Todich Floral Design Blog

Wedding Flowers

Though weddings are important events, they can lead to a lot of waste, which is less than ideal for the current environmental issues our planet is facing. But there are a lot of little things you can do make your wedding a bit greener.

It is important to go local, on as many aspects of the wedding as possible. Buying from vendors in the area means both you and they will waste fewer gallons of fuel and money will go back to local businesses.

Picking out flowers that are in season, will ensure freshness and costs. Todich Floral Design has a list of seasonal wedding flowers, and their availability. So you can plan your wedding accordingly.

Use planted centerpieces, either flowering or green. One little known secret is that, along with being beautiful and lasting, they will act as great air fresheners!

Going green in terms of wedding gear is also an option. Usually, the clothing worn by guests is specifically acquired for the occasion and is only worn once. Instead of asking for formal wear, ask for your guests to wear a specific colour. This way there is a chance that they already have that in their wardrobe.

Try to have more than one ’something old,’ wedding dresses use up a lot of fabric that is treated with petroleum products and bleached, which can be really taxing on the environment. There are a lot of vintage and thrift stores that have beautiful and original gems to offer. Even if you only manage to find some gently used gloves or shoes, you have already taken some steps forward.

It is true that diamonds are a part of the wedding tradition, but this stone is has negative impacts both socially and environmentally. There are a lot of other precious stones that are just as beautiful, moonstone, pearl or sea glass can be just as beautiful in a ring.

Sources:

http://www.todichfloraldesign.co.uk/weddings/christian-weddings

Spring has finally sprung, and this is a great time of year to whip out the tulips as a gift idea! This simple, yet compatible and beautiful flower has gone a long way. It started its trip in Asia Minor, made its way to Dutch florists and is now makes our gardens and homes colourful.

In the past, it was not all that easy to get your hands on a bouquet of tulips, they were actually seen as quite a commodity! When they were first brought to Holland, a sort of “tulipmania“ spread across the country. They became the subject of art and were seen as treasured possessions in many homes.

Though they are not as highly valued today, the Dutch are still crazy about the flower. The appreciation for this bloom is best demonstrated by the hundreds of visitors, who visit the gardens of the Keukenhoff each spring to admire the multi-coloured fields of tulips. In addition, an exhibit called the, “Tulips in Amsterdam“ is held at the Rijksmuseum, where works of art are displayed dedicated only to this flower. Though the tulip is not as extravagant as the orchid, this kind of obsession, in my opinion, really shows how special this flower truly is. It is obvious that people still know the value of simplicity.

The exhibit itself will hold paintings and drawings of the flower. The central exhibit to this show is a book of depictions of the tulip, which are so highly valued that usually only single pages of the book are sold. Though the etchings and watercolours on display are just as highly valued.

Today it is hard to imagine, that in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, fortunes were made and broken by the tulip. When the craze for this flower ended, many were left with their pockets empty and their hands full of bulbs. This goes to show that we should really appreciate our tulips today, as we can get our hands on them without a hitch!

When I think of tulips, simplicity is the first thing to come to mind. Flowers24hours.co.uk., has a bouquet on offer, Elegance, that really brings out the stylish aspect of tulips. They are arranged in a sleek vase

that will look great in any setting!

The Shanghai, is also a great arrangement of tulips, bringing out the vibrant colours of tulip out, with contrasting green foliage, in a more exotic arrangement.

If you are looking to surprise a special someone with a big bouquet, the Flora, is a great bouquet to consider. The brightness of this bouquet is sure way to convey your appreciation.

Sources:

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/tulipmania-revived-at-amsterdam-museum/

Dutch Multi Colored Tulip Fields

Most of us can recognize the scent of a rose or a dandelion from afar. Science might have a hand in changing this fact. Shakespeare’s famous quote, “ That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” may not ring true for all time.

Researchers at the University of Florida, have found a way to chance the scent of a flower. The genes that control the chemicals that make up the scent of a flower have been isolated. This means that the different compounds of a flowers scent can be increased or decreased, making it possible to create different fragrances.

Flower breeders have mainly worked on changing the appearance of flowers, changing their size, colour and the length of the blooming period. Scent has not been addressed this closely.

Due to this breeding of larger, enduring and colourful flowers, it appears that unintentionally flowers with a weaker scent have been selected, and many flowers are losing the strength of their scent.

In the future it might be possible to choose flowers not only according to appearance, but in terms of scent as well. We might soon be bringing vanilla scented flowers! Or an entire wedding could be designed not only according to one colour scheme but its scent as well. If you are planning an event this is something you do not have to worry about, and Todich Floral Design, will make design and decoration all that much more simple.

