The Perfect Valentine Bouquet

There's a lot of ways you can share your feelings as Valentine's Day approaches, but few more traditional or beautiful than a bouquet of flowers. Fresh flowers have always been seen as an embodiment of beauty and is regarded as an expression of the wishes that reside in the heart of the giver. We can only conjecture that the incorporation of flowers into Valentine's Day festivities began with the same intention.

The most popular Valentine's Day flower and also my (all-time favourite) is the Red Rose. The mythological significance of the red rose is that it is believed to be the favourite flower of Venus - The Roman Goddess of beauty, love and romance; making it the perfect blossom to be gifted to someone you love.

Historians believe that the tradition of giving a red rose on Valentine's Day gained significance during the Victorian times when Charles II of Sweden introduced the Persian custom of "the language of flowers". Poets and bards furthered the tradition by eulogizing the red rose as symbol of passionate love and romance.

Though I am partial to red roses, there are quite a few thoughtful, romantic and surprising floral alternatives that say which mere words can't. Tropical arrangements like Orchids' and Anthuriums' are reminiscent of the exotic locales they hail from; adding a hint of fantasy to your floral mix. Orchids in particular are delicate and graceful, representing love, luxury and beauty. Red and pink Tulips' symbolize fresh beginnings, apt for giving at the start of your romance. Sunflowers', with their open face and bright yellow petals, convey warmth, happiness and adoration. Lilies' are elegant and refined which blends magnificence and beauty with purity and Innocence. Give these to announce your undying love for your partner. Carnations', Gerber daisies' typically look innocent and fun. Grab a bunch to say "I admire you", thank you", "you make me happy", "I love you".. all at once.

Choosing a bouquet that conveys your feelings can sometimes be a tough choice. I would like to suggest a few guidelines to help you with your perfect bouquet for that someone special. I'd like to quote poet/writer Sir Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who has beautifully worded my own philosophy -

“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” 

                                                                 ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

As a floral designer, I have always believed that simplicity, uniqueness of design and use of excellent material is the mainstay of any gift. So, beware of flowers that are soft from the stem or when the petals seem translucent. This generally means that the flowers won't last and may not even make it past Valentine's Day. Ask your floral designer to discreetly wrap the bottom of the stems with some wet cotton and foil before wrapping it in the paper of your choice. This is to make sure that the flowers remain healthy and don't droop or wilt!

Make it a showstopper! The bouquet needn't necessarily be large, but a dramatic ikebana style or wrapping the casually put-together bunch with some handcrafted rice paper and matching ribbons, can definitely up the ante in the luxe department.

Add the finishing touches to your bouquet with a heartfelt message, your charming smile and sincerity.

Follow these simple steps and you'll spend the day blissfully in love and she'll spend the day in awe of her beautiful flowers chosen exclusively by YOU!

COOKING WITH FLOWERS

Monsoons are finally here and gardens all over the country are blooming. Not only are they lovely to look at, but some flowers are edible, adding a fresh, new dimension to your dishes. Although flowers are often used to decorate cakes, they can also be used in a wide variety of cooking. 

Rose petals make a heavenly sauce to spoon over desserts, a handful of lavender flowers will intensify sorbet, Squash blossoms can be fried in batter to become fritters, and gladiola flowers can be stuffed with egg salad or vegetable dips. 

Flowers have been used in cooking for centuries, from the Romans to the Incas. It was particularly fashionable in Victorian times; they were popular in salads, particularly violets, primroses, borage and nasturtiums, and were also preserved in vinegar to be used in the winter months. 

Cooking with flowers needn't be limited to the summer months. The flavours can be preserved by infusing butters, oils and sugar. 

Nasturtiums

These are often used as a decorative garnish because of their bright colour - however they also have a wonderfully peppery taste, so are great in salads or as an edible garnish.

Lavender

This is a particularly popular flower to cook with and is used in a wide range of mainly sweet dishes, from mousses to biscuits, scones to shortbread. 

Roses

Rose petals are often used in Indian & Middle Eastern cooking. Roses are very fragrant and can be used in sweet or savory dishes. 

Violets

These have a sweet taste and the deeper the colour, the sweeter they taste. As well as being a pretty decoration for cakes and salads, they go particularly well in sorbets. 

Calendulas

These beautifully golden flowers taste similar to saffron and are good in pasta and rice dishes. 

Of International Flowers by Indian Florist

My work as a floral designer has taken me to several countries and distant lands.. whether it was for learning in Singapore or Bangkok or for The Ikebana Masters' Seminar and Convention in Japan. Apart from learning new techniques or discovering flowers, on trips like these I realised how Indians have made flowers an imperative part of their lives. Indians not only possess a vast knowledge and intrinsic comprehension of their local flowers and floriculture but have successfully integrated them into their daily lives. In India, flowers are revered for their purity and beauty and hence used for every occasion.. be it birthdays, weddings, temple visits, decor, Shrungar or even death ceremonies. No occasion in India is complete without a floral touch! Flowers in India are like Chi.. the driving force behind all day to day routines. 

However, along with a sense of pride came a revelation.. an evident lack of variety in domestic as well as international assortment of flowers. The local markets in the above mentioned cities and elsewhere were thronging with an array of local and international variety of flowers and fillers like the beautiful and fresh tea leaves, solomon's seal and the sunset hued leucodendron, that were at the disposal of the local flower designers! So, why isn't the tall Salix and Amaranthus or the deadly cymboediums and the delicate freesias available for me to play around with, in my arrangements? 

