cascade, Author at Cascade Floral Wholesale

Posted on 04/11/2022 by cascade

How to Make a Corsage in 5 Easy Steps

Florist at work: How to make a wrist corsage. Step by step, tutorial.

A great way to save money and have fun while completing a DIY project with fresh flowers is by making your own corsage. Whether it’s for a prom, wedding, or another special event, making a corsage requires just a few supplies and a few simple steps to follow. Here at Cascade Flowers Wholesale, we’re listing everything you need to create a pretty corsage for yourself or someone else in no time at all.

Make a Fresh Flower Corsage in 5 Simple Steps

Supplies: Ribbon, shears, floral tape and wire, floral glue (or hot glue gun), wristlet.

Florals: 1 to 3 hardy flowers, 1-2 types of greenery, a filler flower

Step 1. Prep your flowers

Make sure the flowers you have chosen have been prepped so they are ready for you to work with. For example, guard petals should be removed along with any excess greenery, stems should be trimmed, and then the blooms should be placed in water until it’s time for you to make the corsage. For any greenery, trim each sprig down to about three inches. (For tips on the best flowers to use for corsages, go here).

Step 2. Cut and bind

Cut the stems off the flowers so that only ½ to 1 inch of stem directly underneath the bud remains. Wrap wire around the stems. This makes it easier to bend and move the flowers into your desired position. After wrapping with wire, start from the top of the bloom and wrap floral tape around the stem twice.

Step 3. Assemble the primary blooms

Tape all of the primary flowers you are using together into one bundle. Next, tape the filler flower stems together in a separate bundle. Bind the two bundles together with wire, trim the ends, and then wrap with floral tape.

Step 4. Attach flowers to the wristlet

Use florist wire to attach the bundle of flowers to a wristband, bracelet, or wristlet. The stem of the flowers should be pointing to the elbow.

Step 5. Attach ribbon

Use one wide ribbon or several smaller ribbons to form a bow. Use either wire or glue to hold the bow’s shape and adhere it to the bundle of flowers. After the bow is attached, your corsage is ready to wear!

Tip: Make your corsage no sooner than the day before your event to keep the flowers at their freshest.

Interested in making a boutonniere, also? Then check out our How to Make a Boutonniere in 5 Easy Steps blog!

For all your floral needs, Cascade Floral Wholesale is your first stop!

Posted on 03/28/202203/28/2022 by cascade

The Best Flowers to Use for DIY Corsages & Boutonnières

Florist at work: Steps of making wrist corsage for autumn wedding. Woman making beautiful bouquet of pink roses and heather.

Corsages and boutonnieres are mini bouquets of flowers worn for a variety of occasions such as weddings, proms, dinner parties, special events, and anniversaries. If you enjoy crafting and want a go at creating your own corsages and boutonnieres then the first step is to know which blooms are best suited for these wearable works of art. The floral experts here at Cascade break it down for you to ensure you’ll have hearty blooms that will last and remain looking fresh and fantastic for your corsages and boutonnieres.

Best Types of Flowers for Corsages

Corsages are typically composed of three to five flowers that complement the wearer’s dress or the color theme of the event. Hardy flowers that can stand up to heat, constant movement, and no water source are what you’re going to want.

Roses

Roses are a popular choice for corsages because they are beautiful, come in a large assortment of colors, have hardy stems that can hold up to wear and tear, and have a lovely, sweet scent. Different-colored roses also symbolize different emotions and sentiments, so they are perfect for adding a “secret” or symbolic message to your corsage. Roses, or their smaller cousins, Spray Roses, can be used in bud form or fully opened with smaller blooms surrounding them for a classic, traditional look.

Carnations

Carnations are also widely used in corsages due to the wide variety of single and two-toned colors they come in and their long-lasting quality. Corsages made up of all carnations in different colors or in the same colors are attractive and popular. As with roses, certain colors depict different emotions so use them accordingly.

Chrysanthemums

Mums are a classic choice and have been used for decades in corsages and boutonnieres due to their hardiness, wide array of bright colors, and shape variations. A striking bloom with numerous elongated petals, mums draw attention for all the right reasons.

Orchids

If you’re going for a more elegant and exotic look, choose an orchid flower for your corsage. Beautiful Phalaenopsis orchids come in bright hues such as vivid pinks, yellows, and purples, as well as white, soft pinks, light greens, and lavender. Orchid blooms look striking against a white or light-colored gown or a dark blue, gray, or black lapel. Due to their delicate petals, orchids are typically pinned directly onto the garment instead of worn on the wrist. A large orchid bloom surrounded by smaller accent blooms such as baby’s breath and trimmed with ribbon offers an elegant touch.

Calla Lily

Another lovely and striking bloom that should be directly pinned to the garment is the Calla lily. Typically available year-round, this beautiful bloom comes in white, red, pink, peach, and dark purple.

Wax Flower

A charming small flower with a waxy appearance, these pretty blooms are excellent accent flowers surrounding larger, stand-out blooms in corsages and boutonnieres. In shades of light pink, white, or lilac, wax flowers provide subtle color and texture making your piece more attractive.

Lisianthus

The elegant and lovely lisianthus are often compared to roses but are much more delicate looking. Don’t let its appearance fool you though, as this bloom is known for its hardiness and long vase life which make it a great choice for corsages and boutonnieres.

All of the above flowers are great choices for making boutonnieres as well! Wearing flowers to dances and festive occasions has been done for centuries and it’s a great way to make any event stand out and extra special. For all your flower needs and corsage-making materials, visit Cascade for the very best quality and freshest blooms.

Posted on 03/13/202203/14/2022 by cascade

How to Make a Boutonniere in 5 Easy Steps

For those who like to take on DIY projects, or if you’re looking for a way to save money on your wedding, then you may want to consider making your own boutonnieres and corsages. It’s not that hard and you’ll have a completely unique design all your own being worn by the bridal party and getting captured in pictures. Just follow the below simple instructions and let your creativity take over.

How to Make a Boutonniere

Before purchasing materials, decide just how many boutonnieres you will be making. The guide on who wears them is pretty flexible and up to the bride and groom, ultimately. Just having the groom wear a boutonniere is acceptable, or one for every groomsman or all the important males in the wedding, from dads to ringbearers. If you’ll be making a lot of them, you can save upwards of $20 per boutonniere! Here’s how:

Choose the best blooms for boutonnieres

Hearty flowers that can hold up without a water source are best for boutonnieres. You’ll also want to select flowers and colors that will blend in with the overall floral design of the wedding. Blooms such as Spray Roses, Pansies, Ranunculus, Tulips, Mums, Calla Lilies, Billy Balls, and Carnations are all good options. Greenery and smaller accompanying flower choices include Baby’s Breath, Ivy, Eucalyptus, Heather, Italian Ruscus, Queen Anne’s Lace, or Wax Flowers.

Materials Needed for Making a Boutonniere

Once you’ve selected your preferred blooms, there are a few more items needed to pull everything together: floral scissors or stem cutters, pins, floral tape, and ribbon (optional). The floral tape is a must-have as it is used to wrap around the flower stems sealing them which helps prevent wilting. If you want the floral tape covered up, adding a ribbon is a great way to hide it.

