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floral scents, floral perfumes, Chanel No. 5

The Secret Language of Floral Perfumes

May 12, 2023

My dear reader, today we shall explore the secret language of floral perfumes. Much like flowers themselves, floral scents have held symbolic meanings and cultural significance throughout history. Perfumes are not only used to enhance one’s personal fragrance but also to convey hidden messages. Let us dive into the fascinating world of floral perfumes.

Throughout history, various floral scents have been associated with different meanings and emotions. For instance, lavender has been used for centuries to calm the mind and body, and its scent is often associated with tranquility and relaxation. Similarly, rose has been associated with love and passion, and jasmine with sensuality and romance.

In ancient times, floral perfumes were used as offerings to the gods in various cultures, including the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. These scents were believed to have spiritual and mystical properties and were used to honor the deities during religious ceremonies.

During the Middle Ages, floral perfumes were used to mask unpleasant odors and to protect against diseases. People would often carry small sachets of perfumed herbs to ward off illness and disease. These scents were also used to mask the smells of the streets and were particularly popular among the aristocracy.

In the Victorian era, the language of flowers was popularized, and floral scents were used to convey secret messages. A woman could convey her feelings to her suitor by wearing a particular scent or gifting him a perfume with a hidden message. For instance, violet was associated with modesty and lilac with youthful innocence. A gift of violet or lilac perfume would convey the message of the giver’s pure intentions.

Today, floral perfumes continue to hold significance and are used to evoke emotions and memories. Perfumers create complex scents using a combination of different flowers and other ingredients to create unique and meaningful fragrances.

For example, Chanel No. 5 is a classic floral perfume that has been popular for nearly a century. The scent is composed of jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang, among other ingredients, and is known for its elegant and timeless fragrance.

In conclusion, floral perfumes have held symbolic meanings and cultural significance throughout history. They have been used in various cultures and traditions, and have evolved over time to become a way of conveying hidden messages and evoking emotions. The next time you wear a floral perfume, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and significance behind its scent.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Morgann Categories: Flowers Generally, Fun Flower Facts, True Stories, Violet

cultural practices with flowers, international flower significance culutre

The Significance of Flowers in Different Cultures

May 12, 2023

Flowers have played a significant role in cultures around the world for centuries. From religious ceremonies to weddings and funerals, flowers have been used to convey meaning and symbolize various cultural beliefs and traditions. In this article, we will explore the significance of flowers in different cultures and their meanings.

In ancient Greece, the flower that was most closely associated with the gods was the lily. According to Greek mythology, the lily was created from the breast milk of the goddess Hera. The Greeks believed that the lily symbolized purity, innocence, and rebirth. Today, the lily is still a popular flower for weddings and funerals, where it is used to symbolize new beginnings and the cycle of life and death. Mind you, there are about 100 species of lilies with over 2,000 varieties, and there are different meanings for many of them.

In China, the peony is considered to be the national flower and is a symbol of wealth, honor, and happiness. The peony has been cultivated in China for over 1,500 years and is often used in art and literature to symbolize femininity and grace. In Chinese culture, the peony is also associated with the goddess Guan Yin, who is revered for her compassion and mercy.

In Hinduism, the lotus flower is one of the most important symbols. The lotus is said to represent enlightenment and the journey to spiritual awakening. The lotus is often depicted in Hindu art and is associated with the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. In addition to its religious significance, the lotus is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

In Japan, the cherry blossom is a symbol of beauty and the impermanence of life. The cherry blossom is a popular subject in Japanese art and literature and is often used to represent the transience of life and the beauty that can be found in fleeting moments. The cherry blossom also plays a significant role in the annual Hanami festival, which celebrates the arrival of spring and the blooming of the cherry blossoms.

In Native American cultures, the sunflower is a symbol of good luck and harvest. The sunflower is often used in traditional ceremonies and is believed to bring blessings and good fortune to those who cultivate it. In addition to its cultural significance, the sunflower is also a source of food and oil for many Native American tribes.

And this is just a fraction of the incredible cultures in our world today, all of which have their own concept and meaning of flowers. Flowers have held symbolic meanings and cultural significance in many different cultures throughout history. From ancient Greece to modern-day Japan, flowers have played an important role in conveying meaning and representing cultural beliefs and traditions. Whether used in religious ceremonies, as a symbol of good fortune, or as a native plant to the indigenous lands, flowers continue to hold an important place in nearly every culture around the world.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Morgann Categories: Cherry Blossom, Flowers Generally, Fun Flower Facts, Lilies, Sunflowers

The Right Flowers to Welcome a Child

May 12, 2023

Hello my dear reader, welcome to The Right Flowers where you’ll find a myriad of articles on the topic of, as you may have guessed, flowers. This article outlines the recipe for a bouquet to welcome a child. This applies both to welcome the gift of a newborn baby as well as any sort of welcoming during their younger years.

In the Victorian era, the language of flowers was an essential means of communicating emotions and sentiments. From declarations of love to expressions of condolences, every flower carried a specific message. In this post, I shall elaborate on how a bouquet of flowers could be used to convey a message and provide an example of a bouquet that conveys a specific message.

The message we shall convey through the bouquet is,

“May maternal love protect your early youth in innocence and joy!”

Each flower in the bouquet will represent a specific element of the message. Let us begin with the flower that represents maternal love, the moss. The soft and delicate moss symbolized the tender and nurturing love of a mother, making it the perfect choice for conveying maternal love. Most types of moss create a layer covering whatever they’re hosted by. Common Hair-cap Moss is one of the most common species of moss across the Western hemisphere. The soft ground cover is like a shell to protect the soft muddy domain of insects. This acts as a metaphor for the fierce shroud of love and defense cast upon the child of a protective mother.

Next, the bearded crepis was a popular choice for conveying protection. Its sturdy and protective stem represented strength and shield, making it a fitting symbol of protection.

To represent early youth, we turn to the primrose. The delicate and charming primrose was often associated with the innocence and beauty of childhood, making it an excellent choice for representing early youth. The phrase associated with primroses in the Victorian language of flowers is “Gladness in Youth.”

For innocence, we’ll pick the daisy. The simple yet charming daisy represents purity and innocence, making it a popular choice for conveying this sentiment.

Finally, for joy, we select the wood sorrel. The bright and cheerful wood sorrel represents happiness and joy, making it an ideal choice for representing the joy of youth.

Together, these flowers combine to create a beautiful bouquet that conveys the message, “May maternal love protect your early youth in innocence and joy!”

What a wonderful practice to place such intention into your craft by carefully selecting the flowers and arranging them in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Your intention will surely be carried on through the life of the bouquet. The recipient will be able to feel your intention without having to say a single word.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Morgann Categories: Daisies, Mother's Day, New Baby, Primrose

language of flowers roses passionately in love

The Many Meanings of Roses

May 2, 2023

Greetings, my dear reader. In the Victorian era, the language of flowers was used to communicate sentiments and messages that could not be expressed through words alone. Each flower had a specific meaning, and the rose was no exception. In this post, I shall explain the many meanings of roses in the Victorian era language of flowers.

The red rose is perhaps the most famous and widely recognized rose, representing passionate love and desire. In the language of flowers, a bouquet of red roses was a clear and unequivocal declaration of love, and it remains so to this day. A single red rose, on the other hand, was often used to convey the message “I love you,” a simple yet powerful expression of one’s feelings.

Pink roses, in contrast, had a softer and more delicate meaning. Pale pink roses represented grace and innocence, while deeper shades of pink represented gratitude and appreciation. A bouquet of pink roses was often given as a token of admiration, appreciation, or congratulations, making it a popular choice for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.

Yellow roses, meanwhile, represented friendship and joy, making them an excellent choice for expressing happiness and congratulations. A bouquet of yellow roses was often given to celebrate a new friendship or to express congratulations on a job well done. However, it’s worth noting that yellow roses can also symbolize jealousy or infidelity in some contexts, so it’s important to be mindful of the context and the recipient when choosing this flower.

White roses, perhaps surprisingly, did not represent purity or innocence in the Victorian era language of flowers. Instead, they symbolized unity and true love, making them a popular choice for weddings and other romantic occasions. A bouquet of white roses was a clear expression of one’s desire to spend a lifetime with the person they loved, and it remains a classic and timeless choice for weddings to this day.

Finally, the black rose was often used to convey a more somber and mournful message. In the language of flowers, a black rose represented the end of a relationship or the death of a loved one. While it may seem like a strange choice for a bouquet, the black rose was sometimes included as a token of sympathy or as a way to express condolences.

In conclusion, the rose was a highly symbolic and meaningful flower in the Victorian era language of flowers, with each color representing a specific sentiment or message. From the passionate love of the red rose to the joyful friendship of the yellow rose, the rose remains a timeless and enduring symbol of love, friendship, and appreciation to this day.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Morgann Categories: Roses

Spruce Up Your Holiday Home with Poinsettias

December 12, 2019

The cheerful poinsettia is a classic Christmas decoration that is beloved around the world. The poinsettia has been associated with Christmas since the 1600s. The plants are indigenous to dry forests in Central America, where legends have long told of a young girl bringing the crimson blooms to a church as a gift for the baby Jesus.

Poinsettias were introduced to the United States in the mid-1820s by botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett, the US Minister to Mexico for whom the plant is named. Intrigued by their bold colors and winter bloom time, Poinsett began shipping cuttings to his greenhouse in the US so he could further study them.

In nature, the poinsettia can grow to a height of more than ten feet, with thin, spindly stems. The plants were first commercially propagated in the early 1900s by the Ecke family, who developed a grafting method to produce bushy plants with multiple branches and blooms.

There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias. Natural colors include red, burgundy, coral, orange, pink, and ivory. Other colors may be available but have likely been dyed by the grower. Many types of poinsettias feature solid colored bracts, or leaves, but there are also marbled varieties and those with contrasting color on the edges.

If none of the 100 types of poinsettias suit your tastes, there are several ways to decorate the plants. Spray paints designed specifically for delicate petals are available in a range of shades to coordinate with any decor. There are glitter and pearlized sprays created for use on live plants. Craft stores and garden centers may also carry flocking spray to give your tropical plants a snow-covered look.

Poinsettias are often used as stand-alone decor, but the brightly colored leaves also look charming tucked into a larger display. Check your local nursery or garden center for small plants that make a big statement. These may have only one or two blooms but they are the perfect size to be the focal point in an arrangement of holly or evergreen branches. Use these to create a centerpiece on the dining room table, the sideboard, or in the foyer.

When the holidays are winding down, your poinsettia may begin to wind down as well. If you have a green thumb, you don’t need to throw out the holiday plant. By forcing the plant to go dormant with cool, dry, dark conditions, you can extend its life until next year. Once the poinsettia has been dormant for several months, you can reintroduce water and sunlight. With proper care, it may bloom again. You can even keep the poinsettia outdoors in areas without frost.

Poinsettias add a cheerful note to any holiday home. Be a bit cautious, however, if you have curious dogs or cats. Ingesting poinsettias can cause them mild gastrointestinal distress.

This holiday icon would be a thoughtful hostess gift, or a housewarming gift for a family spending their first Christmas in a new home. A poinsettia with unusual coloring would be appreciated by a friend who loves to garden. Whoever the recipient is, the poinsettia is sure to conjure up happy holiday memories.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Poinsettia, Holidays, Seasonal

Flowers to Honor Those Who Have Served Their Country

November 11, 2019

Flowers can be used to send many messages to our friends and loved ones. An important sentiment that we shouldn’t overlook is appreciation for members of the armed services.

In the United States, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. This holiday reminds us of those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country.

We also observe Veterans’ Day on November 11. This corresponds with Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in other parts of the world, marking the end of the first World War. Veterans’ Day gives us an opportunity to thank all of those who have served their nation.

We often see people wearing red poppies in their lapel on patriotic holidays. This is because red poppies have been symbolic of remembrance since World War One.

While much destruction was caused by the war in Europe, red poppies began to grow spontaneously in the rubble. It is thought that the poppies thrived on the lime from the wreckage of damaged buildings. It should be noted that the red color of the poppy should not be used to represent blood.

In the US we often see a combination of red, white, and blue flowers to celebrate patriotic holidays. Reflecting the colors of the American flag, these flowers are appropriate to express our appreciation to veterans and to those who are currently serving.

Red flowers are often used to convey courage and admiration. They also signify respect for the recipient. Red flowers can show passion, but it doesn’t only have to be romantic. Red can express a passion for service and justice as well.

White flowers are symbolic of purity and innocence. They also represent honesty and humility. This reflects the principles and ideals that our servicemembers are defending.

The color blue or indigo represents loyalty, a common trait found in our service men and women. Blue flowers are also appropriate to give to first responders.

While many people think that blue flowers are rare, there are several options that are available at a well-stocked florist. Examples of indigo and blue blossoms include hydrangeas, irises, and delphinium. Cornflowers and some types of violets also have a blue hue.

Flowers are a small but meaningful gesture to express our appreciation to those who serve. Whether it’s a holiday or not, please take the opportunity to thank a veteran for their service. They have risked their own safety so that we may enjoy a better way of life.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Memorial Day, Poppies, Saying Thank You

Celebrate the Harvest Season with a Floral Cornucopia

October 17, 2019

The cornucopia is a traditional symbol of a bountiful harvest. This beloved hallmark of the harvest season has long been associated with a plentiful yield. Filled with flowers and produce, the cornucopia proudly displays the best of the year’s crops.

The name cornucopia comes from the Latin word that translates as “horn of plenty”. The tradition dates back thousands of years to the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The tale originated with the god Zeus and his nanny, a beloved goat whose charmed horn was said to bring riches to those possessed it.

In the modern world, the cornucopia has come to represent an abundant harvest. In the United States, the cornucopia is commonly used as decor to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. It is often filled to overflowing with fruits, vegetables, and seasonal flowers.

Making a cornucopia centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table is a fun and simple project. The horn-shaped baskets, usually made of wicker, are sold at craft stores everywhere. Depending on the size of your table, you can choose from an array of sizes suitable for every home.

Because the cornucopia is a symbol of the harvest season, it is appropriate to display it throughout the autumn months. Not just for Thanksgiving, the cornucopia makes a beautiful decoration from September through the start of the holiday season.

When choosing flowers for your cornucopia, traditional fall colors are the most popular. Look for chrysanthemums in shades of yellow, orange, and rust. Roses in yellow, deep red, and peach hues are also festive this time of year. Cheery sunflowers make a bold display and are found in yellow, orange, and burgundy colors. After you have placed your flowers, fill in small spaces with bright bunches of berries.

If you wish to use your cornucopia for longer than just the Thanksgiving holiday, you will need to periodically add water to your flowers. Place them in small vessels that are easily hidden by the basket. Floral foam designed to hold water is a great way to arrange the stems and cut down on the frequency of waterings. Floral foam is readily available at craft stores and may also be sold by your local florist.

Another option for a long-lasting cornucopia is to use dried flowers in the display. This eliminates the need for watering and ensures that the flowers will last throughout the season. Dried leaves from local trees also exhibit brilliant colors in the fall. They would make a striking addition to your basket.

Because the horn of plenty is associated with a rich harvest, be sure to include fruits and vegetables in your display. Bright red and green apples are a colorful choice and will remain firm for several weeks. Other long-lived options include whole pomegranates, small pumpkins or gourds, and dried decorative corn cobs.

For a short-term display, tender fruits and vegetables will work well. Heirloom tomatoes, with their unique colors and shapes, would be beautiful here. If you are only using your cornucopia for a day or two, try bunches of grapes draped artfully in the curves of the basket.

Whether you display your harvest decor for a few days or a few months, you can easily create your own show-stopping centerpiece. Choose flowers and fruits that coordinate with your Thanksgiving plates and napkins, or customize a cornucopia to celebrate all season long. Either way, your one-of-a-kind cornucopia will wow your family and friends!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Flower Crafts, Chrysanthemum, Roses, Seasonal, Sunflowers

Spooky Blooms for Halloween

October 16, 2019

Many of us love to decorate for Halloween. In the United States, Halloween is second only to Christmas for money spent on holiday decor. If you want to incorporate flowers into your creepy adornments, there are lots of festive choices.

Spider mums are named for their long, curled outer petals that resemble legs. Spider mums are available in many colors, including autumnal shades of red, yellow, and bronze. These unusual chrysanthemums would make a perfect backdrop for a little artificial spider.

Chartreuse button mums are known for their bright, apple green blossoms. They bring to mind the color of slime, or maybe the skin tone of Frankenstein’s monster. Button mums have petite flowers (about one inch across) that grow in clusters that are ideal for floral arrangements.

Traditionally a symbol of death, black roses are a classic Halloween staple. Some roses are dyed black by the florist. Others are a very deep, rich shade of burgundy. Rumor has it that a true black rose grows in Turkey or Tibet. Regardless of the origin of the black rose, the haunting meaning has been the same for hundreds of years. Black roses are especially spooky when they are dried and used in floral arrangements.

Blood red lilies are another great choice for eerie decor. If you can find red tiger lilies, the spots on the petals will resemble drops of blood. The large, gracefully curved flowers will be a stunning focal point for a Halloween bouquet. Try draping artificial cobwebs over these crimson beauties for a stunning showcase.

Many of us think of yellow blooms when we think of sunflowers. Actually, sunflowers also grow in brilliant shades of red, orange and rust. These classic autumn hues are a bold addition to your Halloween arrangement. The individual, wavy petals on sunflowers often resemble little flames. Sunflowers are another flower that have a haunting look when they are dried.

For a truly unusual focal point in your decor, consider bromeliads with their tall stalks of spiky leaves. Many bromeliads feature bright red leaves that will blend seamlessly with your most fantastic Halloween decorations. These unique, low-maintenance houseplants will live well beyond the fall season and add a brilliant touch of color to your home.

Don’t forget to accent your Halloween flowers with extra touches like autumn berries. Pyracantha and St. John’s wort berries are two bright, colorful options. Mini pumpkins or gourds (fresh or faux) also make fun additions to your spooky blooms. Whatever flowers you choose, have fun and Happy Haunting!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Seasonal, Chrysanthemum, Lilies, Roses

Welcome Autumn with Chrysanthemums

August 22, 2019

As warm weather gives way to cooler days, we begin to see chrysanthemums everywhere. These hardy plants, also called mums, are a beacon of autumn in North America. Blooming in late summer through mid-fall, mums add a pop of color when other garden plants are dying back for the year.

Chrysanthemums are readily found in nurseries and garden centers. You may even find them at your local grocery store, along with pumpkins and corn stalks. Mums make an excellent autumnal decoration, as they bloom in warm shades of reds, yellows, and purples that reflect the hues of the changing leaves on trees.

In the United States we associate mums with the start of fall, Halloween, and everything pumpkin spice flavored. However, in many nations, chrysanthemums have a more somber meaning. In some European and Asian countries, certain mums are used almost exclusively for funerals and grave markers. These mums are usually white in color to symbolize grieving.

There are thirteen main types of chrysanthemums, determined mostly by the shape of the flowers. There are countless variations in size and color as well, with thousands of individual varieties being officially recognized by the National Chrysanthemum Society.

Some of the most common types of chrysanthemums are cushion, with a mounded flower shape, and spider mums, with dangling petals reminiscent of legs. The quill mum has petals that are tube-shaped, and button mums have petite flowers growing on the stems in a natural bouquet shape.

One of the most popular uses of chrysanthemums worldwide is to dry the flowers and make them into tea. This practice is said to have begun in China around one thousand years ago, and remains widespread to this day. Chrysanthemum tea is served both hot and iced year-round, and is frequently sweetened with honey.

All chrysanthemum flowers are edible but they exhibit nearly as many flavors as there are types of blossoms! Some mums have a peppery flavor, some are tart, and some are thought to taste like honey. If you’re making your own tea, be sure your mums are clean and chemical-free before drying them.

If you know someone who loves everything associated with autumn, chrysanthemums will make a wonderful gift. As part of a holiday display or planted in a flower bed, mums deliver a brilliant splash of color late in the growing season. When other plants are winding down, mums are in full bloom to brighten a friend’s day with jewel-like colors.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Chrysanthemum, Fun Flower Facts, Seasonal

Fragrant Lilacs Symbolize Remembrance

July 17, 2019

The flowering lilac is a bush that seems to be everywhere in the spring in North America. The lilac’s early bloom time makes it a welcome sight after a long winter. Its clusters of small blooms and sweet fragrance make it easily recognizable as a symbol of the season of renewal.

Lilacs have elongated stems bearing dozens of tiny flowers on each branch. They are frequently a pale purple color. In fact, the word lilac can apply to anything that has a lavender hue.

Lilacs are also found in shades of pink, white, indigo, and yellow. The yellow variety of the lilac is less common and is more sensitive to cold winters. Lilacs petals may be a solid color or display a contrasting color in their center or along their edges.

Lilacs are prized not only for their cheerful flowers, but also for their unique scent. This fragrance has been described as sweet and powdery, and has been popular in perfumes for hundreds of years. The lilac essence is also commonly found in skin care products and in aromatherapy oils, to promote tranquility.

Since the Victorian era, lilacs have been used to represent a past love. They were often worn by widows as a way to remember their departed husbands. In addition, the lilac was sometimes given by an old flame trying to rekindle a romance.

Because many lilacs exhibit pastel colors they can be used to celebrate new babies. Traditionally, pink blooms were for girls and violet-blue flowers were for boys. However, multi-color and neutral colored flowers are growing in popularity. As with many flowers, white symbolizes purity. What is more pure than a newborn baby?

Lilacs are members of the olive tree family. Although they are classified as a bush, many varieties can grow as large as trees. Preferring full sun and needing little maintenance, some lilacs can reach heights of fifteen to twenty five feet.

If you love to watch butterflies, consider planting lilacs in your garden. Not only does their sweet fragrance attract a variety of pollinators, the bush itself is often used as a home for butterfly larvae. To learn all about how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, see this article from our sister site, AllAboutWorms.com.

Lilacs make an excellent present for a spring birthday or celebration. White and pastel varieties are also beautiful in bridal bouquets and decor. Whatever the occasion, the cheerful blossoms and delicate fragrance of the lilac will always be a welcome gift.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Lilacs, Fun Flower Facts

Delphinium and Larkspur Send a Message of Heroism

June 28, 2019

The statuesque delphinium is easily recognizable for its tall spike of five-petaled flowers. One of the birth flowers for July, these flowers are named for the Latin word for dolphin and their history goes back several thousand years.

Ancient folklore tells us that the first delphinium flowers sprouted from the blood of the Greek warrior Ajax. It was also used on ancient battlefields to prevent lice and to help in healing wounds. The blue flowers came to represent truth and protection. These traditions led to the association of delphinium with heroism, making them an excellent gift for first responders and those in military service.

While delphinium have been used to treat surface wounds, they contain toxins that are harmful to humans and most domestic animals. They should not be ingested and may cause a rash if handled without gloves.

These toxins have been advantageous in repelling unwanted pests such as scorpions and snakes. The delphinine toxins discourage rabbits and deer from nibbling on the plants. For centuries the flowers were also thought to repel witches and ghosts.

The most common colors of delphinium are blues and shades of indigo or purple. There are several hundred varieties that also include white and pink hues. The dried flowers have long been used to create a purplish-blue dye for fabrics as well as a blue ink.

Delphinium are commonly thought to be the same as larkspur but, in fact, there are several marked differences. While closely related, larkspur are annuals, dying at the end of the growing season, whereas delphinium are perennials. They will return year after year when planted in a well-drained, sunny spot in the garden.

Delphinium stems are tightly packed with numerous flowers, while larkspur flowers have a much less dense growth habit. Larkspur flowers each have one petal that forms a spike, resembling a spur, but delphinium flowers lack this.

Both larkspur and delphinium were popular as cut flowers in the Victorian era, where they symbolized love and levity. They remain popular in the garden today thanks in part to their ability to attract bees and butterflies.

While these elegant flowers have had happy, positive connotations for hundreds of years, the larkspur is referenced in morose poetry by both Alfred Lord Tennyson (Maud) and T. S. Eliot (Ash Wednesday). Perhaps these poets found the blue flowers to be somber rather than cheerful.

Lasting up to two weeks once cut, a gift of delphinium or larkspur won’t soon be forgotten. Whether you use them to represent heroism or levity, these bold flowers make a powerful statement.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Larkspur / Delphinium, Fun Flower Facts, Occasions

The Many Meanings of Dahlias

June 27, 2019

As a cut flower or in the garden, the bold dahlia always makes a statement. The dahlia family boasts thousands of hybrids, making it possible to find the perfect flower for someone special.

Dahlias are quite diverse in their range of sizes, shapes and colors. They are available in numerous varieties, in nearly every color except blue. Despite pop culture references, there is also no black dahlia. Rather, there is a dark burgundy wine color that is referred to as black.

The myth of the black dahlia gained popularity when aspiring actress Elizabeth Short was killed in Los Angeles in 1947. The press dubbed her “The Black Dahlia”, supposedly for her love of black clothing. Since then, the phrase “black dahlia” has had sinister connotations.

Full of variety, dahlia petals may be solid colors, striped, or tipped with contrasting hues. In some instances the individual petals may curve in on themselves, forming tiny tube shapes. The flowers grow between two to twelve inches in diameter, and stalks can grow anywhere from one to six feet tall.

A dahlia may have a single layer of petals or rows of hundreds of petals in each bloom. One method of classifying dahlias is based upon the overall shape of the flower. Some categories include ball, pompom, cactus and waterlily.

Native to mountainous areas of Central America, the dahlia is the official flower of Mexico. It is a perennial plant in warm climates, and is grown as an annual in more temperate regions. In cooler growing zones, the tubers, or roots, can be dug up as winter approaches and re-planted in the spring.

In the language of flowers, dahlias have a variety of symbolic meanings. Since the Victorian era, they have been said to represent dignity and grace. Dark red or burgundy dahlias imply deceit and betrayal.

Pink and purple dahlias convey a message of kindness. Because they also signify inner strength and elegance, dahlias can be a welcome gift for a friend.

The dahlia has long been utilized to represent unity, making it popular in wedding decor and bridal bouquets. Dahlias are also a thoughtful gift for a newly engaged couple.

One of the few flowers that blooms all throughout the summer, dahlias are an alternate birth flower for the month of August. They are sometimes called Queen of the Autumn Garden, as their brilliant blossoms can continue well into the early fall season.

This diverse family of flowers allows the gift-giver to send the right message for any occasion. Whether for a new friend or a married couple, there is a beautiful dahlia suitable for every event.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Dahlia, Fun Flower Facts, Occasions

Graceful Orchids are Perfect for Gift-Giving

June 22, 2019

Orchids have been highly prized since the time of the ancient Romans. Though they are now seen as fragile and graceful, orchids were once considered a symbol of rugged male virility. This led to ancient people associating the orchid with fertility and even believing that the size of an orchid’s tubers could predict a baby’s gender.

In China orchids are said to represent prosperity and good luck. Giving an orchid sends a message of well wishes. In other regions, orchids stand for beauty and passion, and are often given as romantic gestures.

As with many other plants, the color of the flower sends a symbolic message to the recipient. White orchids symbolize purity, whereas purple indicates regality. Pink orchids convey grace and yellow represents friendship.

Aside from the beauty of the flowers, orchids have several practical uses as well. There are medicinal and culinary applications that have long-standing traditions across the world.

Orchids were used for medicinal purposes dating back to ancient China. It is still common in Asia to make dendrobium orchids into a tea that is said to strengthen the immune system due to its high vitamin C content. Orchids are rich in fiber and may aid in digestion. It is also believed that orchid tea may help improve eyesight.

Beans or pods from vanilla orchids have been used to flavor foods, especially chocolate, since the time of the Aztecs. The Aztecs believed that orchids were a source of strength. Of the thousands of varieties of orchids, only about one hundred species produce vanilla. These vining plants are losing habitat, causing the price of natural vanilla extract to increase significantly.

Orchids comprise the largest flower family in the world with some 25,000 recognized species. Because many of these are native to the tropics, orchids are most often thought of as warm-climate plants. In fact, different varieties are adapted to grow in nearly every environment except atop solid ice.

Orchids can be classified according to whether they produce a single stem (monopodial) or multiple stems (sympodial) from each rhizome or root. They are also classified according to their natural growth habit, such as growing as a vine, in a tree, or on top of stone. Knowing the type of orchid you have will help you determine how to best care for the plant.

There are as many occasions for giving an orchid as there are colors of this beautiful flower. Whether for a friend or a loved one, a gift of an elegant orchid will be treasured for years to come.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Orchids, Fun Flower Facts, Occasions

The Stately Gladiolus Represents Integrity and Passion

June 21, 2019

The gladiolus flower is best known for its tall spikes of ruffled blooms. These stems can reach two to four feet in length with blossoms blooming in succession from the bottom up. Gladioli are a member of the Iris family and originated in Africa and the Mediterranean several thousand years ago.

The name gladiolus is derived from the Latin word for sword. This refers to the long pointed leaves the plant exhibits. Dating back to the Roman era, the association with the sword led to the gladioli representing moral integrity. The sword analogy was carried on further as gladioli have been said to pierce the heart of their recipient with the sender’s passions.

Hybridization of gladioli began in the early 1800s. There are now several thousand varieties with colors ranging from delicate pastels to brilliant jewel tones. Bi-color flowers have also become popular in gardens and bouquets. These colorful blooms send a message of admiration and affection to the recipient.

White gladiolus flowers are often used in sympathy and funeral arrangements. They symbolize remembrance and purity of spirit. A bouquet of white gladioli makes a stunning statement of honor and respect.

When planted in gardens, gladioli are frequently positioned near walls or fences. This allows the tall heavy blooms to be supported as they grow. Because gladiolus stalks bloom gradually, from the bottom up, they are long-lasting once cut. With proper care, they can remain fresh for nearly two weeks, making them well-suited for gift giving.

Gladiolus flowers are the traditional birth flower for the month of August. They are appropriate for all types of celebrations, especially August birthdays. They are also given in honor of the fortieth wedding anniversary.

Various uses of gladiolus roots, or corms, have been recorded throughout the centuries. Some believe they assist with digestive regularity, or with helping to remove thorns. Caution is urged, as many varieties of gladioli are toxic. In fact, only the Gladiolus dalenii is known to be eaten in great quantities, in today’s Congo.

Gottfried Benn, a German medic during WWI, was so inspired by gladioli that he wrote a poem about them. He refers to the stately blooms as “highly emblematic of creation” and “sure of kingly dreams”.

The statuesque gladiolus flower has been inspiring powerful emotions for millenia. Send a loved one a gift of gladioli and tell them how they inspire the emotion in you.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Gladiolas, Fun Flower Facts, Occasions

Rose Water is an Essential Gift for Rose Lovers

June 13, 2019

Roses have been cultivated for medicinal, culinary and cosmetic uses for over two thousand years. Steam-distilling methods have been used to extract the essential rose oil throughout most of this time. The by-product of this technique is rose water, a versatile liquid that can be used in culinary, beauty, and even religious applications.

If someone special to you loves roses, give them a gift made with rose water. The sweet fragrance of roses permeates items made with rose water. Unlike cut flowers, rose water will not wilt in a few days.

Rose water has a myriad of uses, many of which date back two millenia. One of the earliest uses of roses was in perfume. Not only did people use rose essence to fragrance their hair and bodies, they also used it to perfume their homes and in sacred religious sites. Muslim and Hindu traditions call for the use of rose water in many ceremonies, such as weddings and even burials.

There is a long tradition of cooking with rose water in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. In the ancient world, rose gardens were considered to be equally as important as grain fields and orchards. For centuries the scented water has been added to both sweet and savory dishes to infuse it with a complex and distinct flavor. Rose water was a popular flavoring ingredient long before vanilla became widely available.

Examples of modern foods flavored with rose water include marzipan, baklava and rice pudding. It is also common to mix rose water with dairy drinks such as milk and yogurt lassi. In Muslim traditions, rose water is a frequent substitute for champagne as a celebratory beverage.

Long ago it was discovered that rose water has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Thus, it has been added to skin care products to help reduce redness and irritation. It is said that Cleopatra washed her face in rose water and bathed in a mixture of rose petals and milk to keep her skin supple.

Rose essences are also popular in aromatherapy, as many people find the classic tea rose scent to be quite soothing. A topical spritz of rose water provides both moisturizing and calming properties when applied to the face. This is especially soothing in dry winter air.

If you would like to make your own rose water at home, this process is simple and the finished product makes a wonderful gift. Bulgarian and Damascus roses yield the best results. Petals should be remove from the stems and rinsed thoroughly. Place the petals in a pot, cover them with distilled water, and simmer with the lid on until the color has faded from the petals. Keep the pot covered while allowing the liquid to cool so no further evaporation occurs.

Rose water carries the pure fragrance of roses without added chemicals or alcohol. Whether in homemade baked goods or a calming beauty product, there are countless ways you can make rose water a thoughtful gift for the rose lover in your life.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Roses, Beneficial Properties of Flowers, Fun Flower Facts

A Gift of Irises Sends a Regal Message

June 8, 2019

Irises are a popular cut flower, often found in mixed arrangements with roses or lilies. They are also quite striking on their own. Dating back several thousand years, the iris flower has long been associated with both royalty and heaven.

Irises are named for the Greek goddess Iris who was said to travel to and from the heavens on a rainbow. Since ancient times, Greek people have planted these purple flowers on the graves of loved ones to appeal to Iris to lead the departed to heaven. The ancient Egyptians similarly connected the iris flower with divinity and the journey to the afterlife.

More recently, iris has become the birth flower for the month of February. It is the traditional flower for the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Iris is also the inspiration for the French royal symbol, the fleur-de-lis.

If you wish to send a message of hope and trust to a loved one, irises are an excellent choice. If you want to give a gift that will last for years to come, consider irises to plant in the garden.

Irises are known to be low-maintenance and easy to grow. There are varieties that will thrive in a broad range of climates and almost any growing conditions.

There are as many as three hundred identified species of irises, varying in height, petal formation and methods of growth and propagation. Different types of irises bloom from early spring to late summer, providing brilliant colors throughout the growing season.

The Siberian iris is native to eastern Europe and central Asia. The narrow leaves have been compared to grasses and the colors are primarily in the blue to violet family. They frequently display a white stripe or veining in the petals.

Flag irises are semi-aquatic and thrive in very damp soil conditions. Some flag irises are mistaken for Siberian irises, and vice versa, due to similarities in the formation of the petals. Flag irises range from dwarf varieties to those reaching 3 feet tall.

Commonly found in shades of purples, yellows, and white, rock garden irises are petite in size. Most reach only 4 to 6 inches in height. They bloom in early April and coordinate nicely with daffodils and crocuses that bloom at the same time.

Bearded irises have a raised “fuzzy” patch near the base of the downward petals, or falls. Blooming later than many other varieties, bearded irises are among the most prevalent types of iris found in many gardens today.

Whether you opt for cut irises or perennial plants for the garden, the gift of an iris sends a regal message. Irises are a divinely inspired token of affection.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Iris, Any Time, Fun Flower Facts

Alstroemeria is the Right Flower for a Dear Friend

June 6, 2019

Popular in cut floral arrangements, alstroemeria are small lily-like flowers that are native to South America. They are one of the most common cut flowers in Europe with an increasing following in the United States. This family of plants is named for Klaus von Alstromer who introduced them to Europe in the late 1700s.

Alstroemeria have several common names including Peruvian lily, lily of the Incas, and parrot lily. There are nearly 200 cultivated varieties of this delicate looking flower. None are known to have any scent, making them appropriate for hospitals or other medical facilities.

Alstroemeria are categorized by their growing seasons. Varieties from Brazil grow in the summer while those native to Chile grow in the winter. By growing both types and even cross-breeding them, growers and florists are able to offer blooms all through the year.

Once used primarily as filler flowers in bouquets, alstroemeria have become quite popular in their own right. They are available in nearly every color of the rainbow and their petals feature diminutive stripes, streaks and spots that make each variety unique.

Alstroemeria are used to represent friendship and a platonic bond between two people. They also represent support for a friend, making them an ideal gift for a “Thinking of You” message or a kind gesture when a friend is under the weather. Yellow and white varieties especially express concern for someone who is ill.

While red and pink represent romantic feelings in most types of flowers, these colors in alstroemeria show friendly affection. They are considered to be an excellent birthday gift for a dear friend and can even last two weeks or more once cut.

If you have a friend who lives in a warm climate, they may appreciate a gift of alstroemeria in their garden. Many varieties are perennial, or hardy, in central America and the southern United States.

Their hardiness range can be somewhat extended by applying a layer of mulch to the plants before winter. Mulch also keeps the roots cool in the summer, allowing for a slightly longer bloom season. True to their tropical origins, alstroemeria thrive in well drained soil with full sun.

With their brilliant colors and playful stripes and spots, alstroemeria make a festive gift for nearly any occasion. A cherished friend or loved one will surely enjoy these long lasting blossoms as a cheerful token of your affection.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Alstroemeria, Fun Flower Facts, Occasions

Bring on the Dancing Girls: Impatiens Bequaertii

June 5, 2019

Among the world’s rarest and most enchanting flowers, Impatiens bequaertii is part of the impatiens family but has no acknowledged species name. Most notable for their petals resembling little dancing ladies in skirts, they are commonly referred to as dancing girls.

Native to the rainforests of East Africa, where the climate is very mild (ranging between 45-80F (6C-26C), these little beauties bloom mainly in white and occasionally light pink. Adding to their appeal are two little spots of yellow on the petals that look like tiny buttons. Even their heart-shaped leaves are attractive in a combination of olive green and dark red.

Petite in stature, Impatiens bequaertii grow approximately one foot across with blooms measuring no more than ½” long. Though Impatiens are most often treated as annuals, this species is perennial and makes an excellent indoor plant. They grow well in a small pot and will blossom year ‘round when properly tended. Because they will trail and climb, dancing girls are also perfect for hanging planters.

Impatiens bequaertii alone has 300 positively identified species and nearly 900 other possible species still under investigation as possible new members. All told, there are more than 1,000 other kinds of impatiens flowers, including jewelweed, touch-me-not, snapweed and patience. Generally speaking, they prefer filtered light and humus-rich, moist, well-draining soil with humidity over 40-50%. Overwatering encourages fungus, while underwatering leads to flower and leaf drop.

Because they grow so well in shady areas and are prolific bloomers, impatiens are among the most popular flowers for spring gardening. And, while you’d be hard-pressed to find a dancing girl plant, other varieties of impatiens are inexpensive and readily available. Plus, they go well beyond the dancing girl palette with vibrant colors like red, violet, purple, coral and yellow.

