DIY - Wholesale Bulk Flowers

Posted on 12/06/2022 by cascade

A Joyful Guide to Holiday Decorating with Winter Berries

Homemade holiday decorations make your home feel a little cozier, warmer, and personal. At Cascade Floral Wholesale, creating brilliant arrangements, wreaths, garlands, and more live décor for your home or special event is what we’re all about. There is nothing more festive or versatile during the holiday season than winter berries. From American Holly and Winterberry to Hypericum and Brunia Berry, the tiny red, green, white, or silver berries add a new texture and dimension to just about anything.

Fun Ways to Decorate for the Holidays with Winter Berries

Accent Flowers with Berries

Holiday and winter floral arrangements bring life to our dinner tables, add a refreshing touch to our living rooms, or brighten up a loved one’s day when presented as a gift. This season, red, white, green, and silver berries are cheerful additions to seasonal flower designs, especially those made of lush greenery, crisp white blooms, and radiant red flowers. Because of their small, compact size, winter berries will entice the eye when nestled among large petals and fluffy textures.

Arrange Berries in a Stylish Vase

Whether you love a classic holiday look with lots of greenery or a minimalistic aesthetic, berries bring a warm and festive touch to any space, no matter your style. Collect only a few stems of winter berries to place in a tall, sleek vase for a perfect minimalist look, or brighten a bundle of eucalyptus, ruscus, magnolia foliage, myrtle, cedar, or pine with pops of festive berries.

Adorn Holiday Wreaths & Fresh Garland

Holiday wreaths for your front door or above your fireplace are usually decorated with fresh evergreens, pinecones, flocking, and ribbons of all sorts of patterns and seasonal hues. The same can be said for garlands that hang above doorways or lay across a mantel or table. Like the floral arrangements and ornate vases, winter berries are always a wonderful addition. However, you can also create wreaths and garland straight from winter berries, creating a clean, put-together, bright, and energizing wreath or string of garland for your home.

Decorate the Christmas Tree

One of our favorite holiday trends is swapping a few ornaments on your Christmas tree for holiday blooms and berries. Leaning into Mother Nature’s gifts and the fresh, crisp look, feel, and scents of the outdoors is simply magical. While meticulously adorning your Christmas tree with red and white flowers or a collection of red, white, and silver berries, the tree topper surely needs to match the rest of the tree. Gather your favorite winter berries and fasten a luxurious homemade design to the top of your Christmas tree.

Dress Your Holiday Dinner Table

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without several family dinners and gatherings with friends and loved ones. When it comes time to set the table, wow your guests with a small but impactful detail on their place setting – a small stem of winter berries. With the range of styles, shapes, and colors of berries available, you can coordinate your dishes and linens to offer a beautiful and inviting place for your guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy a meal together.

Enhance Your Gift Packages

The final stage of holiday planning and decorating is wrapping presents. Whether you are looking to impress or make your gifts stand out among the rest for a White Elephant or Secret Santa, don’t rely on fancy wrapping paper to do the job. Instead, turn to winter berries for the perfect gift accent to make your presents look elegant and festive.

Enjoy Arts & Crafts with Your Family

Winter berries are exceptional plants that can be utilized for a wide range of arts and crafts. From decorative accents that turn homemade Christmas gifts into pieces of art to a fun sensory project for kids, berries are perfect for holiday crafting. Fasten a small sprig to a coffee mug cozy, tie some around a sweet fragrant candle, add a pop of color to cinnamon sticks for decorating gifts or table settings, or have your kids glue each tiny berry to a paper Christmas tree to mimic red, white, and green ornaments. Let your creativity and imagination run wild with winter berries this holiday season.

Flowers and greenery often steal the spotlight in arrangements and home décor almost all year round. The joy we feel during the holiday season deserves to be celebrated with something different and exciting, like winter berries. Find your favorite berries for holiday decorating and flower bouquets at Cascade Floral Wholesale.

Posted on 11/01/202211/01/2022 by cascade

DIY Pumpkin Flower Arrangement for Thanksgiving

Flowers in a pumpkin. Bright autumn background. Colorful autumn card. Pumpkin with fresh flowers. Autumn flower arrangement. Autumn bouquet.

Bring the beauty of fall into your home with a charming and easy-to-make pumpkin floral arrangement. It’s a simple and festive way to decorate your home with fall’s beauty. A warm and welcoming floral bouquet of the season’s gorgeous rich color palette is a great way to celebrate autumn, spruce up your home, and add simple elegance to your Thanksgiving table.

