Rosella Mandau of Edmonton ’ s Studio Bloom talks stems , scents and Grinch trees

Why should someone invest in flowers and foliage for parties ? There ’ s a long history of humans bringing evergreens into their homes during cold , dark winter months . Flowers , plants and foliage create a sense of coziness . Aside from tradition and

the cozy factor , they also add fresh fragrance to rooms , instantly setting the mood for parties .

Which ones work best ? Cedar , pine and fir deliver fresh forest scents . White pine is particularly fragrant and a good all-around pick .

What makes the most impact ? Holiday decor should start before someone even enters your home . Arrange outdoor pots on front steps , hang a basket of greenery , place a boxwood wreath on the door and wrap swags around railings . In most of Alberta , whatever you put outside will freeze pretty quickly to nicely preserve the fresh foliage .

How about inside ? Some of our clients order custom garlands for staircases and mantles . They ’ ll last a good month , and every time the heat comes on , the festive evergreen scent circulates through your home . Aim to order garlands about one to two weeks before your get-together .

Any tips for festive DIY centrepieces ? Start with a low , shallow container that will hold water . Try things you already have around the house , like

a pretty casserole dish . Gather various evergreen branches that offer a variety of textures and harvest a few things from the backyard , like twigs and pinecones . This everyday evergreen arrangement should last several weeks . When having people over , add a few fresh blooms . Chrysanthemums , roses and sprigs of holly inject colour for special occasions .

What are some new trends in festive floral design ? Grinch trees have become very popular . People seem to love the Whoville-inspired trees , with their floppy top and whimsical look . We sell them in our shop — they make for great hostess gifts . Or you can build your own at one of our Grinch tree workshops .

Save 10 % on fresh flowers or get free delivery at Studio Bloom : AMARewards . ca / StudioBloom

Don ’ t show up to a party empty-handed ! Give one of these goodies to make any hostess happy

Offers and product availability subject to change ; see AmArewards . ca for terms and conditions . AMA InsIder WInTer 2017 47