Tag: amaryllis

The Allure of Amaryllis

What is sometimes forgotten because of Amaryllis’ beauty, is the lore behind one of Starbright’s treasured flowers. Greek legend tells us that Amaryllis was once a beautiful, though bashful, nymph. And though she didn’t live in New York City, she was familiar to all of us as she fell deeply in love. Amaryllis loved Alteo, a shepherd who had Hercules’ strength and Apollo’s fetching facade (rumor has it that he was quite foxy).

Gorgeous Amaryllis has a wonderful Greek legend to go along with its beauty.
Gorgeous Amaryllis has a wonderful Greek legend to go along with its beauty.

Amaryllis longed to give Alteo the one thing he desired most: a flower that had never existed in the world before. But not knowing how to do this, Amaryllis sought guidance from the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle told Amaryllis to go to Alteo’s door each night and to pierce her heart with a golden arrow upon every visit. Alteo finally opened the door after 30 nights to behold Amaryllis and the flowers that the blood of her heart created; a singular kind of flower never seen before.

Crimson Amaryllis was said to have sprung from the love of a nymph.
Crimson Amaryllis was said to have sprung from the love of a nymph.

Today, there are easier ways to entice your own true love in New York City! As unique as golden arrows piercing hearts sounds, there’s no need to follow Amaryllis’s dramatic endeavors in Manhattan. Instead, consider sending some Amaryllis to that special person you love in NYC and woo them by sharing this tale.

It’s true that everyone at Starbright adores everything that we have in our overflowing NYC flower and plant emporium. And while each florist has their own favorite flower, there’s nothing that we all love more than a good story to go with a beautiful bloom.

Amaryllis is a fantastic choice to send to someone you love.
Amaryllis is a fantastic choice to send to someone you love.

Amaryllis is one such flower that is beloved in New York City and beyond, and it’s easy to see why. With stunning petals that come in a variety of vivid hues, including purples, pinks, whites and crimson reds, Amaryllis stands out in every floral composition anywhere in Manhattan.

Amaryllis comes from the Greek work “amarysso” which translates into “to sparkle” and everyone at Starbright is delighted to do our part to spread these flowers far and wide in New York City to dazzle the City. Amaryllis flowers have become known beyond New York City to symbolize pride, determination and lustrous beauty; combined with its rich coloring, it’s no surprise that it has become a seasonal favorite.

Amaryllis is a great choice for the holidays and beyond.
Amaryllis is a great choice for the holidays and beyond.

Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC that has been brightening New York City for over two decades with flowers, plants and more.

It is our distinct pleasure to be of service to you in creating stunning floral compositions that will make you smile.

We are delighted to be able to carefully deliver each creation through our fleet of dedicated floral concierges in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.

In NYC, where anything is possible, we offer same-day delivery for our friends and clients to ensure that when want to send your wishes with flowers, orchids, plants and so much more, we are there to answer the call.

We invite you to visit us online or in our store, which you will find is bursting with flowers and delight in being of service to you. We would be thrilled to make your floral dreams come true!

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

Beginning to Look Like Chrismukkah!

With the holidays just around the corner, all of us at Starbright Floral Design in NYC couldn’t be more excited that Christmas and Hannukah share December 25th this year! To get into the holiday spirit, we wanted to share some dazzling, festive flower ideas that we know would bring your home comfort and joy this season.

Drama and splendor through flowers make the holidays feel that much more festive.
Drama and splendor through flowers make the holidays feel that much more festive.

Amaryllis is one of our favorite holiday flowers to build into creations for New York City, and with its stunning height and rich hues, it’s easy to see why. When combined with long calla lilies and filled in with sumptuous pine greenery, this composition becomes a star at every holiday gathering.

Another way Starbright designers celebrate the Yuletide in NYC is to craft low centerpieces to feast over. With a single candle flickering to illuminate the grace of the seasonal delights like dense evergreen foliage combined with lush, snowy-white hydrangea and calla lilies, we think this would be a smashing success to add to any holiday table this year.