The name ‘Impatiens’ comes from Latin, meaning–hang on now—“impatient.” The reason is that their ripe seed pods sometimes burst open from even a light touch, as if they were impatient to scatter their seeds. This characteristic is especially apparent in the jewelweed variety. Impatiens are tropical flowers and, when planted outdoors, will turn to mush in frost.

As mentioned at the outset, Impatiens bequaertii is extremely rare and exporting of the plant remains illegal. They can be grown from seeds, though and are available for purchase at a number of online vendors. Here are a few direct links:

https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Egrow-50Pcs-Pack-Impatiens-Bequaertii-Seeds-Beautify-Dancing-Girl-Orchid Flower/723770224

https://www.banggood.com/Egrow-50PcsPack-Impatiens-Bequaertii-Seeds-Beautify-Dancing-Girl-Orchid-Flower-Seeds-p 1302148.html?akmClientCountry=America&cur_warehouse=CN

If you’re taken by this extraordinary flower and looking for a unique gift, there is a very impressive handmade flower stem available on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/668455002/dancing-girls-impatiens-impatiens

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Phyllis Categories: Flowers Generally, Fun Flower Facts, Occasions, Rainforest Flowers, Seasonal

Freesia is the Right Flower to Give to Someone Sweet

May 28, 2019

Freesia is a well-known multi-bloom flower with a distinctive sweet scent. Freesia is available in gentle pastel colors such as white, yellow, pink and lavender. It is among the most popular choices for floral bouquets.

Freesia is beloved in bridal arrangements due to its elegant trumpet-like blossoms and lovely fragrance that can fill a room. Furthermore, freesia is said to represent trust, making it a significant detail in the wedding ceremony. It is also the traditional flower for the seventh wedding anniversary.

Discovered in southern Africa in the mid-1800s, it was originally called “Cape lily of the valley”. The name was later changed to honor Dr. Friedrich Freese, a medical doctor and botanist. Dr. Christian Ecklon named the plant after Dr. Freese to commemorate their camaraderie, beginning the tradition of freesia symbolizing friendship.

A member of the iris family, all of the recognized species of freesia can be directly traced back to Africa. Because they are indigenous to sub-tropical climates, freesia can be difficult to grow in more temperate areas. Thus, they are more often seen as cut flowers rather than grown in a garden.

Freesia grow in clusters atop a long stem. Once they have begun to bloom, the stem has a way of bending so that the flowers are always facing upward. This can be used to send a message of uplifting optimism to someone you care about.

Since Victorian times, the various colors of freesia have had unspoken meanings. White stood for purity, pink for maternal love, and yellow conveyed joy. A bouquet of mixed colors, including bi-color blooms, sent a message of friendship to the recipient.

Freesia is well known for its pleasing fragrance. It is predominantly sweet, although not overly heavy. It has even been described as fruity. Freesia is a common note in scented soaps and lotions. There is even speculation that there may be a note of freesia in the majority of the world’s most popular perfumes.

Because of its sweet fragrance, freesia is frequently used in aromatherapy as a relaxation aide. Both the cut flowers and the essential oils derived from them are used to invoke calm and tranquility.

According to many florists, freesia are one of the longest lasting cut flowers used in arrangements. This makes them an excellent gift, as the blooms and scent will continue to convey happy sentiments for up to two weeks. Use freesia to send loved ones a sweet message that will not soon be forgotten.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Freesia, Fun Flower Facts, Weddings

Daisies Send a Message of Good Cheer

May 16, 2019

Daisies, both wild and cultivated, have a rich history of folklore and symbolism. The word daisy comes from the Old English “day’s eye” because the petals open at dawn and close at dusk. It began to be used as a woman’s name in the nineteenth century when it was popular to use floral names for babies. Daisy was once a nickname for Marguerite, which is the French name for the flower.

A once-common folk name for daisy was “Measure of Love” after the practice of plucking alternating petals while reciting “he loves me, he loves me not”. Long before that practice became popular, daisies were the sacred flower of the Norse goddess Freya. Freya was the goddess of fertility and love and her association with the daisy led to it being given as a gift to a new mother.

According to a Celtic legend, white daisies are said to represent purity and innocence. These are the most common type of daisy and are frequently seen growing in the wild. In fact, another name for common daisies is the lawn daisy because they can spread so easily. Left undisturbed, they will thrive in a sunny spot. Daisies are so adaptable that they can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Another sought-after kind of daisy is the Gerbera daisy. They are also known as Transvaal, or Shasta, daisies. Originally found growing in Africa, the Gerbera daisy has become the fifth most popular cut flower in the world. They are available in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, red, or pink. Like other daisies they represent innocence, but thanks to their bright colors they are also symbolic of cheerfulness. Gerbera daisies are a thoughtful gift to bring a smile to someone’s day.

As far back as ancient Egypt, daisies had cultural significance. In that society, the yellow variety of these daisies were said to reflect one’s devotion to the sun god. This may be because these flowers are heliotropic – they turn their “face” to follow the sun throughout the day.

Because daisies are closely related to artichokes, the leaves are edible. High in vitamin C, they make a nutritious addition to a green salad. They are also believed to have medicinal qualities such as slowing bleeding and assisting in digestion. For centuries, daisies were always planted in the gardens of healers.

With 4,000 species of daisies around the world, there is a daisy to suit every flower lover’s tastes. Whether you are giving daisies in a bouquet or as a perennial to plant in the ground, the recipient will surely appreciate your message of good cheer.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Daisies, Fun Flower Facts, New Baby

Lily of the Valley is the Right Flower for Special May Occasions

May 9, 2019

Lilies of the valley are the traditional flower for the month of May. This tradition began in the 1560s when King Charles IX of France was given a stem of lily of the valley as a May Day gift. The flower has since been said to bring good luck.

Blooming in May, the lily of the valley has a slender stem of white bell shaped flowers emerging from one or two broad pointed leaves. It is not actually a lily, but rather a member of the asparagus family.

Lilies of the valley have long represented purity and humility. People born in the month of May are also said to exhibit these qualities. This makes lily of the valley a thoughtful birthday gift for those with May birthdays.

Lilies of the valley are popular in bouquets for spring brides thanks to their pure color and resemblance to wedding bells. They are also a traditional May Day gift as they are in bloom in mid spring. Called fete de muguet in France, it became a common practice to present a lady with lilies of the valley on May the first as a sign of affection.

Because this flower is associated with rebirth and renewal, it has been popular in Christian traditions. In 1881 the gospel hymn The Lily of the Valley was written by Charles Fry. Comparing Jesus to the pure white flower, it is still found in many hymnals to this day.

An alternative name for lily of the valley is lady’s tears. The legend was that these pure white flowers sprung up when Mary was crying following the crucifixion of her son. Another story held that the flower sprouted when Eve was crying as she left the Garden of Eden.

Lilies of the valley have a sweet fragrance that scents the home and garden when they are in bloom. In fact, it has been popular in perfumes for nearly two hundred years. You may see the French name, muguet, on labels.

When planted in the garden, lily of the valley pips will naturalize, or spread, if left undisturbed. They provide three seasons of interest as in autumn the stalks may produce vibrant red-orange berries. These are decorative, not edible, and can upset the stomachs of curious pets.

A popular old English children’s song, sung in round, goes:

White coral bells, upon a slender stalk
Lilies of the valley deck my garden walk.
Oh don’t you wish that you could hear them ring?
That will happen only when the fairies sing.

You can hear this lovely melody sung in round here:
“White Coral Bells”

Lilies of the valley have many ancient symbolic associations in addition to being beautiful and fragrant. This makes lily of the valley an especially meaningful choice for many gift giving occasions in spring.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Lily of the Valley, By Month, Seasonal

Sweeten your mornings with this… THE CHOCOLATE SCENTED DAISY

May 7, 2019

Yes, Virginia, chocolate comes in flowers, too! The chocolate daisy is rich in both scent and names. Known as the chocolate flower, green-eyed lyre leaf, lyreleaf green eyes or just plain green eyes, the chocolate daisy is part of the genus Berlandiera lyrata and family Asteraceae, which also includes asters and sunflowers.

The chocolate daisy is a perennial (lasts over 2 years) that blooms at night. The golden-yellow flowers open at twilight, which is why their aroma is strongest in the morning. As temperatures rise, the petals temporarily drop and the fragrance recedes. And that is when the green centers or ‘eyes’ stand out. The undersides of the yellow petals are striped red, which adds to the color intrigue of this interesting little plant.

Most fragrant when planted in groups, the chocolate daisy is a favorite of birds and bees. Interestingly enough, the same chocolaty goodness that serves as an attractor also serves as a repellant for deer and rabbits.

Though diminutive in size, chocolate daisies are hearty and hardy, requiring less maintenance than many other plants. Native to the southwestern United States — from Colorado to Texas and into Mexico — they are known to grow along roadsides and in grasslands. This is great news for folks who live in places that feature dry soil on the alkaline side.

Drought tolerant, they do well in soil types that are dry, shallow, or rocky. When planted in full sun, they bloom from spring until frost and can do well in high elevations. When mowed, the plants will grow back vigorously but are not invasive.

In optimal growing conditions, chocolate daisies readily reseed. Seeds can be collected from the plant itself and germinated outdoors from spring to fall. A layer of gravel beneath the plants will help hold fallen seeds in place for new volunteer plants. Excess water will cause the plants to develop floppy stems. And since they do not do well in poor drainage spots, they are especially prone to winter damage.

People often ask if the chocolate daisy tastes as good as it smells. The answer would be yes, but only if you are a fan of unsweetened chocolate! Classified as an herb, it is actually edible and can be used to garnish your salads. .

Chocolate daisy seeds are readily available both online and off. It the soil is right, the plants are easy to cultivate and maintain, and make a great gift for chocolate-loving gardeners. In fact, your thoughtfulness will be remembered on many chocolate-scented mornings to come!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Phyllis Categories: Daisies, Any Time

Purple and white African Violet blossoms

Violets: A Popular Gift Since Ancient Times

April 25, 2019

Violets have been popular in folklore as far back as ancient Greek society. There are numerous myths about their creation and their significance as gifts going back at least two thousand years.

Violets have been given as gifts of love for at least several hundred years. Once commonly given as tokens of affection from a suitor, violets are now also associated with fiftieth wedding anniversary celebrations.

There are as many as five hundred varieties in the Violaceae, or garden violet, family. These are the hardy varieties sold in nurseries that are suitable for outdoor planting in North America. The popular Valentine rhyme says

roses are red, violets are blue

. In fact, garden violets’ colors range from white to lavender and shades of indigo.

People in the Victorian era were expected to understand the language of flowers and their unspoken meanings. Much of this symbolism is still relevant today. White flowers represent innocence. Purple conveys thoughts of love from the giver to the recipient. The color purple can also be used to represent the future.

Aside from looking beautiful, wild violets, also called sweet violets, have long been used as a food source. Ancient peoples used the root to make soups. Today, the flowers are often candied and used as decoration on baked goods. If you plan to eat these delicate blossoms, please be sure they have not been exposed to any chemicals.

Garden violets grow extensively throughout Canada and the United States. If left undisturbed they will multiply and make a lovely addition to the landscape in mid-spring.

Despite their name, African violets are not actually part of the Violaceae family. They are an unrelated species, but look rather similar to sweet violets. African violets also come in a broad range of colors including white, pinks, and many shades of purple.

African violets are popular flowers native to Tanzania and Kenya. In the US, they are grown as house plants, as they cannot live outdoors in cooler climates. These flowers symbolize friendship and loyalty. They are considered easy to grow and long-lived, making them an excellent gift for a loved one.

Thanks to hybridizing, there are well over ten thousand different varieties of African violets. There are countless variations in size, color and markings of the petals. They also exhibit numerous types of leaves, many of which are fuzzy. There is an African violet to suit every grower’s tastes.

Whether you choose sweet violets as a gift, or easy-going African violets, the recipient will surely appreciate this token of affection. In the garden or in the house, either is a wonderful choice to bring years of pleasure to someone you care about.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Violet, Edible Flowers - Flowers as Food, Fun Flower Facts

Daffodils Mean a Gift of Sunshine

April 19, 2019

Daffodils are an iconic symbol of spring thanks to their brilliant colors and fresh scent. Daffodils mean a gift of sunshine because of their cheerful colors in early spring.

The daffodil has numerous varieties that sprout their leaves while the snow is still on the ground. Because the most common color of daffodils is yellow, they are often associated with sunshine after a long winter.

Yellow flowers traditionally represent happiness and cheer as well as vitality. Yellow flowers also express friendship when given as a gift. This makes daffodils an excellent choice for a “Get Well” gift.

Some types of daffodils are among the earliest flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring. They are sometimes called the Lent Lily in the United Kingdom. Daffodils are a symbol of renewal and rebirth when given in bulb form. The hardiest of these bulbs can bloom for decades with little to no maintenance once planted. This makes daffodil bulbs a thoughtful gift.

Daffodils are frequently gifted in the Easter season. They pair beautifully with other bulbs that are blooming in early spring. However, when cut they should never be placed in a vase with other types of flowers. They release a type of sap that can damage flowers like tulips or lilies.

Daffodils have been grown and prized since ancient times. The Latin name for daffodils is Narcissus. They are named after a character in Greek mythology who was so smitten with his own good looks that the gods turned him into the beautiful flower we love today.

There are more than thirteen thousand recognized varieties of daffodil. New hybrids are being developed each year. Variations in colors include white, orange, pink and green. The numerous choices make daffodils a welcome gift for any celebratory occasion.

For example, daffodils are the traditional gift for the tenth wedding anniversary in the US. They are a symbol of good fortune when given as gifts for the Chinese New Year. Paperwhite narcissus bulbs are also popular around the Christmas holiday. The white blooms symbolize purity.

Daffodils are a gift of sunshine that can be given any time of year thanks to indoor growing techniques. The bulbs can be forced to bloom inside the house during the snowy months. Lucky recipients can have a touch of spring all year round. If you want to send good cheer to someone, daffodils are a wonderful choice.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Daffodils, Fun Flower Facts, Seasonal

Tulips and Their Meanings as Gifts

April 12, 2019

Tulips are so beautiful that one bulb was once worth one hundred times the annual wage of many of Holland’s residents. At the height of Tulip Mania in the mid-1600s, these highly coveted bulbs were exchanged for large quantities of food and livestock. Once only available to the wealthiest people, we can now enjoy affordable tulips year round thanks to modern growing techniques.

Having already been cultivated in Asia for nearly one thousand years, tulips made their way to Europe via Turkey in the sixteenth century. Prized for their symmetry and their wide variety of colors, tulips were soon hybridized to develop a multicolored or broken pattern that remains popular to this day.

Grown in nearly every color of the rainbow, tulips are abundantly available in late winter and throughout the spring. They are a brilliant burst of color after a long dormant season. Tulips are often given as a gift of love with the meanings of each color being similar to that of roses. Red represents passion while white stands for forgiveness. Yellow brings cheerful sentiments and orange evokes happiness. Tulips are also considered the traditional flower for the eleventh wedding anniversary.

If you wish to convey to someone that they have beautiful eyes, choose a striped or parrot tulip. Originally caused by a virus that damaged the tulip bulb, flowers are now bred to display the popular multicolor motif with no harm to the bulb.

Because tulips bloom in the spring in nature, many people associate them with Easter. A gift of blooming tulip bulbs can represent rebirth and longevity. This is an especially meaningful gift, as the bulbs can rebloom for years when planted outdoors. Tulips are also prized in Islamic culture and are considered to be a holy symbol. For the Muslim people, tulips have long been considered a representation of paradise on Earth.

In some Asian cultures, a potted plant or potted bulbs are considered to represent a binding or constraint, and are thus not well suited to be given as gifts. However, cut flowers are desirable and appropriate instead.

While tulips are a quintessential springtime gift, they are now available year round. Because of their elegant form and graceful beauty, tulips make a treasured gift for any occasion. A bunch of tulips can convey many different messages, all of which show how much you care.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Margarette Categories: Easter, Seasonal, Tulips

Top Marigold Beneficial Properties You Should Know About

April 12, 2019

Marigold, also known as Calendula, is a biennial, aromatic flower native to the Mediterranean, North and South America. Its flowers range from bright yellow-orange to white. Normally, Marigolds have a pungent odor.

While most people grow these aromatic flowers for their ornamental value as the flowers are vibrant, attractive and brighten up gardens and homes, only a handful know about Marigold’s therapeutic properties which are great for making home remedies.

[Note: The Right Flowers is not a medical site. Knowledge of and information about the therapeutic benefits and applications of flowers, while known through the ages, does not constitute medical advice. If you are having health issues, you should consult with a physician.]

Marigold history
The name Marigold was coined in the early days of Christianity when people named it Mary’s Gold in honor of the Virgin Mary. Later the name was shortened to Marigold. The plant got its botanical name from Romans who discovered that it bloomed during the “calends” or first days of every month.

For years, ancient Romans had used Marigold for medicinal purposes including treating scorpion bites, burns, healing wounds and relieving skin irritations. The Aztecs, Indians and Pakistanis also used Marigold to flavor food, keep off bugs and for medicinal purposes.

Marigold Medicinal properties and uses
Today, just like during the ancient civilizations, botanical research has shown that Calendula flowers contain carotenoid, calcium, vitamin C and E, acids, essential oils, flavonoids and saponins. These properties are responsible for the flower’s pungent smell which repels bugs and fungi.

Skin treatment
Marigold is packed with antioxidants, this explains why its extracts are used in ointments to soothe sunburns, relieve acne, manage dry skin, and heal blisters and wounds. In addition, salves made from Calendula are used to treat candida, anal tears and fungal infections in the genital area.

Lowers inflammation
Calendula’s antioxidant properties are what give the petals bright yellow or orange colors. These properties are known to reduce inflammation by lowering cytokine levels and C-reactive protein in both animals and humans which protect cells from being destroyed by free radicals. The presence of free radicals is one of the leading causes of cell deterioration and aging. Calendula not only reduces oxidative deterioration of cells that affect delicate body tissues such as those in the eyes, but it also protects the body against infections.

Treats bacterial and fungal infections
A study published in the National Library of Medicines indicates that Calendula extracts contain antiseptic and antibiotic properties. When applied in drop form to the inside of the ear canal, the extract is highly effective in treating bacterial ear infections and reducing pain. The extract is also effective in managing swelling and inflammation in the inner ear within 48 hours.

Protects against cancer
Antioxidants in Marigolds help the body to resist and combat growth of cancer cells. According to a study in the Journal of Nutrition, scientists from Washington State University concluded that lutein, extracted from Marigold, reduced breast cancer tumors significantly. In addition, the extract prevented new cancer cells from growing. Apart from breast cancer, Marigold is also effective against leukemia, colon and melanoma cancer cells.

Eases spasms and cramps
Marigold’s antispasmodic properties are highly beneficial for managing stomach cramps, muscle spasms and menstrual cramps. Extracts from the flower are known to improve blood flow to the irritated area, reduce cramping and inhibit the body’s response to inflammation.

Marigold tea for soothing the digestive system
Marigold tea has been used for generations to deal with digestive problems including relaxing constricted digestive muscles and easing bowel movement. To make Marigold tea, crush dry Marigold petals before adding them to boiling water. Allow the mixture to steep for about 5 minutes and drink several cups daily based on the severity of your problem.

The Marigold medicinal properties and uses stipulated above prove that this brightly-colored flower is not only good for your eyes, but also great for your health.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Ephy Categories: Beneficial Properties of Flowers, Calendula, Flowers by Type

Edible Marigold: Dinner is Served

April 12, 2019

Marigold is a common annual flower that blossoms throughout summer and fall. It brings vibrancy and color to many homes and gardens for months. In some instances, it is planted in pots or around other herbs to repel pests. While Marigold flowers are great for ornamental purposes, they have much more to offer apart from their color and vibrancy as they are edible and highly nutritious.

Unknown to most people, Marigolds pack a big punch for their size in the nutritional world. Elson Haas, author of “Staying Healthy With Nutrition” says that Marigold flowers contain more zeaxanthin and lutein compared to popular vegetables including spinach, collards, and kale. In addition, a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center shows that Marigolds contain highly beneficial compounds known as phytonutrients, antioxidants, and flavonoids which lower the risk of developing cardiovascular complications.

History
Marigolds have a long and revered history. Ancient Aztecs considered them as magical flowers and used them extensively for medicinal and religious purposes. While ancient Greeks used the flowers for food or to decorate food, it is the Indians and Pakistanis who popularized their culinary and aesthetic purposes.

Preparing edible Marigolds
Basically, edible Marigolds have a mild citrusy to spicy taste. Popularly known as the poor man’s saffron, these spicy flowers can be eaten raw, fresh, blanched or dry, sweet and savory.

To prepare edible Marigold, pull whole petals from the stem and cut off the heels as these give a bitter taste when consumed.

Marigold tea
Marigold petals have been used since time immemorial to alleviate stomach cramps, period pains, and digestive problems. To make Marigold tea, put the petals into a pot of freshly boiled water, let the mixture steep for about 5 minutes and strain out the flowers.

After straining, you will be left with beautifully colored tea. You can either drink the tea without any additives or add some peppermint leaves which have little color to boast of but packs a wonderful flavor.

Poor man’s saffron
Dried and crushed marigold petals are used to make what is commonly referred to as the poor man’s saffron. The petals give a unique and spicy flavor to bread, casseroles, and omelets.

Power salads
Marigolds are easy to find or grow as they have few pests compared to other edible flowers. They also have a subtle peppery flavor which pairs nicely with green vegetables.

Stir-fried
Marigold petals can be stir-fried alone or alongside other vegetables to add zip to meals. They also add color and flavor to soups, rice, and stews.
Ultimately, while Marigolds are beautiful to behold, they are so much more than just ornamental plants as they pack a big nutritional punch!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Florist Ephy Categories: Calendula, Edible Flowers - Flowers as Food, Flowers by Type

Give Easter Lilies This Spring

March 22, 2018

Easter Lilies (Lilium longiflorum) are beautiful, large and trumpeted-shaped flowers that offer a fantastic fragrance. They’re a stunning spring flower to give and are typically well received with those who love modern and traditional-looking blooms.

If you’re buying and sending Easter Lilies in the United States, more than likely your flowers will have been cultivated by a handful of growers located along the Oregon and California borders. This area is known in the flower industry, and sometimes in other circles, as the “Easter Lily Capital of the World.” In fact, more than 95% of the 11-1/2 million Easter Lilies cultivated and sold in the United States originate in Oregon and California.

Easter Lilies are actually native plants of Japan’s southern islands. In 1919, World War I solider Louis Houghton brought a suitcase of the lily bulbs with him from Japan to Oregon’s southern coast. Houghton gave the bulbs to friends and this was a start of demand for Easter Lilies in the state. When the supply of bulbs from Japan to the States was cut off due to the Pearl Harbor attack, demand increased and so did the price of the flowers. Thus, a viable industry arose for Easter Lilies, which were given the nickname “White Gold.”

Many people think Easter Lilies are more difficult to grow than other lilies, but they’re really not. The confusion likely comes from the way commercial Easter Lilies are forced to blossom before the holiday. This can put strain on the flower and make them a bit sensitive, and therefore require a moderate amount of extra care.

It’s tempting to buy an Easter Lily that is already in full bloom, but consider that flowers in various earlier stages of development might be more hearty and last longer. From tight buds to marginally opened flowers, you can give an Easter Lily that is not in full blossom and still offer a beautiful gift.

When choosing Easter Lilies, make sure you pick flowers with dense foliage that extends the full length of the stem (all the way to the soil line). The Easter Lily should have a uniform healthy and rich green color. Check to see that there aren’t any signs of insect eggs, webs or actual bodies. Disease shows up on Easter Lilies in the form of crinkling or wilting leaves, or leaves with dark spots.

Easter Lilies are some of the most enjoyable flowers to give and receive. Consider them when deciding on the right flowers for a spring or Easter surprise.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Easter, Lilies

5 Great Flowers for November

November 9, 2017

All flowers are beautiful and appropriate for giving anytime. But, certain flowers are standouts for November. They offer a look that’s perfect for fall and a sense of warmth to convey just the right message during the holiday season.

Here are 5 great flowers for November:

Snapdragons

Snapdragons come in bold yellow and orange, and in visually stimulating white. They have long, dramatic stems and have a bit of a scent but not one that’s overpowering. These flowers represent graciousness and strength. They’re perfect for giving in a tall vase or paper wrap.

Calla Lilies

You’ll find calla lilies in warm, subdued hues like cream and peach, and in soft yellow. These unscented flowers are bulbs, so you can give the blossom or be creative and opt for a collection of bulbs for the recipient to plant later. Calla lilies stand for beauty. They’re pretty in bouquets and look gorgeous when surrounded by greenery.

Stephanotis

If you want to give a flower that will welcome winter, choose stephanotis. It looks like a 5-pointed star and it’s a luminous white with a vibrant fragrance. Stephanotis is also called Madagascar jasmine and it is said to bring harmony into a space.

Iris

Iris comes in many hues, but for November, consider yellow and purple. Some irises have a sweet scent and others barely show off a fragrance. They all represent faith and hope. The word “iris” is derived from the Greek goddess of rainbows.

Grape Hyacinth

As the name suggests, grape hyacinth looks like a small bunch of grapes. It’s stunning paired with larger, showier flowers. Also called muscari, this flower is striking in purple and even more glorious in white. You can get sweet-smelling grape hyacinth in green too.

Do you love giving any other flowers in November? If so, we’d love to hear which are your favorites.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Flowers Generally, Iris, Lilies

Flowers for Fall

October 5, 2017

It’s fall! Time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and fall flowers!

Decorating the house for fall is so much fun. There are many beautiful ways to bring the warmth of fall’s best blossoms into the house or scatter them about a patio.

One of the best things about fall is that the season is perfect for cuddling up indoors around a fire, but also getting out to enjoy the crisp cool air. So, why not decorate indoors and out for fall? Choose some beautiful blooms in shades of yellow, orange, rust and even red. And then, get creative as you plan your perfect setting to enjoy for yourself or with guests that you might invite to your home this season.

Here are some pretty fall flowers to look for:

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies are sophisticated flowers that come in many shades, but for fall, find them in yellow and orange. These blossoms are native to Southern Africa and they come cut or in bulb form.

Peruvian Lilies

If you’re looking for fall flowers that have a special meaning for the season, choose Peruvian lilies. These blooms are associated with friendship, so they’re perfect to set out on holiday table. Native to South America, you can get Peruvian Lilies in yellow and orange as well.

Asiatic Lilies

For something dramatic, go with a red Asiatic Lily. This flower is large, showy and very fragrant. It’s ideal for setting out at a party, but treat yourself to it too. You deserve the beauty of the season, so buy this striking flower and maybe just keep it on your bedside table.

In addition to these fall flowers, burgundy carnations and orange roses are stunning on a countertop or mantel, or in pots on a porch.

Do you have any fall decorations up yet? If so, feel free to tell us about them in the comments below!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Lilies

Do You Know About These 3 Unique Sunflower Colors?

August 24, 2017

The kids are back in school and the weather is getting cooler, which has us looking forward to fall, but not wanting to be there completely until we’ve had our sunflower fill. Sunflowers, of course, can be enjoyed year round, and their warm color certainly makes them perfect to give as an autumn gift. But, we do associate sunflowers with summer and we suspect many others do too.

So, for a last hoorah for the sunflower this year, let’s talk about some absolutely spectacular colors and varietals that you may not know about.

“Shock-O-Lat” Sunflower

The “Shock-O-Lat” sunflower has a large flower head with many branches, and it features deep blooms that are a dark brown color, just like a chocolate bar (hence it’s name). Stunning yellow tips adorn the luscious petals and a gold halo encircles the center disk. This sunflower grows to be about 6 feet high.

“Earthwalker” Sunflower

A beautiful offering of gold, brown, mahogany and orange, the “Earthwalker” sunflower is rustic and magical. It comes in solid and bi-color varietals, with the blended blossoms being absolutely something to admire. When we talk about flowers that make a statement, these beauties must be on a list of blooms to consider. They grow on 6 to 9-foot plants and have multiple side branches clustered together.

“Chianti” Sunflower

Tantalizing wine-red sunflowers flecked with bits of gold. Perfection. This is the “Chianti” sunflower and it’s a stunner growing on a dramatic purple stem. Looking like nothing we’ve seen before, set atop a 4 to 5-foot plant, these sunflowers sit in bunches on branches tightly clumped together. Place these gorgeous blossoms in a vase or bouquet to make heads turn.

Until next week, enjoy looking for these sunflowers to give and looking forward to what blossom we’ll celebrate next week.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Sunflowers

Sunflower Trivia: 5 Things You May Not Know About Sunflowers

August 10, 2017

Summer, the season of sunflowers. It’s in full swing here in North America and our beloved blossoms are showing up in farmers’ markets and flower shops all over. If you love seeing and celebrating the sunflower as much as we do, you might enjoy a little sunflower trivia.

Here’s our ode to sunflowers, which hopefully will delight you with 5 fun facts about the bold and beautiful bloom.

1. Sunflowers Are Native To the Americas

Sunflowers didn’t originate in Europe, even though you may think so after seeing field after field of them in pictures of Provence and more. Native North Americans cultivated them as far back as 3000 BCE, where they were grown for food, dye, medicine and oil.

2. Royalty Brought Them to Russia

Tsar Peter the Great became fascinated by sunflowers he saw growing in the Netherlands, so he brought some back to Russia. Because the Russian Orthodox Church didn’t ban sunflower seed oil during Lent like it did other oils, the oil-producing blossom became popular to the count of roughly 2 million acres of them planted each year.

3. Bigger and Better Flowers to America?

Russians immigrating to America in the 19^th century brought their highly developed sunflower seeds, which could produce bigger blooms. These flowers sparked a renewed interest in the native plant and sunflower production (including its oil) exploded.

4. Sunflowers Look Like the Sun and Need the Sun

It’s fitting that sunflowers look like the sun because they require the energy of the sun – a lot of it! Sunflowers grow best when they receive about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day, but even more is better!

5. Sunflowers Track the Sun

If you place a sunflower bud or new blossom facing east in the morning, it will track the sun as it moves around the earth throughout the day. Try it! Heliotropism is the name of this behavior, but it comes with the exception of flowers staying facing east during times of heavier seed production.

Do you know any sunflower trivia you can share with us? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Sunflowers

Flowers for Summer: Send Flowers That Purify Indoor Air

June 29, 2017

During summer, many people spend a great deal of time indoors because it’s too hot to be outside. With the air-conditioning on, you may feel nice and comfortable. But, things could turn around if you’re constantly breathing stale and recycled air.

Don’t set yourself up for getting sick during a season that’s all about having fun! Put some air-filtering flowers inside your home to stay healthy.

While you’re at it, send some to a friend or loved one, as a gift to say “Hi” and to let them know “I’m wishing you health.”

Here are some great flowers to keep indoor air healthy.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lily is an evergreen that’s easy to take care of. It requires little light or water to thrive, which makes is a perfect inside plant. You can buy Peace Lilies at many garden stores and they’re simple to grow in a garden. NASA analyzed houseplants and found that Peace Lily was the most efficient plant at removing airborne VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum moriforlium)

This flower is often called Florist’s daisy and Hardy Garden Mum. It’s a houseplant and popular perennial that many already have in their home. It loves direct sunlight and needs an adequate amount of water, so keep it by a window and watch it’s moisture level. With the right care, Florist’s Chrysanthemum will blossom up in a house or place of business, and help cleanse the air of toxic chemicals.

* Note – These flowers are poisonous to animals, so keep them up high if you have furry companions living with you.

Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)

Commonly called Flamingo Lily, Anthurium andraeanum is a stunning evergreen that’s mostly know for it’s beautiful flowers. The NASA Clean Air Study noted that the Flamingo Lily was especially effective at ridding dangerous airborne formaldehyde and ammonia from inside air.

Flowers are perfect companions to humidifiers and electric air purifiers in a home or office, and depending on the circumstances, they can purify air entirely on their own. They sure look pretty doing it, too.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Chrysanthemum, Lilies

Make These 5 DIY Spa Treatments Using Flowers

June 1, 2017

Flowers are gifts to us in so many ways. They’re beautiful to look at, they filter our air and they provide nourishment. In addition to using flower recipes to give the inside of our bodies’ nutrients, we can use them topically to heal and soothe.

The following are some ways you can incorporate flowers into DIY spa treatments.

1. Lavender Massage Oil

If you have aches and pains, and even if you don’t, you may like getting a massage from time to time. And, you might love the massage oils that are used on your body. To make own massage oil, combine 1/2 cup of coconut oil with 6 drops of lavender essential oil. This massage oil smells great, is relaxing, and helps alleviate pain.

2. Peppermint and Calendula Foot Scrub

To make a refreshing spa-like foot scrub, just combine 2 cups of sea salt, 1/3 cup olive oil, 8 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1/4 cup calendula petals. Scrub this onto the top and bottom of your feet, making sure that you get your toes. Massage for 3 to 5 minutes, rubbing in circles as you work the invigorating and healing ingredients into your skin.

3. Apricot Rose Face Scrub

Treat your face to a DIY spa scrub by stirring together 1 cup of organic sugar, 1/4 cup apricot kernel oil, 3 drops of pure almond oil and 2 tablespoons of shredded rose petals. This will give you a big enough batch of face scrub that you can store it covered and use it for up to 3 weeks. You just need to massage a bit of the scrub into your face every day to enjoy glowing, radiant skin.

4. Bentonite Clay and Hibiscus Mask

Make a spa-worthy face mask by combining 1/2 cup bentonite clay, 1 cup of coconut water and 1/4 cup torn hibiscus petals. The clay draws out impurities in the skin and the coconut water keeps the skin hydrated. The hibiscus offers natural soothing and nourishment. Spread on your face, allowing the mask to dry for 15 minutes. Then, wash it off with warm water.

5. Milk and Rosemary Body Scrub

It’s easy to make a hydrating milk body scrub. Mix 1/2 cup sea salt, 1/4 cup coconut milk or almond milk, 1 tablespoon almond oil, 2 drops of rosemary essential oils and 1/4 cup rosemary leaves together. Lather your milk scrub all over your body when you’re in the shower. Allow it to soak in as you scrub your feet or wash your hair. Rinse off and you’ll feel soft skin immediately.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Calendula, Roses

Make Your Own Body Scrub With Flowers

May 26, 2017

Basic homemade body scrub recipes start with a carrier oil. You can use the oils in the recipes we’ll give you or swap them out with an oil of your choice. Some of the best oils include almond, coconut, apricot and olive. For the scrubbing ingredients, use sugar or salt of you want something that will exfoliate gently and eventually liquefy, which is good because you don’t want large particles of your body scrub clogging up your drain. Finally, pick your favorite flower essences and flower petals, and you’ll have a DIY scrub that will be relatively cheap and arguably better than a store-bought version.

Enjoy the following body scrub recipes and feel free to play around with them to make them just the scrub you want.

Energizing Lemon Verbena Scrub

Ingredients

2 cups sea salt

1/3 cup olive oil

8 drops lemon verbena essential oil

small handful of dandelion petals

Method

Combine salt, olive oil, lemon verbena essential oil and dandelion petals in a medium-sized jar. Stores for up to 2 months.

Soothing Lavender Scrub

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 drops lavender essential oil

small handful of lavender petals

Method

Combine sugar, olive oil, lavender essential oil and lavender petals in a medium-sized jar. Use immediately.

Lovely Rose Foot Scrub

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

8 tablespoons coconut oil

3 drops rose essential oil

small handful of rose petals

Method

Combine sugar, coconut oil, rose essential oil and rose petals in a medium-sized jar. Stores for up to 2 months.

If you make these scrubs, please come back and let us know how you liked them!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Fun Flower Facts, Roses

It’s Almost Time for the Portland Rose Festival

May 18, 2017

The annual Portland Rose Festival takes place this year from May 26^th to June 11^th, in Portland, Oregon. The flower-filled event will give tourists and residents the chance to enjoy parades, marathons and, of course, roses like never before.

The festival’s floral show highlights more than 4000 blossoms in total, so there will be plenty of chances to stop and smell the roses. The beautiful buds and blooms are back again this year as an opportunity for the public to gather in celebration of nature, and to come together in support of diversity and unity.

Bringing Tradition Into Modern Times

“Brilliant” is the theme for this year’s Portland Rose Parade, and there’s no doubt that the displays and the entire experience will be brilliantly planned and delivered. This event, which has been part of Portland’s culture for more than a century, has roots in tradition but it offers contemporary programming.

During the first decade of the 20^th century, the city of Portland’s leaders aimed to claim their spot on the map by branding their destination as the “summer capital of the world.” They did this by attracting visitors with the first Rose Festival. More than 100 summers later, the event is award winning, famous and a premier community involvement opportunity, as citizens take part in volunteerism and environmentalism.

Activities for the 2018 Portland Rose Festival

This year’s Portland Rose Festival will feature:

Parades
Waterfront concerts
Fireworks
A Fleet Week show
Marathon runs and walks
An Auction
A Golf Championship
The Annual Rose Show

The Annual Rose Show is the 129^th annual spring Rose Show and it’s free to attend. Rose growers from all over the Pacific Northwest participate and trophies go to entrants who grow the most beautiful roses.

You can learn more about events and activities happening at the Portland Rose Festival by visiting the festival’s website.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Roses, Seasonal

All About the Sunflower: A Perfect Bloom to Give for Summer

June 23, 2016

What kind of flower is perfect to give for a summer occasion? A bloom that looks like the shining sun and encourages people to be joyful, just like summer can.

If you’re looking for flower ideas for a summer birthday, housewarming gift, or just-because present, consider the sunny and summery sunflower.

Want to know a bit about the bloom you’ll give, so you can appreciate how special it is or share fun facts with your giftee? Enjoy the following sunflower trivia.

A Good Food Source

In addition to providing visual joy, the sunflower can satisfy in other ways. It’s a critical food source in many places in the world, because it gives off protein-rich seeds and healthy vegetable oil. Sunflowers provide tasty culinary benefits, and they offer economic stability for farmers who grow the blooms.

Native to the Americas

North and South America bring us potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and sunflowers! Sunflowers from the Americas were cultivated as early as 3000 BCE, when they were used for food, dye, medicine, and oil. They were exported to the rest of the world in about 1500, by the Spanish conquistadors.

Popular Through Time

Tsar the Great loved the sunflowers that he saw in the Netherlands, so he took some back to Russia. Russian immigrants to the United States, in the 19^th century, brought their highly developed sunflower seeds to the Americas to grow bigger blooms than the native plants. This sparked more interest in the flower. In 1946, in Missouri, farmers began producing sunflower oil to include in many consumer products. Today, sunflower oil is a popular oil alternative to animal fats.

