Flower Blog

Things to Check Out!

2008-09-26T12:28:29Z

Things to Check Out!

Apologies for not blogging much lately! It seems that once you get one project you get one hundred of them and push all other things aside. So here I am to update everyone one what’s new.

First off, I am pretty pumped about a new product line we started selling of mixed bouquets. Gorgeous bouquets of a varietyof flowers for a wholesale price, varying in prices around $45. Throw in a vase for $10 extra and you are good to go. We received a handful of the different mixed bouquets in the office before we put them live on the site and not only me, but everyone else was very impressed also. We each have our favorites; mine would have to be the Prague bouquet. So far, they have been quite a big hit for us so I have been running around like crazy all week!

Secondly, keep an eye out for us during the month of October. We recently joined forces with the Maine Affiliates of the Susan G. Komen foundation for the Cure, to help fight breast cancer. We will be specially offering 50 long stem pink roses throughout the month of October for this event. Maybe someone you know is or has been effected by breast cancer, we thought these pink flowers would be a great way to show your love and support for them, and their fight against it.

I hope you take a second to check out the website and give me some feedback on the mixed bouquets and also the Long Stem Pink Roses for breast cancer during the month of October if you get a chance. I think it’s a really great thing that we are supporting by doing this!

Ideas for a Fall Wedding

2008-09-09T19:08:40Z

Ideas for a Fall Wedding

It’s almost that time again, with fall being right around the corner. Fall weddings can be absolutely beautiful with just the right colors. For fall you want to stick with rich chocolates and deep reds and oranges. Even an eggplant purple color would add a nice touch. Also use off-white or cream colors instead of white, for the decor to match the mood of the other colors.

You might be wondering where would be a good place to hold a fall wedding? Perhaps an old barn, on a farmer’s porch of a cottage or older house, in an open field with the leaves changing colors as a backdrop, or even next to a slow river. If it is a smaller wedding you could check out an old tavern that is still open. Most have nice fireplaces that would make the perfect setting for the ceremony and pictures afterwards.

Gorgeous harvest colored roses and even some calla lilies will look amazing put into a hand tied bouquet together. Sunflowers are also a perfect flower for an early fall bouquet. A splash of greenery wouldn’t hurt either. You have a wide variety of choices for fabrics to use between types and colors to wrap the stems in. You could use a gold or copper even, to make the bouquet stand out a little bit more.

To make the atmosphere a little more fun for the reception, carve small pumpkins and place a tea candle inside for centerpieces, or maybe a bowl filled with Indian corn and miniature gourds and pumpkins. If you want something more traditional, you can always use colored floating candles in a dish with black rocks on the bottom.

For cake decorating, try using an off white icing and gold or chocolate colored trim. This makes for beautiful wedding cakes, then to take it one step further add the deep red and orange Gerber daisies, calla lilies, or sunflowers around the bottom layer of the cake to tie it into the theme of the wedding. To make the cake more fun, add more flowers throughout the layers randomly until you get exactly what you want.

Well this should help you get started planning you special day, or maybe just give you some ideas to add to your list. Good luck!

Flowers for Events

2008-09-05T14:42:23Z

Flowers for Events

Not sure if it is appropriate to have flowers for a specific occasion? I have compiled a list that seems absolutely appropriate to have flowers at, so you don’t have to second-guess yourself.

To start with the obvious, the first would have to be weddings. I don’t think I have known anyone to not have even a single flower at his or her wedding. Birthdays and anniversaries are next with the thought of who wouldn’t like a gift of flowers for their special day!

Bridal and baby showers are also another popular time to have flowers to bring happiness and color into a room. Especially if it’s a baby shower you can have fun with it by getting either blue or pink flowers depending on what the mother to be is having.

Wakes and funerals are also an appropriate time for flowers to be present. They tend to lighten the mood a little bit and show sympathy for the loved ones who have lost someone close to them.

Other events that people may not think of right off would be proms, graduations and even at fancy restaurants. Flowers are normally used for decoration, corsages and boutonnieres and also in pictures at the prom. For something fun at graduations, you can usually find dyed carnations to match the school colors for decoration and gifts. Something new fancy restaurants are starting to do is not only place flowers on each table, but also offer a small bouquet of roses usually, for the customer to purchase after their meal.

