Race for the Roses
The winner of Louisville’s Kentucky Derby is ceremonial draped with a blanket of 564 roses—that’s a lot of flowers! This derby tradition dates back to the 1890s, when Churchill Downs racetrack founder, Meriwether Lewis Clark, used the roses as decorations at his post-race party. The flowers gradually became a symbol of the event and in 1925 track president Bill Curom called the Kentucky Derby “the run for the roses.”
Red roses make a classic and romantic gift for Valentine’s Day or an anniversary. Roses make a statement when arranged by themselves with accent flowers like baby’s breath and greenery. Or, roses can be paired with stargazer lilies, gerber daisies, and hydrangea for a vase of fragrant, premium flowers that are sure to impress.
The First Mother’s Day
Mary S. Wilson, born in 1860 in Henderson County, Kentucky had a very close relationship with her mother all her life. In 1887, the teacher decided that her classroom would celebrate Mother’s Day on Mary’s Mother’s birthday of April 20th. While the date didn’t stick, the concept took off after Mary toured the country promoting her idea for a new holiday. Ohio and Pennsylvania were among the first the participate in the celebrate and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day a national holiday that would be celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
Mother’s Day has long been celebrated with the gift of flowers. This is a great time to show the mothers in your life how well you know them by sending them their favorite type of flower. One mom may love a bouquet of roses, while another will prefer a vase of fresh tulips. Flowers can be arranged in a keepsake container that mom can repurpose and use as a decoration throughout the year. And for mothers with a green thumb, consider houseplants, dish gardens, or blooming annual plants. If you are in doubt, let the season of spring be your inspiration with pastel colors and bulb flowers like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, daisies, and snapdragons.
Kremp Florist can assist you in choosing a beautiful flower arrangement for Mother’s Day or any occasion throughout the year. Contact the florist today to schedule your next flower delivery in Kentucky.