From The Indianapolis News, Friday, December 18, 1914: Indianapolis floral importers always turn to Europe for Christmas novelties in plants and blooms, and this year’s selections are charged with the flavor of European war. Great quantities of the flowers came from nurseries and gardens which have been or are now under fire of artillery and infantry – Christmas azaleas from Belgium; red immortelles from France; lilies of the valley from Berlin; red berried holly from England; dyed red fern from Austria; bay trees from Brussels; alpine violets, pink begonias, and cyclamen from the gardens of the European war zones – will give holiday cheer to Indianapolis homes. “Every plant that has come to the United States from Europe for the Christmas season bears its story of war,” said florist Irwin Bertermann.