My Top 10 Christmas Flowers for 2020 Pt.2

So here it is… Part Two of my Favourite Christmas flowers.

The following flowers are just a small selection of the all amazing blooms that we have at our disposal at this time of year. The winter months needn’t be dark and gloomy when there are so many stunning stems available.

1. Ilex

2. Anthurium

3. Eryngium

4. Chrysanthemum Bloom

5. Rose

Ilex 

Ilex “Verticillata”

If there was ever a Christmas stem that bought instant festivity to your floral display then Ilex is certainly at the top of the list for me. Whilst not actually a flower, Ilex (Ilex Verticillata) is a shrub originating from North America whose fruit forms through mid-winter providing us, the florist, with the perfect answer to Christmas floral décor. Although Ilex does exist in a different colours, it is the more traditional red that will prove popular at this time of year. Like a lot of my favourite stems, Ilex is perhaps best used on its own or with some very simple accompaniment. I would love a big vase full of these sumptuous berries in the home this Christmas. They last for ages and even as they mature, they still hold their form and provide minimal dropping (unless knocked!). Ilex comes in various stems lengths which means we can use it in smaller hand tied bouquets as well as larger more impactful designs.

Anthurium 

When it comes to flowers that are both low maintenance and super long lasting then look no further than the powerfully tropical Anthurium. Whilst they may not be to everybody’s taste, these majestic and sculptural blooms are a firm favourite at Christmas time for a number of reasons. Anthuriums are far from being the prettiest of flowers, but what they lack in daintiness they make up for in instant colour, impact and glossy style. The enormous range of colours means that there really is something for everyone – whether you are into the Christmas reds or cool wintery whites, soft pinks, lilacs and greens – the range of hues is staggering. Anthurium will last for weeks, literally seeing you through Christmas, New Year almost in the dawn of Spring. Some colours are better than others for longevity and the only thing they hate is cold so by keeping them away from chilly drafts (or putting them outside) you will fully appreciate the wonderful qualities of this magnificent flower.

Eryngium

Eryngium 

Eryngium is perhaps more widely known as Thistle – and occasionally referred to as Sea Holly. Its silvery blue hue captures a beautiful vibe during the festive period and these somewhat spikey flowers are as comfortable being paired up with Christmas reds as they are sitting pretty with cooler whites and greens or vintage pinks and lilacs. Like so many cut flowers there are several varieties available from larger headed “Supernova” stems to daintier and smaller “Orion” types but any of these provide a handsome touch of texture to floral bouquets. As with a lot of my Christmas favourites Eryngium is another long lasting floral hero! You will enjoy a good couple of weeks from these stems if not a bit longer.

Chrysanthemum Bloom 

Chrysanthemum “Anastasia”

I really couldn’t ignore another one of the planets most popular flowers. However, rather than the more common spray variety of chrysanthemum (seen in almost any location anywhere that sells cut flowers) I have opted for the single headed big brother of chrysanthemum the Bloom. This simply named stem is a true leader when it comes to versatility in flowers. Although way more delicate than their sometimes voluminous head might let on, the Bloom is formed by careful nurturing during growth to make sure the one single flower at the top of the gets all the goodness from the soil. This is done by removing the side buds as they grow and leads to slightly unglamorous name of “Disbud Chrysanthemums” by the mass growers. Once again the wealth of colours is astounding and not only that there any so many combinations of varieties there are literally hundreds to choose from. My own favourites would perhaps be the zesty green blooms and for Christmas the large incurve white blooms that puff out like giant snowballs. Always easy to care for – clean water and clean stems is the key – and once again, very long lasting. So don’t shun the humble Chrysanthemum, like it’s popular friend the Carnation, this is one flower that deserves to be in anyone’s favourite list.

Rose “Pearl Avalanche”

Rose

No list of favourite flowers would be complete without the inclusion of the Rose. Despite being available all year round I do feel that this most classic of British garden flowers is a must have bloom for the Christmas period. With its elegant velvety petals, dazzling array of colours and delicate floral aroma the Rose will compliment absolutely anything it is mingled with. I love to see a vase of ivory white roses, silver grey eucalyptus and natural brown birch twigs all bundled together in a vaseful of wintery delight. Contrary to opinion, the Rose is a fairly good long lasting cut flower, especially when you do the right thing and choose the best quality you can. I am pretty picky about where I buy my roses from and have a few select growers I will always look for. That said, the advances in cultivation over recent years means that the Rose is about strong and reliable as it can be. There are a few tips I’d recommend and these can be found on our website https://www.lansdowneflorist.co.uk/flower-care

So, there you have…I’m sure that you will agree with some of these but perhaps not all!

My own flower favourites change with the seasons and come the new year and with the arrival of Spring flowers I know there will be whole new selection.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and if you’ve got this far thank you!

