Showing posts with label Monte Casino Aster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monte Casino Aster. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 81-85

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 81 - The Monte Casino Flower is also known as the Heath Aster or the Monte Casino Aster. It is native to the Central and Eastern part of the United States as well as Canada. It is commonly found as a small filler flower in arrangements on a year-round basis and is a common pick among florists. It is found as part of a clump forming bush that grows up to three feet in height and approximately a foot in width. Colors for the Monte Casino Flower include star-shaped blossoms in purple, lavender, and white with a yellow center.

Day 82 - To care for your cut hyacinths simply provide them with cool clear water. Do not let the flowers fall below the water's surface, as this could cause extra bacteria production, reducing the longevity of the blooms. A floral food formulated specifically for bulb plants may also add to their vase life; however, hyacinths do not show a particular affinity for it. If the basal plate (the spot at the bottom of the stem that looks as though it had roots) is present that's great, don't remove it, it will lengthen the life of your blooms!

Day 83 – Carnations are rich with symbolism, mythology and even debate, and with a history that dates back more than 2,000 years, it's not surprising. While some scholars suggest that their name comes from the word "corone" (flower garlands) or "coronation" because of its use in Greek ceremonial crowns, others propose that it’s derived from the Latin "carnis" (flesh) referring to the flower's original pinkish-hued color or "incarnacyon" (incarnation), referring to the incarnation of God-made flesh.



Day 84 - Heather’s scientific name, “Calluna vulgaris,” comes from the Greek “Kallune,” meaning “to clean or brush,” and the Latin “vulgaris,” meaning “common,” as heather twigs were once used for making brooms.

Day 85 - It is estimated that bamboo has been a symbol of good fortune in the Asian culture more than 4,000 years. Lucky bamboo is one of the plants recommended by Feng Shui masters to improve Feng Shui and create a space where you feel safe and more energized. Because lucky bamboo is able to thrive in many areas of the home or workplace where other plants would not, it is valued as a means to enhance the positive flow of energy or "chi" in these areas.