Make a Boutonniere in 5 Easy Steps

1. Gather your flowers and greenery. Decide on 1 or 2 statement blooms, 2-3 smaller accent blooms, and greenery.

2. Cut all the stems to your desired length for the boutonniere. (A stem length of 2-3 inches is ideal for working with). Make sure stems are clean and any leaves from the lower parts have been removed.

3. Create your arrangement. Start with the statement bloom and add additional accents and greenery behind it. Play around with the arrangement, put an accent flower in front, for example, until you like what you see.

4. Once you’ve settled on your design, wrap all the stems tightly with the floral tape. Neatly trim the stems of your boutonniere to the one-inch mark. If desired, wrap a ribbon around the floral tape starting at the bottom and continuing until the base of the flowers. Tie a knot and secure with a pin.

5. Use the pins to affix to the boutonniere to the lapel of the wearer’s jacket, step back and admire your work!

When to Make Your Boutonniere

If you have time in the morning of the ceremony, that’s the best time to make your boutonnieres, just store them in a cool, dry place. Do not put them in the fridge. If you need to make them the night before, leave the stems exposed and place the boutonniere in a shallow cup of water. Leave in a cool, dry place overnight avoiding the fridge.

Posted on 02/28/202203/04/2022 by cascade

Early Spring Flowers to Brighten Your Home

With winter almost over and spring about to debut its magnificent flowers and foliage, we can’t help but get excited about the bright, pretty blooms we’ll soon be seeing everywhere. For those of you who want to get a jump on decorating your home with bright and beautiful spring florals, here are a few early spring bloomers you can bring into your home now.

Springtime and Spring Flowers

When the days start getting longer and the temperatures get warmer, spring flowers are ready to burst open spreading their beauty, color, and joy all across the land. Springtime blooms are some of the most lush, fragrant, bright, and beautiful flowers of the year. It’s no wonder flower lovers eagerly anticipate the spring blooming season which is almost upon us. But, for those of you who want a little spring in their lives now, you’re in luck! There are a number of wonderful spring florals that bloom even when the weather is still a little cool, and we list them below. Don’t wait! Go ahead and welcome the imminent spring season with some of the early spring bloomers below.

Vibrant Early Spring Flowers for Your Home

These early spring blooms are beautiful, fresh, and fragrant and will brighten any area of your home with their dazzling colors.

1. Tulips

Tulips are colorful, classic blooms that herald the start of spring. There is a wide assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from to add a pop of color to your home. Tulips are known for having blossoms that are almost perfectly symmetrical. For spring occasions, we love a collection of bright pink tulips for a cheerful boost. You can also have a bright mixed bouquet of spring tulips in yellow, pink, orange, red. Tulips generally symbolize love with specific colors having their own meanings. For example, yellow tulips symbolize cheerful thoughts, red tulips represent true love, and white tulips symbolize forgiveness.

2. Roses

Roses also bloom in nearly every color of the rainbow. Although roses are available all year round, their blooming season is spring, which means they’re at their freshest, most beautiful, and most affordable. Roses are known for symbolizing love and romance, but each color of rose also has its own meaning. Red, of course, is love, passion, and romance, yellow is friendship, orange desire, white innocence and purity, pink admiration, and lavender love at first sight.

3. Pansies

Pansies prefer the slightly cooler weather and bloom in early spring and fall. These beloved blooms have flat petals and a wide-open face that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Pansies symbolize loving feelings, happiness, and positivity. Bold-colored pansies look amazing in bridal bouquets and a vase of multi-colored pansies are perfect for adding a pop of color and style to your home.

4. Irises

Irises get their name from the Greek word for “rainbow” as they bloom in nearly every color. With shades of blue, purple, pink, orange, red, and yellow, their symbolic meanings are as varied as their appearance and range from purity to passion. The elegant, lovely bloom of the iris flower has also made it a popular symbol of monarchs and royalty throughout history.

5. Crocus

Crocuses bloom early in spring, often pushing up through a snow-covered ground to reveal their bright, striking petals in a hopeful first sign of spring. Crocus flowers bloom close to the ground and burst forth in shades of white, purple, yellow, and dusty pink. The crocus symbolizes youthfulness and cheerfulness — two things everyone wants to experience in spring.

6. Daffodils

Daffodils are a popular early spring flower as their yellow trumpet-shaped bloom heralds the arrival of the spring. Yellow is the most common daffodil color, but they do also come in cream, white, orange, and sometimes pink. A bloom that announces winter is over, daffodils symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, just like the season of spring does.

7. Freesia

A lovely bloom with an even lovelier fragrance, freesia comes in a wide array of bright, bold, and beautiful colors. Freesia flowers are popular cut flowers due to their vivid color, sweet fragrance, and long vase life. Symbolizing purity, innocence, and friendship, freesia flowers are often used in welcoming the birth of a baby, baptisms, christenings, and weddings, too.

Celebrate the Beginning of Spring with These Early Bloomers

There’s no better way to welcome spring than to bring the beauty of the season into your home. A bouquet of early spring flowers will instantly brighten your home, add a lovely scent to the air, and revive and refresh your spirits! Get your early spring boost today! For all your floral needs, Cascade Floral Wholesale is here for you.

Posted on 02/14/202202/14/2022 by cascade

Beloved Baby’s Breath Is Making a Comeback

Baby’s Breath is a popular, yet frequently overlooked, that is frequently found in wedding florals. Often used as a filler flower, it’s starting to finally get the attention it deserves — Baby’s Breath’s time to shine is happening now. This inexpensive, dainty, and lovely bloom is perfect for weddings and shows its style in many non-wedding floral arrangements, too. One of our favorites here at Cascade Floral Wholesale, read more to discover why this tiny bloom is becoming a big deal in modern floral arrangements.

Often used to fill in the gaps and create more volume in bouquets consisting of mostly larger blooms, Baby’s Breath became tired and overlooked because it was used so frequently in these limited capacities. Florists today, though, are using this very versatile flower in a whole new way creating amazing works of floral design by enhancing the cluster of tiny delicate blooms like we’ve never seen before.

What Is Baby’s Breath?

Baby’s Breath is a short-stemmed plant that has tiny clusters of white, or pale pink, blooms and is native to North America. It’s a member of the Gypsophila genus which has around 35 different plants. It grows in abundance making it quite affordable and also has a sweet, light fragrance.

What Is the Symbolism of Baby’s Breath?

Baby’s Breath has long been used as a symbol of purity, innocence, hope, and new beginnings. For these reasons, it has been traditionally used in wedding bouquets and baby showers. In many cultures, Baby’s Breath is given to new mothers for good luck, which is how this flower got its name. Baby’s Breath blooms have also been traditionally used to symbolize devotion to a relationship, whether it’s with your partner, family, or friends.

The symbolism of different-colored Baby’s Breath is white for spirituality, innocence, and purity; blue for honesty and respect, pink for gentleness and youth; orange for happiness and joy; red for love and romance; and purple for beauty and nobility.

New Ways Baby’s Breath Is Being Used

A staple in most bridal bouquets and other wedding florals, Baby’s Breath is being utilized in much more creative ways today and putting a spotlight on these refreshingly delicate, pure, sweet blooms. Here are a few design trends with Baby’s Breath we’re seeing now.