The sunflower looks like the sun and it requires a lot of sun to thrive. Most sunflowers grow best with about six to eight hours of daylight each day, but they can certainly get more and be okay. There are sunflowers that grow up to 16 feed tall! Long-stemmed sunflowers are an exquisite and special gift to give to someone during summertime.

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Flowers for the 4th of July: Party Ideas for Food and Home Decoration

June 23, 2016

Throwing a 4^th of July party this year and need ideas for pretty flowers that you can set out on a table? Looking for flowers that you ca incorporate into your 4^th of July food spread? We have some suggestions for you, and of course they focus on patriotic red, white, and blue.

If you need to decorate a table or counter for the 4^th, or adorn a festive cake or cupcake, consider the following beautiful flowers flowers.

Carnations

Carnations are cheerful and fun flowers that you can buy in red, white, and blue. They’re easy to find in most grocery stores and in garden centers before the 4^th of July. These puffy floral balls remind us of the bursting fireworks that we watch every 4^th holiday. Carnations are perfect for a 4^th of July celebration because they don’t need much care (throw them in a vase a few days or even a week before your party), which means that you have more time to take care of the other details of your gathering. Carnations are not edible though, so if you place them on food, take them off before consuming your goodies. And, don’t float carnations in any punches or sangrias you might make.

Roses

Roses, on the other hand, are edible (but not the dyed varieties) and they’re great in drinks or baked goods. Place red and white roses in a rose water lemonade or mix them into a cool rose ice cream. For décor, place red and white roses into a vase and then tie a shiny blue ribbon around it. You’ll have a gorgeous centerpiece for an indoor or outdoor soiree.

In addition to carnations and roses, you can always present a mixed bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers like dahlias, snapdragons, and gerbera daisies. Don’t eat any of these flowers though. Simply enjoy them for their stunning good looks.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Carnations, Dahlia, Roses, Seasonal

The Right Flowers for Summer

June 16, 2016

How do you choose the right flowers for summer? You opt for any of the following beautiful blooms.

Aster

The aster looks a bit like a wildflower and a little like a sunshine. It’s a perfect flower to keep in a summer garden or to give in a seasonal bouquet. And, it’s an exquisite and cheerful addition to a home – either kept in a kitchen or a living room. The aster can be casual or formal, depending on the vehicle it’s in and the flowers that surround it. It’s September’s birth flower and it’s sometimes given for 20^th-year wedding anniversaries.

Carnation

Carnations are lovely flowers to have around during summertime. Florists use these blossoms as go-to stunners in wedding floral arrangements and boutonnieres, and they’re often given for birthdays. Carnations come in shades of white, pink, red, purple, green, and more hues. They’re long lasting and they’re easily revitalized after extensive car (or flower truck) rides.

Freesia

Freesia is a member of the Iris family. It’s often considered one of the most fragrant flowers on earth, and it’s frequently grown for ornamental and practical purposes. Some freesia have a stronger scent than others, but all of them offer a delightful aroma that’s perfect for a garden or floral arrangement. Freesia is a bulb flower that comes in many colors and in many variations.

Local florists usually have all of these flowers in stock. Sometimes, you’ll find these flowers’ seeds or bulbs in nurseries or in home improvement stores. You can always purchase them online, through a local or national web-based florist.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Aster, Carnations, Freesia, Seasonal

The Right Flowers for Graduation

June 2, 2016

It’s graduation month! What flowers are you going to give the graduate in your life? Will they be fun flowers that will induce a smile? Perhaps formal blooms that will set the stage for a serious future? There are so many flowers that are perfect for giving for a graduation. Consider some of the following when you go to buy your bouquet or arrangement.

Carnations

Carnations are beautiful for gifting on a celebratory occasion, because their shape and colors seem to lift spirits even higher than they might already be. Carnations are playful blooms that look pretty, and festive, in casual bunches of just their own kind or mixed with other flowers. Choose them in white, red, pink, and many other colors. They last for a long time, so your giftee will get extended pleasure from them.

Orchids

Orchids make a great congratulatory floral gift, because they offer a feeling of profound love and pride. For a special and unusual choice, opt for a green orchid or two. Common colors of orchids – like purple and white – are also ideal as they can offer stability that might help a graduate as he or she begins a new life.

Roses

Roses are always appropriate flowers to give. And, on graduation day, they may be the ultimate gift of love you can give to a son or daughter who is graduating (aside from your own heartfelt thoughts and support). When choosing roses, there really is no hard fast rule. You can go with pink, yellow, white, orange, and even red. Roses represent adoration, caring, love, protection, peace, and many other thoughts – and gestures – that a graduate would surely want with them in a new life chapter.

As you pick flowers for a graduation, consider whether you want subdued and tranquil blooms (and colors) or if you’d rather have bold (and bright) blossoms to offer. The best flowers for you to give for graduation day are the ones that express your sincere feelings for that special person in your life.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Carnations, Graduation, Roses

June Wedding? Popular Flowers for Bouquets and More

June 2, 2016

It seems like this year has flown by quickly. It’s June already, and it’s time to start thinking about warmer weather in the U.S. – and maybe flowers for those of you who have June weddings coming up. We recently wrote about some flower ideas that are perfect for late-spring nuptials, but since there are so many blooms that can potentially add beauty to a casual or formal wedding, we thought we’d offer more suggestions.

If you’re running off to tie the knot this June and need flowers, or if you’ve planned your wedding for a while, but left flower arranging until the end, consider the following blossoms that are usually readily available this month.

Irises

The iris is an extremely large and diverse genus of flower, with nearly 300 species to choose from and thousands of cultivars in a variety of colors from the rainbow. Irises are super easy to grow, so think about planting them now for use next June. But, if you need them immediately, simply contact your local garden center or search online. The most common types of irises you’ll find are Siberian and Japanese varietals.

Wisteria

If you want to get creative with your flowers, go with wisteria. Wisteria grow on large, deciduous vines and they come in stunning, drooping flower clusters that can provide a perfect backdrop for showy flowers like orchids. They can also be the stars of the presentation, if you want them to. Wisteria are elegant, easy to care for, and affordable.

Roses

The good old rose. A go-to, and fall-back, flower for many, but one that certainly shouldn’t be considered just a run-of-the-mill or typical bloom. The rose is the ultimate floral symbol of love, so give serious thought to using it as part of your June wedding floral display. Roses are ideal for wedding bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements because they come in many colors, sizes, and shapes.

In addition to these popular June flowers, you can incorporate peonies, lupine, elderberry, bottlebrush, sweetspire, and hydrangea in the flower plan for your wedding.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Irises, Roses, Weddings

Celebrate the Lily This May!

May 19, 2016

We have about two weeks left of May, which means there are about 14 days remaining to celebrate May flowers. Of course, we love flowers and think that any variety is perfect for enjoying anytime. But, it’s often fun to give flowers – and to keep them in our homes – during a certain month that are associated with that month.

One of the May flowers we’re loving right now is the lily. The lily is the designated birth flower for May and it’s a fragrant bloom that’s ideal for keeping in a vase – or for surprising someone special with.

About the Lily

The lily is a low-growing perennial that has a bell shape and two, very large, oblong leaves. It blooms in white and it’s sometimes called Lily of the Valley.

The lily represents sweetness and humility. When you want to tell someone, “You make my life complete,” give the lily.

The following are some facts, figures, and trivia about the May lily.

The lily is also known as Our Lady’s Tears or Mary’s Tears. These names come from Christian legend, as some believe the names stem from the Virgin Mary’s weeping as Jesus was crucified.
Saint Leonard, a brave French soldier, chose to live as a hermit to commune with God, and legend says he spilled a dragon’s blood and Lilies of the Valley popped up in the very spot.
All parts of the Lily of the Valley are poisonous, if consumed.
Ostara, a German virgin goddess, is associated with the lily, which symbolized life to Pagans.
The lily is also called May bells, May lily, or “muguet” in French.
The lily’s scientific name, “majalis,” means “of belonging to May”.
The lily represents the return of happiness.

Do you love the lily as much as we do? Do you grow lilies or give them often? If so, feel free to share your experiences with the flowers in the comments below.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Lilies, Lily of the Valley

About the Dahlia

May 19, 2016

The dahlia is a flower that we love to grow and give during summertime. Its beautiful shape reminds us of a shining sun and its colors are cheerful and bright, which is perfect when we want something to perk up our garden or our home – or flowers to bring joy to a friend or family member.

To celebrate the dahlia and the impending arrival of summer, we’ve put together a list of some facts, figures, and trivia about the lovely bloom.

Enjoy! And, enjoy bringing dahlias into your life this summer!

Dahlias make a bold statement in a garden or bouquet, thanks to their pom-pom shape and bright hues. There are large and small varieties of dahlias, all easily grown and most easily found.
Some of the favorite dahlia varietals include “Fidalgo Julie” and “Alloway Candy.
Dahlia plants product prolific flowers during all of summer and well into fall. In mild climates, you might find dahlias blooming as early as June.
Cutting dahlias encourages the plant to bloom more abundantly.
Dahlia foliage is excellent for accenting a garden or bouquet, since it often produces beautiful pale yellow-green, or purple, hues.
Dahlias are bulbs, and during fall you can divide the tubers to increase your stock of the flowers.
You can grow dahlias from seed. You might see seeds at garden centers, or in catalogs, as well as dahlia bedding plants.
Dahlias bloom in color ranges from pink to purple and yellow to orange. They come in white, red, and even bi-colors.
Use dahlias in gardens or bouquets along with annuals or perennials, as they mix quite well with both.
Most dahlia plants grow to be anywhere from three to six feet, so they’re a nice flower to plant in the middle of a flower bed.
If you plant dahlias around the border of a garden, and keep them trimmed low, you’ll easily locate the tubers for dividing.

These are just some of the amazing things about the glorious dahlia. Do you love dahlias? If so, feel free to leave us comments about your experiences with the flower.

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Asters for Summer

May 12, 2016

Summer’s coming, which means we get to decorate our homes and gardens with beautiful summer flowers – like the aster! The aster is one of our favorite summer blossoms because it’s cheerful like we feel during summer and it looks like a shining sun.

If you want to have color, gorgeous shapes, and summer-like energy in your home or garden this upcoming season, consider the aster for arrangements or flower beds.

The following is a bit of information you might not know about the lovely aster:

The Showy Perennial

The aster is a splashy and showy perennial that ranges from small to tall. It’s a flower that makes a statement in an arrangement or garden – not a dramatic one, simply a “look at me, I’m here to enjoy life” kind of one.

Asters offer vibrant shades and hues for a summer garden, such as pink, purple, white, and blue. They’re ideal flowers to keep outdoors if you want to attract butterflies and bees, and they also bring other wildlife to you.

Types of Asters

There are many types of asters, including New England, New York, calico, heath, smooth, aromatic, and wood. All of these asters are native to North American and the vary in terms of height, bloom time, and bloom color.

The two primary varietals of asters are New England and New York asters. Some people have a hard time telling these flowers apart, but you can see the difference when you examine the tall stems of the New England asters (around three to four feet tall) and the shorter stems of the New York asters.

New England asters are typically full and dense, and they bloom in late summer or early fall. New York asters have thinner stems and their leaves are smooth.

Some of the asters you might be able to find near you include the Professor Anton Kippenberg New York aster and the Andenken an Alma Potschke New England aster.

If you can’t find asters near you, consider looking online. You’re sure to find someone that will ship asters to you or ship their seeds.

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Use Flowers to Make Ice Cream

April 14, 2016

Bring the beauty of flowers into your kitchen, and the goodness they can provide the body, by making a lovely lavender or rose ice cream on a warm day this spring.

Flowers have a way of lightening the spirit and promoting a cheerful attitude, like ice cream does. So why not combine the two and whip up a treat that has the potential to turn around a bad day or make a good day even better. Make a batch of the following flower-infused frozen deserts for yourself, or your family, and enjoy flowers in yet another delicious way.

Rose or Lavender Ice Cream

Ingredients

1/4 cup rose or lavender petals, divided

1/4 cup boiling water

2 cans full-fat pure coconut milk

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons organic corn starch

1 cup organic sugar

Method

1. Steep half of the flower petals in boiling water for about one hour. Strain petals and reserve water.

2. Shake cans of coconut milk to make sure coconut cream and water is not separated. Open them and add coconut milk to a large mixing bowl.

3. Add flower water, salt, cornstarch, and sugar to mixing bowl. Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

4. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker. Add remaining flower petals. Freeze ice cream according to manufacturers instructions.

5. Enjoy!

Note ** If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour coconut milk mixture and remaining flower petals into a freezer-safe dish that has a lid. Stir gently to incorporate flower petals. Cover, and then freeze for six hours.

When you make these flower-infused ice creams, take care to only use flowers that have not been grown with chemical pesticides. Use organic flower petals or flower petals that you have grown safely in your home garden.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Roses

Places in the United States to View Spring Wildflowers

March 31, 2016

We’re well into spring, which means there are opportunities all around to view beautiful wildflowers. Landscapes from the east to the west are bursting with color as pretty poppies, daisies, and other gorgeous flowers cover miles of ground and bring beauty to those who are privileged to walk or drive by.

Where are the best places to view these stunning wild blooms? We’ll tell you, and we’ll let you know a bit about each region you can visit in hopes that you’ll be tempted to go and view the grandeur for yourself.

Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)

Mount Rainier National Park sits inside Washington state and it’s home to more than 100 varietals of wildflowers. When you visit this beautiful park, you’ll be able to gaze upon subalpine meadows that offer some of the most eye-catching displays of wildflowers in the country. Each meadow in Mount Rainier Nation Park has a unique wildflower collection and natural design. One meadow in particular, called Paradise, is known for displays that wow locals and tourists alike. Wildflowers are in bloom in Mount Rainier National Park from spring until about late August.

Antelope Valley (California)

From the beginning of spring until the end of May, you’ll get a glorious view of wild-blooming poppies in Antelope Valley, in California’s Mohave Desert. This type of environment may seem like a strange one for wildflowers to grow, but every spring they do spring up and they explode into a vast sea of orange. Wild poppies are naturally intensely colored and shaped, but the ones in Antelope Valley are some of the boldest and biggest of all the poppies you’ll find in the U.S.

Crested Butte (Colorado)

You’ll see a mixed blanket of wildflowers blooming, starting in spring, in Crested Butte, Colorado. These blossoms peak in mid July, so make sure you’re there when they’re at their most glorious, if you can. You’ll want to make your way to Colorado’s Gunnison National Forest, in Crested Butte, and once there you’ll quickly see why the area is often referred to as the United States’ wildflower capital. Every summer, color erupts from the soil in this area and it gives a sensational show. The wildflowers you’ll see in Gunnison National Forest include death camas (a member of the lily family), alpine sunflowers (these grow throughout Colorado’s mountain areas), and elephant head (tiny flowers with little pink blooms).

If you have time, consider visiting all of these places for fantastic wildflower viewing this spring. Make a road trip of it or fly from one city to the next, admiring the beauty of the special blooms that you can only experience during spring and part of summer.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Daisies, Poppies

About the Easter Lily

March 23, 2016

Thinking about giving an Easter lily to someone for the holiday? It makes sense to gift this flower, since the white, trumpet-shaped blooms represent purity, newness, and virtue – the same characteristics that come to mind when many think about Easter.

To give you a little background on the Easter lily, so that you can know more about the gift you might be giving and so you can perhaps share some lily tradition with your giftee the following are a few myths, legends, and bits of trivia associated with the flower.

Roman mythology links lilies to Juno, the queen of the gods. The Roman tales say that Juno’s excess milk fell from the sky while she was nursing her son Hercules and it was turned into lilies.
Many believe that lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after the death of Christ. Believers follow tradition that tells of white lilies springing up where Christ’s sweat fell to the ground.
Churches continue the memory of Christ by placing Easter lilies all over their altars, and surrounding their crosses, leading up to Easter Sunday. They do this to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus and to show hope for everlasting life.
The Easter lily has long been connected with the Virgin Mary. Early paintings show Angel Gabriel extending a branch of pure white lilies to the Virgin Mother acknowledging that she is the mother of the Christ Child.
A symbol of grace, the white lily has meanings beyond Easter. It adorns homes as well as churches, and it marks joy, purity, and an innocent approach toward life. This flower is truly one for happy celebration and rejoice.
During the Victorian era, the stamens and pistils of the Easter lily were removed because they were seen as overt representations of sexuality that might lead some to have impure thoughts.

Have you heard of any other tales or myths surrounding the Easter lily? If so, feel free to share them with us in the comments below. We’d love to read your stories and have other members of our flower community be able to enjoy them.

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The Right Flowers to Add to a Spring Salad

March 17, 2016

Did you know that you can gather pretty spring flowers and put them into a salad? Not any spring flowers, but those that are of course edible and those that taste incredible.

We love to prepare flowers with salads to bring to Easter potlucks, Mother’s Day brunches, and any special events that are happening during springtime. Usually guests at these gatherings are surprised, and delighted, to find our beautiful salads and to learn that they can eat what looks like mere decoration.

We love sharing the fact that many edible flowers not only provide beauty, they also offer nutrition by way of vitamins and minerals and they give the body powerful doses of antioxidants.

If you’re going to a special event this spring, and even if you’re not but you like making beautiful meals at home, think about preparing your favorite salad and including petals from the following flowers:

Pansies

Pansies are the largest of the violas, flowers that are tasty to eat and have a bit of a lettuce flavor. The pansy’s texture is velvety, so these petals will go down smooth in every bite.

Carnations

If you like a spicy and sweet salad, add carnation petals. The carnation’s flavor is unique, and quite surprising, so taste these petals first to gauge how many you want in your salad.

Calendula

Calendula is one of the more traditional flowers used in food. The yellow or orange petals are daisy-like in appearance, which makes them perfect for inclusion in dishes served during the daytime when it’s sunny and cheerful outside.

Bachelor’s Button

Bachelor’s button is a spiky flower, so be warned that the texture will be somewhat like radicchio. This flower comes in colors that are exquisite, however, which makes it worthy of adding to any salad.

In addition to these, you can also use nasturtium and rose petals in your springtime salads. Be creative with flower petals and you’ll end up with a meal that offers amazing visual and palate appeal.

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Consider the Tulip for Spring

March 16, 2016

If you’re putting together a spring floral arrangement, or looking to buy a spring bouquet for someone special, consider tulips. Tulips are popular flowers that have come to symbolize spring and the new life that comes along with the season. They’re gorgeous flowers that are available in many colors, and they’re ideal for modern or traditional bouquet and arrangements.

The following is a bit of information about the beautiful tulip. Enjoy reading about this stunning bloom and have fun giving the gift of the tulip to yourself or someone else.

Tulip History

Tulips became popular during the 17^th century, mostly in Europe (in particular in Holland), when a craze for the flower lead many folks to sell off their entire fortunes to obtain the bloom that was such in demand. The occurrence was known as the Tulipmania.

Tulips are some of the most popular flowers for spring, of all time. They’re the third most popular flower in the world, in fact, with only the rose and the chrysanthemum coming before it.

Tulip Facts

You’ll find tulips in a variety of beautiful gem-like colors and in many sizes. Some are fragrant and all of them bloom on large-leafed plants, offering a glorious 6-petaled show amidst stunning greenery.

There are more than 100 species of tulips in the world, all of them coming out of Central Asia originally, where they grew in the wild. Some of the earliest documentation of tulips show that the flowers were first cultivated in 1,000 A.D., in Turkey.

Tulip Trivia

Each year, billions of tulips are cultivated around the world. A majority of them are grown in, and exported from, Holland.
There are more than 3,000 registered varietals of cultivated tulips.
Turks of the Ottoman Empire were the first to cultivate tulips.
Tulips grow abundantly in the wild in Asia minor, with many of them found in lands from Siberia to China.
Over the years, tulips have symbolized love, imagination, inspiration, and devotion.

Enjoy bringing tulips into your home (or giving them to another) this spring and enjoy the beauty of this new season!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Seasonal, Tulips

How to Grow Flowers You Can Eat

March 16, 2016

If you want to grow a flower garden that will supply you and your family with yummy food to eat, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to show you how to grow some flowers that you can mix into salads, teas, lemonades, and even baked goods. Most of the flowers we’ll introduce you to can be cultivated easily in a home garden or indoor window garden. They don’t need a lot of care, they’re cheap to grow from seed, and they’ll give you colorful blooms that are nourishing and gorgeous to add to meals and drinks.

Here are some of our favorite flowers that you can grow to eat, and guidelines on how to cultivate them:

Bachelor’s Button

Bachelor’s button is a flower that tastes a bit like cucumber, so it’s great for adding to salads or pasta dishes. It has a frilly texture, like radicchio, and it’s perfect for eating in its entirety (the bloom) or eating a petal or two. Plant bachelor’s button (an annual) in full sun and make sure it has moderate water. Sow seeds in spring (or in autumn if you’re in the desert) and you’ll have blue, pink, purple, or white blooms to use in your food the following season.

Calendula

For a mildly tangy flavor in tea, salads, and baked goodies like lemon cupcakes, add calendula. This flower is beautiful and flavorful. It has delicate and thin yellow petals (these are all you’ll want to eat) that add visual and palate appeal to dishes prepared for spring, summer, or fall. Grow calendula in full sun, offer it moderate water, and make sure it has soil with good drainage. Calendula flowers typically give color to a garden for a full season.

Violas

Violas, including pansies, have a velvety texture that makes them ideal for using on fancy desserts like wedding cakes and holiday cheesecakes, and in decadent cocktails. These flowers are perennials, but they’re usually grown as annuals. They prefer full sun to partial shade, and they need regular water with well-drained soil. Violas grow in low, bushy plants and they come in solid colors or “whiskered” varieties.

In addition to these flowers, you can grow carnations, nasturtiums, and herb flowers like lavender to add to food and beverages.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Calendula, Carnations, Fun Flower Facts

Creating a Dramatic Orchid Display

March 3, 2016

Orchids are great flowers to include in arrangements for a variety of occasions. They can be perfect for bridal showers, weddings, corporate events, and even get-togethers with friends and family because they are versatile in design.

You can use orchids to create casual and earthy arrangements, but we especially love them in formal dramatic displays. The following are some ways that you can incorporate orchids in sophisticated, classy centerpieces or bouquets.

Orchids and Pairing them with Complimentary Flowers

Orchids are gorgeous flowers to use for dramatic displays, and they’re stunning when placed alone or in multitudes. They’re striking to look at and you’ll find them in many colors, so they should fit in perfectly with any décor or theme you want to match. Cymbidium orchids, especially, are great for dramatic floral arrangements. They’re hearty blooms that can withstand most temperature conditions and they last for a long time. You’ll find cymbidium orchids in regular and mini sizes, and you can pair them in an arrangement with calla lilies, tulips, roses, or even Manzanita branches for a beautiful look.

How to Arrange Orchids

To arrange a dramatic display of orchids, gather up some varietals that you find lovely and then pick out a container to put them in (unless you’re making a bouquet to give away, then you’ll want to choose some pretty wrap for your arrangement). Begin making your orchid arrangement by filling your container (we love clear glass vases or wooden boxes with a class vase inside) three quarters of the way full with water. If you like, put some colored glass stones, gems, or rocks in the bottom of your container for a unique visual appeal. Keep your orchids free of leaves below the water line, and then place them into the water (you’ll need a narrow-necked bowl to keep the orchid upright or you’ll have to put several orchids in the bowl to made them stay inside tightly) and let it stand up tall. Not too tall, though. You want a good balance between container and flower. Try to choose a bowl for your orchid that is about a third the height of your orchid stem.

After you’ve arranged your orchid or orchids, set out your arrangement for all to admire. Place candles around the base of your arrangement for a nice presentation, if you like. If you’ve planned on putting together a loose orchid bouquet to give away, you simply need to gather your orchid (and complimentary flowers, if you have any) and then bind them up in your chosen material (we love plain white or brown paper).

These, of course, are only a couple of ways to display orchids. They should give you a jumping off point to start your own imaginative arrangement, though.

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Sunflower Fun Facts

February 17, 2016

It’s easy to see the beauty of the sunflower when you look at it, but some of what makes the flower special remains a mystery to many people. For instance, do you know tall a sunflower can grow or all the ways in which a sunflower can provide for a human? If you do, keep reading because we’re going to give you a more sunflower trivia that might surprise (and delight) you. If you don’t, read on as well, and find the answers to these questions, and others, as you learn about the beautiful sunflower.

The Sunflower is an Inflorence

The sunflower is a type of flower called an inflorence, which means that it’s actually two, or more, flowers in one. The sunflower, like the daisy, has central florets and an outer floret, which come together to make up a seemingly single bloom. This design helps birds and insects easily see the flower, and it assists in pollination. Every floret, when pollinated, can produce a seed.

A Guinness World Record Holder

In 2012, the tallest sunflower measured was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The specimen grew in Germany and reached 27 feet!

The Fibonacci Sequence

The florets in the head of a sunflower form a spiral, with each small flower oriented toward the next by an angle of 137.5 degrees (called the golden angle). This orientation forms a pattern of spirals that interconnect, with the number of right and left spirals being consecutive Fibonacci numbers. Typically, a sunflower has 34 spirals in one direction and 55 in the other. If the sunflower is large, it might have 89 spirals in one direction and 144 in the other.

Yummy Sunflower Seeds

If you like to snack on sunflower seeds, you’re probably eating striped seeds. Use sunflower oil in cooking? It almost always comes from black seeds.

A Native American Staple

The sunflower is native to the Americas. Early Native American Indians used its seeds to make body paint, dye, food like oil and bread, and healing ointments.

Sunflower Seeds Make a Tasty Butter Spread

In addition to peanut and almond butter, sunflower butter tastes amazing on sandwiches, crackers, and fruit. Sunflower butter is made from sunflower seeds, and it’s especially popular in Germany where it’s mixed with rye flour to spread on bread.

The sunflower serves many useful purposes, in addition to those we’ve mentioned and looking gorgeous. It’s a popular muse for artists (Van Gogh’s Sunflowers is one of our favorite paintings) and it can be used to extract toxins like arsenic and lead from soil.

Do you grow sunflowers in your garden? Do you often keep them in your home? If so, let us know what you find special about the sunflower by leaving us a note in the comments below.

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Rose Trivia

January 28, 2016

In honor of Valentine’s Day, and because there will likely be many roses sent and received for this special holiday, we thought we’d give you a bit of rose trivia to celebrate.

Roses are universal symbols of love. Most everyone knows that roses represent adoration, desire, friendship, and other forms of love that one person can have for another. But, roses offer more meanings and they come with some interesting stories. The following are some pieces of rose trivia we thought you’d like to know about.

People have loved roses since nearly the beginning of humanity. In fact, it’s thought that the floors of Cleopatra’s palace were decorated with carpets of rose petals. The wise Confucius even had a library specifically dedicated to books on roses. He had more than 600 volumes in it!
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” We agree, Mr. Shakespeare. William Shakespeare refers to roses more than 50 times throughout his brilliant writings.
The world’s oldest living rose is said to be 1,000 years old. It lives today on the wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany.
The mystery of, and the love for, the white rose began in the age of the Romans, when they believed that white roses growing wild were the tears of Venus that had fallen as she mourned the loss of Adonis.
Most people associate New York with the moniker “The Big Apple” or the giant crystal ball that falls in Times Square every New Year’s Eve. But, the official symbol of New York is the rose. It’s the state flower.
Country music star Dolly Parton has a rose named after her. It’s a beautiful orange-red variety that looks gorgeous on its own or in multi-flower arrangements.
According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite gave the rose its name.

The rose is a beautiful, mysterious, and popular flower that has withstood time and seems like it may outlast much of it. The next time you hold a rose in your hand, think about the people that have also experienced the wonder of the rose and the way the flower links all of us together with its beautiful presence.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Fun Flower Facts, Roses, Valentine's Day

Climbing Flowers

January 22, 2016

If you’re looking for ideas for climbing flowers to decorate a wall, trellis, or other garden feature, you have many beautiful blooms to choose from. We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular, and stunning, climbing flowers that you might want to include in a front yard, back yard, or patio garden.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a fragrant climbing flower that seems to give off its strongest perfume at dusk. This flower will surely encourage most everyone who passes by it to dip their nose in for a big sniff. When they do, they’ll get a close-up view of one of the prettiest climbing blooms we know of.

Lilac

Lilac is an evergreen that blooms in mild areas. It’s a fast-growing climbing flower that provides a lovely display of flowers during summer, and sometimes into fall.

Clematis

We love training clematis to wind around posts, up and over archways, and through other plants. When clematis have climbed down a post or up an archway, they provide a blanket of color that’s gorgeous and unmatched.

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine is a climbing flower that blooms from late summer to autumn. It’s a sun-loving deciduous blossom that gives off unique orange-pink shaded, trumpet-like flowers that are more than interesting. They’re captivating!

Wisteria

Wisteria is a romantic climbing flower that looks incredible on a sturdy frame like a solid trellis or pergola. This bloom needs the support of a strong structure because it carries a lot of weight at full growth, but it doesn’t look too heavy. Wisteria is perfect for gardens featuring delicate flowers as well as robust blossoms.

These are some of our favorite climbing flowers, but we also love morning glory and golden hops. Do you have a favorite climbing flower? If so, feel free to let us know what it is in the comments below. Also, tell us where you grow your favorite climbing flowers.

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Flowers for Eczema Relief

January 14, 2016

Chamomile

Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic flower that’s also hypoallergenic. It has the ability to neutralize many substances that irritate the skin and it’s shown effective in treating eczema in clinical trials. Chamomile has been studied in several trials for its potential as an powerful ingredient for use in healing skincare. One study documented in Germany shows that chamomile was 60% as active as .25% hydrocortisone when used topically on eczema patients.

Chickweed

Chickweed is a pretty uncommon herb, but its been used for healing in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Today, many herbalists recommend chickweed as an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral medicine. This flower contains polysaccharides that work to heal and soothe irritated skin naturally.

Calendula

Calendula is a flower that’s been used for generations to treat a variety of skin conditions. It’s an herb that has anti-inflammatory properties, which is exactly what someone suffering from eczema needs. Calendula also eliminates bacteria and helps heal any skin lesions associated with eczema.

Since eczema is characterized by a chronic inflammation of the skin, it makes sense that a person looking for a gentle anti-inflammatory treatment would turn to the flowers that we’ve mentioned.

If you’ve had experience using flowers to treat eczema, feel free to drop us a note below. We’d love to hear about your experience and about which flowers helped clear up your condition.

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More Flowering Herbs for an Herb Garden

January 7, 2016

We recently told you about some flowering herbs that we like to keep in our home or in our garden. But, later we realized that there were more herbs we wanted to share with you.

Herbs are amazing plants because they offer so much beauty, and benefit, for us. They’re ideal for using in cooking, they provide healing in the form of natural medicine, and they lift our spirits when we think about the beautiful way nature provides for us through them.

The following are a few more flowering herbs that we think will be great additions to a windowsill, or outdoor, garden.

Marsh Mallow

Marsh mallow is a stunning herb that puts out little pink or white flowers for most of the summer. It has velvety, sensual gray-green leaves that look incredible in any garden. Marsh mallow is often used to make healing teas that comfort the body and the spirit. This herb grows to about three to four feet tall, if left undisturbed.

Purple Coneflower

Also called Echinacea, purple coneflower is a flowering herb that would be great in a healing garden. Echinacea is tasty, and effective, when used to make cold and flu-fighting teas and elixirs. It’s signature purple, and pink, petals can help heal the body, and the mind, when it’s under extreme stress.

Meadowsweet

This flowering herb is sometimes known as “queen of the meadow.” It’s a graceful plant that provides creamy white flowers and clusters of leaves from mid to late summer. Meadowsweet grows in clumps, so you can divide it every two to three years to control its spread. Use meadowsweet in calming teas.

These, in addition to the other flowering herbs we’ve mentioned, will provide you with a gorgeous garden filled with many benefits for happiness and health.

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Creating a Flowering Herb Garden

January 7, 2016

If you get excited about food and flowers as much as we do, consider creating your own flowering herb garden. You’ll be able to supply yourself with as much beauty as you desire, whenever you desire.

The following are some of the herbs that you might want to put into your garden. They will provide blooms, stems, and leaves that can be used in a variety of ways.

Anise Hyssop

This perennial herb is bushy and it grows in bunches. It has upright stems that bloom with an abundance of blue-lavender flowers during mid to late summer. Anise Hyssop attract pollinating bees and other beneficial insects, so you might want to grow this herb outside. It has fragrant leaves that are especially perfect in healing ointments.

Feverfew

Feverfew is a great herb to have around if you like to make tea from fresh flowers. The blossoms on this herb look delicate, but they’re actually sturdy so you can grown them nearly anytime of year. They thrive in early summer and into fall, however. After a round of flowers on this herb, you can cut it to the ground so it will bring new growth for you.

Lavender

Lavender is an herb that looks stunning indoors or out. It’s one of the best herbs to grow if you want something with a range of possibilities, for health, happiness, and healing. Lavender is ideal for making into tea, baked goods, and healing tinctures. It has a heavenly smell and it’s easy to take care of, as long as its soil gets proper drainage.

These are some of our favorite herbs to growing in a flowering herb garden. Do you have flowering herbs that you especially like to keep around? If so, feel free to let us know about them in the comments below.

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Flowers that Bloom During January in North America

January 7, 2016

If you’re trying to put together a seasonal bouquet from flowers that are readily available in North American during January, you’re in luck. We’ve been thinking about flowers and the season, and we thought you might want some suggestions for great January booms. We’ve put together a list of flowers that people living in North America should be able to source with no problems to create a beautiful home, or garden, display during this winter month.

We came up with a collection of flowers that we’re going to try to bring into our houses and yards this month, including flowers that represent the restorative power of winter and those that give us a sneak peak into what spring will offer.

Whether you want to incorporate seasonal flowers into your insider or outside décor, or want to give seasonal blooms to someone special, consider choosing one or more of the following:

Ranunculus

Ranunculus are brilliantly colored flowers with a unusual, layered shape. Their pretty petals are intricate and delicate looking, making them a standout in the home or in a garden. Ranunculus are special blooms that resemble origami masterwork. They thrive in western and southern North American gardens starting in fall and extending through January.

Calla Lily

Did you know that calla lilies are not considered true lilies? Not that it makes much of a difference to us, or to many, because these beauties are pretty enough not to need explanation. Calla lilies grow from rhizomes and they come in a multitude of colors. You can plant them in beds and in borders, and then cut them to bring indoors. Or, you can simply grow them inside on a windowsill.

Dahlias

Dahlias grow from tubers, not from bulbs as some people think. Their tubers have eyes, just as a potato does, which is a fun fact but not something you need to know to enjoy the beauty of the dahlia. Dahlias can be planted during spring or fall, ideally when the ground is rather wet. It’s possible to admire their cheerful blooms during most winters in North America.

In addition to these flowers, we also love January-blooming flowers like alstromeria, gerbera daisy, delphinium, larkspur, liatris, and stargazer lily. Do you have any favorite blooms you like to have around during January, or during winter? If so, feel free to leave us a note in the comments below.

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Flowers to Make Healing Ointments

December 31, 2015

Did you know that many flowers can be made into healing ointments? We love to keep flowers like lavender and calendula around because they offer relief for a variety of conditions, such as dry skin, burns, and rashes. In addition to offering a bit of natural medicine for some of our ailments, these flowers (and several others) are quite beautiful to look at, so we make sure we frequently have some in our garden in or a vase indoors.

The following are a few flowers that you can use to make healing ointments with. Simply take the flower’s petals, whole or crushed, and add them to a neutral plant oil base like almond or coconut oil.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the top flowers for healing. It offers a calming aroma that can help out with bouts of stress, headaches, or insomnia. And, it possesses properties that promote healing when used topically. You can bring lavender’s spirit-soothing benefits into your life by using fresh, or dried, aromatic lavender flowers in potpourris, temple balms, and bath soaks. To heal skin conditions like eczema, or skin that’s painful to the touch, turn to crushed lavender petals infused into a carrier oil like olive oil. Lavender is an anti-bacterial flower too, so apply it with a plant oil to treat acne.

Calendula

Some of the many healing powers of calendula include treating rashes and eczema, speeding up the healing time of cuts and burns, and reducing inflamed skin. Also known as the pot marigold, calendula is a plant that you can easily grow yourself if you want an on-the-spot remedy to calm the stomach, nerves, and skin. Put calendula petals in apricot kernel, oil or another plant oil, and apply your formula on the skin to prevent wound infection and soothe irritation.

Comfrey

Comfrey is regarded as “one of nature’s greatest medicinal herbs.” It’s no wonder why. This super healing herb makes a great ointment, when mixed with a thick oil like coconut oil, to heal a variety of health problems, including broken bones! Comfrey ointment applied topically can shorten the time it takes for bones, muscles, and skin to heal. This flower, when used with a carrier oil, also helps treat diaper rash.

These are just a few of the flowers we like to turn to for natural healing. Do you have any flowers you make healing ointments with? If so, let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear about them!

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A Guide to Wildflowers

December 31, 2015

Even though it’s winter, and we still have our house filled with Christmas trees and holly, we’re thinking about wildflowers. Wildflowers seem to come to mind for us whenever we need a bit of a pick-me-up in spirit or a bit of encouragement of the goodness that’s in the world. Lately, as we look back on 2015 and ahead to the new year, we’re thinking about the things that make us most happy so we can bring more of them into our lives.

Flowers make us happy. Especially happy and cheerful-looking flowers like wildflowers, which is probably why they’re floating around in our brain right now.

If you love wildflowers too, we’d like to offer you a gift for the holiday season. Take this guide to wildflowers and start planning the perfect wildflower garden for planting in spring. Or, go out and buy yourself some of these beautiful blooms from your local market or florist and enjoy them now.

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed is a popular wildflower. It can be found in meadows all around the world, but it does demand the right soil conditions so there are certain locales that, unfortunately, miss out on its wild-growing beauty. Butterfly weed is a stunning milkweed that has bright orange flowers on low-lying plants. It creates a gorgeous flower carpet in a garden, but it can be plucked to put into tiny vases for cheering up the house.

Gaillardias

A perennial, gaillardias make a pretty addition to a wildflower garden. They come in a few sizes and shapes, so choose small ones for a border or tall flowers as part of the main attraction in a wildflower display. Gaillardias are easy to grow from seed and they do well in a rough soil environment.

