A FEAST FOR THE EYES A

A FEAST FOR THE EYES
A
H, FLOWERS. No matter
what the reason or the season,
they make everything brighter — they
make meals magical and celebrations
special. And at Central Market you’ll
find the season’s freshest flowers,
delivered directly from our farmers
every day. So whether you’re looking
for something to complement your
dinner table, treat a friend or simply
enjoy, stop by and discover the season’s
best picks. Literally.
Foodies of the flower world
O
VER THE YEARS we have
developed relationships with
growers we consider passionate experts.
People who, like us, are invested both
financially and personally in their product.
From the cool mountains of Ecuador
to the orchid farms of Thailand, our
flowers are grown all over the world,
including the great state of Texas. In
fact, we purchase many flowers from
growers who participate in the Go Texan
program which ensures absolute freshness and longevity.
You’ll find lilies, tulips, sunflowers,
celosias, herbs, grasses, zinnias, tuberose
and many more. All grown in Texas,
and all delivered the day they’re picked!
It’s as if the farmer himself is handing
you a bouquet, fresh from his farm.
Waste Not, Want Not
Many of our growers recycle their water,
and/or draw from natural water sources
like rain water, ponds and lakes. We also
support growers whose crops are grown
in natural climates, instead of simulated
environments, which substantially reduces
energy costs and environmental damage.
Certified Goodness
Our growers voluntarily earn certifications
that support good stewardship for the
planet and fair working conditions. These
certification programs, like FlorVerde
and Veriflora, are monitored and audited
by independent verification companies
to ensure the highest standards in the
flower industry.
TLC Before DDT
In an effort to be more environmentally
responsible, our flower growers have
reduced the use of pesticides, and
instead, utilize natural and non-toxic
options including using fresh herbs to
control pests.
Happy Workers Make Happy Flowers
Our growers also provide a safe and
healthy working environment. Workers
have stable jobs at or above minimum
wage as well as generous benefits.
It’s important that flower farm workers
are educated and trained on proper
pesticide application and use of protective
gear. And it’s something our growers
insist upon.
The most popular flowers are lilies, tulips, roses, daisies, tropicals and orchids — otherwise
known as The Big Six. This is the place to learn more about these botanical beauties,
including where they were grown, when you can get them, and the best occasions to give them.
A
SYMBOL of purity
and grace, lilies
can be fragrant or without
scent and are often sold
with the buds closed so they
can open in the vase after you
buy them. Did you know there
are only about 100 species of
the true lily (from the genus
Lilium)? In fact, some of the
flowers that are labeled lilies,
like Calla lilies and daylilies,
aren’t really lilies at all,
but belong to other flower
families. If you’re looking
for the most popular lily,
Asiatic lilies take the
prize, with Oriental lilies
(especially the fragrant
Stargazers) coming in
a close second.
T
ULIPS CONJURE images
of windmills and wooden Dutch
clogs even though they’re originally
native to southern Europe, North Africa
and even Japan. In the 16th century, they
were introduced to the Netherlands,
where they instantly became a status
symbol. The rich competed fiercely for
possession of the rarest bulbs, so much
so that the tulip actually became a form of
currency. There are about 100 species
of tulips; all are perennial bulbs with
flat, blade-like leaves and six-petaled
flowers. Central Market procures
many of its premium cut tulips from
reputable growers all over the world.
The flowers are flown to Texas
immediately after harvesting for
the freshest product available.
G
ERBER DAISIES are the
flirts of the bunch with bold
colors like pink, yellow, orange and red
(there are even playful multi-colored
varieties). As the fifth most popular
stem in the U.S., Gerber daisies are
perfect by themselves or as round bursts
of color in any bouquet. While often
referred to as Gerber daisies, after
German naturalist Traugott Gerber, the
flower’s scientific (and proper) name is
Gerbera Jamesonii, after Scotsman Robert
Jameson, who discovered them in South
Africa in the late 1800s.
R
OSES HAVE GRACED
our homes and gardens for more
than a thousand years, with varieties
like old-fashioned spray roses, miniature
roses, shrub roses, floribundas, ramblers
and more. Central Market’s Europeancut, large-head, single-stem roses are
grown high in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains. Because they are grown only at
elevations above 10,000 feet, each
flower is allowed to remain on the plant
up to four days longer to increase its
strength and nearly double the size
of its bloom. The high elevation and
volcanic soil allow the roses to produce
more vibrant colors and heartier blooms.
Then, every rose is hand-selected at its
peak of perfection and labeled for Central
Market according to its size, shape and
color. Hence, a rose from any other
place may not smell as sweet.
