Mardi Gras Flower Power

Picking flowers from a bucket, workers at Cleveland florist are painstakingly putting together a debutant bouquet. It's one of a plethora of carnival themed decorations littering the shop. This latest wave of work comes to a close.

“We start off as soon as Christmas is over making Mardi Gas wreath and as soon as we get them,” says owner Lenae Cleveland Denson. “They go out the door as soon as we get them made.” She says Mardi Gras orders make up a quarter of her business for the month. Tulips, and a variety of other late winter, early spring flowers make up many of these designs, whether it's a Mardi Gras wreath or door display.

“Any flower that comes early in the spring that's bright colored usually,” says Lenae. “Women want to match their outfits of course and so they do wear their flowers to match their outfits.”

Mardi Gras decorations are steeped in tradition. Some societies put spring flowers in their hats. The other tradition is that decorations have to be loud!

“That's what Mardi Gras is all about,” says Lenae. “Merriment and fun, you know so as much plumes as much sparkly life as we can give it that's what we want at Mardi Gras.”

Purple and gold brightly adorn most floral decor this time of year. They're Mobile's Mardi Gras colors with a little green thrown in for good measure. LeNay says the rush for Mardi Gras starts with the events in November. Work ranges from big gatherings to informal home-parties.