It was Wednesday, the biggest market day of the week at San Francisco Flower Mart. I went to bed knowing that I would have to get up extra early to pick up my flower order for the Bar Mitzvah Tracy and I were decorating for in a couple of days. I was looking forward to bringing our creative visions to reality with fresh flowers from all over the globe. I woke up at 2:30 a.m., two and a half hours before my alarm was due to chime. I started thinking about my flower order. Did I order enough flowers? Will I find something special for the bimah arrangement? Will I remember everything? The market opens at 1:00 a.m. Some say that the best flowers are gone between five and six, others say anything unique is gone by four. I’m wide awake now. What the heck, I might as well get up and go to the mart. Let’s find out when the good stuff really goes.
This is what I found:
Have you ever see a flower so delicious? These proteas were raspberry red and from far away they looked like they were flocked with velvet. Too bad this color is too feminine for a Bar Mitzvah. Many bundles were still available when I left at four thirty but I’m sure they would be gone by six.
When I got home I looked up what variety this wondrous protea was. Only days earlier, Tracy gave me an autographed copy of Neotropica - Hawaii Tropical Flower + Plant Guide by the very talented Hitomy Gilliam, AIFD and Lois Hiranaga AIFD. I learned that this protea hybrid is called Telopea (Waratah) speciosissima hybrid “Shady Lady” and that it is only available in limited supply. Happy Macro Monday to you all!
I've never seen them before! Lovely!
ReplyDeletethanks for the intro to these beauties, pretty lady.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a most unusual flower! I've never seen one. Good for you for getting to the market in time! :)
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWell, hello again Dutchbaby --
ReplyDeleteNoticed that you had stopped by one our favorite blogs -- FogBay...
And thanks for reminding me about the Flower Mart -- I haven't been there for years... Yes, that IS a most unusual flower, isn't it... Nicely shot...
I want to eat those flavors! So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteflavors=flowers. It's still early for me!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures
ReplyDeleteDear lisaschaos,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration!
Dear studio wellspring,
They are very architectural-looking, don't you think?
Dear Jay,
These exotic flowers come all the way from Australia.
Dear Marilyn,
I'm glad you enjoyed these flowers.
Dear AphotoAday,
How nice to get a visit from a FogBay co-groupie. I would love to see your shots of the flower mart. Wednesday is definitely the best day to go and be sure to go into the big hangar-like buildings.
Dear Kris,
Thanks for getting up early to leave a note :)
Dear Melissa,
Thank you! Welcome to dutchbaby!
Such pretty flowers! I saw some orange ones like that in Amsterdam.
ReplyDeleteamazing red ! they make such a beautiful bouquet...
ReplyDeleteDear paris parfait,
ReplyDeleteThe orange ones are called pincusion proteas. They probably came from South Africa.
Dear My Castle in Spain,
I would love to see you make a bouquet with these!
Delicious is exactly the word, the very first word I thought when I saw your images.
ReplyDeleteDear Relyn,
ReplyDeleteYes, yes! They looked like they could have been made out of red licorice!
Hi dutchbaby,
ReplyDeleteI totally love your enthusiasm for this new medium.
I'm a friend of Lois Hiranaga and Hitomi and will send them to your site. Thanks for using the NeoTropica guide!
Dear Debby,
ReplyDeletePlease thank Lois and Hitomi for their very informative guide. I have seen Hitomi give a demonstration in Half Moon Bay once; she is so talented. Welcome to dutchbaby!