Kelly Ekardt – Frankfurt Floral Artist & Stylist
From the world of high fashion to the art of floral design, Kelly Ekardt has carved a unique path in
The fact that there is a designated gorgeous flower for each month means that even if you know very little about flowers, you can make sure your loved ones’ homes look bright and cheerful on their special day. We know, we’ve just hacked the system 😉
Each month of the year has its own birth flower, a tradition which dates back to birthday celebrations during the Roman times. The Romans’ tradition of gifting flower bouquets for birthdays is still popular in many countries today. October’s birth flowers radiate warmth and positivity. If you know someone whose birthday falls in October – consider treating them to a vase of their birth flowers – marigold and cosmos!
Marigolds represent a bright light in the dark in many cultures all over the world. They’re often used in Indian weddings to bring brightness to newlyweds. This isn’t the only tradition that marigolds are used for. Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations at the beginning of November use the golden colour and scent of marigolds to aid the souls of the deceased in finding their way home. In Mexico during this celebration you can see altars decorated in marigolds, as they were once similarly used in Aztec rituals.
Marigolds, despite their English name, are native to the Americas, and thrive in many climates over the continent. They can grow as short-lived perennials as well as annuals in colder northern-hemisphere climates.
If you love having pollinators in your garden, marigolds are the perfect choice! They are favourites of bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Great news for bakers and party hosts alike – marigolds are also edible! Perfect for drying, using fresh on cakes, or garnishing drinks.
Just ensure that any flowers you plan on eating are grown using products safe for human consumption. Avoid pesticides!
You can see Marigolds in the Cempasúchil fields in Puebla, Mexico, 30km southwest of the city. Another place to visit to see the flowers is Cholula, which also hosts the largest pyramid in the world.
Cosmos also bring the light to October, representing inner beauty and equilibrium. Cosmos originated in Mexico like the marigolds, where Spanish priests would cultivate them in their mission gardens. They share their name with the Greek word for order, and they were named this way due to their evenly and perfectly ordered petals.
Cosmos are known as the representative flowers of Japanese autumn – written as ‘秋桜,’ which translates to ‘cherry blossoms in autumn’. Cosmos are hardy and easy to grow, and spread quickly once they were introduced to Japan because of their beauty.
Nokonishima Island Park, set against the backdrop of the Genkai Sea, is an amazing place to view cosmos in mid-October. In autumn, around 200 million cosmos bloom at the Mizuki Fortress Ruins in Fukuoka.
From the world of high fashion to the art of floral design, Kelly Ekardt has carved a unique path in
Amsterdam-based floral artist Ariella Hill, the creative force behind RAE Blooms, has had a whirlwind time since we last caught