Eco-Flowers Crown the Queen's Float at 2007 Rose Parade

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Bouquet (http://www.organicbouquet.com/), the eco-flower pioneer, premiered the sustainably grown World's Tallest Roses at the 118th Rose Parade in Pasadena, on the float of the 89th Rose Queen, Mary McCluggage.

These magnificent red roses, fit for a queen, standing more than five feet tall, were certified sustainably grown by VeriFlora (TM), making them a perfect fit for the parade's 2007 theme, Our Good Nature.

The VeriFlora standard, introduced at UN World Environment Day in 2005, establishes procedures for verifying agricultural, environmental, and social practices used in the growing, harvesting and handling of cut flowers and ornamental plants.

"We're thrilled to have VeriFlora certified flowers make the first of what we hope will be many Rose Parade appearances to come," said Stan Rhodes, president and CEO of Scientific Certification Systems, the developer of the VeriFlora certification standard. "A company as dedicated to sustainability as Organic Bouquet is a great messenger for this pioneering flower certification program."

Gerald Prolman, who established http://www.organicbouquet.com/ in 2001, has led the eco-flower market by developing supplies in more than five countries and promoting the need for eco-flowers on a global scale.

"The beauty of even the most stunning flower is enhanced when it is grown in a socially and environmentally responsible manner," said Gerald Prolman, founder and CEO of http://www.organicbouquet.com/. "It was a thrill to present the Queen with our roses and to see them majestically represented on her float."

"In all the years that I've been involved with the Rose Parade (more than forty years), I have never seen a rose of this stature ... To have a rose with a six-foot length on a single stem is phenomenal!" said Jim Hynd, vice president and floral director of Fiesta Parade Floats, builder of a number of the 2007 Rose Parade floats.

Fiesta Parade Floats contracted with master florist Cherrie Silverman of Cherry Blossoms Florist in Colorado to arrange the regal flowers on the float. "In 25 years of being a florist, I've never seen anything like this. What's unique about these roses is the stem length, head size, and petal count," said Silverman. "It's very important for ourselves and our children that we take care of the environment. Sustainably grown flowers are something that I've always looked for in the industry, so I'm very happy to finally see them come into the market."

For more information, please visit: http://www.organicbouquet.com/WorldsTallestRoses or contact Michael Straus; Michael@StrausCom.com; (415) 777-1170 x 302.