May – June ‘19
Neighbourly love
“Butterflies in your stomach, sunshine on your toes, lazing around, swinging your legs. Spring makes your genes jump for joy.” Suhka
2 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
Editorial Cover comment: This is Marcia, with a jasmine plant. I love jasmine. It symbolises purity. This is typical to spring and to neighbourly love. Did you know that large-flowering jasmine and Arabian jasmine were bred especially for absolues? These are naturally fragrant substances that are used in perfumes.
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Spring has finally arrived. The sun is shining and the weather is dry. You can put away your winter coat and relegate your thick woolly socks to the back of your sock drawer. Every time spring comes around I want to celebrate it. This year is even more special, because I am coming closer and closer to the magical goals I have set for 2020. We will discuss these goals later on. First, I want to get a few things clear for myself. This is necessary, if I want to flower. And for this, I will need a little help from you! My ultimate goal, this speck on the horizon that I am working towards, is to bring people happiness and inspiration. Do you ever think about this speck on the horizon? What is your goal? I am always interested in what makes people tick. I like to talk – and talk a lot – because I think that this brings me inspiration. But is this true? Are my stories worthwhile to you, or would you prefer something different? Help me flower and send your tips to info@flowertales.com. What is fully in bloom already is our offering: new packages, new products and intriguing tales. VIP has an entirely new line of carnations, we are introducing a ‘streetwise’ lily and Pure Solas is shining a new light on marrying in white with Decofresh’s ‘Glances of Romance’ roses. The colour green is a central theme and I will provide some explanations about a special technique on page 18. I hope you enjoy reading this magazine!
FLynt
Love,
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pinterest.com/flowertales0343 Neighbourly love 3
A package that keeps becoming more eccentric is . You will find lots of dyed flowers here, because spring is celebrated with the most outrageous colours. . This package Things get even wilder with includes dyed Dianthus and Phalaenopsis. The colours reveals a lightness that range from dark to light. is not sweet; it is almost futuristic. Dark is not wintry here, but has a mystical allure.
4 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
Dianthus dye Sepia
Flowers and plants that are dyed in hysterical, unnatural colours are nothing new. What is new is that they are now being dyed in a way that makes them look completely natural. Have you seen the Sepia and Brownie carnations? You won’t be the first person to wonder if they are genuinely that colour ... or not!
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FLOWERS IN
Spirituality and mystery are two elements that play a big part in this package. The spiritual aspect is reflected in the Buddha statues, and mystery in the unique colours of the plants and flowers. A prime example is the Phalaenopsis dyed purple. It looks a bit strange, but has a very powerful allure. It may be a question of taste, but I am a fan!
6 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
Heliconia and peacock feathers are typical to . This month they are complemented by the Pip Salmon chrysanthemum and the Milka gladiolus. The Marshmallow Blue chrysanthemum gives the package a lovely sparkle.
Not everyone is able to appreciate our package. Understanding the beauty of these combinations demands a special way of looking at things. Nevertheless, Umami offers many beautiful components that can be combined individually. I would say: just take whatever appeals to you. The Mindset germini, for example, is an exciting flower but, it is also simply lovely as an ivory/pink Mini Gerbera. Rosa Westminster is an exclusive gem that is supplied in a carton packaging. Opening it is just like unwrapping a gift. I took a collection of vases in a brown glass and filled them with Rosa Westminster and Mindset germini. What do you think? I placed the shells with the inside facing up so that you can see the mother-of-pearl better.
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F lowering FLOWER OF THE MONTH
‘Life is short, buy the flowers’
Peonies: beautiful and widely available in May. Did you know that you can also get asters now? It’s time that we stop associating them only with autumn.
MORE MAY ‘19 This is the period in which I flower; in which flowers, trees and plants flower. A time when everything looks sunny and the grass is always greener. Perhaps this is why there are a number of special days this month that are important to you as a florist. In Germany they celebrate Labour Day and in the Netherlands Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. There is also Ascension Day, a public holiday for many people. A perfect time to call attention to flowers!
PLANT OF THE MONTH
People know the popular lisianthus as a cut flower, but it is also available as a plant. This variant is called Lisi Lova and has been bred and cultivated to fit every garden table.
WORK IT, WORK IT I want you to meet my guest, Björn, who is a florist. He styled the packages and created the floral arrangements for Bright Vivid and Umami. Now, aren’t those creations simply marvellous?
1 Labour Day
(DE: Maifeiertag)
MOTHER’S DAY
Already celebrated in Great Britain last month, this special day still has to arrive in other countries. A day just for mothers: often the dearest, warmest and most pleasant people that you could possibly have around you. This is why we have a peony especially for you, mum. Because I love you so much.
14 Mother’s Day 8 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
4 Memorial Day 10 Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)
Father’s Day (DE)
18 World Plants Day (INT) 21 International Cultural Diversity Day
grass everywhere’ ‘The is green
COLOUR OF THE MONTH
Muskmgerleoenn
There are countless shades of green. Not only that, the way green is perceived in terms of meaning differs strongly from one culture to another. Did you know that green is a difficult colour to mix? It is also difficult to emulate the feeling that you get from green. Fortunately, flowers and plants always give you a good feeling!