My Top 10 Christmas Flowers for 2020 Pt.1

My Top 10 Christmas Flowers Pt.1

I have split my list of favourite flowers for Christmas into two parts and to be honest I could have easily made a Top20!

There are so many gorgeous flowers around but I have narrowed it down to those that I know people can relate to. You may even have your own favourites that aren’t listed here and it would to hear what they are!

So here goes…the first 5 for you!

1.     Amaryllis

2.     Cymbidium Orchid

3.     Carnation

4.     Hyacinth

5.     Euphorbia Fulgens

Amaryllis 

Amaryllis “Exception”

The statuesque and dynamic Amaryllis is a firm favourite of mine right through the festive period and beyond. As a cut flower it is available in a wealth of gorgeous colours from deep rich burgundy, bright Christmas red, apricot, white and two-tone striped varieties amongt many others. The blooms are usually sold as single stems and you really don’t need many to make a spectacular display at home. Just three stems with some textural foliage is enough to provide a stylish vase display for a sideboard or table. Amaryllis are picked tight in bud but will only take 2-3 days to flourish in a warm domestic environment. The wide stems are hollow and sometimes quite brittle so they are not that good for using in floral foam. Place the stems in tepid water and soon the water will be drawn up the stems so the vase may need topping up after a day or so. The stem does have a tendency to split which can provide a rather unusual decorative effect; alternatively a little bit of tape or a rubber band around the bottom of the stem will prevent this. Once the flowers have opened – there can be up to 5 flowers per stem – pick off any fading bloom to encourage the others to open. Usually though you should get a stunning show of colour from each stem as each bloom open simultaneously.

Cymbidium Orchid 

Cymbidium Orchid

Whilst not an obvious Christmas flower, the exotic Cymbidium Orchid is great choice of luxury bloom that will potentially give you weeks of floral pleasure. They are sold as stems of differing lengths and you can also get Mini-Cymbidium with smaller heads. Stems lengths will vary from around 40cm to 80cm and as with many flowers, the longer the stem the more plentiful and larger the bloom. With an 80cm Cymbidium Orchids you may well see in excess of 15 individual flowers. This stem length is my personal favourite and one stem nestled within a tall sleek glass vase can look super-chic! The Mini-Cymbidium is also very popular as it is slightly less expensive, and despite the smaller flower heads it can still pack a floral punch, especially with a 60cm stem length. Cymbidium are available in wealth of sumptuous colours – with green and dark pink or burgundy possibly being a popular choice for Christmas. These stems are incredibly low maintenance, just keep the water clean and you really don’t need to do much else. Pick off any fading flower heads as the mature at the bottom of the stem. Easy!

Carnation 

Wait! What’s this…the carnation??

Carnation “Antiqua”

Well, yes…despite the fact that this humble flower is shunned my many it is also held in great esteem by hoardes of other flower lovers. There are literally millions of carnations being bought every single day and there’s a good reason for this. Most people will already know that they are one of the longer lasting cut flowers, easily giving you at least 10 days of floral delight, even in the warmest of homes. But for me, the real beauty is the enormous range of colours that are now commercially available. I will always seek out some of the more unusual tones in colour hues that follow the trends shown in magazines and interior design. Traditionally at Christmas, florists will be selling predominantly red carnations such is the demand, but I don’t let it stop there. There are some gorgeous other colours that will bring any festive bouquet to life. Soft mint green, cool white, antique pink, warm terracotta and mocha tones will all add a splash of reliable floral colour to Christmas flower bouquets, especially when accompanied with winter foliage and accessories. Generally, carnations are very easy to look after, but like all flowers they do need be kept away from ripening fruit. The ethylene gas given off by fruit is sure fire way to minimise the life or your carnations.

So don’t avoid this most adaptable of flowers, embrace it and maybe look for some of the really exciting colours that are on offer.

Hyacinth

Scented cut Hyacinths

 There’s little to compare with the aromatic scent of hyacinth when it comes to fragrant Christmas flowers. The Hyacinth is much loved at this time of year and rightly so. Like other Spring flowers that suddenly become available at this time of year, the Hyacinth brings a feeling of hope and expectation that Spring is just around the corner and winter is in retreat. In reality of course, we are still in deep mid-winter but the heady aroma will soon lift the spirits even of the darkest, coldest of days. For Christmas my first choice would be a squat vase packed with pure white cut hyacinths. Although picked tight in bud – someone once said they look like fat asparagus! – within a day or two the delicate little florets will begin to open from the base of the stem up. Once entirely open you should see a full week of bloom but you do need to keep the water and vase very clean; a daily change of water will be required as they are quite thirsty and bacteria can build up quite quickly. The only downside, for me anyway, is the syrupy sap that is held within the stem is a fairly strong irritant – it may be wise to wear some form of glove when handling this seemingly innocent flower!

