Past Newsletters

Vol 3 No 6

Heating Up Your Summer
with Flowers from the Torrid Zone

As the weather turns warmer and we stand poised on the edge of summer, C & H Endless Flowers Club dives into the spirit of things by bringing you flowers that epitomize the cool breezes and magnificent sunsets of those dog days to come. Swelling with waves of summer color, these hardy and magnificent specimens of nature can give any surroundings the look and feel of a beach resort. Our stunning bouquet includes red hot and yellow Veldfire Pincushion Proteas, pink Latifolia Proteas, tri-color Hala leaves, a fan of palm, and an accent of Curly Willow. A radiant display that's sure to warm up any table so adorned.

So dust off your tiki torches, fire up the grill, and start flipping those steaks. And don't forget to crown those patio tables with beautiful flowers from C & H Endless Flowers Club.

Veldfire Pincushion and Latifolia Proteas

Named after the Greek God "Proteas," these hardy flowers are from the ancient Proteaceae family, generally known as one of the oldest types of flowering plants. The Greek God is said to have had abilities to reshape himself into any form, hence, an appropriate moniker for a flower with a vast array of incredibly unique and stunning forms.

Originating in South Africa along the southern coastal mountain ranges and on the southern coast of Australia, Proteas found their way to the United States about 40 years ago when horticulturist Howard Asper first successfully propagated them in California in 1965. Thriving in the California soil, Proteas quickly became a booming industry and were eventually introduced in Hawaii. Both regions are so closely approximate to the native climate and soil of this family of flowers that propagation in these areas has been, and continues to be, a complete success.

The Veldfire Pincushion Protea is a composite flower, meaning it is in a class of plants considered to be highly evolved, with multiple flowers forming one cluster on the end of a stem. Not one of the newer cultivars, but a species that is, itself, native to South Africa, the distinctive head of this flower resembles - you guessed it - a pincushion. However, the mass and shape of the flower head, combined with the delicate radiating florets gives it the look and feel of the sun.

The stunning pink Latifolia is one of the easiest Proteas to grow, as well as one of the hardiest. Also known as Rose Spoon, its petals are sturdy, almost scoop-like spoons that grow up and around a composite flowering head. The pink hue of this flower is reminiscent of a Hawaiian colored sunset. Mated with the fiery shades of the Pincushion Proteas, you'll almost feel that you're on a beach in Maui at sundown!

Tropical Greens

The framework surrounding our equatorial bouquet starts with Tri-Colored Hala leaves (Pandanus tectorius) from the sun-drenched state of Hawaii. Originating in ancient times, this plant is not only known for the stripes of color and pattern it lends to bouquet flowers, but has been employed for centuries in Hawaii as fiber and dye used in traditional crafts and customs. The fruit of the Hala tree very closely resembles the pineapple and was a common fruit indulged in by the ancient Hawaiians. Blankets, or "kapas," were woven out of the Hala leaves and were decorated and adorned with the dye from the fruit of the tree. Leis were also fashioned from the fruit, although its' meaning being less than what was considered proper etiquette (one of the meanings of hala is "death"), the leis were only used to adorn self and not given to others.

Adding contrasting lines to the Hala greenery is the palm frond, a plant that lends the arrangement an air of warm tropics and sandy beaches, its backdrop playing up the magnificent forms of the Proteas. The crowning touch of Curly Willow, with its driftwood-shaped curves adds to the coastal feel of the bouquet, completing a breathtaking vision to enjoy as you watch the summer sunsets of June begin.

Caring for your Bouquet

One of the reasons Proteas are such a popular flower is the fact that they can last for up to 20 days in the vase. This means you can enjoy these tropical beauties for the whole month of June!

It is advised by the California Protea Association www.californiaprotea.com that you take proper measures to care for these beauties. Upon receipt of your flowers, do the following:

" Don't let them linger in the box. Take them out and cut the stems about ¼ of an inch from the end.
" Strip any leaves that would fall below the surface of the water.
" Place the flowers in a water-filled vase, and then add ¼ tsp. of bleach to every quart of water. This will stop the growth of algae, which might clog water channels of the stem.
" Cut the stems in the above manner every 4 to 5 days, supplying fresh water and bleach at the same time. This will help your flowers stay fresh much longer.

Let the Good Times Roll
Setting the Summer Stage with Flowers

What could be more enjoyable than a summer barbeque or patio dinner with family or friends? And what could be more appropriate than to brighten the surroundings of any soiree with blooms of the season? The view of the sunset, the aroma of steak over an open flame, good company and summer flowers - that's what fond memories are made of.

