Ornamental berries, featured in the September/October issue of Floral Management, add texture, perceived value and are user friendly. From left to right: Gold Ilex from Oregon Flowers; ‘Coco Rio’ Hypericum from Fifty Flowers; and ‘Magical Temptation’ Snowberry by Kolster BV.
Available in an assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes, ornamental berries complement almost any flower and foliage, writes Katie Vincent in the September/October issue of Floral Management. Berries also provide texture, which makes a design more intriguing and increases its perceived value. Better yet: They’re also user friendly, which is a huge advantage during the busy holiday season.
“They give a good base to bouquets,” says Peter Kolster, whose family business in the Netherlands, Kolster BV, breeds plants and flowers sold in more than 90 countries. “We see demand for certain flowers go up and down, but berries — especially seasonal ones like rosehips, snowberries, and ilex — are always wanted.”
Hypericum can be sourced year-round. Rosehips, snowberries, and ilex are available in the fall, with the latter extending through December. Many berries, including ilex, rosehips, and some snowberries can last three two to three weeks in a case and preserve nicely, too.
For more varieties of berries that increase the appeal of designs, read the Fresh Choices column in the September/October issue of Floral Management.
Molly Olson is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
