What better way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 to October 15, than with a party inspired by the flowers of Latin America? We here at Schaaf Floral love the idea of honoring Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Americas’ rich contributions to the rest of the world, particularly to the U.S., where so many of our citizens are Hispanic Americans. As a way to celebrate their ancestors, families and cultures, we’re highlighting the flowers of Latin America and suggesting that you enjoy your own mini floral festival this month as well.

Our Fall Festival of Flowers is vibrant with color–and heritage. Sunflowers are native to Mexico, where they were first cultivated. Used as an emblem for war by the Aztecs and grown for their beauty as well as for their medicinal properties, sunflowers were made as offerings at temples and their seeds were harvested as food. They are an ancient flower that eventually made their way to be grown across the world. Alstroemeria (also called Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas), is that whimsical yellow flower at the top, with the stripes that seem painted on. This flower hails from South America. It’s a delicate bloom full of personality and definitely holds its own in a design that is full of statement flowers.

We celebrate our Hispanic Americans and their cultures this month by appreciating the beauty of their contributions. From the intellectual to the culinary to the artistic to the floral, our world is enriched by Latin America.