Plant Profile: Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
Karen Also known as Hankow willow, curly willow, dragon’s claw willow and globe willow, this multi stemmed deciduous tree is a member of the willow family, Salicaceae, that also includes aspen,…
Book Review: Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden
Karen Meyers Floret Farms’ Cut Flower Garden, by florist and flower farmer, Erin Benzakein, provides all the basics for growing, harvesting and arranging flowers year round either for home use or to…
Plant Profile: Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraeanum)
Also known as tailflower, painter’s palette, oilcloth flower, and laceleaf this evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to the rainforests of Colombia and southwestern Ecuador and a member of the arum…
Book Review: Flower Chef
Florist, Carly Cylinder, shares the secrets of success in her book, The Flower Chef, a comprehensive guide to flower arranging. She aims to make floral design easy and accessible to…
Plant Profile: “Headbourne Hybrid’ Agapanthus (Agapanthus x “Headbough Hybrids’)
These rhizomatous perennials are hybrids that include in their parentage A. campanulatus, A. inapertus, A. praecox, and probably some others. They are members of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, that also…
Book Review: The Little Flower Recipe Book
Florist, Jill Rizzo, explores the world of miniature arrangements in her book, The Little Flower Recipe Book. With a love of the natural garden look, she presents 149 examples of…
Plant Profile: Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria aureae)
Native to Chile, this tender perennial is a member of the Alstroemeriaceae plant family and a popular cut flower of the floristry industry. It is the hardiest and most vigorous…
Plant Profile: Blue African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
Also called lily of the Nile, this native of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is an evergreen tender perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae,…
Book Review: Flower Porn
Flower Porn, by English floral designer Kaiva Kaimins, presents a playful modern approach to floristry with a focus on color palettes and seasonal flowers. With tonal-inspired aesthetics in mind, Kaimins’…
Plant Profile: American Basketflower (Centurea americana)
Also called American starthistle, this annual is native to the southern central US and northeastern Mexico. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow,…