Presenting

27 M eet the winner and finalists in FR's latest f lower design contest. winner Regan receives a $500 credit from partners of Selecta One and a feature in an upcoming issue of Florists' Review. John Regan, M.F.A., Ph.D. Twisted Stem Crystal Lake, Ill. twistedstemfl oral.com @twistedstem John Regan, M.F.A., Ph.D. describes himself as a fl oral designer with a Flemish-inspired with a modern twist. He is a veteran fl oral designer in suburban Chicago who is always seeking to learn new techniques and off er his clients something that refl ects his shop's tag line of "Edgy & Elegant Floral Design." About his design, Regan says: " e thought behind the design of the bouquet is centered around a couple very connected to nature and the garden. e jute 'fence' around the bouquet provides a barrier that attempts to contains the Dianthus 'Kiwi Mellow', but, instead, it waterfalls over the edge. e underside of the European bouquet holder also features a richly green and thick carpet suggestive of thick grass. ere are several types of foliage manipulation in the bouquet that add interest but allow the Dianthus to still command center stage. e folded and wired bits of fl ax, fl ax folded roses, coiled Liriope, folded Aspidistra and rolled Galax leaves meander throughout. A few stems of Panicum and Phytolacca break through the fencing. Two stems of orchids wrap low around the outside of the collar. Green dried spiny pods mimic the texture of the Dianthus in a varied tone. I added green wool to the acorn cap; acorns are a traditional long-life talisman. Inside the 'fl ag-folded' Aspidistra leaf on the underside of the bouquet is a shiny penny for luck." Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com By Nita Robertson, AIFD, CFD Florists' Review is excited to present the winner of and fi nalists in our September "Best in Blooms" fl ower design contest. We received more than 40 entries from fl oral designers across North America. ree of those designers were chosen to compete in the "'Kiwi' Edition Best in Blooms" fl oral design challenge. Each fi nalist received bunches of beautiful Dianthus barbatus 'Kiwi Mellow' blooms, one of the varieties in Selecta One's "Kiwi" collection of hybrid sweet Williams, which have distinctive green "hairs" instead of petals. e collection also comprises 'Kiwi Boom', 'Kiwi Cherry' and 'Kiwi Chocolate' varieties. We asked the fi nalists to create an "outside-the-box" bridal bouquet and coordinating boutonnière showcasing 'Kiwi Mellow'. e winner, John Regan, M.F.A., Ph.D., will receive a "Florist Spotlight" feature in a future issue of Florists' Review and a $500 merchandise credit from Selecta One. For information on how you can enter future editions of our "Best in Blooms" contest, visit our website at fl oristsreview.com. Sponsored by R E A D O N L I N E

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