Tag: fresh flowers

BOO-tiful Bouquets for Halloween!

If there’s one thing we know at Starbright Floral Design, it’s how to make a stunning statement with flowers and Halloween is no exception! We love getting into the Halloween spirit here in NYC and wanted to share some inspiration with you on how to use flowers, pumpkins and a few well-placed props to give your decor that pop that will make it look like it might go bump in the night…

Pumpkins and Halloween are perfect together. We strive to create an eerie elegance in our Halloween displays and pumpkins are a fantastic foil that allow us to do just that. Using them to enhance our floral compositions is one of our favorite ways to evoke that spooky spirit that everyone is searching for this time of year, in New York City and beyond.

The rich coloring of pumpkins provides a great background for flowers and greenery that we at Starbright relish. Lush succulents and king protea flowers brighten up this humble gourd and transform it into a festive Halloween centerpiece. We framed this pumpkin with harvest corn to evoke a nostalgic yet refined ambiance, wonderful for the autumn season.

sfd6

Twilight lavender calla lily flowers create a vivid exclamation point on our scary squash, while the draped succulents known as amaranthus give a creepy-crawly sensation as they ooze down the pumpkin’s side. A burst of color through the hypericum berries on the side evoke the orange of the pumpkin while making you wonder if they are poisoned or not.

sfd1

But not all pumpkins need to be scary! We carved one up to give it a friendly grin and added a mix of festive fall flowers including dahlias to give the jack o’lantern a perfect coif. Part of the elegance of this floral composition is hidden by the pumpkin itself, for a vase can be stored inside the pumpkin and filled with fresh water to keep your flowers looking fresher for much longer.

sfd2

At Starbright, we love to delight our clients with the unexpected and so we had a wonderful time building this luscious composition. We combined a traditional gourd with an eccentric one to highlight the unique attributes of the green squash. The fun sprays of verdant branches built heightened interest in this composition, with the succulents softening the entire look.

sfd5

One of our clients was looking for something to spook on sight and we had just the special visitor to liven up an otherwise friendly bouquet. A spray of mango toned calla lilies echoed the spiderwebs that wove their way through the flower composition of calla lilies and euphorbia. We’re sure that whoever received this bouquet was given quite a fright!

sfd3

Halloween is one of Starbright’s favorite times to feature whimsical components in our compositions to make a spooky statement. If you’ve carved your pumpkins and hung up the decorations but there’s still something missing, stop by our shop in Manhattan on Halloween. You’ll be able to find that missing floral masterpiece while seeing the staff of Starbright dressed up for the day. We’ll be giving away candy while we create chilling delights!

Flowers 101: The Alstroemeria

At Starbright Floral Design, it is our great delight to bring you the occasional missive where we can feature the flowers that capture our fancy — and we hope yours! One of our greatest passions is introducing our friends and clients to the myriad of stunning flowers that fill our world.

If you haven’t heard of the Alstroemeria flower, we’re about to make your day! Also known as a Peruvian Lily, these fun and festive blooms are a favorite among florists in New York City, and it’s easy to see why.

Lavender and white Alstroemeria are stunning with their showy blossoms.
Lavender and white Alstroemeria are stunning with their showy blossoms.

The depth of beauty of the Alstroemeria unfolds before your eyes; while you might first be captivated by its resemblance to lilies, as you gaze more deeply into it, you will discover a cheetah-like pattern etched on the inner petals of each flower.

Symbolizing friendship and devotion, Alstroemerias epitomize this through their incredible longevity. As florists, one of the attributes we love about the Alstroemeria is the subtle and slow bloom of each flower. Each bouquet of Alstroemerias lasts longer than many other compositions, bringing a smile to everyone who sees it. If you are looking for a stunning display that will last for almost two weeks in a vase, look no further than these flowers.