Bunches of only Baby’s Breath placed in simple glass jars as table decor.
A bundle of Baby’s Breath wrapped up for a charming and minimalist wedding bouquet.
Sprinkled throughout the hair of brides, bridesmaids, and flower girls.
Baby’s Breath blooms are perfect for adding to a boutonnière and a corsage.

Tied to wedding chairs or placed in pots to line the wedding aisle.
Suspended from the ceiling or woven into a flower arch.
Baby’s Breath is perfect for adding charm and whimsy to a wedding cake.
Baby’s Breath used in large quantities to decorate a long table or cascade down a staircase. The immense number of tiny blooms provides a shimmery and fluffy effect that is super cool.
Arranged as a flower backdrop in a variety of colors to create a striking display.

Next time you are ready to create your own floral design, take another look at Baby’s Breath and let your imagination go wild – this is one versatile bloom up for the task!

For all your floral needs, contact Cascade Floral Wholesale for the best quality florals.

Posted on 01/31/202201/31/2022 by cascade

5 Ways to Preserve Your Flowers

Few things are more beautiful than a fresh, colorful bouquet of fragrant flowers, and the fact that their beauty is fleeting is a part of their charm. However, if you have your heart set on keeping your pretty blooms around well beyond a few weeks, then try one of the methods below to preserve your special memories and your special bouquet.

How to Preserve Flowers

There are several different methods of preserving flowers that vary in cost and difficulty, as well as how the finished product looks. There are some delicate florals, though, which may not do well with any type of preservation. Trial and error and a little patience will go long way in developing what may end being an enjoyable hobby.

1. Air Drying

A simple and inexpensive way to preserve roses forever is to air dry them. Choose roses with stems that are already fairly dry and with blooms that have not yet begun to wither. Trim the stems, remove the leaves, and then hang them upside down to dry. Tape them to a wall or tie them to hook in a cool, dark room to preserve the color. After a week or two, your flowers should be dried and preserved. Tip: Use hairspray to keep the blooms and petals in place when they are hung upside down.

2. Pressing

A common method of preserving flowers that has been used for centuries, placing blossoms between the pages of a heavy book is tried and true. Choose a flower that is at its peak and make sure it is not wet. If the bloom you have chosen is particularly full and has an abundance of petals, pinch out a few that are in the center so it will flatten easier when placed between the pages of a book. If pressing more than one flower, flip the pages to allow for 1/8th of an inch thickness between them. Once the blooms are firmly placed within the pages of a book, close it and place several heavy books on top for added weight. Leave for 2-3 weeks. If the flower is dry to the touch, it’s ready to be removed and used however you like!

3. Silica Gel

Silica gel is great to use if you want to preserve the color and shape of the rose as closely as possible. Select your rose and remove the stem so only the head of the rose remains. Fill a plastic container with several inches of silica gel, and place the rose within so that it is facing up. Slowly add more silica gel making sure all the small bits get in between the petals. Try not to squish or flatten the rose as how it rests in the silica gel is how it will be preserved. Once the rose looks completely dry, typically in 2 to 3 weeks, it can be removed from the solution. Use a tiny brush to remove any leftover silica beads from inside the flower and the preservation process is complete.

4. Glycerin

For a lifelike method of preservation, glycerin is the way to go. Glycerin replaces the water in the flower which keeps the stems, leaves, and blossom supple. It’s expensive, though, and the color fades after a while, which is why some hobbyists add food coloring or other dyes to preserve the color. Select your flower in peak condition and cut the stem to six inches. Cut the stem on a diagonal and peel off a little bit of skin from the base of the stem. Combine 2 parts warm water to 1 part glycerin in a pitcher. Place your bloom into this solution and leave it be for 2-3 weeks. If the petals are rubbery and pliable, then it’s ready to be removed.

5. Resin

If you have gorgeous dahlia or rose, or another remarkable bloom, you’d like to preserve forever, consider putting it in resin. Using resin is also a great way to create one-of-kind art that will display your precious blooms. Before starting, make sure your flower is completely dry. Next, mix the resin according to package instructions and use tweezers to place the bloom within the solution. Allow the resin to cure for 2-3 days and then remove from the mold. Sand off any rough edges and admire your finished piece.

Need fresh, high-quality blooms at affordable prices? Then visit Cascade’s online catalog of flowers and supplies for all your floral hobbies or events.

Posted on 01/20/2022 by cascade

Popular Types of Roses Used by Florists

Close up of multi colored Circus Roses, yellow with red and orange tips using a soft focus

Roses are the most popular flowers in the world and are loved by gardeners and florists alike. The types of roses you see in a garden, though, may differ from the types of roses seen in a florist shop and vice versa. Out of the thousands of species and varieties of roses, not all of them are suitable for cut flowers to place in an arrangement. Both gardeners and florists look for the same traits in roses, such as gorgeous blooms, drought tolerance, and an aversion to pests and diseases. Florists also look for rose varieties that are colorful and fragrant, hold up well during transport and handling, have long stems, and have a long vase life. If you’re curious about the rose varieties many florists carry, we list them for you below.

Long-Stemmed Roses

Long-stem roses are variations of hybrid tea roses and are the most common types of roses sold as cut flowers and used by florists. With stems at least 6 inches long and blooms 5 inches wide, long-stem roses are great for use in bouquets and floral arrangements.

Long-stemmed roses are usually hybrid-tea types that have long dramatic stems with a single large flower and a pointed, tightly wrapped bud before reaching full bloom. Red long-stemmed roses are mainstays in a florist’s shop where they are typically sold by the dozen. There are also assorted colored long-stemmed roses that came in a wide range of colors, with the more popular ones being yellow, pink, peach, white, and cream. Most long-stemmed roses have very little or no scent.

Sweetheart Roses

“Sweetheart Roses” is a term that refers to any small rose of the hybrid tea type.

Short-Stem Roses

Beautiful and more fragrant than long-stemmed roses, short-stem roses have few thorns and shorter stems. Due to their shorter stems, this type of rose works better in a mixed arrangement or smaller vase.

From the famous rose breeder David Austin, “old-fashioned” English roses have shorter stems, an abundance of petals, and a lovely, sweet fragrance.

Floribunda

A common long-stemmed variety, the Floribunda rose is a cross between the polyantha and hybrid tea roses. The stems are very long and atop each is a cluster of roses, instead of just one. This is a hardy rose variety with gorgeous blooms that come in many colors and have a long vase life.

Popular Types of Roses by Color

Red Roses

Freedom Rose – A staple in many florists’ shops and the best-selling rose in the U.S., this striking bloom has the perfect shade of red and a long vase life.

Orange Roses

Circus Rose – A bi-colored rose of red and yellow that takes an orange hue so close to the actual color it’s astounding. The large blossom and stunning color make it an excellent choice for any floral design.

Peach Roses

Juliette by David Austin Roses – A wedding favorite, this voluptuous English rose bloom has a soft yet luminous peach color and a light tea fragrance.

Pink Roses

Sweet Akito – Another favorite wedding rose, its soft, delicate pink color is absolutely beautiful.

Lavender

Cool Water – A lovely and enchanting shade of bright lavender makes this rose variety a real standout.

White

Tibet Rose – A popular white flower found in many florist shops, this rose opens into a beautiful creamy white blossom that lasts a long time.

