Posted on

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. 

autumn floral bouquet in a pumpkin vase for Halloween. Table setting for wedding

How to Make a Pretty Pumpkin Floral Arrangement

How to make a Thanksgiving centerpiece - step by step: flowers and accessories.

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 a Thanksgiving centerpiece: bouquet of flowers in pumpkin.

How to make the flower bouquet

  1. Carve a hole in the top of the pumpkin large enough for the glass vase (or vessel holding the flowers) to fit inside. 
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Beautiful bouquet of flowers: white, pink and burgundy peonies

           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. 

Vintage metal flower cage used for arrangements

  • 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. 

Decorated pink pumpkin with succulents, flowers and leaves at the greek garden shop in October. Vertical.

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. 

Beautiful autumn bouquet in pumpkin on table

Posted on

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.

Modern table's centerpiece for summer wedding. A lot of greenery being composed into stunning arrangement. Step by step, tutorial.

6 Tips for DIY Wedding Floral Arrangements

Choosing Your Flowers

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.  

Florist at work. Woman making bouquet of pink roses

Preparing for Assembly

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Florist at work: How to make modern table's centerpiece for summer wedding. A lot of greenery being composed into stunning arrangement. Step by step, tutorial.

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

Flowers in Fashion

Beautiful young woman in nice blue dress posing on colorful wall of flowers. Fashion photo, nice hair, big smile

New York Fashion Week 2022 just ended, and we were surprised by how many amazingly gorgeous floral-inspired designs we saw on the runway. For example, stunning floral prints in Caroline Herrara’s collection and the beautiful dresses inspired by actual flowers showcased on runways from Loewe and Dion Lee, where pieces in the shape of anthurium blooms and monstera leaves gave off a stunning yet cool tropical vibe. Intrigued by seeing flowers prominently displayed on fashion runways, we wanted to research the history of fashion and flowers to see just how long this trend has been around.  

Asian woman wearing traditional japanese kimono

Flower designs have been a staple of fashion for centuries. After all, everyone loves flowers, and they are a naturally occurring source of beautiful and vibrant colors. Flower prints in clothing are believed to have first appeared on silks thousands of years ago in Asia. They were eventually adopted into the west, appearing on men’s and women’s fashionable garments, with popular flowers such as peonies, tulips, daisies, carnations, and more. One of the most interesting things about the history of floral designs in fashion is how new technology has allowed designers to incorporate flowers in many different and artistic ways. The discovery and trade of foreign flowers and the advancement of manufacturing processes helped advance the beautiful progression of designs from classic woven patterns of silk to the jaw-dropping designs of today. It is amazing how the beauty of flowers has transcended time and remains just as fashionable today as it did over a thousand years ago.

The influence of flowers in fashion can be seen beyond the use of literal depictions of flowers on garments. Many of the world’s top fashion designers are inspired by how a flower grows, which they incorporate into their designs. Many designers are also inspired by the stunning colors of flowers, from vibrant to light, rich to pastel, and speckled to gradient. 

Blooming gorgeous lady in a dress of flowers in the rainforest

Often, a designer will use real flowers to enhance or showcase their designs on the runway. In the spring fashion show of 2020, Prabal Gurung’s models carried woven bags filled with flowers. Similarly, Alexander Mcqueen created gowns of real flowers that graced the runways. Chanel had a look several years ago at dresses inspired by white roses, and bouquets of real white roses were held by the models to compliment the dress. It seems like flowers and fashion naturally go hand in hand.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: A model walks the runway for Chiara Boni La Petite Robe during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery II at Spring Studios on September 11, 2018 in New York City.

Many floral prints and floral-inspired fashion options are available today for men and women. From delicate floral designs to all-over flower patterns and traditional flower images to abstract ones, there’s something for everyone’s sense of style. Floral trends change yearly, but the floral print will never go out of style and will always impact fashion, as we see floral patterns in some form or another every spring and summer. 

Posted on

Interesting Facts About the Rose

White and red rose

Roses are the most popular flower in the world. Nearly everyone loves this beautiful, magical, and, some would say, perfect bloom. Its long and rich history is intimately linked with humans, and the rose has been used to symbolize love, beauty, war, politics, and more.  Here are some cool and interesting facts about the beautiful and immaculate rose that you may not know.

pink rose in summer garden

  • While the most popular color of rose is red, they come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes. here are over 150 different types of roses and thousands of cultivated hybrids s. Roses grow as climbers, groundcovers, and shrub-like plants, and they can be found on every continent.

