hyacinth

Flowers make me happy any season, but there is something especially heartwarming about having flowers in the winter time.
Hyacinth has been one of my favorite flower around this time of the year.  They are highly fragrant, so perhaps not suited for some people, but definitely a lovely flower for those who enjoys all aspects of flowers.


Here they are, beautiful in white. ( I much prefer this white to white of snow!!)

 For us florists, winter in NY creates a lot of extra concerns at times.  Shipments can  be affected by the weather, the freezing temperature would require extra caution for delivery, etc. etc.
So the flowers are indeed precious and treated especially as such!  Ahh the winter challenge...

Stay warm everyone!

kaz@ibg

peony

There were so many lovely flowers which was in season since our last post, but time just flew away somewhere and it's May now!!

Well, can't do anything about the time that past...  so I picked "peony" as today's post, because it's currently in full season!

And, it's simply gorgeous.

This particular beauty is called the Coral charm. Though we have used this variety as a cut flower for a while,  I was just thinking that I haven't seen this variety in anyone's garden. But I recently saw it sold (as a potted plant) in the botanical garden shop.  How delightful.

I love the color, shape, and how they change with time.
In fact, seeing the bud which are so small and tight bloom into this big and beautiful thing is wonderfully  magical.

We have a lot of  "favorites" in May,  but  coral peony is one of the top on my list for sure.

Here it was in one of the centerpiece we designed for a wedding.

Congratulations to the happy couple and the charming family!!


kaz@ibg

rose

I thought this post would be appropriate for Valentine's day month.
One "giant" red  rose!!
Well, I don't think any of the rose growers have discovered a way to grow such a large rose yet.  So until they do, it requires a bit of creativity to achieve this look. This style of bouquet is known as "glamelia" or "composite bouquet".

Whole heaps of roses are taken apart petal by petal, wired, and then reassembled to form the large single flower look.  Relatively simple process, but putting back many many many and many rose petals (you don't even see some of  them!) is almost an endless process...  almost!

But well worth the effort when it was for someone who really loved it.

We were additionally delighted when a link to beautiful photography arrived for us to see. 
What a lovely way to record their happy day!

Click here for more event photos by wonderful Jessica Shmitt Photography

A Happy Valentine's day to the lovely couple, and  to all of you romantics out there!


kaz@ibg

ranunculus

Hello everyone!
A bit of color to warm up your soul!  Oh my it's been so cold  in NY!
Hopefully it will ease up a little this week.

Ranunculus, I actually have not met a single being who doesn't like this flower.
The round cute shape, feather weight delicate multi petals, and beautiful luminous colors...
it's full of attractive features.  Just lovely.
 

I am so happy when they are in season.  They certainly warm up my soul.


kaz@ibg

happy holidays

Happy holidays everyone!
No, we didn't move to the North Pole.  (Though one may think that we did with this very long absence!)

With so much that has happened since our last post,( and which was mostly out of our control),  I almost do feel like we've been to the North Pole and back.
At times an exhausting journey, but it would be wrong to deeply complain.  And that's the honest truth.

Though this greeting comes bit delayed, we hope that you are all enjoying the holiday season and wish you a wonderful, beautiful new year 2013!

May your new year be full of good health, laughter and love.



kaz@ibg

bouquet

I don't know what people would consider the most memorable floral element is in a wedding. It probably differs by each individual. (as in anything.) For me, the bridal bouquet holds a special place on the list. It usually is the first floral thing the bride sees on her special day, and it stays with her for longer than any of the elements we make. (and it's photographed many times!) So we listen very carefully to the bride's wishes and try to figure out what would make her happy and most importantly what would be the best botanical solution to create that bouquet. Often times it ends up being a bit of challenge,(due to seasonality and availability of desired materials) but we try our best to accomplish this part of the project!

Request for this bouquet was to use "dusty muted tones". Also to be natural but not overly natural. I thought the sophisticated coloration suited the bride very well.

Congratulations to the lovely couple!



kaz@ibg

wireplants

It probably isn't uncommon that one has an experience or two ruining houseplants. Even if you carefully tend to it, sometimes it just doesn't work. It happens. That's nature. (so I think) What I am trying to say is that it's not always easy to grow things. So no wonder things such as topiary cost so much in the market. It takes time to make it grow, and shape it! Well, knowing that it may require mighty patience, we decided to make topiaries ourselves so a bride can have them for her wedding table and still fit in her budget. Actually, not us, but Hana did. It was her dedication to go the extra miles.

So for two months, they were pampered at "Spa Hana", going through daily treatments and many hair cuts so they would grow into this shape. It was more haircuts than any of us (Hana Sarah and I) for sure! On the wedding day, they were absolutely the most charming thing. I hope they are all now living happily at some guest's house!



kaz@ibg