The Fresh Bunch

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This week on The Fresh Bunch, we’re joined by the one and only Floral Wizard, David Kaplan of Above All Flowers. With decades of experience and a global network of growers, David truly has his finger on the pulse of the floral industry.
David shares what’s happening across the world’s growing regions—from wrapping up the Catkins (pussywillow) season to the highly anticipated start of Peony season. After shipping more than 2.3 million peony stems last year, he dives into what makes great peonies, the importance of soil and growers, and the varieties he loves most.
We also explore the emerging future of Ethiopian flower production and how new regions are shaping the global flower market.
Beyond flowers, David’s true specialty is connecting people across the industry. Through his consulting work, marketing partnerships, and a newsletter reaching 25,000 readers worldwide, he helps bring together growers, suppliers, and floral professionals from every corner of the business.
And of course, it wouldn’t be The Fresh Bunch without a few laughs and some good conversation about food along the way.
To subscribe to Above all Flowers newsletter email: [email protected]

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This week on The Fresh Bunch, we welcome two very special guests — Valentina Armellini, the new Marketing Manager at Chrysal USA, and Kyle Armellini, Terminal Manager at Atlanta Armellini.
The married couple shares the story of how they met and how they each navigate the unique challenges of today’s floral industry from two different sides of the business. From logistics and transportation to floral spray colors and flower care, we dive into what keeps the floral supply chain blooming.
Along the way, we play a fun Newlywed Game, talk about what’s ahead for both Chrysal and Armellini, and Mimi even crowns Kyle and Armellini as the NEXTGEN Prom King & Queen.
It’s a lighthearted episode filled with laughs, insight, and plenty of flower care talk.
A true legacy in bloom — from two powerful floral brands.  https://www.instagram.com/chrysalusa/  https://www.instagram.com/armellinilogistics/

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On this week’s episode of The Fresh Bunch, we’re joined by Paul and Tony Guerrie, cofounders of Flower Buddy. The two brothers share how they went from working in tech to building a business together in the floral industry.
The conversation goes beyond flowers and into what it really looks like to start and grow something from the ground up—especially when you’re doing it with family and bringing an outsider’s perspective into a traditional space.
At a time when AI is rapidly changing how every industry operates, the brothers break down how they stay adaptable and continue evolving alongside it.
From practical use cases to bigger-picture ideas, this episode explores how AI isn’t just a trend—it’s a shift that’s reshaping businesses and raising customer expectations in real time.

https://www.instagram.com/flowerbuddyapp/
flowerbuddy.co

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This week, The Fresh Bunch hits the road for one of the most iconic events in horticulture—the Philadelphia Flower Show, “Rooted.” 2026
Joined by Freshie Christine Guenther of Wild Flower MD, Mike and Mimi share highlights from their unforgettable trip, diving into the creativity, passion, and stories behind the nation’s largest and longest-running indoor flower and garden show.
We toured the show with Bill Schaffer and Kris Kratt of Schaffer Designs, whose breathtaking installation tells a deeply personal story of love, history, and their long-standing connection to the show. Mike & Mimi were so happy and proud to see the amazing floral art which was partly sponsored by Jet Fresh.
We also chat with Taylor from Robertson’s, whose exhibit beautifully recreates their centennial shop (this year) with stunning window displays through the decades. The different eras of their Chestnut Hill store, and discover how floristry has evolved from the refined, formal bouquets of the early 20th century to the dramatic and free-flowing styles of today.
Of course, no Philly trip is complete without food—Chris Drummond leads us to one of the city’s most unforgettable cheesesteaks, and we wrap things up with a true Dutch dream during a visit to an innovative tulip farm in New Jersey.
Plus, stick around for laughs with special guest comedian Caya Guenther joining us for Jimi’s Jokes!
From flowers to food to fun, this episode is fully Rooted in inspiration.
To see a full video on the Schaffer Design watch on our Youtube: 
https://www.instagram.com/schafferdesigns/ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVRX-zZCWYL/

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This week on The Fresh Bunch, we sit down with visual interdisciplinary artist Maurice Harris of Bloom & Plume.
Maurice Harris is a Los Angeles–based artist. Recognized from his TV projects “Centerpiece” and “Full Bloom”on HBO Max, he pushes boundaries beyond his floral art.  
His photography transports viewers through vibrant color and bold composition, while his popular social series—Capitalism Doesn’t Care About Your Creativity and When’s the Last Time You Got Flowers?—have captured thousands of likes and shares while reminding consumers of the magic behind both receiving and giving flowers.
Maurice was also the keynote speaker at our Fresh Fest in June 2025, and you can watch his full talk now on our YouTube channel.
In this episode, we talk about humility, cultivating creativity, and understanding the real cost of building a business in a creative field. We also dive into the importance of pushing back against an overly individualistic society and how community and collaboration can take us further—both in business and in life.
From natural opulence to the romantic movement of flowers, this episode will stir your creative juices faster than a KitchenAid mixer.
For more from Maurice:
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomandplume
Watch the Fresh Fest keynote:
https://youtu.be/QG61R2sW4_A?si=1WrbrblezXt0jJ09