 

  • Roses grow across the globe, but the countries that produce the largest amount of roses (billions each year!) are The Netherlands, Ecuador, Columbia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Due to ideal weather conditions, Ecuadorian roses are considered the best as the climate allows for them to grow vibrant, large varieties, including new and rare crossbreeds of blue roses.

 

  • Roses are one of the oldest flowers known, with fossils that date back 35 million years. Evidence suggests roses were being cultivated nearly 5000 years ago by Japanese, Chinese, and Greek civilizations. This makes roses the oldest flower to be cultivated specifically for ornamentation. Amazingly, the oldest living rose today is over 1,000 years old and can be found growing on the side of Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. 

 

  • Some roses are edible. Creative chefs, baristas, and bartenders use rose petals and rose extract for cocktails, teas, jellies, and as a flavoring in meals. A common ingredient made from roses is rose water, which comes from soaking rose petals in water. Roses found in a typical bouquet, however, are not to be consumed. Only roses specially made for human consumption should be ingested.

 

  • Each rose color has unique and interesting hidden symbolism. The classic red rose has the well-known symbolism of romance, beauty, and love. Bright fiery orange roses are associated with passion, excitement, and romance, while a softer peach shade represents sincerity and gratitude. White roses signify sympathy, which is why they are often seen at funerals, but they also represent innocence and purity, making them common at weddings as well. Pink roses are used for expressing admiration, elegance, and joy.

 

  • In 1986, Ronald Reagan declared the rose the national flower of the United States. Georgia, New York, Iowa, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C have a type of rose as their official state flower, as well.

 

  • The largest rose ever was grown by Nikita K. Rulhoksoffski, a Californian rose grower, and it was 33 inches in diameter with a 6-foot stem. This rose was five times larger than a typical large hybrid rose and was so big it couldn’t stand upright on its own and had to be displayed on the floor.

Closeup of rose bush flowers in summer garden during blossoming after rain

If you are now inspired to get your hands on some roses to create decorative floral centerpieces or bouquets, then check out our rose selection. Along with filler blooms, assorted flowers, and fresh greenery, Cascade Floral Wholesale has the best, high-quality, and long-lasting blooms around.

Posted on

How to Create Stunning Floral Arrangements with Zinnias

up close of pink Zinnia

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. 

A summer zinnia flower branches isolated on white background

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. 

Pink yellow and red zinnias

 

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! 

Bouquet of zinnia on the table on a blue background. Flowers in a vase. Copy space.

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. 

zinnia flowers in bucket on white background

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. 

Bouquet of zinnia flowers

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. 

Flower bouquet in vase in a garden setting

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.

Multi-colored zinnia flowers close-up on wooden table

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. 

Close up of zinnia flowers in vase

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

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. 

Flowers in jar, beautiful bouquet on table on gray background

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.

Flower in Glass Jar

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. 

White and pink daisy bouquet in mason jar on table background, fresh flower

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. 

Colorful flowers. The bouquet in a decorative glass jar stands on the trunk of a tree. Brick wall in the background.

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. 

A small bouquet of spring flowers in a mason jar on a wooden background. Still life photography

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. 

Glass jar with pink purple flowers on a white wall background. Interior decorating.

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

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!

Beautiful fresh ranunculus flowers on white background

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. 

Florist at work. Woman making bouquet of persian buttercup flowers (ranunculus)

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.

Bright Pink Yellow Peach Orange Ranunculus Fowers on White Backg

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. 

Beautiful fresh ranunculus flowers in kitchen sink

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! 

Beautiful fresh ranunculus flowers on color background

Posted on

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.

Close-up of male florist preparing flower bouquet at his flower shop

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. 

Beautiful bouquet of blooming long stem pink roses on white background.

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. 

Portrait of female florist in apron arranging fresh flowers for bouquet in the flower shop, using roses, hydrangea, peonies. Small local business

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.  

Female florist holding fresh roses in 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.  

scissors and tape on a white background. office equipment for work

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.  

Woman making floral wedding decorations. Tiny bouquet of beautiful pink flowers

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. 

