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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 57 wedding, event and art installations— as she did in her "Garden Rose Nuptial Arch" design tutorial in the July issue of Florists' Review (floristsreview.com/ garden-rose-nuptial-arch). Pickner notes that when permanent botanicals are incorporated well into large fresh-flower installations, guests at the events won't be able to tell that some of the botanical materials are permanent. "It becomes a time-saver and a reusable resource," she says. "Permanents can also be used as substitutes for fresh flowers when specific flowers are too delicate or unavailable." PERMANENT BOTANICALS— TIPS AND TRENDS Victoria Tai, internet sales manager at Winward International, a leading manufacturer of fine-quality high-end handcrafted permanent botanicals based in Fremont, Calif., offers the following information, tips and advice. Buying Tips • Purchase the high-quality permanent botanicals that your market will afford, in order to provide the longest-lasting products for your customers. T oday's highest quality—and, often, most expensive— permanent botanicals are so lifelike that most people have to stop and touch them to see if they are real. Advancements in the manufacture of permanent botanicals—both flowers and plants—have been astonishing: e leaves and stems are more realistic, and the colors are much more natural. Today's permanent botanicals are great not only for home, office and commercial spaces but also for event décor as well as commercial spaces. And they can last for years with minimal maintenance. By educating consumers, we can offer the best-quality permanents at respectable prices, with the understanding that permanent botanical arrangements will likely cost more than a similar design of fresh flowers. e reason for customers to choose permanent flower and plant designs is because of longevity and reuse, not for cost savings. ere is currently a high demand for high quality permanent flowers and plants, so be sure to showcase these products in your shop and on your website. It is important to feature a permanent botanicals section on your website; you have to show it to sell it. Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple, said it best: "People don't know what they want until you show it to them." Patience Pickner, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, SDCF, owner of e Picket Fence in Chamberlain, S.D., loves using permanent botanicals. She sells lots of home décor items in her shop, including faux flowers and plants. She also has been known to incorporate permanent botanicals into her Winward International Floral design and photo by Patience Pickner, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, SDCF

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