Charlotte Avenue Florals

Avenue Florals

Spring 2019 Edition

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Floral Spotlight Iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. Which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris. Some authors state and saythat the name refers to the wide and unique variety of flower colors found among the many species.

Flower Power Summer, Winter, and Fall may have their fans, but Spring is clearly the most lovable of the four seasons.

Not convinced? Here are 15 scientific reasons why Spring is great.

All the How To’s Most places offer a decent selection of roses (and maybe tulips if they’re in season), but you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck from mixed bouquets, which run $5 to $10. The question is: How to transform your budget flowers into a brag-worthy bouquet?

Top Flowers Flowers showcased here will start blooming as soon as Spring makes itself known. Many can be planted outdoors even before the threat of frost is past.

Others may need a bit of coddling, to begin with, but cool Spring weather is when they shine, so don’t miss out by waiting too long to plant them.

Using Flowers Instead of using vases, you can use teacups or old wine bottles for individual stems. This gives you the chance to make an arrangement out of your separate containers, as opposed to the traditional bouquet.

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Letter Editor from the

“Bloom where you are planted.” For one reason or another, I was planted in Nashville, TN around 2 years ago with the desire in my heart to have my own floral shop. Little did I know the adventure I was about to embark upon. Charlotte Avenue Florals is a special place, with extraordinary people and most importantly exceptional flowers. We hope our flowers brighten up your life or the life of the individual you are giving them to.

We aspire that our flowers bring joy and hope to those who need it. We believe our flowers will help your home, feel like a home, no matter what the situation. We believe in the power of flowers and we hope that you do too.

Please enjoy our Spring edition. Each page is filled with love for flowers and ways to bring that love of flowers into your home. You’ll not only feel that love in every page but also learn a few things along the way through our publication.

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Meet Our Team Lead Designer Katie Strubberg

Writers

Vicky Philpolt K.C. Dermody Nathan Masters Ayecha Khan Megan Helzel Walter Reuben Brody Diane Rommel

Photographers Kyle Cesmat John Jason Greg Rakozy Mahir Uysal Sasha Horn Adrienne Horn

Communications Anna Bross Sydney Simon Corey Cunningham Steven Song Ayecha Khan Megan Helzel Walter

Subscription Information Call: 345-234-0996 Visit: www.charlotteaveflorals.com

Follow us on Social Media

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CharlotteAveFlorals Instagram: CharlotteAveFlorals Facebook: www.facebook.com/CharlotteAveFlorals

Digital Products & Technology Betsy Cole Clarissa Matthews Andrew McGill Chris Sullivan Chris Davis

Data & Growth Emily Harkin Harris Cullinan Sera Herold Carson Trobich Anna Hoffman Lora Kelly Caroline Jarboe Blake Truitt

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Floral Spotlight THE IRIS: THE FLOWER OF TENNESSEE With about 200 different species scattered worldwide, gardeners probably know fewer of these flowers than any other popular group. It’s all because of the intense interest in just a few of the species, for centuries. Today, of course, everything is dominated by our oversized, “bigger is better” passion for the tall Bearded Iris, also called German Iris.

Because of the great elegance of the Iris bloom, it has been the symbol of monarchs and royal families throughout history. In fact, one of the earliest known artworks of an Iris is a fresco in King Minos’ palace on the Greek Island of Crete. The palace dates from 2100 BC. Bearded Irises have been popular forever, and no wonder. They are very easy to grow, and, especially in recent years, put on one of the truly great flower shows in the garden. Bearded Iris bloom is in “late spring,” after the tulips and daffodils, and often with oriental poppies and peonies. There are six official classifications of Bearded Irises, based mostly on their heights, but the one everyone is interest in is called, not surprisingly, “Tall Bearded Irises.” They grow from 27 to 41 inches tall. And the spectacular flowers measure from 4 to 7 inches across.

They are famously easy to grow, and are some of the most persistent perennials of all. Like oriental poppies, they will withstand grass, weeds, and other plants, even if a perennial garden is untended for years. You may well see an old garden with almost nothing left but the weeds, and often there, sticking up out of the tough invading grasses and brush are the healthy sword-like leaves on an iris.

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Reasons Spring Is The Most Delightful Season Summer, Winter, and Fall may have their fans, but Spring is clearly the most lovable of the four seasons. Not convinced?

Here are 15 scientific reasons why: TEMPERATURES ARE MODERATE. Spring marks the end of blistering Winter and the transitional period to scorching Summer. In many places, the season brings mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s. People tend to be most comfortable at temperatures of about 72°F, research shows, so the arrival of Spring means you can finally ditch the heavy winter layers and still be comfortable.