T
ROPICALS represent some of the
most colorful and eye-catching blooms
on the flower market. And because they like
the temperatures we like (around 72 degrees),
they are also some of the longest-lasting cut
flowers. Did we mention how versatile they
are? Tropical beauties like the Bird of Paradise
look lovely as a single stem,
or as part of a large, more
sophisticated bouquet. They
even look great paired with
more traditional flowers,
as the attention-getters
of the bunch. We receive
most of our tropicals
from Costa Rica and
Ecuador, but amazingly,
they are delivered, and
potentially in your cart,
just 24 hours after they
were picked.
F
OR CENTURIES, the orchid
has been regarded as the queen
of flowers. Fantastically shaped, wildly
colored and susceptible to damage on
its long journey from plant to store, the
rare and exotic orchid is often reserved
for special occasions. We import over
50 varieties of fresh orchids directly
from Thailand including the Vanda
and Mokara. Our suppliers have
perfected ways to ship orchids all the
way to Texas, so their beautiful stems
of Cymbidium, Dendrobium and
Oncidium arrive in pristine condition,
remain affordable and last for days.
Deck the halls!
Cornucopias
& centerpieces
Violas for
veterans
the
mu
tia
Resolve to always
have fresh flowers!
Carnati
m
Ir
r ys
Ch
r
ld
Ma r i g o
Aster
s
olu
i
National Friendship Day
Larksp
u
ad
Discover seasonal flowers — you’ll get
inspired and save money.
Sister’s Day
Gl
Give flowers on unexpected holidays,
like Veterans’ Day or Teacher
Appreciation Day. It will brighten
homes and spirits.
Dentist’s Day
What better
way to celebrate
Earth Day?
Easter baskets
Li
•
Blooming Branches
Lilies of the Valley
Hyacinth Lilacs
Forsythia
Daffodils
ly
Elephant
Appreciation Day
Like birthstones, every
month has a flower, so
consider a birthday gift
that blooms.
Crocrosmia Zinnias
Texas Sunflowers
Dahlias Celosia
Lavender
Hydrangea
Dais y
Make a
teacher smile
dil
Say “Boo!”
with a bouquet
Happy
Equinox
Anemones
Ranunculus
Paperwhites
Amaryllis
Poinsettias
D a f fo
Pomegranates
Strawflower
Amaranthus Protea
Pumpkin Tree
Safflower Marigold
Brighten up
your BBQ
Rose
Cool days,
warm wreaths
•
•
is
Every season is flower
season at Central Market,
with a wide variety of floral
choices no matter what the
time of year. And, as any
woman will tell you, you
don’t need a reason either.
So feel free to explore, combine
and arrange any way you’d
like with these helpful hints
in mind:
Valentine’s Day,
of course
on
an
When & why to buy flowers
set
Poin
A Few Reasons
to Give Flowers
Daisies for Dad
Here come
the brides!
Adorn a
Prom date
Celebrate Mom
Welcome a new baby
Throw onstage
First dates
They’re nontoxic and
biodegradable
Freshen up the house
Get out of the dog house
They don’t require batteries
Secret crushes
Housewarmings
Springtime
Just because
Say goodbye
Schmooze the boss
Airport surprise
Absence made the heart
grow fonder
Celebrate the promotion
Impress your guests
Please the mother-in-law
Reward yourself
W
HAT BETTER WAY
to celebrate than with flowers?
At Central Market we deliver the freshest,
most personalized, and expertly-arranged
flowers around. And because we carry
in-season flowers, they last longer and are
more affordable.Want to beautify a baby
shower? Sweeten a Sweet 16? Or cover your
reception in roses? Our floral experts can
help you harness the beauty of botanicals.
Seasonal flowers are the freshest,
healthiest and longest-lasting flowers
around. They are also the inspiration
for our Signature Bouquets. Available
year-round, these botanical beauties
are foolproof, pre-designed bouquets
that you can simply grab and give.
To keep blooms blooming and flowers flourishing, follow these simple rules:
1. Lead those stems to water. Fresh-cut
stems should not be out of water for
more than two hours.
2. Snip, snip! Clip an inch from the ends
of stems at a 45 degree angle, under
running water, before adding them to a
vase or container filled with lukewarm
water. Use a sharp, clean blade (scissors
will crimp the stems).
3. “Feed me!” Once cut and harvested,
flowers stop getting water and growth
hormones from the mother plant – so be
sure to add floral food to your flowers’
water and allow to dissolve.
4. Stay cool. Flowers’ ideal temperature
is between 40 and 50 degrees. Since
that’s not a human’s ideal temperature,
flowers are happy at anything under 72.
5. Made for the shade. Sun helped
flowers grow, but now it will help them
wilt. Also, beware of drafts from heating
and cooling vents or ceiling fans.
6. Keep those precious petals from
drying out by avoiding placing them on
electrical appliances such as televisions
and stereos.
7. Remember to pinch or trim off spent
blossoms and dead leaves. That way
all the flowers’ nutrients get to the
healthier blooms.