Black Eyed Susans

Black eyed Susans are some of the most popular wildflowers, in gardens and growing in the wild. You’ll find these flowers on hillsides along the highway, in pristine prairies, and pretty much all over the place. They’re country flowers that also make their way into cities, and they’re known for their sunny yellow petals and deep brown center.

Along with these wildflowers, we love to grow and cut queen of the prairie and glorioso daisies. Do you have any specific wildflowers that you make a point to keep around? If so, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

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Flowers that are Safe for Companion Animals

December 30, 2015

Having companion animals and flowers together in a house can make for a happy life. But, choosing animal friends and flowers that can coexist is essential to bring about all of this happiness.

If you have cats or dogs who live with you, and you want to have a bit of floral beauty in your home, the following is a guide to which flowers you should choose and which should stay at the florist.

Animal-Friendly Flowers

Roses petals are fine to have around furry friends, but watch out for thorns on stems. Petals and stems from daises, orchids, bromeliads, and African violets are safe for fuzzy creatures. Animal-friendly flowers and plants like alyssum, bachelor’s buttons, begonia, celosia, snapdragon, Peruvian lily, and Brazilian lily are also good choices. Your cat or dog companion may get a little bit of an upset tummy if he, or she, were to eat Christmas cactus, but it would only be a mild case of the yucks that could easily be recovered from.

Do Not Keep These Flowers Around Companion Animals

Be careful with tulips around cats and dogs. They’re toxic and they can make your companion animal extremely sick, or cause death in some instances. Other plants and flowers that are toxic to cats and dogs include azalea, bird of paradise, begonia, aloe, amaryllis, and baby’s breath. Easter lilies and stargazer lilies, and other members of the Lilium genus, can cause serious kidney problems if consumed by cats.

When seeking out flowers to keep in your garden or in your home, or if giving flowers to someone, always consider if the blooms you’re thinking about could be eaten by an animal. If so, avoid those we’ve mentioned that are toxic. Animals’ lives are too precious to take any chances with.

Flowers, just like our companion animals, should be a source of joy and pleasure in our life. So, it’s best to take every precaution possible to preserve the goodness that they offer. Animals can be curious beyond what we might imagine, so remember to play it safe and opt for flowers you know will not cause harm.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Fun Flower Facts, Lilies, Roses, Tulips, Violet

Flowers to Leave in Your Airbnb Rental

December 24, 2015

Do you rent out your home on Airbnb? If so, why not leave a beautiful bouquet of flowers for your next houseguest? There are several blooms that can offer a welcoming spirit and a gift of generosity for someone staying in your home. These flowers can be just what’s needed to help a traveler feel comfortable in a new place and to give them a bit of human connection in a city where they might not know anyone.

Consider choosing the following flowers for a warm and welcoming bouquet that will surely surprise, and please, your next Airbnb guests.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers can bring happiness and joy to people no matter their culture. So, whether you’re Airbnb guests are coming from somewhere local or from overseas, think about these flowers to offer a universal feeling of cheer. Imagine the faces of your guests when they enter your home and lay eyes on perky, and energetic, sunflowers?

Daisies

Daisies offer sentiments of friendship, so consider placing these flowers in your Airbnb rental to show you care about the individuals who stay with you. What a nice touch to express to someone that they’re more than just a stranger checking into an accommodation?

Wildflower Mix

A wildflower mix can be a stunning floral arrangement to leave for your Airbnb guests, whether your home is located in the countryside or in the city. Country living begs for wildflower enjoyment. Residing in the city often makes one appreciate the delicateness, and rawness, of wildflowers when everything else around is sturdy and made of steel.

In addition to these flowers for your Airbnb rental, you can leave Asiatic lilies or yellow tulips for your guests. Or, you can opt for whatever your favorite flowers are. Want to really impress your houseguests and have them spread the word about their experience with you? Ask them what their favorite flowers are and have those waiting for them when they arrive.

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Celebrate the Rose for New Year’s

December 24, 2015

In California, and in many other parts of the United States, the thrill of the Tournament of Roses Parade is little more than a week away. In celebration of the annual Rose Parade, we thought we’d feature the rose and talk a bit about why it’s such a beloved bloom.

Just as roses bring beauty to the floats in the Tournament of Roses parade, they can bring loveliness to your home, your hair, or the life of someone special to you. Why are roses such cherished blooms in events like the Tournament of Roses Parade, and when given as gifts (to yourself or a loved one)?

We think it’s because roses are the perfect representation of delicateness, strength, adoration, and friendship. Who doesn’t want to see more of these things being shared in the world? We absolutely do, so let’s explore more about the power of the rose.

Types of Roses

Did you know that there are three types of roses? Roses are either species (wild) roses, modern roses, or old garden roses. Species roses are usually climbing roses that look like a shrub. They typically have single, flat flowers that bloom in late spring or in early summer. Modern roses are a varied bunch. They include some climbing roses as well as floribunda, miniature, Polyantha, hybrid musk, and grandiflora roses. Climbing rose varieties include hybrid tea, bourbon, damask, china, and rambler roses.

Popular Roses

One of the most popular roses, to give or grow in a yard, is the alba rose. This rose is an old garden rose that has been in existence for more than a century. It comes in pink and white hues, and it has fragrant blossoms that sit upright on blue-green-grey stems.

The China rose is also an old garden rose and it’s a good choice for growing at home. This rose was introduced in the late 18^th century and it’s become one of the top garden roses due to its ability to re-bloom. With a second flush of blossoms to enjoy during the year, the China rose should be a flower included in any outdoor garden.

Hybrid Tea roses are a cross between hybrid perpetual and tea roses. They come in a large variety of colors, ranging from pale to bold. These roses are often considered a hybrid of the garden rose and the modern rose. They’re known for their long, strong stems that offer a large bud and flower head that seems to point up to the sky.

All of these roses are beautiful. But, depending on your use for roses, you may find that one suits you better than the next. Consider, at some point, bringing all of them (and more) into your life for a bit of enjoyment. They all smell amazing and they’ll surely offer beauty for you and those close to you, physical beauty and beauty of the spirit.

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Flowers to Cheer You Up

December 23, 2015

Have you ever felt down, but been drawn to the beauty of flowers so much that your spirit was lifted? We have. It seems that even in the darkest of times, the delicate appearance of a flower or its sweet fragrance has been all that was needed to perk us up.

We can’t count the number of times we’ve felt blue and then walked past a rose only to be lured in for a sniff. Why? Why do flowers call to us, even when we’re dead sure we’ll never see happier times? Perhaps it’s the symbolism of the flower as something that keeps focus on the good, even when chaos surrounds it. Maybe it’s the smell of some, and the way that the fragrance notes affect our brain physically?

Flowers, no matter their environment, do seem to push forward with life energy to offer bold colors, calming aromas, and opportunities to share beauty with others. Flowers persevere, and that is a testament we can stand behind. You can chill their home to the core and they manage to renew in springtime. Burn them and they’ve already worked to burn a memory of beauty into the mind, plus their ground lies fertile for another planting.

Whenever you’re feeling like you could use a little pick-me-up in life, consider turning to the flowers. In particular, choose the following flowers. Buy them freshly cut and put them in a vase, or plant them in a garden in or around your home. Just keep them with you somewhere and look at them, or put your nose to some of them when you want an instant high.

Roses

Who doesn’t walk past a rose and bend over to enjoy the smell of it? We can’t resist. If you’re wondering which roses are the most fragrant, which means they might offer you the most fulfillment from their sweet smell, choose the Honey Perfume rose or the Fragrant Plum rose.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers can instantly put a smile on our faces. Their large face, if you will, seems to challenge us to be just as cheery. When we stare at a sunflower, we often find ourselves engaged in a battle of who can be the happiest, us or the flower.

Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera daisies are a bit like sunflowers for us. They uplift, maybe because their petals open up to the sun asking us to also stay open to life. We especially love pink and white gerbera daisies.

There are many more flowers that cheer us up, such as the common daisy and the dandelion. Common daisies have that same openness to life that we often need in trying times, plus they’re pint-sized, which shows us we need not be big and grand above all to be worthy. Why the dandelion? If you’ve ever blown its wispy, cottony seed heads into the wind and made a wish, you’ll know why.

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About the Cheerful Daisy

December 23, 2015

Do you love daisies? We do. We love them a lot, in fact, and we thought you might too. In fact, we kind of assumed that everyone loves the daisy and the uplifting energy that the flower provides.

When we look at daisies, we can’t help but notice that a huge smile comes across our face. Daisies, in all their forms, bring such happiness and lightness to a day for us. Which are our favorite daisies? It’s hard to narrow a list down to just one. But, we love Gerbera varieties and we go crazy for small common daisies. Both look beautiful in a vase, and they make stunning additions to a garden or a bouquet.

For those of you who adore the daisy as much as we do, here’s a little daisy love. We’ve put together a little list of the most popular types of daisies, in case you need inspiration for flowers to add to your home or give to someone special.

English Daisy

The English daisy looks like a weed to some, maybe because it resembles dandelions (which people also think are weeds, but they’re not). This daisy grows vigorously and can self sow, which means it can take over a garden if you want it to (and even if you don’t). English daisies do well in USDA growing zones 4 through 8, and they thrive in cool summer weather.

Gerbera Daisy

Ahh, one of our favorite daisies and one of our favorite flowers. The Gerbera daisy offers a sunflower shape on a large flower head, like the cheery sunflower. Also like the sunflower, it tends to give one a feeling of happiness and joy immediately upon viewing. The Gerbera daisy comes in pretty colors like pink, yellow, white, orange, and even red. These bold, but gentle, flowers look amazing in cutting gardens and in bridal bouquets.

Oxeye Daisy

Also known as the common daisy, the Oxeye daisy is considered a prized bloom by some and a weed by others. We know its worth, though. This daisy is small, like a button, and it features the same open-petal shape as other daisies. It’s a drought-tolerant flower that looks beautiful in gardens and also in vases when brought into the home.

In addition to these daisies, we love painted daisies and Shasta daisies. Do you have any particular variety of daisy that you adore most? If so, drop us a note in the comments below and let us know what it is!

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The Right Flowers for a Cutting Garden

December 17, 2015

One of the things that brings us great joy is growing flowers to cut and place inside of our home. We love the way fresh flowers offer joy, beauty, and gratitude to our day. We appreciate having the ability to cut flowers when we want, plop them in a vase or bowl, and instantly receive the good feelings that they provide.

If you adore the idea of having fresh flowers available for your home, whenever you want them, consider planting a cutting garden. There are several blooms you can choose from to give you an endless supply of flowers for stunning bouquets, and even single-vase displays, in your living space.

Here are some of our favorite flowers for planting in a cutting garden:

Peonies

We have a thing for peonies. We love these graceful and passionate blooms that seem to speak of so many feelings close to our heart. Peonies are large flowers that can stand alone in a bouquet or add substance to any arrangement. They come in many varieties, but we especially love white “Festiva Maxima” peonies.

Calla Lilies

Giant white calla lilies are on our list of top flowers for a cutting garden. They can grow up to three feet tall and they offer blooms from mid-spring to late summer. Calla lilies have a deep chalice-like spathe that ends in a smoke-like wisp, which makes them eye catching when placed on their own or with other cut flowers.

Irises

The iris is easy to grow. It prefers full sun, but it does well in partial shade and even in moist soil. For your cutting garden, consider the “Dreaming Spires” iris, which is a moderately sized cultivar that reaches three feet tall. This flower also blooms from mid-spring to early summer.

In addition to these flowers, consider delphinium, penstemon, roses, bird of paradise, and hyssop for your cutting garden.

Do you have a particular flower, or a collection of flowers, that you like to grow in a cutting garden? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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About the Rose: Everything You Wanted to Know

December 17, 2015

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” This we know. But, the rose’s name has become synonymous with love and friendship, so we appreciate being able to refer to it when we’re pondering these thoughts for a special person.

The rose is a flower that can be given to express innocent love, deep and true love, commitment, gratitude, and dozens of other feelings that we have for others. It’s long been referenced in history as a flower symbolic of many emotions, and it’s a bloom that takes on even more meaning when chosen in certain colors.

We love roses. We adore them in many varieties and scents that await to be explored, given, and cherished. If you love the rose as much as we do, and even if you’re on the fence about the rose, here are a few fun facts that will hopefully inspire you to buy roses soon for someone special or for yourself.

Variety

The variety of roses that one can buy, or grow, is expansive. There are garden roses, spray roses, hybrid tea roses, carpet roses, and many other types of roses that offer varying degrees of fragrance and varying hues for your enjoyment.

Rose Anatomy

All roses have stems, but some are thin and bendy while others are long and thick. Long-stem roses are some of the most popular types of roses for giving. They feature a large, single rosebud atop a long stem. Rose petals make up the head of the rose. Premium roses, like long-stem roses, have large heads. Some roses, like African roses, have multiple small heads, or buds, on one stem.

Origin

Long-stem roses that you’d typically find in a floral shop usually come from farms in Ecuador, Columbia, and Guatemala. Sweetheart roses, which have small buds and stems, often come from Tanzania, Kenya, Columbia, and India.

More About Roses

The cost of roses depends on many factors like season (red roses rise in price during February), color (hybrid roses go for a premium), and type (long-stem roses are some of the most expensive). The abundance of colors that the rose is available in makes this flower perfect for giving for any occasion. Need Christmas flowers? Choose white roses. Looking for a thank you gift? Opt for yellow roses. Roses can be ideal flowers to give for any reason and to express any sentiment.

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Hawaiian Flowers

December 17, 2015

Hawaiian flowers are gorgeous flowers to give as gifts, keep in your home, or decorate a wedding venue with. They’re colorful, warm, and stunning and they offer a laid-back, welcoming attitude while also remaining quite elegant.

We love Hawaiian flowers. We think they’re perfect choices for giving to the one you love, wearing in your hair, and using as a focal point when arranging a table for a meal.

The following are some of the Hawaiian flowers that we’re especially fond of:

Hawaiian Leis

The Hawaiian people have long offered fresh Hawaiian leis as gifts of sincerity. We think giving a Hawaiian lei to a loved one, or new special acquaintance, is a beautiful idea. Hawaiian leis are traditionally made with orchids or other tropical flowers like song of India. They sometimes incorporate shells and kukui nut, and they always express love, prosperity, and peace.

Tropical Hawaiian Bouquets

If you want to give a Hawaiian bouquet, consider placing orchids, anthuriums, ginger, heliconia, and bird of paradise in it. Fresh tropical Hawaiian bouquets are easy to make, but they can also be ordered online if you don’t have access to Hawaiian blooms near you.

Flowers by the Stem

Hawaiian flowers are so stunning they can be given individually, by the stem without any greenery, to make a special statement. Some of the Hawaiian flowers we particularly love to give by themselves, standing alone in a vase or tied with a natural ribbon, include anthuriums, orchids, proteas, heliconia, and bird of paradise.

All of these Hawaiian flowers have the ability to convey a sentiment of appreciation, loyalty, love, or whatever you’d like to express. They’re ideal for any occasion, so consider giving them the next time you buy flowers for someone.

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Flowers to Say “Thank You”

December 15, 2015

Saying “thank you” with flowers can be an easy, creative, and unexpected way to say “Thank you.” It’s easy for the giver, and it’s always a delight for the recipient.

If you’re looking for the perfect flowers to say “thank you,” we have a few suggestions. Whether you want to offer your appreciation to your child’s teacher, a neighbor who house sat for you, or a friend who took care of you when you were ill, you have many beautiful choices for “thank you” flowers to give.

The following are some flowers for saying “thank you” that we especially love:

Sweet Peas

What better way to say “thank you” for doing something sweet than sending sweet peas. Sweet peas can say “thank you” for concert tickets, a job referral, excellent ongoing service, or help with an event. These beauties smell just as sweet and wonderful as they look.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are flowers given to say “thank you for understanding.” They’re ideal to send to someone who has helped you through a tough time physically, emotionally, or financially. These blossoms come in pink, blue, peach, and white. They’re economical if you’re on a budget because you only need one or two blooms to fill up a vase.

Chrysanthemums

To say “thank you” to a friend, choose chrysanthemums. These flowers are cheerful and they represent joy. To show how joyful and thankful you are for a special friendship, give these blooms.

In addition to the flowers we’ve mentioned, you can say “thank you” by offering bellflowers, irises, or roses. Of course, any flower that you give with your whole heart will be a beautiful sentiment of gratitude.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Chrysanthemum, Irises, Roses, Saying Thank You, Sweet Pea

The Most Popular Flowers to Give

December 14, 2015

If you’ve ever wanted to give someone flowers, but didn’t know which ones to choose, we just made things easier for you. We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular blooms that people give to those they love, want to thank, or wish to send good thoughts to.

We’ve also noted a bit of information about each one in case you need help determining which flower might be best for your offering.

Whether you’re looking for a flower that expresses love, says Happy Birthday, or offers congratulations, you’ll be able to find something that’s perfect by referring to the guide below.

Roses

Roses have long been the most popular flower for giving. The reason why might lie in the variety of colors, sizes, scents, and shapes that the rose offers. The rose is often considered a symbol of love. But, it can represent friendship, condolences, and many other expressions from one person to another.

Carnations

Carnations were the first flower given for Mother’s Day. Miss Anna Jarvis, the founder of the holiday, chose this blossom to give because it was her mother’s favorite flower. Carnations are commonly referred to by their scientific name, “Dianthus,” which was given to the blossom by the Greek botanist, Theophrastus, and which means “The Flowers of God.”

Gerbera Daisies

The Gerbera daisy is the third most popular flower, after the rose and the carnation. It’s a genus of the family of flowers that includes sunflowers, daisies, and asters. Through hybridization, this flower has become available in a wide variety of colors like orange, bright red, pink, dark yellow, and scarlet.

Other flowers that top the list of most popular blooms to give include anemone, chrysanthemums, tulips, orchids, sunflowers, and peonies. If you’re looking for a floral gift for anyone special to you, you’re sure to please if you choose any one of these.

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The Best Flowers to Wear in Your Hair

December 10, 2015

You don’t have to be going to San Francisco to wear flowers in your hair. You can pretty yourself up with flowers when you head out to dinner, to a festival, or even to the park. Celebrating a birthday or special occasion? Place a bloom or two, or a crown of them, in your mane and delight in the beautiful feeling that flowers offer.

The following are some flowers that we think would look amazing in your hair, whether you clip them in with a barrette or make a lovely headband out of them:

Peony

Peony is a fragrant flower that looks beautiful in hair. We’re obsessed with these flowers.

We suggest you tuck one behind your ear or secure it to your head with a bobby pin.

Spray Rose

Spray roses are smaller than regular roses, so you can put a couple of blossoms in your hair and not have them stick out too far. Crowns of little spray roses look absolutely stunning.

Garden Rose

The garden rose is a beauty. It’s often hard to find, but if you have a flower mart near you, we think it’s worth the trip to pick up some of these for your hair.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are popular flowers that have vibrant and showy appearance, which makes them perfect for putting in you hair if you’re going to an outdoor music concert or an evening opera performance.

In addition to these blooms, you can decorate your hair with ranunculus, anemone (one of our favorites), and pernetiana. Or, you can choose a flower that calls to you in a special way. Have you ever worn flowers in your hair? If so, leave us a note in the comments below and tell us all about it!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Roses

Festive Flowers for a New Year’s Eve Party

December 10, 2015

Are you having a New Year’s Eve party and looking for some festive flowers to decorate your home? There are some amazing ones that will add life, and love, to a gathering meant to usher in new beginnings.

By choosing the following flowers, and arranging them on their own or together in a fun way, you can bring goodness into your home for New Year’s Eve, and for the future.

Orchid

The eye-catching orchid is a stunning flower to have around for a New Year’s Eve soiree. It sends the perfect message of beauty and grace for a new year. The orchid exudes positive energy, power, and joy. It’s a flower that can be combined with other flowers, like china berry or bamboo, for an ultra-dramatic effect.

Sunflowers

Happy sunflowers will surely bring good vibes to your New Year’s Eve party. These radiant flowers are sometimes associated with summertime, but during the dead of winter they can bring much-appreciated cheer. Offer your New Year’s party guests a bit of optimism for the future, and a gesture of friendship, by decorating with sunflowers.

Asiatic Lilies

Lilies are often used to decorate during spring, but Asiatic lilies have a more striking appearance that fits in well with a New Year’s Eve gathering. Asiatic lilies are exuberant and energetic. They bring elegance and sophistication to an upscale New Year’s Eve party.

Along with these flowers, we think that hydrangea, carnations, and paper whites make beautiful New Year’s Eve decorations. No matter which flowers you choose for your New Year’s Eve party, we think your event will be amazing if you focus on how special it is for people to come together in celebration.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Holidays, Orchids, Seasonal, Sunflowers

Flowers to Bring Color to Winter

December 10, 2015

In the dead of winter, when most everything is white or a shade of gray, there are certain flowers that burst through the monochrome with bold, vivid color. Which flowers are these?

They’re the following beauties, and they’re ones you should consider planting if you live in an area with mild winters.

Calendula

Daisy-like calendula blooms from late fall through spring. It provides easy color for a garden, and you can bring this color into a home by placing them in a vase.

Calendula gives winters a hint of what spring and summer will offer by showing off pretty hues of yellow, orange, apricot, and cream.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen are known for being popular winter flowers because this plant hardly ever loses its dramatic color. Cyclamen come in sweet shades of pink, rose, and red. Sometimes you’ll find them in white, but we love the colored versions. Cyclamen resemble little butterflies or shooting stars.

Iceland Poppy

Iceland poppies have tall, leafless stems that seem to dance in the wind, which is why they’re perfect for winter. When cold breezes kick in and chill the bones, you can look at Iceland poppy to warm your heart. Iceland poppies are typically seen in colors like orange, pink, rose, yellow, and salmon.

If it’s winter where you are, you can plant these flowers in spring to have them viewable for the following winter. If you’re in full summer mode where you live right now, plant these flowers right away so they’ll be ready for you soon.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Calendula, Poppies

Flowers to Companion Plant in a Vegetable Garden

December 10, 2015

If you have a vegetable garden and are looking for the right flowers to plant to keep critters away, we have some ideas for you.

The following plants do a great job discouraging bugs and animals from getting into your vegetable garden. They are functional, for sure, but they look amazing too. So try some of these beauties in your veggie garden!

Alyssum

Alyssum are gorgeous plants that spread along the ground and produce hundreds of tiny flowers. These blossoms bloom all season long, and they come in purple, white, and pink varieties. You can plant Alyssum with basil, lettuce, sprouting broccoli, and bush beans for a stunning aesthetic.

Calendula

Yellow and orange calendula flowers bring a bit of brightness to a cool-season vegetable garden of cabbage, carrots, collards, and kale. Tall calendula varieties can grow up to 18 inches tall, and they’re less prone to mildew, so we suggest you plant these in your garden. As a bonus, you can pluck your calendula petals to use in tea and in beauty products.

Cosmos

There are two common types of cosmos: C. sulphureous, which comes in orange, red, and yellow and Cosmos bipinnatus, which produces the familiar pink and white flowers sometimes called “Sensation” mix. Cosmos keep creatures you don’t want near your flowers away. And, it attracts beneficial bugs and pretty birds.

All of these flowers for a veggie garden are pretty common, which means you should be able to find them in your local nursery. But, if you can’t, you can always order them (or their seeds) online.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Calendula, Cosmos, Flowers by Type, Fun Flower Facts

Entertaining and Decorating with Christmas Flowers

December 9, 2015

If you’re looking for ideas for entertaining and decorating with Christmas flowers, you’ve come to the right place. We love a beautifully decorated home at Christmastime, and we spend quite a bit of the holiday season figuring out which flowers will look most amazing when our friends and family visit.

The following are some of the fun ways that we think entertaining and decorating with Christmas flowers can go hand in hand this year:

For a Casual Holiday Celebration

If you’re having friends and family over for a casual holiday celebration, consider these ideas to decorate with Christmas flowers:

Create snowballs and snowmen using white carnations.
Fill your outdoor garden pots with poinsettias, ivy, cyclamen, and amaryllis.
Greet your party guests at the door with a personal mini-wreath that they can take home with them.
Use fresh flowers, such as paper whites and candy-striped amaryllis, on your Christmas tree (place them in vials of water).
Wrap presents with pretty bows and sprigs of mistletoe.

For an Elegant Christmas Event

When you’re throwing an elegant Christmas affair, you can use traditional, or contemporary, holiday flowers as decorations and place them in fancy bowls or containers. Or, adorn them in a super-special way. Try the following:

Place a thick garland on the mantle and add fresh flowers like calla lilies.
Line a walkway with luminaries and holly.
Float candles and paper whites in a silver, or crystal, bowl for a stunning effect.
Place white orchids in each room that your party guests will enter, including the bathroom.

All of these ideas for entertaining and decorating with Christmas flowers will surely add beauty, warmth, and holiday spirit to your home. Enjoy arranging these special blooms in your house, and enjoy the holiday season!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Carnations, Holidays, Poinsettia, Seasonal

Long-Lasting Holiday Flowers

December 6, 2015

Wondering what blooms you can give that will last your flower recipient more than couple of days? There are several.

Giving flowers often takes a lot of time and money, so it’s nice to think that your gift will provide pleasure for someone for longer than 48 hours. Of course, your giftee will likely remember your thoughtful deed after the flowers are gone, but it’s still fun to find flowers that might live for a week or longer.

We’ve put together a list of some flowers that are known for living in a vase for up to four weeks. Many of them can last for a year or more, if planted in a garden.

When you want to give flowers that last, choose the following:

Orchid

Orchids are exotic flowers that look stunning and have an impressive life span. Most orchids can live for up to three weeks in a vase, but cymbidiums are especially robust. Their petals are less prone to damage, so give these flowers to someone special if you want to offer blooms that will sustain life for nearly a month (or many months when placed in the ground). A word of advice, your giftee should change an orchid’s vase water every two days to keep it living for a long time.

Carnation

There are a few reasons why carnations are a popular flower for gifting. They’re cheery and colorful, budget-friendly, and long lasting. Carnations can live for two to three weeks in a vase. To keep them thriving for this long, it’s best to pluck off petals or leaves that would appear below the water line and pick off dead petals frequently.

Chrysanthemums

It’s difficult to beat a chrysanthemum when it comes to flower longevity. These blossoms can last up to 30 days! They demand clean vase water every day, though, which is something your gift recipient might want to know about. We love chrysanthemums because they live a long time and they come in many gorgeous colors.

It’s easy to send all of these long-lasting flowers to someone by using a local brick-and-mortar florist or an online floral retailer. All of these flowers are abundant throughout the year, so you should be able to gift someone with them for any occasion. Enjoy sending these long-lasting flowers, and while you’re buying them, consider picking up some for yourself.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Flowers by Type, Orchids

Flowers for Hanukkah

December 6, 2015

Do you decorate your home with flowers for Hanukkah? Do you know someone who does? If so, you may want to turn to the following beautiful blue and white blooms to bring the spirit of Hanukkah into your living space this holiday season.

Blue and White Roses

The rare combination of dyed-blue and natural white roses makes a popular Hanukkah floral arrangement. This type of bouquet is readily available in most flower shops and from online florists.

Snow-White Alstromeria

Snow-White alstromeria is another gorgeous Hanukkah arrangement that you can keep in your home to make the season special. We suggest you mix this wintery-looking bloom with seeded eucalyptus.

White Poinsettias

White poinsettias, or winter night flowers, are not the most common type of poinsettia, but they are one of the most beautiful. These flowers show up in many Jewish households during the Hanukkah season.

Along with the three blooms we mentioned, it can be quite nice to decorate for Hanukkah with white lilies, white and blue chrysanthemums, and blue hydrangea. All of these flowers will bring beauty, warmth, and good spirit into your residence during the warm Hanukkah holiday.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Holidays, Poinsettia, Roses, Seasonal

Flowers to Make into Tea

December 2, 2015

Do you like to drink tea? Have you ever had a flower tea? We suppose you probably have, because there are so many wonderful teas with calendula, chamomile, and other botanicals available at the grocery store. But, have you ever made your own tea out of fresh flowers?

We have, and it’s divine. We’re going to tell you about a few flowers that you can use to make delicious, and healing, hot and cold teas.

Here are the flowers that you’ll want to choose when you’re turning flowers into tea, and the following are some ways that you can enjoy your tasty teas.

Rose Petal Tea

you want to make a rose petal tea, make sure you pick the most fragrant blooms you can find. It doesn’t matter what color they are. Just find roses that smell great and are fresh. We tend to think pink or red roses look the prettiest in teas, but you can choose the color of roses you like best. When you make rose petal tea, your beverage will likely taste exactly like the rose’s fragrance. A bit sweet, a little tangy, and a lot rosy. To make rose petal tea, wash your petals and cut off the white bases. Simmer one cup of rose petals in one and a half cups of water, for about five minutes. Then, strain out the petals, add a bit of sweetener, and drink. Rose petal tea is full of vitamin C, so it will help your immune system stay strong.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus Tea is a popular beverage in Jamaica and in the Caribbean. It offers a floral taste that’s simply amazing. Sweet, rich, and exotic. If you want to make Hibiscus Tea, chop up hibiscus flowers and pour one cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of chopped flowers. Allow your tea to steep for about five minutes. Serve it hot with sweetener, or sweeten it and then chill it for an iced drink. Hibiscus tea, when brewed, is a beautiful pink-purple color.

Chrysanthemum Tea

Many people in China, and in other Asian countries, consume chrysanthemum tea. You can usually find this tea, in dried form, in Asian grocery stores and it’s almost always available somewhere online. But, you can make your own chrysanthemum tea with fresh chrysanthemum flowers. You’ll want to choose chrysanthemums with the most vibrant yellow petals. These are said to be the most sweet smelling and sweet tasting. As with other flower teas, you’ll steep about 2 tablespoons of your flower petals in one cup of hot water for about five minutes. Chrysanthemum tea is delicious sweetened and even with a bit of almond milk added to it. This tea is thought to offer many health benefits.

We think making one of these floral teas sounds like a fun weekend project. Imagine curling up on a chilly Saturday night with a cup of your homemade tea in hand. Or, sitting by the pool on a Sunday afternoon sipping one of your iced handcrafted creations. If you have some ideas that you’d like to share with us for using flowers to make tea, feel free to drop us a note in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Roses

Flowers for Healing

December 1, 2015

Do you know that there are some sicknesses that can be treated with flowers?

Certain flowers offer healing because flowers they can lift the spirit and bring a positive mindset to an ill person. Which will surely help the regenerative process. But, flowers can also be consumed to health the body. Some flowers, after ingestion, can help you get well. And, there are particular flowers that, when applied to the body topically, promote healing.

We’re going to tell you about some of these miracle flowers. We’re going to talk about a few flowers that you can use to get over the common cold, certain stomach conditions, and even respiratory issues.

Here are some of our favorite flowers to use:

Calendula

Calendula is an amazing healing flower because it can help reduce a variety of symptoms, inside and outside of the body. If you’re suffering from a cold or the flu, turn to calendula tea to help you kick it. When you’re dealing with eczema or have other skin ailments, like cuts and burns, you can use calendula petals mixed with olive oil as a salve for healing.

Angelica

Angelica has many healing uses, but it’s often given to the elderly and to children as a system-strengthening tonic. Angelica can be used to treat the digestive system, coughs, colds, and more. It’s extremely fragrant, so consider making a tea with Angelica if you think a warm soothing drink before bedtime will pick up your spirits when you’re sick.

Gardenia

Chinese medicine relies on gardenia for cleansing the blood, urine, and other internal fluids. Gardenia can help with physical injuries when its petals are applied in a carrier oil like coconut oil. This healing flower’s fragrance also works as a mental healing agent by helping to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress.

Rose

Roses contain vitamin C, so feel free to make up a bit of rose water to drink when you’re trying to get rid of a cold or flu. Many people don’t know that roses are extremely safe for human consumption. Rose petal tonics can help mild cases of constipation and rose tea can assist with blood circulation. Creams and pastes made with rose petals offer amazing benefits to dry and cracked skin.

We love flowers and we enjoy finding ways to bring them into our lives beyond just standard uses as tabletop arrangements. We hope that you will turn to some of these floral remedies if you find yourself feeling under the weather or hurt. Of course, we do recommend that you consult your physician before you consume these flowers.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Calendula, Flowers Generally, Roses

Flowers You Can Eat

December 1, 2015

Did you know that you can eat flowers? Many people grow flowers specifically to use them in salads, teas, cakes, and other foods.

If you love flowers and are wondering how you might be able to enjoy them even more by eating them, you’ll definitely want to read on.

Flowers can look and taste great, and they can be good for you. Many flowers, such as nasturtium and roses, contain powerful compounds that can bring you healing when you’re ill and keep your body healthy overall.

The following 5 flowers are not only gorgeous, they’re edible, so you might want to get some for your home. You can grow all of these flowers in a garden and some of them will thrive indoors if you don’t have space outside.

Enjoy these tasty flowers, their petals and their blossoms, in desserts, smoothies, syrups, and more.

Nasturtium

Nasturtium is an edible flower that has a peppery aroma and a spicy flavor. You can eat the entire winding part of the Nasturtium plant that sits above ground. Nasturtium buds can be pickled and eaten in any way you would consume capers.

Elder Tree

Elder tree blossoms are fragrant and they taste great when made into a tea, syrup, liqueur, jelly, or vinegar. We’ve even heard that elder tree fritters are divine.

Roses

Some people don’t realize that you can take rose petals from your yard, or an arrangement of rose flowers that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides, and turn them into tea, cakes, desserts, and yummy beverages.

Violets

Maybe you’ve seen candied violets on cakes and cupcakes. If you haven’t, check out a few photos because they’re stunning. While topping baked goods is a popular way to consume violets, you can utilize their beauty and sweet flavor in soups and salads.

English Daisies

Some people think of English daisies as nothing more than weeds, but we feel differently about these tiny blooms. English daisy petals can be a pretty and delicious addition to sandwiches, salads, and even breads.

Do you have experience with eating any other flowers? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. We’re always excited to learn about new ways to enjoy flowers, so feel free to share your favorite tasty flower treats.

Comments: 1 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Roses

2016 Guide to Thanksgiving Flowers

December 1, 2015

Thanksgiving is upon us, which means many of you may be wondering which Thanksgiving flowers would be perfect to decorate your Thanksgiving dinner table with. We were contemplating this very thing, so we thought we’d put together a guide to festive flowers for this special holiday.

We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite Thanksgiving flowers, all of which would look stunning at a casual Thanksgiving dinner or a full-blown elaborate affair. The Thanksgiving flowers that we’re suggesting for you will surely look beautiful at your holiday celebration, whether you eat on Thanksgiving-themed paper plates or fine china.

Since we’re guessing you might have quite a bit of planning left to do for your Thanksgiving dinner, let’s get right down to our guide to Thanksgiving flowers for 2016. Enjoy finding out about some of the most popular flowers for the holiday, and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Yellow Carnations

Yellow carnations are fun and festive. They bring cheer to any gathering, so feel free to bundle some up on their own or combine them with some greenery. We love yellow carnations placed in a low glass vase, either loosely or bound tight to resemble a ball of flowers. We think yellow carnations look fabulous enough to be the stars of the show on Thanksgiving, but if you want to pair them with other flowers, consider red and orange carnations.

Asiatic Lilies

Again, Asiatic lilies are gorgeous for the holidays. They can look spectacular on a low-key or dramatic Thanksgiving table, on their own, paired with other flowers, or mixed with a bit of greenery. We recommend you opt for yellow, orange, or red Asiatic lilies in monochrome or mixed arrangements. Place them in tall vases to show off their beautiful stems. If you want to display Asiatic lilies without greenery, they’ll look incredible, no doubt. But, you can always mix them with millet greens or Irish millet greens to bring a bit more texture to your table.

Orange Daisies

Orange daisies set the tone for warmth and friendship at a Thanksgiving dinner table. An arrangement made with these flowers can be low or tall, and it can include greens or not. Either way it will be just perfect for your Thanksgiving centerpieces. You can use butterscotch daisy pompons or larger gerbera daisies. For a bit of flair, feel free to wrap your Thanksgiving daisy floral arrangements with shimmery orange, pearl, or gold ribbon.

We think that these three flowers are “must includes” on a guide to Thanksgiving floral arrangements. But, we know there are many other exquisite flowers that would make equally wonderful points of interest. As you’re thinking about how to adorn your Thanksgiving table, simply choose flowers that make you feel good about sharing a meal and a home with others. That’s probably the best approach to your celebration.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Carnations, Daisies, Holidays, Lilies, Seasonal

Flowers to Send to a Teenage Boy

November 23, 2015

In between the video game systems, basketballs, computers, musical equipment, and collectibles, flowers can be an appreciated addition to a teenage boy’s bedroom.

If you know a teenage boy that is graduating, celebrating a birthday, going through a rough time, or just being an all-round special kid, consider sending a gift of flowers to offer your heartfelt thoughts.

Teenage boys aren’t typically marketed to by florists and flower shops, but they’re humans capable of enjoying beauty too.

For the teen boy in your life, consider these flowers:

Carnations

Carnations can be a fun flower to give a teenage boy. You can find these flowers in many hues, some natural and some artificially dyed. Teenage boys might love an arrangement of carnations in primary colors or one that’s custom made to match the décor in their room.

We love the idea of carnation stems cut short for a teenage boy. When arranged this way, it seems a bit more playful and informal than a tall bouquet. Carnations are often called the “flower of love.” So, if you want to send your love to a teen boy, carnations are perfect.

Cactus

Teenage boys seem to like cactuses above many flowers and plants. Maybe it’s because they have spikes that are ever so tempting to touch. Perhaps it’s that there’s a more “manly” quality to them than some flowers and plants.

We just know that some teenage boys we’ve observed go crazy over little pots of cactuses sold at hardware stores and supermarkets. Even cactuses with tons of brightly colorful flowers seem to be attractive to teenage boys. It’s fun to pick out cactuses with bold-shaded or geometrically shaped flowers.

Dandelions

Dandelions are cool looking, fun flowers that a teenage boy can gawk over or blow all over. These flowers are perfect for cheering up, showing you appreciate playfulness, and teaching about the magic of nature.

The dandelion is a member of the daisy family, which we think naturally means it’s a good flower for brightening a room or a spirit. You can buy them when they’re cute and yellow, but we love them fluffy and white.

You can find so many flowers that will convey your beautiful message to a teenage boy. When it comes time to choose, trust your instinct to deliver the perfect sentiment.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Carnations, Flowers Generally

Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Officers: Perfect Flowers to Give as Closing Gifts

November 23, 2015

If you’re in the real estate or mortgage business, you may be wondering about the perfect closing gift for your client. There are many options, from new appliances to gift certificates for dinner, but a classic and thoughtful gift can be a nice arrangement of flowers.

