ALEXANDRIA, VA — With its demure garden-like petals, ‘Blushing Parasol’, a creamy pinkish-peach spray rose from Eufloria Flowers, found many admirers during SAF Marco Island 2014, the Society of American Florists’ 130th Annual Convention in August in Marco Island, Fla. Deservedly so as it won the coveted title “Best in Show” during the convention's Outstanding Varieties Competition.
“I posted this on Instagram two hours ago and already have more than 60 likes,” said judge Joost Bongaerts of Florabundance, Inc. in Carpinteria, Calif. “This is a flower that will make customers take notice.”
“A timeless beauty,” said judge Brent Denham of Arizona Family Florist in Phoenix. “It has an elegant, garden look that is always in demand.”
“If you buy this once, you’ll have to keep reordering,” said judge Jessica Cosentino, AAF, of Cosentino’s Florist in Auburn, N.Y. “Customers will love it, ask for its name and commit it to memory.” She plans to use it in Valentine’s Day arrangements, corsages and floral hairpieces.
Judge Celine Bray, of Jet Fresh Flowers in Miami, praised ‘Blushing Parasol’ for its versatility. “This fits in the color palettes of about 90 percent of brides,” she said. “And all the laterals make it very user friendly for florists, whether it’s for event or everyday work.”
Judge Joshua Glass, AAF, of Peoples Flower Shops in Albuquerque, N.M., rattled off a list of exemplary attributes — strong stems, long laterals, gorgeous foliage, marketable colors, consistently open blooms—that made it “very deserving of Best in Show,” he said.
The SAF 2014 Outstanding Varieties Competition drew 254 entries from 36 companies. Judges scored each entry based on color and commercial appeal, stem and foliage, bloom form and size, and overall presentation. The highest scoring entry overall wins “Best in Show,” while high scores in various flower groups win best in class in their respective categories. Blue and red ribbon winners are also awarded. For a complete list of winners, click here.
A panel of retailers, wholesalers and growers judged the entries:
Celine Bray, of Jet Fresh Flowers in Miami, Fla.
Joost Bongaerts, of Florabundance, Inc., in Carpinteria, Calif.
Eleanor Clevenger, of David Austin Roses, Miami, Fla.
Jessica Cosentino, AAF, of Cosentino’s Florist, Auburn, N.Y.
Brent Denham, of Arizona Family Florist in Phoenix
Joshua Glass, AAF, of Peoples Flower Shops in Albuquerque, N.M.
Mike Henriques, of HyCallas in Miami, Fla.
Kiersten Schulte, of Eastern Floral in Grand Haven, Mich.
Peter Van Antwerpen, of Virgin Farms, Miami, Fla.
See Best in Class Winners here:
See photos from the Outstanding Varieties Competition at Flickr.com/societyofamericanflorists
The Society of American Florists is the leading organization representing all segments of the floral industry. SAF is proud to provide marketing, business and government services to its members, including growers, wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, importers, educators, designers and allied organizations. The association was chartered by an act of Congress in 1884.
Source: Society of American Florists