Hopefully this information will steer you into the right direction next time you are unsure of bringing flowers to a function or not!

2008-08-21T13:47:01Z

Tips on Buying Flowers for a Friend

We have all had our share of times when we wonder what in the world we should get our friends for their birthday, or if they are going through a rough time and words just don’t seem to help. Why not buy some flowers we think; but then we start to wonder what kind and color, or if they will even like them, so we end up just getting a card instead. Most people I know love getting flowers, there is a certain happiness when someone gets flowers even if they are just bringing them home to put on the table for a decoration.

Your best bet to always stick with is picking out a mixed bouquet. With that choice you get a variety of flowers and colors, so you can never really go wrong. If going with a mixed bouquet, try Gerber Daisies, Roses, Lilies, Carnations, Orchids, Tulips and more. When purchasing flowers, take what you know best about your friend and incorporate it with the bouquet. Maybe you got lucky and actually know what their favorite flower is, but if not even what their favorite color is. That way, if you use their favorite color in the bouquet, they will know you took the time to personalize it which will mean more to them. These beautiful, colorful flowers are sure to fill the entire house with happiness.

If you are purchasing flowers for someone’s birthday and want to be creative, each month has a designated flower and are as follows: January-Carnation, February-Primrose, March-Violet, April-Daisy, May-Lily of the Valley, June-Rose, July-Water Lily, August-Poppy/Gladiolus, September-Morning Glory, October-Calendula, November-Chrysanthemum, December-Holly/Narcissus/Poinsettia. Have fun with the idea, because most people probably don’t even know what flower represents their birthday month, so they might look at you funny if it’s an ugly flower but you could always add other flowers to it to spice it up a little bit!

I have compiled a list of flowers that have meanings that go along with friendship in case you are worried you will get them something that might bring them bad luck, or means hatred.

White Carnation: sweet, lovely and usually given to a women for good luck

Chrysanthemum: cheerfulness and wonderful friend

Ivy: friendship

Lily of the Valley: sweetness

Magnolia: sweetness and beauty

Narcissus: never change or stay as sweet as you are

Pansy: thoughts and love

Yellow Rose: friendship

Bouquet of Roses: gratitude

Red Rose bud: pure and lovely

Hibiscus Rose: delicate beauty

Sunflowers: loyalty and wishes

Zinnia: thought of friends

Iris: meaningful friendship

Hopefully these few tips will help out when making your decision. Whatever you chose, I’m sure your friend will enjoy just for thinking of them!

5 Reasons to Do Your Own Wedding Flowers

2008-08-14T20:06:31Z

You may be thinking to yourself why in the world you would want to add one more thing to the already mile long to-do list for your big day, right? Or maybe you don’t know the first thing about flowers and think you can’t do it. Well, when it comes down to it, there is no reason why anyone can’t make their own wedding flowers. Your wedding day is supposed to be absolutely perfect so why not make it exactly the way you want it to be, right down to the flowers.

Cutting Costs- One main reason that a couple would decide to do their own wedding flowers would be to cut down on expenses. You can cut floral arrangement costs almost in half by doing them yourself instead of having a florist do it for you. There are Internet wholesalers that can sell flowers in bulk for cheaper than you can find at any store or flower shop. These wholesalers own a farm or work with a flower farm so the flowers are always fresh. You would actually need to order the flowers a few days in advance to give them a chance to open up and get to their prime before the wedding. Vases, ribbons, and other supplies you may need, will also be cheaper if you go to a craft store to buy than going through a florist’s shop.

Creativity- Maybe you’re the not so famous version of Martha Stewart that can make anything they could possibly think of. If you are crafty, this is definitely the way to go. Not only will you save money, but you will also be challenging yourself to see what you can actually come up with. You will first want to look in magazines and on the Internet to find what you want and there may even be how-to instructions along with it to help you if you don’t know what you want. The best part of being creative is that you can use any materials and play with the arrangement until it perfectly matches the picture you have in your head of what you would like.

Personalize- The best part about your wedding is to have it go exactly the way you have always dreamed. By doing your own bouquet and centerpieces, you can add your own touch to everything. To make these things isn’t hard at all; they have many step-by-step books and online tutorials on how to make bouquets, boutonnieres, aisle décor, centerpieces and much more. You can then add, the perfect color ribbon, bows, and centerpiece holders to match any type of wedding and be able to know exactly what you are getting for your money. The best part of being able to personalize everything will only make your day even more special by being able to look around and say “I did all of this on my own.”