For all of your wholesale floral needs, Cascade Wholesale Flowers is your best choice for fresh, quality blooms.

Posted on 01/04/202201/04/2022 by cascade

The Lovely Carnation – January’s Birth Flower

Pink flower isolated on white background

Scientifically known as “Dianthus caryophyllus,” the carnation has a rich and meaningful history. Delicate, delightful, and durable, carnations are only second the rose in being used in bouquets. “Dianthus” loosely translates to “flower of the gods” or “flower of love.” The carnation is one of the world’s oldest cultivated flowers and has been revered for centuries – all the way back to Ancient Greece and Rome.

Symbolism of Carnations

In general, the carnation flower signifies love, distinction, and fascination. Different colored carnations also have their own symbolism:

White carnations = good luck and pure love

Pink carnations = gratitude and a mother’s love

Light red carnations = admiration

Dark red carnations = passionate, deep love

Purple carnations = whimsical, impulsive

Yellow carnations = disappointment, rejection

Fun Facts About the Carnation

Carnations are edible: This popular bloom is often used to decorate desserts and salads. Carnations have also been used for over 400 to flavor wine, beer, and liquor drinks.
Carnations have a long life: Carnations can live up to two years, and they can remain fresh for two weeks after being uprooted.
Carnations come in almost every color: Their natural colors are pinkish-purple, but through selective breeding, carnations can now be found in shades white, orange, red, yellow, blue, and green.
You can change the color of a white carnation: Just place a fresh cut carnation into water that has the food coloring mixture of your choice, and watch the magic happen as the petals absorb the color overnight.
Carnations have medicinal properties: In the past carnations have been used to treat hair loss, skin problems, muscle aches, and mental distress.
Greeks and Romans used carnations in garlands. This is why many people think the word “carnation,” a derivative of the Greek word “coronation,” comes from.
Carnations are native to Eurasia: They are not native to Australia but have been grown commercially there since 1954.

Recently, carnations have come to be associated with a mother’s love and are therefore a popular bloom for Mother’s Day. Besides this holiday, though, carnations are popular year-round and a favorite choice of many florists for a variety of different occasions. They are one of the most widely recognized flowers in the world and continue to delight and captivate people with their charm and decorative frilly allure.

The numerous colors, beauty, and different sentiments these flowers can express are a testament to the power and popularity of this classic beauty. A floral mainstay from antiquity to now, the carnation has proven itself to be a long-lasting flower and worthy contender of the rose.

For fresh-cut carnations or any of your floral needs, Cascade Floral Wholesale is here for you.

Posted on 12/07/202112/07/2021 by cascade

Winter Blooming Flowers for Your Bridal Bouquet

If you thought there might be a dearth of pretty florals during a cold-weather ceremony, you are about to be surprised. Getting married during the winter opens you up to a variety of gorgeous seasonal blooms that are quite striking and unlike other flowers typically seen throughout the rest of the year. Below you’ll find some inspirational winter wedding bouquets as well as popular cold-weather blooms to consider using in your event decoration. For all your flower needs, regardless of season, Cascade Floral Wholesale is here to make all your special occasions and events perfectly flowerful!

5 Beautiful Winter Bridal Bouquet Ideas

Including seasonal blooms in your event, regardless of the time of year, is the best way to guarantee your floral decor is fresh and harmonizes with the season. Plus, sourcing currently blooming florals is eco-friendly. For inspiration to whet your appetite for beautiful winter bridal bouquets, browse through the stunning styles below.

Green & White – Mimicking the look of snow with winter greens, bridal bouquets with white and green have an ethereal, season-appropriate elegance.

Dusty Hues – This sumptuous bouquet has soft-colored flowers in dusty peach and lavender with contrasting dark purple tulips and waxflowers for an enchanting look.

Peachy Naturals – Ranunuculas in soft peach and cream shades are joined with other muted colors that emanate warmth and quiet notes of romance.

Wine & Plummy – Jewel tones are perfect for capturing the magical beauty of a winter wedding as seen in the above bouquet that has purple roses, burgundy blooms, and a striking protea.

Dark and Dramatic – Moody yet enchanting, these dramatic blooms in dark purple, burgundy, red, and green showcase their stark beauty against a backdrop of winter whites and neutrals.

Popular Winter Flowers

Amaryllis

This large, winter flower comes in colors such as red, pink, and orange as well as bicolored red and white. Their presence is perfect for adding brightness and a pop of color to neutral or muted winter bouquets

Anemone

A stunning bloom with a dramatic dark disc at its center, anemones always make a statement. For winter bouquets, numerous white anemones reflect the white landscape in an enchanting and magic way.

Calla Lily

Elegant and bold, a bouquet of just burgundy calla lilies adds drama and sophistication at the same time. Against a white dress and snow, it’s absolutely striking.

Camellia

A large, stunning flower with an abundance of petals, the camellia bloom is always a good choice for winter wedding decor.

Gardenias

For winter weddings, the gardenia is another great choice when going for a green and white look with the added bonus of a divine scent.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus flowers add instant romance and glamour. Coming in a variety of colors such as white, cream, peach, pink, red, and purple, there’s no reason not to have this lovely bloom in your wedding decor.

Sweet Pea

A sweet flower with sweet blooms and a sweet scent, the lovely and charming sweet pea looks right at home in your winter wedding decor.

Tulips

Always a classic choice and full of romance, tulips are a great choice for winter wedding bouquets. Choose from tulips in white, red, orange, purple, yellow, or peach to blend with any wedding color palette.

Winter flowers are some of the most enchanting blooms we see all year which is why they’ll make your winter wedding truly exceptional. Beyond the blooms themselves, winter bouquets also typically include natural seasonal elements such as berries, seed pods, blue thistle, and pine cones

Posted on 11/22/202111/22/2021 by cascade

Ideas for Creating Gorgeous Holiday Bouquets

There’s nothing more beautiful than a vase of seasonal, gorgeous fresh blooms adorning your holiday table, or adorning any room in your home. Creating simple yet stunning floral bouquets is easy, and the experts at Cascade Floral Wholesale have a few pointers for you.

Use Flowers and Trimmings in the Colors of the Season

White, red, blue, and green are popular colors of the holiday season. Create a lovely arrangement by adding white seasonal flowers with touches of red flowers (or berries) and green accents for a holiday arrangement. Wonderful combinations include white flowers such as spider mums, camellia blooms, or anemones paired with red hypericum berries, red roses, or red carnations with seasonal greens such as pine or fir, with pine cones for a rustic touch.

Other unique elements to include if you like the rustic look include scabiosa pods, blue thistle, cotton flowers, feathers, sticks, and eucalyptus stems as seen in the below arrangement.

Besides red flowers and berries, you can get creative with your holiday arrangement by adding red in the form of ornament balls, red velvet ribbon, or even apples.

Lots of greenery such as pine, fir, and juniper with a few white florals is charming, elegant, and brings the wonderful fragrance of winter into your home. The beautiful centerpiece below is composed of red carnations, white flowers, white cotton flowers, and an abundance of seasonal pine and fir greenery.

Other seasonal flowers to experiment with are anemones, amaryllis, wax flowers, and eucalyptus.