Another interesting the research team made was that, flowers like petunias release their scent from their petals. The scent is only released once the petals have opened.

Studies are set to continue, in an effort to set the scents of flowers, without affecting the appearance of the flower.

Not sure about the types of work we do? Want to see us in action but haven’t been able to? Well now you can.

After several months of development, we are pleased to announce the launch of our online video gallery!

The video facility aims to give you a chance to see live footage of the events we have done and get to know us and our style a little better. You will also be able to view videos of our flower arranging sessions, filmed in a way you can easily follow, for free, at home.

We will be updating our gallery weekly, with new videos, tips, hints and event work we have done. Make sure you stay updated for some of the hottest floristry videos in London!

Recently, the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, were given a bit more colour as they were decked with flowers. Millions of visitors showed up to admire the floral show.

This is the biggest floral show hosted in the city, and Nguyen Hue Boulevard is transformed into Flower Street for a week, gaining the admiration of many.

The inspiration for this year’s show was to capture the glow of sunset in the spring. This was meant to be a symbol of good wishes and luck in the new year. It was also a positive step into the Year of the Tiger, and precursor for the city developments to come.

Tigers made from various flower types decorated the city streets. Another important event is to take place this year, the nation’s capital, Thang Long – Ha Noi, is to celebrate its 1000^th anniversary.

The Lunar New Year, falls on the same day as Valentine’s Day, so there were enormous hearts made of flowers, to celebrate this occasion.

As the weather in this city is quite a few degrees warmer than what we are experiencing in the Western hemisphere, flowers had to be replaced frequently. Nearly 100 florists were taking care of the flowers at any given time.

Flower Street is a great delight for both foreigners and locals, as is any event filled with blooms, flowers always manage to leave a great impression on their beholders, as well as provide an upbeat atmosphere.

Though you may not have plans for giant chrysanthemum tigers to decorate your upcoming event, Todich Floral Design, can help you make your event leave a similar impression on your guests.

Featured in yesterday’s South London Press (Left - Right: Carol, Todd, Lesley, Kalina)

We’ve been nominated for the innovation award at this years Lambeth Business Awards! The innovation is based around a brand new wedding product we’ll be offering our lovely brides from late Feburary! It’s all very hush hush at the moment but as soon as we launch it we’ll promise to let you all know!

The award ceremony is taking place on the 23rd of February and we’re up against some great competition, including our sister brand Flowers24Hours.co.uk! Good luck to all participants on the evening and see you all there!

The Snap Dragon is a flower that often escapes our thoughts, but with the development of breeding, this little beauty is becoming hardier by the year. Hybrids of this flower are less susceptible to heat, tough against the cold, sturdy and available in a new palette of colors.

No matter what the climate is like in your area, the spadragon can make itself at home at some time in the year. Usually, it is a gardener’s favourite complement for the pansy during autumn. Where winter is a bit colder they are planted at the end of winter or the beginning of spring, filling gardens with color through summer.

The botanical term for this bloom is Antirrhinum majus. Breeding of this plant has taken enormous steps forward, making it a tough little addition to the garden.

The Sonnet and Liberty variety are especially favoured, in the garden they grow to a nice height from 24 to 30 inches. This means that they do not need structural support, both in the garden or in a flower arrangment, making them nearly hassle-free.

The snapdragon is also available in dwarf varieties, with the Tahiti and the Montego being especially praiseworthy types. The Montego is a bit more sturdy in nature, and unlike the Tahiti it does not have a tendency to fall over. These flowers are bit smaller reaching a height of only 12 inches.

If you are looking for something a bit off the beaten path, the rare coloring of the “Twinny” offers something more unique. This is a double flowered version of the snapdragon, its peachy color gives off an air of nostalgia to any garden or arrangement.

The hybridization of a the Spanish Antirrhinum hispanicum and A. molle lead to the introduction of trailing snapdragons, opening new doors and looking for new solutions from designers. This development also lead to creating a more heat-tolerant version of the flower.

Those who are planting this flower at this time of year are taking a bit of a gamble, but it is still possible that this flower is in bloom in many places, meaning that it is still a possible option for flower arrangements.

There is something whimsical and lighthearted about the snapdragon, it can soften the harder edges of any arrangement. With specialized breeding there is quite a palette of colors to choose from. Using this flower as a part of your next design idea can add an element of originality, as well as take you back to childhood years to the time when many of us would gently press together the head of the flower, to see the ‘dragon’ open its jaws.

Sometimes it can be hard to define, what exactly we find beautiful on the cold stormy days of winter. When taking a closer look, howling winds and below zero temperatures could mean the source of inspiration for the next floral centrepiece to adorn your table at a special event. Gales carry with them what nature has discarded cones, needles, branches, seed pods and other beautiful, natural pieces of art.