Grown in a variety of hues, from deep apricot and vibrant lavender to snowy white, Alstroemeria flowers are stunning in every shade. The sunny yellows, gorgeous pinks and joyful reds of this flower make it a captivating addition to any bouquet. In addition to weaving Alstroemerias in our compositions, another way we at Starbright love to honor the beauty of these flowers is to arrange them with more Alstroemerias of different colors for a jubilant display, perfect for an entryway or dining room.

Alstroemerias festive spirit is readily seen when grouped together in a bouquet.
Alstroemerias festive spirit is readily seen when grouped together in a bouquet.

Alstroemerias have no scent and while some may miss the perfume of blossoms, we at Starbright think that the overwhelming ornamentation of the flowers more than compensates for this.

Alstroemerias are bountiful throughout NYC and that is thanks to the hybrids that have been cultivated which allow a year-round growing season. Native to South America, some varieties of this flower grow in the US and can even be cultivated in New York City’s climate, though Alstroemerias may not survive through the harsh NYC winters.

If you choose to adorn a space with Alstroemeria flowers and can afford to wait a bit to see their beauty shine, look for blooms that have not yet opened. Although less magnificent at that stage, you will be rewarded for your patience with the joy of seeing each blossom slowly open to a showy display.

pl1
Alstroemerias mixed with other flowers highlights their unique beauty.

For all cut flowers including Alstroemerias, water should be refreshed daily, or as soon as it is not crystal clear. At Starbright, we ensure that all of our flowers are only enjoying water that we ourselves would relish drinking. Our flowers have only the cleanest water to nourish them.

We hope that you enjoyed discovering Alstroemeria as we have loved being able to expound upon the beauty and care of these flowers. All of us at Starbright warmly invite you to visit us to see the these flowers and more up close. And while you’re visiting, remember to have the perfect bouquet curated just for you. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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

August Birth Flowers in NYC: Gladiolus

Gladiolus

Gladiolus has been dubbed the flower of the Gladiators.   It represents strength of character, sincerity, generosity.  In the Victorian age with its secret language of flowers it was said to represent “love at first sight”. Gladiolus derives its name from the latin word for sword and is sometimes called the sword lily.  As a member of the iris family it contains about 260 species.   Only about 10 are native to Europe the rest are native to southern Africa.  The species vary from very small to the spectacular giant flower spikes you see in floral designs. The flower stalk of the Gladiolus contains an extended row of trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers, all of which face in one direction. Their colors include pink to reddish or light purple with white, contrasting markings, or white to cream or orange to red.

 

Once upon a time Gladiolus were viewed as an upscale, highly sought after flower but fell into the sympathy arrangement niche.  However, we’ve recently seen a resurgence of the Gladiolus in NYC.    Many upscale restaurants and hotels in NYC have once again incorporated the Gladiolus in their floral decor.

 

 

This scribe is brought to you by your friends at Starbright Floral Design… We are an enthusiastic bunch that spends our day making really cool compositions of flowers. Bright colors,  great designs and  amazing service to our clients is what we are all about.  Starbright is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District in a second floor loft space.  We spend our days making flower arrangements that we send as gifts on behalf of our clients.  People call us for a bunch of reasons (1 800 520 8999)… Sometimes to say “sorry”, other times to wish someone well during an illness or to congratulate on one of life’s major milestones.  Sometimes people call us because the caught the romantic influenza and they think someone is super sexy! We even get some really shy customers that don’t know what to say on  the card and need lots of help!

To place  an order for amazing flowers online go to:  www.starbrightnyc.com

Our warmest regards,

 

The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps

Starbright Floral Design, 140 West 26th Street, New York City.

800 520  8999

 

 

 

Sunflowers in NYC=Summertime in NYC

Sunflowers in NYC

Exciting Times in NYC
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
Columbus Circle Sunflowers
The beautification of NYC’s Washington Square park has been completed with the addition of Sunflowers.
DSC_5328
Washington Square Sunflowers

What would an East River view of downtown Brooklyn be without a bouquet of Sunflowers?

Downtown Manhattan Sunflowers
Sunflowers in Downtown Manhattan

Lady Liberty’s beauty is dwarfed by the natural beauty of Sunflowers.

