Peony

Peony

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Prized for its delicacy and impressive beauty, the peony has a voluminous strong perfume and bright color. But despite its outward showiness, the flower acquired the Victorian meaning of "bashfulness." Cultivated in Asia for more than a thousand years and developed further by the French, the peony is available in two main types, the herbaceous and the tree peony (the latter's flowers don't last as long when cut). 

A bouquet made solely of peonies can be gorgeous; the flower can also be used to create beautiful centerpieces and arrangements. Grown in single- and double-flower styles, this expensive bloom is seasonally available from late spring to early summer but can be imported in the fall.

Flower of the month - June - Peony

Flower of the month - June - Peony

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The peony -in the Flower Agenda throughout June

It’s June, and that means it’s time for the gorgeous peony. This beauty will be shining in many vases this month, but can also be seen extensively in bridal bouquets and striking centrepieces. Consumers can read all about the phenomenal peony at Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk. 
Introduce your customers to the peony!

The peony’s origin
We have been enjoying the magnificent peony in Europe since 1784. In China they had fallen under its spell long before that. There the peony was cultivated not only for its flowers, but particularly for its roots. According the Chinese it could be used to reduce fever and clot blood. But we don’t recommend putting the peony in your mouth - stick to enjoying its beauty with your eyes.

The peony’s colours and shapes
Anyone who falls for the charms of the peony is in luck: there are more than 1000 varieties available in all sorts of shapes and colours. They come with a single row of petals, or with semi-double or double flowers. There is also ample choice in terms of colour: the cheerful  peony comes in pale yellow, romantic white, candy pink or dark red. And the fragrance of peonies is particularly appealing and beautifully sweet!

Caring for peonies

• Trim 5 cm off the stem diagonally with a sharp knife.
• Use a clean vase and fill it with fresh water.
• If your peonies are thirsty top up the vase.
• Don’t place the vase in a draught, in full sun or near the fruit bowl.

Peony symbolism
The peony represents love, happiness and health, amongst other things. It’s no surprise that the peony is a popular guest at spring weddings. But it’s not just lovebirds that are attracted to this flower. Surely we all enjoy bringing a big bunch of positivity and love into our home?

More about the peony

Consumers can also find special DIY craft projects involving the gorgeous peony at Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk. Got a wedding, birthday or other celebration coming up? Then try making your own over-the-top peony chandelier!

Inspiration and information

Inspiring images of every flower in the Flower Agenda have been produced in line with the Horticulture Sector Trends 2017 (Groenbranche Trends 2017). These trends are a translation of what our consumers are interested in at the moment and are specifically aimed at the horticulture sector for use both indoors and outdoors. If you would like to find out more about the Flower Agenda click here.

These are wonderful late spring/early summer flowers and are well worth having in your displays at this time of year.

Are you getting married? Would love them in your bouquets? We can stock many varieties in season, just let us know your colour scheme and we can source the best varieties for you.

Sandra x

The Dower House Hotel setting of a gorgeous May wedding

The Dower House Hotel setting of a gorgeous May wedding

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Following on from yesterday's post (here) of the bridal flowers, today's post is a look at the venue flowers.

The Dower House Hotel is a fabulous place to hold a wedding and I love setting up here as the staff are all so friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble. It also helps that the whole place is set in fantastic surroundings, see these photos below. Who wouldn't love to get married in this space? If the weather is fine this could be where you say your vows!

The bride asked if we could decorate the arbour with a eucalyptus garland down the from two pillars as they were hoping for an outdoor ceremony.

It was quite overcast when setting up and the final decision hadn't been made but I believe they went ahead and chairs and decorations were brought out in time.

These pillars are great for decorating and look fabulous in the photos

The couple continued the foliage theme for their sweetheart table with another garland dripping off the ends and a few trailing whisps at the front.

If you cannot agree on who should be on the top table or have family issues then this is perfect. Just the two of you. Allows you to spend the meal catching your breath and relaxing together. 

