What a great grand opening event FSS hosted August 29 at their new Houston location, 392 Garden Oaks, Houston, Tx 77018. An outstanding program, Designing The Trend Tour, featured beautiful flowers provided by neighbor Mayesh Wholesale Florist and artistically created by Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD, AAF, CFD, PFCI, AzMF. Oasis, Design Master, Syndicate Sales are a few of the fabulous vendors to provide containers and supplies.

When you’re in the area stop in and say hi. Take a look at FLoral Syndicate Sales large selection of ribbons, custom acrylic pillar stands, metal table standing orb as well as the hoops for smaller hanging designs. Allied Florists of Houston would love for Floral Syndicate Sales to join as one of our distinguished wholesale partners. Welcome to Houston!!

It was the 66th annual Convention for the fine folks of Arkansas this past weekend (August 17-19). Approximately 150 people were in attendance with numbers of people from other states attending. They had a fabulous line up of presenters from Stacey Carlton (sponsored by Bloomnet) to Jacob McCall (FTD) and Darla Pawlak (Teleflora). There were several hands on classes offered as well a business and social media courses.

This year’s theme was “Aloha Arkansas”. President Shelby Shy planned a weekend full of tropical flowers, surf boards, hula dancers and tiki torches. It was a setting straight out of the islands. The weekend began Friday morning with the simultaneous Arkansas Cup and Mid-America Cup competitions and ended Sunday with the 1st annual Nick Schembra Memorial Iron Designer Competition. As always the flowers were over the top. The Arkansas designers really know how to decorate for their events. From the main entrance to the tradeshow and main stage to the hallway outside the ballroom. From the dinner Friday night, which was done in a whimsical and fun tropical theme with boogie boards, beach towels and jelly fish to the elegantly decorated Presidents Gala, which was adorned with palm trees and every tropical flower grown by the state of Hawaii last month, the rooms were simply stunning.

It was such a pleasure to be a part of the event and to be able to attend with so many fellow Texans. It, in addition was as great opportunity to catch up with so many friends from other parts of the country who had flown in to attend the weekends festivities. From California to Florida and from Washington to Texas, at least 21 states were represented. If you have never had the opportunity to attend the Arkansas Florists Convention, I would encourage you to do so next year. Located in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas, there are several things to do outside of the convention, so it is a great time and place for the entire family to go and relax.

Networking is what we’re all about. Whether you attend a local show or travel the world, learning from someone new makes the journey so much more fun!

Recently I attended the Southern Floral Homecoming Show. Abel Gonzales TMF was the featured designer. Abel had so much to share! Very creative designs for creating Homecoming mums. Homecoming mums aren’t for every store, but the room was full of enthusiastic, creative peoples willing to share their how to’s.

Allied Florists of Houston encourages membership in this organization. But more importantly we encourage everyone to use their membership by attending shows and learning from someone new. Sit by someone you don’t know and share your ideas or thoughts on marketing. I ‘ve been accused of over sharing as I really like to talk! But come on over and we will sit a while and learn from each other.

Need how to information on a new wedding technique? Or want another view on your new marketing idea? Check out our membership roster online at www.alliedfloristsofhouston.org and call one of our Retail members and find a time when ya’ll could have a quick conversation and you’ll come out inspired.

I reached out to AFH member Amra with Scent and Violet regarding an email question. Amra graciously answered my question and shared her source. Thank you Amra for your professional advice.

Face to Face networking is very valuable. Add value to your career and come on out to an AFH meeting.

Thanks to Texas Homecoming Mums for sharing their new easy to create mum garlands

Gregor Lersch, floral artist, author and teacher is often referred to as “The Master” of all Master Florists. He is one of the few designers looked to internationally for bringing new trends and design evolution to the global floral industry. His concept of combining all styles of floral design with a sense of place and the personality of the artist in floristic expression is recognized throughout the world as unique.

Gregor has traveled the world teaching and sharing the beauty of skilled floral artistry in over 32 countries. He has been awarded 7 high profile Gold Medals, 30 additional Gold Medals and 22 Silver Medals. He speaks 6 languages fluently and is the author of more than 30 floral design books.

In this intensive two-day hands-on class, students will be inspired to see wedding concepts from the artist’s eye as Gregor leads the workshop in designing bridal flowers including his “Signature Bouquet Styles” for the bride and her attendants. Romantic hair florals, innovative flower girl designs and personal wedding party flowers will also be featured. The tuition of $570 is based on $285 per day but due to the intricacy and structure of this class, one day enrollment could not be offered.

