Local floral designer makes it into national magazine

By ANITA STACKHOUSE-HITE

April 9, 2009 – 2:37PM

Diana Merzoian’s natural smile is brighter these days, after “Flowers &” recognized her and her Hummingbird Hollow event venue in the April issue.

“This is so exciting,” Merzoian said. “We knew they were going to do the write up, but seeing it is wonderful. The magazine is owned by Telefora, and they only feature from six to 10 shops annually. It’s quite an honor.”

Like many honors, this one comes after years of professional training and hard work.

Merzoian has been doing floral arrangements since 1972, while still a student at Strathmore High School. It was a love that grew.

Today, she is an internationally credentialed member of the American Institute of Floral Designers, with a degree in ornamental  horticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Established in 1965, AIFD is the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career.

The savvy businesswoman runs Hummingbird Hollow with help from her husband Mark, and a few friends who are themselves professionals.

Diana Merzoian’s mother Donna Dellicker said the road to her daughter’s accomplishments started long ago.

“I’m very proud of her,” Dellicker said. “She has always been a very interesting person. Since the time she was baby she could have four projects going at once. Her grandfather [Don Towlar} was a florist and he was her hero. He’d be so proud of her.”

There is much to chose from when it comes to Diana Merzoian’s talent. She is an accomplished fine artist, and has had some of her pin and ink pieces published. She is still employed with a Pasadena design firm, and works annually on the Rose Parade floats. She has finished, she said at least 106 floats over the last 14 years.

Her love, however, is Hummingbird Hollow, a 3.1-acre site that flourishes with flowers, including roses, and a host of different foliage.

Walking through the area is as much an aromatic experience as it is a visual feast.

The  Merzoians turned into a work of art the property they bought in 1993 from foreclosure.  The couple lived in the then dilapidated farm property for about a year – without heat and hot water – while they began the road to refurbished. 

Ultimately, the property became a show piece and a place patrons can rent of weddings and other events.

The property name came after a search for something unique, yet fitting, Diana Merzoian said.

“We named it Hummingbird Hollow because the gardens have a lot of birds, a lot of hummingbirds especially,” she said. “Certain flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and we feed them in the winter to make sure they come back.”

“They’re very territorial, amazingly fast little birds, get real upset when you cut their flowers. They like lantana, and bottle brush is a big one for hummingbirds, and Mexican sage.”

The place seats up to 300, and they do everything there but cook the food or provide the alcohol.

A new recreation room has been added , the kitchen refurbished and about 5,000 feet of new lawn has been put in place – all in time for Saturday’s open house.

“We want people to come out and see the gardens, to see the remodel and the lawn area,” Mersoian said. “We’ve had a lot of people tell us we needed more lawn area, and now it’s here. And, for those who haven’t seen the place, come on out and get to know us and we’ll get to know them. It’ll  be fun.”

--Contact Anita Stackhouse-Hite at 784-5000, Ext. 1043, or astackhouse-hite@portervillerecorder.com