floral arrangements that are sent as gifts. This orchid rightly deserves its position in the forefront of floral design, for it is beautiful, versatile and comes in a wide array of colors.
Cymbidiums grow from a large plant with enough long, slender leaves that it often looks bushy. A single stem will show anywhere from seven to fifteen flowers. On its own, a single stem makes quite a statement, especially when used in a very simple arrangement. For some clients, we will occasionally place polished river stones at the base of the vase, maybe a swirl of lily grass atop those, and then the cymbidium fills the rest of the vase. Outside of the vase, a cymbidium will hold its own when placed simply with some curly willow branches or a broad tropical leaf. Entire stems of cymbidium can also be used in taller arrangements, usually of the scale and type that would be appropriate for a corporate event or large celebration. In these instances, cymbidiums ramp up the sumptuousness of the arrangement.
Additionally, the individual blooms of a cymbidium can be cut from the main stem and put in water tubes, to then be used in a medium or short arrangement, or even in bouquets. Often Starbright has used white, cream or green cymbidiums in traditional bridal bouquets. Cymbidium blooms are a favorite for corsages and boutonnieres, for they are simultaneously delicate and bold enough to make a statement. Using cymbidiums for personal flowers-to-wear has an extra benefit, as cymbidium have one of the most delicious, clean scents of any flower. The individual blooms can also be used for a simple, quick accent decor which we loosely refer to as a “floaty.” This involves a small, short vase, probably no more than four or five inches in diameter and four inches tall, with a half-inch of water at the bottom in which the cymbidium rests. Stones, gems, sand and a variety of other materials can be placed under the cymbidium for additional color or texture.
A full cymbidium orchid stem inside a vase with polished river stones and willow branches as an accent.
Cymbidium orchids are a flower which has been prized for a long time. In ancient Greece, they were a symbol of beauty and strength. It was believed that if a man ate large cymbidium tubers, he would have a boy, and if he ate small shoots, he and his wife would have a girl. In Victorian times, cymbidiums came to symbolize luxury. The star-shaped flower, whether used as a whole stem or an individual bloom, certainly adds elegance to any arrangement.
We are located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District and we are open and delivering amazing flowers and gifts seven days a week. You can reach us by telephone from anywhere at 800.520.8999 or you can visit our websites… To send someone a Starbright Gift you can go to our e-commerce portal at http://www.starbrightnyc.com/ or you can visit our main site at http://starflor.com
Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb in the 15th Century BC. The flower was brought to Japan in the 8th Century and the Emperor adopted the flower as his official seal. The flower was brought to Europe in the 17th Century and named from the Greek for “Gold Flower”, a reflection of its original color.
The Chrysanthemum - November Flower....
These days the flowers come in various forms and can be daisy-like, decorative pompons, or buttons. In addition to the traditional yellow, other colors are available such as white, purple and red.
In the United States, Chrysanthemums are identified as cheerful holiday flowers. Fall arrangements and Thanksgiving Day Flowers in NYC and throughout the country incorporate Chrysanthemums in their decor. However, many European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Hungary and Croatia) have identified Chrysanthemums with death. Accordingly, their use in floral arrangements is limited to funerals or on graves.
Other Uses:
Be sure to bring Chrysanthemums with you when taking a walk in the jungle. The flower is considered a natural source as an insect repellent. The Pyrethins when extracted and applied on the skin in an oil suspension or as a powder can be lethal to insects such as mosquitoes. The Chinese have used the flower for its antiseptic and antibiotic qualities for centuries.
Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District. We are in a second floor loft space from where our customer’s orders get dispatched. To learn more about our organization and the work that we do, we would like to invite you to visit our website at www.starflor.com or you may call us at 800.520.8999. Either way, we would be thrilled to hear from you and to be of service.
Starbright deliverers flowers in Manhattan (our home city) as well as world-wide. In addition to flowers and plants, fruit and gourmet baskets, balloon and the like; we are also the go-to florist for events (both corporate and personal). Flowers, Festivals & Celebrations…. It is what we do!
Wishing you a wonderful day!
