Dahlias

To me, there is no flower more “fall” than a dahlia! These beautiful, round blooms come in a wide variety of colors from pale whites and creams to deep, rich burgundies! Dahlias are sure to add a unique touch to any arrangement when used as a focal flower.

Celosia

There are three varieties of celosia–coxcomb, plume, and spicata–and each is well-loved here at Fantasy Florist! The wide variation in shape and color makes celosia a versatile choice for arrangements, and it can be used for almost any occasion! 

Marigolds

The namesake golden color of marigolds is the perfect complement to a warm, rich fall color scheme! These flowers add a touch of brightness and contrast to the deep reds and browns that herald the fall. They also have a unique fragrance!

Strawflower

If you’re looking for a more unique fall filler, strawflower is one of our favorites! This small flower comes in a wide array of colors and hues, and its distinct texture helps it stand out among the autumn blooms. It’s a natural complement to other fall flowers!

Zinnias

Last in the alphabet but certainly not least, the zinnia is a fantastic flower to add to any fall arrangement! Like the dahlia, it comes in many colors, but it’s smaller and more rounded. It’s well suited to arrangements both big and small!

If these flowers are calling your name, then good news! All of these fall flowers are available from local farms through our partnership with Old Dominion Flower Cooperative. Whether it’s an autumn birthday, a back-to-school gift, or just because you love the fall, order your autumnal arrangement today!

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Types of Flowers

Each arrangement consists of focal flowers and then what we call “fillers and spillers.” Focal flowers are the flowers that people can usually identify such as roses, orchids, peonies, sunflowers, dahlias, etc. They tend to be larger, hence the name focal flower since they become the flowers that draw people’s attention.

Fillers and spillers are equally important but aren’t necessarily the first thing that draws people’s focus. These flowers give the arrangement its vibe and reinforce a color palette. For instance, if you want an English Garden vibe, the designer might add hydrangea, lace flower, and astilbe.

For a wildflower look, the designer might add daisies, gomphrena, and scabiosa;

Some focal flowers are more expensive than others, with peonies and orchids being some of the most valuable flowers. The same applies to fillers and spillers. Solidago, daisies, carnations, lace flower, astilbe, and hydrangea are lovely flowers that add texture and color to arrangements. Astilbe and hydrangea are going to be more expensive than daisies and carnations.

Size and Style

In general, smaller arrangements are going to be less expensive than larger arrangements. The style of the arrangement also impacts price. A short compact arrangement that is about 12” x 12” in total size can be same price as an arrangement that is 24” x 24” in total size because both arrangements have the same number/value of flowers. You can see an example of this in the photos below. The short and compact arrangement on the left has essentially the same number/value of flowers compacted together in a smaller space as the arrangement on the right that is tall and open.

Pricing

A $200 arrangement of just peonies will be much smaller than a $200 arrangement of just sunflowers. This is why our pricing is based on the qualities of the flowers and the style of the arrangement rather than the size of the arrangement.

A standard arrangement will be small with just a few standard focal flowers such as roses or sunflowers and mostly standard filler/spiller flowers such as carnations, mums, daisies, and/or alstromeria.

As you move into Deluxe and Intricate, you have the option of smaller arrangements with more expensive flowers or larger arrangements using standard flowers. This is a nice option if you are looking for a small arrangement, but you don’t want any carnations or mums. If you don’t mind standard flowers, these price points allow for larger arrangements.  

Premium and Extravagant arrangements can be about size or flowers or both. If you would like a large arrangement that takes up a lot of space, Premium and Extravagant arrangements are great. They will be large and showy using a variety of flowers in all ranges.

With Premium and Extravagant arrangements, you can also focus on the more expensive focal flowers such as peonies, orchids, and dahlias while using fewer and more unique filler and spiller flowers such as astilbe and hellebores. With a focus on the more expensive flowers, these arrangements won’t be as large.

As you can see, flower arrangement sizes and prices are dependent on the style and flowers you would like to use. Feel free to call or email us! We’re happy to take orders over the phone and discuss options with you.

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The flowers in Breath of the Wild largely serve as materials used for boosting Link’s abilities or upgrading his armor. They’re found all across Hyrule, though they vary considerably in scarcity and value. Today, I’d like to look at six of these flowers and compare them to their real-world counterparts, if any. Some are a little more fantastical than others! 

Starting off easy, there are two flowers in the game that have very obvious real-world counterparts: swift violets and mighty thistles. Swift violets, used for boosting speed, closely resemble…well, violets. On the other hand, attack-boosting mighty thistles don’t look exactly like our thistles. While they look somewhat like a closed thistle bud, the bright orange color and sharp, pointy tip is distinctly out of this world. 

