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Wesley Berry, AAFDish gardens...corsages...tussie mussies...the language of the floral industry can be really confusing for those who aren't familiar with it. Sometimes it can make you feel like you need to log in to Wikipedia and look it all up before you can place an order. Don't start clicking yet, though-it's not as difficult as it might initially seem, and you've got a professional who speaks the language on your side.
A good, professional florist is one who cares enough about his or her customers to take the time to explain the many options available for floral gifts and decorative accents.
To help you gain a basic understanding, some of the terms used by florists are explained below:
Bud Vases: These are small floral gifts that include one or more stems of flowers in a vase. Bud vases are often given as a small token of friendship or to commemorate a special occasion. They're a popular gift, as they tend to be fairly inexpensive, but are elegant and beautiful.
Basket Arrangement: Basket arrangements are exactly what they sound like – a floral design created in a basket. These are usually bright, cheery gifts and look fantastic in a home with a casual design. They're perfect for any occasion or no occasion at all.
Formal Arrangement: These are very elegant arrangements that can be created in a multitude of containers and in varying heights. They are often used as a focal point in a formal room or to add some flair to the foyer of a home.
Dish Gardens: As the word "garden" implies, these are live, growing plants in a container, or dish of some sort. They're often green plants, cacti, or flowering plants. Dish gardens are a great gift that, with proper care, can be enjoyed for years.
Sympathy Flowers: Sympathy flowers are those flowers sent to comfort loved ones when someone has passed away. There are a number of different kinds of arrangements within this category, such as easel sprays, wreaths, and casket sprays. Your florist will have photographs of various sympathy flower arrangements and can assist you in choosing the right gift.
Corsages: Corsages are small arrangements that are worn by women. They can either be pinned to her clothing, or designed on an elastic band to be worn on her wrist.
Boutonnieres: Boutonnieres are small arrangements that are worn by men. They're pinned to the lapel and often consist of a single bloom with a bit of greenery or other accent.
Tussie-Mussie: The tussie-mussie was first used as a Victorian bridal bouquet, but today is used for any occasion. It's created by closely bunching flowers and binding the stems with a ribbon or other means. The result is a small, round, charming bouquet.
Topiaries: Topiaries are plants that have been trimmed in an unusual or artistic way. You might be familiar with them as small trees grown in pots that have been trimmed for a tall look with rounded foliage at the top.
Regardless of the occasion, your florist will have many options available to you. If you're not certain what to order, don't turn to Wikipedia, turn to your florist! He or she will have photos and samples to help you send the perfect gift.
About the Author:
Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. He is also the developer of Localnewsdelivery.com a website that delivers local news to over 40,000 communities across the country. Recently he also launched a website providing information about various places of worship throughout the United States. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com.
