Villa Park's The Flowery - Original LA Flower Market

Flower Arranging for National
Television – in Another State
By Casey Coleman Schwartz
Editor’s note: Last year, Torrance-based Flower Duet was contacted by Sheryl
onstrating on the show the next day, as well as prep as much of the
materials as possible ahead of time. I practiced my teaching of each
technique to the empty room or to my Dad if he happened to pop
in and check on me. I was happy with the techniques Kit and I had
decided upon and felt ready for the following morning on set.
At the Studio. We visited that afternoon with the host Sheryl
Borden about taping five segments for her national (PBS) “Creative Living” Borden and toured the set and found where we would be setting up.
show. Both studio and show are based in Portales, eastern New Mexico, so Sheryl could not have been nicer or more welcoming to us, which
Flower Duet owners Casey Coleman Schwartz and Kit Wertz had a lot of plan- made our trip that much more fun. We took the rest of the day to
ning and preparation on their hands. Here’s their story.
literally pop over to Texas and tour the surrounding area.
We arrived on set on the day of filming to find we were the second
Planning. First of all, my sister and partner, Kit, would not be guests. I was given specific directions: Don’t look at the monitor or at
able to accompany me as she was about to have twins! So, I recruited the camera or out at my Dad! It was to be as if I were giving Sheryl a
our Dad, who is always up for a road trip
private lesson. That was easy, as I have been
from Virginia, to meet me in Albuquerque;
giving a lot of those lately.
and then we would drive around New Mex-
We blasted through the segments with
ico for a flower arranging adventure. After-
only one take on each segment, which was a
wards, we’d visit relatives in other parts of
relief since I had expected to hear “CUT! Do
the state!
it again, please!” We got through each design
Flower Duet has all its favorite suppliers
very quickly. This really was fun, as we moved
and vendors in Los Angeles, but this was
into a nice rhythm and now I know I can make
new territory, so I had a bit of research to
a nice arrangement in about 9 minutes!
do. I knew I could pack some things, but I
Casey, left, with show host Sheryl Borden
We filmed the selected segments on Sep-
would need to find fresh flowers, and suptember
30 and they will be played throughout
plies as well as a nursery that sold succulents, as we were going to the 2010/2011 PBS season. Our requirements were to create five 5 to
incorporate those into an arrangement.
9-minute segments for the viewer to be able to comprehend and recre-
To my delight, I found a wonderful wholesaler in Albuquerque ate. We chose flowers that were available year ‘round, and techniques
who was able to fill my order perfectly and in water-filled buckets I that did not need a lot of supplies. The techniques I taught included:
could borrow. This was essential as we were going to be driving four Dozen Roses in a Vase, Gather, Drop and Fill, Bundle and Place, a Pavé
hours across the state in 90-degree heat.
and How to Combine Succulents and Fresh Flowers.
Prepping. After meeting Dad in Albuquerque airport, we were We have been invited back for next season, and I am glad to know
off to DWF Wholesale Mart. The flower quality was top notch, the or- I have a great set of suppliers and a nice place to stay. I was happy to
der was complete and the staff so helpful. I was also able to supple- give the Holiday Inn two of the arrangements to thank them for acment
my order for that last minute buy … just in case!
commodating us so nicely.
Then we were off to Rehm’s Nursery & Garden Center, who had as- Visiting Family. In addition to this wonderful experience, the
sured me they would get a shipment of succulents in the previous week- rest of my trip with my Dad included visits with family in Las Cruces
end. It was Tuesday, and the selection was vast and just what I needed. and Santa Fe and witnessing the mass ascension of more than 500
We had a car full of flowers and plants and I felt very happy with our hot air balloons at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta the morning of our
purchases. We were finished with Albuquerque and on to Portales.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Portales and the staff was kind
departure! It was great timing and fun.
enough to let us use the conference room for all my prepping. I need- In the Los Angeles area, you’ll find “Creative Living” with Sheryl Borden on
ed to create one of each of the five arrangements I would be dem- KVCR (PBS) at 11:30 Saturday mornings.
BOOKS
F O R Y O U
Cut Flowers of the World:
A Complete Reference for Growers and Florists
This compact guide by Johannes Maree and Ben-
Erik Van Wyk is a pleasure to use as a reference. The
visual layout, with all photos displayed across the
tops of the pages, makes it super easy to locate any
flower by visual identification. Flowers are arranged
alphabetically by scientific name and photos show
different varieties. Maree and Van Wyk went to great
lengths to include discussions (all in the front of the
book) about the modern cut flower industry, history
of flowers, cultivars and breeding, marketing and
more. For growers and florists, the text includes topics
such as vase life, post-harvest handling and flower
characteristics. A great read and a helpful, readerfriendly
reference. Available for $39.95 from Timber
Press, 133 SW Second Ave., #450, Portland, OR 97204-
3527 or www.Timberpress.com.
THE BLOOMIN’ NEWS 15 JAN – FEB 2011