What Happened to Admin Day?

What Happened to Admin Day?

Administrative Professionals Day Holiday flowers J Schwanke secretary's day

This April 26th, 2017 is National Administrative Professionals Day (formerly known as Secretary's Day and Administrative Assistant's’ Day), which began in 1952 as a day allocated to thanking and encouraging professionals in administrative positions.  Over the last decade or so, this holiday has fallen by the wayside, mostly due to confusion over who exactly is considered an administrative professional.

How did it start?

During World War II, the National Secretaries Association was founded to attract workers to the administrative field as low population rates paired with flourishing post-war business had led to a shortage of a skilled workforce.  The Association, in tandem with other corporate groups, started National Secretaries Week (the last full week in April), designating Wednesday as the official day of recognition and celebration of the contributions made by administrative personnel. 


As years passed and times changed, so did the verbiage used to describe these working professionals, with the holiday and association renamed to "Administrative Professionals Day" and the "International Association of Administrative Professionals."   This change was intended to encompass not only the expanding responsibilities of admin professionals, but also the wide spectrum of administrative support positions that had become a necessity in the modern workplace.

Tina, longtime Sun Valley force majeure

This change presents a much bigger—and more whole—picture than the original "Administrative Professionals Day."  While this is generally positive, the change in name has led to confusion about who should be recognized as an "administrative professional," prompting many to abandon recognizing anyone at all.

Who is an Administrative Professional?

Kyle of the indispensable IT department

Think of anyone in your large company or small business who provides the behind-the-scenes, critical work--those who provide services which are essential, challenging, and often without glory.  Great administrative professionals make the team look good while keeping daily functions running as smoothly as possible.  The name of this holiday was changed for a reason--these are no longer just the traditional "secretaries" of 1952.

Kristen and Kelly are essential to our sales team

  These professionals can be your IT team, bookkeepers, office managers, production assistants or any number of essential support staff. Their work is incredibly valuable, not to mention necessary, to a company's goals, both in the short and long term, and deserves respect and appreciation all year long.  Not to mention, they could probably benefit from a celebratory week of recognition as well.  Administrative Professionals Week can provide such an opportunity, and can be a time to give the entire office a boost.

 What Can We Do?

 We can use Administrative Professionals Week to celebrate our teams and create an environment which fosters teamwork, commitment, and productivity, by recognizing all of the parts which make the whole. 

I asked J Schwanke, renowned floral expert, if he had any tips for those who want to celebrate their administrative professionals.  His advice is to "stay away from a card that says “Happy Administrative Professionals day”…and stick to a “THANK YOU For all YOU DO” card… it’s just a good time to say thank you and give someone that helps, and supports you (in your business or career) Flowers! I think we do need to reclaim the holiday and perhaps it needs to become… Professional Thank YOU Week!"


Perhaps use each day of "Professional Thank You" week to recognize a a different administrative department, and celebrate in whatever way you can -- we recommend having lunch delivered or flowers for their desks (or both), and nothing beats a personalized thank you.

What about you? What do you think the Flower Industry can do, and how will you be reclaiming Administrative Professional's Week? 

Holiday Color Series: Blue Holidays With You

Holiday Color Series: Blue Holidays With You

blue christmas blue holiday flowers blue hydrangea Blue Iris blue juniper berry hanukkah holiday color series Holiday flowers

Thus far, our Holiday Color Series has covered the traditional colors of red, green, and white.  This week, I want to move beyond the colors we typically associate with the Christmas season, and have a little fun with the gorgeous and oh-so-winter-appropriate color blue.

Winter Blues

There something absolutely magical about blue during wintertime, and it's even more beautiful when paired with white or silver.  This ethereal combination is elemental in nature, and effortlessly calls up feelings of tranquility and nostalgia.  It feels special, and it is. 

And when we talk blue holiday flowers, we are also talking about something really special.  Blue isn't a typical flower color, and according to The Science of Plant Color, "less than 10% of the 280,000 species of flowering plants produce blue flowers," making a blue holiday flower a rare commodity indeed.  We've all seen our fair share of dyed roses and carnations, but why fake it when you can find authentic and unique shades blue in nature?

Natural blue flowers

Iris

Traditionally, iris has been popular flower for Hanukkah, as blue holds a special symbolic significance in this winter celebration.  Historically, the Israelites were instructed to use a particular kind of violet-blue (known as tekhelet) interwoven in the white threads of their prayer shawls (tallitot).  This expensive and rare blue dye was made from a type of snail, which gave the blue color an even more special, elevated status.

Today, this divine color combination is still used throughout Jewish culture, and especially around the holiday season, with blue symbolizing divinity and white indicating purity and innocence.
Iris varieties come in blue hues ranging from Telstar's dark indigo to Sky Diver's light blue, all the way to Casablanca's bright white, which allows for great versatility and flexibility in holiday design.   Below are some beautiful arrangements which pair blue iris with white lilies, lavender matsumoto asters, greens, matricaria, and tulips.