Elegant and refined, our centerpieces allow for conversations to flow.
Elegant and refined, our centerpieces allow for conversations to flow.

Starbright designers relish evoking the end of year jubilee celebrations through flowers in Manhattan. They do this by creating a perfectly assembled compilation of the season’s greatest florals. A beloved creation is made by using a glass cube to serve as a wintery reminder of the season. The glass perimeter allows that much more of the flower composition to be admired. The wintergreens at the base provide a verdant backdrop for the red-tinged succulents, snow-dusted pine cones and soft, white roses that create the visual intrigue on top.

Like an ice cube adorned with flowers, the Starbright team is always dreaming up new ideas!
Like an ice cube adorned with flowers, the Starbright team is always dreaming up new ideas!

With your sleds ready to jingle, we know that coming back in from the cold in NYC can be made that much warmer with a breathtaking vase overflowing with joy. While our flowers are merry and bright, they are also fragrantly rich, thanks in part to the fuchsia roses that are combined with pine clippings and evergreens. Pine cones are added in for a wonderful surprise and make this composition feel right at home in the heart of Manhattan or just coming off the slopes of Aspen.

Dense foliage combined with radiant flowers warm your home for the holidays and beyond.
Dense foliage combined with radiant flowers warm your home for the holidays and beyond.

Starbright’s artisanal designers love to elicit the feel of the season through flowers. Our wintry combination of snowy amaryllis, softened sprigs of white birch mixed with dusty miller and Skoparia echoes the feel of the beauty of the frost outside, while you stay toasty warm in New York City!

Inspired by the intricate allure of frost, this composition will only thrive inside where it’s warm!
Inspired by the intricate allure of frost, this composition will only thrive inside where it’s warm!

One of the great pleasures that comes from crafting flowers at Starbright is seeing how flowers can be transformed to enhance each setting and every holiday in New York City. If you’re looking for a way to liven up your decor, we would be enchanted to be of assistance to you in creating just the right ambiance for your holiday season.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or other holidays like Chrismukkah this year in Manhattan, everyone at Starbright wants to wish you and yours a very merry holiday season!

Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC that has been brightening New York City for over two decades with flowers, plants and more.

It is our distinct pleasure to be of service to you in creating stunning floral compositions that will make you smile.

We are delighted to be able to carefully deliver each creation through our fleet of dedicated floral concierges in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.

In NYC, where anything is possible, we offer same-day delivery for our friends and clients to ensure that when want to send your wishes with flowers, orchids, plants and so much more, we are there to answer the call.

We invite you to visit us online or in our store, which you will find is bursting with flowers and delight in being of service to you. We would be thrilled to make your floral dreams come true!

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

Starbright Spreading Joy to the World!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but inside gorgeous flowers by Starbright make it so delightful! With the holidays quickly approaching in Manhattan, we wanted to show the floral glory that adorns so many homes and businesses throughout New York City and share with you the discounts that we are elated to offer, to make your spaces merry and bright.

Starbright’s Snowfall at Twilight is the ideal accompaniment for the holidays in NYC. This magnificent composition, dreamed up by Starbright Floral Design’s brilliant designers, features a couture, snow white, ceramic vase for a base that is overflowing with white amaryllis and dusty pink roses. Festive, pearlized ornaments in a silvery-white hue combined with rich amber colored pinecones accents this creation and make it a stunning statement piece in your NYC home and business. Usually $84.95 in Manhattan, we are excited to extend the friends & family pricing to you for a $15 discount on this beautiful floral composition bringing Snowfall at Twilight to only $69.95.

Snowfall at Twilight is a lovely composition to highlight your holiday decor.
Snowfall at Twilight is a lovely composition to highlight your holiday decor.

