This is a commissioned floral tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth. The design includes Holly (Love & Friendship); Heather (Independence & Confidence); Thistle (Scotland’s National flower); Purple English Rose (Majesty & Glory); assorted Hydrangeas (water vessel) and Cymbidium Orchid spray (Friendship).
The past three months have been intense, to say the least! Nearly two years to the day, my business came back to life with a ROAR! It felt like zero to 90 mph in 60 seconds! Head spinning!! Events, major in importance and scale, put off for two years, piling up, bursting with the need to be held, suddenly and voraciously commandeered my business. With the light of normalcy growing ever brighter and my operations [...]
Early this month I was contemplating what I would design for a benefit that I was cohosting. I suggested a lush bouquet of “Free Spirit” roses which was enthusiastically embraced. A day later, while perusing the plant display at East Coast Flowers. I happened upon these beauties: “Blue Zebra” Primlet primroses, a spectacular variety that I had only known in 19th century British botanical prints. I bought 4 mixed flats to have all of these extraordinary [...]
After all of the hoopla and decorations from the winter holiday celebrations are taken down and put away, I often feel a bit let down, bereft even. While I always save my gift amaryllis bulbs and Paper-whites for after the holidays, to ease my melancholy, they soon pass and the brief brilliant homage to L.O.V.E. that is Valentine’s Day fade all too soon. Winter is bleak, and my mood would be as dreary and gray [...]
House plants make “store bought” cakes fit for a wedding. A number of years ago, we were invited, along with a few other friends, to witness a spontaneous, intimate wedding ceremony held at the couple’s home during the first year that Gay Marriage was legal in the United States. I asked if they were planning to celebrate with cake and champagne to which they replied, “Champagne? Of course!” “ No cake?” I responded. “No, it [...]
One of the pleasures of my corporate contract work is the occasional surfeit of flowers that are still at their peak on the 8th day when I install the new week’s florals. Certain orchid species, Lilies, Mums, Alstromerias, among other varieties, often have an “afterlife”. That is to say, “they are still perfectly good! You aren’t possibly throwing those out, are you?!” In these circumstances, the options are to given them away, which may be [...]
Project Assignment: Design florals for a dinner reception at the Yale President’s House to honor the black female artist, Howardena Pindell, one of many women alums honored in 2018 and 2019 as the University celebrated 50 Years of Women at Yale. These assignments are some of the most interesting of my career. They require in-depth research with a very particular visual lens to suss out design inspiration from published accounts of their fascinating careers and [...]
by Jan Peterson at National Floral Supply If you're like most of us, the days after Valentine's Day are a mix of emotions and physical pain. You're likely to feel physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Maybe you had a better than expected holiday, or your sales fell short. Whatever the case may be, take time to appreciate all you contribute to the world. Stop for a moment and appreciate the beauty you provide to your [...]
by Jan Peterson at National Floral Supply Self care has become a lot of work. You gotta pamper, practice mindfulness, balance life and work, and be awesome at all of it. Flowers on the other hand are self care made easy. They won't replace working out or eating well. But they are a spiritual tune-up. So treat yourself to a little off-the-shelf self care.
The assignment was to create a dish garden for a woman whose 45 year career was in nursing. This gift was to be presented as the buffet table centerpiece for her retirement party. Her friends and colleagues spoke with great admiration of her accomplishments in her field and her great sense of humor. My solution was to source a vintage bed pan, that was beautifully sculptural in it’s own right, as the amusing container of lovely [...]
