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  • Preservation
  • Bridal
  • Sympathy
  • Painted
  • Prints
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March 20th, 2023

3/20/2023

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Hannah and Alina take a tour of the Rooted Greenhouse

PictureRooted by Keit's Greenhouse's clever and eye-catching logo.
 On the first day of spring, florist's Hannah and Alina got to celebrate the beauty of the blooming season at the gorgeous Rooted Greenhouse. Rooted Greenhouse, located in Essexville, MI, is a growing and bustling Greenhouse business that produces plants, flowers, and vegetables. The owner, Tyler Keit, gave us a VIP tour, sharing insightful knowledge and an inside peak at the greenhouse garden life. We were submerged into the sea of gorgeous greens and the everlasting lines of budding stems and growing leaves. We fell into a trance, mesmerized by the garden glow and radiant sunlight that seeped into the greenhouse so perfectly. Tyler, who has been in the business since the young age of 13, informed us that the crew is in full swing, preparing for their season opening in April. When asked when the best time customers should stop in to stock up on all their green goodies, Tyler replied that "Mother's Day and the following two weeks are when we have the best selection of everything." We were also informed that 80% of sales take place in the quick-paced window of May to June. It's better to be the early bird at this greenhouse, their collection is much anticipated and highly sought after by clients across the region. These customers may be in luck this season as the exciting rumor is that Rooted will be expanding and have a seasonal location at Kutchey's Greenhouse! 

Wanting to know more about the day-to-day life as a Greenhouse boss, Tyler told us the daily routine is very different every day. "There really is no routine, which is why I like it so much. I typically start with watering and other tasks that come up throughout the day. I try stocking up the front before customers arrive, help customers as needed, and unload the trucks as they come in." As we explored more of the beautiful property, we got a look at the newly installed greenhouse. Built in 2021, this enchanting greenhouse has all the bells and whistles. This new addition is taller and has heated concrete to lessen the harshness of the elements in the winter. Tyler has plans to build another greenhouse in the future, with the goal of being able to completely self-sufficient and produce everything on their own. Rooted is a multi-faceted and ever-expanding business that is growing everyday just like their product. What many may not know is that Rooted Greenhouse offers a place to hold events at a designated greenhouse, whether it be bridal showers, baby showers, or reunions.  

We were so honored to be able to explore this magical greenhouse and get an inside scoop on the ins and outs of Rooted. From a florist perspective, it's so interesting seeing how many similarities there are between the two fields, but also the diverse differences. From one green thumb to another, the immense overwatch and care for the behind-the-scenes production is so amazing and commendable. With much anticipation, we can't wait to make our journey back and see the progress and growth of the vast range of products Tyler and his crew have worked so hard on.   

                                                                 Till Next Time,
                                                                 XOXO Hannah 


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Hannah and Tyler pictured together. These two make the best partners with their lenghty experience and love for the floral and plant world.
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Hanging flowerpots are Rooted's bestselling product!
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Hannah reunites with longtime fellow floral friend Omara! These two have a history rooted together.
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Our talented photographer Alina captures some shots in the new greenhouse.
Check out our gallery below of the beautiful photos captures on our adventure! 
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The Carnation Sensation

3/10/2023

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The Rise and Fall... and Rise again of the Iconic Carnation

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The classic carnation flower is a house-hold name that is a considered a staple commercial cut flower in the world of floristry. From boutonnieres, corsages, and fresh floral mixes, the carnation has made appearances in many facets of floral design. Though the carnation is a famous floral with a long colorful history, a trail of controversy has surrounded this fluffy textured floral throughout its lifetime. Ask anybody you know, and they will either love or hate the carnation. It's safe to say the carnation has risen, fallen, and is rising yet once again for a much-anticipated comeback in the world of floral style. To better understand the controversy and pre-conceived notions of this historic floral, it's necessary to reflect on the flowers rich timeline and climb to stardom. 

