It turns out those who chanted the phrase “flower power” in the 1960s and 1970s might have been onto something. Several research studies from leading educational institutions have proven the many wellness benefits of having flowers in your home. Flowers have the power to improve many aspects of day-to-day life, including:

1. Increase creativity, innovation, and productivity
In today’s business culture, the key to maintaining a competitive edge is a happy and productive workforce. This can be difficult to achieve with constant fluctuations in unemployment, consumer confidence, and other economic factors. According to a research study at Texas A&M University, plants and flowers might be the key to this ever-evolving problem. Research shows that work environments with flowers and plants around substantially improve creative performance, problem-solving skills, and overall productivity. Find yourself in a rut? Try adding fresh flowers to your desk or at your home office. Many summer-flowering bulbs make the perfect cut flowers. Start in the spring planting gladiolas, dahlias, or lilies to have the perfect bouquet for your desk all summer long.

2. Positive effect on mood and emotions
With the constant fast-paced lifestyle taking a toll on our lives, most people are looking for ways to de-stress and find tranquility in their daily lives. Recent research from Rutgers University in New Jersey has shown that the presence of flowers triggers positive emotions and feelings of life satisfaction. Everyone knows the joy of receiving flowers, but studies have shown those feelings last and have a long-term positive impact. Participants in the study reported feeling less depressed, anxious, agitated, and more enthusiastic and happier. If you have a family member or friend that may need a pick-me-up, share with them a fresh bouquet or giving the gift of flower bulbs that they can plant and will bring them joy for seasons to come.

3. Increased emotional connections
Speaking of sharing, giving flowers has always been a great way to show someone how much they mean to you and build intimate relationships. Studies show that not only giving/receiving flowers but just the presence of flowers aids in creating more personal connections. Participants surrounded by flowers showed increased connection with family and friends. It doesn’t have to be exclusive to bouquets; sharing bulbs or container flowers with someone will also build on that bond. Flowers feed compassion in individuals, and it’s essential to share that compassion with others.

4. Boost sense of comfort.
Humans have always been drawn to nature as it provides a sense of comfort. What better way to bring the comfort of nature inside with flowers? In the winter especially, having flowers and plants inside creates humidity, adding moisture to the air. This moisture helps fight common winter frustrations of dry skin, dry throats, and dry coughs, which can cause seasonal illness. Flowers may not cure a common cold, but they can help prevent it! In the spring, find comfort and feel grounded by getting your hands in the soil and planting flowers in the garden. As the flowers emerge and flourish, they bring with them a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and create a tranquil space to escape to.

5. Increase energy and improve memory.
Plants and flowers are a superfood for the brain! Both oxygenate the air, boosting brain cells, which can improve memory, clarity, and concentration. Research has also shown that flowers can boost energy and shake off the morning doldrums. A recent Harvard behavioral study looked at Americans who do not consider themselves “morning people” and found that those who looked at flowers first thing in the morning reported feeling more energetic and positive. Simply by adding a small bouquet to their morning routine, many reported overall improvements in mood and outlook on the day. The same effect can be had by adding bright, bold blooms to a garden that is easily visible from a common space in the house. Adding a row of oriental lilies to the vegetable garden outside the kitchen window is sure to encourage a smile and positive feelings first thing in the morning!

With the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced everyday lifestyle, it’s more important than ever to take time and smell the roses, or lilies, or dahlias! Connecting with nature through outdoor gardening or bringing nature inside as cut flowers or container gardens is sure to have anyone feeling true “flower power!”

This Campaign is financed with aid from the European Union.

For more information or high res images, please contact: PeggyAnne Montgomery - PeggyAnne@gardenmediagroup.com | 610-444-3040

Flowerbulbs.com is a promotional agency for the flower bulb sector. Their goal is to educate and inspire new and experienced gardeners. They do not sell flower bulbs; they encourage consumers to visit their local independent garden centers. High-resolution images are available royalty-free when citing FlowerBulbs.com as the source.

Disclaimer: The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

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Five reasons to consider planting summer-blooming bulbs.