Euphorbia Fulgens 

Euphorbia Fulgens

This particular flower may be a bit of a mystery to some and I’ve included the “Fulgens” part purely because there are so many different types of Euphorbia (the ubiquitous Poinsettia being one of them) Many others survive as garden plants but this beauty has the added glory of stunning arching bracts of brightly coloured flowers. Small and delicate individually, but on mass a real burst of festive lustre is on show. Euphorbia Fulgens is available in many colours and these days two differing styles. The original commercially grown stems are long and single branching, whereas latterly a multi-branch stem has been successfully introduced to market. I would personally would go for the multi-branch or spray variety when used with other flowers or the single branch when used in isolation or with some wintery twigs. Either way, the striking Euphorbia is a sure fire winner when it comes to Christmas flowers; bursting with colour, stylish form and another good lasting bloom.

You find out more about all the seasonal flowers here by giving me a call on 01202 553318 or pop into the shop.

Amaryllis - The Statement Flower of the Moment

The Amaryllis - My Flower of the Month for December

Amaryllis is a stunning statement flower: large flowers, statuesque and stately. Its majestic form is eye-catching and hard to ignore - with smooth hollow stems and enormous flower heads, this is one bloom packed with presence. Amaryllis’ flower petals are very special: they have the luxurious look of soft velvet and come in a wide variety of colours from white, soft pastels through to punchy reds and burgandy.

The smooth leafless stem will produce up to four to six dramatic flowers that can be as much as 20 cm across. Amaryllis is the stat of any mixed bouquet, but also very suitable for an impressive solo display during the winter months.

Origin
The Amaryllis originates from South and Central America and the Caribbean, and rather surprisingly, is a member of the Narcissus family growing from large bulb.

Amaryllis or Hippeastrum? 
The flower we know as Amaryllis is actually called Hippeastrum. The name Hippeastrum comes from the Greek and literally means 'knight star', referring to the star-shaped petals: hippeus = knight and astron = star. Generally though, we always know this beautiful flower as Amaryllis and it is always marketed under that more familiar name.

Range
The more recognisable Amaryllis are the large-flowered cultivars of which a particularly beautiful range has been bred. There are the more well known varieties in red and white but to complete the range we see wide selection of colours included bi-coloured, salmon pink and claret. Less well known are the small-flowered varieties that still offer endless possibilities in bouquets and floral work. There are also various groups within the genus based on differing flower shapes which includes the stunning Cybisters with its orchid or spider varieties.

Care tips for customers

• Trim the stems diagonally with a sharp knife. The stems will split in time and this is normal. To stop this you could tape the ends or tie and little length of string around the base of the stem

• Select a sturdy glass vase. Amaryllis are quite top heavy and have very thick stems, so choose wisely!

• Make sure that the vase is very clean, fill it with fresh cool water and use cut flower food for bulb flowers.

• Place the vase in a cool spot, keep away from draughts and do not place near a fruit bowl. The ethylene gas given off by aging fruit will cause deterioration in most flowers.

• Regularly top the vase up with tap water and change if necessary. Amaryllis are thirsty blooms and the hollow stems will “suck” up a lot of water within. If you remove a stem from the vase be prepared to let it drain out first.

Images courtesy of Flower Council of Holland www.funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk

7 stylish, easy-care houseplants

Houseplants are the must-have interior accessory of the moment. If you choose low maintenance varieties, they don’t need to be hard work.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Yellow Coast’

The Dragon Tree is quite possibly the perfect houseplant. It doesn’t need that much looking after and instantly makes a room look contemporary with its sword-shaped leaves. Growing to 50ft in its native tropical Africa, it will only reach 1.2-2m high indoors. Give it a well-lit position not in direct sunlight, and keep the soil moist but not wet.

Senecio rowleyanus

This curious trailing succulent also known as string-of-beads plant is super-hip on Instagram right now. Hang it high in a stylish pot so you can admire its beautiful cascade of pea-shaped leaves. It’s pretty indestructible, tolerating little watering and only needs a few hours of sunlight a day. Plant in a gritty cactus compost.

Echeveria Blue Prince

We love this stylish succulent for its striking green-blue rosettes. It’s perfect for a sunny windowsill, but you can move it outside in the summer months, if desired. The fleshy leaves remain on the plant all year round and in the summer it produces pretty sprays of star-shaped orange flowers. For the best results, grow in a gritty, free-draining compost and only lightly water so the compost is just moist.

Echeveria affinus

Another great succulent for a sunny windowsill. Hailing from Mexico, this evergreen drought-tolerant plant with red-tinged rosettes needs little attention. Just ensure it’s growing in gritty compost and is positioned in a warm, sunny spot. Keep it lightly watered so the compost is just moist - it doesn’t like sitting in wet compost, which may cause rotting.