What better way to say “Congratulations,” “Good Luck,” and “Thank You” than sending flowers that will add to the beauty, and positive energy, of your clients’ new home.

Here are a few of our favorite flowers to give as closing gifts for win-win transactions:

Flowers for Friendship

If you like the thought of your clients, your friends, smiling every time they see your gift, send them sunflowers. Yellow is a traditional color of friendship. And suns, well they’re bright and cheery, which is something most people would want to experience in a new home. You can also send yellow roses. Or, send a bouquet of daisies to show your loyalty.

Flowers for Good Luck

To wish your clients “Good Luck” in their new home, send them a potted jasmine or bells of Ireland. You can also go with a bamboo plant, which is a plant that has a reputation for attracting wealth, health, happiness, and love. If you send bamboo, take note of the number of stalks on the plant. It’s said that the more stalks the plant has, the more fortune and luck will be bestowed.

Flowers for Appreciation

There are several flowers that convey a message of appreciation. These blooms will show your client that you are grateful for the opportunity to work with them and for their trust in your services. Great flowers to offer appreciation include radiant yellow tulips, warm peach roses, and joyful bird of paradise.

There are numerous ways that you can use flowers to convey your message to your client in your closing gift. A couple of other options include sending purple flowers of any kind to say “Congratulations” or giving them Peace lilies to help purify the air in their new home.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Daisies, Flowers Generally, Lilies, Peace Lily

Flowers for a Fall Party

November 23, 2015

Flowers add a bit of magic to any occasion. They have the power to transform a room, a spirit, and an occasion. Some flowers that we think are most transformational can make gorgeous centerpieces on your fall party table.

The perfect flowers for a fall party include those that evoke emotion and create a sense of warmth. They’re flowers in rich hues and dramatic lines. The ideal fall flowers for a party make people take notice of their beauty, which begins the shift to the magical side.

Here are some of our favorite flowers for a fall party. These flowers look gorgeous, and will bring cheer to your fall celebration, on their own or in an arrangement.

Calla Lilies

Cala lilies are stunning and sophisticated flowers. They come in many shades, including green, purple, yellow, white, and orange. But, for fall we love them in white or orange. Calla lilies are native to Southern Africa. You can get them cut or in bulb form.

Peruvian Lilies

For fall party flowers that speak of friendship and good times, choose Peruvian lilies. These blooms are flirtatious and festive. They’re playful, making them great fall flower choices for a daytime affair.

Peruvian Lilies are native to South America. They come in brilliant colors like yellow, pink, orange, and white. For fall, opt for orange and white.

Asiatic Lilies

If you want a fall party flower that’s dramatic, go with the red Asiatic Lily. This flower is characterized by its large, very showy and very fragrant bloom. It comes in many shades, but red is striking and perfect for fall.

Red Asiatic lilies are gorgeous for evening occasions. They sit atop tall, erect stems and offer a beautiful trumpet shape that is just right for the season.

In addition to these fall flowers, we love rich burgundy carnations, fall-colored roses, and peach Asiatic lilies for fall gatherings. You can pair these flowers with rich, lush greens like seeded eucalyptus.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Holidays, Lilies, Seasonal

Fragrant Flowers to Give as Gifts

November 20, 2015

Want to give flowers that will fill your recipient’s home with a strong and beautiful fragrance? We thought you might. Some flowers are more fragrant than others, so if you want to offer an experience for your giftee that’s like being surrounded by fresh blossoms in an abundant garden, you should know which flowers to choose.

Sweet smelling flowers conjure up thoughts of romance, peace, and innocence. They’re perfect for giving when you want to say, “I love you,” “You’re special,” or “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

We’ve given some thought as to which flowers we think are most fragrant and which would make perfect gifts. The following are some of the flowers we came up with.

Sweet Pea

Sweet peas are known for their intensely fragrant blooms. These plants are typically found in vine form, usually from about 4 to 6 feet tall. You can send a small potted vine, or you can ask your florist to send cut sweet pea flowers for you. These flowers come in many colors, including bi-colors.

Lily of the Valley

Even tiny flowers can have a big, robust flowers, as is proven with lily of the valley. This nodding bell-shaped flower typically comes in white or pink. Again, you can find this flower in a pot or cut. If you opt for a potted lily of the valley, you’ll surely be pleased (as will your recipient) to know that it’s very easy to care for.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth offers a sweet, sensual, and refreshing fragrance. This spring flower comes in colors like purple, pink, red, white, and yellow. Its a playful bloom that can convey friendship or budding love. Hyacinth looks lovely packed tightly in a plain brown paper wrap or in a simple vase.

These are three fragrant flowers that we love, but they are certainly not the only blooms that give off a provocative and gorgeous scent. We also adore irises, garden phlox, roses, jasmine, heliotrope, and gardenias. If you’re looking for fragrant blooms like these, simply do an online search to see which florists carry these flowers and which will deliver to your recipient’s location. We know that your intended will be thrilled with receiving any of these delicious-smelling floral gifts.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Flowers Generally, Iris, Roses, Sweet Pea

Flowers to Give Service Providers for the Holidays

November 20, 2015

Do you usually give the people who provide you with services during the year a gift for the holidays? Many people do. They like to offer a token of holiday cheer to their mail carrier, manicurist, banker, bellman, or other person who often goes out of their way to make their lives better.

If you’re one of these gift givers and you’ve been wondering what to give this year, why not give the gift of flowers? Flowers have a way of cheering up people who might be down and bringing a smile to the face of those living their lives in a joyful way.

We thought about giving flowers away this year, so we made a list of some flowers that seemed like extra special offerings for a special time of year.

The following are some flowers that we think your real estate agent, doctor, dentist, esthetician, or housekeeper might enjoy:

Poinsettia

Poinsettias are longstanding favorite flowers for Christmas. Usually, red is the most popular color for poinsettias, but they look lovely in white, cream, pink, and marbled hues. Poinsettias typically have three to six blooms and come in little pots wrapped in foil paper. You can buy small poinsettias that look cute on desks or larger flowers that make beautiful additions to front porches.

Mini Christmas Tree

You may have seen mini Christmas trees at the grocery store or garden center that you shop at. They come in many shapes, textures, and sizes, but the common thread that runs through all varieties is that they resemble a full-size Christmas tree. Mini Christmas trees are not the six to eight foot varietals you’d place in your living room. They’re tiny plants, sometimes with flowers, that are more like bushes. We think it’s a fun idea to give a mini Christmas tree to your service provider after you’ve adorned it with little ornaments.

Hypericum Berries

If you want to make a festive little arrangement to give to your favorite service provider, consider a vase filled with red Hypericum berries and gorgeous holiday greens. This combination of flowers and leaves can be dressed up with glittery ribbon and other seasonal decorations to offer a gift that your recipient can place on their holiday table at home.

These are just a few ideas for holiday flowers to give to the amazing service providers in your life. For something in a more neutral color or holiday theme, you can always opt for dramatic white lilies or irises wrapped in simple brown paper.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Holidays, Occasions, Poinsettia, Seasonal

Your 2015 Christmas Flower Guide

November 20, 2015

Ready to deck your halls for Christmas? We are too, so we put together a list of popular Christmas flowers that we think would make lovely additions to a home of the holidays. Our guide to Christmas flowers includes blooms that would look amazing on a front porch or door, in the center of a holiday dinner table, and even under the Christmas tree as a gift to be given.

The following is your 2015 Christmas flower guide that we hope will give you inspiration to make your house, and perhaps your gift recipients’ abode, a warm and festive one this holiday season.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are flowers that have a longstanding tradition as Christmas flowers. They’re actually potted flowers that are typically red, but they do come in shades of white, cream, peach, pink, and marble. Poinsettias offer a splash of color outside and inside of a home. They look incredible on a hearth or countertop, and they can easily be planted in a garden for use the following season. Please keep in mind that poinsettias are toxic to pets, so if you have animals in your home these flowers should be kept out of reach.

Christmas Cactus

We love the idea of a Christmas cactus. This flowering plant offers the perfect festive addition to a desert home, but it can be a beautiful addition to a house in more moderate climates. The Christmas cactus blooms in winter, from November until February. It’s sometimes just called Christmas Flower and it’s a unique seasonal flower to give as a gift or decorate with.

Christmas Wreaths

There’s nothing like a Christmas wreath to say “welcome” and “Merry Christmas.” Christmas wreaths are synonymous with holiday cheer and good tidings. They’re usually placed on the front door of a home, but we’ve seen some stunning wreathes hung over dramatic archways and fireplaces in houses. Small wreathes can also be laid flat, with a candle or other plant or object in the center, as part of a centerpiece on your Christmas table. Christmas wreaths are made from many types of plants and flowers that are bound together and shaped into the traditional wreath form. While Hypericum berries are often used in Christmas wreaths, we’ve seen some gorgeous wreaths with white lilies and red roses too.

Whether you’re buying Christmas flowers for yourself or to give as a gift, we hope this guide to the top flowers for Christmas will bring you inspiration. And, we hope that you have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Holidays, Poinsettia, Seasonal

Bring Home a Yellow Rose for Texas Independence Day

February 23, 2015

Leave it to a state as big as Texas to have two independence days.
Each year, along with shooting off fireworks on July 4th, the Lone Star State also sets aside March 2nd to honor the day back in 1836 when the state declared its independence from Mexico, sparking the Texas Revolution which ended in its annexation to the United States. What better flower to celebrate this historical holiday than one that appears in a song about a key battle for Texan independence- the yellow rose.

“The Yellow Rose of Texas,” is an old folk song dating back to the time of the Texas War of Independence. According to legend, it was written about a woman, Emily D. West, who was an indentured servant seized during the looting of Galveston. Born in the east, Emily West was a free woman of color and migrated to Texas where she worked as a housekeeper before being captured. Said to have seduced General Santa Ana, allowing Sam Houston and his army to easily win the Battle of San Jacinto, leading to the capture of Santa Ana and the creation of the independent Republic of Texas.

A key figure in the fight for independence was Sam Houston, an American politician and general who led troops in several key battles of the war. Coincidentally, Houston was born on March 2nd as well, making the day doubly symbolic in the history of Texas.

Yellow roses are some of the most fragrant of the species. Grown in landscapes as prolific summer bloomers, florist also carry long stems of the hybrid tea variety all year long. After a month of Valentine’s Day red, the yellow rose will stand out proudly in a vase mixed with pretty wildflowers such as Monte Casino daisies or tall, purple liatris. Choose ones that are still somewhat closed with a firm center, as these will open slowly, petal by petal, over the next week.

While the writer of the song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” has been lost to history, its lyrics have spanned many generations and several versions, including a billboard hit in 1955, and continues to be a popular song in the Long Star State. Enjoy it with a fresh vase of flowers.

“Oh now I’m going to find her, for my heart is full of woe,
and we’ll sing the songs together, that we sung so long ago,
we’ll play the banjo gaily, and we’ll sing the songs of yore,
and the Yellow Rose of Texas, shall be mine forevermore.”

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Roses

4 Flowers to Remind you Spring Will Come Again

February 21, 2015

If the novelty of freezing temperatures and sloppy morning commutes has finally worn off and you find yourself cursing that groundhog and his “six more weeks of winter,” perhaps it’s time to take the seasons into your own hands. Bring a bit of spring to your house or office with one of these four, fabulous blooms that will thaw the chill right off and remind you that spring is just around the corner.

Daffodils
Both snow and hearts will melt in the presence of such sunny yellows. Daffodils (sometimes called by their Latin name, Narcissus) are the emblem of spring warmth and in the Victorian language of flowers send the message that “when I’m with you, the sun always shines.” These spring-bloomers are sold in bunches starting in late February and look great trimmed short and arranged by themselves in a short, round vase.

Ranunculus
With frilly green leaves as soft as lace and topped with fat, round blooms that bob on fuzzy, thin stems, these beauties are the perfect pick for late February. Ranunculus are sold both as potted, flowering plants that can be transferred to your garden and grown as a perennial or as cut flowers. Arrange them with whispy greens like seeded eucalyptus or tree fern in a medium sized vase with dainty filler flower like waxflower or lilac.

Tulips
The yellow varieties are said to say “your love is like sunshine to me” in the language of flowers, but it’s hard to choose when tulips come in so many shapes, sizes and colors. As the tiny green tips of these bulbs are pushing their way up through the snow in wintry climates, they are at their prime in many parts of the world and readily available at every florist near you. A great value this time of year, the tear-drop shape of a tulip bloom is both iconic of spring and a gorgeous addition to any vase. Generally sold with a few leaves cupping the base of round stems, tulips can be mixed well with flowers like alstroemeria or flowering stock, or simply plopped in a vase where their gracefully arching stems can flop and flower as the snow comes down outside.

Cherry Blossoms
Slender, brown branches loaded with pink buds ready to burst open into blooms give cherry blossoms a message of hope and friendship in many different cultures. Flowering branches are one of the best ways to bring spring into your house and look amazing by themselves in a tall, glass vase. You may live somewhere that these brave little buds are already beginning to show, but if your state is under a winter storm warning, head to you local florist and pick up a few of these fine spring offerings along with your bread, milk and toilet paper to help you push through until spring.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Cherry Blossom, Daffodils, Tulips

4 Charming Floral Imports from China to Celebrate the New Year

February 19, 2015

Today is the official start of the Year of the Sheep!
With one of the oldest human cultures in the world, the Chinese New Year tradition is the most important of the year and is celebrated by millions of people around the globe. Based on a lunar calendar and lasting for 15 days, many people travel home to be with family, eat special food and attend celebrations with fireworks, performances and friends. If you want to start the Year of the Sheep off on the right foot, consider decorating your home or bringing a gift of one of these important flowers that were first cultivated in ancient China.

Chrysanthemum
One of the most revered flowers of the Song Dynasty, there is evidence that the mum has been cultivated in China as far back as the 15th century BCE. Depicted in paintings, pottery and fabric art, the mum became a flower associated with several different holidays and in the Chinese culture and was an important export to other parts of Asia where it shows up in everything from traditional flower arranging to soup. A popular flower both in gardens and in vases, there are hundreds of different sizes, shapes and colors of chrysanthemums to choose from these days. Consider choosing the frilly Fuji or spider mum for this occasion, which has long, trailing petals surrounding wide center. Hardy, inexpensive and available year-round- it’s easy to find one that fits for this New Year celebration.

Roses
While the hybrid tea rose is right at home in and English garden, the first cultivars of today’s modern rose came from careful breeding of the wild five-petaled rose found in China. The whole rose family, Rosaceae, which contains many commercially (and culinarily) important plants such as the apple, pear and strawberry, all have east Asia as their center of origin.

Peony
Surrounded by myth and legends, this spring-flowering phenomena of a plant is said to symbolize riches and honors. The peony is considered to by one of the longest-used flowers in eastern culture and many cultivars have been created over the years and exported around the globe. The large blooms are a profusion of petals in white, pink or magenta. Consider just one or two stems to bring in the new year and welcome spring.

Bamboo
While technically more of a grass than a flower, the stalks of bamboo have a long and important history in China. Used to build everything from aquaducts to bridges, this plant provided material that helped to build civilization. Now retired to more of an ornamental role, there are a variety of sizes and shapes to choose from. Easy to care for and tolerant of low-light conditions, a few stems of bamboo will grow all Year of the Sheep long.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Chrysanthemum, Fun Flower Facts

Pet-Friendly Houseplants for “Love Your Pet” Day

February 15, 2015

After all the hearts and flowers of Valentine’s Day have passed, February 20th offers the opportunity to celebrate the relationship you may have with a furry, four-legged friend on national “Love Your Pet” day. This odd holiday makes purr-fect sense to those of you who count animals among your favorite company and should be celebrated with some tasty treats and a good scratch behind the ears. If, along with being an animal lover, you also have a penchant for green plants, keep in mind that some houseplants may not mix well with cats or dogs. Take a look at the list below before heading to the florist or garden center to make sure your pets and potted plants live in harmony.

Toxic to dogs
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) is one of the most common houseplants you see in homes. Large, long, glossy, green leaves sprout below tall stems of white, hood-like flowers. Easy to grow and tolerant of medium light, this one may already be one of your collection. Unfortunately, as a member of the Arum (Araceae) family, this plant produces a chemical compound similar to that found in human kidney stones that creates microscopic, extremely sharp crystals called raphides. When chewed and swallowed, they can cause swelling in the throat and mouth making it difficult for most mammals to breathe. Almost all plants within this family contain some levels of this toxin, including the popular arrowhead plants (Syngonium podophyllum) and Philodendron.

Try this instead….
American rubber plant (sometimes called baby rubber plant) is known by the Latin name Peperomia obstusifolia and is a great substitute. With rounded, glossy leaves that can sometimes be variegated, this plant will grow in similar conditions without harming your dog.
For something a little different, consider the aluminum plant (Pilea cadieri), whose interesting variegation almost looks like streaks of silver running down the leaves.

Toxic to cats
The spiky leaves of Dracaenas are very tempting to cats, who love to nibble on the ends of these sun-loving plants. While a few bits won’t hurt, the saponins in most species will cause vomiting and illness in cats. There are many members of the genus Dracaena that are common houseplants, including Cornplant Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans) and red-edge Dracaena. The bitter taste is a turn-off for most cats, but it’s hard to know the mind of a cat.

Try this instead…
African violets are cute and furry- much like your favorite feline- but wouldn’t hurt a flea. Their pretty purple flowers and rounded leaves will do great in a sunny window (if your cat is willing to share).

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Flower Keeping Tips, Violet

3 Badass Flowers for When You Buy Your Own Bouquet

February 12, 2015

We could sit around waiting for someone to bring us flowers.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to hope for a few blooms wrapped in tissue paper with a card full of hearts and sentiment. It makes us feel loved, or at least, it might obligate someone who loves us to bring home some blooms on this day meant for lovers. While it’s a blessing to have people to love in life, it is a true gift, one that comes with years of practice, to develop a love for oneself. The only person who will ever truly know all the good, all the bad and never, ever leave us- is us. Perhaps this Valentine’s Day you could practice a little self love and bring home a really kickass bouquet with one of these awesome flowers that only you would appreciate.

Cymbidium Orchids
Once so precious and admired that it was reserved for nobility, these stunning stars of the plant kingdom have become available for mere mortals recently. A higher demand for these enormous and amorous looking blooms have lead to an increase in supply and, with that, a decrease in price that makes this a luxury you can afford- and certainly deserve. On stems that can reach two feet in length, uniquely formed flowers come in colors from bright green to vibrant orange. The petals are highly evolved in forms that mimic pollinators, resulting in shapes and arrangements found nowhere else in the flower shop. One stem may cost close to $20, but that is all you need to fill a vase and will last for several weeks. The fragrance of the Cymbidium orchid is subtle, but its appearance is anything but.

Calla Lily
While lovely in their traditional white, the swirl of an orange-hued calla lily is something to behold. Like a sunset that catches you off-guard with its beauty on the drive home, this flower is a reminder to take note of the small, seemingly insignificant wonder of who you are. Not a flower anyone would pick out for you, this is one that will resonate with you.

Delphinium
A flower shop decked out for Valentine’s Day may look like an explosion of red and pink, but few rosy colors can hold a candle to true blue. One of the bluest colors you can find in the plant kingdom, Delphinium sets the standard. Truly, the blue pigment found in any plant with that color is called delphinidin, after this stately stem. Tall and straight, this bloom carries the message of well-being and beauty in the Victorian language of flowers and is a great way to let the only person that could ever really “be mine” in life, that you have an admirer- you.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Lilies, Valentine's Day

3 Alternative Flowers for a Nontraditional Valentine

February 4, 2015

If your valentine is anything but ordinary, why stick with the traditional bouquet of roses and baby’s breath this Valentine’s Day. Love comes in many shapes, sizes, sexes and situations. Thankfully, so do flowers. While red roses may be the standard way to say “I love you” on February 14th, evolution and careful cross breeding have brought us a wide array of blooms to express both budding love and more mature ardor. We can’t always choose who we fall in love with, but we can certainly choose a flower that reflects how special and unique our love may be. Go boldly to the florist this Valentine’s Day and walk out with one of these wonderful stems.

Red Anthurium
The tropical anthurium is sometimes called flamingo lily and hails from warm, exotic climates. Long, slender green stems hold up a unique red, heart-shaped spathe with a central yellow column. Said to symbolize the heart in the Victorian language of flowers, this bloom is one of the best buys you can find in the floral industry. Lasting for a month or more in a vase with clean water, the anthurium’s simple lines look great on their own or mixed with other tropicals.

Agapanthus/ Lily of the Nile
Large sentiment may require big flowers. For a lover with a huge heart, consider the tall, stately stems of this round bloom. Native to southern Africa, the agapanthus has great big balls of white or purple blooms on top of a thick them that can reach several feet in height. Just 3 stems alone in a vase will make an impact or mix them with the softer frills of the alstroemeria and few twigs of curly willow for effect. While not fragrant, these blooms take up space both physically and visually with clusters of flowers as big as your face, and twice as lovely.

Red Tulip
Absolutely made for love, the graceful blooms of the tulip come in a rainbow of colors, but few are as striking as the solid red hue. Said to symbolize true love and devotion in the Victorian language of flowers, the red tulip will be both more affordable than roses this February, but also more striking. Cut long, with their enveloping leaves cradling round stems, these flowers in a glass vase with a few marbles in the bottom are both elegant and a reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Remind your lover this Valentine’s Day that you know how to pick a good one by choosing a flower that’s as unique as your love for them.

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Celebrate Singlehood this Valentine’s Day with Sweetheart Roses

February 2, 2015

Valentine’s Day conjures up all sorts of emotions in the life of a single person. From dredging up memories of crepe paper shoeboxes in the classroom to reflections on the last relationship gone wrong, it’s hard to look forward to a holiday hell-bent on canned sentiment and the rather public pronouncement of your status as single. While reflecting on what is wrong with a holiday dedicated to lovers can leave one bitter, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate what is so right about singledom. The best flowers to do this with are sweetheart roses. Small but mighty, these sprays of gorgeous rosebuds will help you count your blessings for being with the one person who knows you best and loves you for who you truly are- you.

Sweetheart roses, not to be confused with miniature roses, are a smaller variety of the traditional hybrid tea rose. They are delicately shaped on stems that can be a foot or more in length and often have several blooms, giving them another common name, spray roses. Selectively bred for this smaller size and multiple blooms, these roses have become very popular in recent years and new colors and cultivars come in almost every color of the rainbow. The petite “La Belle Pink” is a gorgeous two-toned shade of pink fading to green and the unique “Hocus Pocus” cultivar is so red it is almost black. Almost every florist will have a variety of colors from white to yellow to deep red on hand this Valentine’s Day for you to choose from. Compared to the longer-stemmed roses, the sweetheart roses will be sold in a bunch for much less, but will last just as long in a vase at home.

Like all roses, the scent of the sweethearts are alluring and fresh. They hold up well for more than a week and can be dried by hanging upside down. They look great on their own in a short, round vase, or mixed with some fluffy alstroemeria to fill out a larger one.

In the Victorian language of flowers, the sweetheart rose is said to symbolize love and devotion. While we can be one of our own toughest critics, it’s also important to be your own admirer. Just like in a relationship, it’s important to demonstrate your admiration through kind words and deeds, and few things feed the soul more than flowers. Perhaps this Valentine’s Day, you can start a new tradition that will last the whole year of bringing home a small bouquet of blooms. The petite petals of the sweetheart rose are a small way to pay yourself a big complement this Valentine’s Day.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Roses, Valentine's Day

3 Flowers with the Best Value on Valentine’s Day

January 29, 2015

Roses are red, violets are blue, everyone buys roses on Valentine’s Day- but why should you?
With a long-stemmed history as the flower one gives to a lover, the red rose is at it’s peak sales day every February 14th. Along with the huge demand, the short, dark days of winter are also a factor in pricing roses at their all time high for the year. You don’t want to be cheap, but if you share a checking account, an expensive vase might take the petal off the rose. Fresh flowers are the perfect way to romance a sweetheart and while roses may seem expensive every February, there are thousands of different stems to help you count the ways you love someone. Why not show your sweetheart you value their love by choosing a flower that shows both your creativity and your eye for value. Here are several stems that get overlooked, but not overpriced, on Valentine’s Day.

Tulips
With spring just around the corner, tulips are just starting to show up more regularly in a florist’s cooler. Both pink and red tulips symbolize love in the Victorian language of flowers, while oranges ones are said to signify many happy years. Newer purple and burgundy colored cultivars are eye-catching and look lovely in a plain, glass vase. Usually sold in a bunch, you can find 5-10 stems for under $20 and arrange them easily yourself or have a florist put together something stunning with a few greens and filler flowers. Tulips are fresh and will show someone you’re fond of and early glimpse of spring.

Sunflowers
Roses are certainly lovely in shape and form, but few flowers beat the brightness and joy of the hardy sunflower. A surprising favorite of many, the big, yellow heads of these cheerful flowers stand out on a cold, February day and actually seem to warm the air a little. If there’s someone who has that affect on you, why express it with a cliche of red roses when you can return the warmth with a few big, goofy blooms of sunflowers wrapped in brown, butcher paper and tied with twine? A good florist will know to add a few greens and wildflowers like Monte Casino asters or dianthus for a bit of flair.

Flowering Stock
This flower has it all. Tall, fluffy and fragrant as a French perfume, the flowering stock comes in soft colors of lavender, pink and white. With a sweeter smell than roses and a much lower price, these flowers deserve a holiday of their own. The look great mixed with almost anything, particularly star-gazer lilies, but for a simple and elegant vase for wooing, choose an all white bouquet.

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4 Leading Flowers for Hollywood Award Season

January 27, 2015

The nominations are out and in a few short weeks the red carpet will roll.
Whether you’ve seen them all or are just hoping to get some good movie recommendations, the Golden Globes and Academy Awards are a Hollywood tradition and a great reason to throw a party. If you plan on hosting or attending an Oscar party this year (or just plan on enjoying the show in the comfort of your own living room), here are 4 absolutely fabulous flowers that will bring the golden age of Hollywood glam into focus.

Camellias– (1936) Camille
Greta Garbo is stunning as the Lady Marguerite in this black and white classic based on the Alexandre Dumas novel, The Lady of the Camellias. In one of the most famous scenes, she is handed a lush bouquet of these white, winter-flowering blooms which make cameos throughout the film, showing up in her hair and in the final scene, as she succumbs tragically to consumption. The blooms of camellias are almost perfectly round with flared petals like flattened roses. Round buds and white or red blooms form on woody stems that are elegantly natural. The camellia flower is as classic as Garbo’s signature line, “I just want to be alone.”

Poppies– (1939) Wizard of Oz
One of the first films to be recorded in color, this Best Film winner is a part of the American cannon of movies. As Dorothy and her friends near the Emerald City, the cackling of a witch’s voice tells them that “poppies will make them sleep,” no doubt referring to the somniferous effects of the plant’s latex. Poppies are both bright and magical and available from most well-stocked flower shops. In oranges, reds, yellows and purples, this technicolor flower will dazzle and delight.

Lilies- (1963) Lilies of the Field
This filmed earned talented actor, Sidney Poitier, the first Academy Award ever won by a black actor in a male lead. In the Arizona desert, Poitier’s character blooms as he helps to build a chapel for a group of nuns. While the flowers are figurative in this film, a golden lily is the perfect bloom for celebrating the gilded age of Hollywood.

Roses- (1983) The Purple Rose of Cairo
Woody Allen’s romantic comedy about our love for movies has film stars leaving the silver screen and joining the audience. This film is a quintessential movie classic whether you’re a fan of Woody’s or not. Not quite award-worthy, the film’s titular rose is now commonly available at flower shops around the world. Purple roses mixed with a few glittery stalks will bring the glam to any Oscar party this award season. Enjoy the glamor of the red carpet in your jammies, but feel like a star with any of these flowers.

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4 Unforgettable Flowers to Send to a Funeral

January 22, 2015

An unavoidable side effect of living, all of us must one day die.
In American culture, funerals tend to be somber affairs, as we mourn for the loss of those we love from this life to the next. More and more, however, folks are choosing to see funerals as an opportunity to celebrate the life and memory of the departed. What better way to do that than with flowers. Here on Earth to grow, bloom and fade away, plants are the perfect symbol of the brevity and sweetness of life. If you are looking to send a floral message to a funeral meant to honor the life of someone you’ve loved, consider one of these four flowers.

If the person lived life to the fullest…
consider the wildly gorgeous Stargazer lily. This huge flower will be a focal point mixed in among the typical roses for it’s striking white and pink color and enormous blooms. More than a hand’s width across, each bud opens up with its face to the sun and sends a sweet scent that lingers like a fond memory. Unlike the somber, drooping faces of more traditional lilies, the Stargazer lily has no regrets.

If the person was taken to soon….
it’s hard to feel like celebrating a life ended unfairly early. Consider the hydrangea in times like these. Said to symbolize remembrance and devotion in the language of flowers, the large, fluffy flowers of the white, blue or pink hydrangea are comforting both to the eye and to the touch. Soft, open flowers cluster together forming large, round balls that look amazing in a vase on their own or mixed with other flowers. Soothing and lovely, they are the perfect thing to say when there is nothing, really, that can be said.

If the person was an admirer of beauty and grace…
few flowers will rival the elegance of the orchid. There are literally thousands to choose from, so it is easy to find just the right match for the person to whom you are saying farewell. Rather than choosing stems for a vase or arrangement, consider sending a potted plant. Orchids will bloom for many weeks and are a lot easier to grow as a houseplant than people may think. Not only will this gift add beauty to the final ceremonies, but will be a spot of loveliness for the family for many years to come.

If the person was a plant lover…
then you should simply ignore that line about “in lieu of flowers.” Plant lovers deserve to be sent off with leaves and petals flying everywhere.

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5 Flowers for Fat Tuesday

January 21, 2015

Every February, Mardi Gras gives us a chance to kick convention to the curb and fatten up with a day of drinking and debauchery before settling in to the Lenten season of austerity and repentance. Around the world, versions of this crazy carnival are happening in the streets with dancing, parades and elaborate costumes. Traditional colors of purple, gold and green decorate the streets and perhaps a King Cake on your kitchen table. Whether you celebrate this Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday for religious purposes, or simply want to have a good time, here are 5 flowers perfect for letting you laissez le bon temps rouler.

Lisianthus
These delightfully delicate flowers unfurl from the buds of lisianthus like crepe paper from a parade float. One of the truest shades of purple you can find in the natural world, these gorgeous stems are whimsical and festive with several blooms on long, nodding stems. Consider making a few buds into a beautiful boutonniere for the day or placing several stems, trimmed short, in a round, glass bowl. They look amazing on their own or else gussied up with a bit of green hypericum berry and a gold ribbon for the festivities.

Bells of Ireland
Tall, green and bizarrely shaped, these wacky flowers add height and dimension to an arrangement. With hardy stems as long as 2 to 3 feet, these sturdy flowers will hold up well for days and can be worked into elaborate forms or simply plopped in a tall, glass vase. Both stem and blooms of this flower are a true shape of green. Small green “bells” open up from bottom to top, some with tiny white flowers inside, and taper off at the top. This strange and unusual bloom will last long after the party is over.

Purple Carnations
A new cultivar of this old-fashioned standby now comes in a shocking shade of purple. “Moonlight” carnations, as they are called, are a great addition to your Mardi Gras decor and are now available through florist around the country. Hardy like traditional carnations, this bloom is a great choice of flower for a day of feasting and carrying on.

Green Kermit Mums
Absolutely charming, like the Muppet Show mister frog they are named for, the compact, green kermit mum is a must for your Fat Tuesday flower arrangement. Long lasting and economical, this round flower is more densely petaled than traditional mums and has blooms about the size of a large coin across on long stems. Consider mixing these with the purple lisianthus or simply beheading the blooms from the stems and throwing them about in lieu of beads.

Dahlias
Wildly impractical this time of year, the firework effect of large dahlia flowers will be expensive, opulent and completely out of season for February. That said, these bright and explosive flowers have petals in every color of the rainbow and come in sizes as big as a dinner plate. If you want to go big on a day made for excess, perhaps these are the best choice.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Carnations, Chrysanthemum

6 Flowers for When you Can’t Stand Another Second of Winter

January 13, 2015

If the thought of having to scrape ice off another windshield while the hair in your nostrils slowly freezes makes you want to push the snooze button until spring, it’s time for a little flower therapy. Winter can be tough. The days are dark and you might not see the sun between punching the clock in the morning and making your way precariously home through icy streets. It’s hard to remember that this too shall melt and your frozen toes will one day walk barefoot on soft, spring grass. When you can’t stand one more day of sub-zero weather, try one of these hothouse flowers that will melt your heart (even if they can’t do much for your heating bill).

Sunflowers
The name says it all. Bright, round and wonderfully sunny, these summertime flowers can be found at your florist year round and are surprisingly affordable. A few tall stems in a vase on the counter will fuel a week’s worth of smiles and warmth. To choose the freshest sunflowers, give the base of the stem a squeeze- it should feel firm and appear green or white in the center.

Gerber Daisy
With the shape of a sunflower, but in almost a rainbow of pastel colors, the gerber daisy is the perfect pick to remind you that spring is on the way. The tall, slender stems of this flower are leafless, but look amazing bunched together in a short vase.

Tulip
There is no greater harbinger of spring than these colorful, blooming bulbs. Available this time of year from your florist’s cooler, a single tulip in a clear, glass vase will thaw your spirit while the temps are low.

Sweet Pea
These dainty blooms are not afraid of the cold and will be sold in bunches this time of year. During their prime, in the warm months of summer, these small and trailing flowers have a sweet, soft scent that seems to smell strongest at night. Delicate and vine-like, the flowers of the sweet pea come in every color of the rainbow and look great on their own or mixed with other flowers like gerber daisies or hypericum berries.

Roses
The iconic symbol of summertime love, the rose is a flower that can’t help but warm the blood. While those available this time of year will have been imported from warmer climates, the blooms will last for a week and are available in a variety of sizes and colors. Try an orange or coral colored one mixed with a few stems of yellow for a hue that helps keep winter’s chill at bay.

Orchids
For a thrilling flower that will thaw any room for the last few months of winter, a potted orchid is the perfect choice. Choose a small, blooming plant from your florist and enjoy the flowers until the snow finally melts.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Daisies, Roses, Sunflowers, Sweet Pea, Tulips

Plants with Medicinal Properties to Celebrate National Pharmacist Day

January 4, 2015

Medicinal plants have been helping humans heal for centuries, providing everything from pain relief to palliative care. Some of the strongest medicines on Earth are still derived from plant sources, such as drugs used in chemotherapy to ones that regulate heartbeat. Dispensing these potent treatments carefully and accurately are dedicated pharmacists around the world, whom we celebrate each year on January 12th. National Pharmacist Day recognizes the knowledge and attention that goes into this important role by honoring pharmacists for their efforts towards medical care. If you have a pharmacist that’s important in your life, celebrate the day with a fresh bouquet of some of these fabulous pharmacological flowers.

Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea is a tall flower made popular in English cottage gardens. Straight stems reach several feet and are topped with lovely layers of pendulous blooms that droop daintily downwards. Each individual, bell-shaped bloom has a a throat that is lighter in color and spotted with intricate patterns inside. Coming in colors of pinks, purples and sometimes whites, these gorgeous flowers are one of the strongest heart medicines in the world. A cardiac glycoside, the powerful chemicals in foxglove are commonly prescribed to help a heart beat more strongly. Help your pharmacist’s heart beat a little faster with a few fresh stems of foxglove.

Madagascar Periwinkle
Sometimes known as vinca, this pretty annual commonly grown in flower beds is one of the leading treatments for leukemia and lymphomas. Shiny green leaves stand upright from the short, straight stems and are topped by pretty pink or white flowers that often had a darker center. In the Victorian language of flowers, vinca is said to represent love and the pleasures of memories. Make a memorable impression on a pharmacist who is dear to you with these potently pretty flowers.

Poppy
Perhaps one of the more chemically active plants cultivated by humans, the colorful poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the main ingredient in morphine and codeine, as well as the narcotic heroin. Tall, slender stems hold up fuzzy, perfectly-formed buds that open up to reveal papery petals in a variety of flashy colors. There are several different species of poppies available from florists that will delight on National Pharmacist Day.

These medically-important flowers may be ones that your pharmacist recognizes in milligram pill, but may have never seen in bloom. Surprise them this January 12th with a healthy does of flowers.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Poppies, Saying Thank You

5 Flowers for a Fortunate New Year

January 1, 2015

As the ball drops and a new year begins, hopes and expectations for the year to come are high. If you have big plans and resolutions on your list for this year, hopefully one of them is to include more fresh flowers into your life. Known to increase emotional well-being and support greater creativity and productivity, adding flowers to your home or office is a great resolution that will be easy to keep. According to the Victorian language of flowers, the following blooms are bright symbols of good fortune for the year to come.

Goldenrod
Golden yellow plumes of top of tall, straight stems make this cheerful flower an easy one to enjoy. Native to the meadows of North America, goldenrod (sometimes known by it’s botanical name, Solidago) is a spectacular stem to place in a tall vase. Long-lasting and very affordable, goldenrod is said to symbolize good fortune.

White Heather
Less common than the traditional pink heather, this evergreen bough can be bought as a potted plant or as small branches to add to a vase. Considered a lucky find when found growing wild on the Scottish moors, white heather is rare compared to the pink or purple varieties. The fine needles have a pleasing, fresh fragrance and the tiny, bell-shaped blooms flock the stem like snow. Said to symbolize good luck, consider adding a sprig or two in place of greens to an arrangement with other white flowers.

Tulip
Typically thought of as a springtime flower, this bloom is readily available year round in a variety of colors and patterns. Grown from a bulb, tulips are usually trimmed with their broad leaves sheathing a round stem and often droop, making them a great choice for a shorter, round vase. They last for a week or more as a cut flower, but can also be found around the new year as a potted plant when bulbs can be forced in a container and grow and bloom over time in a sunny spot. A perennial favorite with simple lines and elegant green leaves, the tulip is symbolic of happy years to come.

Vervain
Said to symbolize good fortune and wishes granted, this lovely blue bloom from the prairies of North America looks great on its own or mixed with other flowers in an arrangement. The flowers are formed along the top of a straight stem where they open from bottom to top in dainty blue or purple blooms that are somewhat star-shaped.