It got me thinking. Our Indian subcontinent has the best of climate (Holland in Kashmir and Bangkok in Kerala), adequate rains and the soil to grow every variety of flower. We also have the cost advantage of labour and raw material as compared to many European countries, then why aren't the Indian floral markets displaying diversity? Why are our flowers half the size of the imported ones or how are their roses so perfectly sculpted? 

Yes! There are certain floriculturists' in Kerala who are producing world-class orchids, heliconias and other exotic gingers like shampoos and beehive which has brought down our need for import from Bangkok but our Indian floral market is still in its nascent stage. Even a desert country like Dubai or a place like Singapore which grows nothing except orchids, are privy to multiplicity of flowers from all over of the world! The locals there enjoy and work with the best from around the world! 

I realised that the Government of India has identified floriculture as a sunrise industry and accorded it a 100 % growth oriented status. India is the largest supplier of roses to Japan and Australia. India is also a major player in export of flowers to Bahrain, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. So, it's entirely possible that the beautiful, big, long-stemmed, "dutch" roses you saw with the Italian vendor on your holiday to Venice was probably grown in India!

Most of the organized growers today are looking at export rather than domestic market mainly because of the price factor. Understandably so, as each rose stem is sold at Rs. 50 on a conservative estimate. Pune and Bangalore, the country's major rose growing areas gear-up to export lakhs of roses annually. After these export orders are met, the 'leftover' flowers which are unfit for export are then released into the domestic market. 

We, Indian florists' are hit both ways as most imported flowers are not within our reach. Import duty on flowers is levied at a whopping 60 %! Coupled with freight and documentation charges, flowers like the cymboediums cost anything from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 to the end consumer making it unaffordable even to the most discerning of customers. 

As a small cog in the florist wheel, I take the liberty to suggest a few solutions to improve on our current floral markets. The exporters can be asked to reserve a small percentage of best quality flowers for local consumption before taking on export orders. Initially, this would bring down profits slightly but overall the exporter may cover up the cost through increase in demand and price. Spiritually also when we take something from our motherland and we give it back in some way the mother earth will lovingly support our production and lead us to abundance. 

Agreed that the high import duties may have been formed to protect the interests of the local growers but it's come with its share of negative impacts. The local growers have very little understanding of flowers in the international market. Reducing import duty would prevent stagnation and also inspire local producers to grow international and expensive varieties of flowers which in-fact would benefit them in the long run thus making India a front runner in the global floral markets. It has been Flower Box' continuous endeavour to make different flowers available to the consumer and the flower-lover in general, thereby raising the bar for flower design in India. We, at Flower Box, aim to create an awareness about flower design which is at its infancy in India unlike the fashion or art industry and also teach and promote flower design. Flower Box wishes for its customers and well-wishers to be able to enjoy, love and assimilate the goodness of flowers without being over-whelmed by its worth or availability. 

PASSIONATE COLOURS DOMINATE FLORAL TRENDS FOR 2013 - 14

Over the years past few years, I've noticed that flower trends in India have been constantly evolving. This is due to the fact that our patrons are now part of a global village who are well-travelled, well-read and up-to-date about all things fashion.. be it clothes, food, decor or architecture. The discerning Indian no more believes in going for the 'usual' but  is constantly in search of one-of-a-kind experience. This knowledge combined with yearn has impacted their choices in floral decor as well! They no more merely believe is using jasmine, marigold or orchids as decor for festivals or weddings.

As a well-travelled floral and aesthetics designer, I give you an insight about the flower trends, flower types & varieties, flower colours, floral designs, styles and arrangements for the year 2013 -14.

My first forecast for the upcoming season is an elegant yet dramatic look. We are looking at a very Edwardian style with soft, muted colours like olive green, pale blue/mint or peach blush silhouettes accessorised with sparkling crystals. Flowers like hydrangeas, roses and eustomas with a mix of cold climate greens like  gypsophilla and ribbon grass, truly make this trend; a treat for the eyes. Delicate bridal bouquets with skilfully done pearl detailing are very in this season.  Flower girls with dainty white floral tiaras and boys with white orchid corsages complete the look for this trend.

Another trend that would be big this season is definitely Baroque. Passionate colours like deep raspberry and  debauched purples come into play. This trend is big on foliage and dramatic use of flowers like big heliconias, red lillies, vanda orchids and monstera leaves. The locale itself plays a very important role where a larger than life theatrical setting can be created. Antique heirloom pieces like 100 year old doors or temple bells, strategically strewn would create the perfect decadent look. Elaborate centrepieces like the three-tiered candelabras would add to the opulence of the occasion and complete the look.

The above sounds too luxurious and daunting? Looking for something wild but within a budget? Then, I suggest you go for the fun trend of this season. This trend is all about imagination! If it's a festivity on a bright sunny day, then play with yellow & tangerine hues with chrysanthemums as the choice of flowers. Matching ribbons and drapes flowing from the canopies would add that extra 'zest' to the decor. Speckled ivy leaves with wine bottles work beautifully as table centrepieces! Add wooden barrels, wild flowers and strewn hay for that country look gaiety. Add lots of candles and lit lanterns hanging from branches to give an ethereal look at the night time. Uniformity is passé! Create an unique setting on each table... customise and personalise each table to suit hosts' preferences... maybe their favourite flowers in homemade vases,  oranges and grapes in a fruit bowl for them to munch on while the ceremony in on or even hand painted candles. This will not only save your the worry of spending on matching accessories but will also show the effort and thought that been put by your designer to make the day so much more special for you.

Megha Arya, floral designer and owner of Flower Box talks about her passion - flowers. You can follow her experiences as a student of Ikebana turned a florist to reckon with, to her travails of spiritual realisation through flowers on www.flowerbox.in or mail your feedback on theflowerbox@gmail.com