Wild roses bouquet in a glass vase

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

Posted on

Beautiful Blue Flowers of Summer

We love summer flowers for their vibrancy, rich hues, and the vast array of poppin’ yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, and whites. Often hidden in the sea of brightly-colored blooms, summer’s lovely blue flowers command attention in their own right by complementing rather than competing with showier blooms. You can find blue flowers in a variety of shades ranging from baby blue, royal blue, navy blue, indigo, and blue-violet. 

In the language of flowers and color symbolism, blue represents serenity, tranquility, intelligence, and spirituality. Blue flowers evoke feelings of calmness and peacefulness and can promote relaxation and contentment. Coming home to a beautiful bouquet of blue flowers after a long day is a great way to decompress and enjoy their beauty. Blue flowers are very versatile and pair well with any other flower color, whether bright, dark, warm, or pastel. 

If you’re ready to experiment with blue flowers, here are some of our favorites we love designing with.

Purple blue flowers of Campanula persicifolia (peach-leaved bellflower) on blurred background. Selective focus. Close-up of petals with raindrops. Nature concept for design

Bellflower 

These lovely bell-shaped blossoms make great cut flowers. The bellflower is a perennial plant that offers up light blue to blue-violet colored blooms from June into October.

Balloon flower (Platycodon)

Balloon Flower

Ballon Flowers grow in clumps and are members of the Bellflower family. Instead of blossoming into the shape of a bell, these flowers unfurl into a beautiful star shape. Balloon flowers grow all summer long in an intense shade of blue-violet. 

Cornflower blooming in Japan

Cornflower

The charming, bright blue cornflower is an annual small bloom that resembles a tiny carnation. Also known as bachelor’s buttons, cornflowers are great cut flowers to add to any arrangement for shape, texture, and awesome blue color. They also are great blooms for drying. 

blue Delphinium flowers

Delphinium

A tall flower with a column of bright blooms, delphiniums add drama to any garden or arrangement. These gorgeous blooms come in a shade of vibrant blue and have a lengthy vase life. 

Bouquet of blue forget-me on a wooden background

Forget-Me-Nots

These beautiful small flowers feature pink buds that bloom into delicate 5-petal blue blossoms. Each stem has its own small flower at the end but is surrounded by numerous others creating a full, voluminous effect.

A muscari armeniacum flower or commonly known as grape hyacinth in spring garden

Grape Hyacinth

A tall stem with clusters of small round blooms that resemble grapes, the striking hyacinth flower comes in a variety of blue shades, from pale to intense blue-violet. Grape hyacinths are great for adding height, texture, and intrigue to floral arrangements. 

hydrangea blue hydrangeas summer

Hydrangea

A florist favorite, lush and bountiful hydrangeas are beautiful. The blue variety is particularly lovely and will add charm and grace to any floral design. 

Blue Morning glory

Morning Glory

Morning glory flowers bloom on a vine and produce large, round blossoms with heart-shaped leaves. The beautiful morning glory comes in a vibrant blue shade with a yellow and white center, adding a bit of welcome contrast and drama.

Scabiosa columbaria close-up, Butterfly Blue, Small scabious, perennial herb with dissected leaves and up to 4 cm across lavender blue flower heads.

Pincushion Flower

Also known as Scabiosa flower, these small, button-like blooms can steal away the attention of larger blossoms. Beautiful, unique, and growing in shades of dark blue, the pincushion flower is a wonderful accent flower to include in your bouquet.  

Sea Holly blue thistle Eryngium flowers growing in the garden

Sea Holly

Another striking and mighty small bloom with a lot of character is the sea holly. Affixed to the end of tall stems and resembling the thistle, sea holly comes in a striking purple-blue color that is perfect for adding drama, texture, and height to your design.

From daisies to dahlias, delphiniums, and hydrangeas, Cascade Wholesale Flower has a large selection of summer blooms for all your floral projects. 

Posted on

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 with leaves isolated on white background.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.

Sunflower natural background. Sunflower blooming. Close-up of sunflower.
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.

Still life with autumn flowers, sunflowers and roses, apples, rowan and gourd on artistic background

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. 

Sunflowers in a vase on a rustic, blue background

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

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.   