Starbright Floral Design
“The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”
The Marigold is the October birth flower. Its list of uses is as long as its rich history. However, its use in floral arrangements is not advisable. Marigolds do not survive for long when cut. Accordingly, birthday flowers for October babies play off the rich color of the flower and autumn floral arrangements are the norm.
The Marigold is native to southern Europe but do well in North America as well. Seeds planted in April take root in any type of soil in full sun or medium sun locales. Practically no care is required other than weeding and pruning. Marigolds bloom from June until the first frost kills them. However, their death is short lived reappearing with young plants in the spring.
Religious Worship:
In India, the marigold is considered a sacred flower. Hindus devote the marigold to gods and goddesses in religious ceremonies.
Medicinal Uses:
Plant pharmacological studies have indicated that Marigold extracts have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory qualities. Marigold solutions have been used topically to treat acne, reduce inflammation, control bleeding, and sooth irritated tissue. The petals are edible and can be used fresh in salads or dried or used as a replacement for saffron. Eaten in salad, Marigold petals have been shown to relieve abdominal cramping and constipation.
Demonic Evictions: Sixteen century herbalists used the marigold to remove evil spirits from one’s head while simultaneously strengthening eyesight. According to folklore, all Linda Blair and Emily Rose needed was a blossoming marigold plant placed in her bedroom (ironic that a marigold is needed in a rose bedroom). Once the girls stared at the marigold petals their demons depart and would return to the wonderful little girls they were before their demonic possessions. Coincidently, children throughout the New York area have been growing marigolds in classrooms and day care centers as classroom projects since I was a kid. The stated scholastic reason is that it teaches the kids about germination. However, many teachers have been heard branding our children as “little devils” (mine of course, can only be mistaken for angels). Perhaps there’s something else going on.
This scribe is brought to you from all of us at Starbright Floral Design. We are big supporters of all things to eradicate Leukemia. We hope that you will join us in contributing to this fight.
If you would like to read more about Starbright, who we are and the scope of the work that we do, please visit our website.
If you would like to place an order for flowers (worldwide delivery), please visit our e-commerce portal.
All in a day’s work at our flower emporium… We hope you like the photos!
The shoes were the centerpieces at this event!Tropical Flowers Galore!Bouquets of early autumn...
From time to time we keep a camera at our design table to bring you the latest photos of our work. These are actual pictures of compositions as they come off our design table and we post them to give you inspiration for the next gift you send, the next event you host or even for your wedding day.
Please feel free to visit our website at www.starflor.com where you will gain a bit of a broader perspective on our work at Starbright Floral Design.
Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District. We are in a second floor loft space from where our customer’s orders get dispatched. To learn more about our organization and the work that we do, we would like to invite you to visit our website at www.starflor.com or you may call us at 800.520.8999. Either way, we will be thrilled to hear from you and to be of service.
Starbright delivers flowers in Manhattan (our home city) as well as world-wide. In addition to flowers, plants, fruit and gourmet baskets, balloons and the like we are also a go-to florist for events both corporate and personal. Flowers, Festivals & Celebrations…. It is what we do!
Wishing you a wonderful day!
Starbright Floral Design
The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps.
Check out the photos in this album they are the latest additions to our website in our Event Gallery. We invite you to visit our site at www.starflor.com where you can click on the EVENT link to see our entire portfolio of over 2000 photos of our actual work.
By clicking on the GIFTS link you will go to our e-commerce portal where you can select from a wide array of gifts to send to your friends and loved ones. Some of the flower selections that are in our gift section are available for delivery on a national level, while others (Starbright Exclusives – Modern and Starbright Exclusives – Traditional) are available in our own delivery area of Manhattan. Looking for something but cannot decide what flowers to send? Designer’s Choice is a great alternative! Here is a link to a past blog entry that talks about why Designer’s Choice is your best selection and why this is where you get the best value in flora.
About Us: Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District. We are located at 150 West 28th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues in an amazing loft space – Studio 201). We have been serving the corporate, special event and hospitality industries since 1994.
To gain a broader perspective on who we are and the work we do, we invite you to visit our website at www.starflor.com.
Blooming Thoughts 