THERE IS MORE DAYLIGHT. Following the Spring equinox, days begin lasting longer and nights get shorter. Daylight Saving Time, which moves the clock forward starting in March, gives you even more light hours to get things done. Those extra hours of sun can be a major mood-booster, according to some research.

A 2016 study of students in counseling at Brigham Young University found that the longer the sun was up during the day, the less mental distress people experienced.

THE BIRDS RETURN. Many animals migrate South during the winter, then head north as temperatures rise. For relatively northern regions, there is no better indicator of Spring than birds chirping outside your window. Their northward can start as early as mid-February and last into June, meaning that throughout the spring, you can expect to see a major avian influx. In addition to the satisfaction of marking species off your bird-watching checklist, seeing more of our feathered friends can make you happy.

THERE ARE BABY ANIMALS EVERYWHERE. Many animals reproduce in the Spring, when temperatures are warmer and food is plentiful.

Studies have found that seeing cute animals can have positive effects on humans. For instance, one small study in 2012 found that when college students looked at cute images of baby animals, they were better at focusing on a task in the lab.

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Being able to watch fluffy baby squirrels frolic outside your office window might make spring your most productive season of the year.

But the effect reverses when Spring ends, since being outside in the warmest days of Summer is usually pretty uncomfortable.

YOU’RE SAFER. In 2015, a pair of public policy researchers discovered a hidden upside to “springing forward” for Daylight Saving Time. It reduced crime. When the sun set later in the evening, the study published in the Review of Economics and Statistics found, robbery rates fell. After Daylight Saving Time started in the Spring, there was a 27 percent drop in robberies during that extra hour of evening sunlight, and a 7 percent drop over the course of the whole day.

IT MAKES YOU MORE CREATIVE. That same University of Michigan study found that spending time outside in the sunny spring weather isn’t just a mood booster, it actually can change the way people think. The researchers found that being outdoors broadened participants’ minds, leaving them more open to new information and creative thoughts.

YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE. Warmer temperatures mean you can spend more time outside without freezing your feet off, which is great for mental health. Across the seasons, research has found that taking walks in nature slows your heart rate and makes you more relaxed, but some research indicates that there is something special about spring’s effect on your brain. A 2005 study from the University of Michigan linked spending 30 minutes or more outside in warm, sunny Spring weather to higher mood and better memory.

THE LEAVES COME BACK. Spring brings green growth back to plants and trees. Depending on where you live, trees may begin sporting new leaves as early as mid-March.

That successful spring leaf growth ensures a cool canopy to relax under during the hot summer—a important factor in keeping cities comfortable.

According to researchers, vegetation plays a big role in mitigating the urban heat island effect. When trees release water back into the air through evapotranspiration, it can cool down the areas around them by up to 9°F, according to the EPA.

How To: Make A Bouquet ADD WATER: Fill your vase 3/4 of the way with water. The ideal vase is about half the size of your final bouquet. “If the flowers are any higher, the balance is off,” says Orellana-Reyes.

SEPARATE THE FLOWERS: Open up the bouquet and lay out the flowers. “You want to see what you’re working with and figure out how many ingredients you have for your vase,” says Clarke. Inspect the flowers to decide which ones will be your stars (bigger, prettier flowers) and which will be more like fillers or “carpeting” (smaller, fluffier bunches).

TRIM THE LEAVES OFF OF THE STEMS: Any leaves that sit below the water line of the vase will rot and make your flowers go bad faster.

“You want the stems almost bare, because even the tiniest carnation leaves will rot,” says Orellana-Reyes.

BUILD A BASE: Start filling your vase with the foundational flowers — the fuller ones that take up more space. If they are in tight bunches, cut off the sprigs to arrange them at different levels.

KEEP BUILDING: Group them loosely by color and trim the stems as you place them so the blooms hit at different levels. If you can, choose a flower with a curved stem to angle out of the arrangement, press down the stems of hardier flowers like carnations to give them a little more “movement.”

ADD THE FINAL TOUCHES: Add your showstopper flower near-to-last, then fill in any blank spots with remaining filler flowers.

8 WHAT YOU NEED: • Vase • Water • Bouquet of flowers • Shears or sharp scissors

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The South’s Most Iconic Flowers These blooms have been bringing loads of color to Southern gardens for decades. Incorporate these beautiful flowering shrubs, trees, and vines into your landscape. Keep reading to find out more about these beautiful blossoms why they are so important to the Southern region of our country.

