Memorial Day became a legal federal holiday with the passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971. The holiday that we know as Memorial Day began as Decoration Day in May of 1868 when General John A Logan (who led a Northern organization for Civil War veterans), came up with the idea for a National Day of Remembrance to encourage people to decorate the graves of Civil War veterans. Today, Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday of May. The historical roots of the observance are a distant memory as most people celebrate the holiday as the unofficial start of summer. Whether you’re having a backyard barbecue or a more informal picnic at the beach, the Walter Knoll Florist team wants to encourage you to infuse your celebration with colorful flowers.

It may not be summer yet, but you can always make your Memorial Day celebration feel more like summer when you fill your home or outdoor living and entertaining spaces with bold and brightly colored flowers. Ruby Sunflowers will make any observance feel festive. A blue vase, red roses and hypericum berries and feathery greenery add a touch of whimsy to an arrangement that screams summer.