A FEAST FOR THE EYES AH, 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 OVER 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.
GERBER 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. ROSES 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. FOR 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.
When & why to buy flowers 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: Like birthstones, every month has a flower, so consider a birthday gift that blooms. Give flowers on unexpected holidays, like Veterans Day or Teacher Appreciation Day. It will brighten homes and spirits. Discover seasonal flowers you ll get inspired and save money. Cool days, warm wreaths Say Boo! with a bouquet Make a teacher smile Marigold Aster Elephant Appreciation Day Cornucopias & centerpieces Violas for veterans Sister s Day Chrysanthemum Gladiolus National Friendship Day Deck the halls! Poinsettia Pomegranates Strawflower Amaranthus Protea Pumpkin Tree Safflower Marigold Crocrosmia Zinnias Texas Sunflowers Dahlias Celosia Lavender Hydrangea Larkspur Brighten up your BBQ Resolve to always have fresh flowers! Carnation Anemones Ranunculus Paperwhites Amaryllis Poinsettias Blooming Branches Lilies of the Valley Hyacinth Lilacs Forsythia Daffodils Rose Daisies for Dad Here come the brides! Iris Lily Valentine s Day, of course Daffodil Daisy Adorn a Prom date Celebrate Mom Happy Equinox Dentist s Day What better way to celebrate Earth Day? Easter baskets A Few Reasons to Give Flowers 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
WHAT 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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) 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. When do you get your deliveries? We receive fresh flowers every day of the week. Everyone should be so lucky! SHE LOVES YOU SHE LOVES YOU NOT AT LEASt SHE LL LOVE THE FLOWERS *