Hydrangea


Hydrangea varieties naturally give us several shades of blue, and their color and intensity can vary even more depending on their soil acidity.  Stunning ornaments, wreaths, and centerpieces can be made with hydrangeas; you can leave the bloom heads natural, dry them, or even spray a few of them gold or silver for some extra holiday oomph. I did a little search on Pinterest and was rewarded with a plethora of blue holiday hydrangea ideas. Check out some of my favorites below:

Hydrangea Wreaths in a wide range of hues

Juniper Berry

Juniper berry is the wild horse of this blog post, because a) it isn't a flower, and b) it isn't even a berry.  This low-elevation evergreen has fragrant, green to silver-blue foliage, which is interspersed with clumps of small blue "berries," which are actually modified conifer cones.  Regardless of what it is, juniper berry branches are great for the holidays.  Its natural evergreen background and pops of color makes it easy to work with on its own, and it combines gorgeously with other embellishments (such as fruits, flowers, or ribbons) as seen in the photos below.  

No matter what colors you choose to use this season, traditional or otherwise, your holiday decor can be just as unique as you are.  After all, a Blue Christmas doesn't have to be as sad as Elvis makes it seem...

"And when those blue iris start falling

That's when those blue hydrangeas start calling

You'll be feelin' dapper with your blue juniper,

And I'll have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas"

Holiday Color Series: Essential Red

Holiday Color Series: Essential Red

Christmas flowers Holiday flowers ilex verticillata LA Hybrid red red flowers red holiday flowers red matsumoto asters red tulips Sumatra lilies

Welcome to Part Two of our Holiday Color Series. Now that we are fully in December, it is time to talk about the official color of Christmas: Red.  Not only is it adorning the windows of shops and the sweaters of my coworkers, I can also see it appearing more and more in our greenhouses, fields, and shipping coolers. 

Origin of Christmas Red

The use of red at Christmas has its history rooted in both pagan and Christian beliefs, tracing back to the Middle Ages, when using red and green symbolized the end of cycle and the beginning of a new one—typically around the winter solstice.  Christians associated red with this tradition as well, but they used it to indicate the sacred color of Christ's blood.  They celebrated the change of season with medieval miracle plays about the story of creation and Adam and Eve, featuring a "paradise tree" hung with red apples.  The holly berry, too, became associated with Christ's blood, along with the red robes of church bishops.  All these uses preceded the red of Santa's suit (which was actually made popular by artist Fred Mizen and Coca-Cola in the 1930s).

Regardless of the origin of using red with Christmas, it is here to stay.  All the better, I say, as there is a wealth of holiday flora that come in that nostalgic and symbolic, Christmas Red.

Red Matsumoto Asters

Matsumoto asters cheer up grey, winter skies with their warm and vibrant colors. They are especially fitting for the holiday season, as they come in that bright, enviable Christmas red.  Their soft petals gather tightly around a golden center, illustrating the Latin root of their name, which means “star."  Their lengthy stems and long vase life make Matsumoto Asters an essential addition to any Christmas decor.

Red Ilex

Ilex Verticallata (also known as winterberry) is the quintessential winter botanical.  We are unabashed ilex devotees here at Sun Valley, and as explained in Flower Talk before, it's because our ilex program has been hand-picked, bred, and cultivated by Lane DeVries for decades, and his long-term dedication to grow the best ilex is evident in what we offer today.   Have a look at these lovely greenery enhanced bunches below.

(Top L-R) Ilex Enhanced Bunches with: Cedar, Tulips and Cedar, Ilex M, Princess Pine

Also, the singular beauty of ilex displayed by itself is an arrangement that should not be overlooked.  The effect is both stunning and graceful.  Below are some gorgeous holiday ilex displays found on Pinterest, and there are hundreds of more ideas!

Red Tulips

We are also unabashed tulip lovers at Sun Valley! Tulips were one of our original bulb crops, and for the last thirty years, we have been working to provide high-quality, soil-grown tulips all year long.  During winter, we use bulbs from our Southern Hemisphere suppliers in order to have a fresh and timely supply of tulips during the "off-season." Red tulips pair amazing with all kinds of holiday greenery--cedar, pine, or fir, it doesn't matter--they all provide a great backdrop (and holiday scent) to bright red tulips. 

