Making a Hand Tied Bouquet – Step by Step!

August 23rd, 2011

If you ever wander into a floral shop in London or Paris – you will note that their presentation of fresh cut flowers is often done as a hand tied. This technique can be used with almost any flowers (smaller to medium size flowers are best) to make an everyday bouquet you can put in a vase, give to a loved one or even a bouquet you walk down the aisle with to get married!

Below you will find step-by-step directions for making this bouquet. While practice will make perfect – we are confident that even on your first try you will end-up with a beautiful presentation to be proud of! Remember that all of the flowers you will ever need can be found at Adelaide’s. If you mention this blog we will even take off 10% of your fresh-cut flower purchases till the end of August. (Designer arrangements excluded)

So here we go – get out your clippers and let’s have some fun!

Items needed:

  • 8 – 12 Stems of Fresh Cut flowers. Flower Stems with multi-blooms and unusual stems such as “Coffee Bean” or Thistle will add an unexpected dimension.
  •  10 – 12 stems of fresh greens to create a collar and add additional texture to the arrangement. We used Lemon      Leaf for the below arrangement.
  •  Clippers or a floral knife.
  •  Bind wire or ribbon to “tie” the arrangement together at the end and possibly wrap the stems.

Gather your flowers. You can choose multi-color flowers like the photo below or go with one single color and/or flower – the choice is totally up to you and what you want  your end result to look like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place your index finger and thumb together similar to giving someone the “OK” symbol. This will form the spot you will begin inserting your flowers into:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insert a couple stems of your greens (pictured here lemon leaf) in the hole formed by your fingers.

 

Continue to add flowers in a circular pattern around the edge of the center flowers: (You will broaden the hole so you continue to have a firm grasp on all of the stems.)

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 Add additional elements such as coffee bean or other textured flowers, pods, etc. if desired:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finish your masterpiece by adding lemon leaf or other broad leaf greens around the base of the arrangement:



 

 

 

 

 



When you are happy with the look of your hand tied – you will tie it off with bind wire or ribbon. (Strongly suggest that you use the bind wire and cut a piece 6 – 8 inches in length in advance so you are not struggling with holding your arrangement and trying to cut wire!)



 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  

 

 



 

Finally, cut your stems with the inner stems being slightly shorter than the outer ones in order for the arrangement to standup in a shallow bowl with water if that is your desired effect. You can also cut the stems evenly and wrap with stain ribbon in a braid (or other tie) if you will be using it as a hand bouquet for a wedding. If you wish to place your flowers in a vase use your table and the top of the vase for measuring the best spot to cut your stems:    

 

Enjoy your new creation!

 

Sunflowers – Flower of the month!

August 10th, 2011

Did you know that sunflowers are symbolic of adoration? The Inca Indians worshipped the sunflower as a symbol of the sun. Their priestesses even wore necklaces of sunflowers made of gold. Spanish explorers were so enthralled with them that they took sunflowers back to Spain where they were cultivated and hybrids were created that eventually made their way to America. Sunflowers turn their heads to the sun, which is the origin of their common name but botanically – sunflowers belong to the genus helianthus, a reference to Helios, the sun god.

The head of the sunflower actually consists of 1,000-2,000 individual flowers and vary widely in size. Most reach maximum heights of three to ten feet; however, cultivated sunflowers can reach an incredible twenty feet in height! Sunflowers are one of the fastest growing plants in the world, increasing in height up to one foot a day. These lofty heights more than likely contributed to the sunflower being symbolic of haughtiness as well as adoration.

In the United States sunflowers bloom from July through September which is why Adelaide’s has designated these amazing flowers – August Flower of the month! We are carrying various varieties that are the perfect color and texture for your end of summer garden party – or clustered below your Van Gogh as we move into fall!  Stop in and buy them today - through the end of August - for only $5.00 a bunch!!!

Caring for arrangements both large and small…

July 27th, 2011

Every year we have the honor of providing florals for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Part of providing those florals is the daily care of the flowers to ensure they are always looking as fresh as the day they were delivered. Our arrangements range from three beautiful South American Roses nestled in a small stone vase for the dining tables in the private owners suites to display pieces that are six feet long and five feet high! How we take care of them; however, is exactly how you should if you received an arrangement delivered to your home or office. Here are the simple steps you can do daily to extend the life of your arrangement and make your friends and family still say “wow’ even after having them in your home for four or five days:
1. Make sure you place your flowers in a protective area of your home. Do not expose your arrangement to direct sunlight which may cause the flowers to wilt or fade.
2. Check your water every day! Your arrangement more than likely arrived in a glass vase filled with fresh water or in some form of pottery with the flowers arranged in a special green foam that holds water. In either case it is essential that you continue to add water to your arrangement. The glass vase is generally easy to see if water needs to be added and even esier to add water by simply pulling back the foliage or flowers and gently filling up the vase to just under the lip of the vase. To check arrangements in foam, wiggle your fingers under the bottom of the flowers and along the side of the container. If you “feel” water theyare more than likely well hydrated. If you do not, use a watering can or a small glass to add additional water until you can feel water along the edge of the container.  If you received a floral preservative make sure you add this to your water any time you change it in full.
3. Check your flowers daily to see if there are petals or blooms that have wilted. If you find any- gently pull them out of the arrangement or pull the wilted petal or leaf off of the flower itself.  This will continue to give the arrangement a “fresh” look.
4. If time and budget allows consider going to your florist a few days after receiving your arrangement and purchasing “replacement” blooms. Any reputable florist can assist you with picking out the right flowers and offering tips on how to cut them just prior to placing them into your arrangement. By taking this extra step you will not only extend the life of your arrangement as some blooms die-off sooner than others – but will give you the feeling of what it is like to be a real floral designer!

