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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 41 8. ZINNIA ELEGANS (Youth-and-Old Age) Fall 2021's trendiest wedding flower trends rely heavily on new specialty varieties of Zinnia such as the 'Queen Lime' series. is flower has been a long-time favorite for farmer/florists due to their low cost to grow, but many floral designers have shunned them because of extensive spoilage—until now! Conditioning Tip: When conditioning Zinnia, we recommend either searing the stem ends with an open flame or scalding them using the same method outlined for Dahlia care. Our next Zinnia tip may come as a shock, but you heard it here first: Do not refrigerate these flowers. It is, however, advisable to keep Zinnia in a cool place and away from direct sun. Additionally, you may find that Zinnia require changing the flower nutrient solution in storage containers daily or every other day ; the stems can quickly contaminate the vase solution, which leads to more rapid senescence. For maximum vase life, monitor the quality of the vase solution, and change it as needed. 9. HOP BINES (Humulus lupulus) is seasonal foliage is a favorite for fall weddings and hospitality clients. Featuring a scent beer lovers cannot ignore and an intense bright green foliage, this incredibly special greenery can be very prone to wilting. For best results, source as local as possible. If hop bines (that's right, bines; not vines) are not available in your region, embrace drying. Conditioning Tip: Hang hop bines away from direct sunlight and in an area with good air circulation, for long and lovely foliage that will hold its shape and color well through the winter months. Once dried, this botanical material is not flexible, so if you are intending to use hop bines for wreath designs, either cut them into short portions or form them into circles while fresh. 10. ERYNGIUM SPP. (Sea holly, Eryngo) Boasting more 200 varieties and stunningly intense natural indigo colors, Eryngium makes a spectacular addition to fall-inspired designs. Available in both large single and small clustered star-shaped blooms, Eryngium is sometimes mistaken for a common thistle (Cirsium), but do not be fooled; growing these blue-tiful flowers requires technical skill. Conditioning Tip: Eryngium is famous for its unreal blue hues, which can be enjoyed fresh or dried in full brilliance. While air drying does yield reliable results, pros know that to fully ensure maintaining brilliant blue hues, a flower-drying powder such as Activa Silica Gel is recommended. For maximum vase life fresh, cut stem ends under water, in a bowl of cool, clean flower nutrient solution. en immediately place them into clean storage containers partially filled with fresh properly proportioned flower nutrient solution. Allow these flowers to hydrate at room temperature for at least two hours before refrigerating them.

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