Walter Knoll's "A Musing Florist"

Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day, originating after the American Civil war to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.  It is now extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.  (Not to be confused with Veterans Day which celebrates the service of all U S military veterans, living or dead.)

All Walter Knoll Florist shops are stocked with patriotic red, white and blue cemetery cones for decorating your loved one’s final resting place.  Stop in for one or call us if you would like a custom piece made.  Our LaSalle location at the corner of California and LaSalle streets will be open Monday, May 27 from 9am to 1pm.

Memorial Day marks the start of summer – which means an abundance of new flowers and WEDDINGS.  Walter Knoll Florist’s wedding team is top notch – if you can think of it they can design it. They can be reached at 314 633-8780.  Take a look at this beautiful bouquet with astilbe flowers.  So Pretty!

Summer flowers are starting to come in: sunflowers, larkspur, cottage yarrow, scabiosa, kale, asters, engyrium (thistle), fancy Gerbera daisies and even dahlias!  Come see for yourself.

Engyrium Thistle

Fancy this Gerb!

It’s beginning to look like Kansas around here!

Calla lilies produce a showy, trumpet-shaped, flower-like leaf called a spathe, [pronounced speyth] which can be white, yellow, red, maroon, pink or purple. Some cultivars of calla lilies feature spotted spathes. The trumpet-shaped spathe holds the spadix, a finger-like structure that holds the smaller inner flowers, which are the plant’s true flowers.

The meaning of white Calla Lilies is “magnificent beauty.” They became popular in the United States when the movie Stage Door was released in 1937.  It was the film in which Katherine Hepburn said, “The Calla Lilies are in bloom again”.

Walter Knoll Florist is offering Calla lilies for their wholesale special, May 21 through June 3.  Three large white callas for $10.  Stop into any Walter Knoll Florist flowers shop and ask about the wholesale special.

Ask to have your Calla lilies arranged – we have lots of vases to choose from.  Our latest calla lily arrangement is Cobalt Callas – beautiful white callas arranged with or without roses in a cobalt vase.  $5 off during our Calla Lily wholesale special.

Cobalt Callas with 12 Roses

Walter Knoll Florist has all you need to WOW your MOM,

We do, and you will too – Canterbury Bells (Campanula) are our walk-in bunch special

available April 9 through 22 – so stop in soon for a ten-stem bunch or two.

They come in a variety of shades of blue and pink.

$10 for 10 stems, assorted colors and while supplies last.

If you just can’t make it into one of our stores, check our our “The Bee’s Knees” bouquet – only available for a few more weeks.

The Bee’s Knees Deluxe

That’s right, our Spring Fling Wholesale Special is so popular we are continuing the special pricing for another two weeks – you folks sure like your Tulips, Iris & Daffodils!

10 stems of Tulips $10

10 stems of Iris $9

10 stems of Daffodils $7

Remember this is an in-store promotion only, some come see us!

Sunday, the 31st is Easter – Walter Knoll Florist has just the bouquet for your family get-together or egg hunt!

SNOW DAY

Our biggest snow of the year and it’s the first week of spring – oh well, may as well do some serious cooking!

Pork Meatballs in Marinara

Pork Meatballs ala Alexandra Guarnaschelli 

2 pounds ground pork (I used some very fatty stuff – maybe shoulder – that my man brought home from a  co-worker who owns some pigs)

Kosher salt
2 teaspoons chili flakes
1 tablespoon ground thyme

Healthy grating of nutmeg – maybe a teaspoon or so
2 eggs whisked
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 cup bread crumbs, toasted
1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon for testing
Marinara Sauce, recipe follows

Spread the meat out in a large bowl, season with salt, chili flakes, thyme & nutmeg.  Add the remaining ingredients leaving the bread crumbs until last. Mix until all the ingredients are combined. Create a small patty to test for seasoning – fry it up in 1 tablespoon of oil. When browned on both sides, taste and re-season the meat mixture, if needed. Roll the mixture into about 20 large balls that are about 2 inches in diameter.

Don’t squeeze them too much, you want nice soft balls

Heat a pan with oil until hot then begin frying your meat balls.  If you turn the heat down low before putting the balls in the pan you will get less splattering.  Arrange the meat balls in a single layer and spread them somewhat apart so they have a chance to brown instead of steam. You may need to do this in batches. Brown the meatballs, over high heat, turning them so they brown all around.

Don’t crowd them or they will steam instead of crisping up

Treat them like hamburgers and cook them until they are medium-rare, about 3 to 5 minutes. Touch them to make sure they are still tender in the center. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to remove them from the pan to a cooling rack on a tray and cook off the remaining balls, if needed.

I had some pretty fatty ground pork so I drained them on a rack for awhile

Add the meatballs to the hot tomato sauce and allow them to bubble slightly and simmer over very low heat for a few minutes. Shut off the heat and allow the mixture to rest for a few additional minutes before serving.

Stir gently, they are delicate and break apart easily

Alex’s recipe called for fennel seeds in the pork mixture, I did not have any, and substituted the thyme and nutmeg – excellent substitution if I say so myself!

Did I mention it is the first week of Spring?  or that Easter is next Sunday!  This little Welly boot bouquet is one of our Easter/Spring/Snowday offerings at Walter Knoll Florist.  Cute, huh!

Welly Season

Oh Yeah, I guess you might want a Marinara Sauce recipe!

