ASCLEPIAS
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Form: Spray
Length of Stem: Medium Colors: Orange, Dark Pink, Pale Pink, White Special Features: Easy to Grow in the Garden Buying: Make sure some of the flowers are open. If it is all bud, it will not open. Arranging: The stems of Asclepias contain latex, which will block water from getting into the stem. Burn the end of the stem for a few seconds to seal the milky liquid. Asclepias has an awkward shape so it looks best mixed with round flowers of strength colors. |
CALLISTEPHUS CHINENSIS (Matsumoto Aster)
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Form: Round
Length of Stem: Medium Colors: Dark Pink, Light Pink, Lavender, Purple, Red, White, Yellow Special Feature: Long Lasting Buying: Look for stems with fresh green leaves that are not broken or yellowed. Look for heads that stand upright and don’t droop Arranging: Matsumoto Asters work well in any mixed flower arrangement. |
CARTHAMUS (Safflower) |
Form: Round on a Spray
Length of Stem: Medium to Long Colors: Orange, Yellow, Green, White Special Features: Dries Well, Long Lasting Buying: The vibrant orange produces a dye that is still used today. Look for fluffy orange tufts. Arranging: For those who want bright orange or a retro look, this is your flower. A very robust and long lasting flower, Safflower looks great in mixes of fiery colors, or as a bright accent flower. Even dried, the bright orange color remains |
DIANTHUS BARBATUS
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Form: Round
Length of Stem: Short to Medium Colors: Burgundy, Green, Pink, Red, White, Bicolored Special Features: Easy to Grow in the Garden, Long Lasting Buying: Purchase with the flowers open. If they are too immature the flowers will not open. Check to see that the stems are not broken. Arranging: Remove all foliage that will be under the water. Sweet William looks delightful in mixed bouquets, hand ties, table centerpieces, vase arrangements, and it fills out any mixed arrangement. |
DIANTHUS BARBATUS
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Form: Round
Length of Stem, Short to Medium Color: Green Special Features: Easy to Grow in the Garden, Long Lasting Buying: Check that there are no brown spots and that the stems are not broken. Arranging: Remove all foliage that will be under the water. Green Trick works well in any style of arrangement, from vintage to contemporary. Can be cut short or used long. Works well grouped together to resemble moss in a contemporary design. Can be used in vases or floral foam. One of the most interesting and versatile flowers. |
ECHINACEA
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Form: Round
Length of Stem: Medium Color: Brownish Orange Special Features: Long Lasting, Dries Well Buying: Echinacea is an herbaceous, drought tolerant perennial. Avoid buying flowers with brown spots. Make sure the stems are strong and not bent. Arranging: Echinacea is widely used in mixed arrangements, but is also interesting in contemporary designs. It is very popular in bridal bouquets and is a beautiful addition to hand held bouquets and boutonnière. |
ERYNGIUM
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Form: Spray
Length of Stem: Medium to Long Colors: Grey Blue, Silver White Special Features: Easy to Grow in the Garden, Dries Well Buying: Look for crisp leaves and petals. None of the leaves should be yellow. Arranging: Similar to Scottish Thistle and is often used in Scottish themed arrangements. Frequently used in Boutonnieres and Corsages. Looks good in arrangements with cream colors, soft pinks, purples and blues, where it adds great texture. |
GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA
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Form: Round
Length of Stem: Medium Colors: Dark Pink, Light Pink, Red, White Special Features: Long Lasting, Easy to Grow in the Garden Buying: Look for sturdy stems that are not bent. Look for flowers that do not have brown spots or mold Arranging: Great textural and color addition to any mixed bouquet. Looks good arranged in a low cluster in modern design arrangements. |
GYPSOPHLIA (Baby’s Breath) |
Form: Spray
Length of Stem: Medium Color: White Special Features: Long Lasting with Correct Care Buying: Must be fresh. Check that foliage is not brown. Squeeze a flower to check that it bounces back. Babies Breath can be spray painted and/or glittered for the holidays or special occasion. Arranging: Delightful used on its own in sphere shapes and garlands, or mixed with other white flowers. |
MOLUCCELLA (Bells of Ireland) |
Form: Linear
Length of Stem: Long Color: Lime Green Special Features: Long Lasting, Slight Fragrance Buying: Stems should be a bright lime green with strong stems that are not bent Arranging: Bells of Ireland are lovely in mixed arrangements. Moluccella have hollow stems that a wire can be inserted into to give added support or to creat interesting curved shapes. Bells of Ireland look great in a vase surrounded with a lower ring of contrasting colors. |
PROTEA (Protea) |
Form: Round
Length of Stem: Medium Colors: Pink, Green Special Feature: Long Lasting Buying: Check to see that there are no brown spots on the head or leaves. Protea should be firm to the touch Arranging: Protea is a very impressive flower that looks good in an arrangement with other South African flowers. |
SOLIDAGO
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Form: Spray
Length of Stem: Long Color: Yellow Special Feature: Easy to Grow in the Garden Buying: Purchase stems with more open blossoms as the tight buds do not open. The some rule applies to Solidaster which has star-shaped flowers that are slightly larger. Arranging: Solidago works well as a filler and works great with strong form round flowers, to give a contrast of form and textures. |