(From L-R): Rococco Red Tulips with Eucalytpus and Fir, Red tulip enhanced bunches with holiday greens

Red Lilies

Sumatra

Looking for a deeper red this holiday season? Consider Sumatra lilies, which have Bordeaux petals intensified by dark burgundy brushstrokes, ruby freckling, and a thin white ruffle at the edges of its petals.  Because they are part of the Oriental Lily family, Sumatra blooms are quite large and very fragrant.  If you're looking for an elegant and fragrant red flower for this holidays, try the dark hues of the Sumatra Lily.

LA Hybrids

LA Hybrids are perfect for those who want a long-lasting, red holiday lily with no fragrance. LA Hybrids fulfill that scentless need, making them a great option for those who have floral allergies or for those who want the notes of gingerbread and apple cider to reign supreme.  We've branded our LA Hybrids as Love and Royal Lilies, and they come in a range of red hues to fit any kind of holiday theme.   Their petals are velvety and strong, and their long vase life will help them last through the holiday season.

Some of our red-hued LA Hybrids

In case you need a re-cap of our list of Essential Red Flowers, I've rewritten a one a holiday classic to help you remember, called The Five Days of Flowers.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - an ilex verticillata..
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me -two LA Hybrids, and an ilex verticillata.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me - three red tulips, two LA Hybrids, and an ilex verticillata.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me - Four Sumatra Lilies, three red tulips, two LA Hybrids and an ilex verticillata.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me - Five Red Asters, Four Sumatra Lilies, three red tulips, two LA Hybrids, and an ilex verticillata.

Happy Holidays.

The Flowers of the Dead

The Flowers of the Dead

Day of the Dead El Dia de los Muertos flowers day of the dead Holiday flowers marigolds orange yellow

El Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a national holiday in Mexico, celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November.  This commemorative holiday honors those who have died with beautifully colorful decorations of flowers, candles, altars, and more.

Archway covered in marigolds

One year, I was able to experience Día de los Muertos in its place of origin.  I walked into the Panteón de Dolores (the largest cemetery in Mexico) and was blown away by the eerie beauty.  The cemetery had become a gorgeous, candlelit party ground, full of people singing, dancing, crying, and laughing--all emotions were represented; families shared food around their loved one's graves, mariachis played crowd favorites, and the air was filled with an energy of celebration.

Candlelit Panteón de Dolores

Día de Muertos Ofrenda

El Día de los Muertos is thousands of years old and has its roots in the pre-Hispanic ceremonies of indigenous Mexicans, most notably the Aztecs.  To them, death defined and illuminated life; they complement each other and just as death comes from life, so life comes from death.  This ancient custom of honoring of the dead has become a lasting tradition in Mexico, and is also celebrated in the U.S. as well as across the world.

In addition to celebrations in cemeteries, another big element of Día de Muertos is the construction and decoration of ofrendas, or altars.  Many people construct ritual altars in their homes and communities which are intended to welcome returning souls back to the land of the living for the day.  These altars are warm and welcoming, typically adorned with Zempasuchitl (marigolds), and covered with candles, photos, calaveras (sugar skulls), and the deceased's favorite foods.  

The Flowers of the Dead

Marigold

Oftentimes, Día de los Muertos is compared to Halloween, due to its proximity of date as well as the shared elements of decorating with images of skeletons, paying tribute to spirits, and celebrating death and the afterlife.  However, el Día de los Muertos is more of a celebration where friends and family gather to pray and remember those who have died, giving it more of a commemorative feel than Halloween.

It's this very spirit of commemoration which has made fresh cut flowers compulsory in the multitude of Día de Muertos decorations and ofrendas.  Zempasuchitl, aka marigolds, are the traditional flower of the dead and are the most-used flowers during this holiday.

To the Aztecs, the marigold was a sacred flower used in religious ceremonies and funerary rituals, which makes sense why they would continue to be used in all elements of Día de los Muertos. Elaborate arches, crosses, and garlands are created with the orange and yellow flowers and set upon altars and gravestones.

It is believed that marigold's bright colors and attractive scent guide dead souls back to their familial altars. In some communities, people build a path of marigolds from their homes to their loved one's tombstone, in order that the deceased may easily find their way back home again.

Día de Los Muertos at Home 

If you want to celebrate Day of the Dead this year, try creating a small ofrenda of your own, adorning it with flowers, photos, candles, or any other memorabilia you like.  Or, if prefer a simpler decorative commemoration, fill a few vases with marigold bouquets, and let the bright colors and lovely scent remind you that Día de los Muertos is, indeed, a celebration. 

Day of the Dead Bouquet from Sun Pac

Classic Bouquets for Memorial Day

Classic Bouquets for Memorial Day

Blue Iris Holiday flowers Memorial Day red tulips Telstar tulips and iris bouquet

Memorial Day is coming up, and while I've definitely been daydreaming about my BBQ, beer, and sunshine lineup, I am also pointedly aware that Memorial Day is, at its heart, a bittersweet day -- a day to commemorate those who have offered their lives in service to our country. In fact,  Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, as it was a day dedicated to decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers, flags, and other symbols of honor.  