The word green has its origins in the AngloSaxon word Growan, which means ‘to grow’. This is why you generally associated it with herbs, grass and trees. The most negative association with this colour is envy and jealousy. This is particularly relevant in English-speaking countries. In France, envy is personified by the colour yellow. In China this is red, and in Japan it is purple.
emotional
introverted
But I generally get a positive feeling when I think of green. Fairies, like me, are often portrayed with the colour green or in green surroundings: in green clothes or surrounded by shrubs and trees. And did you know that there is a French fairy with a green skin? Her name is ‘La Fee Verte’.
motherly MODEST
History The colour green was given special meaning for Muslims in the 12th century. Together with white, it is the favourite colour of the prophet Mohammed. This is why it is a recurring colour in the flags of countries like Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. In Europe ‘wearing May’ (wearing something green) was a must for quite some time. Green is also a symbol for youth and young love. Still, the colour also had a problem with its image. Green was not a favourite among artists and painters, because the pigments were difficult to mix. This problem lasted until the 19th century. It’s easy to see. Just look at the grass on the painting Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte by George Seurat. The grass on the foreground looks rather dry.
10 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
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Here is on my favourite, new table. The table is a little too big for me, but everyone in my neighbourhood likes to drop by and take a seat around it. It is made up of three parts. The first part of the table shows life outdoors. The world of pastels is the second part. The last image is a beautifully laid table, for an occasion like a wedding. The versatility of is astonishing, while everything happens in peace and harmony. Do you dare to let yourself be swept away by these ambiences?
12 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
‘To be loved is to be seen’
Ivory -coloured florist foam Florist’s foam is usually green, so that it is hardly visible between the flowers and foliage. Still, this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Opt for ivorycoloured foam in the wedding season.
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GLANCES OF ROMANCE.
Eight beautiful roses, specially selected for FleuraMetz allows us to secretly catch a customers. glimpse of them. After all, when it comes to weddings and romance pastel hues are an absolute must. Will the wedding take place outdoors? Lavender gives special events a little sensory something extra that makes them truly memorable. It is the magical power of fragrance: even many years after it can take you back to a specific moment.
14 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
FLOWERS IN
In May and June, says ‘yes’ to white. White stands for purity and simplicity. Hydrangea, Phalaenopsis, Gypsophylla and Jasmin are indispensable for creating the perfect fairytale atmosphere on the big day.
Gypsum is all the trend these days, both white and coloured. In this package it makes me think of clouds to dream away by. They float over my table, as it were. Gypsum allows you to easily create multiple dimensions in your floral arrangements. It contributes a dynamic effect, even if it is motionless.
Whitepsucloumds of gy Neighbourly love 15
Beau ‐ ti
pleasing senses or aesthetic
16 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
‐ ful; to the r mind
g cally
The peony is not the only ‘flower of the month’ in May. According to my flower calendar, it is also the month of the statice and the aster. These flowers are light and soft and, above all, exude the feeling of a forest in summer.
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DIY
Cloudsuomf gyps
18 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
Floating clouds fashioned from flowers and grasses are definitely hot and an absolute must, according to a number of trendsetting floral Instagram accounts. Suspend them above your table (bare or set for dinner) to create an interesting still life, or incorporate them into a bridal creation, just like in . Now, how do you create a hanging object like this?
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT: 2 florettes (the size of these oasis foam blocks in a tray with a handle depends on how big you want to make your cloud; the cloud in this example project makes use of medium-sized florettes). 2 packages of fine gypsum (Gypsophila) Waterproof tape White paper wire, 2 mm
1 Immerse the florettes in water until full. Tape their plastic backs together with water-proof tape to create a single block of foam.
2 Suspend the taped-together florettes from the
ceiling using the white paper wire. This way, you will be able to reach it from all sides and any excess water will be able to leak out of the trays. After all, you do not want any water dripping onto your beautifully set table!
3 First, insert short twigs of gypsum into the florettes
to conceal the foam (so that the gypsum twigs stick out approximately 15cm from the florette).
4 C reate a fluffy, cloud-like effect by inserting a
second layer of gypsum in between the shorter layer. The cloud is constructed from the inside out, as it were.
5 When you suspend the cloud where you want
it, check to see if it remains securely suspended before setting to work on the table below. This will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble!
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I don't think it’s ever been this colourful. The dark and background has disappeared from been replaced by lots of darker-coloured flowers. These flowers are, of course, black. In addition to darker colours there are also lots of bright as well as softer elements. Just look at the red and yellow lilies, and the light pink flowerpots. Or what about flowerpots in Delft blue? I’m saving those for the summer issue, though.
Pieter: “I do not envision any bouquets package, but for the flowers nonchalantly placed in a vase, perhaps accompanied by a few twigs. I am thinking of Oriental lilies, Heliconia and Strelizia, large-flowered spray roses and mixed spray carnations. Plants that I think go well with this package are surprising new tropical plants as well as old-fashioned ones, like paintedleaf begonias, Coleus or African linde. Therefore, I would choose Alocasia, Coleus, Begonia (painted-leaf), Papyrus, extra- large Adiantum plants and Asparagus.’’