DSC_5367
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 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.

 

 

 

Starbright Logo

 

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

 

Roses, Roses, Roses: June’s Birth Flower

Roses in NYC are as plentiful as NYC birthdays.  Every year millions of roses are gifted in NYC for any number of occasions.  In June, the appropriate floral gift is the rose as it is June’s birth flower.  Rich in popularity as a symbol of love and romance it hasn’t always been so.   In fact, the rose was first looked upon as a symbol of war.  A civil war that raged on from 1455-1487 between the House of York and the House of Lancaster.   The House of York adopted a white rose, the House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose. The war has been dubbed “The War of the Roses”.  The winner of this war, Tudor Henry VII (The Tudors), merged his Lancastrian rose with the rose of his York bride and thus the creation of the Tudor Rose, the Rose of England.

Roses
Roses, Roses, Roses in NYC

In later years the rose evolved into a form of language creating a secret means of communication between lovers.   In the mid 18th century the wife of the British ambassador in Constantinople described this language in her letters.  Largely due to the publication of her letters after her death, we have the code necessary to decipher the intricate language of roses.  For example if you want to ask your love interest “will you love me?”, send an open white rose.    Want to ask  “Don’t you love me any more?” , send an open yellow rose.      Want to say “I respect and look up to you” then send a bouquet of white roses.   Red roses signify  “forever I Love You”.  However a bouquet of red and white roses state “Together we are one and united”.  Want to declare your attraction to someone but don’t want to go as far as declaring your undying love, then purple roses are the way to go.  Colors alone aren’t enough to deliver the complex messages of love.  In combination with the colors, the number and degree of bloom of the roses have also been assigned meaning.  A dozen roses says  “Be Mine”.   Thirteen roses tells someone we’ll be friends forever.  Three dozen roses expresses “I’m head over heels in love!”.  Six dozen roses or more says “my love for you is limitless”.  In addition to its Victorian assigned message, this last one says “I’m a Starbright Gold club member”!!!.

Regardless of its diverse assigned meanings, the one constant is the rose’s undeniable beauty.  The recipient of a beautiful arrangement of roses is always appreciative.

This scribe is brought to you by Starbright Floral Design.  We are a full-service florist located in Midtown NYC..  We deliver inspired floral compositions throughout Manhattan, all of New York City and everywhere beyond.   You may CLICK HERE to visit our e-portal where  you may place an order for designer-inspired flower vases and arrangements, our orchids, plants and so much more.  We offer  same-day delivery to most parts of the United States.

We will be honored to be of service to you now and for a long time to come… 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

800.520.8999

www.starbrightnyc.com

 

March Flower Files: Daffodils

Daffodils
“Daffodils” by William Warby

NYC Floral enthusiasts rejoice! The beloved daffodil is back in season. Here at Starbright, we’re prepping the stems and getting ready for Spring!

 

Daffodil Notes /

Daffodils are often considered to be some of the sunniest flowers around; they are among the first wild flowers to appear in Spring and are the official flower of the month of March. They are most commonly found in yellow or white, though orange and pink varieties exist as well. The unique shape of the bloom, with its six petal-like tepals surrounding a trumpet-shaped corona is easy to identify though it is called by many names including: narcissus, jonquil, and daffadowndilly.

Daffodils are native to the Mediterranean. They were initially brought to England by the ancient Romans who believed the blooms had medicinal properties…which is not at all true. The flowers have toxic crystals that can irritate the skin, repel garden pests, and even wilt other flowers in the same vase unless treated properly.

 

Inside Info /
  • Daffodils are some of the first flowers to bloom; they can actually grow straight through the snow
  • Bring a bundle of daffodils to a friend, but never a single bloom. One daffodil on it’s own predicts misfortune!
  • Daffodils are a symbol of hope and friendship today.