Lavender
This purple-flowering herb has long been a favorite for fragrances and cachets. Consider a few fresh sprigs for a simple vase or adding several of these straight stems to a bouquet of the other flowers mentioned above. Said to symbolize success and happiness, bring both to your life with one whiff of this fabulous flower in the year to come.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Occasions, Tulips

What to Do With Poinsettias Once They’ve Bloomed

December 30, 2014

After the last few refrains of Christmas carols fade and the once magnificent tree’s dry needles have begun to carpet the floor, thoughts of packing up the decorations and starting off the new year fresh leaves one standing in front of pots of poinsettias and wondering what to do. While they make the perfect potted plants for the holiday season, the typical shelf life of a poinsettia falls far short of fruitcake, making it last about as long as the New Year’s resolutions in most US homes. What many people may not realize is that this holiday plant can make an excellent houseplant all year long with not much extra maintenance. Getting them to re-bloom in the coming year is an exciting challenge for anyone up to the task and even creating new ones from the existing plant is easy using the following guide for 2015.

January
If the poinsettia is wrapped in foil, remove it and place the container (be sure it has holes on the bottom) on a saucer in order to ensure proper drainage. Fertilize the plant with a multipurpose fertilizer and allow it the soil to dry completely between watering. While the poinsettia may look like a lush, tropical rainforest plant, it is actually native to drier parts of Central America and does best in soil that drains quickly and doesn’t sit in water.

March
By now, your poinsettia will have lost most of it’s winter color and instead resembles a long-legged and leafy green plant. Now is a great time to make more poinsettias by clipping off the top 3 to 4 inches of each branch. Dip these cuttings in a powdered rooting hormone available at your local garden center and place into moist potting soil in a warm, sunny room. Water the new cuttings more often, keeping soil moist for the first couple of weeks. If you are not interesting in making more poinsettias, it is still a great idea to trim back the top half of the plant to encourage new, more vigorous growth to form.

June
Once the threat of cold weather has past, your poinsettias would love a spot outside on a shaded porch or other location with indirect sunlight. Their foliage will add height to a planted container or they can be placed individually for a bit of greenery around the patio. Water as you would your typical bedding plants and cut back branches that get too tall or leggy.

September
Before the temperatures drop, cut back the the branches of your poinsettia until only a few sets of leaves remain above the soil level and bring inside. Water with a fertilizer and place in a sunny window. The red “flowers” of the poinsettia are actually brightly colored leaves that initiate when the plant gets a specific amount of light. If you’d like to have the poinsettia color up in time for the winter holiday season, expose it to about 11 hours of sunny light and 13 hours of darkness each day. This works great in a room that is not typically used every day, as one that has artificial light that is on at night can affect this cycle.

December
If you had a hard time following these directions, simply chuck the poinsettia and buy a new one each year. Better luck in 2016!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Flower Keeping Tips, Poinsettia

3 Fabulously Affordable Flowers You Should Resolve to Keep On Hand in 2015

December 24, 2014

Fresh flowers are a little bit of luxury most people reserve for special occasions and events, but recent studies from several leading research universities confirm that just looking at a vase of flowers can have a positive impact on emotions, creativity and productivity. Perhaps 2015 is the year you begin to incorporate fresh flowers into your health routine and budget a tiny bit each week towards this simple pick-me-up that can positively influence everyone in the room. Whether you start adding blooms to a little vase on your breakfast table or bring in an arrangement to the front office for the whole crew to enjoy, there are quite a few flowers available these days that will look fresh all week without biting into your budget. Try one of these three fabulously affordable flowers that will bring you 52 weeks of awesome in 2015.

Alstroemeria
The working man’s lily, Alstroemeria, also called Peruvian lily, is one of the most under priced flowers on the market these days. Stems are tall, straight and stately- reaching lengths of 2 feet tall at times and making this flower a perfect pick for a tall, glass vase. Each stem is topped with 3 to 5 individual flowers that are smaller than traditional lilies, but have come in a wild array of colors with 3 petals that have an almost tiger-stripped pattern on the inside. Exotic looking, but also appropriate for almost every season, Alstroemeria is almost always sold in bunches of 6 to 10 stems and rarely for more than $7 at a time, ringing in at less than a dollar a stem. In a vase of fresh water, these stems will stay fresh for almost two weeks at a time.

Chrysanthemums
Few flowers are as easy on the eye and the wallet as mums. Coming in absolutely every color in the rainbow except blue, these daisies are long-lasting and lovely mixed with other flowers or on their own. Smaller pom-pom mums are available year-round in colors from white to green and larger varieties like the Fuji or spider mums come with long, elegant petals. Try mixing several different kinds in a shorter vase using seasonal colors for a look and smell that make it hard not to smile.

Iris
Sold while still tightly closed, it’s easy to overlook these ample blooms. The kind typically sold in bunches at florist and grocery stores are surprisingly affordable, at less than a dollar a stem, and look great in a vase without any other greens or fuss. Once taken out of the floral cooler and placed at room temperature, blooms will open up slowly over the next few days to reveal a striking color of blue or purple with a yellow throat and last for the next week and a half.

Along with your list of other resolutions, be sure to add a few fresh stems to 2015!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Alstroemeria, Chrysanthemum, Irises

Freesias for an Epic Fail

December 18, 2014

For all the times you bring your ‘A’ game, it’s surprising how one little oops can bring you down. Forgetting it’s trash day or missing a deadline at work can sometimes be remedied with a sigh or a shrug, but once in a while you really muck it up. Missing a special anniversary, botching a big project or a spectacular dressing down from the boss are hard to shake off and can stick with you like a wad of gum in the hair. Apart from going back in time, there’s not much to be done but make your apologies and move on, hopefully learning from whatever mistakes were made to get you here. When you find yourself in this situation, the perfect flower to help fuggetaboutit are freesias. Light, breezy, fragrant and completely ignorant of what a screw-up you are, freesias can help take the sting out of self-loathing and give you something lovely to look at when you can barely stand the sight of yourself.

Freesias are members of the iris family and native to parts of Africa. Their fresh, floral fragrance and dainty, trumpet-shaped flowers have made them an ornamental favorite since the 19th century. Specifically bred for their scent and color from two different species, the resulting cultivars come in golden yellows, soft oranges, pastel purples, pinks and pure white. The flowers are cup-shaped and open upwards with their faces towards the sun along a delicately arched branch that droops sensuously backwards. Blooms open onwards towards the tip, often with a smaller, secondary stem off to one side.

Freesias are available year round from most florists and last about a week and a half in a vase arrangement. Consider dumping out the old water after a few days and adding fresh to add a few more days to these beautiful blooms.

The scent of freesias are the perfect flower to get the stink of failure off of you. Fresh and floral with a sweet, underlying allure, this fragrance has found its way into lotions and perfumes across the ages and around the world. The white flowered varieties have a slightly peppery scent, unique to the color and mixing this one with the more sugary smell of the colored cultivars gives a simple bouquet of freesias a complex smell that is almost distracting- a good thing when trying to forget the mess you’ve made of your life. Breathing them in reminds you that lovely things can arise from a pile of crap and that you, too, can find nourishment from an utter and complete failure.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Expressing Sympathy, Freesia

Eight Crazy Nights of Flowers for the Festival of Lights

December 9, 2014

Bust out the dreidels and latkes- it’s Hanukkah time!
Celebrating the successful rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the long-lasting one-day’s supply of oil that burned for eight, count ’em, eight crazy nights, Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights, as each evening a candle is lit on the menorah and left to burn all night. Gathering with family and friends is the kosher thing to do during this winter-time holiday, and a small gift of flowers will look lovely as you sing Hanerot Halalu. Here are eight fabulous flowers that will light up the night. Try bringing home one each evening for a bouquet of blessings worth their weight in gelt.

White Lilies
Said to represent resurrection and return to happiness, these large showy flowers can trumpet the triumph of the Maccabees like no other. There are several different varieties to choose from of these highly-fragrant flowers. Most will last for at least a week and their large blooms really fill out a vase so, much like the oil that burned for 8 days straight, a little goes a long way.

Blue Iris
If you’d like to stick with the blue and white color theme of the Hanukkah season, try adding iris to your vase of white lilies for a gorgeous contrasting color. They last just as long and are easy to find at any florist.

Goldenrod
Like the flame of a candle, this wispy wildflower has a golden plume that tops erect stems that can be several feet tall. Trim it down and tuck it in to add texture and a spot of bright color to an arrangement or consider choosing 8 tall and regal stems in a glass vase.

Queen Anne’s Lace
In the Victorian language of flowers, this frilly flower is a message stating, “I will return.” In honor of Judaism’s return to the Temple, try using this lovely, white wildflower as an accent to lilies or roses.

Hyssop
On returning, the Temple was cleaned and rededicated, so many people take the opportunity to give the house a good scrubbing this time of year- especially before guests arrive. Consider hyssop, and purple-flowered mint relative said to symbolize cleansing and purity to the bouquet.

Rosemary
An herb said to symbolize both devotion and remembrance, stick a spring of this heavenly scented shrub in with other flowers for a delicious smell and texture. You can also bring a nice potted plant of it home to last for months to come.

Celosia
Like little candles shining bright, this feathery flower comes in a bright yellow or orange. Fluffy and long lasting, this flower looks great in a vase by itself or tucked in with others.

Blue Hydrangeas
The large, lush blooms of hydrangea are said to symbolize devotion and piety and will light up the table with their delicate, soft petals. Give yourself a gimel and get a few stems of these for Hanukkah this year.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Flowers Generally, Irises, Lilies

Tropical Flowers to take the Chill Off a Winter’s Night

November 26, 2014

There are times in life when you simply must close your eyes and think of your happy place.
Does yours involve warm sand, lapping waves and exotic fruit cocktails? Perhaps tanned people wearing few clothes walk by under swaying palm trees as somewhere, far off, the sound of sea birds and the faint strumming of a ukelele? A real beach vacation may not be in your stars this month, but a vivid imagination and a few stems of tropical flowers will certainly help take the chill out of winter and make a “happy place” out of where ever you are. If you or someone you love is in desperate need for a little R & R to somewhere sunny and warm, consider bringing the beach to them with these exotic flowers found only in lush lands where the palm trees sway.

Heliconia
Sometimes called lobster’s claw or wild plantains, heliconia are native to the lush rainforests of the Americas and parts of the South Pacific. Cultivated as ornamental plants, these tall stems are topped with bright red, yellow, orange or pink waxy bracts that are held upright or sometimes droop downward in an alternating pattern. Reaching lengths of 2 to 3 feet, these unique blooms will last for several weeks as a cut flower and look amazing on their own in a tall glass vase. While they are a bit pricier than your average roses, you only need a couple of stems to turn a dirty kitchen into a tropical paradise. In the language of flowers, the heliconia symbolizes great returns, and you’ll get just that with with a few of these stems.

Protea
One of the oldest flowering plants, protea (sometimes called sugarbushes) can grow in non-tropical climates, but their bright, showy flowers are so large and exotic looking they should come with a pina colada. Tall and long-lasting, protea are available from most florist in a variety of colors and sizes. They look great on their own or mixed with less expensive orchids such as dendrobiums or mokaras. While the stems can come quite long, try trimming the protea down and arranging them in a small, round vase.

Anthurium
Sometimes called flamingo lily, this tropical stem has a unique spade shade and comes in all the colors of a Tahitian sunset. Tall and graceful, the slender stems arch and end with a sinuous spadix in yellow or white. These blooms can’t stand the cold, so you won’t find them in the florist’s cooler but in a pot set in a sunny spot. Consider mixing them with the protea or a few stalks of gladiolas for a beach vacation without every leaving your home.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Flowers by Type, Gladiolas, Rainforest Flowers

Paperwhites are the Perfect Hostess Gift for Thanksgiving

November 23, 2014

Being invited to the Thanksgiving meal is a gesture of welcome and inclusion in American homes far richer than any giblet gravy- so don’t arrive empty handed. After asking the hostess what you can bring (and picking up an extra bottle of Riesling when they say “just yourself”), be sure to include a small gift to thank the hosts for including you in this special tradition. On a day that’s already filled with delicious foods and bordered by a holiday steeped in gift-giving, it is hard to find just the right thing to thank someone for all the thawing, brining, roasting and washing up they’ll be doing. Make it easy by choosing flowers that will not only be lovely on Thanksgiving day, but will continue to have your hosts thankful through the coming weeks. Paperwhite bulbs (Narcissus papyraceus) are the perfect plant to present on this day of gratitude and stuffing yourself.

A close relative of the daffodil, paperwhite flowers grow from small, teardrop-shaped bulbs. Easy to grow and available from florists and garden centers beginning in November, these beautiful and fragrant flowers can be grown from bulb to white, willowy blooms within about 3 to 4 weeks time. You can purchase a pot already planted or easily make one on your own with a low, glass dish and a bit of gravel. Simply choose a container and fill it half full with clean, loose rocks or pebbles. Place the bulbs, pointy side up, and cover with more gravel until only the very tips of the bulbs are visible. Add water until in comes almost to the top of the bulbs and wait just a day or two. When they come in contact with the water, the round, brown bulbs begin to awaken and send up the tender, green shoots of leaves. This is the perfect time to present them as a hostess gift. Over the next few weeks the leaves and stems of the plant will grow just a bit each day until the buds burst open to reveal the dainty, white flowers. Bring them over when they’ve just started to emerge from the bulbs and your hosts will have the pleasure of watching them grow and develop over the next month.

Paperwhites are prized for their fragrance, which has a powdery, fresh smell. Each stem is topped with a cluster of miniature, daffodil-like flowers which will last for more than a week. During this time, their scent will fill a room with fond memories of you and your thoughtful gift. Want to make an even longer-lasting good impression? Be sure to help with the dishes.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Daffodils, Saying Thank You

Alternatives to Paper Poppies for Veteran’s Day

November 11, 2014

The tradition of wearing a poppy on one’s lapel to honor veterans of war dates back to just after World War I. A Canadian physician, Lieutenant colonel John McCrae, had penned a poem after presiding over the funeral of a friend who had been killed in the Battle of Ypres, where over 120,000 casualties were estimated. The new graves of the many young men who had died stretched on through a field of bright red poppies, and his poem, in Flanders Fields, used the flowers as a metaphor for the spilled blood of war. Published back in London in 1915, the poem quickly became the most popularly recited verse of its era and the red poppy the symbol for the great sacrifices of the armed forces. In 1919, exactly one year after the war ended, November 11th was designated as Remembrance Day (in Commonwealth countries) by King George V and Veteran’s Day in the United States, to honor members of the armed forces- particularly those that gave their lives in defense of their country. The red poppy was worn in recognition of the holiday, but since November is not the typical season for this summer flower, most are made out of paper. If you’d like to honor the service of veterans, past and present, with a fresh flower instead of paper, consider the following blooms that make excellent boutonniere’s to pin to the lapel on this day of remembrance.

Red Dahlias
Said to symbolize gratitude in the language of flowers, dahlias are still in season in late autumn and are dazzling in both their symmetry and sturdiness. They come in deep reds with petals that are perfectly placed to form a round, solid bloom that will look fresh all day. They are easy to find at a local florist this time of year and will last much longer than an actual fresh poppy, whose delicate petals are likely to fall off rather quickly.

Red Carnations
Both easy to find and economical, the carnation is the perfect flower to pin to a lapel. As a corsage or boutonniere, it can last for days without wilting and its true red color comes the closest to mimicking the sanguine hue of the Flander’s poppy. Said to symbolize admiration in the language of flowers, the carnation is the perfect way to decorate a serviceman or woman.

Red Camellias
Harder to find than dahlias or carnations, but just beginning to bloom in November, these flowers look very similar to the Flander’s poppy. Said to symbolize gratitude as well, camellias are the perfect way to say thank you to a veteran.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Carnations, Dahlia, Memorial Day

Orchids for Beginners

November 5, 2014

Exotic, oddly erotic, and with features so diverse and highly evolved they are hypnotic to look at, orchids are typically not considered a good “beginner” plant. While their care is different than your typical peace lily or other more common houseplants, they should not intimidate even those with self-proclaimed brown thumbs. With so many different species to choose from, there are several that are well suited to your living room, and require only slightly more care than a typical potted plant. With blooms lasting for a month or more, they are a much better value than a bouquet of cut flowers, even if you can’t keep it alive for much longer than that. Here are a couple of tips and tricks, however, that should have them blooming joyfully again and again.

Choose the right species
With over 880 different genera containing more than 25,000 different species, the Orchid Family is the largest and most diverse of all flowering plants. Highly adapted to specific environmental conditions, different types of orchids can be found growing anywhere from canopies of the tropical rainforests to the tundra floor. Several genera that are grown commercially as houseplants are suited for the constant, average temperatures of the typical home, such as Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) or Dendrobiums. Most florists and grocers choose these types over the others because they are well adapted as houseplants and are easy to grow. So should you.

Choose the right growing media
While a potting mix is fine for most houseplants, many orchids are naturally epiphytic, meaning they grow up in trees rather than in the ground. This allows for unique features, like aerial roots that are able to photosynthesize. For this reason, a growing media such as small pieces of bark mixed in with peat is often used. You can pick up a bag, if your are potting up your own, at any garden center where they might also sell beautiful containers with holes in their sides as well as in the bottom to promote better drainage and air circulation. While not big feeders, orchids benefit from a once-monthly fertilizer to encourage new blooms.

It’s how you water them, not how much
Contrary to popular belief, most orchids don’t like “wet feet” and letting them sit in a saucer of water can cause their roots to rot. Watering slowly, allows the growing media to absorb and store water for slow uptake by the roots. One way to speed up this process that many have found successful is to place an ice cube in the pot (not directly touching the plant) and allow it to melt over the course of time.

Orchids are not for everyone, but don’t let their special care scare you away. It’s just one more feature that makes the unique and so rewarding to grow.

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Freesias to Fill In an Awkward Silence

November 4, 2014

Separating us from the animals, our miraculous gift of speech is not always well spent.
Frequently squandered on dithering and gossip, utterly lost to us in moments when just the right word would have changed everything, sometimes aimed and hurled like a weapon, its absence is perhaps the most frustrating of all. If you’ve let an awkward silence develop between yourself and someone you care about, consider sending flowers, which have long been used to speak when words fail us. The freesia is the perfect bloom to break down a barrier of communication and create a connection that you want to keep together. Whether it has been a frosty week of silence after an argument or years of water under the bridge, consider the freesia as a fresh and fragrant flag of parley in a sea of silence.

A distant relative of the iris, the freesia is native to parts of Africa. It is prized for its dainty, upturned, funnel-shaped flowers, which bloom along one side of a gracefully arched stem. Delicate in appearance, the leaves are grass-like and form at the base of the plant, from which 1 to 2 foot long stems develop. Each stem is slightly branched and is topped with the one-sided, curvacious blooms that come in white, pastel pinks, purples, coral and a buttery yellow. The top-most bloom opens first, with each of the other 4 to 5 buds opening up slowly overt time. This progressive blooming sequence gives the flowers a fresh look for more than a week and gives any arrangement a more natural look.

One of the most highly prized flowers when it comes to fragrance, the freesia has a unique scent that is both sweet and spicy. Found in lotions, perfumes, shampoos and candles, the scent has a specific floral smell that is slightly different between the different colors. White freesias, for example, have a soft, peppery smell, while the purple ones are like an freshly iced cake and the yellow ones smell just like sunshine would. A solid color of freesia stems alone in a vase are quite striking, but they also look lovely mixed in with lilies of a complementary color. Said to represent innocence in the Victorian language of flowers, they are a great start to a conversation that is long overdue.

The freesia has been cultivated since the 19th century, when it was derived from a cross between two species. The hybrid nature of this flower’s very existence is a great reminder that, sometimes, bridging the distance between two things can have beautiful results.

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Substitute Flowers for a Sweet Treat on World Diabetes Day

November 3, 2014

Treating yourself is a great way to stay motivated on the way to bigger goals. A piece of candy or bite of chocolate seems a small reward for a job well done, but calories and sugar sure can add up. November 14th of each year is World Diabetes Day, set aside to raise awareness and highlight steps towards the prevention of this condition. One of the best ways to celebrate is to pick up a new good habit to replace a bad one. Buying flowers for yourself is a great way to add a bit of beauty and nature into your life. Rather than treating yourself to favorite foods when you feel like you deserve a little something special, consider a lush bouquet of one of the sweet blossoms below. Not only are they sugar-free, they will last much longer than a moment on the lips without going straight to your hips.

Sweet William
Said to represent gallantry and finesse in the Victorian language of flowers, Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is a close relative to the carnation. Soft-petaled clusters of flowers top a sturdy, bluish-grey stem and come in variegated colors of pinks, reds and whites. Legend has it that this European wildflower was named for the bard, William Shakespeare, though evidence of its cultivation in English and Scottish gardens can be found long before he penned a word. Contrary to the name, the scent of the Sweet William is more spicy than sweet, compared frequently to cloves, and has a rich, mouth-watering allure. Long stems add lasting power to this flower in a vase, where they can be mixed with lilies or hypericum berries for a fabulous fall floral arrangement.

Candytuft
Frequently grown to accent a garden, this perennial flower cascades over rock walls and along meandering borders in the landscape. In a vase or flower arrangement, candytuft (Iberis sempervirens), is prized both for its dainty blooms as well as for its glossy foliage. Short stems hold up delicate clusters of white, pink or lavender flowers, which look great made into a small tussie-mussie or tucked into a short vase. The scent is subtle, but the frilly effect of this flower looks amazing next to small spray roses or carnations.

Sweet Peas
So delicious looking, it’s a wonder they aren’t edible. The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is best enjoyed with the eyes and nose. A gorgeous, vining plant, the flowers of the sweet pea come in a rainbow of colors that fade and blend into each other. Dainty and lyrical in appearance, the best feature of this floral eye candy is the scent, which is sweet and zero calories.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Dianthus, Occasions, Sweet Pea

Pick Up Some Mums for Mother-In-Law Day

October 22, 2014

We are all born with at least one mother, but many of us pick up another along the way through marriage. If you’ve been lucky enough to score a good one, celebrate on Sunday, October 26th during Mother-in-Law Day with a bouquet of chrysanthemums. These fall flowers are at their prime this time of year and come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes. Whether she thinks you hung the moon or is the type to complain that you hung it crookedly, flowers as elegant and diverse as the mum are sure to please anyone- even someone that can be a bit hard to please at times.

Native to Asia, the chrysanthemum has a long history of cultivation in both China and Japan, where there are several festivals in which it plays a big part. Found in art, sculpture, literature and even printed onto coins throughout the ancient Orient, the mum slowly made its way west and into tombs of kings and emperors and onto the lapels of gentleman. Today, the mum is most heavily cultivated in parts of Central and South America, where they are grown in a dazzling array of colors and sizes for fresh cut flowers. From festivals in Colombia where chrysanthemums line the streets and color the elaborate floats in parades to hillside greenhouses in Guatemala, where large bouquets are carried by hand to the markets, this flower fills the world with color and class and has done so for hundreds of generations.

When choosing mums, you have over 40 different species and hundreds of different varieties. Many have a traditional “daisy” look, with a center “eye” surrounded by petals. If your mom-in-law is a bit of a traditionalist, try the typical Marguerite daisy, which has white petals and a yellow center. If your spouse’s mom is a bit more eccentric, the long, frilly petals of the Fuji or spider mums are certainly going to catch her eye. The wide range of colors of the pom-pom mums make it possible to pick out her favorite hue. The best part of all- each stem rings up for less than a dollar, making it easy to fill a vase without emptying your wallet.

Perhaps your mother-in-law never thought your marriage would last, but a bouquet of mums will last for two weeks or more in a vase with fresh water. Surprise her with flowers and she’ll remember exactly why her kid married you in the first place.

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Dahlias for Diwali

October 16, 2014

This annual festival of lights falls on October 22nd this year, which is the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar. One of the most important holidays of the year for Hindus, Diwali is celebrated to honor Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, and to symbolize the triumph of victory over evil. Along with oil lamps and hanging lanterns to light the home, consider a dazzling display of dahlias to decorate the table or bring with you as a gift as you visit friends and family. Said to symbolize dignity in the language of flowers, colorful dahlias are the perfect flower for celebrating Diwali and are at their peak this time of year.

In the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana, the story is told of Rama and his wife Sita’s return from exile and his defeat of the demon Ravana. Seen as the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, the lighting of small oil lamps around homes and streets is one of the ways in which Diwali is celebrated. Whether you are a practicing Hindu or simply happy to light a lamp to brighten up the darkening days of autumn, adding flowers such as dahlias in bright colors like gold, orange and pink are a perfect addition to an evening that is getting longer and cooler every night.

Dahlias are in the sunflower family and grow on hardy stems that range widely in size. From their perfectly round buds, dahlias open up into symmetrical blooms that can be as small as a silver dollar or as large as a dinner plate. Dahlias come in every color of the rainbow except blue, and many have more than one color- often fading from dark centers to lighter colors on the outer petals. Bright pinks and showy yellows are the colors for summer, but for this autumnal festival, consider the deep bronze, burgundy or golden blooms. They look amazing in vases with greens like fragrant eucalyptus or with dainty sprays of daisies or alstroemeria and accessorized with hypericum berries or other fall foliage. For Diwali, consider taking a bunch and trimming them just behind the flower heads to float in a glass bowl, or the small, clay diyas usually filled with oil and wicks. These are a great alternative if you live in apartments or dorms that may not allow lighted lamps and with plenty of water, will last for many days.

Husbands, don’t forget that Diwali Padva falls the following day, so be sure to pick up a few extra dahlias for your wife!

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Celebreate the Senses on White Cane Safety Day

October 13, 2014

Celebrated worldwide on October 15th of every year, White Cane Safety Day is a time to recognize and honor the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and to appreciate the tools available to help them navigate the world. First established in 1964 with the help of the National Federation of the Blind and approved by Congress, this holiday was set aside as a time for people and organizations to celebrate the independent travel the white cane allows while also bringing national attention to issues around safety and accessibility. Some events include hosting a dinner in the pitch dark or organizing a walk in the community to raise funds for training seeing eye dogs or research. While flowers are visually pleasing to those of us with the gift of sight, they are no less lovely to enjoy with our other senses. Below are several flowers that can touched, smelled or otherwise appreciated more than just in the eye of the beholder.

Freesias
Perhaps the most distinctively scented of all the flowers, the gracefully arching stems of freesias hold aloft several upturned trumpets of petals that emanate a slightly sweet, slightly citrus flavor. The fragrance is both fresh and spicy and smells of youth and spring. Said to represent “trust” in the language of flowers, this bloom is the perfect symbol for White Cane Safety Day.

Scented Geraniums
An amazing array of shapes, sensations and smells exist within the scented geraniums. Chocolate mint, coconut, peppermint, lemon, apple and rose-scented varieties of these fuzzy leaved Victorian favorites are available and extremely easy to care for. Able to grow in pots outside in the summer on inside by a sunny window, these are the perfect houseplants for your sense of touch and smell. Brush their wide and wonderfully soft leaves for a captivating scent that will calm and relax all year long.

Amaryllis
One can’t help but observe with pride the progress and development of the amaryllis flower. Starting from a rough and humble bulb which you plant in a container just below the surface of the soil, the thick bud emerges and grows straight upwards over a period of a week or so. Carried more than a foot in the air by its sturdy stalk, the buds break into four ginormous blooms that last for a week or more. The sheer size and steadiness of of growth are an impressive thing to witness and this can be done as much with the hands as with the eyes. Consider this phenomenal plant a symbol of growth and achievement.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Freesia, Holidays

Celebrate Mental Health Day with Flowers that Make you Feel Fabulous

October 8, 2014

There’s a lot going on in this world that can drive a person crazy, so taking care of mental health should be an important priority in everyone’s life. October 10th is recognized worldwide as Mental Health Day and is set aside to celebrate the advances made globally in mental heath education, support and awareness. With several recent studies published that link lowered levels of stress, depression and even pain and healing time to simply looking and smelling flowers and plants around you, picking up a bouquet on the way home might just help keep you sane in this mad, mad world. Not sure which flowers will have the most positive impact on your state of mind? Here are a few you’ll just go crazy over.

Iris
Artist Vincent van Goug knew a pretty petal when he saw one. His iconic Irises canvas was painted during his stay in an asylum in the south of France and depicts several shades of tall and expressive, deep blue blooms gathered around one solitary white one. Perhaps expressing the solitude and separation his own mental illness had caused in his life, or merely just painting the flowers he saw blooming on the asylum grounds, the painting comes close to capturing the grace and repose of the lovely iris. There are several types of iris available at your florist, including the smaller Dutch and narrow-leaved Siberian iris. Few come closer to creating a sense of tranquility, however, than the sweetly-scented bearded iris, Iris germanica.

Lisianthus
Worthy of a painting, but more enjoyable in a slender vase and viewed as often as possible, are the lovely lisianthus. On dainty stems that nod and bow, each bud of this flower twirls open to reveal large, rose-like blooms that come in deep purple, soft lavender, pale pink or white. Delicate and soft like a peony, the lisianthus will last much longer than most cut flowers and bring a sense of peace and abundance for more than two weeks in a vase. Said to convey appreciation in the language of flowers, these blooms, like mental health, are something we should be grateful for every day. Place them somewhere in your line of vision and you’ll be amazed at how often they draw your gaze.

Orchid
Complex, intricate and highly evolved, the diversity of the different orchids are the perfect reflection of the human mind. With over 25,000 known species on Earth, there are several available at your local florist that will absolutely blow your mind. Specially adapted to attract certain pollinators, some orchids bloom with flowers shaped like moths, while others bloom with color combinations found nowhere else on Earth to bedazzle bees. You will find yourself strangely hypnotized by these unique plants, that can bloom for a month or more on a windowsill, reminding you that we, too, are highly complex and strangely beautiful organisms.

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Bulbs for an October Birthday

October 5, 2014

Fresh flowers and potted plants are great gift ideas all year round, but for a birthday that falls in the fall, consider a gift that comes with the promise of a beautiful spring surprise- flower bulbs. October is the perfect month to plant a handful of spring-flowering bulbs in the ground for the positive anticipation of good things to come. Rather than a bouquet of cut flowers for an autumn birthday, choose one of the varieties described below or mix up a few different ones for a gift that requires a little delayed, but no less satisfying, gratification.

Crocus
Harbingers of spring, the tiny cup-shaped crocus is one of the first flowers to emerge through the snow and cold to warm you with the promise of spring. Their tiny white, purple or yellow petals push through the soil before it has fully thawed and open up to reveal bright orange stamens. These highly-prized parts produce the spice saffron, but whether you choose to harvest them or simply enjoy the beautiful blooms, these flowers are priceless. The foliage of the crocus looks like tiny leaves of grass and will fade after blooming, only to go dormant and re-bloom the following spring. Available as small, dry blubs (called corms) from late September until November, plant them about 3-5 inches deep with their pointier ends sticking up.

Hyacinth
Sweet smelling and stout, these bell-shaped flowers hang down on thick, short stems that push their way up around April each year. Available in soft lavender and pastel pink or white, these fragrant flowers form from bulbs that are planted 4-6 inches deep in the fall. Hyacinth bulbs are a great choice for “forcing,” bulbs- getting them to bloom inside out of season. Pick some up this month and place them in a small glass filled half-full with pebbles or small gravel and topped off with water. Place it in a sunny window and watch it bloom over the next few weeks if you just can’t wait until spring to fill your house with their fabulous fragrance.

Tulip
The queen of the spring-flowering bulbs, Turkish sultans and Dutch traders build and lost fortunes over this tall and stately bloom. Fortunately, you can get them this time of year for around a dollar a bulb at your local florist or garden center. In a wide array of colors and shapes, the choices of tulips are staggering and a a single planting of one solid color can be quite striking as well. Plant these teardrop shaped bulbs pointy end up about 6 inches deep.

Treat an October birthday to a treat they can look forward to all winter long with these fabulous bulbs.

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Pansies for a Pregnant Woman Ready to Pop

October 3, 2014

The glow that comes with the wonder of carrying a new life within is a beautiful thing to behold, but it can sure take its toll on the feet and back. Being pregnant is a special time in a woman’s life, but toward the end, is not a particularly comfortable one. Sleeping, standing, even just trying to get dressed in the morning takes on a whole new dimension, literally, as her dimensions widen and make daily tasks more of a challenge. Along with the burp cloths and diaper cakes, consider a lovely pot of pansies for the mother-to-be as she prepares for the arrival of her new child. These dainty and darling blooms are the perfect pick for a pregnant lady who is just about to pop.

Favorites for the cool days of autumn and chilly mornings of spring, the pansy is a plant that is associated with merriment and enjoyment in the language of flowers. While being pregnant certainly cuts back on one’s social calendar with all the restrictions on cocktails and soft cheeses, it carries with it its own delights and anticipations of occasions to come. Named from the French word for “thought,” the flowers of the pansy are held up on delicate stems that seem to “nod” in concentration. While pregnancy brain may leave her unable to focus or remember something from one room to the next, the gently nodding heads of these pretty flowers will remind her that she has your support at this critical time.

Pansies are an annual flower that can be planted in a pretty pot and put out on the porch through the autumn and mild winters for a splash of color. In a container inside, they will continue to bloom for several weeks, lasting longer than cut flowers in a vase would, but not adding to the care of an already expanding household the way a new houseplant might. Expect a month of loveliness with a once a week watering, after which time they can be fully neglected and tossed- unlike the dog, who will just have to learn to share attention with the new baby.

Pansies are a close relative of the violet and share the same genus as violas; their names are used interchangeably at times, though the violas are slightly smaller in stature. A rainbow of colors are available, from soft lavender to deep golds. Most have a darker color in the center that resembles a cheerful face and are surrounded by soft, green sepals and leaves. Consider mixing several in a terra-cotta pot and surprising an expectant mother with a special delivery she wasn’t expecting.

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Stargazer Lilies because…damn girl, you’re worth it

September 30, 2014

You know who deserves a gorgeous bouquet of flowers right now? That’s right- you do!
Sure, you could wait for some hunky catch to show up at the door with a a mess of roses or for that boss of yours to finally recognize what a diamond you are and drop off a vase of pretty stems to thank you for all your hard work, but why leave it up to someone else to decide what flowers you deserve? You know exactly what you want, what you need, and what you are worth. Mmhmm, you got it- stargazer lilies.

There are loads of lovely flowers out there that are just begging to come home with you tonight, but don’t say yes to just anything that catches your eye. Choose something that is large, lovely and will last all week in your home or office, reminding you, and everyone around you, that- dammmmmnnnnnn, girl- you’re worth it! The stargazer lily, with several huge blossoms on each stem, goes a long way. Just one or two will fill a vase with lush and lovely flowers and will fill the entire room with a subtle, fresh, tantalizing smell. People will walk by and think,”hmmmm…I wonder what that fabulous scent is” and you will be all like, “that’s right, that’s me- so sniff it up, fool.”

Stargazers are a special hybrid of Oriental lilies known for their fragrance and large blooms. First cultivated in 1974 by the California lily breeder, Leslie Woodriff, they have quickly become the “it” flower for the discerning woman who wants a flower that goes the distance. They can come in solid white or with petals that have white undersides and pink or magenta inside petals that are revealed as they bloom. The pollen produced by each flower can be a bit much, so use tissue to pluck off the stamens if you don’t want the reddish-orange pollen to stain the petals.

Each flower can reach 6 to 8 inches in width when fully opened. Not that size matters, but sometimes, well..it does. Why wait for someone to show up with some dinky blossoms when you can wrap your had around a stem with blooms the size of a salad plate. Best of all, the 2-3 blooms on each stem open up slowly, so even after the first one is spent, the lower blooms gradually open giving you a week or more of fragrance and beauty.

Stargazer lilies don’t look cheap, so don’t expect them to come cheaply. Each stem will cost about $2-5 each, but you only need one or two to make a statement. Besides, you’re worth it.

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Homecoming Flowers for a High School Dance

September 22, 2014

An American tradition for a century or more, homecoming was first celebrated at universities and colleges to welcome back alumni, but for many high school students it’s the first dance they’ll attend. Along with parades, football games against rival schools and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen, is also the first time many nervous young men will wait at the door with corsage in hand as their date comes down the stairs. Meet her (or him) with flowers that look fresh and fabulous all night long by choosing some of these spectacular stems that are the perfect choice for a corsage or boutonniere.

If your date is into current trends…
…try the bright and colorful gerber daisy. These sunflower relatives are flashy and dazzling and can be found in colors like white, red, pink, orange and yellow. A different take on the traditional rose corsage, one made with gerber daisies will stand out beautifully in photos and will look great next to a black or white dress or jacket. A talented florist can add a bit of bling in the center and accent it with green or red hypericum berries or a few feathers to make a one of a kind corsage for your one of a kind date.

If your date is sporting a vintage look…
…carnations are the perfect choice. Classy without being old-fashioned, these look great pinned to a lapel or with a matching ribbon around the wrist. White ones are said to represent the loveliness of a woman’s charm in the language of flowers while dark red ones are symbolic of admiration.

If your date is Homecoming royalty…
…then the only appropriate flower is the chrysanthemum. Traditionally, the large Fuji or Spider mums (sometimes called Football mums) were called the Homecoming flowers and used in everything from wreaths to corsages to welcome back alumni and decorate the cars that carried in the Homecoming court. In a dazzling array of colors, chrysanthemums will be the perfect match for any potential royalty, though the traditional color is yellow, gold or white for this occasion. Ask for a larger one with drooping petals and a few dainty freesias tucked in trimmed with ribbons in your school colors for a look fit for a king or queen.

If you are your own date…
…pick a flower that’s as bold and unique as your are- the orchid. With more than 25,000 different species to choose from, you’ll be sure to find one that’s perfect for you.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Carnations, Occasions, Orchids, Sporting Events

A Touching Bouquet for International Teacher’s Day

September 16, 2014

Falling on October 5th this year, World Teacher’s Day has been held annually since 1994 to commemorate education professionals around the world for their contribution in preparing future generations for success. Few professions touch as many lives as teaching, though this time of year is often so busy it is hard for many teachers to remember why, exactly, they decided to go into education in the first place. Teaching takes patience, creativity, a thick skin, and a whole lot of love. Return the love this October 5th by planning a very special flower delivery for your child’s homeroom teacher or the educator in your life. By bringing in a flower for each student to walk into the classroom with to hand to the teacher, you will help create a bouquet they will never forget. Here are 3 different stems that are hardy, affordable and easy to create a lovely bouquet with- one flower at a time.