20 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
Pieter Landman, owner of Blooming Vision and a master floral arranger has unleashed his creative vision on the mood board and colour palette.
‘A mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work if it isn’t open’
Lillium Forza Red
The lily is a tremendously powerful flower. Sometimes, I have to be patient for an entire week until I can see it in all its glory, but the looks – and in some cases the fragrance as well – are instantly noticeable, as soon as it opens. Don’t like strong fragrances? There are also varieties that are completely odourless, like this Forza Red.
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Not all wedding couples go for white. Warm or even outspoken colours are often a better alternative for young, urban weddings. Being together with their friends is very important to this bride and groom. Their dream wedding is only complete with the right flowers. Urban Eclectic is a collection of roses that will help you with this. The varieties will perfectly complement the entire picture! You will also find these roses in the Urban Tane package.
22 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
FLOWERS IN
It was 1926 when Coco Chanel introduced the ‘little black dress’ at Chanel. This dress has become a fixed element in fashion. The colour black was and still is on trend. Of course, there is always the discussion of whether or not it really is a colour. It is worn by many people who consider it a pleasant, concealing, or deep colour. Nowadays, dark or black items are also a trend in interior decorating, like black doors and window frames as well as walls in dark hues. These dark surfaces are then complemented with colourful furniture and lots of wood. has lots of the flowers that are black, of course, and this is quite unique. Flowers like this tie in seamlessly with a timeless fashion trend.
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Enjoying flowers all year round is wonderful, but what’s even better is to be surprised by seasonal products. Summer flowers produce sincere smiles. Everyone should be able to partake of the wonderful joys of summer. You will find the first summer flowers in the FleuraMetz online . shop under ‘Surprise’
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- Steve Jobs
24 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
ay to is to u do’
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When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine’ ‘
26 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
MORE JUNE‘19
Celebrate life
I happen to know that this month has many days whose main theme is celebrating nature. Time to party! June has World Ocean Day, International Environment Day and the official start of summer. In the Netherlands, grandparents are put in the spotlight on Grandmother and Grandfather’s Day. Talking about this is spontaneously making me hungry for a piece of cake to celebrate all these wonderful days! Will you join me?
FLOWER OF THE MONTH
This month doesn’t put a single flower in the spotlight – but an entire group! All those summer flowers make me so happy, and they are so wonderful to combine. Not just the sunflower, but also ‘heirloom’ flowers like Penstemon and Monarda.
SUSTAINABILITY
My colleague Suzanne is in charge of sustainability at FleuraMetz. She has already given several interviews and written many articles.
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Would you like to know more about this subject? Click here to find out.
1 International Day
8 Best Friends Day
of Environment
8 World Oceanday 18 Father’s Day (NL, FR, IT)
‘But these are days we dream about when the unlight paints us gold.’
People from ancient civilizations used lavender flowers in the same way that we use soap today. They put it in their bath water because of its delightful fragrance and calming properties. In June I never have any worries; I have lavender for that.
21 World Music Day 25 Lonely Bouquet Day
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International Day of the Children Neighbourly love 27
At the beginning of summer, will be composed of two components. Living the real outdoor life with lots of products in an Ibiza and boho style is the first. On the other hand, it is also experimental and colourful. The line features lots of different materials, as well as dyed and brightly coloured plants and flowers. A starring role in this package has been reserved for the germini. Actually, come to think of it: the germini is included in many other packages as well. Now, why is this so?
28 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
‘In the cookie of life, friends are chocolate chips’
Begonia luxurians
The Palm Begonia may look just like a normal green houseplant, but it can flower in the wild. This hardly ever happens indoors, so what I enjoy most is its unique foliage. It can grow up to 2½ meters tall. I hope I will succeed!
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FLOWERS
And then there is the Gerbera, once again in a different variety. It seems as if there is a Gerbera for every emotion. This big family is divided into seven personalities. Germini Rebel is a spidery flower, and is also called Spikey. It is a group that likes to stand out and call attention to . itself. Perfect for Germini Rebel ... how do you like it?
30 FlowerTales May – June ‘19
I sometimes like to let it all out and go dancing on a Saturday night. Do you ever do that? What do you wear? Echeveria was available in black and white before, but Splash is wearing an outfit in outrageous pastel tints. Crank up the volume, because this succulent is taking over the dance floor!
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Colophon REALISATION AND EDITORS: The FlowerTales team (Jojanneke Vellekoop, Manôu ten Asbroek, Diana van Zwieten, Romy van Kleef and Nancy van Kleef) and Bianca Rijkenbarg. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Björn Kroner, Pieter Landman, Meesterlijk Geschikt, the models, all our colleagues at FleuraMetz HQ Aalsmeer and Honselersdijk, the purchasing team for flowers and plants, our heroes from hard goods and decorations and all the colleagues, who translated this issue into other languages
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