And knowing how these get-togethers can have such lasting impact on young and old alike, it is fitting that you take care in how they are put together in order to get maximum pleasure out of each and every one. They need not require hours of your time (that takes the fun out of it!), but if you know what to focus on, you'll make it into a gathering that won't soon be forgotten.

Just remember that throwing a successful party means having 3 things in place:

• Good food
• Pleasing company
  
• Aesthetic surroundings

It's the latter that we'll deal with here in this newsletter. And in the forefront? Flowers. "But, that's silly," you say. "Flower arrangements can't be that important - can they?" Oh, yes they can. Think back to the last time you went to an event. Did they have flowers? If they did, think about how the flowers were one of the first things, if not the first thing that you noticed when you walked in. It's called "instant impact." When you decorate, you're setting the tone of the environment. What is more lovely, natural, or inviting than beautiful clusters of open blooms? They automatically become the focus of a space by their brilliance alone and will, literally, put more life into your surroundings.

Now that we've got that concept firmly grasped, let's talk about the bouquet and how to display it in its most optimum form. Take the lead we give you here and let it play out. Have fun with it, add some flair of your own and see what a great setting you end up with.

Designing an Hawaiian Centerpiece

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine you're on an Hawaiian beach at sunset. The pig is roasting in the pit, the sand is cool beneath your toes, and the pineapple trees are swaying against the backdrop of a most magnificent sunset. This is where we took our cue, so have fun trying out this Hawaiian vase - it's a beautiful complement to our exotic bouquet.

You're going to carefully core a pineapple so that you keep the outer casing of it in tact. This will be the "vase" for your flower arrangement.

• Start by cutting off the top of the pineapple (save the palm of the pineapple to adorn your tray of fresh cut fruit). Next, do the same on the bottom of it (you can discard the bottom section).
  
• Using a long slender knife, insert it into the top of the pineapple between the outer scaly wall and the soft fruit of the center. Keep your cutting edge as close to the outer wall as you can without cutting through the scales themselves. You want to keep this intact for your vase.
  
• Cut in a circle all around the pineapple, then turn the pineapple upside down and do the same from bottom to top, taking care to make the cuts meet in the middle. This will help you preserve as much sweet pineapple for your table as possible.
  
• Once you've cored the pineapple, cut the fruit and lay it out on a serving plate. When you're ready to serve it, put the palm of the pineapple in the middle of the plate for adornment.
  
• Place a glass (one that will fit snuggly) in the center of the pineapple casing. Fill the glass with water and bleach (see instructions above and on our flower care insert for treating the water) then place the vase on a plate.
  
• Cut the flower stems to the proper size (so they won't droop) and place the flowers in a pleasing arrangement.

Once the vase and flower arrangement are complete, place tea candles on the plate around the perimeter of the pineapple. For an added touch, arrange smaller size rocks (easily available from your own garden or yard) around the perimeter of the plate. Now here's where you can get really creative - add fine linens to the table, fluted wine glasses, tapered candles and light some tiki torches. Throw some beach towels over the chairs for an added splash of color - or throw one on top of your table over your fine linen, then crown with the centerpiece. The possibilities are endless. Once you get going, no telling what you can do!

When twilight settles in after an afternoon of swimming, light the candles and enjoy the beautiful silhouette of tropical flowers and the sweet smell of exotic fruit!

When the Life of The Party is Gone
Preserving Your Proteas

Alas, it is said that all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, this is very true for cut flowers. However, endings can also signal new beginnings, and if there is one flower that has the ability to go on in the afterlife, it is the Protea.

Because of its density, when it dries it tends to hold its shape and not implode or shrivel away like many other species. Although the drying process will bring definite change to its color and form, it will remain a beauty that can be put to use in the décor of your home for virtually years to come. Follow these guidelines laid down by the California Protea Association www.californiaprotea.com when drying your flowers:

• Take your flowers out of the water when they have reached the end of their vase life. Strip away any leaves to the desired look (you can let the leaves remain if you wish, they will keep their shape just as beautifully as the flower itself).
  
• Put them away in a place where they will not be moved around or disturbed. The most optimum thing to do is to hang them upside down in an out of the way place. This will preserve their form. You can also put them in an upright container, however, don't lay them flat on a surface. They will lose their shape and beauty.
  
• Dry them out for approximately 3 weeks.
  
• When finished, your flowers can be arranged with other dried botanicals for a stunning bouquet. Use them in a centerpiece for a coffee table or arrange them in a pot on an entryway floor.
• They'll brighten up any space they're intended for, and the greatest thing is, you won't have to change their water!