Mini Gerber Daisies
Bright, colorful and cheery, these stems are a little sturdier than they look and cost less than a dollar each. In flashy yellows, pinks, reds and oranges, these delightful daisies have a dark or yellow center and pretty petals that radiate outwards. Students will have an easy time with these leafless stems and a good florist can add a clear piece of a straw to reenforce the flower heads so they stay upright for many days after the special delivery. They look great in a vase of water on their own or you can add leatherleaf fern or other greens for your teacher’s desk.

Carnations
With new colors like purple and yellow, carnations are a long- lasting and lovely flower that hold up well in tiny hands. Along with the traditional pink, white and red, carnations can also come in stripped and two-toned colors these days as well. Consider handing the students all sorts of colors for a rainbow that is sure to delight. Alternatively, using all white carnations, the teacher can add a bit of food coloring for an impromptu science experiment later on in the week.

Chrysanthemums
With thick, sturdy stems and plenty of colors to choose from, these flowers are also at their prime in the fall. Sold in bunches of 5-10 stems for less than $5, chrysanthemums are extremely economical and will last for more than a week in a vase. Choose several bunches in different colors and pass out to students at the start of the day to hand to teacher when they walk in a room to make a bouquet that will absolutely make their World Teacher’s Day.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Daisies, Saying Thank You

Asters for an Anniversary After a Challenging Year

September 15, 2014

In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer- they certainly at least warn you that some years are going to be better than others. In a way, celebrating an anniversary after a particularly challenging year can be more meaningful because your vows have been tested through trials and tribulations and here you are, still together. Whether you have fought about money, struggled through loss or grief, or had health scares or trust issues, an anniversary provides a time for reflection to honor how much you’ve grown both individually and as a couple. Celebrate how this year’s challenges have helped you grow together as a couple with the simple, yet striking, aster.

A member of the sunflower family, the aster flower is named from the Greek word for “star.” Symmetrical and radiating petals from a central axis, there are over 180 different species of this flower that can be found growing wild over parts of Europe and Asia and parts of North America. Incredibly diverse, there are asters in almost every color of the rainbow and their size can vary from the span of a dime to that of a silver dollar. Most tend to have a yellow center or “eye” with colorful petals encircling it. Growing primarily in open meadows, asters have a certain wildflower quality that give any bouquet or arrangement a natural, fresh-picked look.

Asters are available most of the year, with particular colors mirroring the season. Light whites, soft purples and yellows in spring make way for the pinks and purples of summer and golds of autumn. Economical, they cost very little at your local florist- great news if finances have contributed to this year’s troubles- meaning you can pick up many stems for very little money. Try pairing them with long-lasting alstroemeria or brightly colored zinnias.

In the language of flowers, the aster is symbolic of patience. Typically the flower for a 20th anniversary, the aster is the perfect flower for any year that has been trying and has required a bit of patience and determination. In the world of flowers, the flash of roses and the haughtiness of fancy lilies or tulips may seem arrogant after a year in which money was tight or tempers were simmering. There is something both humble and honest about the daisy-like features of the asters that do not diminish their beauty. Rather than shout their presence with gaudy fragrance or pendulous blooms, they are steadfast, solid and present. Some years, that’s all you need from the one you love.

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3 Flowers to Awaken Creativity and Inspire your Inner Muse

September 11, 2014

Like a startled bird ready to flit from one tree to the next, creative inspiration comes suddenly, departs quickly and leaves you searching from one moment to the next. Artists of all kinds need external inspiration in order to light their inner creative fire, so the next time you or an artist you love need a little spark, consider these three flowers as potential muses. As the Arabian proverb says, “a fig tree, looking on a fig tree, becometh fruitful.” Look upon these magnificent blooms and be inspired.

Bird of Paradise
A flower that lives up to its name, the bird of paradise is a tropical flower so original and one-of-a-kind, it looks like it might turn its head and speak at any time. Tall and gracefully arched on a smooth, thick stem, the bloom on top resembles and orange piece of origami unfolding slowly to reveal a secret, purple center. In the Victorian language of flowers, the bird of paradise was symbolic of originality. A single stem in a tall, narrow face is a sight to behold. The bend “heads” of these flowers truly resemble exotic birds and three together in a vase, each looking a different way with a bit of trailing greenery like pepperberry brings an artist to another place all together.

Maidenhair Fern
Sold as a potted plant at many florists and garden centers, this graceful and mystical fern is a poem in itself. Elegant, drooping fronds hold up curtains of tiny leaflets that shimmer in the slightest breeze. Able to grow on the windowsill of any studio or office, this fern is said to symbolize magic and mystery. Its unbelievable intricacy will have you believing almost anything is possible. Average light and average water will keep this well above average houseplant inspiring for years to come.

Anthurium
Said to symbolize both courage and passion, this exotic and tropical flower can’t help but have one thinking outside of the box. Instead of typical petals, this tall stem has one large, curvaceous, spade-shaped spadix that flushes a deep red, pink or orange. It holds a small spire in the center with confidence and flagrancy that will encourage any artist to just put it all out there. Available as both a cut flower or as a potted plant that is easy to grow in a sunny spot, this plant blooms frequently and, unlike creative genius, lasts for quite a long while.

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Wish Someone a Return to Health with the Hardy Chrysanthemum

September 8, 2014

As the days grow shorter and the nights turn chilly, the tender flowers of summer tend to fade and go dormant- not so, the hardy chrysanthemum. As summer turns to fall, these short-day loving plants begin to awaken and bloom as the winds begin to sharpen and the frosts start to enclose both buds and branches. What better harbinger of health than the chrysanthemum, symbolic of long life, optimism and mirth in the language of flowers. A pot of mums to plant in the garden or a vase of these bright and cheerful flowers on the bedside are the perfect way to help someone be once again hearty and hale.

Mums are a perennial favorite for fall and can often be found as potted plants at florists, garden centers and grocers from August to October. Sold in every size from small containers that are only 3 inches to several gallons, mums are an excellent buy this time of year. The simple plastic containers they are sold in back be easily converted into a stunning gift with a little gold foil or a well placed bow and card holder. Count on spending only a couple of dollars for a beautiful, blooming plant that can grow for a month or more inside. Best of all, when folks are feeling better, these can be planted outside where they will come back each year.

Mums are a member of the sunflower family and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Cultivated for perhaps thousands of years, this flower has quite a diversity of forms and can be grown as both a landscape or potted plant as well as a stunning cut flower. For a vase arrangement, consider the pomp and circumstance of the larger Fuji, football or spider mums. With long stems and large, ornate blooms that last for weeks, these are the perfect pick for a bedside flower arrangement. Consider mixing them with red or green hypericum berries or a bit of soft alstroemeria for a lovely look that will last. For bringing a bit of the outside in, nothing beats the hardy mums that come in colors that mirror fall foliage. They are the perfect gift for someone who may not be well enough to enjoy the alluring autumn colors on their own outside, but will help encourage them to get well soon so as not to miss this stunning season.

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Fabulous Fall Flowers for September

August 27, 2014

The pastel blossoms of May and the big, showy blooms of June are all lovely and fragrant, but the deep colors and unusual shapes of fall flowers have exactly what is needed to stand out as more than just “pretty” in a bouquet or floral arrangement- character. When the days start getting shorter and the nights a little crisper, the following 3 flowers are at their prime. They may be late bloomers, but all of them are well worth waiting for and, along with warm sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot as you walk, are a part of autumn to look forward to every year.

Amaranthus
This ancient grain has many ornamental varieties that are starting to make their pilgrimage from Central and South America to the florist’s cooler. Many local growers have started planting this fabulous fall flower for both its ornamental as we as edible properties. Tall and lanky, the unusual flower is plume-like, with feathery seed heads that can be upright or droopy and highly pigmented leaves. In colors such as deep, blood red and coppery bronze or a perfectly puce green, these tall stems can be draped throughout a bouquet or vase like a well placed scarf and add both vibrant fall color as well as an elegance of natural ease that’s hard to imitate. A favorite at farmer’s markets and florists alike, choose stems that have a firm base and a few leaves to determine freshness. In the language of flowers, the amaranthus represents immortality, but expect them to last only about a week or two as a cut flower. Save the tiny black seeds once the flower is spent and plant them next spring if you want them to actually live forever.

Dahlia
In the language of flowers, dahlias represent dignity, gratitude and good taste. While it’s true that these showy blooms are available all summer long, there are several cultivars that are stunningly autumnal in their color. Deep oranges and chocolatey browns can be mixed with green hypericum berries for an earthy look, or gold or burgundy ones tucked into the plumes of amaranthus for a fall arrangement that is dripping with class. Ranging in size from a silver dollar to a dinner plate, dahlias are diverse and dazzling in both their shapes and color. Choose stems with both opened blooms and unopened buds for a more natural look.

Fiddleheads
Technically not flowers at all, these unfurled fronds of ferns are the tall boots of fall flower arrangements. Tuck them in with their curled tops sticking up about 2 to 3 inches about the other flowers for a touch of whimsy. In both green and darker browns and blacks, fiddlehead fronds are a perfect accent to any arrangement and add a certain reminder of the changing natural beauty that fall brings every year.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Anniversaries, By Month, Dahlia, Saying Thank You

A Lyrical Bouquet for National Poetry Day

August 17, 2014

Putting together words to form a poem that moves and inspires is not unlike creating a lovely vase of flowers, with each stem coming together to form an arrangement that delights or comforts. On August 21st, National Poetry Day, why not compose your own floral sonnet with some of the profound flowers below that can speak volumes in the language of flowers.

Flowering Stock
Said to symbolize lasting beauty and contentment, this sweetly scented stem comes in soft pinks, deep purples and a pure, bright white. Tall and elegant, with soft blooms opening up in clusters from bottom to top, the darker colors add weight and grounding to an arrangement, while the white ones add a bit of whimsy. Start your bouquet with stock to make a statement and build around these stems with some of the other flowers below. While “nothing gold can stay,” stock are far sturdier than they appear and, given plenty of water, will last for more than a week.

Lisianthus
Gertrude Stein said that “a rose is a rose is a rose,” but lisianthus is another flower that bears repeating. Shaped very similar to a typical rosebud but seemingly spun from a finer fabric, lisianthus are the flowers dreams are made of. Delicate and soft, their blooms literally twirl open from nodding buds held up on stems so dainty they appear to float above the foliage. Soft purples and sweet pinks are available at most florists year round and they go marvelously with flowering stock or other taller stems. In the language of flowers they are said to represent appreciation and gratitude and while people may stop to smell the roses, they will be positively spell-bound starting at the fresh bloom of a lisianthus.

Stargazer Lilies
The poet Kilmer thought that she “would never see, a poem as lovely as a tree,” but perhaps she had never seen a stargazer lily. Large and expressive, these matriarchs of the well bred lilies has much to say. Conveying both virtue and prosperity, the pink toned inner petals of this wide bloom are striking to look at and have a strong scent that fills the air with inspiration. Add them to your bouquet and let them be your muse.

Statice
Humble and somewhat hoary, the statice (sometimes called seafoam or misty blue) does not have the glamor or alluring scent of our other flowers, but will pull the arrangement together like a well placed semi-colon. A few stems of this utilitarian filler flower will give both strength and color (purple, blue, yellow or white) to a lyrical bouquet. In the language of flowers, is stands for remembrance, and what is a poem, really, but words remembered that bring meaning to our lives.

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Flowers that Celebrate Flight for National Aviation Day

August 13, 2014

From the earliest humans that looked to the birds soaring high in the sky down to the frequent flier grumbling their way barefoot through Security, it’s hard not to be awed by the miracle of flight. Every August 19th, National Aviation Day is set aside to take a moment to appreciate humankind’s journey into the wild blue yonder with events, activities, or perhaps just a look up at the heavens. Established in 1939 by President Franklin Roosevelt, the holiday coincides with the birthday of Orville Wright who, along with his brother, helped begin the field of aviation which has taken us from canvas wings on a bicycle into the outer orbits of our world.

Balloon Flower
A hundred years before Jules Vern took us around the world in 80 days, Parisians where getting a bird’s-eye view from the basket of a hot air balloon and are considered the first successful human-carrying flight technology. Evidence shows that unmanned hot air balloons made from rice paper were rising from the ground in China and other parts of Asia at least a thousand years before that. The aptly named balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) gets its name from the purple bud of the flower just as it is about to open. Looking exactly like the air-filled inverted pear of a hot air balloon, the flower opens to reveal a pleasantly petaled bloom that comes in blue, purple, pink or white. Lovely in a vase mixed with delphinium and liatris, this balloon flower is said to represent the desirous return of a friend in the language of flowers.

Aster
The name aster comes from the Latin, ad astra, meaning “to the stars” and is the perfect name for this star-like flower. Hundreds of different species exist, with most native to parts of Europe. The quintessential daisy with petals surrounding a yellow center, most florists will carry a variety of these year round. The pretty purple or delicate white of the small and clustered “Monte Casino” aster look amazing on their own or added to balloon flowers. The bright petals and round, flat head of the “Matsumoto” asters are larger and come in deep purples and showy pinks. There are lots of different asters to choose from and most will last for a week or more in a vase or other flower arrangement. In the language of flowers, they are said to symbolize sentimental recollection.

This August 19th, consider giving a flower that’s out of this world to someone in your life who works in the aviation industry, flies a plane in our country’s defense, or simply still looks up at the sky in wonder.

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Celebrate Senior Citizens Day with Carnations

August 11, 2014

They say growing old is not for whimps and this August 21st is an opportunity to admire those who have accomplished it with flair on National Senior Citizens day. Whether someone you love has reached a ripe, old age or you’d like to brighten the day of a silver hair in your community, consider the comely carnation as the right flower to honor a person getting along in years. Said to represent both admiration, affection and pride in the language of flowers, it is the perfect pick for National Senior Citizens Day.

Old fashioned, but never out of style, the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) has been cultivated by humans for at least 2,000 years. Rich in symbolism, the flowers of the carnation come in red, white, pink and now purple and yellow. Native to parts of the Mediterranean region, they have become one of the most popularly cultivated cut flower in floral design because of their hardiness and lasting ability in arrangements or bouquets- characteristics they share with folks who have made it to their golden years. The sturdy, silvery green stems hold up delicate swirls of soft petals which look fresh and lively in water for more than two weeks- long after the bloom is off the rose.

Carnations come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. The dainty blooms of the mini carnations come 4 or 5 to a stem and are about 2 inches across. The larger, more stately carnations open up 3 to 4 inches across, so just a few go a long way in an arrangement or bouquet. As corsages and boutonnieres, carnations are particularly prized as they hold up well and add a welcome splash of color. Why not try making your own this Senior Citizens Day? Simply cut the stem about 2 inches below the bloom allowing a short stub to tie a piece of ribbon around. Stick a pin through the ribbon and pin on to a lapel or shirt to recognize a septua-, octo- or nonagenarian on this special day. Easy and fun, this gift is also very affordable, with a 10-stem bunch costing less than $6 these days. While they probably cost a lot less when these senior citizens were young, carnations are still one of the most economically priced flowers around.

Getting old happens to everyone, but it still isn’t easy. Recognize the accomplishment this Senior Citizens Day with a flower that has the lasting power we all hope to have.

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3 Ways to Say “You’re Beautiful” with Flowers

August 7, 2014

In the language of flowers, different blooms convey different messages from giver to receiver. To plants, however, flowers mean just one thing- sex. Long before the first flowers unfurled their tantalizing petals, plants had evolved a number of ways to spread their DNA around the planet, such as spores that could be carried on the wind or via water. These methods had drawbacks, the largest of which being the lack of diversity that comes from not being able to cast ones’ seed far and wide, yet specifically targeted, amongst a wide variety of potential lovers. Flowering plants did not emerge until the first fluttering pollinators found them as the ideal site for acquiring nectar and pollen and serving as the perfect hang-out for meeting potential mates. In exchange, plants that were rooted to the ground and potentially geographically isolated from others of its species could send a message of love (i.e. pollen rich with their own DNA) via the fuzzy backs and legs of these insects. This allowed their genes to travel across the meadows and fields to an awaiting bloom to receive this genetic gift, fertilize their ovules and develop into a tasty fruit rich with seeds carrying their combined traits to all future generations of this flower. Not much has changed in the last millennia. Flowers still mean, ahem…well- they are still a great way to tell someone that you appreciate their fine-looking DNA.

Calla Lily
In the language of flowers, red roses are still the classic way to say “I love you,” but before loves comes the initial attraction to a potential partner. Calla lilies are the iconic symbol of beauty and uniquely convey that same tingling sensation that gives you eyes for only that one special someone. A bouquet of this beautifully carved flower with one spiral petal around a central, yellow stamen is the perfect flower to fill someone with that sense of a promise of good things to come. Just like you, the receiver of this flower won’t be able to stop staring.

Variegated Tulip
They say that the eyes are the window to the soul and some people have some gorgeous windows. Let them know you could gaze at them all day with the striking two-toned color of a variegated tulip. Treasured by sultans and gardeners alike, the red and white of the “Wakefield Flame” cultivar or the more exotic yellows and pinks of the Parrot varieties, will be treasured by your own object of beauty.

Cymbidium Orchid
If there were winners and losers in the evolutionary game of adaptation and diversity, then orchids would be on the genetic podium. Highly evolved with specific pollinators all around the world, the orchids are the most diverse family of flowering plants and each and every one is beautiful in its own unique way. The cymbidium orchid produces large and lush blooms along upright stems and comes in more colors than can be imagined by artists or poets. Let someone know you’d like to mingle among their DNA with a gift of these stunning stems.

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Celebrate National Book Lovers Day with a Bouquet for your Bookworm

August 4, 2014

You know that their light will be on late into the night, just finishing that one chapter…that leads to the next…and the next. Bookworms are a rare breed and this August 9th, we get to celebrate them with National Book Lover’s Day. Whether they enjoy reading Flowers for Algernon or The Perks of Being A Wallflower, a bouquet full of bookish blooms are a great way to join in the celebration. Consider one of these flowers for your next floral and literary foray.

The Black Dahlia
This crime-solving thriller, based on a real-life unsolved mystery, had readers of James Ellroy’s page-turner wondering who-done-it. While your lovely bookworm may have been left guessing, the beguiling blooms of the black dahlia will be the real surprise. These large and luscious blooms can reach almost 6 inches across and come in a burgundy so deep it appears black. Don’t even think about distracting your reader with greens or other flowers; they are stunning on their own. Forgo the bouquet and place just one of these blooms in a small, glass vase with an unsigned note. It’s always a good idea to build a bit of suspense.

The Scarlet Pimpernel
This dainty flower (Anagallis arvensis) is the emblem of the hero with a secret identity in Baroness Orczy’s classic novel. Small, red and low to the ground, this flower doesn’t hold up well in a bouquet, but there are several spectacular substitutes for a well-read bouquet. Red anemones or bouvardia will last longer, without giving away the plot.

Dandelion Wine
Perhaps the best book ever written about the long, lazy days of a boyhood summer, this Ray Bradbury classic does not translate well at your local florist. A a bouquet of dandelions will most likely not win the heart of your book lover, but some bright yellow gerber daisies are a classy substitute. Long green stems topped with the bright and beautiful golden petals of this summer stunner will buy you binary points in the game of “he loves me, he loves me not…..”

The Name of the Rose
The twisting plot of this philosophical mystery by Umberto Eco has readers winding their way through the hallways and terraces of a Franciscan abbey. The plot unfolds slowly and with the complexity of a well formed rose. Mentioned in literature from Shakespeare to a trashy romance novel, the rose is an iconic flower to poets and paupers both, and will add a lyrical touch to any bouquet you create. Consider choosing a cultivar with undertones of this clergical thriller with names like “Ave Maria,” “St. Cecilia,” or “Brother Cadfael.” Remember, a rose by any other name….

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Hibiscus to Celebrate Hawaii’s Statehood

August 2, 2014

On August 21st 1959, President Eisenhower signed a proclamation that added the final 50th star to the old star-spangled banner when he autographed the admission of Hawaii into official statehood. Each year in August (this year it falls on Friday, August 15th) the day is honored a variety of ways with government offices and many businesses closed around the islands so that people can celebrate. Of all the 50 states, Hawaii has some of the best selection of tropical plants and flowers and whether you live on the islands or are landlocked in the Midwest, there’s no better way to acknowledge the day than with the gift of a beautiful hibiscus plant. Turn your own patio into a paradise or add a touch of the tropics to a friend’s with this exotic bloom.

Hibiscus are the iconic bloom of our 50th state. Splashed across the print of a Hawaiian shirt or tucked behind the ear of a hula dancer, the hibiscus has come to be associated with the land where the palm trees sway. Native to tropical regions throughout the world, the flower has been cultivated in many countries and there are now hundreds of species to choose from. The flower is large- some almost 6 inches across- and trumpet-shaped with 5 petals and a tall, central stigma and stamen that reaches high above the flower to attract pollinators. When buds bloom they unfurl in a twist of bright red, orange, purple, yellow, pink or white and capture the eye with their splash of color.

The official flower of the state of Hawaii, the hibiscus is the blossom worn behind the ear by Tahitian and Hawaiian women to indicate marital status. The bloom is worn behind the left ear if she is married and the right if she is single. Entirely edible, the flower is often dried and used in teas and bright red drinks or made into candies around the world. High in vitamin C with a fruity tartness, it is also used as a natural red food coloring in many products.

The best way to grow hibiscus is potted in a container either as a shrub or pruned topiary-style into a tiny tree. It grows best outside and can remain there until temperatures start to dip below 35 degrees (F), at which time they will need to be moved inside to an area that receives at least 6 hours of bright sunlight such as near a southern facing window.

While a trip to Hawaii may be out of your budget for now, celebrate its fine addition as a state with a hibiscus and transform your state of mind to a tropical paradise.

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Restore Trust with White Chrysanthemums

July 30, 2014

In business, in love, and in life in general, being able to trust someone is the foundation of any relationship. Learning how to trust comes easily for some, but can be a challenge for many- particularly if they have been let down before. What can take years to build can be lost in a moment and the truly worthy recognize the need to restore this sense of trust before any true rebuilding of a damaged relationship can begin. If you’ve let someone in your life down, be it a client, a colleague or someone a little bit closer to your heart, you will have some work ahead of you to restore their trust in you. Begin the journey with a token gesture of white chrysanthemums.

In the language of flowers, white chrysanthemums are symbolic of “truth” and “trust.” In Victorian times, flowers were used as messages when words simply wouldn’t do and these days can help you to send a symbolic message when the words are hard to say. A somewhat humble flower, the chrysanthemum is the perfect choice when the flash and pompousness of other showy blooms seems inappropriate. The simple loveliness of this repentant flower is subtle but still quite stunning. There are over 40 different species of “mums” and you have several varieties of white ones to choose from.

The large and elegant Fuji mum (sometimes called a Spider mum) has very long, numerous petals that swoop upward towards the center and trail downward around the edges. The Fuji mum usually has one radiant bloom per stem that can reach lengths of 1 to 3 feet. The blooms themselves can reach 4 to 6 inches across and can last for more than a week in fresh water. A bunch of 6 to 8 stems will fill a large vase and look lovely with seeded eucalyptus as greens. The tall stems range in price from $1 to $2 each; a small price to pay towards restoring trust.

The smaller pompom and cushion mums have quite a bit of diversity. Some have yellow, daisy-like centers and others are flatter and fuller with no center. These varieties tend to have several smaller blooms on each stem and a soft, fresh green scent. Pair them with the willowy blooms of white alstroemeria and the silvery foliage of dusty miller for a smaller vase arrangement or centerpiece.

Few words are harder to say than “I’m sorry,” but those come more easily than the first tenuous steps towards mending a broken trust. Soften the path towards reconciliation with the simple blooms of the white chrysanthemum.

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Celebrate a Summer Anniversary with Sunny Cosmos

July 26, 2014

Whether you said your “I do’s” just last summer or so long ago you sometimes lose count, celebrating an anniversary with flowers is easy to do in this season of long, sunny days and you’ll have plenty to pick from this time of year. Much like your spouse, it is worth putting a bit of effort into the choice, and a perfect pick for celebrating an anniversary is the bright and lovely cosmos flower. In a fresh bouquet or vase arrangement, cosmos are an excellent option for the person you’ve chosen to share your life with. These perfectly perky, daisy-like flowers are at their finest this time of year and will brighten up a room the way your partner has brightened up your life.

Cosmos are a relative of the sunflower and native to parts of Mexico and the southern United States. They can sometimes be found growing wild on open meadows or plains, but several species have been cultivated as colorful ornamental blooms that can be found in your florist’s cooler or tied up in a bouquet at your local farmer’s market. Simple, with a bright yellow center and a surrounding ring of petals, this flower closely resembles the kind you used to draw as a child. Cosmos can come in pink, white, yellow, orange or purple and there are new varieties that have more than one color like “Candystripe” and some with scalloped and curled petals such as “Seashells.”

The leaves of the cosmos flower are delicate and finely fringed. Soft to the touch and similar to the fern-like foliage of larkspur and nigella, they add a certain wildflower look to a bouquet or vase arrangement. Cosmos look great on their own or mixed in with other summertime stunners like zinnias, dahlias or sprigs of lavender. Their daisy-like blooms are held up by dainty stems, so mixing them with the hardy heads of poppies or even some sturdy hypericum berries can keep them upright longer and add a bit of flair.

In the language of flowers, cosmos are said to signify peacefulness and ease. While looking somewhat wild and free, the tidy lines and perfect symmetry of these blooms give a carefree look to a bouquet that will bring to mind the many moments of quiet happiness and contentment your partner has brought into your life. With plenty of flowers to choose from this time of year, show your one and only that that you know you’ve made the right one with this beautiful bloom.

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3 Ways to Welcome Someone Home with Flowers

July 17, 2014

Bienvenido, willkommen, ahlan wa sahlan, shalom or aloha; words of welcome are some of the sweetest any language has to offer, and even more so if they are welcoming a person back home. If someone you love has been away, the occasion of their return is a joy that will be anticipated and celebrated and there are several great flower choices that will help you communicate just how great it is to see them. The following flowers work well in a bouquet brought to greet them at the airport or in a vase left in the most wonderful place of all- their own front door.

Safflower
An odd step-cousin of the sunflower, the brightly tufted safflower is a striking bloom that represents “welcome” in the language of flowers. Its tall, straight stems are topped with a perfectly round, green flower head from which sprouts brightly colored petals in either yellow, reddish gold or orange. One of humanity’s oldest cultivated crop, safflowers were used by early Egyptians to dye cloth. The plant is grown commercially for the oil from its seeds, which is used in cooking and a variety of other products. The flower, however, is prized by florists for its tall, straight stems and ability to add a certain wildness to any mix of blooms. Mix several safflower blooms with orange or yellow alstroemeria, green hypericum berries and some sunny zinnias for a cheerful welcome home bouquet.

Yellow Roses
The iconic symbol of coming home, the yellow rose has been featured in folk songs, poems and American film and has come to represent the longing one feels for the familiar. There are many different varieties of yellow roses available from florists year round, but in 1830, and actual cultivar named “Yellow Rose of Texas” was created by attorney (and amateur plant breeder) George F. Harisonin New York City. Originally named the “Oregon Trail” rose, as it was naturalized from a wild rose found along part of the Oregon Trail, but took on the “Yellow Rose of Texas” title just a few years later by growers after the Texas War of Independence, from which the folk song arose around the same time that this rose became popular. Present a vase or bouquet with a yellow rose for each day, month or year they were gone to let them know you were counting the minutes until their return.

Pineapple
Okay- technically a fruit and not a flower, the exotic pineapple has deep associations with both hospitality and welcome. Presented to visiting guests or returning friends as far back as the 18th century, the gift of a pineapple can be seen represented on wrought iron gateposts and entryways in the South, where it has long been a sign of greeting and welcome.

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Roses for Ramadan

July 11, 2014

Much like the rose, which can be found growing in gardens and on the hillsides of almost every continent, Islam’s most holy holiday, Ramadan, is celebrated all around the world this month through fasting, prayers and special events and traditions. Observed on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from many different parts of the planet look forward to breaking their fast each evening with family and friends and spending time contemplating spiritual matters. The end of this holy month is celebrated on Eid, which is a time of festivities and parties. Flowers, not surprisingly, play a role in Ramadan traditions across the world and are used to honor the graves of loved ones and are a welcomed gift at any iftar (the sunset meal) or Eid celebration. Steeped in history and recognized worldwide for its symbolism and myth is the perfect flower for this high holiday- the rose.

With between 100 and 150 different species in the genus Rosa, roses are found growing natively on four of the seven continents. The traditional five petaled wild rose has been cultivated for ornamental purposes in China, Persia and the Mediterranean starting as far back as 500 BC. Evidence of their selective breeding for size, smell and the ability to produce multiple sets of petals is found in art, literature and artifacts from these times and these early hybrids have resulted in close to a thousand different cultivars of roses in modern times. Much like the cultural diversity that can be found in the widespread practice of Islam, the different colors, shapes and names of today’s roses add to the intrigue and beauty of this beguiling bloom.

In the language of flowers, roses have a variety of meanings based primarily on color:
Red- passionate love
Pink- friendship and appreciation
Yellow- joy and friendship
White- innocence and humility
For Ramadan, a gold colored rose will highlight the lanterns that are sometimes hung for decoration during the month. Purple roses, such as the “Ascot,” “Blue Curiosa” or “Claude Brasseur,” would go well with any Eid celebration as a hostess gift or decoration for the table.

Symbolically, the rose has an honored place in many religious and artistic traditions. It is found in many of the ancient gardens of both emperors and sultans. In Islam, the rose is most closely associated with Sufism and the highly romantic poems and lyrics of some of that practices most revered writers.

“What is the scent of the rose? The breath of reason and intelligence, a sweet guide on the way to the eternal kingdom” -Rumi

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Steal the Show Opening Night with Gladiolus

July 9, 2014

The lights dim; the curtain rises and the show begins.
Make sure to be there when it ends with a bouquet of flowers for the star in your life that gave it their all on opening night. While mixed bunches of roses, carnations and lilies are common to give performers at the end of a show, make them feel anything but ordinary with several tall and stately stalks of gladiolus when the curtain comes down. Whether their performance earned them a standing ovation or a few rotten tomatoes, they will know you are proud of them with this show-stealing flower.

Gladiolus are sold as tall stalks with several large, open blooms running up one side of them. Grown from bulb-like structures, they can reach between 2 and 4 feet tall and taper to a gracefully curved tip. The choices of colors are theatrical, with deep burgundy, dazzling oranges and even a shade of green that will make the other members of the cast green with envy. They are readily available all year round and can be found at even the smallest of floral shops and flower buying venues. With thick, sturdy stems, they can last many hours out of water and can handle a bit of jostling as you make your way backstage after the performance.

The custom of presenting flowers to actors to show appreciation for their performance is an old one, dating back to the days of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, where favored thespians had flowers thrown onto the stage at curtain call. Not surprisingly, there is much superstition and etiquette around the tradition. Generally, it is frowned upon to bring a bouquet in person before a performance as it is seen as bad luck prior to the start of the show, though this rule is relaxed somewhat if flowers are instead delivered to a dressing room. Alternatively, flowers are thought to bring good luck when delivered after the closing curtain. Flowers thrown onto the stage while actors are taking a bow is generally acceptable only in outdoor theaters. The most traditional time to bring flowers to a performance for actors is on opening night when both energy and nerves are high. For directors, the etiquette is to bring flowers on the closing night of a performance when they can finally relax and enjoy them.

Much like good acting, flowers have the ability to convey many emotions without saying a word. In the language of flowers, gladiolus signify strength and preparedness- just what your actor needs when the lights dim and that curtain rises.

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Killer Flowers that are Drop Dead Gorgeous

July 7, 2014

Beauty comes with a price.
In the evolutionary arms race to both attract pollinators to their flowers and repel herbivores from munching on their leaves, many plants have developed an arsenal of chemical weapons. Carefully created compounds inside many plants’ leaves, roots, seeds and stems give them a defense mechanism against passing grazers. What many of us don’t realize, however, is that some of the loveliest flowers in a bouquet can also be some of the deadliest. While it would take quite a bit of munching on these drop dead gorgeous blooms to actually cause a human much harm, their toxic nature certainly lends a new respect to these frilly florist favorites.

Lily of the Valley
When Kate Middleton walked down the aisle holding that white lily of the valley wedding bouquet, florists’ phones rang. Old fashioned, but never out of favor, this lovely bloom (Convalleria majalis) has tiny, bell-shaped flowers along a dainty curling stem. While fashion experts and floral tweet followers couldn’t get enough of this bloom, even a small bite of its flowers or berries can lead to extreme abdominal pain and cardiac distress.

Foxglove
A perennial favorite in French and English cottage gardens, the tall, pendulous blooms of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) are at their peak in summer and are a wonder to behold. Straight stems reaching 2 to 4 feet in length make this a focal point of flower arrangements and a great addition to any garden. Along with making lovely, individual purple or pink blooms with a white throat and dark spots on the inside, this plant also secretes a toxin that can literally stop your heart. The entire plant is toxic when eaten, but it was used medicinally in small quantities to help regulate heart conditions. Look, but don’t eat, this classy bloom.

Calla Lily
A favorite flower for bridal bouquets, the single, rolled petal and yellow center of the Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) comes in white, yellow, purple, orange and pink. Prized for its gracefully arched stem and elegantly shaped bloom, this flower creates microscopic crystals out of calcium oxalate (which is the same chemical compound that forms kidney stones in humans). These sharp crystals, called raphides, cause tiny microscopic tears inside the mouth and esophagus when eaten. This irritation leads inflammation in the throat, making it hard to breath if eaten. When cooked, the leaves can actually be consumed with no adverse results.

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Pick the Perfect Flower for Parent’s Day with Peruvian Lily

July 5, 2014

They say parenting is the hardest job you’ll ever love, and this July 27th is the perfect time to say thank you for this sometimes thankless job with the lovely Peruvian lily. Known by the Latin name Alstroemeria and available in a wide range of colors, a fresh bouquet of bright and cheerful Peruvian lilies to celebrate Parent’s Day will remind your Mom and Dad (or anyone else that may have taken on the task of raising you) that they did a damn fine job.

Native to the mountains, plains and shores of South America, there are over 40 different species of this perennial plant and hundreds of different colorful cultivars. The most commonly cultivated by far is the Alstroemeria aurantiaca, which comes in gold, pink, white, red and purple flowers. While not considered a true lily, the Peruvian lily has three petals and three sepals- often with two or more colors and spots and stripes similar to a tiger lily, depending on the species. Each tall, perfectly straight, round stem holds a cluster of at least 3-5 individual flowers which are around 3 inches long, pendulous and open up to about 3 inches in diameter. The outside petals can be green when closed and it is best to pick stems that are just starting to open to prolong the length of flowering time. One of the finest features of this flower is that, when put in fresh water that is changed once a week, the blooms can last ten days or more. Your parents will appreciate the practical nature of long lasting flowers- a trait you undoubtedly picked up from them: )

In the language of flowers, the Peruvian lily stands for devotion. A unique feature of this plant are the delicate leaves that actually twist slightly on the stem to show both the underside and the upper side of each leaf. This is said to symbolize the twists and turns, trials and tribulations of parenting that go along with one’s devotion to their child.

Peruvian lilies are a fantastic value at any flower shop these days. Thanks to their long season and ability to withstand a bit of handling, these blooms can be grown locally or imported daily to ensure they are always available and always at a great price. Most stems will run about a dollar or less, which will show your parents that their lessons on financial responsibility are finally sinking in.

A large bouquet in a single color, or many different colors mixed together with showy, bright Asiatic lilies or hardy carnations will make a lovely arrangement that will have them happy to have taken on the challenge of parenting.

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How to Make a Woman Fall in Love in 3 Flowers or Less

June 30, 2014

Waxing poetic may have worked to win a woman’s heart in times of yore, but these days words are a dime a dozen (and a dime doesn’t go very far these days either). Showering a lady with words and gifts is more of a red flag than a sign of affection these days, so wooing a fair maiden in the modern age takes a certain finesse and attention to detail. In a time of super-sized everything, these strikingly simple stems are the quickest way to a woman’s heart.

Dahlia
Just like no two women are alike, the diverse color, shape and size of each dahlia makes each one look like the only one of its kind. A summer and fall blooming garden favorite, this flower is highly prized by amateurs and professional florists alike for the incredibly intricate arrangement of its petals. Related to the sunflower, the dahlia can have a yellow center with brightly colored petals arranged around that in a ray. Through specialized cultivation practices, many dahlias now have hundreds of showy petals with a hypnotic display of firework colors. The perfectly round, green buds of each one opens up to a dazzling display of deep, dark magenta, florescent pinks and yellows or blooms with 2 or 3 different colors. With some the size of dinner plates and other so dainty and perfect they looked hand-carved, there is one that will absolutely captivate the woman you are courting. Don’t dilute this amazing bloom with greens or other flippant flowers. Just like true love- it’s best to chose just one that is very special.

Stargazer Lily
Whether she knows this or not, the stargazer lily is her favorite flower. The large, lovely white and pink blooms opens up more than 5 inches across and fill the room with a rich, fresh fragrance that can’t be captured in perfumes or scented candles. Just one of these delicate stems in a narrow vase on her bedside will fill her dreams and have her looking forward to seeing you in the morning.

Lady’s Slipper Orchid
This plant is not easy to find, but neither is a good woman. Furtively native to parts of North America, these uniquely-formed species of the genus Cypripedium look like they’ve sprung out of a fairy tale. If you can’t wander through an enchanted forest, you can find them at upscale florists and nurseries these days in a simple pot and still seem like her Prince Charming.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Dahlia, Lilies, Occasions, Orchids, Valentine's Day

Make a Woman Feel like a Queen for a Day with Lily of the Nile

June 28, 2014

Few flowers reflect a sense of sensuousness and luxury quite like the lovely Lily of the Nile. Agapanthus, as it is known in Latin, or sometimes the African Lily in the UK, is a large, lush flower that would make anyone feel like royalty. This is the perfect flower to indulge someone with for a birthday, anniversary or cheering up occasion and will last longer than one would expect for such a large bloom. Wrap a few slender stalks up in ribbon or stand them up in a tall, elegant vase for a woman in your life that’s earned a little adoration.

Technically native to parts of South Africa nowhere near the actual river Nile, the Lily of the Nile doesn’t care much for semantics and would prefer to be referred to by its scientific name, Agapanthus (which is technically Greek and not Latin) and means “love flower.” It’s technically not a true lily either, being from the same family as Amaryllis with its tall, upright stems and long, slender leaves, but this flower has made a name for itself all the same and has become a popular cut flower in many a local florist’s cooler as well as a popular perennial planted in gardens zones 9 and above.

