Petite Peony Bridal Bouquet

It’s that day of the week again… Wedding Wednesday!! This week’s bouquet is a petite bridal clutch of white peonies. It is so simple and sweet with a bit of pearl accent on it’s stems; it whispers of wedding romance.

Peonies are symbolically known as the flower of riches and honor. Their opulent, full, rounded blooms embody romance and prosperity and are considered an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage, making them a highly desired flower for many brides. They are the traditional floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana, and the 12th wedding anniversary flower.

Peak peony season begins in early spring and extends through late June, perfect for all those springtime weddings!

If you're in the Philadelphia, PA or Burlington, NJ area and would like to meet with one of Stein Your Florist Co.'s expert wedding consultants call us at 800-887-4013.

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 271 - 275

As part of our 125^th 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 271 - The name Pittosporum comes from the Greek words 'pitta' meaning "pitch" and 'spora' meaning "seed" in reference to the sticky seeds of many members of the genus. Pittosporum, a native foliage of New Zealand, also available from Florida, has found its way into the hearts of floral designers for its wide range of colors and textures. An excellent item for use as a filler in arrangements and bouquets, beautifully complementing other flowers. Due to the dramatic appearance of many of the varieties, they are also increasingly being brought to the fore of arrangements as a feature item.

Day 272 - Do not try to get rid of the ants on your peonies. This is a natural and temporary activity. It is believed that peonies produce small amounts of nectar and other ant attractants to encourage ants to help in opening the dense double flower buds found in many peonies. The ants may be found covering certain varieties and avoiding others, this is totally normal. Once the buds have opened the ants will disappear - also normal. Some people think ants are REQUIRED to open the flowers, but this does not to appear to be true. It seems a debatable question whether ants are beneficial or harmful. We think they’re neutral.

Day 273 - Gomphrena globosa, commonly known as Globe Amaranth or Bachelor Button, is an annual plant that grows up to 24 inches in height. The true species has magenta bracts, and cultivars have colors such as purple, red, white, pink, and lilac. Its native range is in Brazil, Panama and Guatemala.

Day 274 - The word Phlox comes from the Greek meaning "flame". Most phlox is native to the US but was brought to Europe in the 1700s where it enjoyed popularity as a cottage garden plant and was bred for many color and form variations. In the language of flowers, phlox means our souls are united or we think alike.

Day 275 - Long-leaved phlox was used medicinally by several Native American tribes. A decoction of pounded roots was rubbed all over the body for colds or aches & given to babies with stomachaches. An infusion of the whole plant was given to anemic children. An infusion of mashed roots was taken for diarrhea. A decoction of the entire plant was taken for stomach disorders, and an infusion of roots was given to children for stomachaches. Externally, a decoction of leaves was put on boils, and an infusion or decoction of roots was used as an eyewash.

 

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 101 - 105

As part of our 125^th 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 101 - Legend has it that the amaryllis - the stunning red flower we've come to associate with the holidays - began as a shy, timid nymph. Amaryllis fell deeply in love with Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and Apollo's beauty, but her affections were unrequited. Hoping that she could win him over by bestowing upon him the thing he desired most - a flower so unique it had never existed in the world before - Amaryllis sought advice from the oracle of Delphi. Following his instructions, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alteo's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow. When at last Alteo opened his door, there before him was a striking crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart. With this romantic - albeit tragic - tale as its beginning, it's not surprising that today the amaryllis has come to symbolize pride, determination and radiant beauty.

Day 102 - Wax flower gets its name from the tough, waxy feel of the tiny flowers. It smells pine-y fresh and wonderful, especially when the stems are broken or the petals are crushed. Wax flower comes in basic white and pink colors, but it is available in an array of other colors as well, thanks to floral dyes. With its multiple tiny bowl shaped flowers it is a beautiful subtle accent for many bouquets.

Day 103 - Native to Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, Russia and North America, heather branches are said to have been used to make baskets, rope, bedding, as thatch for roofs and even to flavor beer or tea. Today, it’s the beautiful heather flowers—in colors ranging from white to pink, purple and red – that draw our attention. Symbolizing admiration and good luck, heather is also believed have protective powers.














Day 104 - The traditional floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana, and the 12th wedding anniversary flower, peonies are known as the flower of riches and honor. With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies embody romance and prosperity and are regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage.

Day 105 – The story of lilac, according to Greek mythology, begins with a beautiful nymph named Syringa (lilac’s botanical name). Captivated by her beauty, Pan, the god of the forests and fields, chased Syringa through the forest. Frightened by Pan’s affections, Syringa escaped him by turning herself into an aromatic bush – the flower we now refer to as lilac.

365 Days of Floral Education - Days 86-90

As part of our 125^th 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 86 - Derived from the Greek words “anti,” meaning like, and “rhin,” meaning nose, antirrhinum, the snapdragon’s botanical name, is a fitting description of this snout-shaped flower. It’s said that the common name for this colorful flower comes from the snap it makes when the sides of the “dragon’s mouth” are gently squeezed. While their actual origin is unknown, it’s believed that snapdragons were originally wildflowers in Spain and Italy. Legend has it that concealing a snapdragon makes a person appear fascinating and cordial, and in the language of flowers, snapdragons are said to represent both deception (perhaps tied to the notion of concealment) and graciousness.

Day 87 - The most obvious and well known meaning of the red rose is deep love and affection. In the 18th century, a special rose language evolved as a means of communication between lovers who were forced by society to keep their feelings a secret. And the red rose came to symbolize true love that would stand the test of time. Staunchly promising affection that is forever riding high is what the red rose means. The red rose denotes a true love that is stronger than thorns and can outlive all obstacles.

Day 88 - Through ancient societies, the aster flower has come to be known as a symbol of charm and patience as well as refinement and elegance. The Ancients also believe that, by burning aster leaves, they could drive away serpents with the smell as well as be used as a love charm. Today, the message conveyed by giving asters can be sometimes taken as a lack of trust that a person has remained faithful. The flower offers a unique beauty that has also offered some medicinal properties. It is related to other flowers, such as mums, marigolds, and daisies.

Day 89 - With a recorded history that dates back thousands of years, it’s not surprising that even the mythology surrounding the origin of the peony has multiple versions. One legend has it that the peony is named after Paeon, a physician to the gods, who received the flower on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. And another tells the story of that same physician who was “saved” from the fate of dying as other mortals by being turned into the flower we know today as the peony.

Day 90 - There remains some debate over the hydrangea’s symbolism – with some connecting it to vanity and boastfulness (perhaps reflecting its abundance of petals and lavish, rounded shape) and others suggesting that a bouquet of hydrangea expresses the giver’s gratefulness for the recipient’s understanding. Still others suggest it represents anything that’s sincerely heartfelt. Despite this variation in flower meaning, there appears to be an overwhelming consensus that this 4th wedding anniversary flower possesses enduring grace and beauty.