Armoranths, ingested for a defense boost, are a little more obscure. The round, compact bulbs in the game look nothing like draping amaranthus. However, they look a lot like gomphrena (albeit a bit larger,) and another name for gomphrena is globe amaranth. Unlike armoranths, gomphrena comes in quite a few different colors, and while it’s theoretically edible, the texture of the flowers makes them better suited for tea.

Blue nightshade, used to help Link move quietly and stealthily, is a bit of a misnomer. While both blue nightshade and real-world nightshade have drooping buds, real-world nightshade is more often found in purple and white with a distinct, spiky shape to its petals. Blue nightshade more closely resembles a lily of the valley with the color of a bluebell. Notably, however, neither flower glows in the dark like blue nightshade does in-game.

Safflina, which comes in three varieties and increases Link’s resistance to different elements, was difficult to identify. The plant has a name that reminds me of safflower or saffron. However, neither flower looks like any type of safflina; safflower is a short, thistle-like flower, and saffron’s flowers are large and wide, not tall and thin. Safflina more closely resembles salvia in both its shape and the colors it’s found in. The names are similar, but just different enough to throw you for a loop!

Finally, perhaps the most important flower in Breath of the Wild is the silent princess. It is one of the most scarce materials in the game, only found in certain remote locations on the map. It also carries symbolic weight, representing the one and only Princess Zelda and appearing in the game’s logo. The five-pointed bloom resembles nightshade, ironically more than blue nightshade does. The coloration of the plant is reminiscent of a stargazer lily, albeit blue instead of pink. Its closest match in both color and shape is columbine. It’s perhaps fitting that a flower so magical and special in the world of Hyrule has no exact match to be found in our own world. 

Breath of the Wild has so many little details to create this world, and the variety of plants and flowers you can pick up is just one of them. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is scheduled for release on May 12th, 2023 with, hopefully, even more Hylian wildflowers. In the meantime, if you’d like a bouquet of not-quite-Hylian wildflowers, just give us a call!

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Celosia

Celosia comes in several varieties that all look very different, including coxcomb which some describe as a Dr. Seuss flower. The things all varieties have in common are that they come in vibrant colors and very cool textures. Celosia is a fun addition to summer arrangements lending a very unique quality.

Dahlia

Dahlias are a late summer/early fall favorite! Just when I think I’ve seen every color imaginable in a dahlia, our local flower farmers will deliver a variety I’ve never seen before. While not inexpensive, these large focal flowers deliver a lot of bang for their buck. Dahlia season has just started so follow our social media accounts to see the unique varieties we receive each week.

Gomphrena

The first time I saw gomphrena, it reminded me of the white clover that grew in most of our yards when I was a little girl (back in the dark ages!). Gomphrena is bigger than white clover but still small enough to be a great filler flower that adds fun color and texture. We’ll continue to get gomphrena from now through the end of the summer.

Chocolate Lace Flower

This burgundy-chocolate colored Queen Anne’s Lace has become a summer favorite this year. Its rich luxurious color combined with its ethereal lacey look adds whimsical texture to arrangements.

Lisianthus

For those that like the romantic delicate look of peonies and ranunculus, lisianthus will quickly become a favorite. It has a smaller bloom like ranunculus and comes in gorgeous colors. It’s particularly popular with brides in their bridal bouquets.

Marigold

Last summer when we received our first marigolds from our local flower farmers, we all fell in love! A perfect circle of vibrant color, they add brightness and grace to any arrangement.

Monarda

For me, the best thing about Monarda (also known as bee balm) is that the bees LOVE this plant! I love watching the bees in my pollinator garden each morning while I enjoy a cup of coffee. The bees hop from the veronica to the coneflower to the skull cap, but they linger and return to the bee balm. The tiered blossoms are a fun addition to arrangements.

Sunflower

Probably our most requested flower, it’s hard not to smile when you see sunflowers. Aptly named, they are sunshine in floral form. Our local Old Dominion Flower Cooperative farmers grow a lot of varieties that we had never seen, including this fuzzy teddy bear sunflower! If you’re looking for something fun to do on a day off, check out your local sunflower fields. They are the perfect photo-op backdrop!

Zinnia

Recently I have committed to having only native perennial flowers in my yard that are mostly pollinator favorites. The exception this year has been zinnias. I just love everything about them! Although just an annual, they are prolific bloomers, especially if you deadhead them. And they come in such unusual and vibrant colors. For all the reasons my deck is loaded with pots of zinnias, they are the perfect addition to our summery arrangements.