Using flowers has always been a simple, traditional, and beautiful tribute for Memorial Day; flowers indicate celebration, but they are also heralds of passing, observance, and remembrance.  They are a means of showing support, appreciation, and respect, while also providing a visual representation of life and love.  

I've been thinking of classic floral tributes for a classic day of commemoration, and my mind keeps coming back to the oh-so-patriotic combination of red tulips and blue iris. American-grown, of course.

Red tulips to represent the love and passion demonstrated by our veterans for our country, as well as the blood shed to protect our freedoms.  Blue Irises, which express courage, admiration, and tears shed for the fallen.

The gorgeous and classic combination of these two captures the color theme of an American Holiday while also including the association of commemoration, honor, and respect.

So, whether you are decorating a memorial,  celebrating your family members who have served, or honoring vets in your community who have given the ultimate sacrifice, consider adding some classic beauty to honor Memorial Day.  Have a look at the photos in throughout this blog to see what you can do with just a few bunches of tulips and iris. 

Enjoy and Happy Memorial Day.  

The Flowers of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Flowers of Our Lady of Guadalupe

December Feast Day Holiday flowers holidays Lady Aster Mexico Our Lady of Guadalupe

December is the month of celebrations.  Hot on the heels of Thanksgiving, we step into a whirlwind of Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years.....whew!

This Saturday is one of those December Celebrations known as The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  This cultural and religious commemoration takes place every year on the 12th of December, yet can often be overlooked during the hustle and bustle of other winter holidays.

However, this day is no small holiday.  It has been celebrated by millions of people in Mexico for nearly 500 years, and here in the United States for about 200 years.  You probably recognize the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (aka the Virgin Mary). She is Mexico's patron saint; you can find her image on almost anything and everything, and her story explains why.

A super-colorful shrine honoring Our Lady

Who is Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe)?

Her story in Mexico goes something like this--on December 9th, 1531, an indigenous man named Juan Diego encountered an apparition of the Virgin Mary at the Hill of Tepeyac (now a suburb in Mexico City).  Her request? That a shrine would be built at the site in her honor.

When Juan Diego told the local archbishop about his experience, he was sent away and told to bring back proof. And what kind of proof did Juan Diego bring back? Flowers!

On the 12th of December, the Virgin Mary reappeared to Juan Diego and told him to bring her flowers from the top of the Hill of Tepeyac, whose stony summit was normally barren.  He followed her wishes, and to his surprise found flowers growing.  He brought them to the Lady, who arranged them inside his cloak, and she told him to go show the unbelieving bishop.  When Juan Diego saw the bishop, he opened his cloak, the flowers fell to floor, and lo and behold, on the fabric was the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

 

...and the rest is history.  The shrine was built and rebuilt (now known as the Basilica de Guadalupe), and the robe with the image is still on display.  It is the most popular religious pilgrimage site in the Western Hemisphere, and it is this very image that is ubiquitous throughout Mexican history, not only as a religious icon but also as a sign of patriotism and ethnic pride.

Basilica de Guadalupe

How do you celebrate The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe? 

In Mexico, the entire week leading up to December 12th is filled festivals, ceremonies, and pilgrimages that culminate in an all-day celebration on the 12th.  In the Basilica de Guadalupe, dancing begins on the eve of the 12th at midnight and continues throughout the day, groups of dancers alternating to keep up the pace.  Elsewhere, millions of people celebrate by making shrines, lighting candles, and celebrating with their families and friends.

A Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe

In the US, many parishes with a large Hispanic base will often have a special celebration, reception, or party in honor of the day.  As well as being a fantastical celebration full of dancing, feasting, and colorful decor, this day is an important affirmation of cultural and religious identity for many Mexican-Americans.

Flower and candle offerings (photo by Bob Chwedyk)

What Flowers and Colors are Symbolic of Our Lady? 

The colors of this celebration are very bright! Reds, pinks, blues, greens and white  rule the day, and flowers also play a major decorative and symbolic role as they are used to adorn shrines, homes, floats, and people.

It's not surprising that flowers are so closely associated with Our Lady.  In the past as well as the present, flowers have often been used as representations of virtue and viewed as faithful symbols of purity and innocence--the very traits most lauded in the Blessed Virgin.

Pope Francis offers pure white lilies to Our Lady

Above, Pope Francis brings white lilies to La Virgen; below, a bouquet designed by Sun Pac, using colors significant to Lady Guadalupe.

Sun Pacific designed this celebratory bouquet using the colors of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe has been called the Empress of America, the patron saint of not just Mexico, but the whole continent.  If you belong to the North American continent, Our Lady belongs to you.



Happy Guadalupe day and ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!