Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design!!!!



Elizabeth Marsh floral design has been getting into the spirit of things!

Femme fatales of the 1940's film Noir era have been our inspiration for this hallowed eve: dark, mysterious and sultry.

The psychological thriller ‘Black swan’ also influenced the theme - pure femininity with a dark and Gothic side..... perfect for a chic and stylish Halloween concept.

1940's inspired flowers, such as gardenias and black dahlias alongside deep red Grand Prix roses and black arum lilies evoke the femme fatale, for a sultry and ‘vampish’ look.

The white satin dress contrasts fabulously with the dark, moody flower choices – drawing us into the theme of the duality of the innocent white swan and the troubled alter ego of the black swan. The simple, pure perfection of the dress is more noticeable against the vintage style head dress with dark coloured flowers and feathers.

So let’s all get vamped up this Halloween, apply your dark burgundy lipstick, smoky eyes and fabulous floral headpiece for a show stopping Halloween party look!

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Styling
Dress: Ritva Westenius,
Hair styling:
Make up styling:
Venue
Model: Natalia Zawadzka 07592 899 566: Dartmouth House, www.leithsat.com/Venues/Dartmouth+House Lucy Oldham lucy@blushairbrushing.com www.ritvawestenius.com Shari Rendle, www.sharirendle.com: Cranberry Blue Weddings & Events, www.cranberryblueweddings.co.uk

Delphinium Flowers

The name of the delphinium flower is derived from the Latin word for dolphin; this is due to the long, sleek appearance of the unopened flower. Delphiniums are a genus of around 300 species in the ranunculaceae family. Delphiniums thrive in regions with relatively cool and moist summers, and often struggle in hot, dry summer weather. However, some new varieties are more tolerant of heat .The plants bloom in late spring to early summer, and the flowers are suitable for cutting. These flower stems grow from 4 inches to roughly 7 feet in height. Blossoms traditionally come in bright, creamy white, dainty pink, and a marvelous purple blue combination; however, some of the highbred flowers can be seen in shocking reds, oranges and yellows. Delphinium is a stately, elegant perennial that is a standard in English cottage gardens. Mounds of dark green, glossy foliage are adorned with huge spikes of showy, spurred flowers in early summer. Another common name is larkspur, although this name usually refers to annual varieties. The delphinium flower has an interesting story in real life. During the early 20th century Frank Reinelt – who was once the head gardener for the Romanian Queen, Marie – relocated to the United States and started his own nursery. In his gardens he began hybridizing delphiniums, and by the 1930s he had fathered one of the more popular breeds, the Pacific Giant.

When we consumed flowers in large quantities , can be poisonous, many still feel that they have some very potent medicinal uses. The most commonly used flower is the delphinium staphisagria, which is thought to be helpful in curing diseases or irritations of the reproductive system, as well as aiding in mental and acute respiratory ailments. These flowers may also be used to repel pests such as lice, and are thought to have a curative effect on scorpion stings.

The delphinium flower is said to represent big-heartedness and the essence of divine qualities. They are also meant to symbolize levity, fun and a general sense of joy. As a gift, these flowers can brighten up any arrangement, be it fresh or dried.

 

 

Planting Instructions

Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently.

 

 

Care

Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Soil should never dry out. Stake tall varieties to prevent hollow flower stalks from snapping in the wind. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line. Divide plants every three to four years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants

and dividing them into clumps.

Colored in the shades of sky blue and white snow delphinium has redefined the very

sensation of being in love, the very feeling of warmth and affection since ages.

Delphiniums bring a wonderful touch of color to weddings. They are available in sky blue right through to rich dark blue varieties. Their height makes them particularly good for tall table center arrangements, and for ceremony arrangement pedestal stands.

They can also be cut to make smaller arrangements and bouquets. The bridal bouquet in the photo below features dark blue delphiniums in a collar around white roses.

Orchids

 Cattelya Orchid and Three Brazilian Hummingbirds 1871 By Heade,

  
"You can get off alcohol, drugs, women, food and cars, but once you're hooked on orchids you're finished"
Joe Kunisch.