Many couples say afterwards that they don't really get to chat together through the day with visiting family and friends to catch up with so this table for 2 allows you time and space to do just that.

We provided a vase for the bridal bouquet to sit in to add a pop of colour.

The guest tables were posies of the same flowers as the bridal bouquets placed in glass cubes.

The peonies would, hopefully, spring open in the heat of the venue.

The tables at The Dower House are always so well dressed. The mirrors were added by the venue as they just lift the designs once in situ.

I always love tables that use 'the less is more' attitude. Simple and classy and allows your guests room to move.

These flowers settle in the warm room and they started filling the space with their light scent, adding another dimension to your day.

These types of designs are great to double up as gifts for your very special guests. The flowers are tied together with ribbon so whether you hire or buy the vases the flowers can be given out at the end of the day.

The beautiful room at The Dower House Hotel

The room eagerly awaiting the happy couple and their guests.

I always like to take a photo or two of the view from the top table, this gives you the bride (or groom) a chance to see what you will spend the afternoon looking at. After all it is your ideas, style and hard work that has gone into planning the event.

Are you getting married at The Dower House Hotel? I have set up here many times previously see here for one example or visit 'labels' - Venue:The Dower House Hotel for more.

Having worked here previously I know what works and what doesn't and am happy to advise you on your styling and flowers so you get the most from your ideas for the day.

Or if you like these designs but are getting wed elsewhere, get in touch so we can discuss your options in more detail.

I look forward to hearing from you soon

Sandra x

Gorgeous bridal bouquets with orchid, peony and anemone

Gorgeous bridal bouquets with orchid, peony and anemone

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These are the gorgeous flowers from Christina's wedding in early May.

On meeting Christina had a fairly good idea of the flowers and design she wanted to create but wanted confirmation on availability. We had to switch one variety but all others were in season.

The bouquets were to be lots of foliage, eucalyptus and senecio to give a silvery look and the flowers were to be neutral, creams and white with a pop of colour with the peony.

We used cymbidium orchids, peony, eustoma and anemone.

All the bouquets had the same flower and foliage content with the bridesmaids being smaller in size.

Brides bouquet centre with the bridesmaids either side.

The flower girl carried a silver heart shaped wand with a single cymbidium orchid and foliage detail

The groom wore a double buttonhole of a single cymbidium flower and an anemone with eucalyptus and senecio foliage.

The mums wore a double orchid buttonhole with foliage

The groomsmen wore a single buttonhole of an anemone flower and eucalyptus foliage. All buttonholes had navy blue wire wrapped around the stems to compliment the suits.

If you love these designs or have a design in mind with similar flowers do book a consultation to discuss how we can help you achieve your flower creations.

Alternatively if you have no clue where to start we can help and advise you on a full array of designs to help you to narrow down the choice and colours for your special day.

We look forward to hearing from you soon

Sandra x

Pretty pink and champagne wedding flowers

Pretty pink and champagne wedding flowers

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Today we take a look at this gorgeous wedding of the lovely A and O from a few weeks ago in April.

The colour scheme was pink and champagne with roses, peony, wax flower and carnations.

We used a combination of roses, bombastic spray, garden and standard and along with the peony and wax flower the scent was divine.

The 4 bridesmaids carried smaller versions of the brides with more pink to stand out from their champagne dresses.

The stems were tied with blush organza.

The groomsmen wore a classic style buttonhole of a champagne rose with asparagus fern.

(This was the page boys mounted on to a safety pin)

The buttonholes and corsages on their presentation boards all ready for delivery.

The ladies wore a traditional style corsage in a mix of flowers from the bridal bouquet

All boxed up and ready for presentation to the bride.

One of the garden rose blooms that is filled with petals and packs a punch with scent.

Pink weddings are always a popular choice and peonies in particular are very popular. (Their season is from April to July)

If you love this style and would like to talk flowers then please get in touch in the first instance with your wedding date to check availability.

For more inspiration on pink bouquets take a look at this post here

I look forward to hearing from you soon

Sandra x