Our most popular arrangement continues to be our Signature Designer’s Choice. Whether you are ordering online or placing an order over the phone, be sure to request one or several of our favorite summer flowers!

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Colors

Source: Pagemoral on Wikimedia Commons

Carnations, especially, come in a wide variety of gorgeous colors! Carnations especially come in practically every color under the sun, from pink to green to anything in between! There is a depth and richness of color that you can get in a carnation that you can’t really get with other flowers. Here at Fantasy Floral, we especially love the Moon Series Carnations (pictured above) for their vibrant purple hues! My personal favorites are burgundy carnations (pictured below in an arrangement.) They add a wonderful richness to the color palette and highlight the colors of the other flowers used. 

Strength in Numbers

Carnations, mums, and daisies are the epitome of the phrase “small, but mighty.” On their own, they may not look like much, but together they have the power to make an arrangement shine! The arrangement pictured above showcases the beauty of multiple types of daisies. Since these flowers aren’t as expensive as a rose or a lily, our designers can use as many of them as they’d like!

Complement Other Flowers

In addition to being beautiful on their own, carnations, mums, and daisies are versatile enough to act as gorgeous accent flowers! When used in this way, the smaller flowers highlight the beauty of the larger ones. Take the arrangement pictured above as an example! The purple carnations offer a subtle contrast to the large pink lilies while also complementing the tall purple veronica. 

Have I sold you on these flowers yet? If you want to send some to a loved one, give us a call today!

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Lilies

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably heard this one before. Many varieties of lilies, including Oriental lilies, Asiatic lilies, and stargazers, are extremely toxic to cats. Even with just a little bit of exposure can cause harm. According to the ASPCA, it’s not known what causes lilies to be toxic to cats. They are not toxic to dogs in the same way, but these beautiful blooms can be fatal to felines. 

Image credit: Geoff McKay (Flickr)

Carnations

Though not quite as intense as the lily, carnations are another common flower that is toxic to both cats and dogs. Though the symptoms are a lot milder in comparison to the lily, the flower can still cause gastrointestinal distress and dermatitis. If you receive an arrangement with carnations, it’s best to keep it out of reach of your furry friends.

Image credit: Sheila Brown (PublicDomainPictures)

Mums

Chrysanthemums, including daisies, contain natural insecticides known as pyrethrins. While this is good for keeping insects off the flowers, it also means that anything that eats it will ingest that insecticide too. Gerbera daisies are a different genus and are not toxic to pets.

Image credit: StockVault

Hydrangeas

Along with being toxic to dogs and cats, hydrangeas are also toxic to us humans! This is because the plant contains cyanide. While death from ingesting hydrangeas is rare, the flower can still cause irritation and gastrointestinal issues. Dogs and cats, since they’re generally smaller in stature compared to the average person, would have a stronger reaction to the chemical than humans would. 

Image credit: Tiago Fioreze (Wikimedia Commons)

Tulips

Tulips are another flower commonly found in floral arrangements that are toxic to dogs and cats. The toxins are most concentrated in the bulb of the flower and can cause depression and gastrointestinal issues. If you do receive an arrangement with tulips, be sure to keep it out of reach of curious paws.

Image credit: Pixabay

So, are flower arrangements and pets completely incompatible? Not at all! Several flowers, including roses, sunflowers, and snapdragons, are non-toxic and won’t cause serious harm if ingested. However, that doesn’t mean your pets can go around eating roses all they’d like. The ASPCA cautions that “the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats.” And even if the flowers are completely harmless, they may be treated with pesticides and other chemicals that can cause harmful symptoms. 

A full list of plants and flowers that are toxic (and non-toxic) to pets can be found on the ASPCA’s website here.

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Did you know that 80% of the flowers in cut flower arrangements in the US actually come from outside the US? We understand the need to source our food locally. For the last year, Trevor and I have been discussing ideas to source our flowers locally.

We want to source flowers locally for all the same reasons we subscribe to CSA’s for our fruit, vegetables, and eggs. As fewer flowers are flown across the ocean, the carbon footprint is reduced. By incorporating organic growing practices, local flower farmers focus on healthy living soil, not chemicals. As family owned and operated farms, they add to the local economy. In addition, by supporting them we help them survive and thrive! Sourcing locally also means less time being transported. This translates to more time in your vase!

We are researching local organic flower farms. Our hope is to incorporate local flowers into our arrangements this summer. I’m so excited by this new adventure into sustainability practices! Local flowers—good for us, good for the farmers, good for the planet!

(photo courtesy of local flower farm, Wild Blue Farm)

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Ranunculus

When people ask me for a budget-friendly flower that is similar to peonies, I always suggest ranunculus. It’s a smaller flower but has the same delicate look that peonies have. Ranunculus comes in lots of fun colors, and each bloom within the bunch will be slightly different. Some blooms will be darker, some lighter, and some will have picotee edging.