 The History of Carnations

PictureVictorian child posed with a vase of blooming carnations.
  Carnations have a lengthy history that stems back to ancient Greek and Roman times when they were first depicted in art and decor. It was around this time that carnations were also first mentioned in Greek literature, represented in tales with Greek goddesses.  Some Christians even believe that the first carnation bloomed when Mary wept for Jesus as he carried the cross. During these early times in history, carnations were said to only be in the shades of light pink and peach and have progressed over time to be in the variety of colors we know today. Not only were carnations a beloved floral, but their fragrance was a useful tool in crafting different foods and drinks. Carnation fragrances were used to craft vinegar, sauces, salads, as well as wine and beer, and petals used to craft delicious teas. 

Although carnations have been predominant throughout our history, they are said to have a prominent peak during the Victorian era. Carnations can be seen in many portrait style paintings from this time period and were very popular in communicating romance. Reportedly, carnations would be sent back to suitors and a solid color would indicate interest, whereas a striped carnation would indicate "regretfully no." Each color of carnation had a special meaning to Victorians. Red signified admiration, white was purity, yellow symbolized rejection, and pink symbolized gratitude. Shakespeare was also a big fan of the carnation, writing about their beauty in the Winter's Tale.  


The 1930's caught the carnation sensation and may be why some stereotypes have emerged about the floral being a "old-ladyish." Carnations were all the rage in the 1930's, blooming in backyard gardens, painted in wallpapers, favored in bouquets and showcased in trending fashion. The carnation held it's popularity throughout the 1940's and 1950's and became a favored floral in the culture of the time. As time progressed and the early 21st century came forth, so did the new floral trends. Carnations began to get a bad rep in the last 20 years and have been stereotyped to be outdated, and a "cheap" floral." Florists were expected to turn their nose at these over-used flowers and welcome the new style selections. Carnations were associated with lesser extravagant occassions, like child dance bouquets and teenage coursage's. It's only been the last couple of years that we've seen carnations come back in style once again. Like the old saying, everything comes back around again! 

The Major Comeback of Carnations

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The comeback of carnations is very evident in the world of florists, as more people are warming up once again to this beautiful, ruffled floral. At Hannah's Flowers, we've noticed the uptick in brides requesting carnations in their centerpieces and bridal bouquets, but in a more modern style than previous years. We've also noticed that the request for "no carnations in the arrangement" has shifted to, "please add carnations, they're our favorite." Carnations are a gorgeous flower that have the ability to blend hues of a piece together to add balance, while their vibrant variations allow them to be striking outliers that make an arrangement bold and vivacious. These florals add stupendous and unique texture to arrangements and elevate any arrangement they're placed in. If you couldn't tell already... we're carnation enthusiasts over here! 

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Hannah's Carnation Hot Take 
"I wasn't supposed to like carnations growing up in the florist community. They were considered very common and the budget friendly option. Truth to be told, carnations are one of my favorite flowers! I love that they come in almost every color imaginable and use them every day in my pieces." 
Favorite carnation: Brut




Alina's Carnation Hot Take
"I don't love carnations, but I also don't hate them. I consider them a staple and use them very often to create balance or for a nice pop of color." 
Favorite carnation: Hypnosis

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Hannah's Flowers Behind the Scenes

2/20/2023

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Diving into the World of What Makes Hannah's Flowers

Hannah's Flowers is flower shop that thrives on crafting the most beautiful and exquisite florals with attention to detail and spreading joy through blossoms and blooms. From fresh cut flowers to preservations of floral memories and gorgeous resin jewelry, Hannah's Flowers is your one stop shop for all aspects of the floral world. Many people are unaware of what flower shops look like behind the scenes and all the different elements that come into play to create your gorgeous arrangement. We thought it was important to showcase what our days look like and the processes that unfold to put together such amazing pieces. 
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A Trip into Our Flower Truck
Our bi-weekly flower truck is a fantasy floral machine on wheels. Stepping into the DWF flower truck is one of the ways florists in the area have access to the variety of bountiful blooms in your bouquets. Whether it's pre-ordered or hand-picked on the spot by Hannah, there is intention behind every floral plucked from the truck. Our DWF floral provider and driver, Ron, was helpful in answering some questions we had that our customers may be curious about. Ron shared that he has 23 customers that are splits between two days on the road, with majority of floral orders being pre-ordered.  When asked where and how DWF obtains these florals, Ron remarked, "We order from Canada and California mainly, with some vendors in Miami as well. (DWF) gets three trucks from Miami a week, and those flowers come from Ecuador and Columbia." When asked how much he sees spent a week with all customers combined, Ron stated that "$18,000 to $20,000 is normal and holidays are typically around $80,000 a week." Ron notes that every flower shop he comes across varies widely in practices and preferences, and no two shop is ever the same. 

