My Instagram feed has been filling with “Top Nine” posts, hard on the heels of posts offering bouquet subscriptions amidst the last winter offerings of paper whites, potted Amaryllis bulbs, fresh evergreens, and beautifully died flowers and foliage. December is a usually a month of both celebration and reckoning, and while the first was more muted this year, the second seems even more vibrant as we all look back and try to make sense of 2020. Here are three key takeaways:
Buying local matters. Small businesses have been promoting shopping locally and buying locally for years, but it took on additional urgency in COVID times. When the world shut down in spring, flower markets dependent on imports shut down, too – causing many florists to turn to farmers in their own communities for product. That, in turn, helped those farmers stay in business. May these new relationships continue to blossom.
Small is beautiful. Engaged couples who had spent months planning for large weddings filled with family and friends had to completely regroup. Some opted to change their wedding date until 2021, some eloped, some hosted small, intimate weddings with or without plans for a large party next year. What we learned is that small weddings, whether at home, in a public park, or at a private venue are lovely and deeply meaningful – made even more so by use of flowers grown and designed locally. I think any of who know or worked with wedding couples experienced this, and we will continue to see “minimonies” in future.
Flowers still soothe and celebrate. With so much shut down, people opted for flowers to brighten their homes and their moods, to thank medical personnel, first responders, and others in the thick of coping and caring for those most affected by COVID, and to offer congratulations for births, birthdays, and weddings and to extend sympathy and comfort. From contactless delivery or pickup, to weekly subscriptions and farmer’s markets, to virtual classes, farmers and florists forged new ways of working together.
We all learned how to pivot, to be nimble, to try new ways of promoting flowers to meet demand despite shut-downs and quarantines. None of us would have asked for such lessons a year ago, would we? And yet, now those ideas and connections and changes are part of us, part of our resilience, like new roots and branches that will help us continue to bloom. Happy New Year! May we all have a kinder 2021.
What’s Available Locally in December: This list is by no means comprehensive, just a sampling of what growers in our area may have this month.
Eucalyptus, ilex, paperwhite narcissus, evergreens, and wreaths, swags, and garlands. Also ask your local growers about dried flowers and wreaths – many dry their harvest!
Care tips for Amaryllis (Hippeastrum): Amaryllis are commonly seen in December, but their wide range of colors make them a luxurious choice at many other times of the year. Cut when the buds are puffy and showing color for the longest vase life. Add preservative to the water, as that will extend vase life from two or three days to seven to ten days.