In the midst of a cold, harsh winter, the idea of summer warms our soul. The gardener and outdoor enjoyer in all of us seeks solace and sun by turning our thoughts to what’s new to experience in flower gardens and patio containers. Have you considered summer bulbs? Even with the season months away, now’s the time to ponder all the possibilities of summer-blooming bulbs and snatch them up before it’s too late.

Old School Is In Style

It’s not just high-waisted jeans that are back in vogue. Old-fashioned flowers are all the rage, too. Gladiolas, a favorite summer bulb of many a grandmother, are seeing a resurgence in popularity, adding height, drama, and floral elegance to the garden. Art Deco-esque calla lilies are making a comeback, too, as are the many shades and flower types of dahlias.

Planting with Purpose

Whatever annual flowers can do; summer bulbs can do—even better, and they come back year after year.

• Cut flower gardens. Speaking of old-school garden ideas, cut flower gardens—flowers planted specifically for harvesting and enjoying as arrangements—are seeing a surge in interest as people spend more time working from home and living the indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Harvest a vaseful of gladiolas, stems of anemones, or bunches of beautiful lilies for the home office or the patio table.
• Pollinator plants. Many summer bulbs provide much-needed sustenance for the garden’s pollinating visitors. Bees love alliums, agapanthus, and crocosmia. Red hot poker is a friend to butterflies. Liatris, gladiolas, and dahlias are also frequently visited by both bees and butterflies.
• Floral fragrance. Want to add the allure of fragrance as well as beauty to the garden? Look no further than two of the most sweet-scented flowers you’ll find—Asiatic lilies and freesia. Other fragrant summer bulbs are crinum, Abyssinian lily, and spider lily. Once their perfume catches the wind, garden visitors will be lured their way. And as cut flowers, they will sweeten your home for days.

Pairing Possibilities

Combining your summer bulbs with other items in your garden is a smart way to double their impact. For example, ornamental grass with heft and height will help support tall and slender gladioli if they should start to bend, not to mention it’ll help make the glad’s flowers pop. Have a favorite spring-blooming bulb container combo? Continue the color theme for many more months by layering similarly colored summer bloomers in the same pot. Or, plant some heavier flower-topped bulbs such as allium and agapanthus near pieces of “garden whimsy” so their blooms interact and engage with the art. The pairing possibilities are endless.

Single Sweeps

Nothing creates more drama in the garden than planting en masse. The single sweep of color is stop-in-your tracks audacious. Whether it’s two dozen of the same variety of alliums or two dozen bulbs of many different flowers in a similar shade, the mass of color is a scene-stealer.

Hot Commodities

While not necessarily tropical plants, combos of summer bulbs can create a sizzling tropical color palette. Bring hot colors to the garden with the reds and yellows of crocosmia, the dark pinks of crinum, the unusual orange and yellow hues of homeria, the fiery colors of tritionia, and the colorful array of all the lilies.

The thought of these hot colors alone could be enough to sustain you until spring. But it’s best to take action now and shop for the varieties you want in your garden this summer. They are hot commodities, after all.

For more information or high res images, please contact: PeggyAnne Montgomery - PeggyAnne@gardenmediagroup.com | 610-444-3040

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Disclaimer: The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

You’re Invited to Attend on March 27th and 28th

What would you do with 5,000 tulips in your living room? On March 27th & 28th, you get the chance to find out. Celebrity florists Sarah Campbell and Jordan Marx of Netflix’s The Big Flower Fight are hosting the GATHER: Virtual Tulip Festival.

Gather will feature an inspiring cast of floral superstars. You will be inspired, encouraged, and entertained as they bring towering, blooming, floral sculptures to life. You’ve never seen an online event like this! Sign up today at GatherTulips.com.

U.S. tulip growers, together with their European bulb suppliers, are sponsoring this event to make it free for all to attend. It is the culminating event of a month-long celebration that started on International Women’s Day when they gave away 1000 tulip bouquets to women on the front lines.

