Cold Kills Some Flowers Bound for Rose Parade

The pre-Christmas cold snap killed some flowers destined for the Tournament of Roses parade, but float builders said Wednesday that most parade-goers will not notice any difference in the bloom department.

“It has us scurrying around, keeping us busy, but it’s nothing serious,” said Rick Chapman, owner of Festival Artists in Azusa, which is building 11 floats for the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena.

Between 5% and 10% of the flowers that were expected to be attached beginning Wednesday were destroyed by subfreezing weather since late last week, according to three of the largest float builders.

Marigolds were the biggest loss, said Felicia Berry, floral consultant for Festival Artists, which plans to substitute carnations or yellow and gold chrysanthemums. About 1,450 bunches of marigolds and some heather were killed, she said.