Make Memories- Why not have a little fun throughout the stressful days before your wedding? Invite the girls in your bridal party over to do dinner and then help you on your flowers. Not only will everything go faster, but also it will let you get their input on how things look and give you time to spend with them before one of the biggest celebrations in your life. They always say the more the merrier!

Sentimental Value- By doing your own flower arrangements, you will appreciate your wedding day even more. Just knowing how much work was put into the bouquet you hold down the isle, the boutonnière your soon-to-be husband wears, along with all of the other floral décor at the ceremony and reception, will give you a sense of accomplishment. Not only will it be your special day because you’re the one getting married, but also because you made it you’re special day by putting so much effort into it.

If those aren’t good enough reasons right there, then I don’t know what is. Take pictures, laugh, and spend time with friends and family, that is what your wedding planning should be about. By doing your flowers yourself, you will get exactly what you want and have fun while you’re doing it. The end results will astonish everyone you tell.

Flower Quotes!

2008-08-05T20:59:08Z

Here are some cool quotations that I found on flowers-enjoy!

I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman

Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity. ~John Ruskin

What a pity flowers can utter no sound! A singing rose, a whispering violet, a murmuring honeysuckle–oh, what a rare and exquisite miracle would these be! ~Henry Ward Beecher

Flowers are words which even a babe may understand. ~Bishop Arthur Clevland Cox

I always think the flowers can see us, and know what we are thinking about. ~ George Eliot

Flowers and fruits are always fit presents–flowers, because they are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

3 Creative Ways to Surprise Your Loved One With Roses

2008-07-29T19:32:46Z

We’ve all either been given or have given Roses as a gift. While it is always great to receive flowers, sometimes it is worth it to shake things up a bit to up the romance factor.

Here are 3 great ways to give Roses that are sure to get a major reaction:

Have one dozen silk roses delivered to your loved one at work with a message card that says, " This is how long our love with last". In the meantime, arrange to have 50 Long Stem Red Roses delivered to you at home. Carefully arrange the 50 Roses in one giant vase. Put the flowers in a prominent place like the kitchen island or table in the foyer, so when your honey comes home, they are the first thing seen. Include a message card that states, "And this is how real our love is".

Have 100 Long Stem Assorted Roses delivered to you while your better half is at work. Carefully arrange the 100 Roses in vases set all over the house, so that the house is literally filled with Roses. Next to each vase, put a message card with a reason why you love your honey. Drive to your sweetheart’s job and place one Long Stem Rose under their windshield with a note saying one reason why you love them.

Send your loved one 50 Long Stem Roses for no reason with a message card saying, "My love for you is as real as the petals on these Roses". Make sure that they let the Roses dry out. While they are out, make potpourri out of the dry Rose petals, and include a message card with the potpourri saying, "Like these petals, there will always be a way for our love to be truely ever-lasting".

Flower Buy Tutorial for Guys

2008-07-15T13:30:30Z

Guys are full of a variety of information. Some guys are experts at sports, some are experts at cars. Others are masters at cooking, or writing novels. There are so many things that men excel at, it is impossible to list them all. But there is something that many guys are close to clueless about. This certain something seems so sweet, fragrant, innocent, and nice…but can ruin their relationships if they mess it up. This certain something is expected on special occasions, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and sometimes even for no reason at all. Everyone can probably guess that this certain something is flowers. For some reason, when it comes to giving the gift of flowers, many generally smart men are clueless.

Here are some guy friendly tips for buying and giving flowers that will help keep the

boyfriends and husbands of the world out of the Dog House….for now.

Tip #1 Get your message straight- Figure out exactly what you are trying to say, before you try to find the right arrangement to say it. Write down your feelings on paper, and see if you spot a theme. Write a list of reasons why you want to give this certain person flowers, and what you want them to feel when they receive them. This brainstorming activity should be honest and frank. Don’t write down that you are in love, when you just are feeling excited about a great first date.