Art Alive 2011

May 4th, 2011

Art Alive 2011 was amazing and Adelaide’s was thrilled to be apart of this event again with so many talented designers. Our own Mary Anne Mertz, Kristine Pili, and Melissa Sack had incredible floral designs in the exhibition.

Here are some of there pictures.  You needed to see them with the art work to really see how beautiful they were.

La Jolla Village Bridal Fair

March 16th, 2011

Warwick’s Presents:

La Jolla Village Bridal Fair

In Partnership with La Jolla Women’s Club

Tuesday, April 5, 2011   7:00 pm

Ticketed* offsite at La Jolla Women’s Club

Planning a wedding? Come to the La Jolla Village Bridal Fair to meet a select group of local vendors who specialize in all things bridal. Located at La Jolla Women’s Club, a historic wedding venue, you will meet with and receive expert advice from vendors Adelaide’s Florist and Decorators, The French Gourmet, Siegel Thurston Photography, AH Calligraphy, hair designer from Atelier Aucoin, and Custom Invitations by Warwick’s Stationers. Warwick’s will also be hosting television personalities and wedding pros, Barbara Wallace and Annie Withers who will be on hand to discuss and sign their book Beautiful Bride From Every Angle. This is a one of a kind chance for brides-to-be to meet with these spectacular local
businesses to design the wedding of their dreams.

*This is a ticketed offsite event. Purchase a copy of Beautiful Bride From Every Angle from Warwick’s and receive up to 4 complimentary admission tickets. If you wish to attend without purchasing the book, tickets are available for $10 each. Tickets may only be purchased from Warwick’s Please contact the
Warwick’s Book Dept. at (858) 454-0347 for tickets or information.

About the Book
Beautiful Bride From Every Angle offers
advice from three highly respected
wedding pros and includes essential
tips and inspiring imagery that will take
your wedding from great to sensational.
An award-winning wedding planner
offers suggestions for designing and
planning your wedding day, to make
this important day as calm as possible.
The fashion stylist and makeup artist
lets you in on tried-and-true beauty trade
secrets and helps you make informed
choices that enhance the real you. The
internationally renowned photographer
shares valuable tips and insider info
from both sides of the camera including
how to choose your photographer,
posing tips, and ways to capture the best
photos on your wedding day. Packed
with photographs and ideas from real
weddings this book is the ultimate guide
to creating a wedding that is a true
reflection of you, a beautiful bride from
every angle.
Featuring Authors
Barbara Wallace & Annie Withers
Beautiful Bride From Every Angle

(Zingiber Publishing)

Carmel Valley Garden Club

February 26th, 2011

The Carmel Valley Garden Club stopped by today for a demonstration on making orchid gardens the Adelaide’s way.  Ed, our plant manager, gave a wonderful presentation that had everyone in appreciation for the little tips and tricks Adelaide’s uses to make the gardens. 

If you have a group that would like a plant or floral presentation, please give us a call at 858-454-0146.

Valentine Memories

February 18th, 2011

Valentine’s Day has passed but there are some memories that will never fade.  Here are some photo memories of Valentine’s…

Leonard Simpson segment on KUSI

February 13th, 2011

KUSI requested Adelaide’s to be the florist of choice to decorate their set for the “Leonard Simpson Segment” for Valentine’s Day on the morning of February 13, 2011.   Our incredibly talented event coordinator and designer, Kristine Pili, used an amazing combination of Red Roses, Pink Hydrangea, Bells of Ireland, Pink Amaryllis, Sumatra Lilies, and Fuchsia Stock to create two very large and one small container arrangements as back drops for the set.  Adelaide’s also provided accessory decor to enhance the set Valentine spirit.  Leonard Simpson was incredibly kind and gracious to Adelaide’s as was the entire KUSI staff.  Adelaide’s was thrilled to be a part of this, as we especially love Valentine’s Day!

If you want to see more, here’s a link to view the video.  Click here.

Mayesh – National Design Contest

January 17th, 2011

We are so excited about the National Design Contest that Mayesh is having.  Mayesh Wholesale Florist is a direct shipper and wholesale supplier of high quality cut flowers from around the world.   They are one of our main suppliers of fresh flowers.  They recently had a design competition where 2 of our designers participated.  Kristine, our Event Coordinator/Floral Designer won 3rd place at Mayesh’s Carlsbad location.  Mary Anne, our Design Manager went all out and she won 1st place and goes on to the National Competition.  Here are their entries:

Do you want to participate in the voting?   Please visit the site below and vote for Design 2 (Carlsbad) between now and January 21, 2011.  www.mayesh.com/voting.aspx

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2010 Del Mar Race Track Season

July 30th, 2010

The horses are off and so are we.  We are happy to be creating the lovely designs in the turf club again this year.  Here are some photos of the arrangements on display during the first two weeks. 

Adelaide's Del Mar Race Track 2010

Adelaide's Del Mar Race Track week1

Adelaide's Del Mar Race Track week1

Adelaide's Del Mar Race Track 2010 week2

Adelaide's Del Mar Race Track week2 2010

Here are some of our employees ensuring the arrangements look gorgeous.

Adelaide's Del Mar Race Track week2 2010

While we are up at the race track early every morning, the horses are out getting their exercise.  We couldn’t resist taking this photo….

Adelaide's, horses running early in the morning

Here’s a link to get all the information about the 2010 racing season at Del Mar: www.dmtc.com

Let us know which is your favorite arrangement.