Florists Review e-extra newsletter

DESIGN IDEA: FLORAL NEST Learn how to create a novel, natural nestlike container, ideal for spring flower arrangements. Leanne Kesler, AIFD, PFCI, director of the Floral Design Institute in Portland, Ore., explains the simple steps and identifies the materials you’ll need. Click here to discover her design techniques and watch the four-minute how-to video. 10 AMAZING LARGE FLORAL INSTALLATIONS Floral installations are not only a spectacle to behold but also a portrayal of great artistry in both abstract and clear forms. Check out these 10 amazing floral installations that were stunning and colossal presentations of floral art. And watch for the May issue of Florists’ Review, the theme of which is “Art For Art’s Sake.” Subscribe here to the new and completely revamped magazine, or request a free trial issue here. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FRENCH TULIPS Today is the first day of spring, and tulips are the quintessential harbingers of the season. And the tallest, largest, most spectacular and most breathtaking of all tulips are French tulips. Click here to find out everything you need to know about these long-stemmed, big-bloomed beauties. JUDITH BLACKLOCK JOINS FLORISTS’ REVIEW AS OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT Florists’ Review is proud to announce that renowned British florist, educator and author Judith Blacklock has joined our editorial team as European Correspondent from her home base in Knightsbridge, London. Click here to learn more about Judith and what she will be contributing to Florists’ Review. Subscribe here to the new and completely revamped magazine, or request a free trial issue here. EXPOFLORES ORGANIZES A NEW TRADE SHOW IN ECUADOR Expoflores, an association of Ecuadorian flower growers, used to co-organize biennial flower trade shows in Quito (called Agriflor/FlorEcuador) together with HPP Exhibitions, but that collaboration is now terminated. So Expoflores is going it alone and organizing its own new three-day show, the FlorEcuador Flower Show, set to debut in September/October 2018. HPP will continue to produce Agriflor, solely, which is currently scheduled to take place Oct. 3-5, 2018. Click here to read more about it. AND THE WINNER IS … The spectacular April issue of Florists’ Review hits the mail today, so watch for your copy! In it, we reveal the winners of this year’s “Picture-Perfect Weddings” contest and showcase one photo from every entry. In addition, we have an amazing feature on multicultural weddings you won’t want to miss. Click here to subscribe to the new and completely revamped magazine, or request a free trial issue. 15 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ROSES The rose is not just the most loved flower in the world, it is also the flower that is regarded as the best representation of love. Did you know that the rose is edible, can live for a very long time, has been mentioned in the bible and is a great source of vitamin C? Check out these facts about roses that you might not know.  ST. PATRICK’S DAY SPENDING REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH Americans planned to spend more than ever — $5.3 billion — to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Click here to find out what they bought and how much they spent per person, on average. FTD OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND CONVENTIONS AND CLASSES FTD University is providing 20 scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to attend FTD Boot Camp, the AIFD National Symposium and the SAF Convention. The scholarships are available to FTD Member Florists and their employees. Hurry, though. The deadline for applications is April 1. You can submit an application at FTDi.com/FTDUniversity. CONSUMERS PLAN TO SAVE THEIR TAX REFUNDS FOR LATER A record low number of Americans will spend their tax returns this year while the second-highest number on record will put the money into savings, according to the annual tax return survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. RESEARCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE If you have a floriculture research project that needs financing, now is the time to apply to the American Floral Endowment (AFE). Click here to learn more. The application deadline is June 1. THE ART OF FLOWER ARRANGING by Paula Pryke, OBE Hot off the presses, this newest book from Paula Pryke, Britain’s acclaimed master floral designer, is created to inspire expert flower arrangers and novices alike to compose both classic and contemporary floral arrangements for around the home, for gifts and for special events. In this book, Paula explores how to move from the source of inspiration to the glorious finished flower arrangement. She ties together key aspects of making a good arrangement: mixing color, form, shape, texture, and scale; being inspired by how plants and flowers combine in nature; using foliage and fruit for visual surprise; and much more. Also included are sections on tools and equipment and a catalog of flowers organized into thematic types, which helps with planning and combining the ideal flower to create specific looks. Hardcover. 288 pages. PPAF317 - $45.00 Click here to order or learn more about this exciting and inspirational new book!

Christina Burton-Fox AIFD floral artist & instructor