Climbing Roses Roses are beautiful, but roses climbing a rustic wooden fence are the ultimate.

Gracefully add height, dimension, and color to every space in the garden that might need a little softening. Antique roses have been the glory of Southern gardens for decades. They require minimal care, are resilient, and relatively bug free.

Dogwoods

The Dogwood has been called the most beautiful native tree of North America. Its blossom is the state flower of North Carolina and Virginia.

It blooms profusely in mid spring before leaves expand, almost covering itself with small flower clusters. Flowering dogwood grows fine in full sun if planted in deep, fertile soil that retains moisture.

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Hydrangeas These shrubs and vines are a fan favorite in the South. They bloom in late spring or summer and flowers can last for months. Perhaps the most popular variety, French or Bigleaf Hydrangea, can be spotted in shady yards across the South.

Hydrangeas need to be watered regularly and should be planted somewhere that receives morning light and afternoon shade.

Magnolias When the sweet fragrance of fills the air, you know you’re in the South. To many people, the word “magnolia” is synonymous with our native Magnolia grandiflora, the classic Southern magnolia with large, glossy leaves, and huge, fragrant white blossoms—the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana. Sweet bay a smaller tree, is easier to fit into most gardens.

Camellias

This beautiful, flowering shrub has a long blooming season and loves the Southern climate.

More than 3,000 kinds of camellias exist in a wide range of colors, forms, and sizes. Spring planting is better in the Upper South, where the root system needs time to get established before onset of cold weather. In general, camellias grow and bloom better in partial shade, with shelter from hot afternoon sun.

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Azaleas No plant rivals in Southern popularity, and no plant is more misused and abused. To get the best performance, buy in bloom. Most people have a particular color in mind when they buy Azaleas. To get the most impact, set out blocks or sweeps of the same selection. A scattering of different types across your yard will look chaotic.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus are among the showiest plants in Southern gardens. The many species offer an astonishing range of flower colors, and most bloom over a long season. Colors range from white through pink to red, from yellow and apricot to orange. Individual flowers usually last only a day or two, but the plant blooms continuously in spring and fall.

Daffodils

Daffodils are arguably the finest and most valuable spring bulbs for the South. They are long lived, increasing naturally from year to year; they stand up to cold and heat; they have many garden uses; and they offer a fascinating array of flower forms, sizes, and colors. Given minimal care at planting, all thrive with virtually no further attention.

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Ways to Use Flowers Around the House Spring flowers are blooming and as beautiful as bouquets are, there are many other fun ways to use flowers in your home.

Instead of using vases, you can use teacups or old wine bottles for individual stems. This gives you the chance to make an arrangement out of your separate containers, as opposed to the traditional bouquet.

Using hanging planters, wall baskets and shelves can add a clever element to your home décor, whether it’s funky geometric shapes or more typical woven baskets. It also helps if you don’t have much space – you can plant up, rather than out.

You can even create a striking feature by planting rooted flowers in water, where you can watch them grow. Using your DIY skills and a bit of creativity, you can upcycle your existing vases and plant pots to give your flowers that added oomph. Whether its knitting a cover for your potted plants or painting your vases vibrant colours, this will enhance whatever blooms you choose.

Most people just choose to have flowers in dining rooms or living rooms. However, adding some plants into kitchens and bathrooms can enhance these areas and make them more welcoming, giving them a pop of colour and a fragrant scent.

Flowers are often used merely as a side note to your other décor. You can display them proudly on cake stands or create test tube chandeliers, with individual stems arranged in a striking chandelier, to make sure your blooms and buds grab the attention of everyone.

That being said, flowers are a perfect way to enhance your existing decor. Hand making flower garlands to drape over a prized painting will enhance it, while adding in an interesting floral detail outside of the typical bouquet.

Not everyone has the time to take care of a large collection of flowers. In that case, dried or pressed flowers can still add a colourful detail to your home. It could be in the form of pressed flower coasters or a dried arrangement that can be personalised time and time again.

Making the most of the space you do have is one way to bring flowers into your home: using small potted flowers or succulents as bookends, creating a pegboard to which you can mount a wall basket or even just building a flower shelf unit are all easy ways to introduce flowers.

One of the best ways to use flowers in your home is to go all out. Making your home a green-fingered wonderland is easier than you might think – dedicate a specific corner of one of your rooms to create an array of flower displays or create a walkway full of draping flowers and plants.

A clever way to introduce flowers to your home is just to use your creativity: an ombre display of flowers arranged from one colour to another or using different textures, displaying succulents with flowers, is a unique way to use flowers.

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