What Flowers Come from Which Parts of the World
It's no secret that the beautiful flowers you see in our arrangements aren't grown from our backyard, well, some of them aren't at least! "It takes the whole world to grow your bouquet," Hannah said when asked about the flowers across the globe that are used to build daily arrangements. Here in the Great Lakes state, our colder climate is perfect for growing plenty of beauties including hyacinths, zinnia and sunflowers. That makes us the main provider of these lovely flowers to other florists all over the map. In the U.S. Alaska is very well known for harvesting perfect peonies, and Hawaii is the epicenter of all orchids!  However, we rely on other countries for a lot of the florals we use in the day to day. For roses, our main supply is shipped out of Ecuador, where growing conditions are pristine due to the consistent hot climate and natural sunlight to truly flourish. Some florists or big box flower suppliers will use Columbian roses as their choice, as Columbia also has a similar climate that allows them to produce beautiful roses and have a big role in the global floriculture. Our up north neighbor, Canada, is our go to supplier of beautiful mums and ranunculus. Beautiful Holland is literally called the 'the land of tulips,' and are famous for producing these striking and beloved blooms. Holland also exports gorgeous delphinium, lilac, and poppies! Check out the graphic below visualizing the amazing floral beauties that blossom throughout the world!
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Hannah has her hands full of her hand-picked winners of the day. Each floral is inspected for top quality with attention to detail.
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Buckets full of gorgeous blosoms and blooms wrapped up and ready to go for florists. Hannah will pick her favorites or have pre-ordered bundles set aside to grab.

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Note the differences in roses grown in different countries. Optimal conditions like Ecuador and Columbia provide the best roses in the world.
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Beautiful, luscious fields of orchids in Maui, Hawaii. A sight that's on Hannah and Alina's destination list!
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PictureA behind the scenes look at the floral processing set up. The flowers are in the cardboard boxes and buckets of water are ready to go.
Cut, Clean, and Care are the fundamental '3 Cs' of processing florals prior to arranging them. This is the not so pretty and showy aspect in the world of floristry that many people might not be aware of. When we first get our florals from the truck or wholesaler, they're dry packed in plastic and haven't been in water for weeks on end. This is because they've been expediated from all over the world, via boat, plane, or both. The first step is to unpackage them all by taking them out of boxes or freeing them from their plastic packages. The next step is to put the thirsty florals into buckets of water, making sure they are sorted correctly. It is absolutely necessary to take this step into account, as only certain florals can go together. There is different bacteria from all over the world that is not meant to intermix, as it can result in harming the flower immediately. Another rule of thumb is that fillers can't be stored with flowers and must have a separate water bucket. The third step in the processing plan is to cut all the stems at a 45-degree angle, de-thorn if necessary, pull off unnecessary leaves, then put florals back into their respective bucket and into the cooler. 

Florals That Need a Little Extra Care 
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Tulips are beautiful and unique florals that are a little bit trickier when it comes to care. Tulips require daily care including daily fresh cuts and checking to make sure that water levels are high enough in the vase. When first prepping tulips, a vertical slit needs to be below their head to prevent them for drooping. Something that a lot of people might not know about tulips, that they will continue to grow when placed in a vase arrangement. These blooming buds will spring up a good 1 to 2 inches in a day, potentially towering over other complimentary flowers. 

