Texture and form are one of the hottest trends of the moment. Reminiscent of your grandma’s days, gnarled woods, knobby woolens, sandy walls, course furs and even shag carpet are taking over the design world. Orbs, cubes and dramatic shapes are everywhere. Capture the trends in your floral accents with sisal and artichokes. Sisal is a natural material available in a rainbow of colors. The forest green and deep purple colors combine fabulously with artichokes, sedum and oregano.

I love the dahlias! There are so many colors, sizes and variations – Lilliputian to dinner plate, red to purple to variegated. For a flower lover, it’s like a trip to your favorite ice cream store. How do you even choose? The soft guava variegated dahlia is my newest favorite… at least until my next purchase. Mixed with exotic foliages and scabiosa pods, they quickly become the center of attention.

Take a look at this exotic beauty! Lobster claw Heloconia makes a dramatic statement in this tropical styled design. A bamboo container (one of the new eco-choices available today) filled with orchids, freesia and kangaroo paw is sure to be a favorite. All the blooms are so long lasting. You will be delighted and amazed – promise!

Did you have a tough day at the office? You need a meditation flower arrangement. Are the kids making you crazy? Time for flower therapy! Lysimachia, commonly called Gooseneck Loosestrife, is at its peak right now. A stem or two or three in a classic Ikebana dish creates the perfect meditation arrangement. Get yours now and add a little Zen to your life.

Destination weddings are the hot and happening trend. Many brides are choosing a seashore ceremony – Hawaii, Mexico, Belize or Jamaica… a wedding paradise! Choosing the bouquet to fit the setting is easy. Think orchids, roses and berries in fire hot colors of red, orange and gold. Add a sophisticated scepter styling with a long, leaf wrapped handle and you have instant, dramatic glamour.

When I travel, I am often accused of following a path of ever widening, meandering circles to my destination. The straight line is not my first choice. There is so much more to be seen along the meandering and winding route. Mother Nature shares my philosophy and brings the winding twist to the bloom. A curled grass, a gnarled branch or a contorted stem… all lead you along the meandering path to floral design beauty.

Traditional, hand tied bouquets are très chic this season. Flora2000’s David Beahm Collection and Mumbai collection feature an array of creative arrangements inspired by this traditional, time honoured form. Moreover, bouquets have an interesting history. In olden times, courting couples would often slip secret notes, keepsakes, even keys into an innocuous bouquet of beautiful flowers. There is an instinctive attraction towards flowers that are natural and free-flowing. Hand tied bouquets involve minimum cutting of the stems, enabling flowers to remain in their natural form.

The trick to getting the classic garden style look is to include plenty of foliage and greens, in varying hues and textures, to constitute a sense of balance with the flowers. We have incorporated unusual elements like tendrils of areca trees and smooth green palmetto shafts— tropical and imaginative contrasts that bring out our traditionally beautiful, large headed roses. David Beahm’s Nita and Angie are colourful masterpieces of luxuriant roses; their style, although reminiscent of archetypal Victorian bouquets, has a distinct contemporary feel.

Shabby Chic elegance comes to the life in your flower bouquet. The dusty hues of summer blossoms: Astrantia, Scabiosa, Lambs ear and lavender Dahlias, Veronica and Hydrangea old fashioned blooms that exude romantic charm. A simple glass cube of flowers designed by Flora2000 gives you the aura of the old with the contemporary flair of the new.

A classic, long lasting beauty – the Phalaenopsis orchid is one of my favorite blooming plants. I first fell in love with this “butterfly” orchid when I stumbled upon the pure white variety at a local spa. Now, I search for the new and unusual color variations. Yellow, pink, purple or variegated, there are so many to choose from. Each will bloom happily at home for weeks. Now that summer guests are stopping in to visit, you’ll want to pick up a couple of these beauties – one for the entry and one for the guest room. They are the perfect fresh touch for the home.

Lemonade anyone? Oh, how I love the summertime. I relish long lazy days lounging in the back yard and impromptu warm evening picnics with a tall, cool glass of lemonade. Mmmmmm….. Add a little zest to your picnic table top with sunshine yellow and crisp white flowers in a lemonade pitcher. Yes, you’ll need a second pitcher for serving the beverages but, oh what fun! Add a checkered table cloth, friends and potato salad – you’ve got the beginnings of a grand summer celebration.

Summertime sunshine brings such an abundance of gorgeous flowers! Craspedia, scabiosa pods, poppie pods and sunflowers are gathered in a natural forest bowl made of of sphagnum moss, lichens and branches. The crisp yellows and luxurious greens create a textural delight of Mother Nature’s finest offerings. Stop by Flora2000 to see the latest natural floral beauties of the summer season.

Looking for something different? We’ve got it! The Persimmon! Yes, the same persimmons that you eat. A lovely persimmon branch filled with immature persimmons is the inspiration for this delightful contemporary design. Add a bit of grass, a few woven balls and you have a floral work of art. Of course, a bright blossom enlivens the design – I like the natural look of vivid yellow Centaurea but, an orchid or large rose would be equally as beautiful.

‘The Family is Nature’s masterpiece.’ – George Santayana

Parenting is the most rewarding experience in the world… and the most exasperating. The birth of a child brings ecstasy and terror in equal measure. Parents assume responsibility for a little human being for the next eighteen years, loving, nurturing, guiding, teaching, and moulding their little one. It’s what makes the bond between a parent and child the strongest of all human relationships.