8. Like all living things, flowers need
fresh water. Refresh water each day and
change it every other day.
9. Choose wisely. For the longest-lasting
arrangement, try the following flowers:
• Astromeria - five to 10 days
• Lilies - five to 10 days
• Carnations - seven to 14 days
• Spray mums - seven to 14 days
• Dendrobium orchids - five to 10 days
WHEN GOOD FLOWERS GO BAD
Don’t just throw away your blooms when they dry up. Instead try:
DIY POTPOURRI
Remove your flowers’ petals, add your choice of
essential oils for fragrance and some orris root
or wood shavings to hold the scent. Mix with
your choice of cinnamon sticks, orange
peels or herbs like chamomile, lavender,
thyme, sage or rosemary. Experiment
and enjoy!
PRESSED FLOWERS
Perfect for scrapbooks, stationery or
just as a keepsake, pressed flowers are fun
and easy to create. Start with flowers with
minimal pulp, like violas, lavender, pansies or
simply beautiful leaves. Place the flower between
two sheets of paper, and then, within the pages of
a book. You can weigh the book down and wait,
or put the book in the microwave for 30 seconds
to one-minute-long bursts to speed up the process.
HAND-TIED BOUQUETS
Step 1: Prepare the flowers
Choose a selection of stiff-stemmed beauties and
sprays of foliage to match. Pull off excess leaves,
twigs and thorns, so that the bottom 70 percent or
so of each stem is bare.
AWE-INSPIRING ARRANGEMENTS
We’ve put together some professional flower arranging guidelines, but remember,
imperfection is a beautiful thing. If it speaks to you, that’s all that matters.
1. Pick a color scheme: complementary,
contrasting or related hues.
2. Mix flowers in various stages of
bloom, with the fully open blossoms in
the center as the focal point. And use
big leaves and the fullest blooms lower
in the arrangement.
3. Mix and match shapes and textures.
• Spiky or linear: (like gladioli,
iris, delphinium)
• Rounded: (rose, marigold, daisy)
• Spray: (wax flower, goldenrod)
• Draping: (seeded eucalyptus, acacia)
Step 2: Start in the middle
Hand-ties are built up from the center and spiral
outwards. Start with a few flowers held loosely in your
left hand between your thumb and first finger.
Step 3: Add the first layer
Loosen your thumb grip enough to add a few stems of
foliage, crossing the flowers at an angle of about 45
degrees. Clasp your thumb again and, using your right
hand, turn the bunch about half an inch.
4. Cut stems to various heights.
It’s more interesting.
5. Don’t crowd flowers. Leave space
between each stem so blooms have room
to open to their fullest.
If it can hold water, it can be a vase.
A cut gourd or watermelon, for example,
makes a striking container. Also, try
placing small objects like cranberries
or marbles in a clear vase to anchor the
stems and add a pop of color.
Step 4: Going in circles
Now repeat this process, building up your bouquet
with flowers and foliage alternatively. If you’re careful
to add each at the same height and twist in regular
intervals, the bottoms of the stems should fan out into
a circular shape.
Remember, the size, length and weight
of a bouquet must be proportionate to
the vase. Arrangers suggest that the vase
height be 40 to 60 percent of the length
of the bouquet in order to hold the flowers
upright and hold enough water for at
least a week.
Step 5: Wrap it up
By this stage, your fist is probably stretched to its limit.
Tightly tie the bouquet with raffia or ribbon, near
where you’ve been holding. Trim stems to the desired
length. If carrying as a bouquet, wrap ribbon along
entire length of the stems, overlapping by at least a
quarter of an inch on each turn. Secure with pins.
Note: A well-made hand-tied
can stand up on its own.
Step 6: Enjoy
Place in an elegant vase or throw to bridesmaids.
How long will my flowers last?
Most flowers will last for five to seven days,
depending on the type of flower and how
well you care for them. Please refer to
our “Getting the Most out of Your Flowers”
section for some preservation tips.
Which flowers have fragrance?
Lilies, freesia, hyacinth, lilac, peonies,
waxflower and lavender are just a few of
the strongly fragrant flowers you can enjoy
at different times throughout the year.
Do you deliver?
Yes, we’re happy to deliver to some
locations. Ask our floral experts for details.
Can I BYOV?
Yes, you can bring your own vase and
we will be happy to design a special
arrangement for you.
SHE
LOVES YOU
SHE LOVES YOU NOT
When do you get your deliveries?
We receive fresh flowers every day of
the week. Everyone should be so lucky!
Why don’t all roses smell any more?
Unfortunately, as growers bred roses to
last longer and have higher petal counts,
fragrance was lost on most varieties.
But recently, due to high demand,
growers are trying to breed the
fragrance back into roses.
What looks good with this flower?
We would be happy to help you combine
flowers — many flowers look great together.
* AT LEASt SHE’LL LOVE THE FLOWERS