There are around 10 different species of this striking flower, which can grow 1 to 4 feet in height, but almost all are either a shade of blue, violet or white. The individual funnel-shaped flowers bloom in perfectly round clusters that can be more than 6 inches across in diameter, so even 2 or three stems will have a courtly appearance in a clear glass vase on their own or gussied up with some trailing pepperberry or dainty dendrobium orchids dripping off the sides. Most other flowers will pale in comparison to the queenly stature of the Lily of the Nile, which will make the focal point of any arrangement, so choose long, fully-opened stems in an odd number for the biggest impact.

Lily of the Nile is most available in the summertime, but isn’t hard to find if you give a florist a few day’s notice. The blue-hued blooms will stand out strikingly compared to other more commonly available flowers and though they are a bit more expensive than your typical roses or lilies (budget at least $4 per stem), you really only need three of these bare stems to give a woman of bearing a sense that she rules the kingdom of your heart.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Anniversaries, Lilacs, Mother's Day

5 Best Flowers for a Best Friend’s Birthday

June 26, 2014

“A single rose can be my garden, a single friend, my world”- Leo Buscaglia

Few things in life are as singularly pleasing as the love and companionship of a true friend. The opportunities to let them know how much you value them come at least once a year on their birthdays when you can let the language of flowers tell them just how much you appreciate having them in your life. The following five flowers are ways to say “thank you for your friendship” in the Victorian language of floriography.

Pink Roses
If you only give a single flower to express your friendship, make it a pink rose. With a wide ranging color spectrum to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect match for your BFF. Deep fuchsias to pretty in pink pastels make it a lovely solitary flower wrapped together with greens or mixed with a variety of other hues of roses in a small vase. Pleasant-smelling and easy on the eye, these flowers are the perfect pick for a friend’s birthday.

Ivy
Whether used as a green along with other flowers or trellised on a wire in a pot, ivy is a fabulous way to thank a friend for always being there. The glossy-leafed, vining ivy plant is a symbol of fidelity in many cultures and is a lovely houseplant that is very easy to grow. Send it over with a sweet card and a bow to remind your friend that you value what they bring to your life.

Chrysanthemum
Available all year round in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, the mum is a sunny, sunflower-relative that will add cheer and gaiety to a birthday arrangement. Consider the daisy-like varieties with a yellow center or the larger Fuji mums for a bit of flare.

Yellow Tulip
Tulips are the perfect springtime flower, and their popularity has helped ensure that they are now usually available year round and in a variety of colors. Yellow tulips send the message “thank you for being a friend” and will let your BFF know they are golden in your books.

Zinnia
When we are young, our friends are neighbors who live down the street, but as we grow older, our lives are such that our BFF’s may live several time zones away. The bright and beautiful zinnia is the perfect flower to send friends in absentia to let them know you still think of them out their birthday.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Chrysanthemum, Occasions, Roses, Tulips, Zinnia

5 Flowers for your Farm Dinner Table

June 17, 2014

With summer at its zenith, now is the time to dine out of doors around a long table set with vintage tablecloths, friends, and farm-fresh flowers. Along with the chipped, mismatched china and greens from your garden, be sure to set the table with a mix of these flowers that are sure to have your farm dinner guests feeling like kinfolk by the end of the night.

Love-in-a-Mist
Sometimes referred to by its Latin name, Nigella, this buttercup relative has fine, feathery foliage that looks amazing in a mason jar with other farm fresh picks like sunflowers or dahlias. Easy to grow from seeds (which can be eaten and have a taste similar to black pepper), these stems are available at your florist in white, yellow, pink and pale blues and purples.

Zinnias
There’s something so summery about these sensational sunflower relatives. Tall, brightly-colored and sturdy, mix yellow, pink and red zinnias for a rainbow on your table. Cut tall and arranged in an enamel pitcher or short and tucked into tin cans, these fresh cut favorites will stand out against white tablecloths and add festiveness with their firework-like radiance. Consider using them on their own or mixed with finer-textured greens from herbs like fennel stalks or the flowers from dill for both texture and fragrance.

Ornamental Kale
Many varieties of this side dish vegetable have been bred for color and form and a progressive florist will have these in stock from summer to winter. Tall stalks of ornamental kale form flower-like rosettes with green leaves fading to a white, yellow, pink or purple at the center. A bit unusual, but very much in place at a farm dinner, they will look great on their own or mixed with more traditional flowers.

Lavender
Whether your “farm” is the backyard of a Chicago suburb or the small patio of a Denver apartment, add a little south of France to your table with several vases of lavender. This subtly scented perennial herb is perfect for a summer night outside and can be dried afterwards for a touch of the Mediterranean all year long. Slender stems topped with fragrant flowers make the perfect purple wands to top your tables. Place them in different sizes of glass jelly jars along the table for guests to enjoy.

Love-Lies-Bleeding
While the name sounds rather morose, this lovely, red variety of amaranthus is anything but. Fuzzy, trailing tendrils of this bright annual flower simply drip out of vases and add the perfect whimsical touch to any mixed bouquet. Trim them so that the blooms spill down the side of the vase and onto the table. Chances are, it won’t be to only spill that night!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Weddings, Zinnia

Pick a World Class Flower for your World Cup Party

June 14, 2014

Whether you call it soccer or football, it’s hard not to score big with the football mum at your next World Cup watching party. If you only get the chance to celebrate your favorite teams once every four years, make it special by adding a centerpiece that’s worthy of your starting line-up using this unusual type of chrysanthemum. Colorful, large, festive and sturdy, these blooms will look fresh until long after the semi-finals and add cheer to the room whether your team wins or not.

Football mums are a cultivar of chrysanthemum that look like they’re on steroids. Over 4 to 6 inches in diameter, these beauties have been bred for size. Historically, the origin of the mum is China, but they were brought to the West in the 17th century and selectively hybridized for color and size. In America, the fall-blooming mum took on special meaning as a Homecoming flower in the early 20th century and began to be thought of as a good-luck charm when worn to sports games. While this meaning is more commonly associated with passing around the pigskin, there’s no reason not to include it in your soccer celebrations this year as teams from around the world meet to play a little footy.

Compared to your typical garden mum, the football mum is in a league of its own. Not only larger in size, this flower has lots more petals that curve out and then inward, giving it a globe-like appearance. Towards the center, the petals are closely spaced while the petals towards the outside open up and flatten out a bit. Most are a solid color, but there are some varieties that have petals that are a different shade on the bottom than on the top, giving them a more dynamic appearance that is sure to score a goal with your guests.

One of the best reasons to include the football mum at your World Cup celebration is the variety of colors it comes in. White, red and green ones are available if you are cheering for the Italian team or the bright orange ones that perfectly match the jerseys from the Netherlands. In fact, the only color they don’t come in is blue- so you’ll just have to find yourself a blue vase.

Football mums are easy to grow in the garden and are available all year round from your local florist, so pick some up today and score points with these awesome flowers!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Chrysanthemum, Occasions

DIY Guide to Farmers’ Market Bouquets

June 12, 2014

Nothing says summer quite like a lively bouquet of flowers picked fresh from the farm. Strolling through the stalls and sniffing on blooms brought in just that morning and tied with string is as much of a pleasure as the flowers themselves. Supporting local farmers and bringing a bit of the farm to your table is a great tradition May through October, but now you can put together these bountiful bouquets year round by following the advice below.

Go For Variety
Farms must diversify out of necessity. In order to be sure there is plenty to pick all summer long, most farms grow more than 5 to 6 different flowers for cutting. Your florist will be able to get a mix of these year round, so rather than picking out one or two of the prettiest stems, go for variety. Mix a tall, yellow zinnia with another color or else a different flower, like dahlia or sunflower in a similar yellow. To offset these, chose a contrasting blue flower like delphinium or bachelor button. Don’t forget to add in a variety of textures as well. A feathery grass stem or fern-like leaves from larkspur will add a look like you just came in from the garden.

Flowers that Bloom Together
In a world of increasingly industrialize agriculture, it’s not common for folks to necessarily know what’s in season. While a nice bowl of mixed fruit might contain apples, peaches, oranges and bananas, those fruit grow in very different seasons. Peaches and plums are summer fruit; apples and pears are fall fruit. By choosing flowers that bloom at similar time, you end up creating a look that is both colorfully pleasing and naturally possible. The upside of more globalized agriculture is that you can get these flowers from all over the world and from greenhouses that make a December day into summer. A good florist can tell you which blooms coincide, but here’s a brief seasonal primer:
Spring– Lilac, peony, ranunculus, anemone, freesia, sweet pea
Summer– Rose, zinnia, snapdragon, delphinium, flowering stock, gladiola
Fall– Sunflower, amaranthus, chrysanthemum, dahlia
Winter– Camellias, hypericum berries, pine cones and branches

Choose Blooms that Could be Local
As the locavour movement continues to gain momentum, more and more farmers are finding the funds to build hoop houses and high tunnel greenhouses that can house flowers earlier in the spring and later in the winter. While they may not have enough volume to make a mixed bouquet for market (even if the farmer’s market was open), they may have enough blooms available to mix in with others bought at your flower shop. If not, they are still a great source of information, so give them a call to find out what blooms will be grown there this year and take that list to the flower shop to pick put pretty stems that suitable for your climate- even if there is still snow on the ground 🙂

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Dahlia, Fun Flower Facts, Gladiolas, Lilacs, Sunflowers, Sweet Pea, Zinnia

Celebrate a Special Connection with Sweet Peas

June 9, 2014

That unexpected spark- a special something that leaves you instantly feeling alert and alive and already looking forward to the next time. You never really know who you are going to make that connection with, but when it happens, let them know with sweet peas. This sweetly-scented bloom came into cultivation at the height of the Victorian era, when flowers were messages that carried meaning if words were elusive. In the language of flowers, the sweet pea was the letter sent to thank someone for a lovely time. If your last first date, important client meeting or new neighbor sparked a connection you’d like to commemorate, make sure they get the message with this sensational flower.

Purple, pink, white, blue, or shades of burgundy, there’s a wide range of color choices for this dainty flower, which is typically 1-2 inches in diameter. Most stems will have multiple blooms and display a unique shape with 5 petals that are strangely symmetric. The fragrance is sugary without being cloying and has a freshness to it that is hard to describe. With stems that are naturally climbing, one of the most alluring features of this flower are the tendrils typical to these leaves. Used to help it climb towards the sun, the tendrils twist and turn like a line of calligraphy. Rather than add additional greens, ask your florist for stems that have extra leaves and add a certain story book quality to your bouquet or vase arrangement.

Native to the island of Sicily and southern Italy, the sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a member of the humble legume family-Fabaceae. While not edible themselves, these old-fashioned ornamental blooms add nitrogen to soils with the help of a special bacteria called Rhizobia that can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants for healthy, green growth. This symbiotic relationship is an important biochemical cycle that keeps soils rich in nutrients and is a perfect symbol for the new relationships or partnerships you are developing yourself.

Sweet peas bloom in the late spring and summer, but are often available year round. Stunning in a solitary color tucked into a short vase, arrangements using sweet peas will add both fragrance and a finer texture to a mixed flower bouquet. Consider pairing with statice or lady’s mantle or mixing with a pastel colored spray rose.

It is said the poet John Keats, himself a studied botanist, was the first to use the name “sweet pea.” While there’s no research to credit this, you can communicate the spark you’ve found in another with the gift of sweet peas and if any words are still needed, perhaps this verse from his “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever” will suffice.

Many and many a verse I hope to write,
Before the daisies, vermeil rimmed and white,
Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees
Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,
I must be near the middle of my story.
O may no wintry season, bare and hoary,
See it half finished: but let Autumn bold,
With universal tinge of sober gold,
Be all about me when I make an end!
And now at once, adventuresome, I send
My herald thought into a wilderness:
There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress
My uncertain path with green, that I may speed
Easily onward, thorough flowers and weed.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Occasions, Sweet Pea

6 Summertime Flowers that can Handle the Heat

June 5, 2014

Some summer days can really sizzle, cooking fresh cut flowers to a handful of wilted greens, but with all the lovely stems available when the weather is warm, summer is a great time to buy flowers. Choosing the right stems for when temperatures flare can be a challenge now that flowers can be flown in from around the world no matter what the season. Whether you are looking for the perfect bloom for a June wedding, a July birthday, or an August anniversary, these 6 stems will look fresh and fabulous on even the most sweltering days of summer.

Orchids
Their delicate petals may make them look fragile, but their tropical origins make many members of this diverse group of blooms hardy on the hottest of days. The mokara, dendrobium and cymbidium orchids come in a wide variety of colors and sizes and stay cool in even the muggiest of days. Keep them moist and they’ll keep their petals held high all day long as a corsage, boutonniere or vase arrangement.

Zinnias
Summer-bloomers, the vibrant petals of this large bloom are cheerful and have a certain wildflower look. Mix them in a bouquet with sweet peas and lilies and their sturdy stems will help hold these daintier flowers upright all day. Orange, yellow, pink and red, a mix of colorful zinnias looks like fireworks for your Fourth of July picnic. Put them in a mason jar for centerpieces at a wedding for a natural, outdoorsy look or pin one behind your ear for a festive night out.

Chrysanthemum
Technically a fall flower, this autumn bloomer is available year round and will look fresh any time of year. One of the most versatile of flowers, this sunflower family member is also one of the most affordable at your local florist. With every color of the rainbow (except blue), you can find a mum to match just about anything.

Gladiola
These long, strong, summer stems are gorgeous in a vase and will last for many days, no matter what the temperature. A natural pick for summer, these blooms open up along a stem that can reach over 3 feet and can come in vibrant shades of red, pink and even green. They look outstanding in a tall, glass vase in a solid color, or mixed together with a variety of colors for a festive feel.

Roses
Forget what you’ve heard about the tenderness of roses- these blooms were made for long, hot nights. While it is true that roses last longer in cooler temperatures, most will put up with a day or two of sizzling temps if you pick them fresh. Avoid white ones, which can sometimes brown when it’s steamy outside, and pick a deep, buttery yellow or hot pink one, which smells best carried on the breeze of a hot summer night.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolas, Orchids, Zinnia

The Beginner’s Guide to Buying Lilies

May 29, 2014

Few flowers leave a stronger lasting impression or create a better focal point than lilies. Large, lush and available in a variety of colors and sizes, these blooms are the stars of hand-held bouquets, vase arrangements and centerpieces no matter what the occasion. Highly prized and heavenly scented, these flower shop stunners add proportion and pizzazz, but are often priced a bit higher than other typical hothouse stems. Here are a few tips for getting your money’s worth.

Count Your Closed Buds
While the large, open blooms of a lily are more likely to draw your attention, try to stay away from the stems with flowers that are completely open. Instead, look for buds that are just starting to open up inside your florist’s cooler. A few hours out at room temperature will have these blooms starting to unveil themselves and they will stay fresher and last longer than petals that are already out and about. The best ones to choose will have just a few petals peeking out to reveal the stamen and pistil.

Speaking of Stamens
Get rid of them! Lilies have very large, ahem, reproductive parts and produce a lot of dark, orange pollen on the ends of their anthers. While this grainy characteristic makes them fertile and fruitful, the pollen will often stain the inside of the petals and blemish the bloom of the lily. Using a tissue or paper towel, gently turn the stem upside down and pluck the pollen-making parts off the inside of the flower. The pollen will stain fingers and tabletops and is surprisingly hard to get out of clothing, but come right off quite easily. This simple task is a great way to keep white lilies white and an excellent way to protect tablecloths from the sometimes over exuberant fecundity of lilies.

Bottom’s Up
Always look for lily stems with as many blooms as possible and pay attention to which of those flowers are open. Lilies, like many other flowers, typically bloom from the bottom up. Rather than choose stems that have the most open flowers at the moment, pick ones that have one or two bottom flowers open with several closed buds towards to top. Many times florists will put lilies on the discounted aisle if the bottom buds have bloomed and gone, but as long as there are a few at the top of the stem that have started to open, you’ll have another week or two to appreciate these flowers that are definitely worth the price.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Flower Keeping Tips, Lilies

3 Ways to Say Thank you With Flowers

May 28, 2014

Gracias, merci beaucoup, dumo agrigato, danke: there are hundreds of ways to say “thank you”, but few have the quite the heartfelt sentiment as a handful of flowers. Whether you are grateful for someone’s time, someone’s effort or simply their understanding, a wrapped bouquet or vase of blooms is a great way to express gratitude when words just don’t seem like enough. Here are three fabulous flowers for saying grazie that are sure to please.

Hydrangea
There are many different meanings attached to this large and lush cluster of blooms, first discovered growing in Japan. Now a popular garden and landscape planting, this herbaceous shrub produces small blue, pink or white flowers that bloom in large groupings that can be larger than a hand width. On strong stems that will last for a week or more, these lovely flowers are said to symbolize gratitude for a person’s understanding in the traditional language of flowers. A unique characteristic of this plant is that the color of the petals can change based on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil it is grown it, so the exact hue can be quite distinct and unique. Consider mixing several different ones in a vase with seeded eucalyptus or other delicate green.

African Violets
Associated with faithfulness and modesty in the language of flowers, these darling potted plants are sure to please anyone with even the brownest of thumbs. Soft velvety leaves and dainty purple, pink or white flowers make this an excellent houseplant for the home or office and will be a constant reminder of your thoughtful gift. They are an excellent way to thank a person who always has your back or rose to the occasion when you needed them the most. Easy to find and easy to care for, this plant is a fun gift for friends and neighbors.

Rose
Appreciation is a sentiment that rewards both the giver and the receiver. Consider giving a coral, peach or deep pink colored rose the next time you wish to express yours. In the language of flowers, also known as floriography in Victorian times, these colors of roses were said to represent heartfelt appreciation for a friend or admirer. Available year-round at your local florist, consider paring with light green hypericum berries for a bit of fun or green Kermit mums for a touch of class the next time you want to say gracias.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Roses, Saying Thank You, Violet

Say Hello to Summer and So Long to Friends with Zinnias

May 26, 2014

Found at the end of the alphabet and the last part of spring as it fades into summer, zinnias are the perfect flower for saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new. This brightly-colored and festive annual flower has a way of welcoming what’s to come while wishing a fond farewell to that which has come to pass. Long, green stems topped with the fiery orange, red, yellow or pink petals of this full-figured sunflower relative has a way of marking both time and place and will make a wonderful gift for graduates, teachers, new business owners and prodigal visitors who come and go in your life.

Native to Mexico and the southern parts of North America, the zinnia has come to represent daily remembrance and lasting affection in the traditional language of flowers. The zinnia was first imported to Europe in the 17th century, where it quickly became a popular garden flower for it’s tall stems that make it an excellent cut flower and its ability to withstand full sunlight. Since its introduction, over 100 different cultivars have been created. With colors ranging from bright golds to pastel pinks and even a pure, light green shade, the circular dome-shaped blooms last for a week or more and are a great alternative to gerber daisies or sunflowers if you are looking for something bright and cheery.

The symbolic meaning of zinnias as the perfect flower to memorialize or remember a missing friend have made this bloom a great choice for holidays such as Memorial Day or goodbye parties. They look fantastic in a vase and give flower arrangements a more natural and rustic feel than gerber daisies or dahlias and add a wildflower look to any bouquet. The flower heads are often more than 3 inches across in diameter and will typically last for at least a week or more. Consider mixing them with soft stems of pink or purple stock or fluffy, blue delphiniums.

One additional advantage of buying this North American native is that they are often supplied by local growers in the summer and fall. Farmer’s markets and local stands are a great place to pick some up if you are looking to make buying fresh cut flowers even greener by supporting locally-sourced materials.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Memorial Day, Zinnia

Tulips are the Perfect Flowers for Any Anniversary

May 21, 2014

Paper, wood, ivory, china: the best gift for an anniversary is one that requires water, a vase, and a sweet card from you. While cut flowers may not last, tell your spouse that your love always will with the lovely and elegant, cream-colored tulip. In the language of flowers, tulips are symbolic of a variety of things. The ivory shade of tulip sends the message “I will love you forever” and will look amazing in a vase made of wood, glass, china or any other material you may have picked up from a past anniversary. Even though they come every year, make this year’s anniversary one of beauty and grace with fresh cut tulips from your local florist.

Native to the Middle East, tulips were first cultivated by the Turks and highly prized for their variety and color. From the courtyards of sultans, these bulb-grown plants traveled the silk roads into Europe in the 17th century where they caused quite a stir. Everyone went crazy for tulips and as botanists began to hybridize new varieties, the bulbs began to sell for outrageously high prices. Coinciding with the birth of the first formal stock market, trade in tulip bulbs lead to a “Tulipmania” in the Netherlands with people buying up bulbs as fast as possible. With over-production and a corresponding drop in prices, the bursting of the tulip bubble caused many bankruptcies and shifts of wealth in the region amongst those who had invested heavily. Fortunately for you, these stems can be had for a mere pittance these days. Expect to part with less than $15 for a full bunch from your local florist.

Red, yellow, white, purple, stripped and even black are possible colors for tulips and many like to mike and match the different hues for wedding bouquets and classy arrangements. For an anniversary gift, forgo the rainbow of colors and chose a large bunch of cream-colored tulips tied up with brown paper and a silver ribbon or arranged in a vase of your choice. The solid color not only conveys the message of eternal love and devotion, but also adds a stylish and graceful look to any room with the clean lines of the stem and nodding heads of the blooms. With or without greens, tulips look great in a bouquet or vase and mix well with spring daffodils, lovely lilies or sunny gerber daisies.

As the years go by, flowers fade and memories soften, but everyone goes a little crazy for tulips. Surprise your spouse this year with a little bit of Tulipmania.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Anniversaries, Tulips

Poppies are the Perfect Flower for Honoring Memorial Day

May 18, 2014

In World War I, soldiers from all over the world came home weary from a war they hoped soon to forget. As veterans, many brought with them the memory of wild poppies growing in the fields where fallen comrades lay; an image that was captured in a famous poem by Lt. Col. John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields.” Taken up by the American Legion and recognized all over the world, the image of a poppy pinned to the lapel served to remind us of the service and sacrifice of soldiers everywhere. On the last Monday in May, what better way to commemorate the lives lost and honor those living than with a vase of beautiful, red poppies.

With hundreds of different species, the poppy has its own botanical family and comes in a wide variety of colors with a broad geographical distribution. The poppy associated with wartime remembrance is the red corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas, which grow wild in open fields and meadows. With a typical bloom time of late spring and early summer, it is possible to find them at your local florists. A great substitute, which is often in stock, is the large, red oriental poppy. Lovely in a vase on their own or mixed with hypericum berries or lilies, a live poppy will last for a week in a vase with water and can easily be turned into a boutonniere in lieu of one made of paper. Traditionally worn on the left side, the poppy is the perfect flower to help us remember those who serve and sacrifice in wars; lest we forget.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
the torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

-Lt. Col. John McCrae

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Memorial Day, Poppies, Saying Thank You

5 Whimsical Wildflowers for your Wedding Bouquet

May 17, 2014

Adding a bit of nature to your nuptials is easy with the choice of fresh flowers for your bouquet, ceremony and reception area. While your area florist will have a wide variety of beautiful, tropical flowers imported from all over the world, using more native-looking and natural wildflowers can lend a unique look to your special day. Here are five choices that will give any bouquet a fresh-picked look.

Larkspur
Native to parts of North America, this frilly flower comes in some of the truest shades of blue found in nature. A type of delphinium, most larkspur have tall stems with individual, 5-petaled flowers that have a curled nectar spur behind them, giving it a wonderful and whimsical look that looks at home in a fairy tale. With a natural bloom time of June, July and August, this is a perfect pick for a summer wedding.

Amaranthus
A close relative of quinoa, this delicately trailing stem can come in cascading blooms of green, red, orange and pink. Added to the outside of a bouquet, it lends a bit of natural frippery that tendril down the sides. Consider adding this versatile bloom to bouquets, vases and tabletops. Available spring, summer, fall and winter, these flowers are perfect for any season.

Sea Holly
This spiky, blue bloom seems out of place next to hot house roses, but actually adds an interesting look to an otherwise ordinary bouquet. Mixed with more traditional flowers, the wild look of sea holly stems pair well with almost any color and add “something blue” as well.

Ranunculus
Nothing says natural quite as subtly as the lovely ranunculus. While most of these many-hued beauties will be grown in greenhouses these days, this buttercup relative looks like it was just gathered from a meadow. White, red, orange, yellow and pink make this poppy-like bloom match just about any color scheme and works great in a boutonniere to match.

Poppy heads
The perennial poppy produces beautiful flowers, but once those fade you are left with a large, green seed pod that adds both whimsy and form to a wedding bouquet. Available for most of the summer and fall, these large, round, green stems fit into any color palate and make any mix of flowers more natural-looking. In a winter wedding, these dried pods look perfect next to red hypericum berries and seasonal greens.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Flowers Generally, Larkspur / Delphinium, Poppies, Weddings

3 Ways to Say Happy Armed Forces Day

May 13, 2014

Men and women of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guards, National Guards and Reserves serve our country every day; on the third Saturday in May, we have our chance to honor them. While these folks in uniform don’t expect to be thanked for their commitment to country in times of peace and times of war, flowers are a great way to let them know that you appreciate their dedication to the cause of peace, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Here are three great plants to help you salute the service men and women in your life.

Carnations
Cultivated for thousands of years, the carnation is rich in symbolism and conveys the message of devotion. While not as well loved as the rose or lily, carnations are strong, sturdy and can handle just about anything, much like our military. With tall stems and large blooms that look great as a boutonniere or in a vase, these flowers are available year round and come in a variety of colors. Try mixing red and white ones with blue delphinium or Siberian iris for a star-spangled look that’s both patriotic and eye-catching. Pair white ones with red roses and a blue ribbon for a ceremonial display or for a table top arrangement to help support our troops.

Alstroemeria
According to the language of flowers, this lovely cut flower in the lily family is symbolic of loyalty. With straight stems that look like they’ve been called to attention and large, clustered flowers that come in a variety of colors, it doesn’t take many to fill a vase and brighten a room. The leaves are delicate and slightly curled, while each stem might hold 4 to 5 individual blooms. The lily-like flowers are often stripped and last for weeks in fresh water. Let your loved one know you are semper fi with alstroemeria.

Roses
By far the most popular cut flower in America, the rose is symbolic of a wide variety of messages and meanings but is most often associated with love in the language of flowers. Love of country, of freedom and of each other can be expressed with these impressive blooms that will let your officer and gentleman know how much you appreciate their dedication and service. Try pairing a red one with white carnations and blue daisies for a look that says, “America, heck yeah!”

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Alstroemeria, By Month, Carnations, Daisies

A Peace Lily in Honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day

May 10, 2014

It is said that the price of peace is eternal vigilance. If this is true, then the constant lookout of any community can be found in the tireless efforts of their local peace officers. Sheriffs, deputies, troopers and officers put their lives at risk every day just going to work to help maintain the peace and enforce the justice needed to keep our lives and laws in order. Unfortunately, in America each year, more than 150 peace officers are killed in the line of duty. Honor their memory and the service of their peers by sending a peace lily this year in their honor to the station.

The perfect houseplant for a busy precinct, the peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.), has glossy green leaves and a tall, white flower. Available year round at florists and local garden centers, this potted plant is both easy to find and easy to care for. Tall and stately, the blooms of a peace lily are a hooded white spadix that last for weeks and occur frequently. Tolerant to low light conditions, this unfussy plant will droop when it is thirsty and perk right back up after a watering. A room with indirect sunlight and an occasional watering is all this plant needs to grow and flower. With broad, flat leaves, studies have shown that the peace lily can improve indoor air quality by filtering pollutants through its leaves. Given a large enough container, many peace lilies can grow to a size of 2 to 3 feet, though their roots don’t mind crowding and can go a long time in a smaller pot before needing to transplant. An evergreen perennial, this plant will flower on and off throughout the year without too much effort while reminding peace officers that you appreciate all of theirs.

Peace Officers Memorial Day was established in 1961 by Congress and falls each year on May 15th. The day is set aside to remember and observe the sacrifice of comrades fallen in duty. It is also an opportunity to recognize the efforts of peace officers, who include police officers, court bailiffs, special investigators, state troopers and other law enforcement agents. Often a thankless job, these public sector employees are charged with keeping the peace in sometimes troubling times and may not see a lot of delicate, beautiful things during the course of a typical day at work. Give them an arresting view with a beautiful peace lily this year for Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: By Month, Lilies, Occasions, Saying Thank You

3 First Date Flowers to Help you Score Serious Points

May 6, 2014

Coming to the door with fresh flowers on a first date might seem like a sit-com cliche, but with so few real life episodes that involve bouquets, a date that starts with flowers is sure to be a night to remember. Rather than just pick up any prearranged mixed bunch from the grocery on the way home, stop into your local florist and pick out one or two stems that make an impact. Whether you are looking for something more traditional or a bloom that is a little on the wild side, you’ll be sure to find a good match from the choices below.

For the Romantic
If a candlelight dinner and a bit of stargazing are the plans tonight, pick up just a single stem of Stargazer lilies. With several large, pink, fragrant blooms that open up to reveal a dark throat and an intoxicating scent there are few women that wouldn’t count these among their favorite flowers. Mixed with a few simple greens like bear grass or seeded eucalyptus, these flowers look elegant and expensive, but will cost less than the more common roses with baby’s breath and leave a much more refined impression. Rather than a large bouquet, choose a stem with one open flower and several closed buds that will open over the next week. The scent will linger, just like her thoughts of you.

For the Adventurous
Kangaroo paw is a rather funny looking flower that has found its way into floral shops around the country. Native to Australia, hence the name, these tall perennials have a fuzzy flower that is tubular and divided into parts, giving it the look of a paw. In bright reds, flashy yellows and funky oranges, a few stems of the flower tucked with a few feathery greens as an exotic look that will last for weeks in a vase. Tall and often gracefully arched, two or three of these stems wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with a string or ribbon have a daring and natural look and are perfect for a date that involves a hike, bike or other adventurous outing.

For the Conversation Starter
After figuring out what to wear and where to go, figuring out what to say may be a challenge for some folks. Just like Seymour suggested in Little Shop of Horrors, a strange and unusual plant may be a great way to get the conversational juices flowing. Rather than a flesh-eating plant from outer space, consider the torch ginger flower. These bright and tropical stems have a honey-comb like shape and come in bright colors. Related to the actual herb ginger, which grows from a rhizome, showing up to someone’s doorstep with a couple of these beauties is sure to get you talking.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Lilies, Occasions, Rainforest Flowers

3 Reasons Why Pansies are the Perfect Flower for a Parent’s Birthday

May 4, 2014

Derived from the French word, pensée, which means “thought,” the dainty and colorful blooms of the pansy are a thoughtful gift to bring mom or dad on their birthday. Sometimes called violas, these highly stylized, hybrid flowers have been a lovely addition to the garden since the late 1800’s and are immensely popular as a bedding plant tucked into the border or in a pot all by themselves. Whether your parent likes to garden or simply sit and enjoy a nice flower, the happy, nodding faces of pansies turn towards the sun and brighten up any landscape. Pansies make an excellent gift tucked into a pretty new decorative pot on the porch and come with a whole lot of stories to tell. Whether mom or dad is into history, art or politics, celebrate their birthday with a plant that gets them thinking.

Pansies in History
In olde English, the pansy is known by the common name, “hearts-ease.” Associated with St. Euphrasia, a venerated nun known for her humility from which the term “humble violet” stems, this flower was often found growing wild on hillsides around Europe and the Mediterranean. Most likely, this was the species Viola tricolor, known by a myriad of common names, such as “Johnny-Jump-Up” or “Love-in-Idleness.” In the middle of the 1800’s, the daughter of an English Lord, Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennet went around gathering different varieties of this heartsease flower and, with the help of her estate’s gardener, crossbred many together, producing a wide spectrum of new cultivars and color combinations. Around the same time, another English lord was busy crossing this naturalized plant with a viola from the mountains of Russia. The results were the larger blooms and darker centers of many of the pansies we see today.

Pansies in Art
Shakespeare couldn’t get enough of these flowers, with Ophelia scattering them along with daisies in Hamlet and Oberon calling out for them in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Featured in the work of both van Gogh and O’Keeffe, the iconic pansy has played the muse for many a masterpiece.

Pansies in Politics
Who would have thought that the gentle, nodding heads of these dainty flowers would be swept up in the winds of politics and philosophy. Used over the centuries as an emblem for Freethought and Humanist thinking, this flower’s symbolic meaning for “thought” has been adopted by both secular movements and sororities to represent free will and deep concentration. Many attribute this connection to the human face-like features of the flower. Along with your smiling face, give your parents the gift of thought with the pensive pansy.

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Make History with Vintage Roses

May 1, 2014

After literally thousands of years of cultivation, the wild, five-petaled rose found growing on the hillsides of Asia and Europe has been transformed into the botanical behemoth it is today. While progressive breeding and specific selection has given the rose both girth and consistency, many have found that those features have come at a cost to both fragrance and form. Fortunately, roses live longer than most people and many an old bush has been found growing in churchyards and along roadsides. Gardeners and florist have propagated these vintage blooms into a new market, calling them antique roses.

Imported primarily from Ecuador and Colombia, the roses of today have won a genetic victory for their close relationship with humans, making them the most popular and recognizable cut flower in the world. They have been bred naturally, though chosen artificially, for specific traits that make them more easily shipped and longer-lasting. This intentional breeding is called hybridization and has resulted in a wide spectrum of colors ranging from deep red to pure white and a variety of sizes and forms. Called hybrid tea roses (Rosa x hybrida), the selection of these at your local florists can be almost endless. By contrast, antique roses are those that were around prior to the mid-1800’s and display characteristics of older rose species and cultivars. The oldest know rose breed, the Apothecary’s Rose (Rosa gallica officinals), for example has strong, alluring fragrance and deep, rich color while being wider and more open than typical hybrids. Softer, muted colors and stronger scents are two characteristics prized by collectors and connoisseurs of these blooms.

With healthy foliage and a surprisingly strong disease resistance, antique roses are seeing a resurgence in the landscape, with several different varieties suitable for a range of USDA hardiness zones. Florist, too, are aware of a new interest in the vintage look of these voluptuous blooms and can usually order them with about one week’s notice. Mixed with flowering branches in an antique vase or tied together in a wedding bouquet, just a few stems of these breathtaking beauties will pay homage to a time gone by while adding a lovely scent and ardent look to any arrangement.

One of the best features of antique roses are the unique names many go by and the stories that come with them. The familial David Austin roses, named for the man who began to breed and popularize many of the antique roses on the market today, come with names like “Constance Spry” and “Chianti”. The Damask group of roses come in various hues and are said to have been brought from the Middle East by returning Crusaders. There are so many different ones available today, and one sniff will have you quite glad they’ve been re-discovered. Whichever one you pick, it will be sure to have a story to tell.

While

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Carnations

April 27, 2014

While traditionally the colorful flowers used to celebrate this Mexican holiday are made of tissue paper, add a special touch with real carnations this May 5th. The bright red, soft pink, glowing yellow, frilly white and (recently) pretty purple petals of this long-lasting and readily available flower will add fun and flair to any fiesta. Cut short and strung up as a garland or arranged in tall vases of hand-painted pottery, these inexpensive blooms are the perfect flower to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride.

Originally native to the Mediterranean region, the carnation has been cultivated for well over 2,000 years all over the globe. Its subtle but pleasant smell, along with the cool softness of the whirled petals have made it a popular flower for any occasion and it can be found on hand at any florist or flower provider year-round at a fraction of the cost of roses or other stems. Sold singularly or in bunches, expect to shell out less than a dollar per bloom for these flowers that last two weeks or more in a vase with fresh water.

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated each May 5th in the United States, is often confused with Mexican Independence Day (which is actually celebrated in September). Instead, this holiday, also called “The Day of the Battle of the Puebla” traces its origin to the Mexican-American wars of the mid-1800’s when French troops were sent to occupy Mexico to collect on repayment of foreign debts. In a significant morale boost to the occupied country, the vastly outnumbered Mexican troops were able to defeat the heavily armed French army, then considered to be the best in the world. This battle, fought in the city of Puebla, gave the French army their first defeat in more than 50 years and the celebrations to mark its occasion spread across the borders with California where it gradually picked up ceremony and tradition to mark the Mexican heritage of the area and beyond.

Known for their hardiness, these perennial blooms grow easily in sunny spots without much water. As cut flowers, their delicate looks are misleading, as these rugged rosettes can withstand quite a bit of manhandling and still look fresh at the end of the day. Mix them with palm leaves for a tropical look or leatherleaf fern and daisies for a more springtime appearance. Perfect with a bowl of limes and a fresh margarita, these bright blooms are the best way to shout “viva Mexico!”

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Thank a Nurse with Sunflowers on National Nurse’s Day

April 26, 2014

Between the busy schedule and bodily fluids, a nurse’s day can be anything but sunny; why not brighten it up a little with a bouquet of sunflowers this May on National Nurse’s Day. There are almost 4 million licensed or registered nurses in America and chances are at least one of them has touched your life with their compassion, patience and comfort. Perhaps you know a nurse who works long hours in tough situations, but is always willing to lend a hand to help you out with a medical question or concern. Reward their often thankless work on this day set aside to honor their efforts at healing the sick and comforting those in need with the bright, bold faces of sunflowers.

As one of the largest plant families on Earth, sunflowers come in a surprising variety of colors and sizes. The traditional black-centered, yellow-petaled sunflower is a symbol of warmth and happiness all around the world with many cultures adopting its image of sun-following, head-held-highness as an emblem of optimism and hope: characteristics needed in spades to make it in the nursing profession. New cultivars are on the market these days, such as the rich reds of the “Moulin Rouge” or the melting golds of the “Autumn Sunset.” The “Chocolate Cherry” or “Italian Wine” cultivars have shades of ripe burgundy and can come in large and more miniature sizes.

Generally, sunflowers look best placed together in a bunch on their own. Cut them tall and put in a narrow vase or trim them short and arrange them in a rounded one for a bright and sunny arrangement. With greens, sunflowers really shine with a background of sky-blue Dutch irises or delphiniums.

Sunflowers last for a surprisingly long time if one takes the time to change the water in their vase. Every few days, dump out the old and fill with fresh, cool water making sure to keep any leaves out of the water. Blooms can still remain fresh even after stems begin to turn and you can simply trim off the lower parts and place in a shorter vase. Just like with people, a little care and attention can really go a long way. Thank a nurse for their care and attention with sunny sunflowers today.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Previous Author Categories: Saying Thank You, Sunflowers