How to Make a Pretty Pumpkin Floral Arrangement

Tools you’ll need:

Small to medium-sized pumpkin (select one with a level bottom, so the pumpkin doesn’t lean to the side)
Pumpkin carving knife or a regular sharp knife
Flower clippers or sharp scissors
Narrow vessel (tall shot glass or skinny vase) to place inside the pumpkin
Gorgeous fresh seasonal blooms of different sizes, colors, and textures

How to make the flower bouquet

Carve a hole in the top of the pumpkin large enough for the glass vase (or vessel holding the flowers) to fit inside.
Scoop out all the seeds and save them for later (to roast for a snack, add to salads or smoothies, or dry them and let the squirrels, deer, and birds enjoy them).
Fill the vase with ½ to ¾ of water and place it inside the pumpkin. You do not want water to sit directly within the pumpkin itself – it will get messy quickly. You can also place a water-saturated piece of floral foam into the bottom of the vase instead of water.
Once the vessel is in, you can begin designing your bouquet. Start with filling in the greenery first. Seeded eucalyptus or silver eucalyptus are great options for starting with. Fall leaves and branches are also excellent design choices.

You can also create the flower arrangement in the vessel before you put it into the pumpkin if you prefer.

5. Add sturdy flowers, followed by berries or other filler florals to fill in the spaces and complete the look. Since this is a centerpiece, you’ll want the arrangement to be viewable from all sides. Turn the pumpkin as you work to ensure it’s balanced and full all around.

Tips for success:

Use a flower frog to secure stems and assist in creating a rounded and balanced arrangement. A flower frog is an object made of metal, wood, ceramic, or plastic with evenly spaced holes for placing flowers into.

Place the vessel you’ve selected to go inside the pumpkin on top and trace around it with a sharp knife. Then using the tracing as a guide, cut deeper and carve out the pumpkin meat to create a hollow center so that that vessel will fit in snugly.
Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp – it works great at hollowing out pumpkins.
If using floral foam, leave it in water until it stops releasing bubbles. This is how you know it’s completely saturated. Don’t force or push the foam under the water; let it sink naturally.
If you don’t have a flower frog, no need to go out and buy one – just use floral tape (or any thin tape) to create a grid over the opening of the vessel.
Make sure to cut the stems of your flowers at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water or floral foam. Place the longest stems in the center at different angles to create a domed look.
Make a trio of pumpkin bouquets with different-sized pumpkins for a more festive fall-inspired look.
Use white pumpkins to elevate the design and give contrast to the richly-colored fall florals.
Paint the pumpkin a fun color or add succulents instead of flowers for a fun, chick look.
Don’t fuss too much about the design. Looking carefree and fuss-free is the goal of the arrangement and what makes it charming.

Non-carving method:

Choose a level pumpkin of any color and place a block of water-saturated floral foam on top, pushing down onto the stem until it’s secure. Start building your arrangement laying a base of greenery to cover the foam. Build arrangement and fill in any areas showing the foam, so it’s fairly well concealed.

Posted on 10/25/2022 by cascade

DIY Floral Arrangements for Your Wedding

Arranging artificial flowers vest decoration at home, Young woman florist work making organizing diy artificial flower, craft and hand made concept.

With the availability of quality wholesale flowers from Cascade, having fresh blooms for creating DIY wedding flowers is a dream come true for budget-friendly and cost-conscious brides. Doing it by yourself can be overwhelming, which is why we are providing you with essential tips for DIY wedding flowers.

6 Tips for DIY Wedding Floral Arrangements

Choosing Your Flowers

While modern shipping allows for access to almost any flower at any time of year, it is easier and more cost-effective to choose flowers that are in season. Seasonal flowers will be more readily available, affordable, and replaced easier if anything should occur to your bouquets right before the wedding. Fresh, seasonal blooms T also stay healthier for a longer period of time, looking more beautiful and appealing during the wedding.
It is also important to understand the limitations of the flowers you choose. Some blooms may wilt quicker than others, and other blooms may need more water or sunlight than others. By understanding what each flower needs, you can care for them properly to keep them bright and blooming. Having this knowledge can help you select hardy flower varieties that will maintain the look you want.
Our final tip for deciding which blooms to choose is to keep it to only a few varieties. All of your arrangements can be created with just three flowers – a primary bloom, a secondary bloom that complements it, and a tertiary bloom that helps fill out the bouquet. These three flowers can be used across all of your arrangements, changing their positions and filling them in with greenery to create different variations.

