Presents tips and techniques on ways to extend the life of cut flowers "...an excellent reference that no home flower arranger should be without." -- Ellen Riley, Southern Living magazine "Libbey Oliver's lifelong pursuit has been to see the goodness that living plants can do in our lives, and to teach everyone how to be creative with floral designs. She is America's gift to communicating beauty." -- H. Marc Cathey, president emeritus American Horticultural Society "This handbook provides conditioning techniques that promote quality flowers." -- Sheila Macqueen, world-renowned English flower arranger, lecturer Libbey Oliver of Williamsburg, Virginia, is a well known author, lecturer and flower arranger. For nineteen years, Libbey managed Floral Services for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She oversaw arrangements during the VIP visits such as the Economic Summit, and her designs have been featured in Country Home and Southern Living magazines. She has appeared on "Good Morning America" to share her methods for creating colonial style Christmas decorations, and for six holiday seasons she acted as set designer for the show. She is founder of Flowers and Gardens, a consulting service for the floral and horticultural industries. Libbey Oliver's first book, Colonial Williamsburg Decorates for Christmas, published in 1981, has sold over 250,000 copies, and a follow-up video, "Christmas Decorations From Williamsburg," was produced in 1995. Libbey also coauthored a 1999 volume, Williamsburg Christmas. In 1994, the American Horticultural Society honored her with the National Flower Arranger of the Year Award. She holds a degree in ornamental horticulture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. From the Introduction: I am the happiest when working with flowers, either in the ground or in arrangements. No one can avoid smiling when looking at a pretty flower. A well-grown or cared for flower can stand on its own without a fancy design. Once cut, a flower has special requirements, just as it did when it was in the garden. This book will provide techniques to keep the cut flowers you buy or grow looking their best for as long as possible in your home...I was fortunate to absorb the essence of flower arranging from my mother; from Edna Pennell, my predecessor at Colonial Williamsburg; and from Sheila Macqueen, my favorite English flower arranger. Each shared with me a passionate love for flowers. If you have cared for the flowers you use, your arrangements will reflect your style and personality. The flowers will be fresh and natural; they will not need wiring, nor will they embarrass you by drooping when you turn your back...Every year we enjoy new flowers becoming available on the market, and we are able to get seeds of old-fashioned flowers that have been out of style. I hope each person who reads this book will join me in experimenting with the care and handling techniques and looking for new products that aid our efforts to have flowers that last almost forever.