Adored as a cheerful, seasonal favorite in NYC, our Holiday Sonnet is one of the most popular requests for Starbright to craft, and it’s easy to see why! Nestled in an 8” bubble bowl, this joyful composition, inspired by the excitement of the holiday season in Manhattan, features lotus pods with unique, two-toned hydrangea in green and burgundy tones. Miniature pinecones with brunia, garden roses and jubilant, holiday greenery styled in a lush garden presentation complete the Starbright masterpiece and make the Holiday Sonnet a distinctive selection to celebrate the season with in New York City. Normally $109.95, this beautiful bouquet has the special friends & family pricing in NYC of $79.95.

Starbright's Holiday Sonnet creates is cheerful, festive composition that brightens every day.
Starbright’s Holiday Sonnet creates is cheerful, festive composition that brightens every day.

In keeping with our tradition to bedeck as much of New York City in festive flowers as possible, our Starbright team had the distinct honor to be invited to adorn a private space at 620 Loft and Gardens in Manhattan on behalf of American Express and Starwood Hotels. Celebrating the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in NYC, we were only too thrilled to lend a hand to embellish the space.

Our endlessly creative Starbright designers wanted to honor the season in NYC and did that by creating elegant centerpieces and cascading cedar with pinecones to rest over the doorways to create a winter wonderland.

The greenery and pinecones that Starbright crafted over doorways made an instant impact.
The greenery and pinecones that Starbright crafted over doorways made an instant impact.

On the backdrop of snowy white linens for tablecloths, our Starbright designers chose to combine Jack Frost-approved greens with fresh pinecones to evoke the sense of being in the woodlands in wintertime, while being cocooned in the warmth of Manhattan. This created a low, show-stopping composition that allowed for plenty of discourse over dinner in NYC while still paying homage to the theme.

The lush table runners created joyous place settings.
The lush table runners created joyous place settings.

Using dogwood trimmed vases for a base, Starbright also combined roses with wintergreens which created an extravagant yet graceful vignette for the tables in New York City. In other centerpieces, small twigs of cinnamon were woven in so that the warm scent of the season delicately wafted through the Manhattan air.

The beautiful scent of cinnamon puts everyone into the holiday spirit!
The beautiful scent of cinnamon puts everyone into the holiday spirit!

If you’d like to add a little bit of seasonal magic to your home and business in NYC, everyone at Starbright would be delighted to help! We’ll be able to craft just the perfect creation from our immense selection of the finest holiday decor in New York City. We love brightening up Manhattan when so many are home for the holidays and hope to be invited to enhance your home and business soon!

Deck the Halls!

We must admit: when someone says “festive”, everyone at Starbright Floral Design in NYC thinks FLOWERS! Yet we realize that for some, the holiday season might not be the time that they think of how floral blooms can enhance their cheerful decor — that’s why we wanted to share how we brighten up Manhattan, each and every December.

We’d love to help make your winter a fun and festive season!

Many of our clients used to be addicted to poinsettia plants this time of year, and we understand why. With their ubiquitous presence all throughout New York City, poinsettias are an easy flower to reach for if you aren’t aware of more decadent options. But, rest easy in knowing that the brilliant floral designers at Starbright Floral Design have a few tricks up their sleeves to transform NYC spaces from ho-hum to Ho! Ho! Ho!

One flower that we love to incorporate into holiday decor is the amaryllis. Stunning on their own, these tall flowers add excitement and drama to any setting in New York City. Coming in an array of reds, from fire engine to burgundy, the amaryllis flowers seems like they were custom made for Christmas, with even a candy cane option of red and white striped available from your favorite local NYC florist!

Stately amaryllis brings heightened elegance to holiday decor.
Stately amaryllis brings heightened elegance to holiday decor.

Hydrangeas, roses and carnations also provide fantastic floral canvases for the holidays in NYC. Especially when grouped with their own but in differing hues, these flowers add that floral decadence that many are looking for in Manhattan. In particular, we love to see lush red roses paired with crisp white roses, that leave many dreaming of a gorgeous Christmas.

