This past weekend, I did what more than 50 percent of the men in central Jersey did – visited a local florist on Saturday to buy some flowers for Mother’s Day (the other half probably waited until Sunday). Looking at the assortment of vases in the cooler, I found myself thinking “Maybe I can find something different this year.”

I mean, there’s got to be more to choose from than just roses and carnations.

Thankfully, I was in Design Rite Florist in Carteret, which had a variety of colors and arrangements to choose from for this next-to-last-minute shopper. What really caught my eye was a vase of orchids, which found its way back to my car and home to my wife.

We consumers are creatures of habit, and wholesale and retail florists know this all too well. Worldwide, the top five best-selling flowers for retail florists are a very well-known group. Roses lead the way by far, followed by chrysanthemums, tulips, lilies and carnations.

And for lovers of lilies and roses, this spring is a special time to celebrate.

Lilytopia

This 11-day event at Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, Pa., will feature a truly remarkable display beginning May 20 and running through the end of the month. Inspired by the world-famous lily show at Holland's Keukenhof, “Lilytopia” will transform Longwood Garden’s East Conservatory into a breathtaking showcase of the newest varieties of lilies developed by Dutch hybridizers. The unique display of more than 10,000 cut stems is being designed by renowned Dutch floral designer Dorien van den Berg.

The event also is designed to not only raise awareness of the many beautiful and fragrant lilies from Holland available on the market, but also to provide important educational opportunities for horticulture growers, breeders, wholesalers, retailers and floral designers.

Throughout last year’s show, regular visitors and professionals alike were asked to vote for the favorite cultivars in two separate polls.

Consumers participated in “Lily Idol,” a floral version of the show “American Idol.” The consumers’ picks included: 
First place: Oriental hybrid lily “Pico”
Second place: Martagon lily red-flowered selection
Third place: Oriental hybrid lily “Tigerwoods”

Curiously, the professionals agreed quite closely with consumers, selecting:
First place: Oriental hybrid lily “Pico”
Second place: Martagon lily “Marmalade”
Third place: Oriental hybrid lily “Tigerwoods”

Primarily, Lilytopia was created to get consumers excited about lilies they haven’t seen before or don’t know about.

Last year was the inaugural event.

Visit www.longwoodgardens.org/lilytopiadisplay.html for more details.

Annual Rose Day

Did you know that on Nov. 20, 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5574 declaring the Rose to be the national floral emblem of the U.S? Therefore, to truly celebrate National Rose Month, it’s your patriotic duty to make time on June 11 sometime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., to visit Colonial Park in Franklin Township, Somerset County, for the park’s 37th annual Rose Day.

The Somerset County Park Commission hosts this annual event in the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden in the park. The display features more than 3,000 roses representing more than 325 different varieties.

For more information, call the Horticulture Department at 732-873-2459 or go online to www.somersetcountyparks.org.