Preparing for Assembly

Assembling bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces requires more tools than just flowers and vases. Making sure you have all the required tools and materials when the flowers arrive is crucial. To hold flowers in place and arrange them, floral tape, floral wire, floral foam, and twine are helpful to have on hand. For decorations and embellishments to make your flowers pop, use ribbons, lace, or twine. To keep the flowers fresh, have a spray bottle of water nearby so you can periodically mist your floral arrangements.
It r helps to make a plan for your fresh flowers ahead of time, so you know how many you will need for your wedding. Count the number of bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnieres you plan to have and then how many flowers will be in each one. This will help you determine the number of individual flowers and greenery you will need so you aren’t left with too many or too few.
Making a gorgeous wedding bouquet and centerpieces is not as easy as many think and often takes time and practice. Online tutorials are a great place for tips and advice on how to best prepare your flowers. Pick a tutorial that shows an arrangement like the ones you want to use and practice with your tools before getting started. It is important to remember that complex or time-consuming arrangements can lead to anxiety or frustration and simple arrangements often look just as beautiful and a lot easier to prepare.

Cascade floral offers all the flowers you need for DIY arrangements that best fit your budget. Check out our selection today or contact us directly so we can help you make your wedding day special and memorable.

Posted on 08/29/202208/30/2022 by cascade

How to Decorate Your Home with Succulents

Miniature succulent plants (succulent cactus) at the garden

Succulents are appealing, colorful plants that add charm and chic living decor to any space. Their thick, fleshy leaves and interesting shapes make them particularly decorative and eye-catching. These hardy plants are easy to take care of and can survive moderate amounts of neglect. Succulents easily adjust to low lighting and humidity levels, so they are perfect for new plant parents or those who travel a lot. If you want to add some greenery and touches of chic decor to your home, then decorate with succulents!

Here at Cascade Floral Wholesale, we list 8 ideas for sprucing up your interior with succulents.

How to Make Decorative Succulent Containers

Add succulents to ornate bowls or thrift shop finds for wonderfully unique table centerpieces.

Fill small decorative pots with one succulent each for an eye-catching artsy display perfect for a shelf or windowsill.

Fill a geometric terrarium with succulents for an interesting contrast of sharp lines and soft curves.

Add succulents to small planters that attach to the wall for a colorful and instant wall art decor.

Add succulents to a wreath to hang on your front door. With a few seasonal elements, such as sunflowers, fall leaves, and greenery, you’ll have the most interesting fall wreath in the neighborhood. Succulents work with any seasonal decor, too.

Repurpose all those unused coffee cups in your cupboard by filling them with succulents. Cute and ornate, you’ll wish you’d thought of this sooner.

If you have an old fish bowl lying around, fill it with various colorful succulents instead of fish. Succulents will last much longer and won’t need as much care!

Find an interesting piece of wood or log with a hollow space and add succulents to it to bring it to life in a new decorative manner. You can do the same with an old wooden box, such as a cigar box, to create a colorful display of ornate succulents.

Any decorative pot or item you find with a hollow space can hold succulents. Get creative! Find attractive bowls, cups, dishes, or other decorative items at a thrift shop or in your garage. The shapes and sizes of things into which you put succulents vary greatly, which makes them versatile to fit any room or space. From table centerpieces, coffee table decor, hanging planters, shelves, and windowsills, there are plenty of spaces and areas these lovely little plants will enhance.

Tips for Planting Succulents

For small pots, you’ll want succulents that are slow growers indoors. Types like Haworthias, Sempervivums, Echeverias, Crassulas, and Gasterias are great options. A small pot is typically 7 inches or less in diameter.
Make sure the pot you select has drainage holes.
Find a potting soil specifically for succulents, such as a Cactus Mix. It should be light, well aerated, and has good drainage.
To keep the succulent and pot size in scale, select a pot no larger than one and a half sizes larger than the size of the succulent.
Pour soil into the pot until the succulent sits above the pot’s rim.
If you want the look of tightly-packed succulents, place each succulent close to one another in a manner that looks good to you. Just keep the base of the plants sitting above the rim of the pot.
Do not water your succulents immediately after potting. Wait about a week before they have their first drink; this will ensure any roots damaged during the potting process have healed.
Use a squeeze bottle with an angled straw or long narrow tip to water tightly packed succulents to ensure the water gets into the soil and not all over the place.
Small succulents in small pots will require more frequent watering as there is not much soil to retain the moisture, and they can dry out quickly.

Posted on 08/09/202208/09/2022 by cascade

How to Create Stunning Floral Arrangements with Zinnias

Zinnias are loved by both florists and gardeners for their attractive, full shape and colorful varieties. They are easy to grow and care for and look amazing in arrangements with other florals or on their own. Because the zinnia is a hardy bloom and easy to grow, it is often used as a filler flower and considered more of a ‘basic” flower. Here at Cascade Wholesale Flowers, we think zinnias are spectacular with some truly gorgeous varieties, such as Zinnia Oaklahoma, Purple Prince, Peppermint, and Cactus-Flowered Zinnias.

Zinnias are a genus of the sunflower plant in the daisy family, and there are 22 recognized types of zinnias, with zinnia elegans being the most popular. Native to Mexico and Central America, zinnias are named after German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who discovered these colorful blooms and imported them into Europe.