Beautiful flower composition with autumn orange and red flowers and berries. Autumn bouquet in vintage vase on a wooden table with pink tissue and candles

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: 

Mums

Garden Roses

Anemones

Ranunculus

Peonies

Dahlias

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

Larkspur

Stock

Snapdragons

Delphinium

Bells of Ireland

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

Thistle

Wax Flower

Spray Roses

Baby’s Breath

Carnations

Lisianthus

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

Italian Ruscus

Eucalyptus

Leather Leaf

Dusty Miller

Myrtle

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

 

Beautiful flower arrangements for winter, spring, summer and autumn with colored backgrounds of white

Posted on

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.

Bouquet of daffodils tulips and fleur-de-lises on white background. Typical spring and Easter flowers.

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.

pink tulips up close

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.  

purple and yellow pansies

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.

upclose image of purple irises

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. 

Purple crocus flowers up close

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.

yellow daffodils in green field

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. 

colorful Freesia Flowers

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

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. 

Baby's breath (gypsophila paniculata)

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. 

Small baby's-breath flowers (gypsophila) on a soft lilac color background

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. 

Bouquet of the beautiful gypsophila

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. 

Baby's Breath colorful flowers box. Gift flowers box. Woman holding a flower box with gypsophila.

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.

Beautiful blooming pink roses and baby's breath decorate the arch for the wedding ceremony. Luxury holiday decorations. Holiday traditions. Plastic chairs. Outdoors in the summer.

  • 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. 

Flower girl at wedding with bow and baby's breath hair wreath in her hair

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

5 Ways to Preserve Your Flowers

Dry roses isolated on white background

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. 

hanging drying flowers as astilba and immortelle1. 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.

Beautiful dried flowers in notebook on wooden background2. 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!

Red Rose buried in silica gel for drying3. 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.

Beautiful shadows from glass vases in sunlight. Gerberas in glass bottles on a green background. A floral minimalistic concept in a modern interior with harsh light and shadow. Copy space.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. 

Dried flowers and dandelion in crystal resin.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

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. 

Single long stem rose isolated on white

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.

Miniature red roses bouquet for party or birthday celebrations. Water on rose petals. Pink roses bundle with dew drops on a white background. Bunch of flowers- Valentine's Day gift for women or mother

Sweetheart Roses

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

Delicate beautiful pink roses from a garden in a glass vase. English Roses,Variety - Princess Alexandra of Kent.

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.

Pink rose flower var. Pastella. Fragrant Floribunda Rose blooms. Medium sized flowers in clusters. Creamy with a Blush of Pale Pink Peach color. Hybrid tea roses in garden

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

Beautiful  red Rose Closeup.  A Freedom red Rose photographed with selective focus and natural light.

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. 

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

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. 

close up view of Rose Juliet and green plants bouquet

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 rose in summer garden
pink rose in summer garden

Pink Roses

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

An Image of Rose Cool Water

Lavender

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

Dew on the petals of a white rose. Fresh flowers in a summer cottage

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

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

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. 

Bridal bouquet with an abundance of eucalytpus leaves andn white flowers

 

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. 

White vase with spiral eucalyptus stems in it

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.  

 

Eucalyptus - Seeded

 

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 Eucalyptus

 

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.    

Beautiful bouquet of silver dollar eucalyptus and peach ranunculas

 

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.

Garland of eucalyptus decorating edge of wedding table with white flowers

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. 

Small bridal bouquet with peach ross waxflowers and spiral eucalyptus

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

Different Types of Greenery to Make Your Bouquet Complete

Green Mix of florals

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

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 Wedding Bouquet

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 RoseWhite roses exude serenity and are filled with a wonderful fragrance.

 

White,Opal,Anemone,Flower,Closeup

 

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

 

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

 

 

White Orchid

 

White CymbidiumThese exotic beauties are elegant and striking.

 

 

White Dahlia

 

White DahliaRound and filled with an abundance of petals, dahlias are romantic and stunning.

 

 

White Football Mum

 

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

 

 

White Gerbera Daisy

 

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

 

 

White Gladiolus

 

White GladiolusBring a pure-white brightness to any arrangement with tall stalks of white gladiolus.

 

 

White Hydrangea

 

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

 

 

White Orienteal Lily

 

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

 

 

White Peonies

 

White PeoniesLush, frilly, romantic, and full, white peony blooms are as luxurious as they are divine. 

 

 

Flower,Lishanthus,Wood,Brown,Texture

 

White LisianthusWith 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

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.