Blooming Viburnum

The smell of viburnum flowers is the smell of spring in Virginia for me. When you walk through the woods in early spring, I think viburnum is the predominant scent. They are a lovely, lacey flower that look like a cross between hydrangea and Queen Anne’s lace.

Mini Calla Lilies

I’ve planted these around my yard. They come back each spring and change in color as they mature. In arrangements, they had great texture and provide fun focal points.

Tulips

Tulips are probably the quintessential spring flower. They are one of the first flowers to emerge after winter and come in all different colors and textures. They are also one of the few flowers that continue to grow after they are cut so you have to use them strategically in arrangements. I joke that tulips are like kids–they keep growing and have a mind of their own.

Stock

I’ve never understood why this wonderful flower has such a blah name. Stock comes in beautiful spring colors and adds height and dimension to arrangements. I often see our designers composing a beautiful arrangement. One of the last elements they’ll add is stock, and the arrangement comes to life!

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Bacteria is one of the biggest enemies of a flower, causing them to prematurely decay. Fresh water is the best remedy. Refresh the vase water frequently, everyday if possible, to prevent bacteria from forming. Empty the old water and refill with fresh cold water or place the vase under a faucet of running cold water until the old water displaces.

Top the vase off with water to ensure all stems are submerged and drinking water. Remove any organic material from the vase water such as leaves or petals to prevent bacteria from growing. Remove flowers from the arrangement that have wilted, dried, or developed mold.

Heat is another enemy. Florists keep their flowers in a cooler to prevent the flowers from opening or growing. Tulips for example, open and continue to grow in warm temperatures. The tulip in the photo was an inch shorter than the gerbera daisy in front of it 48 hours prior to the photo being taken. As much as you are able, keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from cooking heat and vapors or heating vents.

The last component of a long-lasting arrangement is a good quality flower. We take great care to ensure we order quality flowers from quality farms. Although other places might have less expensive flowers, customers continue to order through us because of our long-lasting arrangements. To this end, care instructions are provided with every arrangement that leaves our shop!

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Dahlia

Most people think of dahlias as late spring and summer flowers, but this year has been a tough one for dahlias. According to our farmers, dahlias need a cold winter and a warm spring to produce the most beautiful dahlias. That was not this year so it’s just been recently that we’ve been able to get the large, gorgeous dahlias that we’re used to. The deep colors are perfect for our fall brides’ bouquets.

Astrantia

Astrantia looks like a wildflower to me. It’s delicate and willowy and comes in different colors. It is not a focal flower. When added to a bouquet or arrangement, it adds surprising texture and depth. Astrantia also ties different colors together into a cohesive look–whites and burgundies, pinks and maroons.

Strawflower

With a texture that doesn’t feel like a real flower, strawflowers are just fun! If you’re hoping to hang your bride’s bouquet upside down to create a dried bouquet, strawflowers are a perfect addition. They look the same when dried as they do when freshly cut.

Celosia

While many people don’t know this flower’s name, they sure can describe it! It’s the Dr. Seuss flower! Celosia comes in many forms and colors from mustard colored cranial flowers to bright red feathery spiked flowers. This is a fun flower to add whimsy and texture. We’ve been enjoying this soft lavender colored Asian Garden celosia that came to us unexpectedly from a local farmer.

Thistle

Trevor has been known to call this his secret ingredient, and it’s easy to see why! He’s particular to the Sea Holly thistle for its vibrant blue color. Mother Nature doesn’t have a lot of flowers that come in true blue. But this thistle really is true blue while adding subtle texture.

Astilbe

If you have a bride’s bouquet or arrangement that is heavy with large flowers, astilbe might be the perfect addition. This airy flower comes in all different colors from whites and pastels to deep hued burgundies. Astilbe is perfect for adding texture and breaking up blocks of heavier flowers such as roses and dahlias.

Queen Anne’s Lace

While baby’s breath is still a wedding standard, we’ve had fun this year using Queen Anne’s Lace instead. I usually think of Queen Anne’s Lace as the wildflower that I see when I run through the Manassas battlefields. It is that wildflower. When used in a bride’s bouquet or reception centerpieces, it lends that soft delicate quality that brides often look for.

One of the fun things about living in Virginia is experiencing the wonders of each of the four seasons. I get excited when I wake up to crisp chilly mornings and the sound of wind blowing through drying leaves. The advent of fall is also exciting for florists as we get to play with the new colors and textures of our favorite flowers…right now.

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