The below charming arrangement is highlighted with a single beautiful amaryllis bloom paired with white spider mums, hypericum berries, and fresh pine.

If an all-white bouquet is more your style, then you have plenty of seasonal blooms to choose from such as white roses, lilies, and hydrangea with pine cones and a decorative gold ribbon for holiday accents.

Add a touch of blue into your white bouquet with ornaments to highlight the beauty of the delicate textures of elegant whites blooms such as lilies, carnations, roses, and baby breaths surrounded by green accents.

Creating beautiful holiday arrangements is fun and easy. Get your hands on some seasonal blooms from Cascade Wholesale and let your creativity go. There are so many ways to make it festive by adding beads, bells, acorns, Santa figurines, and more. Pick us some pine or fir or stick from your yard to add to your arrangement for an instant touch of rustic beauty. Your friends will be impressed, your home will smell great, and your holiday table will be complete!

Posted on 11/08/2021 by cascade

Why We Love Spider Mums

What Are Spider Mums?

Spider Mums are a type of chrysanthemum and can be found all over the world. They are a perennial plant that probably originated in China as the chrysanthemum did. Spider mums are an example of the standard Chyrsathemum with each stem producing a single large bloom. Florists love spider mums for their exotic beauty, range of lovely colors, and various symbolism. Plus, they have a long vase-life, which is typically three weeks when the stems are regularly cut and given fresh water.

Spider Mums Characteristics

Spider mums are easily identifiable by their elongated, spindly petals that surround a spherical head of tightly packed skinny petals. The slender tube-like petals resemble the lanky legs of spiders which is how it got its name. Spider mums grow in colors such as red, white, pink, yellow, orange, lavender, and green.

Also called the Fuji mum, there are several different types of spider mums that grow in different colors and sizes. A typical spider mum bloom ranges about 6 inches across. Spider mums have a spicy, earthy fragrance that is light and pleasant.

Spider Mums Meaning

Spider mums take on different meanings based on their context, whether they are in a wedding bouquet, sympathy bouquet, or romantic bouquet.

Weddings: Due to their unique shape, wide range of bright colors, and charming appeal, spider mums are frequently seen in wedding arrangements and bridal bouquets. When headed down the aisle, the spider mum frequently means liveliness and joy. If they are white, they also symbolize purity and truth.

Elopement: An outdated, but fun, tradition of someone showing up on your doorstep personally delivering a package of white spider mums means they want you to elope with them.

Sympathy: When used in sympathy bouquets or funeral arrangements, spider mums represent peace. In Europe and other countries, mums symbolize death, and spider mums often adorn the graves of loved ones.

There are many diverse meanings spider mums, and all mums in general, take on in different cultures. In China, mums are particularly revered as they symbolize long life and good fortune. Those who live in Great Britain see mums as a symbol of happiness, joy, and longevity. In the U.S., mums represent happiness, health, and friendship.

Spider Mum Uses

Spider mums add wonderful texture, charm, and color to any arrangement. They are versatile enough to pair well with most other flowers. When grouped together in a vase with only other spider mums, it’s absolutely stunning. Spider mums make a great gift for any occasion!

To peruse our collection of spider mums or other florals, check out our online catalog of fresh flowers now!

Posted on 10/25/202110/25/2021 by cascade

Why You Should Use Eucalyptus Greenery in Floral Arrangements

Eucalyptus is a popular type of greenery featured in many flower bouquets due to its versatility and many varieties that come in lovely shades of green with smooth round leaves. Eucalyptus is fashionable and chic with numerous applications that enhance a variety of arrangements from boho to glam, classic to modern, and vintage to elegant. Choose eucalyptus for greenery that creates a beautiful look in any floral design. Keep reading to find out what makes eucalyptus so special and why it’s the perfect greenery for all occasions.

With over 600 species, you’ll have no trouble quickly accessing eucalyptus for your floral arrangements. Also, being an evergreen plant, it will be available year-round. Greenery in weddings and other special events is starting to play a more prominent role, and eucalyptus is one of the most popular greens. Pairing well with any color palette, this plant makes a statement whether used in large or small amounts.

Popular Types of Eucalyptus

Silver Dollar: Featuring large, round leaves in a silvery green color, this variety works well in any flower design giving it a fresh, straight-from-the-garden look. Silver dollar eucalyptus is also great for decorating arches, doorways, and garlands.

Seeded: Featuring oblong-shaped silvery green leaves and bunches of small seeds, this variety brings a touch of boho chic and elegance to any arrangement.

Spiral: With a tall, stiff stem sprouting circular leaves, this eucalyptus variant is popular for adding a vertical element, texture, color, and a lovely fragrance.

Gunni: Featuring numerous, small delicate leaves in a muted silvery-green color, this is another popular variety that adds a stylish garden look and an abundance of greenery.

The versatility of the eucalyptus is one of its main appeals. Its leaves can be tossed down the aisle for a beautiful, woodsy look, placed on the cake for decoration, or in the bride’s hair. The stems can be hung from doorways or arches, used to make wreaths or garlands, placed in wedding bouquets, or added to tables and chairs for decoration.

Eucalyptus is also known for its medical benefits and is often used in natural remedies to alleviate colds, congestion, and cough. When used as greenery in a bouquet, there are also benefits. For example, eucalyptus is:

Hypoallergenic and good for allergy sufferers
Deters insects and keeps pesky biting bugs at bay
Pleasantly fragrant with a soothing smell that pairs well with other scented blossoms.

Flowers that Pair Well With Eucalyptus

Roses: Deep green-colored eucalyptus paired with lighter-colored roses is a striking combination bringing attention to the contrasting shades of hues. Pale-colored eucalyptus combined with pale roses also creates a stunning all-pastel bouquet that evokes elegance and romance.

Peonies: An abundance of eucalyptus greens with a few peonies creates a beautiful boho look, while eucalyptus paired with only white peonies create a lovely chic aesthetic.

Hydrangea: Offering the beauty and texture and hydrangeas to shine, eucalyptus leaves complement the blooms without competing with them, producing a simple yet elegant bouquet.

Waxflowers, succulents, and ranunculus are also great options that pair well with eucalyptus, as this lovely greenery enhances the elegance and chicness of these blooms.

When designing your bouquet or looking for greenery to add to an upcoming wedding or special event, you can’t go wrong with eucalyptus. Bringing elegance, fragrance, style, and garden freshness, the versatile eucalyptus is an excellent choice for your floral decor.

Posted on 10/17/2021 by cascade

Different Types of Greenery to Make Your Bouquet Complete

Oftentimes the greenery used in an arrangement of flowers gets overlooked, taking a back seat to the stars of the show – the beautiful and colorful blooms. But it’s time to show these green accents some love! Yes, they are often supporting characters to the main attraction, but without them, bouquets of flowers just wouldn’t be the same – they would be lacking.

Greenery is essential to floral arrangements because they provide a soothing, neutral backdrop for the robust flowers to shine. They also do so much more, though, like provide interesting shapes and textures that add to the overall look of the arrangement. Below, we list some of the greenery typically used in flower arranging and why they are so special.