Different types of zinnias vary in appearance and size and have either single- or double-formed petals. The zinnia elegans variety most closely resembles the dahlia due to its numerous, doubled-rolled petals. In fact, zinnias are often used as a substitute bloom for the dahlia.

To bring out the beauty and brightness of the lovely zinnia, use the below floral arranging tips to make this underrated bloom shine!

Leaves the stems long

Unless you are creating a traditional mound-shape arrangement, leave the zinnia stems long to allow for interesting shapes, forms, and dimensions within the design. Plus, there’s just something about longer stems that make them appear more elegant yet more naturally wild at the same time.

Remove all the leaves from the stem

To highlight the interesting shape, line, and elongated form of the stem, it must be clean and free of all foliage. Removing all the leaves accomplishes this as well as enhances its linear quality. The natural curve of the stem does a great job of adding motion, action, and a dynamic quality to the design.

Leave open spaces

Your instinct may be to group zinnias close together to create a voluminous mound of colorful petals, but leaving ample space in between individual stems produces the appearance of depth and openness while allowing the flowers to “breathe.” An open arrangement such as this also allows the eye to fall upon each bloom, taking in its individual beauty rather than competing with an overabundance of petals.

Pair zinnias with skinny filler flowers and greenery

Most zinnia varietals have broad, smooth petals that are layered upon each other to create a full, ruffled look. To highlight this characteristic, avoid placing similarly wide-petaled blooms, such as hydrangea, roses, and daisies, next to zinnias, or the design might start to look overly poofy and monotonous. Instead, use finely-textured filler flowers and greenery such as celosia, globe thistle, feather eucalyptus, bear grass, Queen Anne’s lace, or baby’s breath. The contrast between the thin and the wide, the light and the heavy, and the flat texture with non-flat is what will make your design exciting and full of interesting energy.

Use double-flowering zinnias

Voluminous, globe-shaped, double-form blooms like Oklahomas, Queens, and Zinderellas are the best types of zinnias to use as they are gorgeous, lush, and eye-catching. These large, spherical blooms are perfect focal flowers, while single-petal varieties work well as secondary flowers in an arrangement.

Using the above design tips is a great way to start experimenting with creating striking designs with the unique shape, texture, and colors of zinnias. You just might find this under-the-radar-bloom is your new favorite flower to work with!

Posted on 08/02/202208/09/2022 by cascade

How To Create Beautiful Mason Jar Floral Arrangements

white gardenia flowers on wooden desk in mason jar

The simple yet classic mason jar has had a Renaissance of sorts as it’s seen everywhere these days and used in all manners of creative ways, such as decorative lighting, candle holder, plant jar, and a holder for anything you can imagine. If you’re a fan of Pinterest, then I’m sure you’ve seen many charming floral arrangements made with mason jars. We love them, too, which is why we are sharing some great tips with you on how to make beautiful mason jar flowers for your home or gifts to friends.

Economic and lovely mason jar arrangements allow you plenty of room to use your creativity to make a variety of styles. Use the below tips as a starting point to then let your creative side bloom!

7 Simple Steps to Make a Mason Jar Flower Bouquet

1. Gather your foliage, blooms, and filler flowers. Trim the stems to a 45-degree angle and clear all leaves and debris off any part of the stems that will be in the water.

2. Start with your foliage. Place a few stems of foliage into the mason jar so that each cut end rests against the side of the glass while the top part rests against the lid. These two anchor points help keep the stems in place.

3. Add the focal flower. Any large bloom makes an excellent focal flower, such as a zinnia, dahlia, garden rose, sunflower, pom-pom mum, or large lisianthus. The focal flower is going to be the “front” of the arrangement, although it can still be viewed from all sides.

4. Add secondary flowers. Smaller than the focal flower, secondary flowers should complement the focal flower by having a similar form or color. However, this is also where you can play with a variety of colors and shapes to see how it works in the design.

5. Add a line element. Add height and volume to your arrangement with a long stem placed either vertically to draw the eye upwards or diagonally to draw the eye outwards. This is an optional step, but a tall stem helps make the arrangement appear fuller and bigger than it actually is.

6. Add filler pieces. Add filler flowers or greenery to fill the empty spaces and create more volume and fullness to the arrangements.

7. Add additional items. To bulk out your bouquet even more, add a few more filer flowers, sprigs of greenery, twigs, berries, etc., anything you’d like.

Take a Final Look

Once all of your pieces are in, take a final look and adjust as you see needed. The goal is to create a beautiful flower arrangement that appears full and colorful. What’s great about mason jar arrangements is that any type of floral piece or greenery looks amazing within it. Feel free to use what you have lying around, or fill it with blooms, wildflowers, or twigs you’ve picked up in your backyard. Simple and inexpensive but highly charming, mason jar arrangements make great gifts.

