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Episode 118: Marsha Parker                      

Botanical Brouhaha Expert Discussion Panel: Session 40

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                                                                                                                                                               image via Laura Kuy Flowers 

The Question:

Besides delphinium, are there other flowers that should not be used on a cake because of their toxins?


The Answers:

There are a couple of schools of thought on this one. Some florists and cake makers pretty much suggest that no fresh flowers should be used on cakes (see the following link www.cakeswebake.com/profiles/blogs/poisonous-flowers). However I feel this errs on the side of extreme caution. With the exception of flowers such as narcissus and delphinium (toxins) and lily and amaryllis (pollen) I have not thought too much about this. I am happy to use roses, orchids, freesia, lisianthus and many other flowers and foliages. My priority is to ensure that cake flowers are properly wired and finished so that no pieces of tape or wire fall away from the flowers and end up within the cake..

-Nick Priestly (Mood Flowers)

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We try to avoid any flower that has a sap for example most spring flowering bulbs like hyacinths and narcissus.  Euphorbia and Ivy are two others that spring to mind! We never use water on our fresh flower cakes so generally our first question is what is going to last for several hours without water that is in the flower selection the bride has decided upon.

-Gemma Bain (Planet Flowers)

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Lily of the valley, hellebores and poinsettia are toxic. Of course there are other toxic flowers but these are the ones I can remember at the moment. I would not recommend flowers with sap or milk like narcissus. The cut can be sealed with glue but I would try to avoid them if possible. Even if the flowers are not toxic, I would always place them on some kind of plastic disc, never directly on the cake. And I would use organic flowers only as many flowers are sprayed with pesticide.

-Emelie Ekborg (Svenska Blomsterbloggar)

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Good question! I used to work with a bakery and they were known to just about have a meltdown whenever they saw flowers coming near a cake. For good reason, many flowers are toxic and let’s face it, many of the flowers are dirty. First of all, I always thoroughly wash any flowers that are to be placed on the cake. Yes, I wash the whole bloom under running water! Now as for flowers that I’ve always been told to keep off cakes – Delphinium, Hydrangea, Daffodils, Calla Lilies, Tulips and Ranunculus, to name a few. In fact, Google "toxic flowers on cakes" and you will find a lot on interesting blogs from Cake Bakers and how many of them deplore flowers on cakes for health reasons. And for that matter, I deplore waiting for the cake baker to deliver the cake, so I just as well not have any flowers on the cake either.

-Alicia Schwede (Bella Fiori and Flirty Fleurs)


Thanks Alicia, Emelie, Gemma and Nick!


Another amazing designer to share with you today…McKenzie Powell. Enjoy!

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palepurpleflowers4 mckenzie powell

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  1. Alison Ellis says:

    I am always trying to talk couples into having sugar flowers made lately. I LOVE Alicia’s comment about waiting for the baker. That is the worst! Great post with food for thought regarding safety.

  2. Thank you for the lovely featured florist post!

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