 The orchid family is called Orchidaceae and is the second largest family of flowering plants with about 20,000 different species.  Tropical species were introduced in the 19th century and  horticulturists have been able to produce over 100,000 hybrids and cultivars,  often creating a much stronger plant, so mixing and matching is a very positive thing.

Most orchids are found in the tropics, Asia, Central America and south America.
In Europe you can find the pyramidal orchid which you can see below.

 In south Africa  disa orchids are found which are loved for their beautiful bright colors, which is pictured below.

 Orchids have become very popular over recent years, mainly because of their beautiful blooms but also because they are easy to look after.  Orchids must be planted in either bark or sphagnum moss so that the roots are surrounded by material that lets them breath.  They should be placed in an area where their is lots of light  with some shade because their natural habitat is tropical therefore they thrive in temperatures between 55ºF and 80ºF.  Orchids should be watered every 5 to 10 days, but over watering can be deadly!

Different species of orchid flowers bloom differently.  One type of orchid may bloom only once a year and another may bloom several times a year.  Some also have a continuous bloom all lasting for different lengths of time depending on the species. 

Orchids have simple leaves with parallel veins which vary in size.  The leaf type depends on the orchids habitat.  In dry sunny areas the leaves are often thick and leathery and covered by a waxy cuticle to retain water.  Orchids which enjoy the shade have long thin leaves.  The leaves of most orchids live for several years making them perennial but some others shed their leaves yearly to grow new leaves.

The most popular orchid for interior spaces is the Phalaenopsis orchid.  They are easy to grow and produce beautiful blooms that can last 2-3 months.  While a Cattleya orchid plant will last only up to a month after the bud opens.

 A Phalaenopsis Orchid

A Cattleya Orchid which last only a month after the bud opens.

Another favourite is the Dendrobium orchids. These orchids have smaller blooms and prefer warmer temperatures.  The Dendrobium orchid is one of the largest orchid species and is naturally found in places like new Guinea, Thailand, Southern China, Australia, and New Zealand.

 A dendrobium orchid

Some types of orchids also have a fabulous fragrance, for example some types of cymbidium orchid, which is another reason for the orchids popularity.

Cymbidium orchids

Here are a few other facts about orchids.

• Orchids were the 'must have' accessory of the 1800's.

• The largest amount ever paid for a new orchid species in 1890 was £1500 which  today is equivalent to £96,500!

• About 200 to 300 new orchid species are still being discovered each year.

• There may be around 5000 species which haven't been described.

This is just a small insight into the orchid and its family.  New species are forever being grown and discovered,  creating an excitement and fascination around the orchid family, making them one of the most popular plant to be enjoyed by everyone today.

The Rose

"A rose is a rose is a rose."

Gertrude Stein

An Art Nouveau Poster avertising Roses

Roses are a perennial plant of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae and have for a long time been given the honour of being one of the most popular and loved flowers in the world.  The reason for its popularity could be because of its wide range of variety - its colour, fragrance, size and its uses.

The rose forms part of a group of climbing or trailing plants that often have very sharp prickles.  The flowers are often large and come in a number of beautiful colours and are either  species, cultivars or hybrids.  There are over 100 species of the rose, which are available all year round and these can be divided into three sections, 'species' roses, 'old garden' roses and 'modern' roses.

'Species' roses are often called 'wild species' and usually have a simple 5 petaled flower which is  followed by colorful hips that last well into winter, providing food for birds and winter colour.  'Species roses' are often hybridized with other roses, the most popular species today being the Rosa Rugosa.  Most species are native to Asia but smaller numbers are native to North America, Northwest Africa and Europe and are usually grown for their scent and showy fruit.

Rosa Rugosa

'Old garden'roses are a diverse group, which includes roses such as 'China roses', 'Tea roses', 'Moss roses', 'Damask roses' and 'Bourbon roses'.  These have a delicate beauty and a fabulous perfume, which is often not found in modern hybrid roses.  'Old garden' roses are easy to grow, disease resistant, and hardy in the winter.  Colours do vary, but are usually pastel or light in colour.

