Center Stage: At the Flower Market...

Although we human types may still be in the throes of Winter, with sub-zero "I'm-so-cold-my-words-are-frozen-before-they-even-leave-my-mouth" temperatures across the country -- not to mention a series of wild and wonderful thunder and lighting storms pummeling the West Coast -- the San Francisco Flower Mart has apparently decided to jump right into Spring with its typical gusto! A recent visit revealed an abundance of flowers and branches -- perfect for quick and easy DIY arrangements...

Tulips were everywhere in a variety of colors, along with some gorgeous lavender/purple-and-green Flowering Kale (also sometimes called "Cabbage Rosettes") (left). In typical Tulip fashion, they continue to grow after being cut -- just to let you know who is truly in control; bossy yet beautiful, like all Spring girls!

Plenty of feminine Ranunculus (right) -- mostly in pretty pinks and whites -- in excellent quality and outstanding pricing at $3 to $4 wholesale for a ten-stem bunch. When buying these for yourself, select bunches still in bud form, not fully opened. Although they don't look like much in the beginning, they will unfurl over days into hundreds of tissue-thin petals with chic little black centers.

One big surprise find? Tons of soft green Hydrangea, with huge fluffy heads, for about $9 to $12 wholesale for a five-stem bunch -- this is the exact color so many brides are looking for throughout the year. We start seeing green Hydrangea locally in late Spring/early Summer, but the crops usually start off in much darker greens, with immature, smallish heads. How I wish we could have the type pictured at left all year long! Crisp white Freesia (yummy fragrance!) and Lysmachia -- also used in this arrangement -- have been readily available in recent weeks.

Of course, nothing heralds the upcoming Spring like flowering branches -- and they are everywhere right now! Quince, Cherry, Apricot, in shades of pinks, whites, and peaches, and for a bright display of color, choose Forsythia, covered in little yellow blooms. Pussy Willow branches, with their fuzzy little buds, are also readily available right now, and will continue to be for the next few months. Pricing ranges from $6 to $8 wholesale for a generous bunch; an armful looks dramatic all on its own in a heavy glass cylinder or tall chunky square vase.

Flowering branches are a smart buy in terms of a long vase life. Giving the stems a fresh cut every few days and changing the water at the same time will help in this regard. I have often enjoyed a bundle of branches for up to a month, just by freshening them up periodically. (Remember that clean vases are a must for flower longevity, so if possible, wash the vase when changing the water and recutting the stems. Flower food or a drop of bleach in the water keeps the stinkies away and the water sparkling.) You can even force the baby buds on the tiny little side branches -- just cut them and place into little bud vases for a sweet mini display of Spring.

And who can ignore the allure of lush, fat, ruffled Peonies?? (Absolutely buy these in bud form or just cracked, never opened.) One of the most-requested flowers for weddings, but with a very short season, we see local Peonies in May through June. The Peonies available at market currently are imported -- these were from Peru, of all places -- and are breathtakingly expensive right now at $5 per stem -- wholesale -- ouch! But as any true Fashionista knows, style trumps cost every time -- and these beauties were no exception!

For a luxe accent, I added some chocolately-pink Cymbidium Orchid blooms. Available year-round in a multitude of colors and patterns, Cymbidium Orchids are more of a cold weather Orchid, unlike most other tropically-inclined Orchids. Therefore, the crop is particularly strong during the Winter and Spring months. At $22.50 per stem wholesale, they are certainly costly, but well worth it: I used only one stem, snipping the blooms off and tucking them into the Peonies.

(When necessary, Cymbidium Orchids can go for days without water, so you can simply cut and tuck, or alternatively, give them new stems with wire and tape for use in an arrangement or bouquet.)

Looking for a bolder shade to brighten up the winter blahs? This Delphinium was in the most gorgeous shade of blue, with lots available at market for about $6 to $7 wholesale per bunch. With its tall stems and eye-catching color, pop the vibrancy of blue Delphinium against fluffy green Hydrangea, and finish with some dramatic Monstera leaves at the base of the flowers.

For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, if you haven't visited the SF Flower Mart, you've been missing out on one of the greatest experiences ever! While primarily a wholesale market for floral designers and shops, some of the vendors sell to the public as well. One of only a handful of grower-owned markets in the U.S., ours is the best -- okay, so what if I'm a bit biased! Plan a trip and judge for yourself. (For more information about the SF Flower Mart, including Public Mart Hours, visit their website: http://www.sfflowermart.com/) Happy hunting!