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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!

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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. 

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How to Prevent Flowers From Wilting in the Heat

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

Tips for Keeping Flowers Hydrated on Hot Summer Days

 

Fresh-Cut Flowers in a Vase

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

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

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

Plant Heat-Tolerant Flowers Instead

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

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Discover the Charming Scabiosa (Pincushion) Flower

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

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

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

Scabiosa Description

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

Scabiosa Flower Symbolism

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

Scabiosa Design Uses

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

Popular Scabiosa Varieties

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

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

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

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

Creative Ways to Use Scabiosa Blooms in Your Wedding

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

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

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Choose Tropical Flowers for a Summer Vibe

When you’re arranging summer florals, or simply want to design a look that feels warm and sunny, tropical flowers are the way to go. With bright pops of colors and big, bold shapes, designs featuring tropical flowers are sure to bring a cheerful coastal vibe to any setting. The floral experts at Cascade Floral Wholesale are excited about our tropical collection and want to share with you the many ways you can include tropical flowers in your newest collections. 

Continue reading Choose Tropical Flowers for a Summer Vibe

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Make Your Summer Blooms Last All Season

Beautiful flowers wrapped in paper

Summer is here and bright, colorful blooms are exactly what we’re all looking for! Bold colors, big, showy flower heads and plenty of fresh green foliage comprise some of the best summer bouquets. When you use flower varieties that are long-lasting, your summer bouquets can take on even more substance. With the wild and free vibes that define summer, your summer bouquets will be enjoyed all season long. The floral professionals at Cascade Floral Wholesale have plenty of great tips and tricks for using the most long-lasting blooms in your summer arrangements. Give your customers what they’re looking for this season- beautiful, lasting bouquets inspired by the warmth and color of the season. 

Continue reading Make Your Summer Blooms Last All Season

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Extend Summer With Summer Flowers

Shop Bulk Summer Flowers

The arrival of August tends to signify the close of summer. Campers return home, vacations are over, and kids begin to prepare for the coming school year. However, even though It may be August, in many areas around the nation there is still plenty of summertime to go around (or at least we’d like to hope there is!). And even for those areas that are beginning to feel a fall nip in the air, we think that’s all the more reason to brighten someone’s day with bright, bold summer colors while they’re still available! That’s why Cascade Floral Wholesale is excited about our summer flowers. 

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Tropical Flowers For A Vacay Vibe

Summertime is the perfect season for stocking extra tropical flowers. From destination beach weddings and family photos to fun vacations, there are plenty of reasons to include tropical blooms in your summer collection. That’s why the floral experts at Cascade Floral Wholesale suggest offering and promoting a Tropical Flowers collection during this season. You’ll find customers in need of these bright blooms and exotic details at every turn. 

Continue reading Tropical Flowers For A Vacay Vibe

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DIY… Or With A Friend!

Now that summer is in full swing, parents everywhere are looking for ways to keep kids of all ages busy throughout the long summer days. For a few fun craft ideas that everyone will love, Cascade Floral Wholesale offers some great tips and tricks. With a little bit of planning and a few supplies, you can fill your summer days and create beautiful floral designs to show for it!

Create A Vase Collection

Gather a few old mason jars, glass milk bottles, and other vintage apothecary jars. Fill with a mix of wildflowers or your favorite blooms (we especially love our Vintage Blush combination for this project) and enough water and flower food to keep blooms fresh. Place bottles with varying heights, shapes and sizes freely across a long table or windowsill. Or, for wider tabletops, gather similar-sized containers together in a square formation and wrap with gardener’s twine to hold in place. 

 

Create Mini Bouquets 

Choose a few sheets of themed paper, like wrapping paper for birthdays and holidays, or scrapbooking paper with cool designs. Trim stems of flowers, then lay diagonally on a square of the paper. Wrap corners together, glue so they’ll stay together, then wrap with gardener’s twine for a fresh, hand-held design that can be kept or given away. (Hint: these make great back-to-school gifts for teachers!)

Create Napkin Rings

Design a gorgeous formal table setting for a summer garden party when you attach flowers and accents to shower curtain rings to create breath-taking napkin rings. Use similar flowers for each ring to create continuity across your table. Then create simple and elegant centerpieces with the remaining accent pieces (baby’s breath in mason jars is always a welcomed sight!). 

Create Pressed Flowers

Pressing flowers is an age-old tradition that mothers and grandmothers have been handing down to their children for centuries. Create a modern update to this look when you design an iPhone case or stained glass window with pressed flowers. First, press flowers in a heavy book, like an encyclopedia or phone book. Then glue carefully to a clear or white iPhone case. Once glue is dried, paint the entire case with resin or another clear varnish. Allow plenty of time to dry, then enjoy your own unique iPhone case!

 

Using fresh flowers for Do-It-Yourself crafts and projects makes for beautiful, unique designs. Work together with someone special as a means of spending quality time together. Plus, you’ll create beautiful gifts for others or add lovely touches to your own home. For more great DIY project ideas, talk to the floral artisans at Cascade Floral Wholesale. We’ll be proud to show you our collection of wholesale combos and help you choose the perfect set for your next project!

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Blue Hues in Weddings

Something Old, 

Something New, 

Something Borrowed, 

Something Blue….  

Maybe it’s their favorite color, or maybe there’s a significant meaning between the couple. Or possibly, this bride isn’t going to skip the traditions that have served women before her for centuries. Regardless of the reason, a touch of blue in a wedding ceremony brings a delightfully classic look that can be achieved in multiple ways. So what is the difference between varieties of blue flowers? The designers at Cascade Floral Wholesale can show you all the possibilities.

Continue reading Blue Hues in Weddings

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Freshen Your Summer Garden With Blooming Plants

Summertime is a perfect opportunity to begin or grow a garden! Warmer weather and longer days lend themselves to being outdoors. So, planting new varieties in the garden or starting a garden from scratch are great excuses to get outside. Some seasoned gardeners may be looking for new and interesting additions to their gardens. On the other hand, those just starting a garden may need something that’s easy to care for and grows quickly. Cascade Floral Wholesale wants to make you ready for the endless possibilities gardens bring with gorgeous blooming plants. Since they’re easy to grow and quick to show beautiful flowers, these designs are often long lasting, easy to care for, and make lush, beautiful additions to a gardenscape.

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Spotlight on Summertime Brights

Cascade Floral Wholesale is excited to welcome summer, with its rich variety of colorful blooms, fresh greens, and festive displays. We know that summer brings a whole host of occasions that call for a floral bounty, from weddings to patriotic events to family reunions and more. In that spirit, we’re showcasing our best and brightest blooms from our summer combo, which gives you access to a world of warm-weather flowers perfect for any occasion.

Continue reading Spotlight on Summertime Brights