When working with the right floral designer, nature can lead to the formation of magnificent pieces of botanical art, using city streets, country lanes, or a farmer’s field for as the source of inspiration.

Some have even made this their craft, those who use natural resources for their floral design have been given the title of wildcrafter. As their line of work requires it, they lead a life completely immersed in nature, developing a keen eye for possible material in the outdoors.

This type of designer will be very unlikely to create the traditional Christmas wreath, made of pine or cedar, instead other materials are used making a less obvious reference to the holiday. This kind of approach can be far more refreshing, a bit of originality can just as easily capture the spirit of the season, perhaps even more so, than a green wreath with a red bow that is a mirror image to the one hanging on the neighbour’s front door.

One wonderful example is the use of blackberry, rose hip or birch branches to create a wreath. When birch is in question, branches collected in early spring are fairly malleable, and they can simply be wound around each other, until the desired thickness is reached. Then it is up to the designer to decide what is to be used as further decoration. This can be flowers, bark from from other trees, berries or whatever you like best.

Using nature as a source for ideas can have more than one positive aspect. Natural design and decorations can act as a reminder to stay green, while using nature’s creations will guarantee that you stay unique. In the following few months we will all be spending a considerable amount of time going from house to house, event to event, or perhaps organizing one or several get-togethers of our own. Wouldn’t it be rejuvenating to see one unique decoration scheme after another? Our own homes or events could also see some refreshment with a little boost from the outdoors.

There is no need to start wandering through the woods collecting branches like a wildcrafter. But the next time you consult with a floral designer, don’t forget to think back to the last winter walk you took. With a little help from our designers you could be on your way to creating design that is earthy, yet spectacular and original.

Source

Growth patterns of plants and flowers due to change, alongside other natural phenomenons

Flowers and plants are expected to bloom up to two months earlier by 2080, says University of Edinburgh Professor Ray Thompson. Based on data going back to 1775, temperatures are forecast to increase by 5ºC in the next 60 years.

According to the same scientists, each 1ºC increase in temperature brings flowering 11 days forward. This early flowering could increase the risk of disease and the potential for severe crop damage by late frosts in the year.

Predictions such as this highlight the importance climate change has in the floristry industry. If temperatures continue to rise, it is almost certain the price of cut flowers will increase. The varieties of flowers will change and the current seasonal flowers will be in different seasons.

The worst hit areas are likely to have oceanic climates, such as Western Europe, the US east coast, New Zealand, Chile and North Africa.

Working with a natural resource such as flowers means we need to have an even stronger outlook. We as an industry must ensure we do our utmost to reduce climate change and prevent the effects of global warming by reducing our carbon emissions and waste material, reusing as much as possible and recycling everything we can. To find out more about what we do to save the planet, email us or call us on 020 7737 1166.

(29.09.09, Horticulture Week, HortWeek.com)

The Gold Medal Garden at Tatton

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to create a gold medal garden in two weeks, look no further.

Philip Dugdale and Alan Burns, of C³ Landscape Architects, have recently won the gold medal for the Best Visionary garden 2009 and have been kind enough to share some of the pictures of development with us!

Recent graduates of Leeds Metropolitan University, these two young landscape architects have surpassed any expectations held of them. The garden took two years of planning, 6 months of non-stop work (including growing all the plants themselves), 3000 flags of ethically sourced Indian Sandstone, 283 wire cages (gabions), 17 tonnes of stone, 3 tonnes of steel and a collective weight loss of 3 stone between the duo!

The Duo Hard at Work!

They describe their concept as, “Fusing together the infinite possibilities of landscape architecture with restrictive urban landscapes to create sustainable design solutions that are unique to their surroundings”. And unique they are! Tatton is the show that aims to “break the mould of garden design and show innovation and foresight”, which is taken entirely literally in the case of this magnificent cubed garden.

“Some of the plants are 30-50 years old - the gunnera came from a plant more than 100 years old,”  Alan explained. “The judges couldn’t believe we weren’t gardeners. We have an eye for what works, including in nature.”

Philip, of Marton Moss, labels himself as  a new generation “Mosser”, and concedes he’s influenced by the local coastal, urban and rural sprawl of the area, and concludes: “Now more than ever we need to have more ecological sustainability within our surroundings - and that’s key to the Cubed ethos.”

The garden will be on display in Liverpool at the Kirsty Doyle Store from the 25th of August.

For more information about the inspirational cubed garden, please visit http://www.cubedgarden.com

Alan cutting stones up for later use

Protecting the ground with permeable membrane

Santa's little helpers!

The finished garden!

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