Parent’s Day, which is observed on the fourth Sunday of July, is a time to celebrate this unique bond and express gratitude for all they have done for you. While the concept of ‘honoring thy mother and father’ has been around since eons, Parents’ Day was formally established in 1994 by President Bill Clinton for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”

Most parents discover hitherto unsuspected reserves of patience along the way. Your parents have made sacrifices you can’t begin to imagine. So, show them how much you love and appreciate them. Harness your creative energy and make a list of all their favorite things — you’re sure to come up with some great ideas. For instance, bake your dad’s favorite cake and make them a scrap book of family photos. Add to that your mom’s favorite flowers and you have an unbeatable combination.

The Real Voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having NEW EYES

We founded Flora2000 a decade ago with an inspiration to expand the definition of beauty. In 2009 celebrated floral artist David Beahm came aboard, adding to Flora2000′s bower. Our Summer 2010 Luxury Collection is a combination of modern styling and fine craftsmanship, draws on disparate sources for inspiration to create something truly spectacular for our patrons.

Have you ever been far out at sea at nighttime? There are mysterious lights that shimmer brightly from the ocean’s depth to the water’s surface. The sailors of old believed them to be the Sea God’s jewels, safely hidden beneath the waves and used to control tides. The inspiration for Jewel Trove, a trio of cube arrangements in fuchsia, ruby and ivory, comes from these ancient tales of the Sea God’s tide jewels.

The allure of the Sea God is echoed in the blazing hues of carnations symbolizing the timeless bond between sailor and sea. Sourced from specialist growers, who ensure that each bloom is grown and nurtured carefully from a superior pedigree of seeds, these carnations are not only bigger and brighter, but also vibrant for longer periods.

Clasping the carnations in a glittering embrace, the eternal jewels of time and tide anchor the carnations, waiting for you to discover their secret. The floating crystals irresistibly bring to mind the magical luminescence of the ocean. Each carnation hovers above a jewel, creating a colorful mist over the water. The sparkling faceted crystals sway on delicate ribbons creating small ripples – a glittering tribute to the midnight ocean.

Jewel Trove is a true floral delight. Imagine presenting these Jewel Boxes to a loved one and telling them the Sea God’s secrets: your story will cast a spell worthy of the tide jewels.

Remember? Remember playing in the vacant neighborhood fields, long summer days wandering in the woods, leisurely picnicking in the park? Salute these memories with a wild garden bouquet. Rye grass and festive summer blooms create a bouquet so inviting that even the butterflies have to stop by for a visit.

A rose by any other name… The Greek philosopher, Sappho declared the rose to be the “Queen of Flowers”. Romans revered the blossom so much that they filled their bed pillows with the sweet smelling petals. Oh, doesn’t that sound wonderful? I think I would love to lie upon a bed of rose petals! Later, the Victorians chose the rose to symbolize “love” in the language of flowers. Even today, the rose is still a flower lover’s favorite. With wedding season upon us, I’m sure you will see the rose bridal bouquet is the first choice of the contemporary bride.

The season for outdoor entertaining has arrived. Is your yard ready for guests? A quick trip to the florist greenhouse may be in order. A hanging basket for the patio – love the sweet potato vine! A planter to greet the guests at the front door – the aromatic rosemary is a sensory delight. And, of course, a flat or two of brilliantly colored annuals to spice up the flower beds. Whew! A weekend in the garden and I’m prepared for a season of entertaining. Now, that’s a great return on my investment.

Big, bigger, biggest! The Duchess Rose is the grand prize winner. If you love roses (and don’t we all!), you’ll adore the “bigger than life” Duchess Rose. Created from the petals of several fresh roses, this faux blossom is sure to amaze. Ohhhhh, Ahhhh! Oh, my! Where ever do you find such a beauty? At Flora2000 of course!

The American Revolution was a beginning, not a consummation. ~Woodrow Wilson

On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, announcing to the world that the 13 American colonies no longer belonged to the Kingdom of Great Britain and were free and independent states. Every July fourth, America celebrates Independence Day with fun, fireworks, parades and barbecues.

A spirited cookout with friends and family is a time honored Fourth of July tradition; with a little flair and originality you can make yours an event to remember. Send out your star spangled invitations well in advance and start planning a menu of barbecue favorites like hotdogs, spare ribs, hamburgers, corn-on-the-cob, potato salad and blueberry pie. In addition to little American flags, patriotic streamers and bunting, create decorative centerpieces with red, white and blue flowers. It’s the height of summer and you will have your pick of red and white roses, carnations, lilies and several others while delphiniums and irises provide magical shades of blue. Fourth of July bouquets are also the perfect present for your host if you’re a guest at an Independence Day party.

So, start planning and have a great time this Fourth of July. After all, it’s America’s 234th Birthday!

Vibrant orange is such a happy color. You can’t help but smile when you look at a ball of orange roses. What to do with a delightful ball of orange roses? Oh, so many wonderful things!

1) Carry it as a bridal pomander. The bright orb is a kicky approach to the traditional bridal bouquet.
2) Hang it from the chandelier. There are no worries of being able to see over the table centerpiece if you hang it above eye level.
3) Suspend it from your favorite tree branch, spread an orange table cloth on the grass and invite your dearest friends to a picnic. The addition of flowers makes it quite the festive event.

If you are smiling just thinking about all the fun you can have with a ball of roses, visit Flora2000 today and you can have it delivered at your door step.