Additional Decor Tips:

If you want to add a little pizzazz to your mason jar, wrap a colorful ribbon around the neck and tie a bow, or loosely wrap a piece of burlap around the jar’s body and secure it with twine for a beautiful farm-style look. Other ideas are to paint the jar, add glitter, glue on lace, or decorate with stickers.

Posted on 07/20/202207/20/2022 by cascade

How to Arrange Ranunculus Blooms

Beautiful fresh blossoming single salmon colored Ranunculus flower on the grey wall background, close up view

Beautiful, dainty, and striking, the ranunculus is one of our favorite blooms! Their paper-thin petals and lovely hues give them a timeless, classic look that evokes romanticism and femininity. A popular bloom frequently used in weddings, ranunculuses are great for everyday bouquets as well. If you’re ready to try your hand at creating a stunning arrangement with ranunculus blooms, then keep reading. The floral designs experts at Cascade Floral Wholesale have step-by-step instructions for working with the resplendent ranunculus!

About Ranunculus

Also known as a “buttercup,” the ranunculus flower is native to Southwest Asia and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. The Ranunculus is distinguished by its numerous thin, crepe paper-like petals that wind tightly around its center until it is in full bloom, where the outer petals expand. Each ranunculus blossom sits atop a curvy stem, and the flowers come in white, yellow, cream, orange, red, purple, and pink colors. Keep ranunculus stems away from kids and animals as fresh ranunculuses are poisonous.

Preparing the Ranunculus Stem

Strip each stem of any foliage that will fall below the water line, and then cut the stems at a 45-degree angle an inch or so from the bottom. Since the stems are hollow, they may split or become too soft when placed in water. To prevent this, wrap a string around the base of each stem just above the point you plan to make your cut. Once the leaves have been removed and the stems given a fresh cut, place them in a vase of room-temperature water that has added floral preservative. Allow the stems to sit in the water for at least 2 hours before being stored or worked with.

Tips for Creating an Arrangement with Ranunculus

Once you’ve selected the vase, fill it with warm water and add flower food. Starting on one side of the vase, place in a ranunculus stem and then place a second one on the opposite side. Go back and forth from side to side, adding greenery and other florals (if you like) to ensure the arrangement stays balanced. As the stems are curvy, work with the curve instead of against it. Placing the stems so they curve slightly outward and over the rim of the vase produces a nice effect where the flowers face you. Remember, not every stem will be fully bloomed, so leave room between them to allow space for when the buds are fully opened.

As ranunculus stems are long and curvy, the flower makes it top-heavy, so they will need to be supported. The best way to do this is with a vase that has a long thin neck. Just a few fresh ranunculus stems and a piece of greenery in a bud vase are striking.

To easily create a full and balanced arrangement, use the chicken wire, tape-grid, or mason-jar technique. To add dimension and intrigue, cut the stems to varying lengths. If you need to fix drooping stems, place them in plastic straws. This works best if the straws can be hidden by the vase or in a full arrangement with plenty of other stems obscuring the plastic straws.

Maintaining Your Arrangement

Keep your beautiful arrangement of fresh ranunculuses away from direct sunlight, hot or cold drafts, and pets. Every two days, give the stems a fresh cut with sharp scissors, change the water, and put in more floral nutrients. With proper care, ranunculus can last for 12 days!

For all your flower needs and DIY floral projects, Cascade Floral Wholesale is there for you!

Posted on 07/05/2022 by cascade

A Guide To Popular Greenery

Flowers may be the star of the show, but with greenery working as their ever-important supporting cast and backup singers, the “show” is more well-rounded, complete, and so much more amazing. Nearly every floral design relies on greenery to bring the entire piece to life. Greenery provides support and a foundation for beautiful blooms, as well as offers contrast, texture, rhythm, spatial dynamics, and wonderful green colors which act as a neutral tone to give your eyes a rest.

More than just filler, sprigs of greenery are key players in the overall effect of a flower design. For some florists, greenery is the design, as fabulous greenery pieces are starting to take center stage in bridal bouquets, centerpieces, and floral decor. According to the floral experts at Cascade Floral Wholesale, the only limit to how greenery can be used is your imagination! Below we list some of the more popular and versatile pieces of greenery we love working with. For even more options, browse our selection.

Italian Ruscus

Italian Ruscus lends a vivid, vibrant green, and dynamic nature to floral designs. Beloved for its versatility, hardy stems, and slim, elegant leaves, Italian Ruscus works especially well in floral arches or trailing beautifully from a cascading bouquet. Place it in a bride’s hair for a Greek goddess effect, weave it down the middle of an event table, or place it atop a cake for a wonderfully natural addition. However you use it, the beautiful emerald green leaves of Italian Ruscusa are always up to the occasion.