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  Hydrangeas are another gorgeous flower that requires a lot of attentiveness when it comes to safeguarding their flourish. Unlike other flowers, when hydrangeas are first brought into the shop, they must be submerged upside down on their head into water. This is because hydrangeas are able to drink from both their flowers and head! This method hydrates the head and protects the flowers, which are very sensitive and a crucial step to keep the longevity of the flower. These super dramatic beauties require a fresh cut every day. When heads begin drooping, it is necessary to spray the heads with water. With proper management and correct water measures, hydrangeas should last 10 days to two weeks. 

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Take Time to Smell the Roses

2/7/2023

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Reflecting On Roses in the Season of Love 

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, we thought it was the perfect time to take a moment and truly "smell the roses." Roses are a fundamental floral in the world of floristry. Many times we forget how often people outside of this realm don't know about this beautiful flower. Red roses are the global symbol for love. They are a standard ingredient for romance with a long history traditionally across many cultures as the epitome of beauty, passion, and eternal love.  We thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite rose varieties and their qualities with you during this season of love! 
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The Classic Rose The #1 most classic rose of all time is the Freedom Rose. The Freedom Rose is the definition of iconic and a forever favorite in the hearts of florists and consumers alike. When hearing the word, "rose," a visual of a Freedom is typically what first comes to mind. These roses are the Valentine's Day staple and are so well bred they are a safe rose to buy year-round. These bright beauties have an awe-inspiring vivid red pop that will never go out of style. The USA is supplied with over 110 million roses for each Valentines Day! 

Hannah's Top 3 Favorite Roses
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Juliet Roses by David Austin are not only Hannah's favorite but a top Pinterest favorite as well! Their colors are so pure that they glow, making them an elegant addition to any piece. Juliet's are a very fancy and famous floral, and for good reason. Juliet's are not a camera-shy rose and will match the attention and style envisioned in any piece.  
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Candlelight Roses are another divine rose that has a distinct cream white outer petal with a inner peach hue inside. These roses are also high in petal count and open to 100%, making them a great choice for showy arrangements. Hannah adores candlelight roses because they are really warm and blend well with other florals, while still radiating a soft glow. 
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Pink or White O'Hara's are a gorgeous rose with the most beautiful  English garden rose scent. They remain as one of Hannah's favorites because of their high-petal count, very large head, and their ability to open fully to 100%. These showy beauties when gifted are a floral you'll never forget. ​

Alina's Top 3 Favorite Roses
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Beatrice Roses are one of Alina's favorites because of their undeniable frilly texture. Beatrice Roses exude a beautiful floral fragrance that fills up the room it accompanies. They're bright and command attention with inviting warm outer petals and an inside flourished with a coral hue. Beatrice roses are very unique and unexpectedly dainty. ​

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Patient Roses are gorgeous garden roses that obtain a rough texture and are compacted with silky petals. Alina adores their dreamy buttercream hue in their center and the sweet flowery smell they release. These roses are very high-end, and their price matches their status. Alina notes that "everyone needs a little patience in their life."

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Juliets win again as Alina can't help but be a big fan of these remarkable roses. Alina adores the colors of these roses expressing that they are "a warm yet cool color, with notes of thalo blue and vermilion undertones." 

Brides Top 3 Favorite Roses
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Heart Roses are many times a bride's favorite due to their garden rose style at a standard rose price. These big, beautiful blooms are so vivid and vibrant and exude romance and elegance. 

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Quicksand Roses are a very versatile and very on trend with their neutral color. These roses are loved by brides because they are both sophisticated and ro​mantic. 
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Eskimo Roses are adored by brides because they complement many different colors but have their own elegant natural appearance as well. These roses are small enough in size to make good boutonnieres. 
Roses "How to"
​​How to Buy: 
  • Go to your trusted florist and ask for the freshest roses in stock.
  • Ask for the roses arrival dates if they are not labeled already.
  • Because each rose varies, ask about opening characteristics and timelines.   

