How did my floral journal start?

Welcome to Ecuador Direct Roses' 1st blog. I’m Philip and we will be traveling this floral journey together and investigating the incredible beauty of roses and flowers.

I am a florist with 25 years of experience in the US and received my floral master’s certification from Texas A&M University. I owned a corporate events studio and had an incredible clientele. We didn’t advertise for new customers, word of mouth and reputation allowed us to meet and work for a number of the who’s who over time. Often, that was rewarding, but sometimes frustrating being the hired help, as to say. Our company had its own design style and we continued evolving our creative standards as time passed. We designed weddings only if we already knew the clients and often it was the daughter of one of the people working for a corporation that were regular clients. Backroom Christmas was typically started in July of each year. It took a lot of planning, manpower, and warehouse space to accomplish this, not to mention long hours too. We installed holiday decor, weekly florals for offices, hotels, county clubs, high-rise buildings, malls, sports teams, universities, and client’s homes. We produce numerous corporate events, often for over 1000 guests, but sometimes an intimate dinner for only a few.

I always enjoyed being involved with the state and local florist associations. I was on the education committee of my state floral association and two-term president of my local association. I often would assist local florists with ideas to help them become more profitable.

I sold my company 8 years ago, sold my house, cars, and everything I owned, and began my adventure of living in Ecuador. I moved here with only cats and clothes. I live high in the Andes Mountains in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Cuenca, the land of perpetual spring. Walking in the historic district of Cuenca is like being in a European country. The architecture has so many influences in its style. Ecuadorian people are kind and generous. I was immediately welcomed by my neighbors as soon as I moved here. I’ve definitely found my forever home and I have no regrets whatsoever about moving to South America.

I’ve been working with EDR for 4 years and I take pride in the quality and beauty of everything we sell. We will be discussing tips, techniques, and information about our about award-winning Andean roses and the art of floral design in our blogs.

It’s hard for me to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. Now is the time to order your holiday roses and flowers. If you aren’t familiar with the EDR tinted roses, take a look at the website. They’re incredible and come in every color imaginable. The Christmas Collection will add a festive feel to any holiday design, whether your creative style is sophisticated, country, European, or basic, we have magnificent flowers to share with you.

Before I moved, every year on December 22 my design crew and I would go to a client’s home and add the finishing touch to their Christmas tree and dining table. We took 500 red roses in water tubes with us and a couple of hundred other red roses. By the time we left, their Christmas tree was in full bloom. The roses added the perfect finishing touch to the already beautifully decorated tree and by the 25th they were opening nicely. The dining table centerpiece always overflowed with roses. We would also set the table with her incredible china, silver, and crystal. The first year we installed holiday for this client, I told the butler how magnificent the chargers were on the dining table and he replied in a soft voice, they should be, they once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte. Wow was all I could manage to get out of my mouth as my eyes bugged out knowing this shocking tidbit!

By far, the rose is the most renowned flower that there is. You can show a rose to practically everyone in the world and they will know its name. According to fossil evidence, the rose is 35 million years old and has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. 

Our certified and sustainable farm is at the perfect altitude in the Andes Mountains to grow magnificent roses. 12 hours of sun a day all year long and chilly nights are part of the recipe for growing stronger, larger heads and more colorful roses. They also have amazing longevity. Your clientele will be stunned at how long our roses last in a vase arrangement. From our farm to your doorstep in 5 days. That’s all it takes.

Thank you for allowing me to share my love of roses and a bit of my background. All of us at Ecuador Direct Roses wish you an incredible and profitable holiday season!

Philip Combs

Master Florist

12.16.2022