Besides flowers being considered a gesture of love and care, they represent beauty and remind us of hope. Think of all the occasions that flowers are a part of - weddings, funerals, births, dinner parties, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Spring, tea parties, Thanksgiving etc. Not to mention the scents of flowers are so naturally intoxicating. As obvious as it may seem that flowers can set the tone for any event, to me, the mystery about flowers has always been in floral designs. I know nothing about which flowers go well together and which certain positions of the flowers look pleasing to the eye. People, professional or layman, who know how to arrange flowers in a way that can make us feel certain emotions should be celebrated.

Well, National Floral Design Day is on February 28th and has been celebrated since 1995, thanks to Governor William F. Weld of Massachusetts. The governor wanted everyone to consider floral design as a unique art form ”…utilizing natural media and applying such variables as line, balance, color, structure & symbolism.” Governor Weld said “…individuals are able to express many emotions including love, sympathy, friendship and hope..” And he also said that, “Floral design fosters creativity, enhances communication and develops perceptual awareness.” (see the link of the Official Proclamation on Nationaldaycalendar.com)

According to nationaldaycalendar.com, floral design can be defined but probably not limited to florals in “a bouquet, painting, in textiles, a garden or a floral arrangement. “ National Floral Design Day was, “…created as a unique way to celebrate a special birthday of Carl Rittner, the founder of the Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston over 60 years ago.  Mr. Rittner is a pioneer in floral art education. “

Flowers have “grown” on me and I will admit that I appreciate them more now than I did when I was growing up. My mom was very frugal (still is) and so whenever my dad would give her some flowers, I would hear her say, “Why would you spend money for flowers when they will just die?” I grew up thinking that way. Luckily for me, my mother-in-law Carole is someone who believes quite the opposite. She has opened my eyes to appreciate the esthetic of flowers, especially in floral design. Even though she is not a professional floral designer, Carole uses flowers in her own unique way to express herself and I admire this about her.

Carole’s specialty and I would say her most favorite part of setting a table, is putting together her signature floral designs. I have loads of photos of our Thanksgiving Day table settings. Above are just a few. Note how tulips are her choice of flowers on her California Christmas table (the round table). Seasonal design for tables is not what usually motivates Carole when she visits us in MN. It doesn’t matter if there is snow on the ground and/or the temperature is freezing, her flower choices are her very own.

Above are photos of some of the arrangements Carole has designed for other spots in our house besides the Thanksgiving table. She loves sunflowers.

Another family member who is great with floral design is Debbie, the mother of my sister-in-law Hailey (see photo above). Debbie is always picking beautiful flowers out of her garden and creating wonderful bouquets and small arrangements. I’ve watched her in action and she makes the entire experience joyful, sweet and simple. There is a natural, organic way that she moves about when she is gathering flowers to put into an arrangement and I think it transfers to her floral design. I am a true believer that the energy that we put into the things that we do, exudes or comes out in the final product. I think she’s guided by her heart when she puts her flowers together and that is a big reason why I appreciate her floral designs.

Debbie prefers snipping flowers from her garden rather than buying any. I’ve seen her quietly walking around with the sheers when she is at my sister-in-law’s house. Before I know it, she has brightened up a space in the house with her creations. It’s always lovely because she just uses what she has and it’s usually the perfect touch.

Well I wish I could say that the reason I can’t make floral designs like these is because we don’t live in Southern California like Carole and Debbie so I can’t grow my own garden year round. But that has nothing to do with it; I really don’t know anything about this stuff. So one of my favorite local spots to pick up unique floral arrangements is called Arts and Flowers. I really like how the designers in the store are visible and accessible; not behind closed doors in the back. They whip up creations non-stop, chit chatting, listening to music and designing away. I will go into the store with a request and they will advise, suggest and finish up with something fabulous.

Next is a cup size vase with flowers that resemble a hat. It was a thoughtful pinch to me from my friend Allison and I named her Rita. I have been going to Arts and Flowers to keep refilling the vase and making new hats for Rita.

Then along came Nancy of HouseStory this past summer of 2020 and I thought since she made our yard look nice that she would do a great job making the inside of our house look nice too. The container that Emily gave me is usually the first thing people notice when they enter our front door. Now Nancy has now taken over the design of it and she has made a hat for Rita too!

This goes without saying but besides floral design, there are other elements that contribute to the success of a florist shop. A local florist shop here understands their customers very well. I would mention their name but I’m not sure if they would get in trouble so I’ll omit it. Their customers are both women AND men. Their shop is set up so esthetically pleasing for the feminine taste and guess what, they also know that when a spouse or significant other comes in, they may not know what to buy. The thought of messing up is daunting and they may be frazzled from the ordeal of getting an arrangement that conveys their feelings. I love how the floral designers in this shop hand over a beer and say, “Just leave it up to us.” They are 100% spot on in their floral arrangements plus they understand their clientele. Everyone comes out a winner.

I think when it comes to floral design, our hearts and our imaginations can range from grand to little at any given moment. What makes this type of thoughtful pinch, a success, is how it makes us feel. Mother Nature’s “gift” to us can be as simple and as magnificent as we make it. I appreciated reading in Oprah’s book What I Know for Sure, that one of the best gifts she received from a friend who is known for her floral designs - major arrangements - was the gift of two small leaves shaped like hearts. We don’t hang onto leaves if we don’t feel something when we receive them.

So we should celebrate the floral designers throughout the country on Sunday, February 28th. We can give recognition to actual professional floral designers and/or the family and friends who use this art form to express themselves. Thank you floral designers everywhere for inspiring us to feel hope, experience the awe, see the beauty and smell the flowers.

Pinches,

Barb