Episode #306- Purple Passion

Episode #306- Purple Passion

On this episode of Life In Bloom we’re cultivating a passion for purple. I’ll show you precious violets, easy centerpieces, and a regal showstopper with Lilacs. We’ll also visit a Clematis farm in Florida and create a Lavender Martini.

"I don't have a purple problem, I have a purple passion!" - Jackie Harmon Sweeney

There’s something very special about the color purple-  Purple is certainly prevalent – when it comes to flowers. So many flower varieties come in purple tones… My grandpa – Carnation Joe – grew violets in our family greenhouses- and we had lilac bushes and trellis of Clematis all over the property. What’s your favorite purple flower? Lilac? Clematis? Violets? Passion Flower? Today on Life in Bloom we’ll look at some of my favorite purple flowers- and talk about Purple Passion!Purple is a complex color - and it indeed has a mystical magical power. It’s historically the color of Passion … and also the color of Royalty. My wonderful friend Leatrice Eiseman – the color guru at Pantone® - shared with me- that people that love purple- Love to wear purple- and have a tendency to be extremely generous.People who love purple will often include the color in their interior décor- fashion – and lifestyle.People who love purple- DO NOT shy away from including it – whenever possible… I love this quote from fashion designer Ralph Lauren “Black is not as good as purple.” Violet Bouquets    I had the opportunity to meet Don Garibaldi –a Violet Grower- at the Historic San Francisco Flower Mart- who continues his families- 4th Generation Italian tradition of growing violets… let’s make a visit to the Don – and his violets…J will create a small bouquet as well as relate a violet story from Carnation Joe Green.Italian Violets are harder and harder to come by- in today flower markets- so let’s create a little Purple Bouquet- with Sinuata Statice - that’s reminiscent of Don’s Violets….My Grandpa Carnation Joe- also tended a bed of Violets like Don’s - inside our family greenhouses- to be clear- these Violets WERE NOT for Sale- instead they were simply grown for my Grandpa’s Delight- and for him to share… He would carefully pick bunches of Violets- every time they bloomed- and would gift the bunches of violets away to people of his choosing- to brighten their day – or celebrate an occasion- or simply to be kind…You couldn’t buy a bunch a violets- that was against Carnation Joe’s rules- they were not for sale- they were only there – to be shared… Those greenhouses and violet beds are long gone- but the great memories remain steadfast.J completes the “Violet” Bouquet-A Little  bouquet like this- while not actually “Violets” is perfect for sharing- and spreading a little kindness.Lavender Martini      I love to infuse vodka with flavors - especially flower flavors. This cocktail includes a Lavender vodka that I infused…”For the complete Recipe for the Lavender Martini- Follow this LINK!Easy Entertaining with Flowers      Sometimes you want a quick bouquet or two for an impromptu dinner or get together. A bouquet with a strong color story helps create a theme or look. Since we’re talking about Purple, this color focused bouquet is perfect - let’s look at a couple of easy ways to show off these flowers! I love using a few eclectic containers- that have a common color- or matching ribbon- this helps me construct a unified theme- and spread that theme all around the house!A visit to Roseville Farms, Clematis GrowersI love Clematis - so I was thrilled to visit Roseville Farms where they grow thousands of plants for the garden - you may have seen them at you own garden center or have planted one in your yard - let’s learn more about their Florida farm…Learn more about Roseville Farms- and my Friend David Raab- at this LINK! (Coming Soon!)Purple Centerpieces      Purple is a prevalent color in the world of flowers - there are many purple flowers to choose from- Let’s make a couple of flower arrangements using Purple flowers.The first one is quite easy to create- using the Clematis we learned about earlier-and a large cylinder vase. It’s impressive and dynamic- and also very simple to make!Now- let’s create a centerpiece- using Purple Ornamental Kale, Stock blossoms and more Clematis. 
Placing a Bubble bowl – with a Purple Candle in the middle of this arrangement- makes it perfect for a dinner party or evening picnic.Featured Flower: Passion Flower      Trivia

• - Exotic passion flowers - also known as passion vine - look as though they are tropical plants, but they can be grown almost anywhere, including much milder areas.
• - Passion flowers produce regular and usually showy flowers with a distinctive corona.
• - passionflowers are usually trained on a trellis, fence, or other vertical structure.
• - The flowers are extremely attractive to butterflies and other pollinators.
• - In regions where they are not hardy, passion flower plants are often grown in pots and moved indoors to overwinter.
• - Passionflowers generally need at least four full hours of sunlight a day
• - A number of species of passion flower are cultivated outside their natural range for both their flowers and fruit. Hundreds of hybrids have been named.
• - The early common name of Maypop was derived from the way it just seems to 'pop' out of the ground in May
• - As there is great diversity in species within the genus, a wide range of colors exist among passionflowers as well.
• - According to legend, a Jesuit priest who encountered a passionflower plant in South America thought that the physical structure of the flower head was symbolic of the Passion of Christ

Sourceshttps://www.thespruce.com/passion-flowers-1403114https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflorahttps://homeguides.sfgate.com/colors-passionflowers-60531.htmlLilac Spring Arrangement    I love when the Lilacs come into bloom- it’s a magical time- it means that winter is over, officially – and Spring has arrived. And I love the fragrance – who doesn’t? There’s so many flowers that bloom along with lilacs… and sometimes – it’s fun to Make a BIG Arrangement of flowers- JUST because you can…  So, how about it – let’s make a big arrangement – that includes Purple Lilacs!Learn more about this arrangement- and also the flowers that I used - at this LINK! (Coming Soon) Are you feeling a new passion for all flowers purple after this episode? Start living the life of royalty by enjoying flowers in your life as often as possible. For Life In Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.