Vibrant red roses combined with rich greens and berries creates a lush holiday centerpiece.
Vibrant red roses combined with rich greens and berries creates a lush holiday centerpiece.

With their abundance of blooms, hydrangeas are a wonderful flower to chose to deck your halls. With their incredible selection of colors, including silvers mixed with reds or deep purples, Starbright floral designers have found that these flowers prove to be the life of any party in New York City.

Of course, there are more unusual options available as well for your festive floral decor. Ilex berries in particular have an excellent combination of rich red berries on soaring stems that add elegance to every space in Manhattan and beyond. Starbright’s designers love to feature them standing proudly in a vase to maximize their visual impact.

Eye-catching berries take center stage with soft succulents enhancing the differing textures.
Eye-catching berries take center stage with soft succulents enhancing the differing textures.

Then there is one of our favorite blooms, classic white lilies. These flowers last a long time, have a lovely scent and mix perfectly with red flowers, like roses or carnations, for a joyous holiday feel. We think that white lilies are one of the most lovely flowers to use at any time of year, but their snowy white petals match the festivity in the air in New York City!

One the things about this season that we at Starbright love is how flowers can capture so many emotions and highlight the beauty of winter. If you’re thinking that some stunning floral bouquets might add that extra bit of holiday magic into your decor in NYC, we’d love to be of assistance and help make your days be extra merry and bright!

Starbright Floral Design is a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC that has been brightening New York City for over two decades with flowers, plants and more.

It is our distinct pleasure to be of service to you in creating stunning floral compositions that will make you smile.

We are delighted to be able to carefully deliver each creation through our fleet of dedicated floral concierges in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.

In NYC, where anything is possible, we offer same-day delivery for our friends and clients to ensure that when want to send your wishes with flowers, orchids, plants and so much more, we are there to answer the call.

We invite you to visit us online or in our store, which you will find is bursting with flowers and delight in being of service to you. We would be thrilled to make your floral dreams come true!

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

212.229.1610

The Language Of Flowers – Part 1

“I’ll Be The One Wearing A Red Carnation, Because I Find You Fascinating”: How Flowers Can Send Secret Messages

 

Flowers aren’t just beautiful blooms with pleasing scents – the variety of plants available has led to the use of flowers to send coded messages at many points throughout human history. The practice of sending flower messages is called floriography.  NYC flower lovers have been practicing floriography since before there was a flower market in NYC.  The messages may be seem subtle and cryptic but Valentine’s Day flowers in NYC by Starbright delivers the message loud and proud for all to see “I love you!”.

References to flower codes go back as far as the Ancient Greeks, but very little is known about what the codes actually were – chances are the codes were passed on orally, their meaning transferred from one illiterate message-sender to another by word of mouth. Romans, Egyptians and Persians also used flower-codes to send messages, but just like the Greeks we know little about the codes themselves.

The Victorian-era world was obsessed with flowers – and Victorian-era England was obsessed with the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire, in the early half of the 18th century, was going wild for tulips – and had started using tulips to send very complex notes, with colors standing in for words and arrangement standing in for grammar. As England’s interest in botany grew, so did interest in the more dramatic side of flower history.

Lady Mary Morley Montagu is the woman credited with bringing flower codes to the British court. From 1716-1718 Lady Mary lived in the Ottoman Empire with her husband Lord Edward Montagu, British ambassador to the Ottoman Court. She wrote wildly-detailed letters back home to friends in London, capturing Ottoman life with a deeply revealing lens. Her letters detailed many mysteries – bath houses, women’s rights and flower codes. The flower codes captured Georgian-Victorian era attentions – by 1809, Joseph Hammer-Pugstall’s Dictionnaire du Language des Fleurs would present the formal code used by nobles across Europe, driving further adoption (and further dictionaries!) There were literally hundreds of dictionaries about – we found one digitized on archive.org. Let’s take a look inside for some ideas to personalize your Valentine’s Day floral gifts!