Myrtle

With long stems lined with glossy leaves in a pretty, mid-tone green, myrtle is a popular choice for many floral designers. Using multiple stems together creates lush, thick foliage that looks great in centerpieces. It’s also a wonderful addition to any decor piece for the home as it exudes a sweet fragrance. Myrtle symbolizes love, luck, and prosperity which is why it is often used in weddings.

Ivy

Ivy has unique, triangular-shaped leaves that fall elegantly from the main stem, making it perfect for creating flow and wrapping around headdresses, wreaths, or centerpieces Ivy has a long lifespan making it ideal for holiday decor. Ivy symbolizes fidelity and eternal life.

Leatherleaf Fern

Thicker and more lush-looking than other types of greenery, the leatherleaf fern branches out to create a wide triangular shape made up of many small leaflets. This particular greenery is great for adding body to a floral arrangement as well as a tropical vibe. During the Victorian era, leatherleaf fern symbolized humility and sincerity.

Dusty Miller

Dusty miller is unique due to its “frosted”, silvery-pale shade of green. A popular choice in many winter weddings and fall arrangements, dusty miller’s subdued color also pairs well with pastel-colored blooms. The soft and interesting texture of dusty miller help gives bouquets a chic, quiet beauty.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

So named for its round leaves that look silver dollars, and the silver dollar eucalyptus adds interest and circular shapes to arrangements. With its’ matte, bluish-gray color, it pairs nicely with whites and pastels. The long, thin stems allow for the silver dollar eucalyptus to bend and wrap easily making it ideal for decorating wreaths and centerpieces.

Spiral Eucalyptus

Spiral eucalyptus has a vertical stem with many, smaller circular leaves growing off of it creating a denser look than the silver dollar eucalyptus. As it grows it changes colors from a greyish-blue to a rich green. Perfect for adding a vertical element as well as a garden look, this greenery pairs well with most flowers and even looks great in a vase on its own.

Tree Fern

With a tuft of plumage sprouting from its top, tree fern adds a touch of softness, wispiness, and fun to any arrangement. Often used in boutonnieres and corsages, this easy and adaptable greenery also works well in floral arrangements providing texture and allure.

Try your hand at any of the above beautiful greenery, or additional types of greenery to experiment with. Adding the right type of greenery to a vase of flowers enhances beyond compare. For all DIY floral needs, Cascade Floral Wholesale is here to help.

Posted on 09/14/202109/14/2021 by cascade

Gender Neutral Flowers for New Moms

Flowers are a great way to welcome someone into the world! Plus, a wonderful gift to the mom who worked hard to get the baby into the world safely. When choosing flowers to send to a new mom or for a baby shower, the traditional pink or blue bouquet to celebrate a girl or boy is fine. However, if the mom is keeping the gender a secret, or if you just want to go for something more unique, then keep reading for inspiration in selecting stunning gender-neutral arrangements or creating one yourself with gender-neutral flowers.

Gender Neutral Flowers for Baby Shower

If you are hosting a baby shower or looking to send flowers to a soon-to-mom and don’t know the gender of the baby, then use the below guide to select the perfect blooms for stunning decor.

Yellow

Bright yellow blooms are full of joy which makes them perfect for events celebrating new babies. Popular yellow flowers include sunflowers, daisies, mums, and roses. A touch of green foliage and white accent flowers make for a lovely, charming, and happy look.

Orange

Orange is a happy warm color that spreads joy. Paired with yellow flowers creates a wonderful and happy atmosphere — a terrific way to celebrate bringing a new life into the world.

Green

Green represents nature, new beginnings, growth, and energy. It’s the color of life! Besides foliage, there are also green flowers you can put in an arrangement such as carnations, mums, roses, calla lilies, orchids, hydrangea, and zinnia. Green flowers paired with white accent florals are a wonderful delight.

Peach

If you prefer pastel shades, choose peach-colored blooms. Daisies, roses, carnations, ranunculus, lilies, and dahlias are all great options. Peach is a soft color that represents happiness and tenderness and is a great choice for baby showers.

White

White flowers are beautifully versatile. They can make up an entire bouquet on their own and are excellent for adding to other color-filled bouquets. The best thing about white flowers is that they can be paired with any other color! They make colorful blooms stand out while at the same time keep the colors from becoming too overwhelming.

If you’re a DIYer then Cascade Floral Wholesale has color combos perfect for creating stunning gender-neutral arrangements. These combos are super versatile perfect for soon-to-be moms or hosts who want to customize the flowers themselves.

Party planning or picking out the perfect gift can be a little stressful, particularly when it is as special as a baby shower, but choosing flowers doesn’t have to be! Contact Cascade Floral Wholesale for all your floral needs. We are here to help!

Posted on 08/31/202108/31/2021 by cascade

The Beauty of White Flowers

Many people love an arrangement of flowers in a variety of hues and gush about a flower’s beauty in terms of its color, whether it’s pale, deep, rich, or bright. This sometimes leads to white florals being overlooked, considered less than, or used as only an accent to make a colorful flower stand out even more. However, here at Cascade Floral Wholesale, we love the elegant, simple, and sophisticated beauty of an arrangement of only white flowers accompanied by greenery.

The combination of green and white floral arrangements, bridal bouquets, and centerpieces not only looks classic and elevated but also very natural and modern. With wedding bouquets, a combination of all-white peonies paired with various greenery is absolutely sumptuous. And, a bouquet of multiple flower varieties all in white is a marvel to behold.

White flowers denote purity, grace, and perfection as the blooms are flawless and untainted by color. In color symbolism, white signifies clean, simple, and pure, and represents new beginnings, innocence, purity, beauty, and spirituality. It’s for these same reasons that the traditional wedding gown is also white.

White flowers pair perfectly with beautiful greenery such as fern, ivy, oak leaf, Italian Ruscus, silver dollar eucalyptus, and green hypericum. The green elements accent the white florals without competing with them, making the white blossoms the stars of the show. Here at Cascade Floral Wholesale, we have a wide array of white flowers for any of your DIY projects. Our Classic White Standard Mix & Luxury Mix have everything you need to build your own beautiful white and green bouquets.

We also have a large variety of individual white flowers to choose from such as:

White Rose – White roses exude serenity and are filled with a wonderful fragrance.

White Anemone – For a show-stopping look, include a few white anemones into your bouquet. Their dark round center is offset by delicate, wispy petals that make a huge impact.

White Calla Lily – The trumpet-shaped Calla lily is truly breathtaking and magnificent.

White Cymbidium – These exotic beauties are elegant and striking.

White Dahlia – Round and filled with an abundance of petals, dahlias are romantic and stunning.

White Football Mums – Large and glorious, the many thin petals on this mum provides interesting texture and movement.

White Gerbera Daisy – A dark center with charismatic petals, daises are true beauties.

White Gladiolus – Bring a pure-white brightness to any arrangement with tall stalks of white gladiolus.

White Hydrangea – Similar to a snowball full of flower petals, hydrangea are soft, abundant, and precious.

White Oriental Lily – Oriental lilies make impressive bouquets and have the essence of royalty to them.

White Peonies – Lush, frilly, romantic, and full, white peony blooms are as luxurious as they are divine.

White Lisianthus – With delicate, ruffled blooms, these flowers are feminine and perfect.

And don’t forget the Greenery!