Tip #2 Know what you are sending- There are so many flowers out there, which means there are also so many ways for you to come across the wrong way if you pick the wrong flower. Here is a quick run down of popular flowers/colors, and their general meanings:

Red Roses- Love

Pink Roses- Appreciation/Thank You

Yellow Roses- Friendship

Orange Roses- Desire

White Roses- Innocence

Gerber Daisies- Cheerfulness/Joy

Tulips- Happiness

Red Carnations- Love for Mom/Official Mother’s Day Flower

Purple Orchids- Exotic beauty

Tip #3 Know your recipient- You may be madly in love, and want to send the deepest red rose that you can find, but your girlfriend could hate the color red. Before you make this important purchase, fish around a bit. Do some investigating to make sure there aren’t any flowers on your girlfriend’s D List. Does your wife or girlfriend have allergies? You may want to go with a less fragrant flower, like a Long Stem Rose, as opposed to a bouquet of Lilacs. The next time you are out at a wedding, or in the park that has a garden, take note of the flowers that your wife seems to enjoy.

Tip #4 Make an impression- For women, half of the fun of receiving flowers is bragging about them to friends, family, co-workers, and just about anyone else who will listen. Make your arrangement go the distance by having them delivered to your wife’s office, or to your girlfriend’s evening College Algebra Class. She will love showing them off to her friends, and having everyone else see how much you care for her.

Tip #5 Stretch your dollar- Keep the season in mind when you are planning your purchase if price is a major factor for you. For instance, Roses will generally be less expensive in the summer, as they are easier to come by then, while a mixed bouquet could be less in the winter depending on the type of flowers used.

Sunflower Trivia!

2008-06-04T20:23:16Z

Summer is finally here! And with that in mind, I’ve collected a bunch of neat facts about Sunflowers to brighten everyone’s day. Sunflowers practically scream "summer time" with their huge golden heads that sway in the sunshine and their massive stems that reach towards the sky. Here are 5 interesting facts that I learned about Sunflowers that I never would have expected.

1. Sunflowers were originally cultivated by Native Americans as a source for food. Archeologists estimate that Sunflower cultivation dates back to more than 8,000 years ago, and even began before corn, squash, or beans. Until recent years, the only reason for growing Sunflowers was to consume them. Growing Sunflowers for decorational purposes only is actually a fairly recent practice.

2. Sunflower stems were the original filler material for Personal Floatation Devices/Life Jackets.

3. Sunflowers are one of the official flowers of the Leo in the Zodiac. They are also the official flower of the Vegan Society as well as the official representation of "Green" Ideology. The Sunflower is the state flower of Kansas and the city flower for Kitakyushu, Japan, and the national flower of Russia.

4. Sunflowers get their name not only from their resemblance to the Sun, but also from the fact that Sunflower heads actually track the movement of the Sun throughout the day. This is called Heliotropism, which means that Sunflower heads point East in the morning, stand up straight in the afternoon, and point West in the evenings- just like our Sun.

5. Sunflowers make great subjects for Art. Because of their delicate charateristics and unqiue dimensions, Sunflowers are a common subject for artists to paint. Noted artists Van Gogh and Picasso both enjoyed painting Sunflowers.

What Does My Rose Mean?

2008-04-29T16:20:56Z

Between the miracle that is nature and modern advances in science, there are tons of different colored roses available for people to send their loved ones.

Here is a quick run down of what each different rose color means, so that you can be sure to send the right message…or decode what a loved one is trying to say to you.

Red Roses- The traditional meaning of Red Roses is love, so make sure the feelings are true when you send this color rose! Red Roses are good gifts for Wives, Girlfriends…and if you are modern, Husbands and Boyfriends.

Pink Roses- Pink Roses usually mean Thank You, Appreciation, or Admiration. They make great gifts for Mom, Big Sis, Teachers, or anyone else who has done something for you that you appreciate.

Yellow Roses- Yellow Roses symbolize Friendship and Joy. They are appropriate gifts for your best friend, favorite cousin, etc.

White Roses- White Roses generally mean Purity and Innocence- they are great for weddings, baptisms, etc. Be careful when sending White Roses, as in some cultures, White Roses are a symbol of death and grief.

Purple Roses- This unusual rose color means "Love at first sight", which makes this color great for an Anniversary, Re-Exchanging of Vows, etc.

Orange Roses- This fiery rose color means Desire, so save this gift for a serious crush when you’re ready to heat things up.

Red & White Mix- This pretty mixed bouquet means Unity, so it is another great Anniversary gift, and it also is a great Engagment present as well.