Flower power
Flowers in NYC from Starbright Floral Design

Calla Lily – Magnificent Beauty – It’s clear how these flowers got their symbolic meaning, they’re simply magnificent!

Yellow Tulips – Hopeless Love – These are the perfect gift for your partner-in-life – sometimes, “hopeless” can be a good thing. If these are for you check out Solar Flair.

Amaryllis – Pride, Timidity, Splendid Beauty – These are a great gift for someone who likes to grow flowers inside their New York City apartment. Uptown, downtown, East Side, West Side – these flowers will do great anywhere. Starbright offers these blooms in both arrangements and potted. Check out this post for tips on taking care of an amaryllis plant in NYC.

Red Roses – Pure and Lovely – Note that these meanings are typically intended for lovers…if you’re giving roses to a family member, according to this book, it’s best to go with white (which means “innocence”) or bouquet of mixed colors. No matter the color, size, or shape – roses in NYC are a Valentine’s Day favorite. Check out this post for a look at the value of roses through history.

Dwarf Sunflower – Adoration – They must’ve chosen this one because the lil’ guys are so adorable! These guys are available in summer and fall, but they’re such a favorite that we wanted to include them anyway.

Next week we’ll take a look at some of the floriography traditions from Asian cultures!

 

Starbright Logo

 

Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.

 

A Great Floral Holiday Home Gift For NYC

Amaryllis Home Gifts are made For NYC’s Holiday Hosts

Blooming Amaryllis

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
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 Logo

 

Visit us online or give us a call at 800.520.8999

Starbright NYC Flower Files: Hippeastrum (aka Amaryllis)

Amaryllis
Hippeastrum (commonly called Amaryllis)

Hippeastrum aka Amaryllis

 

Quick Notes /

Surprise! This flower, commonly called Amaryllis, is actually a member of the Hippeastrum genus! For years, there was confusion among botanists as to the generic names Amaryllis and Hippeastrum. The debate, it seems began around 1738-1753 and was finally resolved by the 14th International Botanical Congress in 1987. The IBC decided that  the name Amaryllis would belong to the originally identified bloom regardless of common use. So what’s the difference? The Hippeastrum bloom is commonly preferred for it’s ability to bloom indoors during cold winter months in the northern hemisphere while it’s namesake bloom, the actual Amaryllis, grows natively outdoors South Africa and is more commonly referred to as a Lily (though Amaryllis and Lilium, “true lilies” are only very distantly related). This oddly twisted bit of floral folly took over two hundred years to come to terms with. So let’s all do ourselves a favor and just keep on calling this bloom (in all it’s varieties) by it’s common name.

 

Visual Notes /

These bold trumpet-shaped flowers grow from easy to plant bulbs. Their long hollow stems are accompanied by long flat, sword-shaped leaves. One stem can produce up to six blooms. The blooms range in color from deep bold red to the brightest white and include a number of interesting bi-colored varieties as well.

Flower History/

The name Amaryllis comes from the Idylls of Theocritus or the Eclogues of Virgil (click to read Theocritus’ Idylls). In this pastoral poem, Amaryllis is a sweetly-singing shepherdess who is in love with a cold-hearted man. Desperately, Amaryllis pierced her heart with a golden arrow then, inexplicably, trekked to his cottage day after day for an entire month, shedding drops of blood along the way. On the thirtieth day blood-red blooms blossomed from the drops, the man was enchanted by the flowers, Amaryllis’s heart was healed and they lived happily ever after.

Inside Info /
  • The US imports over 10 million Amaryllis bulbs a year.
  • The name Amaryllis comes from Greek “to sparkle”
  •  The name Hippeasrtum, also from Greek means “horseman’s star”.

 

Starbright Logo

Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.

Amaryllis – Our Plant Care Series Continues

The Glorious Amaryllis
A bloom with ties to Greek Mythology...

