Kwanzaa           

A nonreligious celebration observed from December 26 to January 1 every year.  Kwanzaa celebrates African-American cultural values.  A key symbol is the kinara, a candleholder that contains green, red, and black candles commemorating the seven Kwanzaa principles.  Other key elements that can be included in your floral designs include fruits, vegetables, nuts and ears of corn.  Seasonal flowers that are especially appropriate for Kwanzaa include African natives such as Proteas, callas, and birds-of-paradise.  Gerbera daisies and Freesias, which are available year-round from California growers, also have African origins.

Christmas

California can carry you through all the color trends of this Christmas season, whether your customers’ choices are elegant white and gold or hot pink and crimson.  In addition to your customers’ perennial favorites, why not create a few new holiday traditions with Cymbidium orchids, both standard size and miniature; Anemones; amaryllises; paper whites, Christmas Eucalyptus, and even the myriad of Proteas, all look fabulous with seasonal foliages.  Seek out new varieties such as variegated ‘Jester’ Leucadendrons or bright red Proteas.