Epipremnum pinnatum

The fabulous devil’s ivy vine, native to the French Polynesian islands, can be used to create a stylish indoor green wall. Allow the glossy leaves to clamber along taut wire or string that’s attached to a fresh-white painted wall. It also looks great trailing from a hanging planter or along a desk or table. Water freely when in active growth in spring and summer, but ensure the compost dries out in between waterings. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’

The latin word pictus means painted, referring to the silvery variegation of this lovely evergreen climber. This smaller-leaved variety would look best in hanging planters that allow the foliage to cascade downwards. Its natural rainforest habitat means that it won’t tolerate harsh direct sunlight but needs bright, indirect light all year round. It will do well in most areas of your home as long as there’s some light coming in, and it’s fine under artificial lighting too. Water thoroughly but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Barely water throughout winter.

Scindapsus pictus ‘Treble’

A larger-leaved vine plant that looks great if allowed to grow upwards - up a plant totem or along taut wires on a wall. It doesn’t need a lot of light so will do well in most areas of the home as long as there’s some light coming in - a reason why it’s popular in artificially lit offices. These tropical climbers appreciate a cosy environment so keep them away from draughty windows, but equally don’t place too close to a radiator. Use a houseplant fertiliser about once monthly (not during winter) and water regularly so that it’s lightly dry at the top and moist near the bottom. They are very forgiving plants if they are a neglected once in a while!

How to get the best from your Summer Blooms!

Everyone loves receiving flowers or maybe you just love buying them for yourself. However, it’s not always that clear on the best way to look after them. 

Summer flowers can often be a little on the “tender” side and do not always last as long as others, especially when the outside temperature is on the up. However, with the right practices you can make a big difference!

Here’s my Top 10 for keeping your blooms fresher for longer. 

1.    Always use a clean vase. Harmful bacteria can build up very quickly when an unclean vessel is used. Clean out ceramic and glass vases with mild detergent and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and dry well.

2.    Use the flower food that should be provided. When you receive flowers, or buy flowers, from a reputable florist, a sachet or two of specific flower food solution should be included. If not, ask for some! Follow the instructions on the sachet and be careful not to overdose!

3.    Remove any leaves that sit below the water line. This will help reduce any potential bacterial build up in the water. It won’t erradicate it totally but it’s a massive help.

4.    Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife or garden snips for woody stems. By cutting at an angle you are exposing more of the internal cell structure in the stem, and it is this that takes the water up the stem. A sharp knife is the preferred tool of choice here as it produces a nice clean cut without crushing the stem at all. Harder, woodier stems are okay to be cut with snips or secateurs.

5.    Replace the water every other day. A minuscule amount of sterilizing solution will help if no flower food is left but be careful not to overdo it!

6.    Recut the stems by about 1-2cm each time you change the water This helps refresh the drinking mechanism of each stem. Flowers that are cut down to short stems will last longer - quite simply the water doesn’t have to travel as far to reach the flower!

7.    Avoid placing your flowers in direct sunlight or near any heat source. It seems fairly obvious, but this is often overlooked. Direct sun will have a massively detrimental effect of the life of your flowers as will any heat source nearby.

8.    Remove any wilting leaves or flower heads. This will encourage new buds to develop. Quite often the leaves on a stem of flowers are sapping the flower of it’s water supply, so removing them will help. Also, as individual blooms wilt on a stem, removing them will not only look nicer any slightly more immature blooms may be more encouraged to flourish!

9.    If roses flag at the head, cut the stem with a sharp knife and place it in 2cm of boiling water to force any air block out, then put it back in deep cold water. This is the most common cause of concern with roses. When a stem is out of water for any length of time, the internal stem structure is still trying to draw hydration up it’s stem. Of course when the stem is out of water, only air can be “sucked” up the stem, hence the air block. Other flowers can suffer in the same way as this, particularly those with woody stems.

10. Keep your flowers away from fruit. Ethylene gas is produced by fruit as it ripens and this has the same ripening effect on cut flowers. Fruits such as tomatoes, bananas and apple all produce high levels of the gas and therefore they will encourage the flower to up it’s own ethylene production and will cause more rapid aging.

Of course, you may have your own ways of helping your flowers last just that little be longer? If so, we would love to hear of any others tips and tricks that have made a difference!

David Ragg – Lansdowne Florist. Bournemouth’s only Town Centre Florist!

17 Amazing Houseplants that Clean the Air

We all know that houseplants are super popular right now. In fact I am often tempted to fill the whole store with plants such is the interest in all things green and gorgeous!

The other day I stumbled across this really great article about “17 Amazing Houseplants that Clean the Air” - it’s really worth checking out!

https://www.tipsbulletin.com/plants-that-clean-the-air/

Houseplant crazy!

Visit the store to see our ever changing selection!

If you are looking for anything specific in plants, especially indoor plants, and you are in our local area then please let me know. I have access to literally 000s of options via our suppliers.