Marinara Sauce:
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium white onions, diced
10 cloves garlic, cut into thin slices
2 to 3 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Kosher salt
4 medium carrots, peeled and grated

2 stems of celery, grated
1 (35-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
4 cups water, divided, plus more as needed
1/2 cup saki or other white wine

Freshly grated nutmeg

Freshly grated Parmesan

NOTE I used a food processor to grate the carrots and the onions (separately).  Drain and discard the onion juice from the onions before adding to the hot oil.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, the garlic, red pepper flakes, and sugar and season with salt, to taste. Stir in the carrots and re-season with salt. Cook for about 2 minutes, and then add the Saki or wine.  Bring to a boil, cook on high for 2 or 3 minutes to reduce the wine, then add the canned tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to break up some of the whole tomatoes and cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add half of the water to prevent the veggies from getting too dry and continue cooking another 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning. The tomatoes should be fairly broken down and the flavors coming together. Add remaining water, as needed, and cook for an additional 10 minutes. The sauce cooks about as long as it takes to make the meatballs from start to finish, about 45 minutes. Just before adding the drained cooked meatballs, stir in about 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Starting Tuesday, March 11, Walter Knoll Florist will be offering Tulip bunches, Iris bunches and Daffodil bunches at special wholesale pricing – stop into one of our flower shops today and ask about the Bunch Special.  Tulips are 10 stems for $10, Iris are 10 stems for $9 and Daffodils are 10 stems for $7.  Tell them Di sent you!

Stop into Walter Knoll Florist for some spring tulips at great pricing!

February 26 through March 11 we have various color bunches of 10 stems for $10

Walk in only and while supplies last!

Our wholesale bunch special, available to all walk-in customers at any Walter Knoll Florist flower shop, is spray roses.

Get a wrapped bunch of ten stems for $9.99.  Pricing good through December 31 or until supplies run out.

What are spray roses?  Spray Roses are smaller roses that have many buds on a stem compared to regular roses that come with a single bud on one long stem.  Click bouquet to see an arrangement with both spray roses and regular roses.

The Poinsettia is NOT A Poisonous PLANT

The widespread belief that poinsettias are poisonous is a misconception. The scientific evidence demonstrating the poinsettia’s safety is ample and well documented.  Studies conducted by The Ohio State University in cooperation with the Society of American Florists concluded that no toxicity was evident at experimental ingestion levels far exceeding those likely to occur in a home environment. In fact, the POISINDEX Information Service, the primary information resource used by most poison control centers, states that a 50-pound child would have to ingest over 500 poinsettia bracts to surpass experimental doses. Yet even at this high level, no toxicity was demonstrated.

As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not intended for human or animal consumption, and certain individuals may experience an allergic reaction to poinsettias. However, the poinsettia has been demonstrated to be a safe plant. In fact, in 1992, the poinsettia was included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants from indoor air.  So, not only is the poinsettia a safe and beautiful addition to your holiday decor, it can even help keep your indoor air clean!  Now that’s a good roommate!

Holiday Poinsettia Care  Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture. Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly; taking care not to drown them by ensuring adequate drainage is available. Likewise, avoid letting them sit in water-filled saucers, which can lead to root rot. Adding plants nearby can help increase humidity levels in dry rooms, as will humidifiers.

Once flower bracts have fallen, you have the option of discarding the plant or keeping it an additional year. For those choosing to continue with poinsettia care, decrease regular watering to allow the plant to dry out some. However, don’t let it dry out completely. Also, relocate the poinsettia plant to a cool, dark area until spring or around April.

Fertilizing Poinsettias  Fertilizing poinsettia plants is never recommended while they’re still in bloom. Fertilize poinsettias only if keeping them after the holiday season. Apply fertilizer every two weeks or once monthly using a complete houseplant fertilizer. Provided the poinsettia plant is given the proper environmental conditions, it should begin to re-grow within weeks.

Poinsettia Care After the Holidays  In spring, return the plant to a sunny area and water well. Cut back all canes (branches) to about six inches from the pot’s rim. It may also be a good idea to repot the poinsettia using the same type of soil. While poinsettias can be kept indoors throughout summer, many people choose to move them outdoors in a sunny, but protected, area of the flower garden by sinking the pot into the ground. Either way is fine.

After new growth has reached between six to ten inches, pinch out the tips to encourage branching. This can be done once a month until the middle of August. Once nights become longer in fall, bring the poinsettia indoors.

From about September through November light becomes crucial in poinsettia plant care. In order to encourage blooming, poinsettia plants require long periods of darkness at night (about 12 hours). Therefore, move the poinsettia to a location where it will not receive any nighttime light or cover it with a box.

Allow plenty of light during the day so the plant can absorb enough energy for flowering. Warmer days (65-70 degrees F.) and cooler nights (55-60 degrees F.) are also recommended. Provide semi-cool, humid location in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture once blooming occurs.

HELP! My Poinsettia Leaves Are Falling Off!  It’s important to pinpoint the possible cause in the event that your poinsettia plant leaves are falling off, as in some cases, this can be easily fixed. Environmental factors, such as warm, dry conditions, are most often the reason for leaf drop. Stress can also be a factor. Keep the plant in a cool, draft-free area and provide plenty of water. If all else fails, the plant may need to be discarded.

Now that you know how to you take care of poinsettias you can keep these lovely plants year round. With proper poinsettia plant care, they will give you many years of beauty.

Our poinsettia selection this year comes in a holiday basket.