This two-day Wedding Design Class will be offered twice. It will be held on Saturday & Sunday, October 20th–21st from 10am-5pm. The class will be repeated on Thursday & Friday, October 25th– 26th from 9am-4pm. Hotel Accommodations: "Courtyard Marriott Houston Brookhollow" Friday-Saturday $89, Sunday-Thursday $99. Call direct (713) 688-7711 and state you are with "Houston School of Flowers" for special rate. (Hotel located 3 blocks from school).

RSVP with a deposit of $100 which will be deducted from total tuition due by October 15th. For additional information, contact Pat Hermes (713) 681-2400 – info@houstonschoolofflowers.com.

Download the Registration Form

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

5:30pm - 7:00pm - Book Signing

7:00pm - 9:00pm - Presentation

Hot hors d'oeuvres served during book signing.


The Heights Villa
3600 Michaux Street, Houston, TX 77009

Weddings at the Villa, a floral wedding show will be presented during the fall of this year by Gregor Lersch, floral artist, author and teacher who inspires his students to see floral design from the artist's eye. Gregor is often referred to as "The Master" of all Master Florists as he is one of the few designers looked to internationally for bringing new trends and design evolution to the global floral industry. His concept of combining all styles of floral design with a sense of place and the personality of the artist in floristic expression is recognized throughout the world as unique.

Gregor has traveled the world teaching and sharing the beauty of skilled floral artistry in over 32 countries. He has been awarded 7 high profile Gold Medals, 30 additional Gold Medals and 22 Silver Medals. He speaks 6 languages fluently and is the author of more than 30 floral design books. The attendance fee for Weddings at the Villa is $75. Since seating will be limited, pre-registration is recommended for guaranteed seating and standing room will not be available during this presentation.

Hotel Accommodations: "Courtyard Marriott Houston Brookhollow" located at: 2504 N. Loop West, Houston Tx 77092. Rates are: Friday-Saturday $89, Sunday-Thursday $99. Call direct (713) 688-7711 and state you are with "Houston School of Flowers" to receive special rates.

For additional information, contact Pat Hermes (713) 681-2400 – info@houstonschoolofflowers.com.

Download the Registration Form

t’s never too late to blow your own horn. Allied Florists of Houston created the lobby flowers for the TSFA Convention July 2018 in Kemah Texas. We had a fun theme of blues, whites and greens to form our theme around the ocean and the beautiful coastal community of Kemah. Our creative team was headed by Alan Masters, AIFD, CFD, Nicola Parker AIFD, Alex Torres AIFD, Nora Cisneros TMFA and Robin Martinez AAF, TMFA. The beautiful flowers were provided by Greenleaf Wholesale, Mayesh and Southern Floral. Once again Dianna Nordman along with Lynn Lary McClean and Susan Weatherford rocked the floral industry with the informative design shows and vendor exhibitions.

If you missed this education opportunity, then you’ll have another chance to learn from our industry creative minds by attending Allied Florists of Houston shows. Keep up with all the local happenings at www.alliedfloristsofhouston.org. You’ll also find opportunities to lean more about state organization Texas State Florists Association upcoming programs on our calendar of events.

Message from the President

Alan Masters AIFD, CFD
President Allied Florist of Houston

Become a Member of Allied Florists of Houston

To see all the benefits that membership provides go to the About Us page.

Dues can be paid online and fax your completed application to 281-360-1035 OR
Mail your check and completed application to:
Allied Florists of Houston
c/o: Taylor Wholesale
1601 W. 21st
Houston, TX 77008

Retail Membership Qualifications 
Retail shops actively engaged in the full time sale of flowers, plants, and related items and located within 100 miles of Houston qualify for this classification. 
The locations shall be clearly identified by an outside florist sign; shall have a separate sales area; a floral display refrigerator; and shall have a delivery vehicle.
At the time of application for membership, the retail shop shall have been engaged in the florist business for at least six months; have a commercial telephone listing; have a full time designer on duty at all times; and belong to at least one wire service.
~ Annual dues are $150 billed each July
~ Includes Voting Privileges
Download the Retail Membership Application.

Wholesale / Grower Membership Qualifications
Individuals, wholesalers or wholesale-grower firms who are actively engaged in the production and/or distribution of cut flowers and/or plants and/or related items and located within 100 miles of Houston qualify for this classification.
~Annual dues are $150 billed each July
~ Includes Voting Privileges
Download the Wholesale/Grower Membership Application.

Associate Membership Qualifications
Associate Members shall be firms or individuals engaged in wholesale or floral related businesses not qualifying for retail member classification.
~Annual dues are $150 billed each July
~ Includes Voting Privileges
Download the Associate Membership Application.

General Membership Qualifications
General Members shall be individuals employed within the floral industry or students or instructors of floriculture, landscape gardening, landscape architecture, or ornamental horticulture. 
~Annual dues are $50 billed each July
~ NO Voting Privileges.
Download the General Membership Application.