 

Starbright Logo

 

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

NYC Flower Files: Ornithogalum

Ornithogalum
Ornithogalum arabicum
Ornithogalum Notes /

NYC flower shops love this unique bloom. The designer’s at Starbright are no exception.  To see an example of a NYC Flower arrangement containing Ornithogalum see herein. These readily available blooms are a favored addition to Starbright’s weekly flowers in NYC program for their extra long vase-life.   There are four common varieties of of ornithogalum that tend to show up in cut flower arrangements. The difference between these blooms is primarily in the shape of the flowering head. Conical and drooping or round like a button, most ornithogalum blooms have delicate white petals and a striking black center; the exception is ornithogalum dubium whose petals range from yellow to bright orange. Ornithogalum is native to Africa and Eurasia, but it’s long bloom-time and sweet smell have made it a garden favorite worldwide. However, with the help of pollinating bees, some of these garden varieties have crossed their fences and become invasive species.

Ornithogalum Flower Meaning/

Ornithogalum arabicum is often referred to as star of Bethlehem or Arabian star flower. Because of this biblical association, many people prefer this blossom for it’s symbolic representation of purity, hope, and happiness. Ideal for a romantic bouquet, ornithogalum is favorite of old-time romantics.

Ornithogalum Inside Info /
  • Some varieties of ornithogalum can be toxic if ingested and others may cause skin irritation if handled for prolonged periods of time. Be careful of this lovely bloom around children and animals.
  • Popular names for ornithogalum include Star of Bethlehem, Nap at Noon, Snowdrop, Arabian Star Flower,  Eleven-o’clock Lady, Sleepydick, Arabian Star Flowers.

Starbright Logo

 

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

NYC Flower Files: Delphinium

Delphinium
Delphinium
Delphinium Notes /

NYC flower shops adore the delphinium for its vibrant blue hue.  The designer’s at Starbright are no exception.  They are a long lasting flower and are ideal to be incorporated in Starbright’s weekly flowers in NYC program. This popular bloom is commonly known as larkspur, but in the shop we call it Delphinium. Delphinium is a large genus of about 300 species of flowering plants that are all categorized in the family Ranunculaceae. Yes, that’s right, despite appearances, the Delphinium is actually a member of the buttercup family (as is the ranunculus, anemone and a bunch of other favorites flowers around the shop). There is a lot of variety amongst the Delphinium genus. Depending on the variety, a delphiniums bloom stalk can be as short as 4 inches to as tall as 2 meters. There are also a variety of colors available, though the classic blue is one of Starbright Floral Design’s favorites, Delphinium varietals can also be available in purple, pink, yellow, and white.

Delphinium Flower History/

Delphinium recieved it’s names from the ancient Greeks who thought that the shape of the nectary looked like that of a leaping dolphin. Many years later, in England, the Delphinium received a new nickname – larskpur – because the shape of the nectary resembled a larks claw. Their popularity increased from there and many hybrids were bred from Delphiums sourced from all over the world. Today’s common delphinium is a product of much cultivation. It is a common flower in gardening shows and is often featured in displays or specialized competitions.

Delphinium Inside Info /
  • Parts of delphinium plants have been used to create blue dyes and inks.
  • Delphinium is highly toxic to people and animals

 

Starbright Logo

 

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

Starbright NYC Flower Files: Genisteae

Genisteae

Common Broom
Genisteae, Common Broom

Broom Commercial Use /

With it’s small flowers and slender greens, genisteae, also known as broom, has a uniquely airy appearance and sweet smell. Cut broom will last about a week in an arrangement. Top Florists in NYC, including Starbright Floral design, love to use this accent flower in arrangements calling for fragrance. To guarantee longevity of cut broom, and many other flowers, keep these blooms away from ripe fruits and drafty windows.

Broom Notes /

The Broom family of plants include evergreens (plants that are green year-round), semi-evergreens (plants that keep their leaves through winter, replacing them in spring), and deciduous shrubs. The Genisteae family – Brooms are a member – dates all the way back to the Paleogene Period. Genistae are native to many continents in one form or another, but the greatest diversity found among broom plants can be found in the Mediterranean. But wherever they grow, many broom plants share similar characteristics – small leaves and fragrant flowers fixed to flexible slender green stems. The broom flowers are generally yellow, white, orange, red, pink or purple.  

