Here at Hannah's, we are always in a floral state of mind. Scoping out the absolute best quality flowers, the rarest top market blooms, and finding the most unique greenery or petal structure is just second nature. Whether across the world or down the road, supplying our arrangements with the most gorgeous florals is why our shop stays the best. We recently made the decision to align with our favorite local farmers, supporting their endeavors in the community and supplying our customers with the freshest local beauty. Joining our flower power forces is Pheonix Community Farms in Midland, Thorny Flower Farms in Hope, and Reinhardt Blooms in Kawkalin. Our buying power allows us to purchase these local blooms in bulk, providing funding and support for these farmers and their endeavors. With a great supply of florals from all across the region, we decided to start "Farmer's Market Fridays," offering local fresh farm mix bouquets to our customers. These bouquets are available in a variety of price points, allowing our customers to kickstart their weekends with gorgeous blooms in size quantities small and large. By buying these local bloom bouquets, you're directly supporting the local individuals who run these farms, aiding community growth and support to hardworking farmers. Not only that, but you're actions allocate more resources to these farms, help promote sustainable environmental practices, and foster essential bee population growth that further generates a better world for our community and planet. Meet the Farmers You're Supporting Meet Beth from Pheonix Community Farms! Pheonix Community Farms is an amazing organization located behind Windover High School that also operates a mobile pop up regularly at the Midland's Farmers Market. Pheonix Farms has one mission: make sure everyone in our community has access to fresh, healthy produce. Pheonix Farms is maintained and ran by Beth and a committee of devoted volunteers. At their Windover location, they offer a "Pay what you can stand," offering a myriad of veggies from kale, lettuce, green beans, sugar snap peas, cucumber and zucchini. This magical farm is ever expanding with lush, delicious vegetables and gorgeous towering blooms. They produce the most gorgeous zinnia's, snap dragons, large plush marigolds, cone flowers, brown-eyed susan's, striking aster and much more. We are so excited to work with this amazing organization with such wonderful ambitions and roots. With each Farmer's Market bouquet you buy, you're singlehandedly supporting and nurturing the causes of this amazing foundation while supplying accessible produce to people of our community. Reinhardt Blooms is a longtime local flower farmer that we absolutely adore. Producing over 100 types of flowers on their family run field, Reinhardt Blooms has mastered their craft in every aspect and element. We are the biggest fans of their amazing sunflowers that produce the most refreshing warm fragrance the second it hits our shop doors. We have also yet to find a better grower of thistle and queens Annes lace. This flower farm combines old school skills to produce modern varieties of vivid, lavish blooms. Requesting our farmers market bouquets helps support and maintain this hardworking family farm and their ambitions to spread beauty throughout our community our lives. We can't wait to help our community blossom through beautiful blooms! Who would've thought that buying gorgeous florals could directly nurture and support the lives of so many people in our community. We are honored to help aid the community in which we're all rooted, one stem at a time.
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The Beginning of Beautiful Blooms in the Peony FieldTulips Too Unique to Not AcknowledgeParrot tulips are one of our top favorite florals at Hannah's Flowers. With their one-of-a-kind color variations, magnificent ruffled texture, and luxurious image, they've earned their spot in our hearts and in our many arrangements. Parrot tulips are an elegant subspecies of the standard tulip. Their name is derived from the exotic, and bright nature of their petals which represent the luscious feathers of parrots. When first glancing at these stunning and one-of-a-kind flowers you'd think they were founded in a prehistoric era of the past. Let's just say we're blessed to be in the same timeline as these exquisite creations. These lovely and eye-catching florals cost around the same price as regular tulips but set the stage as a variegated beauty that has a combination of different colors in every stem. If you are a fan of regular tulips, you are sure to adore parrot tulips! These extraordinary tulips pop up in the spring season and are typically grown in Holland and here in the U.S. Parrots compare larger in size to their standard tulip counterpart and are decadent in the frilly texture that other tulips lack. They are an extravagant alternative to other popular spring flowers that add a sensational pop of color and unbeatable texture. When asked why it's her favorite tulip, Alina said "They have amazing texture and there's so many colors in one flower it's like a rainbow! They take amazing photos too, in my personal opinion." Alina is actually the creative eye and talent behind the stunning and sharp parrot tulip shots in this blog. If you didn't know any better, you'd assume they were captured by an expert botanical photographer! When asked Hannah's take she said, "they look like blue whales, and I love the ocean. I love their texture, their color, and because they're so unique, but mainly because they look like whales." Parrot tulips continue to elevate the wow factor in our arrangements and accentuate the bold, luxurious style we're founded on. Parrot tulips add a distinct element that is irreplaceable and is a definite spring staple in our shop. We can't wait to incorporate these lavish and enchanting florals into your next arrangement! Check out more of Alina's amazing parrot tulip photography! Love our blog? Let us know! Comment your thoughts on our Facebook and share this Blog with your fellow flower lovers! Hannah and Alina take a tour of the Rooted GreenhouseCheck out our gallery below of the beautiful photos captures on our adventure! The Rise and Fall... and Rise again of the Iconic CarnationThe 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 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 CarnationsDiving into the World of What Makes Hannah's FlowersHannah'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. 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 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. 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. Reflecting On Roses in the Season of LoveWith 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! 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 Alina's Top 3 Favorite Roses
Brides Top 3 Favorite Roses
"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." Breaking Down Our Favorite White Florals of the Winter Season 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.
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 Uncovering the Beauty of Floral RehydrationAn 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."
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. Floral Rehydration on a Bouquet from 1978 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. 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 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! 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! 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 |
HannahOwner and lead floral artist at Hannah's Flowers Midland, MI Archives
July 2023
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