 

Autumn Damask rose

Tea Roses

'Modern' roses are any rose identified after 1867.  The 'old garden' roses are the latter predecessors, the 'modern' rose being a result of cross breeding the hybrid with a variety of primrose called the Polyanthus.  They usually have a rich and vibrant colour, which makes them very popular. 

A modern rose, Hybrid tea rose. 

 Hot chocolate, Novelty winner, 2006
(Roses Uk)

'Absolutely fabulous'

Rose of the year 2010
(Hampton Court Palace, Tudor rose festival)

'Joie de vivre'

Rose of the year 2011.

(Hampton Court Place, Tudor rose festival)

Rose plants range in size, they are best known as ornamental plants grown for their flowers both in the garden or to brighten up interior spaces, they are also very popular as cut flowers, which are generally cut and harvested when in bud then refrigerated until ready for display.

Roses can also be used for their fragrance and perfume used in rose oil, rose water, cooking, medicines or cosmetics.

The rose hip, the fruit of the rose can be made into jam, jelly, marmalade or brewed for tea.  It has a high level of vitamin c so they are also used in food supplements, herbal remedies and medicines.

The Rose with all its properties and uses has long been used as a symbol of love and beauty as well as of war and politics.  The national flower of England is the rose and has been used as an English emblem since the war of the roses, between the Royal house of Lancaster, whose emblem was the red rose and the royal house of York whose was the white emblem.  Henry Tudor then created the Tudor Rose (the rose of England by cross breeding.)

Here are some interesting facts about roses!
The earliest rose fossils were found in Colorado dating back to more than 35 million years.

The birthplace of the cultivated rose was probably northern persia.

Roses were considered the most sacred flowers in ancient Egypt and were used as offerings for the goddess Isis.

While no black roses exist yet, there are deep red roses that suggest the colour of black.

The rose is a wonderful and beautiful flower and we are lucky to be able to enjoy them in so many different ways!

"I don't know whether nice people
 tend to grow roses or growing
 roses makes people nice." 

Roland A. Browne

"I'd rather have roses on my
 table than diamonds on my neck."

 


Emma Goldman

“ When love came first to earth, the Spring Spread rose-beds to receive him."

Thomas Campbell

"And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies."

Christopher Marlowe

Valentines Day has nearly arrived

and

Love is in full bloom!

Here are a few Valentines ideas for you 

from all at Elizabeth Marsh

 A classic bunch of beautiful red roses, elegance and style in its purest.

A candle, roses and other mixed flower, very romantic.

A pillow of roses, an exquisite valentines gift.

Please visit our website for more stylish valentines ideas and gifts.

http://www.elizabethmarsh.co.uk/

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE GIFT IDEA THIS VALENTINE’S DAY?

A celebration of romance.....

At Elizabeth Marsh floral design, we believe it is important to get it right on Valentine’s Day – especially as it only comes once a year.

 

 to see what ideas we have come up with for you just click on the link below....

www.emfd.co.uk/seasonaloffers.html

P.S. Specially for you - if you or your friends write on the order form (at ‘notes to vendor section’) the words ‘My Valentine’ we will indulge you and your valentine by give you

• a free bottle of nail varnish from ‘Nailgirls’ (first 100 orders only),
• a voucher from ‘Nailgirls’ for a free upgrade on special manicures
• a free box of chocolates with your order,
• Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design voucher worth £10

We look forward to helping you celebrate your Valentine’s Day in a style!!

Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design

You will receive a code to claim your favourite shade on www.nailgirls.co.uk, and we will deliver it straight to your front door, absolutely free of charge.

*Limited to 1 per Bouquet purchase. Available to first 100 customers only. Proof of Bouquet purchase may be required. Valid from 27^th January to 28^th February 2011.

As a treat for Elizabeth Marsh customers, Nailgirls are offering a complimentary Deluxe upgrade valued at £10.00 when you book any signature Manipedi at the flagship Angel Salon.

http://nailgirls.co.uk/in-spa 

*Offer is valid from 27^th January 2011 – 13^th February 2011. Not redeemable for cash, and can only be used in conjunction with signature manipedi.