How to Keep Roses Nice: 
  • Cut your stems at 45 degrees angle every other day and replace water often.
  • Ask your florist for floral food and floral solutions.
  • Remove any imperfect petals if they are to appear. ​
Your roses should last 5-7 days if not longer, while non-florist grade roses last a much shorter duration, likely only 2 days.  

Why Are Roses So Expensive?
  • Extremely hard to grow- only select climates are suitable for growing roses and they are across the globe. 
  • Supply and demand is very competitive in the industry as there is always a limited supply trying to meet a high demand.
  • The cost of labor is also factored in, as cutting and packaging them is very costly.
  • Shipping is costly due to transportation, which is via airplane, boat, or sometimes both.
  • Labor for the florist is also costly, as each rose is cleaned, cut, and dethorned upon arrival.
  • Roses are temperamental and have to be stored at a certain temperature.
  • There is a short window for rose sales.
"You can get roses at any price, from many places, but not all roses are equal. They come from different parts of the world, range in variety, range in opening abilities, and in petal count... life is too short to not have the best." 
Hannah Tiffin
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A Wonderland of Winter Whites

1/11/2023

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Breaking Down Our Favorite White Florals of the Winter Season
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Nearing the middle of January, persevering through the chilly weather and frigid temperatures, we thought it would be the perfect time to highlight some of the floral beauty uncovered in this bleak season. Although it's hard not to long for the blossoms and warmth of spring, it's only fair to give January it's much needed love and respect by showcasing some of the gorgeous winter whites and greens we love to use this season. 
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​ Winter Kale is a gorgeous element that is very effective in displaying volume and texture in our arrangements. Not only is it a beauty on the eyes, but it is also an edible vegetable! Although tempting for our veggie lovers, we do not recommend our clients to make a salad out of their arrangements. Winter Kale, as pictured to the left, also comes in a striking and dreamy lavender shade. Another reason we love this vivacious veggie is its durability through the season and how long-lasting it is. We estimate your Winter Kale will live a good one to two weeks after leaving our shop. 

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Creme De La Creme is a soft and alluring rose that we absolutely adore. Its roots begin in Ecuador and its stylish French name makes is a memorable beauty. Its cream-colored hue makes it a perfect element to reflect and blend with more stand-out vivid flowers. It is a star in its own sense because its center radiates a warm glow. This new-to market flower is soon to be iconic in the world of floral.

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This pure and elegant white stock is out of a winter fantasy. It exudes a sweet and spicy scent that adds a warmth to whatever arrangement it accompanies. Stock comes in a variety of colors, including, ivory, pink, and shades of purple. This flower adds a graceful length and height to its arrangement, as well as a balance.  
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Ginestra is a magical winter element that adds texture and flare to our arrangements. It's woodsy and dainty aura gives a natural look to our pieces. Its branch-like texture adds an earthy essence to elevate all surrounding florals. Ginestra adds amazing dimension and composure to all floral designs. 

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Hydrangea is a fluffy and cloud-like flower that always adds an elevating volume. This striking and modern floral is massive and is sure to be the focal point of its arrangement. It's perfect for winter because it reflects the gorgeous white snowballs of the season. Pink and blue hydrangeas are more popular in the summer, as their vivid colors match the tone of the season. 

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Another favorite of ours is the Variegated Pittosporum! This fancy greenery is a way to elevate and sophisticate our beautiful arrangements. We've noticed throughout the years that this green is a bridal favorite, with it repeatedly showing up as an accent for pink and blush themed weddings. Variegated pittosporum comes from a unique family, with miniature versions and non-variegated forms. 

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This striking green is called a dianthus. Although very different in appearance, dianthus is a relative to the classic carnation.  We love using this in our winter arrangement because it adds an eye-catching texture with its fluffy stature. 

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Baby's breath is a fan-favorite and a highly popular filler flower. Baby's breath is a striking white and super fluffy, adding a soft and textured allure. We love adding baby's breath to our winter arrangements because it is sure to compliment the other flowers. Although it's winter, we foresee baby's breath being another huge trend this year in weddings, baby showers, and bridal showers. 

