Thu, Dec 03, 20
Welcome to your Box of Blooms
December 03, 2020
Happy Holidays flower lovers!! You've just received your Belle Fleur Box of Blooms and it's time to start channeling your inner floral designer. In this segment, noted floral designer Meredith Waga Perez, owner and Creative Director of acclaimed floral & event design boutique, Belle Fleur, will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to clean and condition the stunning flowers that have landed on your doorstep, directly from Holland. She'll also guide you and offer tips on how to design and create beautiful arrangements with these blossoms, ensuring your home will look and feel amazing for the Holidays.
Amaryllis: How to Condition & Design
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Amaryllis: Guide to Conditioning & Design
Amaryllis is a very robust flower with a long stem. The stem itself is tubular, meaning it is hollow. The flower head is very large and the flowers have lasting power. We remove the guard petals and pollen buds.
The pistils contain pollen and as the flower matures, the pollen can begin to drop and stain your furniture. We like to remove them early as we condition. This can be done simply by pulling them out.
The key to longevity with Amaryllis is ensuring the stems stay structurally secure. As the flower blooms, the weight of the head stresses the stem and it can split. We insert bamboo stalks into the stem to add strength.
Amaryllis can last a long time if you treat it well. The heads will begin to bloom in a day or two and will bloom into very large flowers. They are stunning!
Ilex (Red Berry) Verticillata: Designing with Branches
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Ilex: Designing with Branches
Super robust, the Ilex branches are tall and filled with red berries. They are very easy to condition and require very little maintenance. They make for a very attractive decorative piece.
The only work needed is to trim the ends. We recommend heavy duty clippers because the branches are thick. In addition to clipping the ends, we also use the clippers to slice the branch end vertically for better hydration.
Ilex is ideal for the Holidays or for Fall decor, especially if you are looking to add color. A few berries may fall while conditioning, but generally they are very robust.
We love a white vase with these branches because it gives it a very modern appearance in contrast with the colorful berries. Makes a wonderful centerpiece or decorative item and they last a long time.
Conditioning & Designing Ranunculus
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Conditioning & Designing Ranunculus
Ranunculus is a free spirited but delicate flower. There are many leaves and smaller buds on each stem and we recommend removing all of the leaves and stripping the smaller buds off the main stem.
The flowers have multiple layers and open quickly. It's important to place them in cold water as soon as possible and change the water daily. Always trim the ends at a 45 degree angle from maximum absorption.
We remove all of the leaves because they tend to wilt very quickly and look unattractive. The flower is quite delicate and has a mild green, fresh aroma. Be careful when stripping the leaves off, these are delicate.
We love a loose, carefree arrangement to emphasize the free spirited nature of the Ranunculus. These look good in smaller vases too or in bud vases.