At Cascade Floral, we are happy to help you find the white flowers you are looking for whether for a wedding, anniversary, or special event. There is something both timeless and elegant about white blossoms and green accents. A popular choice for spring wedding flowers or summer weddings, this wonderful combination can be used anytime throughout the year.

Start shopping for White Flowers now!

For any of your wholesale flower needs, contact Cascade Floral.

Posted on 08/17/202108/31/2021 by cascade

6 Floral Themes for Your Wedding

Starting to plan a wedding can be an overwhelming process, but the experts at Cascade Floral Wholesale, are here to help. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of popular wedding themes and the types of flowers used in each so you can choose the one that best fits your style, personality, and vision of your dream wedding.

Classic Wedding Theme

For a timeless, refined look, go with a classic wedding theme. More formal than most, a classic wedding has clean lines, white florals, and an ambiance that evokes elegant romance. Traditional decor and understated yet sophisticated floral arrangements made up of a single variety contribute to the classic aesthetic.

Popular flowers for a Classic wedding include white roses, Queen Anne’s lace, Lily of the Valley, and white peonies.

Boho Wedding Theme

Boho weddings have grown in popularity over the past few years and are a trend that’s going to be around for a long time. Casual, comfortable, and incredibly chic define this look. Typically held outdoors with florals that look as if they’ve just been picked from a nearby garden, the decor is a mish-mash of items that work together beautifully. Common elements include a lounge area with cushions in unique patterns, mismatched bridesmaid dresses, and fresh blooms adorning the cake.

Popular flowers for a Boho wedding include plenty of wildflowers, daisies, spider mums, sunflowers, freesia, protea, thistle, fern, and ivy.

Glamorous Wedding Theme

If you’re the type of couple who prefer things that are luxurious, lavish, and shiny, then a glam wedding is for you. Rich with sparkly details and extravagant touches, glamourous weddings feature jaw-dropping details like a flower wall or large, gorgeous floral centerpieces. Fine linens, upscale china, and metallics round out the look.

Popular flowers for a glamourous wedding include roses, dahlias, peonies, lilies, pom pom mums, crocus, hydrangea, and lotus flowers.

Romantic Wedding Theme

A theme that celebrates love, elements of a romantic wedding include soft lighting, candles, airy fabrics, and flowy dresses. A soft color palette with ivory, blush, and pastels keeps the vibe subdued and cozy. Plenty of fresh, flourishing flowers is key to this theme as well as an intimate atmosphere and ethereal details.

Popular flowers for a Romantic wedding include plenty of pastel-colored blooms such as roses, hydrangea, freesia, lisianthus, peonies, ranunculus, and daisies.

Rustic Wedding Theme

With an emphasis on natural textures like wood, stone, organic paper, and farm-to-table fresh food, Rustic weddings are about getting back to nature. Typically held in barns, ranches, or on farms, elements include organic fabrics, lace, wood items, and mixed glassware and plates. Floral centerpieces are made up of flowers that look as if they’ve just been picked from the field. The vibe is quaint and bucolic with a touch of shabby chic.

Popular flowers for a Rustic wedding include daisies, anemones, ranunculus, black-eyed Susans, Queen Anne’s lace, zinnias, Lily of the Valley, and roses.

Vintage Wedding Theme

Capturing another period of time that’s full of lace, grace, and elegance is what a vintage wedding is all about. This is a style that has Victorian elements with eclectic pieces such as antiques and old, vintage furniture. Featuring lots of lace, beautiful china, candlestick holders, and perhaps family heirloom pieces, floral-covered birdcages, and old lanterns help contribute to the vintage vibe. Venues such as old estates, mansions, or a historic courthouse are perfect for this type of wedding.

Popular flowers for a Vintage wedding include garden roses, scabiosa, lisianthus, hydrangea, peonies, delphiniums, and dahlias.

Posted on 08/03/202108/31/2021 by cascade

2021 Floral Trends

When the pandemic hit last year, it forced us to slow down (a lot) which gave us ample time to think about the important things in life such as a good work-life balance, taking care of our mental and physical health, doing more with less, and appreciating the benefits of being in nature. being more in touch with natural beauty that surrounds us.

These things have shaped the floral trends of 2021 where flowers were used to not only bring color and beauty into our lives, but also to brighten our spririts, destress our lives, and connect us with nature.

Top 7 Floral Trends of 2021

1. Brighter Days

A sunny pop of yellow immediately brightens a room and our spirit. Choosing a bouquet with yellow floras paired with white blooms and some greenery is a classic way to bring warmth and happiness to any room. Also selecting an arrangement with other bright colors in addition to yellow really sings a colorful tune of joy.

2. Relax and De-Stress

Let the delicate beauty and sweet fragrance of fresh-cut flowers put your thoughts into a wandering and dreamy state. Small and charming wildflowers paired with larger blooms of soft pinks, peaches, and greens are the perfect combination for making worries drop away. Even if for a little while, it’s worth it.

3. Happiness at Home

Bringing in bright, radiant, fresh, and fragrant blooms into the home is becoming a regular part of modern life. The benefits of the joy, color, and happiness flowers provide make them essential to a cheerful and colorful home. The vitality, charm, and dance of light and colors helps us start each day in high spirits and joyful positivity.

4. Showcasing Mother Nature

Arrangements that show off the wondrous beauty of Mother Nature are also on trend this year as many of us have spent more time outside instead of in crowded offices. This is reflected in bouquets which have earth tones or brown and green that highlight dramatic and bold blossoms in orange, red and yellow with plenty of greenery.

5. Daring Jewel-Tones

The ups and down of life are a normal part of living and we can’t enjoy the highs without going through a few lows. Bold and dramatic blooms with rich, deep colors bring passion and boldness which punch through the ordinary by celebrating the extraordinary. Vibrant plums, violets, scarlet, and burgundy blossoms paried with bright greenery is a striking combination that takes our breath away.

6. White Rules

Simple, elegant, and sophisticated, floral arrangements composed of all white blooms promotes a spiritual peace, purity, and timelessness. A home overflowing with bouquets of white flowers accented with bits of green allows a little oasis to escape to in every day life. Light, airy, and lovely, white bouquets are transcendant.

7. Quality over Quantity

Following the rule of less is more, there is a focus on not only what is presented, but how it is presented. Desiring unique, handcrafted floral arrangements with blooms thoughtfully placed, sustainably resourced, and of the highest quality are on the rise. Careful attention to detail and a desire for pure style is a trend that comes from people being more aware of their consumption practices and focusing on quality over quantity. This is a trend we hope lasts a while.

Posted on 07/06/202108/31/2021 by cascade

How to Prevent Flowers From Wilting in the Heat

Having fresh flowers in your home, on your porch, or decorating outdoor structures in your backyard adds instant style and beauty wherever they are placed. During the hot days of summer, though, these blooms may wilt and die much sooner than they should. Keep your fresh florals healthy and hydrated during high-temperature days by following the below tips brought to you by the floral experts at Cascade Flowers.