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Tulips are a blooming flower that grace our presence typically in the spring and summer. Tulips add a refreshing spring feel while we're still in the frigid months of winter. There are two types of tulips, standard tulips (as pictured), and parrot tulips. Parrot tulips have a frillier appearance and are harder to come by in the world of florals. We love adding these in our favorite winter pieces as they add a natural elegance, are fun, and super charming. 

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Lisianthus is a rose-like floral that exudes class and luxury. It's a perfect winter white because of its exquisite design and chic appeal. It has a unique and clean allure that allows it to be an excellent accent in any arrangement. Lisianthus is the definition of 'pristine white' in the collection of white florals. This stand-out difference makes lisianthus a favorite for brides in look of an all-white wedding. 

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Showcased above is all of our favorite winter whites arranged together, creating such a breath-taking and remarkable floral design. We love how classic and graceful the aura of this piece is. This bright and radiant arrangement captures the pure elegance of the season and is a balanced melody of all the beauty winter exudes. 
Thank you so much for reading. We hope this piece inspires you to embrace the beauty and magic of soft winter florals!
XOXO Hannah 
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Floral Rehydration

12/29/2022

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Uncovering the Beauty of Floral Rehydration 

An Interview with Hannah Tiffin, Creator Behind the Floral Rehydration Innovation ​
When hearing the words "floral rehydration," not too many people are able to describe and visualize this revolutionary hidden gemstone emerging in the world of preservations. Life-long florist Hannah Tiffin, founder of Hannah's Flowers in Midland, Mi, is the creator and mind behind the one-of-a-kind floral rehydration process.  When asked to describe floral rehydration, Hannah expresses that "floral rehydration is the complex process of submersion, cleaning, opening, rebuilding and re-drying of each flower before arranging them behind glass or in a resin keepsake." 

Check out these photos of a bridal bouquet of red roses from  2005!
When asked who floral rehydration is good for, Hannah illustrates that "Floral Preservation is good for anybody who has flowers from the past, that might be hanging out in a book, a box, a closet, or a drawer, the rehydration process is good for anybody who is a saver of florals."  She continued to explain that although it might be cool to put your bouquets or special flowers in boxes, over the years they eventually break down and turn into a fine mulch. "Floral rehydration is a great last step to ensuring that your special flowers really do last a life time." ​
Curious on if all flowers, no matter type or age, can be adequate candidates for rehydration? Hannah 's short answer is "yes." Although most saved flowers can be rehydrated, results are limited to the level of decay present with in each bloom. 
"Age really has nothing to do with if a flower is a good candidate or not."
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Hannah's favorite rehydration story is from a few years ago. She received a bouquet that was kept in her client's dresser drawer since her wedding in 1978! Hannah recognized the bouquets mechanics to come from her family's florist that she spent time in when she was a girl. It was a bouquet that Hannah's Grandfather made almost 45 years earlier! This bouquet had really come full circle! Hannah was honored to restore it. 
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Floral Rehydration on a Bouquet from 1978
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What to do in the year of Classic Blue?

1/1/2020

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PictureClick to go to Pantone
Classic Blue is the color of the year set by the Pantone Color report, this means that every shade of blue from periwinkle to Navy is going to show up on what is “in” wedding boards and on Pinterest.
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Blues are tough in the flower world because there are not that many truly blue flowers available. Below we have put together a gallery of some popular blue floral options. Some of these offerings are seasonal and several of them are available all year long with your professional florist.  Sadly, this is about the bulk of blue flowers available.   


Gallery of truly blue floral options:  Hover over the flower to see the name
Chinese Forget me nots
Blue hydrangea
light blue delphinium
Blue Thistle
Royal Blue Delphinum
Blue Iris
Blue Bachelor Button
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So. Here is the reason whey I am writing this blog. Pantone is not choosing the flower color of the year. They are simply picking the inspirational color of the year. There are also sub-colors of the year. For example Spring and Summer Pantone has chosen Scarlet and Saffron which as a designer I am super excited about. 

