Jonesboro, LA Florists

Jonesboro Flower Shop News

Flower Power: 3 local floral shops still have business in bloom - Johnson City Press (subscription)

Three major stores remain in Johnson City: Roddy’s Flowers, Anna Marie’s Florists and Broyles Florists, Inc., which also has a location in Jonesborough.Roddy Bird is one of the owners of Roddy’s Flowers, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend. Bird knew he wanted to be a florist when he was 4 years old. At 6, he started selling wreaths out of a little lean-to beside the road.“I would go over to the cemetery every day and look at the flowers and was just fascinated by the arrangements,” Bird said. “I know that’s a little morbid ... but it just fascinated me.”Now, almost 50 years later, Bird’s store is one of a smattering of floral shops still in Johnson City, a number that Bird said has decreased steadily over the past few decades, declining from a peak of about 25.Some might attribute the decline to the public’s increasing reliance on grocery stores and large retailers, which can purchase flowers in bulk and sell them at prices with which small stores cannot compete.Walt Engel, one of the owners of Broyles Florists Inc., said florists already experience a host of problems from the get-go, particularly with preserving their products, and are now in direct competition with big box stores like Walmart, Walgreen’s and 7-Eleven.“That’s a major, major competitor that you didn’t have to h... http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Community/2015/11/08/Flower-Power-three-local-flower-retailers-hold-on-in-tumultuous-business-climate.html?ci%3Dstream%26lp%3D12%26p%3D1

This is how the Easter lily became the holiday's flower - NOLA.com

By 1945, there were about 1,200 growers producing bulbs up and down the Pacific coast, from Vancouver, Canada to Long Beach, California. And, believe it or not, right here in southeast Louisiana.The following information is quoted from Louisiana – A Guide to the State compiled by Workers of the Writer’s Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Louisiana, first printed in 1941.“Between Junior and Venice, interspersed by orange groves, are small farms devoted to a new and interesting industry – the cultivation of the Creole lily."The Creole lily (Lilium longiflorum) is generally called the Easter lily; its local name merely exemplifies the tendency of this section to apply the term ‘Creole’ to both people and things. The flower of this special stock, which is well suited to home gardens, is said to be more vigorous, prolific and resistant to disease than other varieties. Each stalk bears from 3 to 18 white blossoms, which reputedly last 4 or 5 days longer than those of the Japanese stock. More emphasis is place on the production of the bulbs for shipping than the sale of the flowers. "In the spring the blooms are nipped, allowing the bulb to retain the full nourishment of the plant juices. In midsummer the plants are dug up and the bulbs placed in a hamper protected from the sun by palmetto leaves. … the lily roots are shipped by express to northern cities, where they are kept in cold storage – 32 to 40 degrees – through the winter. In early spring florists set them out to bloom for Easter and Mother’s Day.” 32 summer-flowering bulbs to add to your garden Most summer-flowering bulbs are native to tropical and subtropical climates and will reliably bloom here for many years. These were tall growing Easter lilies grown for cut flowers, not the shorter types used for growing in containers which is more common these days.But, producing quality, consistent lily bulbs proved to be an exact and demanding science with specific climatic requirements, and bulb production diminished in Louisiana. Over the years, the total number of Easter lily bulb producers dwindled down to just ten farms in a small, isolated coastal region straddling the Oregon-California border. This region, called the Easter Lily Capital of the World, produces nearly all of the bulbs for the US blooming potted Easter li... https://www.nola.com/homegarden/2019/04/this-is-how-the-easter-lily-became-the-holidays-flower.html

Effort to end florist licensing in Louisiana nipped in the bud with Senate panel's rejection - The Advocate

A Senate panel has rejected an attempt to do away with retail florist licensing in Louisiana – the only state that requires such occupational certification to arrange flowers.The Senate Agriculture Committee shot down House Bill 561 in a 6-1 vote on Tuesday after hearing objections from florists who said they agree with tighter regulations on their industry."Having a license is not a barrier," said Annie Taylor, a licensed florist in Scott. "To say you are a licensed florist sets you apart in the industry."She warned committee member that if the measure passed then it would denigrate the profession."You have let us down and you have demoted us," she said. "We are artists. It's not an occupation." ... https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_4058ed8e-4d59-11e8-aced-a3f61ef63b1c.html

Arkansas florist selected to decorate floats at Tournament of Roses Parade - MyArkLaMiss

Then, it was called Bridget's Holiday Shop. Since then, she has mastered her design skills and has built up her floral resume. She is a member of the Louisiana floral board, has received her Arkansas master floral license and just recently became a certified floral designer."She's very good," said Annie Dunn, a loyal customer and friend of Joslin's.In January, she'll be able to add another accomplishment to her resume. She was one of 59 floral designers to be selected to build a flower-filled float at the Rose Parade. She will join the Fiesta Parade Floats team."I believe with all of my heart that if you follow the passion that's in your heart, dreams can come true," Joslin said. "This is an answered prayer for me."The 128th annual Tournament of Roses Parade is Tuesday, January 1. You can watch the spectacular two hour event live right on NBC channel 10 at 6 a.m. ... https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/arkansas-florist-selected-to-decorate-floats-at-tournament-of-roses-parade/1663736375

Arkansas florist selected to decorate floats at Tournament of Roses Parade - KTAL

Then, it was called Bridget's Holiday Shop. Since then, she has mastered her design skills and has built up her floral resume. She is a member of the Louisiana floral board, has received her Arkansas master floral license and just recently became a certified floral designer."She's very good," said Annie Dunn, a loyal customer and friend of Joslin's.In January, she'll be able to add another accomplishment to her resume. She was one of 59 floral designers to be selected to build a flower-filled float at the Rose Parade. She will join the Fiesta Parade Floats team."I believe with all of my heart that if you follow the passion that's in your heart, dreams can come true," Joslin said. "This is an answered prayer for me."... https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/local-news/arkansas-florist-selected-to-decorate-floats-at-tournament-of-roses-parade/1664383787