Campbell, the founder of Intrigue Designs, and her right-hand-lady, Marx (@thejordiejourney), will be hosting the event. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Sarah host this event. She is a world-class designer with infectious energy,” says Peggy Anne Montgomery from Garden Media Group on behalf of the tulip growers.

“We dreamed big when we created this virtual tulip festival and hoping to bring a unique experience right into your home,” says Campbell. “2021 will be the year of healing, and flowers play an important role in improving our lives, brightening our outlook, lowering stress, and easing sadness.”

Get to know the remaining all-star cast of floral designers:

Beth O'Reilly, AIFD - Beth is known best as the fan favorite of HBO’s “Full Bloom.” Her colorful designs and bright personality make her stand-out in any room.

Bron Hansboro - Bron is a floral industry leader, sharing his passion for flowers through designing, speaking, and presenting across the United States. He manages his floral studio focused on weddings and social events in Virginia.

Sue Davis - Sue made a name for herself selling flowers on QVC and has continued to grow as a designer and mentor within the floral world. Her floral workshops and events are held across the USA, from Philadelphia to Honolulu.

Ana & Anais Vivas - This mother-daughter pair arrived in the U.S. by way of Venezuela just 5 years ago. During this time, they have grown to be the most sought-after designer-duo in Miami. You can find their famous flower crowns featured in media outlets around the world.

Michelle Summers - Michelle is a blossoming breakout star and entrepreneur who packs a punch. She is the founder of a thriving floral and event design firm, venue owner, and rising star of the flower world.

Yan Skates & Henck Rolling – (@Henckrolling & @yanskates) These two colorful fashionistas and Campbell’s co-stars from The Big Flower Fight will make a cameo appearance. They will be sharing a bit of tulip history from their home in London.

Look for more event details at GatherTulips.com and inspiring videos at Flowerbulbs Make You Bloom and Intrigue Design’s social media channels. #GatherTulips

For more information or high res images, please contact: PeggyAnne Montgomery - PeggyAnne@gardenmediagroup.com | 610-444-3040

This Campaign is financed with aid from the European Union.

Disclaimer: The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Royal Anthos, a Dutch trade association for bulb and nursery stock traders in the Netherlands joins forces with Garden Media Group to launch their latest international campaign. Royal Anthos received a European Union grant to educate U.S. consumers about bulbs, bulb flowers, and to promote bulb and bulb flower sales in the United States.

The campaign called “European Flower Bulbs Make You Bloom” will run for three years, beginning 2020. It will focus heavily on digital and radio advertising to raise awareness of flower bulbs and bulb flowers and engage traditional media to help educate consumers on how and when to plant bulbs.

“Our work with iBulb, a foundation founded and owned by Royal Anthos, shows us there is a big opportunity to introduce a new generation of gardeners to flower bulb gardening and the use of bulb flowers,” said Katie Dubow, garden trend-spotter and president of Garden Media Group. “Leading the charge is horticulturist and longtime resident of the Netherlands, Peggy Anne Montgomery.”

Royal Anthos members export approximately 1 billion bulbs to the United States annually.

According to Henk Westerhof, president of Royal Anthos, “We feel there are numerous opportunities to grow flower bulbs by U.S.-gardeners and we know for sure that US citizens love bulb flowers, like our famous tulips. We know households have a positive association with the product and this promotion will only strengthen that image. Much like the trends in houseplants, we see avid and potential consumers looking for the unique colors and forms to grow and share.”

Anthos was established in 1996, following the merger between the Association for Flower Bulb Traders (1900) and the Association for Plant Traders (1917). During the celebrations of its 100th anniversary, in the year 2000, the organization received the designation ‘Royal’ by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix.

Dubow says, “With the campaign’s strong backing and Peggy Anne’s experience, we predict an increase in U.S. bulb and bulb flower sales in the next three years and beyond.”

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This Campaign is financed with aid from the European Union.

 Garden Media Group specializes in the home, garden, horticulture, outdoor-living, lawn and landscape industries, and offers innovative PR campaigns designed to secure top media placements and partnerships with both traditional and social media. For gardening tips, new product announcements, and PR and marketing tips, visit www.gardenmediagroup.com .

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