Click the red color swatch to see the complete library of Pantone sub (seasonal)-selections 
All of these color selections are very bold and strong and are chosen to be a back drop to the event. A blocking color if you will rather than the actual color of the flowers.
Matching the color of the year to your floral selection is about as natural as matching ones eye shadow to it!
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I think we can all agree that Classic blue looks far better on a bridesmaids dress, napkin or favor than it does on our faces! I should also throw in a note for the bakers here....classic blue frosting is not going to be cute on your guests faces or come out of your dress...that should be a pass area also.

How do we use a color like Classic blue elegantly and in good taste?  There are many ways! Also this is a great place to pause to note, there are a ton of ways to add blue to your florals and have them look absolutely spectacular though it usually takes a professional eye and touch to do so. I will blog on using blues next time! Maybe we will call the next blog, Blue like a Pro! 
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For now, see the gallery below. You will quickly find that Classic blue is a magnificently strong anchoring color for a wedding and lends itself to a ton of different looks and feelings! Here are just a few:
So, use blue, use all of the blues! Do it up this 2020 and if you need any help or inspiration give me a call or send a line!
We would also love to know what you think about Classic blue, blues or anything else floral that may be on your mind. 
XOXO
​Hannah
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Preparing to Press flowers with Hannah

9/1/2019

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There is really no mystery to pressing flowers. The reality is that pressing flowers is a very honest and straight forward art that anyone can do. Why would I start by telling you this? Because what really makes the difference in your finished product is in the details of how the flowers are prepped, handled and how they are arranged.  Here's ours! 
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Here is the bouquet with the ribbon and tapes removed.
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Here is the completely deconstructed bridal bouquet.
Step 4: Loading the presses!
Pressing flowers is a lot like BINGO, everyone seems to have their special way of doing it. Presses pretty much have the same mechanics. Two boards, some tissue, cardboard and clamps or tightening agents. These are different from press to press but they all seem to have the same larger idea. 
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​The Bouquet we will be sharing with you is one which was made at Hannah's. The photo to the left was taken prior to putting on the ribbon wrap at the stem. This is good because you seldom get to see the mechanics of bridal pieces. All florists design differently. I use soft corsage tape to hold my stems so that they will not get cut or crushed. Keeping the stems in tact is also key to keeping bouquets fresh!
Step one: Assessing the bouquet  
Not all blooms are going to be good for pressing, some blooms may be dead and some just may not be visually appealing.  We have to take the bouquet apart to inspect the blooms. 
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Look how pretty this wrap was! It is double faced satin with a sheer love knot overlay.
The stems are in incredible shape for a bouquet. They were still very hydrated and fresh looking and they were still very stiff. 
Step Two: Choosing the blooms.
This is where an artful eye, a few tricks of the trade and a designers touch comes in handy. This is a very critical part to creating a stunning finished product.  
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Step Three: Choosing the blooms
They are all pretty, but you can only choose a few depending on the size of the ordered finished piece. We also must consider what blooms will press best. Because this was a Hannah's bride, we knew that Sweet pea has very important sentimental meaning to her so we made sure to  press a good portion of it. Sweet pea is not going to be the most stunning specimen in the frame, but it may be the most meaningful. 
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This is a prepped Eskimo Rose
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The presses are loaded and this bouquet start out at about 7 inches in height. Once the press is tightened down it sits at just around two inches! That is a lot of pressure! And there it will sit, safe and sound until it is pressed dry.
Boom!

If you would like us to press a bouquet or a blossom for you please feel free to drop in, give us a call, send us a note or shoot us a consultation request.
If you are not from our area you are welcome to ship your flowers to Hannah's. Simply give us a call and we will walk you through the steps! 
xoxo
Hannah

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    Hannah

    Owner and lead floral artist at Hannah's Flowers Midland, MI

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