Tips for Keeping Flowers Hydrated on Hot Summer Days

Fresh-Cut Flowers in a Vase

When collecting cut flowers, do so in the morning for the best results. Flower stems are filled with water in the morning, whereas picking them during the hottest part of the day will lead them to wilt quicker than usual.
Place stems into a container of cool water. Beforehand strip each stem of all leaves that will fall below the waterline. Also, recut each stem at a 45-degree angle with a sharp pair of cutters to avoid crushing the stems.
Place the container of fresh-cut blooms in a cool place, a cooling closet or refrigerator is fine, and leave for several hours or overnight. This allows the flowers to drink up plenty of water before being displayed in a warm environment.
For flowers with heavy blooms on a soft stem, prevent bending and drooping by wrapping them in newspaper or wax paper so they stand upright.
When displayed outdoors or in a warm area, monitor the water level daily and refill as necessary. Also, change the water, remove dead or dying leaves, and re-cut the stems every 2 days to keep your blooms looking fresh for longer.

Flowers in a Container, on a Trellis, or in a Garden

You’ll know your plants and flowers are suffering from heat distress if the leaves and blooms are wilted in the afternoon but are fine the following morning. Other signs are brown, yellow, or white spots on the petals or leaves and dropped buds.
Prevent wilting by making sure the roots receive consistent watering, feeding, and regular weeding. Early morning waterings are better than evening watering where fungal disease may occur.
Place flowering plants in a shady area to prevent wilting from excess heat. If this is not possible, place a shade cloth or umbrella over them to protect them from the sun.
For vines or blooms decorating an outdoor structure, use plastic water picks to place stems and roots in to keep the vine and flowers hydrated.
Container plants tend to dry out quicker than those in the ground, so check their moisture regularly. They made need to be watered twice a day if the climate is hot, dry, and windy.
Move container plants indoors or into the shade to prevent wilting from the heat. Also, keep a saucer under the containers so they can soak out water as needed.
Dark-colored pots absorb more heat and unglazed terra-cotta pots lose water more quickly and may not be the options for plants that will be in the sun.

Plant Heat-Tolerant Flowers Instead

If you live in a climate with excessive heat and hot summers, you should consider planting flowers that are native to the area or heat-tolerant varieties such as Black-eyed Susans, Sedum, Bottlebrush, Begonia, Hibiscus, and Blanket Flower to name a few.

Posted on 06/23/202108/31/2021 by cascade

Tips for Creating Pretty Floral Arrangements

Decorating your home with fresh flowers is perfect for adding instant style and a pleasant refresh that brings beauty, fragrance, and other benefits flowers provide to your life. Plus, it’s easy! All it takes is some gorgeous fresh-cut stems from your florist and a variety of containers. The following tips will get you started in creating your prettiest arrangements ever.

Select in-season blooms to save money and celebrate that particular time of year. Some varieties, such as orchids and roses, are available all year round.
Decide on your theme: either a mix of complementary colors and types, shades of one color and different types, or all the same type in a variety of colors or the same color. Select some greenery for color and texture.
Before placing a single stem into a vase, cut at least 1/2 an inch off of the bottom at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area so the floral can get plenty of water. Re-cutting the stems every 2-3 days will prevent bacteria from growing and make the flowers last longer.
Choose interesting containers for your flowers such as a teapot, pitcher, mason jar, wine glass, teacup, etc. Smaller vases allow you to display 2 or 3 striking blooms while shallow containers give you a way to display florals with very short stems. (To keep the stems from separating, bind them together with an elastic hairband).
If you want to open closed buds quickly, place them in warm water for about a minute and then in color water. Leave for 15-20 minutes and the flowers will open to their maximum size.
The best way to preserve your flowers to look fresh for the longest amount of time is to use a commercial flower preservative that florists typically provide. You can also keep your bouquets in the fridge overnight if you have the room.
To keep flowers in place, particularly in shallow vases, make a grid using clear floral tape (or thin strips of transparent Scotch tape). Insert fullest flowers first at an angle to cover the rim/sides of the bowl. Next, fill in the remaining holes with medium-sized flowers, and use the smallest flowers as accent florals to complete the design.
Place a vase within a vase to hide the stems with pieces of fruit or broad leaves.
To create a fuller arrangement, use filler flowers. Place them in gaps to create a more lush and full look.
Create an interesting floral tablescape by placing single blooms in vintage glass bottles.
When designing your arrangement, keep in mind balance, which does not necessarily mean everything has to be perfectly symmetrical. Play with different heights, lengths, and volume to create a visually balanced piece.

Posted on 06/08/202108/31/2021 by cascade

Discover the Charming Scabiosa (Pincushion) Flower

The Scabiosa flower, also known as the Pincushion flower, is a small but mighty bloom that stands out due to its spiky ball-like center and skinny yet sturdy stem. Growing in a wide array of bright and dramatic hues, they add interest, whimsy, fun, and a pop of color to mixed bouquets. A gathering of pincushion flowers only, though, is absolutely charming! We love this interesting little bloom here at Cascade Flowers! Read to find out why!

There are over 1000 species of Scabiosa florals, a herbaceous perennial that belongs to the honeysuckle family. This sweetly scented, non-toxic bloom grows in white, lavender, pink, cream, red, and burgundy. Scabiosa make wonderful garden flowers for their unique look and because they attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

The word “Scabiosa” comes from Latin and means “to scratch.” In medieval times, Scabiosa blooms were used in herbal remedies to relieve the itch of scabies. African tribes also used to use this flower for treating coughs, fever, and internal inflammation.

Scabiosa Description

The Scabiosa flower is frequently called a “pincushion” flower because of its round head studded with numerous, long needle-like stamens which resemble pins on a pincushion. This characteristic creates a wonderful contrast with the wispy, delicate petals surrounding it.

Scabiosa Flower Symbolism

Certain species of Scabiosa flowers feature dark petals representing death or widowhood, which has contributed to this floral also being called mourning bride and mourning widow. In this context, the symbolism of the scabiosa flower is unfortunate love. In another context, though, due to its sweet fragrance and overall charming radiance, the Scabiosa also symbolizes pure love and peace.

Scabiosa Design Uses

As a cut flower, the Scabiosa bloom is very versatile and works well as a filler flower as well as a focal point. Its light texture, spiky look, and rich color pack a perfectly charming punch. This is a terrific bloom to add to floral arrangements, either fresh or dried. Scabiosa brings an ethereal, delicate, and intriguing flavor to your home.

Popular Scabiosa Varieties

Butterfly Blue – A popular flower for gardeners and for brides due to its lovely deep lavender color.

Black Knight – A bloom with burgundy flowers surrounding prominent white stamens.

Fama White – A varietal that produces larger, white flowers and thrives in cooler weather.

Pink Mist – A delicate blossom with pink flowers that are nearly translucent.

Creative Ways to Use Scabiosa Blooms in Your Wedding

Use as decoration on the place setting. Tied together with some lavender and a touch of foliage and you’ve got a creative and unique statement piece.
These button-like flowers make great boutonnieres. They will hold their shape and color throughout the day and offer a wonderfully unique design alone or paired with other florals.
Scabiosa pods (the seeds of the plant) are wonderful textured round balls formed by many circles with small flowers within. These pods are great for using in wedding cake decoration or other floral arrangements for texture and intrigue.
Add pincushion flowers to the bridal bouquet for a texture, color, contrast, and a pop of color.

This little flower has a big personality! Include Scabiosa booms in your floral arrangements and you’ll see what we’re talking about. View some of our Scabiosa blooms now.