COUNTY Commerce

Romantic Roses (and Other Flowers)

Shackelford Botanical Designs Delivers Creativity

By Kathy Stump

Contributing Writer

Love, as someone said, makes the world go round, but thank goodness we have flowers to help us express our romantic feelings.  Sending and receiving flowers is romantic, and there’s no better time to stir up some romance than now.  Thankfully, there are plenty of options to “pick” from!

Of course, you can hardly go wrong with roses since red roses are the leading symbol of love. White roses convey an even stronger emotion: pure, everlasting love.  However, if you aren’t ready for red or white roses, but still want to be romantic, consider yellow roses for friendship.

Local florist John Shackelford of Shackelford Botanical Designs says most people splurge on roses for special occasions.

 “Everyone tries to make up for the rest of the year when they don’t send flowers,” said Shackelford. Instead of reproducing commercial designs, Shackelford customizes his designs to suit the client’s needs and personality.  He’s done everything from burying jewelry in a bouquet of roses to lining a staircase at Park University with a trail of daisies and irises that culminated in a marriage proposal.  Recently, he designed a chair of flowers and delivered it to Mary Carol Garrity for the opening of her new furniture store at Briarcliff Village. 

Besides jewelry, chocolate and other specialty food items make deliciously romantic gifts to accompany fresh flowers. Plush stuffed animals are also popular and serve as a reminder of your thoughtful gift once the flowers have wilted.

Have you ever wondered why we buy flowers for romantic occasions?  Researchers at Rutgers University followed the reactions of study participants to receiving flowers for 10 months.  Their findings showed that flowers are a “natural and healthful moderator of moods.”  They reported that flowers have an immediate impact on happiness (measured in more smiles and feelings of gratitude and satisfaction); flowers elevate our moods for long periods of time, lowering feelings of depression and anxiety.  Overall, flowers improve our emotional well being, which reinforces our romantic intentions.  It also helps to explain why flowers are such an integral part of wedding ceremonies, where they help convey the overall mood, or style of the occasion. 

Perhaps Americans are subconsciously realizing this connection, as consumers have spent more on cut flowers over the last two decades. Mass production and cheaper imports have lowered the price for fresh flowers.  However, since we already know that being in nature improves our health, maybe now we’re realizing that bringing Mother Nature indoors is also good for us.

Shackelford’s 25 years of experience supports this trend, as he sees clients increasingly using fresh flowers in their homes year round.  Lower prices and widespread availability at supermarkets and Sam’s Club-type stores have actually helped the floral market, said Shackelford.  The shifting market makes buying flowers affordable and convenient, thus increasing the overall demand for fresh flowers.  Independent florists compete by customizing arrangements for clients who want something unique. 

Many florists and wedding planners, including Shackelford, are noticing a greater diversity of colors, especially for weddings.  Shackelford notices a return to looser, nosegay-type designs as well as some cascades, instead of the perfect “ball look” associated with Martha Stewart designs.  Brides are using a greater variety of flowers and want a certain color impact, as they seek to individualize their ceremonies.  Chocolate brown remains a “hot” color scheme for any season, as it pairs well with blues, especially aqua, for spring, and with burgundy for fall weddings.

A trend toward simplicity is reflected in home interiors, where residents use colored vases with a few flowers, instead of clear vases with a lot of greenery to support the display.  Shackelford reports a wider use of orchids, valued for their beautiful color, elegant form, and longevity.  Another popular everyday flower is a lily known as alstroemeria, which offers a wide variety of colors and longevity (two to three weeks).

When you send flowers, make it personal by incorporating some of the recipient’s favorite colors, flowers, or interests. 

When you get flowers, take the best care possible to increase their “shelf life” and your enjoyment.  Avoid placing flowers or plants near heat vents or brightly-lit windows, where the sun may prematurely force the blooms.  Most importantly, water them often, even if they seem moist. 

So go ahead and express those romantic feelings year round; send flowers!

Shackelford Botanical Designs

6521 N. Cosby Avenue

Kansas City, Mo. 64151

816.587.6787