Amaryllis-Beauty without the Beast of Burdensome Care

The Amaryllis, which features large, gorgeous trumpet-like flowers, is a popular gift come the wintertime.  Did you know the Greek mythological tale from which it gets its name?

Amaryllis was a shepherdess who loved a conceited shepherd. The shepherd, presumably a part-time botanist, said he would only love her if she created a flower.  Ingenuity being one of the many admirable qualities of Greeks, she stabbed herself in the heart in order to create a beautiful red blossom.

If you received an Amaryllis plant at any time this fall or winter,  its blooms have probably been open for a few weeks.  Generally they will bloom from 7-10 weeks.  To prolong the life of the bloom, keep the plant in a shaded cool room (65 F).   Keeping a blooming amaryllis in a bright room is not the best environment.  Sunlight and excessive warmth will cause the bloom to wither.  The plant loves moisture so keep the soil wet, but not over-watered.

With proper care, this gift is a gift that will keep on giving.  The bulb will flower again for years to come and each time it will bring a sense of excitement and accomplishment.  Regardless of the variety, from various shades of red, white, salmon, and pink, these flowers deserve the limited effort necessary to bring them back to bloom.  Of all flowering bulbs (tulips, hyacinth, etc), amaryllis is the easiest to bring to bloom over and over again.

After-Bloom Care

After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, unlike those box of chocolates, this gift can be brought back to enjoy again.  After flowering, cut the old flowers from the stem just in back of the bloom, removing the green ‘lump’ in back of the blossom, and the thin stem connecting the bloom to the main flower stem.  When the stem starts to sag and turn yellow, cut it back to the top of the bulb.

 
Continue to water and fertilize as with any plant all summer, or for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. When the leaves begin to yellow, which normally occurs in the early fall, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb.

 
Put the potted amaryllis in a cool (55 degrees F), dimly-lit place such as a cellar for 6-8 weeks.   If storing in a refrigerator, do not store amaryllis with apples.  The apples give off ethylene gasses which will sterilize the bulbs and prevent future blooms.
After 6 weeks you should water the potted bulb ONCE thoroughly, from top and bottom of the pot and place in a normal indoor temperature.  Do not water regularly until new green growth appears at the top of the neck. If the soil dries out before that time, water no more than once per week.  Excessive watering will rot the bulb and prevent its bloom.   Typically the bulbs will re-bloom in 8 weeks.

Repeat these instructions and enjoy the amaryllis year after year…

These tips are brought to you by The Official Florist.  The Official Florist is the blogging arm of Starbright Floral Design.  We are a full-service corporate and retail florist located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  We are at 150 West 28th Street (Studio 201).  To learn more about our organization and about the type of work that we do, please  visit our website at www.starflor.com.  You may also order a gift by visiting our e-portal at www.starbrightnyc.com. Starbright is open seven days a week and we deliver flowers and other gifts in Manhattan and worldwide.  We invite you to give us a call or visit our website.

Thank you for visiting our blog.  Always “at your service”,

The Official Florist – Starbright Floral Design

“The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”

t.800.520.8999

starflor.com

Dutch Hydrangea in Short Supply…

Hydrangea From Holland
Hydrangea - Fantastical Love

Good day everyone…

We all love hydrangea and no doubt that this is the time of the year for it.  I just got word from our friends in Holland that the Dutch varieties are almost done for the year.  If you  are planning a wedding, have an event coming up and are planning to use these magnificent blooms, please consult with your team, your experts and you may want to consider a second choice.  Here is a verbatim copy of the notice I received in the past day or so…

Good morning, we just would like to update you on the Hydrangea situation as it is at this moment.

Hydrangea are getting more and more limited, and difficult to get good quality ones.  Especially the fresh colors like pink, white, blue are almost done.  They will be available for another week or two, but because they are so limited available, they are very, very, very expensive, please keep that in mind when you take wedding orders for these fresh colors!