Dusty Miller

For a soft, ethereal look, add a bit of Dusty Miller which evokes charm and mystery with its silvery-green leaves and fuzzy texture. When added in bunches to your floral designs, it resembles clusters of lace. There is nothing fragile about this greenery, though, as its stalk is sturdy, and the leaves are thick, belying its overall delicately romantic nature. Nestle it within bridal bouquets or centerpieces for a soft, understated elegant look.

Monstera

This gorgeous tropical leaf is from the Monstera plant, also known as the “Swiss Cheese plant” due to its dramatic and large holes. It’s a piece of greenery that is becoming increasingly popular, appearing as a focal point of green decor for events that lean toward the modern and tropical. Just one or two of these dinner-plate-sized leaves make a striking impact when used as table runners, centerpieces, or hanging greenery. They can even be used as placemats for food or the main piece of decor repeated in invitations, signage, dress patterns, and in the bridal bouquet.

Spiral Eucalyptus

Spiral Eucalyptus brings a whimsical yet intriguing look to floral bouquets. They provide vertical accents with their straight sturdy stems that have numerous, smaller circular leaves growing off of them. When used in a bunch, the dynamic and voluminous look they create is rich with texture, rhythm, and patterns. The spiral Eucalyptus pairs well with most flowers and also looks great in a vase on its own.

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 wedding decor.

Tree Fern

With a tuft of plumage sprouting from its top, tree fern brings softness, wispiness, and fun to any arrangement. Often used to add a touch of green to boutonnieres and corsages, this refreshing and versatile greenery provides airiness, texture, and allure to floral arrangements.

Explore the many incredible ways to use a variety of greenery in your own floral creations, and don’t hesitate to ask us how we can help you find your perfect selection today.

Posted on 06/20/202206/20/2022 by cascade

Tips for Creating Flower Arrangements with Hydrangeas

Hydrangea pink flower closeup. Beautiful Hortensia blooming in summer garden. Beauty pink and white colour Hydrangea flower close up. Nature floral backdrop. Easter, Birthday, Nature concept.

About Hydrangeas

A favorite bloom used in florist bouquets and popular at weddings, special events, and pretty much any occasion, hydrangeas are gorgeous, lush flowers that are as pretty as they are versatile. Notable for their large, showy blooms, the colorful pop-pom-like flowerheads of hydrangeas make them a great cut flower to display in vases. These ornamental blooms have been around for a long time and evoke an old-fashioned charm. With over 70 species and numerous varieties, hydrangeas come in various shapes, sizes, and colors such as blue, pink, red, purple, maroon, green, and white.

Characteristics of Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are most commonly grown as shrubs with big beautiful blooms made up of clusters of smaller flowers called a “corymb.” The most commonly known variety of hydrangea is the “bigleaf hydrangea,” which has the lush, full, round blooms that enchant gardens and florist shops worldwide.

Tips for Creating a Floral Arrangement with Hydrangea

Because of the hydrangea’s large flowerhead, its stems will be top-heavy and can easily flop out of a vase if not positioned correctly. It’s important to choose a container with an opening that’s not too large or to create a grid system with tape to provide structure.

Preparing the Stems

The first step in working with hydrangeas is to cut off all of the leaves below the flowerhead.
Next, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with sharp scissors. This allows for the maximum amount of area for the stem to soak up water.
After cutting the stem, dip the end into a jar of alum, which you can pick up at the grocery store. The alum keeps the cut end of the stem from gunking up and free to absorb water.

Arranging Tips

For a simple yet charming arrangement, put 2 or 3 hydrangea stems in a vase. Cut the stems so the blooms are just above the rim.

For a more complex arrangement, use an opaque container and the grid method with chicken wire or tape on the opening. Bold blooms such as roses, peonies, and dahlias pair great with hydrangeas. Spire-like flowers like delphinium, freesia, foxglove, and bells of Ireland are perfect for adding vertical elements to the hydrangeas’ low, rounded shape. Experiment with different colors and blooms of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Add some greenery for a more complete look.

How to Keep Your Hydrangea Stems Fresher Longer

To help prevent wilting, put a few ice cubes in the water to keep the stems cool.
Give the stems a trim and a change of water every few days to prolong their life.
Dry your hydrangeas – keep them in a few inches of water in a dry, cool place away from sunlight. Once the water has evaporated, usually 2-3 weeks, the petals should feel dry to touch and ready to use in a variety of creative ways.

For all your flower needs for DIY crafts or arranging, use Cascade Floral for the freshest, longest-lasting stems.

