Business of Design BY KATIE VINCENT


POSH PUMPKINS > Pumpkin designs are big business for Barbara Bilke and her daughters, Lenzee, AIFD, and Lacee, CFD, owners of Madeline’s Flowers in Edmond, Oklahoma. The women offer dozens of styles each fall, ranging from whimsical unicorn pumpkins (painted white with a luscious mane of burgundy amaranthus) to ornate cornucopias. “We do not carve the pumpkins so customers get something that will last a long time — a terrific selling point,” says Lenzee. Often, they reach for dried products, such as strawflowers, bunny tail grass, eucalyptus, and pods, as well as berries and succulents, to create a living pumpkin arrangement that will last for weeks. Miniature permanent pumpkins, especially in velvet, are also nice additions to the arrangements and make unique keepsakes, she says. Here are two of their best sellers.


Katie Vincent is the senior contributing editor for the Society of American Florists.


AS GOOD AS GOLD This pavé-style arrangement is a versatile option to have in your cooler. “It’s the perfect gift for practically any occasion — birthday, get well, just thinking of you,” Lenzee says. Chrysanthemums and waxflower lend intriguing texture, further enhanced with a distinctive container. Design time: 10 minutes or less. Wholesale costs: $28. Suggested retail price: $75. Recipe: 1 mini pumpkin, 4 orange roses, 4 orange pompon chrysanthemums, 1 or 2 stems of waxflower, 3/4 block of floral foam, ceramic container


48 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | July/August 2023 | WWW.SAFNOW.ORG


PHOTOS BY MANDY STANSBERRY


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