“The fattest and most scrumptious of all flowers, a rare fusion of fluff and majesty, the peony is now coming into bloom,” wrote Henry Mitchell (1923-93), columnist for the Washington Post.

Production of the spring floral showstopper is in full swing — emerging slowly from small, tight, hard buds come layer upon layer of frilly petals that develop into large, lush blossoms of fragrant beauty.

President-Elect Sandy Stein automatically advances to head the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association in 2014-15 and other officers will be elected at the association’s annual meeting June 21 in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, an association news release announced.

The FNGLA Nominating Committee has made its recommendations for 2014-15 president-elect, Billy Butterfield, and secretary-treasurer, Robert Shoelson. Mike Marshall, the current president, automatically advances to become past-president in 2014-15.

AmericanHort’s convention and trade show, Cultivate ‘14 (formerly OFA Short Course), will offer a florist-only program at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH, July 12-15, designed to “strengthen your floral business,” according to an association news release.

This year’s show theme, “Here Comes the Bride,” offers stage shows, hands-on workshops, florist expo vendors, and opportunities to network with designers and discover ways to increase floral profits and attract new customers.

James F. Gaunt, a floral industry leader and former owner of Southview Inc. Wholesale Florist (now Mayesh) in Romulus, MI, died April 26 at age 86.

Being in a fast-paced business, mass-market floral doesn’t easily lend itself to over-the-top customer service. Just having the fresh items we offer in stock is, in itself, a great service. But time restraints, store labor and departmental hours can hinder our relationships with customers buying fresh flowers. Having intentional customer contact is the first step to building those one-on-one relationships.

Floral industry retailers, wholesalers and growers will learn how to “get more profit from their prices and sell with style” during SAF Marco Island 2014, the Society of American Florist’s 130th Annual Convention, Aug. 13-16 in Marco Island, FL, according to an association news release.