Posted on 06/07/202206/07/2022 by cascade

How to Arrange Roses

Roses are perfect for brightening any space, lifting our spirits, and filling us with a sense of calm as we gaze upon and admire their beauty, so why not make them a regular part of your life? Arranging fresh-cut rose stems into an enchanting design is easy. Below are two of the most popular flower arranging methods you can do yourself.

Prepping Your Roses

When you have your fresh roses in front of you, remove all the leaves along the stem and any brown or damaged petals.

Choosing Your Vase

When choosing a vase, opaque is typically better than clear glass. A great vase shape is an hourglass shape that is wide at the bottom, eventually narrowing, and then flares out slightly at the top. Another popular vase shape is round which tends to be shorter but makes compact, striking floral designs.

Rose Arrangement #1 – European Hand Tie Method

Vase type – Hourglass

Fill the vase with tepid water no more than ¾ full. Add flower food.

After the stems have been prepped, lay them out in front of you.

Select a stand-out bloom to be your center rose. Add a second rose on an angle next to it so the stems criss-cross.

Continue adding roses in a circle ensuring the stems cross each other to create a domed effect for the buds and a sprawling look for the stems underneath.

Once you’ve used up all the roses or reached your desired size (or capacity for the vase), hold the bouquet next to the vase and cut off the stems so that rose heads are just above the lip of the vase. The roses are now ready to be placed into the vase. Fluff up and move individual stems as necessary, but the bouquet should be fairly tight with little to no gaps. If the arrangement is too loose and falls open, remove them and bind the bouquet at the base with twine or florist tape before placing back into the vase.

Rose Arrangement #2 – Tape Grid Method

Vase type – Round

Fill the vase with tepid water ¾ full. Make sure the edges of the vase are dry. Next, cut strips of clear tape and place them across the top of the vase in a horizontal and vertical grid fashion. The grid will help keep your flowers upright as you build your arrangement, leading to a robust design with evenly spaced flowers.

After the stems have been prepped, lay them out in front of you.

Cut the Stems

In order to create a full, rounded dome look, cut the roses at varying heights (at ½ inch increments) so the shortest rest just above the top of the vase and the tallest is about 2 inches from the top of the vase.

Arrange Your Stems

Start with the tallest bloom and place it in the very center. Surround this bloom with the second tallest stems in a circular fashion. Continue doing this with the shortest blooms making up the outside circle of the arrangement. The grid design is perfect for also adding greenery to add height and dimension.

For all your wholesale floral needs, visit Cascade Floral to find the best, highest-quality, and longest-lasting blooms.

Posted on 05/09/202205/09/2022 by cascade

Creating An Arrangement with Sunflowers

Sunflower with leaves isolated on white background.

There’s nothing like a bouquet of fresh, bright sunflowers to liven up a room and fill your spirit with cheer. These large, sunny blooms look great anywhere and are perfect for adding a vibrant pop of color to an arrangement of other flowers or striking when displayed on their own. Keep reading for tips on creating beautiful floral designs with the magnificent sunflower from Cascade Floral Wholesale.

Sunflower Types

The large, bright yellow sunflower with a significant round center of brown is typically what most people call to mind when they think of a sunflower. However, there are actually over 70 species and hundred varieties of the sunflower (genus Helianthus). The sunflower genus is commonly broken down into three main groups, tall sunflowers, dwarf sunflowers, and colored sunflowers.

Tall sunflowers are the ones you usually see in the fields where their large golden faces follow the path of the sun as it travels across the sky. With tall, sturdy stalks, these beauties can reach nearly 16 feet tall in their quest to reach the sun.

Dwarf sunflowers are a result of hybridizing the bloom into a type that grows to three feet or smaller. These blooms grow in bunches and are great for filling in small spaces in gardens or floral arrangements.

Colored sunflowers are also a result of hybridizing and have given us a beautiful array of sunflowers in pinks, oranges, burgundy, red, and mixed colors.

Single-stem sunflowers are by far the most popular as they are easier for farmers to harvest, but they can also be found in branch varieties where multiple blooms are produced on a single stem.

Design Aesthetics of Sunflowers

Due to this bloom’s large face with long petals and prominent center, its simple symmetry is one of its most striking features. Upon closer inspection, though, the rotund central bloom reveals hundreds of tiny flowers arranged in an intricate radiating design that draws in the eye. This feature is great for adding texture, movement, and pattern to floral arrangements.

Flowers to Pair with Sunflowers

Sunflowers bring a lot of charm and happy vibes to arrangements due to their bright color, dramatic size, and interesting natural pattern. Floral designers often use them to add a color contrast or color transition to a bouquet as well as texture or size variant. Roses pair well with sunflowers as they are both showy blooms, and the rose offers a nice pattern variation when viewed beside the sunflower. Blooms that resemble a sunflower, such as daisies, work great to amplify and bring attention to its beautiful shape as well as provide volume. Asters and mums are excellent supporting flowers for the sunflower.