Broom History/

Wayyyy back in the 12th century Geoffrey V, the Count of Anjou, leaned over and plucked a yellow broom plant from the rocky ground and fixed it into his helmet before leading his men into battle. This gesture led to the nickname Geoffrey Plantagenet – Plantaganet can roughly be translated as “Plant Genistrae.” When Geoffrey V later became the Duke of Normandy through conquest, and then the husband of empress dowager Matilda, he became the father of the Plantagenet family. The Plantagenets would go on to rule Britain for 300 years. The conflict that ended their rule was called, believe it or not, the “War of the Roses.”

Inside Info /

Broom has a number of applications, here are some of our favorites :

  • Broom contains tannin, which once-upon-a-time was used to curing leather.
  • Broom branches are slender and flexible. This made them ideal for early sweeping utensils and basket weaving.
  • Though we now consider broom toxic, the seeds were once roasted and used as a substitute for coffee; young shoots were used to replace hops in beer production.
  • Broom can actually help the environment by removing nitrogen from the air.

Starbright Logo

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

FLOWER FILE : CARNATION

Carnation
Carnation

Carnations

Flower Notes /

Probably native to the Mediterranean, the carnation has been continuously harvested for over 2,000 years – along with jasmine and roses, carnations are among the three oldest “beauty” crops cultivated by ancient man. Carnations are very, very easy to grow – all they need is full sun, loose neutral soil and a little water. They’re full of symbolism, too – get them in white for someone who could use good luck, like a recent graduate, or for a going-away gift when someone changes jobs. The pink carnation stands for unforgettable love – especially from Mom! The purple carnation symbolizes unpredictability and wit, so it’s good for a birthday or bridal shower. Striped carnations symbolize regret – they’re ideal for funerals. The yellow blooms signify disappointment – this is the perfect bloom for a bouquet that says “I don’t want to date you anymore” (say it with flowers, right?) Be careful giving red carnations – while they stand for “deep love,” they also stand for “socialist” and “irregular military member,” depending on where you are.

Visual Notes:

Some people say that carnations almost look like folded tissue-paper, cinched in the middle and “fluffed up” around the cinch. Other people say these paper flowers look like carnations. Either way, carnations have a unique appearance and are available in a range of colors and patterns – this lets them stand alone in a simple arrangement, star in a busier arrangement, and support their fellow flowers when it’s another bloom’s turn to shine. They are the Ian McKellen of the flower world – they’re great in everything, and your grandmother probably loves them. And in case all the symbolism didn’t make it clear, carnations come in many different colors – your florist should be able to help you source exactly what you’re after.

Flower History Notes:

Since first being cultivated over 2,000 years ago carnations have become one of the most popular flowers in the world. The name comes from (most likely) one of two places – either from the ancient greek  “corone,” or flower garlands worn during formal ceremonies, or from the Latin word “caro,” which means “flesh” (the first carnations were light-pink). Not to get too political, but carnations are among the first GMO-crops – it didn’t take long before ancient farmer-scientists figured out how to breed (repeatedly and reliably!) a whole range of carnation colors.

Carnation Flower Fun For Kids or DYI Decor Needs :

You can make your own color changing carnations! All you need is some food dye, a glass of water (or two, for a special trick) and a white carnation. The basic principle is simple – cut flowers drink the water, the water carries the dye, the dye gets left in the petals. If you split the stem in two (make sure you use a good knife or pair of scissors – and make sure an adult does this part!) and stick it in two glasses with two different colors of water, you’ll get a two-colored flower. You can tell your young’n that the flower is drinking in response to evaporation. The plant is basically like a sponge – as water evaporates off the plant’s leaves and petals, more water moves up the stem to take the evaporated water’s place.

 

Starbright Logo

 

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