‘Best in Blooms’ Contest Series Showcases American Grown Flowers and Foliage

4 Certified American Grown Farms Provided the Breathtaking Floral Materials

Nearly 70 talented floral designers nationwide recently participated in the second installment of Florists’ Review’s “Best in Blooms” contest series that challenged them to use a pull of mixed blooms and foliage to create an opulent design inspired by the glamorous 1920s. Melissa Pack of Anthera Floral in Normandy Park, Washington, was named the winner of the second round of the competition, but the high visibility of the contest and its use of domestic flowers and foliage was also award-winning for Certified American Grown.

Participants received materials from sponsoring Certified American Grown farms Continental Floral Greens, Len Busch Roses, Mellano & Company and Sun Valley Floral Farms, and were challenged to use the flowers and foliage to reflect The Great Gatsby – a classic tale that reflects the lavishness of the Roaring ‘20s.

The designs, posted on Instagram, were also required to feature three to five different varieties of foliage, show 90% of the vase provided by Oasis Floral Products, and be included in a tablescape that harkens back to the art deco style the 1920s are known for.

Pack’s winning entry featured spray roses, tulips, peonies, mini callas, veronica, willow, smoke tree and camellias.

The semi-finalists in this round were Phuong Nguyen of MIBELLAROSA in Houston; Nicole Gilbride of Beholden Blooms in Frankfort, Kentucky; and Richard “Ace” Berry, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, TMF, of Fulshear Floral Design in Fulshear (Houston), Texas.

The contest is featured in the July issue of Florists Review, bringing page after page of attention to the breathtaking American Grown flowers and foliage available year-round from domestic growers. It was also a chance for prestigious designers nationwide to work with high-quality American Grown product, and to sing its praises in the descriptions of their designs.

And Certified American Grown farms were thrilled to pitch in!

“We are honored to be a part of the competition with Florists’ Review. It was a great experience and loved seeing the semi-finalists’ designs,” said Nancy Martinez of Len Busch Roses.

The contest is being shared widely on social media, amplifying the exposure of American Grown Flower and Foliage and is being incredibly well received in the florist and designer community. In fact, semi-finalist Nicole Gilbride took it to the next level when she shared her surplus of blooms with her surrounding Veteran community – taking the message of American Grown Flowers and Foliage even further and gaining attention of her local news station.  It’s clear the momentum of homegrown floral message is increasing and creating more potential sales opportunities for Certified American Grown members and their supporters in the design community.

Plus, this is just one in a series of “Best in Blooms” competitions. The magazine plans to host the design contest bi-monthly, perhaps providing additional opportunities for American Grown flowers and flowers to shine.