History of Floral Design

Every year on the last day of February (the 28th) we celebrate Floral Design Day, specifically set aside to recognize the creativity, innovation, ingenuity, and imaginative abilities of floral designers everywhere.

To honor the day, we're doing a quick look-back over the history of floral design, and the most important developments in the industry.

Egyptian Period (2800 B.C. to 28 B.C.)

> Flowers used as temple offerings, table centerpieces for banquets, or garlands and wreaths
> Common flowers: roses, poppies, and lotus blossoms
> Simplistic style we might call minimalism (clean lines, not a lot of clutter or clusters)

Greek Period (600 to 150 B.C.)

> Flowers used as adornments in garlands and wreaths
> Sometimes scattered on ground for ceremonies or events
> Common flowers: roses, hyacinth, iris, and lilies
> Cornucopia introduced, often shown with flowers spilling out to represent fruitfulness
> Most popular design styles: triangular and symmetrical

Roman Period (28 B.C. to 325 A.D.)

> More elaborate (yet!) wreaths, crowns, and garlands
> Used cornucopias and baskets as containers
> Fragrance an important focus

Byzantine Period (320 to 600 A.D.)

> Added fruit to flower arrangements
> Popular containers: goblets or large baskets
> Often used either mainly warm or cool colored flowers with other accent colors (for example, blue and purple with orange or yellow)

Baroque Period (1600 to 1775 A.D.)

> Development of the Hogarth Curve, S-curve design with flowers, by William Hogarth, English painter

French Baroque and French Rococo (18th Century)

> Symmetrical designs and the topiary became popular
> Common design styles: crescent shape or arc

English Georgian Period (1714-1760)

> Flowers used for fragrance in small, cramped houses of the period
> Development of the nosegay (also called the tussy-mussy)

Victorian Period (1820-1901)

> Language of flowers (meanings according to color or type of flower)
> Lavish, even over-the-top, designs
> Common flowers: tulips, dahlias, anemones, asters, and especially roses.

Colonial Williamsburg (1740-1780)

> Mixed floral bouquets
> Garden flowers (anemones, roses, lilies, tulips, daisies, sunflowers, snapdragons)
> Fan-shaped styles
> Fine, feathery material (grasses and foliage) used as finishing accents around the design
> Dried flowers and other materials used during fall and winter months

Modern Period (1910 to Present)

> Combination of European massed design style and Oriental line design
> Development of flower shows
> Popularity of "Dutch Style" (naturalistic garden-style design with parallel lines)
> Popularity of hand-tied bouquets with tropical flowers and other mixed blooms

Thanks to Serenity Stitchworks for its extensive research on the history of floral design.

Upcoming Bridal Show This Sunday

Greetings, customers, clients, and brides!

We at Paul Wood Florist in Old Town Fort Collins would like to invite you to join us at the 8th annual Starry Nights & Twinkle Lights Bridal Show at the Tapestry House in Laporte on Sunday, February 23.

The show runs from twelve noon to four o'clock and will feature an array of booths by various wedding vendors from florists to caterers to musicians to officiants to photographers and everything in between.

At our booth, our Paul Wood Florist wedding designer will have on display floral bouquets in a variety of popular colors, from purples and greens to coral and even aqua.

We're showcasing bouquets in themes from wildflower to rustic chic to formal elegance, and hand-tied style as well as formal cascade style.

We'll also have a number of rental items available to look at that you can use as part of your table decor.

Register here to attend the show, and look for our wedding designer, Sue Charles, at our booth this Sunday, to answer all your questions and discuss ways we can make your dream wedding come true!

National Chocolate Mint Day

If you're thinking that Paul Wood Florist in Old Town Fort Collins is the last place on earth to look for chocolates of any kind --- let alone with mint --- then you're missing out!

Come in today to browse our selection of specialty chocolates, including boxed mint chocolates, and celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day with us.

You might even find that a flower or two, with your chocolates, will sweeten the deal!

Celebrate "Random Acts of Kindness Day" with Flowers

According to the calendar, today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Why not celebrate by buying flowers, a plant, or a dish garden for someone? Deliver them yourself, or have us deliver them to maintain your anonymity.

Think of today as a kind of pay-it-forward opportunity, as when the person in line ahead of you at the coffee shop buys your coffee for you, and you do the same for the person behind you. One act of kindness, however random and unexpected, can trigger so much more.

Call or visit Paul Wood Florist in Old Town Fort Collins today to trigger kindness for someone!

Valentine's Day Hours at Paul Wood Florist

Today is the day to celebrate love and romance! Thank you for joining us on our count-down to V-Day. We hope to see you in the shop soon!

Our hours today have been extended from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., to ensure that you have plenty of time to get in and pick up your orders or purchase something for your loved one(s).

Happy Valentine's Day!

1 Day to V-Day: Offerings Besides Floral Arrangements

With fewer than 24 hours to Valentine's Day, we want to tell you about other offerings we have available for purchase, besides flower arrangements, at Paul Wood Florist in Old Town Fort Collins.

This year, in addition to flower arrangements, we're offering . . .

> a wide selection of loose flower stems from which to create your own bouquet;

> wrapped single roses of all colors, with or without filler and greens;

> mixed hand-tied bouquets in all colors and price ranges, priced without a vase;

> green and blooming plants, and an array of available containers from which to choose; and

> dish gardens, in baskets or ceramic containers.

Keep these other options in mind, for the non-typical loved one in your life.

The time is now! Join us in celebrating love and romance!

2 Days to V-Day: Extras to Order with Your Flowers

Valentine's Day is the day after tomorrow. What if you remember that you need a little something extra to go with your flowers for your loved one?

Paul Wood Florist can help. Call or come in and make us your one-stop shop for all your Valentine's Day needs. We carry:

> Valentine's Day cards

> Balloons (Mylar, latex, and bouquets)

> Plush animals

> Chocolates

They say that the devil is in the details. Celebrate your loved ones in style, and let Paul Wood take care of the details!