Sunflower Arranging Tips

Sunflower stems are very thirsty, so if you’re not designing with them right away, be sure to place them in water. When you are ready to begin making your bouquet, snip the stem to your desired length by making a 45-degree angled cut. If you are creating a mixed floral arrangement, add the sunflowers last. Since you’re working with fresh stems, they are not yet going to be in full bloom. Adding them into the arrangement last allows you to choose an area where they will have plenty of room to blossom. Remember, by nature, sunflowers are focal flowers, not supporting flowers, so place them accordingly for balance and interest.

If you are arranging a bouquet of all, or mostly all, sunflowers, you need not worry much about placement. Just give each stem a fresh cut and put them into a vase. Next, take a look at the arrangement and adjust stem size, filler flowers, and/or greenery to ensure the sunflowers look tall and proud rather than flat.

When done, place your lovely arrangement of sunflowers on your kitchen table or anywhere that needs a boost of cheeriness, then make another one for a friend. Get creative! There are all sorts of different arrangements, flower pairings, and colorful vase choices you can play with. Sunflowers are super easy to work with and always look great.

Cascade Floral Wholesale makes your flower buying needs easy with a couple of clicks. Browse our latest selection of fresh-cut flowers and more. Wholesale flower delivery is available anywhere in the US.

Posted on 04/27/202205/09/2022 by cascade

Types of Flowers Used in Floral Arrangements – Focals, Fillers, Line Flowers, and Greenery

pink peach and purple pastel flowers in silver vase

A lot goes into creating a gorgeous arrangement of fresh flowers. With an endless number of possible floral combinations and hundreds of flower varieties to choose from, it’s important to know the essential “building blocks” of floral design. These building blocks encompass all flower varieties broken down into 4 categories: focal flowers, filler flowers, line flowers, and greenery.

Each of the four types of flowers has a particular role to play and is an essential component in designing a balanced, lush, and visually appealing floral arrangement. Focal flowers draw one’s eye in, line flowers add height and vertical elements, filler flowers fill in the gaps, and greenery complements and bolsters the entire bouquet. Recognizing these different flower types, understanding the various roles they play, and how they work together is key to creating jaw-dropping, fabulous flower arrangements.

Types of Flowers You Need to Create a Beautiful Bouquet

What Are Focal Flowers?

Focal flowers are blooms that immediately attract your eye due to their size, color, or attractive features. These florals are the stars of the show and typically consist of a large bloom on a single stem. Having a selection of one to four focal flowers in your arrangement is a good rule of thumb to go by.

Popular Focal Flowers:

What Are Line Flowers?

Line flowers have multiple clusters of blooms that grow along a tall stem. They add height, shape, and vertical elements to a bouquet. Line flowers create the “setting” or framework and stretch the arrangement into its surrounding space. Line flowers create a shape that can be structured, closed, symmetrical, asymmetrical, or open. In contrast to focal flowers, which give your eye a place to rest, line flowers create rhythmic and flowing movement throughout the bouquet, which pulls all the parts into a cohesive, beautiful composition.

Popular Line Flowers

What Are Filler Flowers?

Filler flowers fill in the gaps and make arrangements look full, lush, and complete. Typically, filler flowers are smaller than focal flowers, with clusters of blooms that provide volume, texture, variety, and different colors to the overall floral design. Often playing the role of “supporting cast” to the larger, focal flowers, filler flowers can be just as striking, breathtaking, and mood-setting as any rose, peony, or dahlia. Filler flowers can help you set the tone for the effect you’re trying to evoke, such as dramatic, traditional, sweet, passionate, or cheery.

Popular Filler Flowers

How Is Greenery Used in Bouquets?

Greenery is an essential part of floral arrangements as it completes the overall look giving the bouquet a lush, healthy boost of overflowing greenery to support the colorful blooms. Not only does greenery add texture and movement, but it also complements the vibrant hues of the flowers, gives the eye a place to rest, adds interest and variety, and can make a statement all its own.

Popular Types of Greenery

Breaking Down a Floral Bouquet – Focals, Fillers, Line, and Greenery

Designing a floral arrangement is all about creating balance and contrast, movement and pauses, drama and tranquility to express your own unique floral story. Now that you know the types of flowers to use and their roles, you can begin creating a symphony of gorgeous bouquets. It’s best to start by selecting one to four focal blooms, the greenery you want to use, and then choose which line flowers and filler flowers will add the final touches and bring your vision to life. The bouquet below is a good example of how the four different flower types work together to create a beautiful final product.

Focal flowers: Dahlias and Garden Roses

Line Flowers: Blue Thistle and Celosia

Filler Flowers: Alstromeria and Baby’s Breath

Greenery: Myrtle and Eucalyptus

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 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 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!