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Legendary LA Florist Mark’s Garden Doing His Magic In All Red This Year

As a red-blooded American woman, I have no issue with saying that I’m a Girlie Girl at heart.  Yes, I’m a Foodie – but one who has a new “Girlie Girl” Pinterest Board which showcases many things, other than food, that make my heart go pitter patter … high heels, cool manicures, bold fashion … and flowers.  And I’d say the odds are high that most women (and lots of men) would also “die” over gorgeous RED ROSES like these …

Roses for the Governor Ball (Courtesy: Mark's Garden)

Where are these from?  And why, you may be asking, am I writing about FLOWERS instead of FOOD?  Good questions.

Well, this year I was credentialed to see the Food & Beverage Preview before the Oscars (and just wrote about the Top 3 Reasons Hollywood Will Love the Governors Ball this year yesterday).  At the preview, I learned that Mark’s Garden will be doing the flowers for the Ball.  And since I’ve been a fan of them for years, I had to find out more.

If you spend any time at all in Los Angeles and pay attention to celebrity culture (as I do!), you’re likely to already know about Mark’s Garden. They are legendary here, known for providing floral arrangements for many high-profile celebrity weddings (Fergie & Josh, Pink, Heidi Klum, J Lo, Nicole Richie, Hilary Duff, Ellen & Portia – among others).  They’ve also done the flowers for The Emmy Awards, The Golden Globes and, for the 19th consecutive year, the Academy Awards Governors Ball following the Oscars.  Almost 20 years doing flowers for the grandest Oscars party of all?  I’d say that’s a MAJOR Hollywood endorsement.

Preview of Governors Ball Flowers (Courtesy: Mark's Garden)

I’ve always thought of Mark’s Garden as providing the epitome of luxury when it comes to flowers.  If ever there were a DeathbedFood florist, Mark Held, co-owner of Mark’s Garden, would be it.

For this year’s Governor’s Ball, he’ll be providing small pieces to complement the neutral yet warm tones of the Mediterranean-inspired lounge dining experience.  He was given free reign to choose the flowers with one main qualification: they all had to be RED.  He then went about finding out what would be in season, red, and sturdy enough to withstand a few days of display (they set up most of the flowers today and then spruce them up tomorrow before the event).  Most of the flowers came from South America, Holland and Singapore – with roses, orchids and calla lilies being dominant.  Mark loved the roses in particular because they come in so many different shades of red … when you put them together, they have a lush, layered look.

Preview of Governors Ball Flowers (Courtesy: Mark's Garden)

So I had to know … if Mark could design only one more floral arrangement, and if the world were somehow to end tomorrow, what would he be happy with (in other words, what might his “DeathbedFood” flowers be?).

Answer? It depends!  Yes, he loves roses for example … but if they’re not looking good that day, then they’re not “it”.  Totally understand.  My DeathbedFood list is always a work-in-progress and totally dependent on ingredients as well as who’s working with them.

Mark on Access Hollywood Previewing Oscar Flowers (Photo: Marks Garden Blog)

So, in addition to just wanting to be a fly on the wall at the Ball to “bump into” George, see the celebs, and enjoy Wolfgang Puck’s incredible food, I’ll add that I’d die to see (and smell) all of the sure-to-be gorgeous red flowers there.  Guess I’ll have to live with the photos … at least for now!