The Green and Green-Red Antique ones are plenty available, green-red, red-green, antique red, antique green are all available, and in good quality, decent priced.

Antique blue is available pimpernel antique, really, really nice, but are expensive!

Antique pink is done, we really do not like the quality no longer of those.

This is an unedited note from one of our main suppliers in Holland and we are posting out there so that if anyone has made plans to use these varieties in  the next few weeks, please check with your supplier for alternate colors or alternative sources (South America).

All of us at Starbright are truly grateful for every opportunity that you offer us to be a part of your special events, to decorate for your corporate events, your weddings and to send every day flower gifts in New York City and worldwide.  We invite you to visit us at http://www.starflor.com or to give us a call at 800-52-8999.

Starbright Floral Design is “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps” and we are located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District – at 150 West 28th Street, Studio 201.

To send a gift anywhere  in the world you may do so by calling us or by visiting the E-Commerce  portal of our website by clicking HERE.

Have a great day (and sorry about the Hydrangea news!),

 

The Official Florist

 

 

 

Hey Man! Love your flowers!

Pods, hydrangea and orchids

Low geometric vase with Orchids and Calla Lillies

Vanda Orchids and Steel Grass Sculpted in a Rectangular Vase

Whether you’re considering sending your man a gift for Valentine’s Day, a birthday or to congratulate him on scoring that new promotion, flowers can be a wonderful option.  The key is understanding a man’s taste and sending him the right message.  Will tulips tempt him?  Do rose make him rave?  Do orchids send him into overdrive?  Knowing how to present your man with the perfect arrangement can be a challenging proposition.  Unless you take advice from your favorite florist, that is!

Flowers have a perception of being feminine, soft, romantic and altogether un-manly.  Taking this into account, you have two options.  Either you can embrace the feminine quality of the flowers or you can ask their floral designer to highlight the masculine shapes and features of the florals being sent.

If you chose to embrace the feminine qualities of the flowers being sent, it’s important to still keep in mind a man’s taste and sensibilities.  Sending a pale pink bouquet of sweet peas may not be the best approach.  Instead, mix bold colored blooms with scented flowers that just might trigger memories of your favorite perfume.  Freesia, stock, and lilies can create a fragrance profile sure to lift his libido.  If the flowers are appealing to his nose as well as to his eyes, mission accomplished!

Romance is inherent when it comes to flowers.   Red roses have always signified the height of passion in the world of flora.  While roses have always been popular, when trying to impress your man, send don’t send him the standard vase of red roses.  Let us get creative.  Why not send a modern pave of red roses in a moss lined vase?  Or perhaps we can whip together a tight cluster of red roses and burgundy cymbidium blossoms in a silver cube vase.  Embracing the romantic symbolism of the red rose is very practical.  Even wiser is using this powerful bloom to full advantage and appealing to the male sensibility.

If it’s imperative the blooms you are sending have a masculine vibe, ask us for a simple, modern arrangement.  Men tend to dislike flowers that are too fussy or overdone.  Clean lines and architectural details are elements that are more likely draw a man’s appreciation.  Ask your florist to create a swirl of darkly colored mini calla lilies.  Or perhaps a simple hand tied bouquet of leopard spotted Mokara orchids would make your man’s day.  Using elements such as stones or metal wire can add a very rustic and manly esthetic to even the most delicate of blossoms.

Between your knowledge of your man’s taste and the help your florist should provide, the perfect floral gift is just a phone call away.  Call us at Starbright and we’ll be happy to help you create something truly special for that special guy.

ABOUT STARBRIGHT FLORAL DESIGN – We are a full service florist located in the heart of New York City’s historic flower district.  Our studio is located on 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.  You can learn all about the work that we do at www.starflor.com or by calling us at 800.520.8999.  We deliver our floral designs in Manhattan and around the world.  Give us a call for the most exquisite blooms you can imagine!

%d bloggers like this: