Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/04/05/inspired-by-woodland-forests/
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Inspired by Woodland Forests
Shannon Pallin of Fiore of Pensacola, www.fioreofpensacola.com shows off some gorgeous, sumptuous and intriguing designs with woodland elements in the winter issue of flower magazine.
life in la la land
There are many ways to enhance a garden. Adding a picket fence is certainly one way to go. Earlier this year, I found ready assembled sections of picket fences at Lowes. 
With the help of a good carpernter, and and a few buckets of white paint, my front yard was transformed into a cozy cottage garden. 
Welcome to my little slice of paradise.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/11/life-in-la-la-land.html
Round 2 Battle of the Flower Designers ? Poll I
Please vote for your favorite flower arrangement and designer between these two entries: Twigs Flowers – Yerington, NV or Belvedere Flowers – Havertown – Philadelphia, PA Voting is open from March 27 – April 3 (noon EDT) , 2010 Please also vote in Poll 2 QuestionsView Results
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/7Z0NR095tzs/
Bright colours or dark ones, sparkling clarity or misty atmosphere, landscape, still life, portrait - I haven't met a subject, style or mood yet that can't be portrayed beautifully in pastel. (Dave Beckett)
Bright colours or dark ones, sparkling clarity or misty atmosphere, landscape, still life, portrait - I haven't met a subject, style or mood yet that can't be portrayed beautifully in pastel. (Dave Beckett), originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.
Flowers are blooming everywhere in Southern, California. All of this rain from El Nino has certainly brought forth gorgeous blooms.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2010/04/bright-colours-or-dark-ones-sparkling.html
The Truth behind Spring flowers
Well spring is almost here and we will be giving flowers left and right, as they are in season and with Easter and Mother’s Day coming, they come up as the best gifts. But as with any other holiday you might want to have a look at the meanings of the blooms your giving before you have them sent.
Of course, ...
Of course, ...
Source: http://www.flowers24hours.co.uk/blog/spring/the-truth-behind-spring-flowers/
Cottage Garden Curb Appeal
"Cats never strike a pose that isn't photogenic." ~ Lilian Jackson Braun, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.
Nothing is more relaxing to me than walking my dog through my neighborhood, and studying my neighbors "cottage gardens." 
My home is a small 1950's ranch house, and as my rose and front yard wildflower garden grows and flourishes, it finally occured to me that I want a picket fence, and a coastal cottage curb appeal. Luckily, my neighborhood is filled with this cottage gardening style.
As my ideas for the the landscape design become solidified, I'll post before, during and after photos of my garden updates. I'm currently studying fencing, arches, and cottage garden accessories.
Meanwhile, enjoy the stroll through my neighborhood! 
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/05/cottage-garden-curb-appeal.html
Freshen up before Spring
We are all just about as tired as possible of winter and though spring is not far away, we are just hungry for some signs of spring.
If you are looking to treat someone to a special gift like an arrangement of beautiful flower, you might not have to as all-out on colour as you think. Sometimes, all it takes is ...
If you are looking to treat someone to a special gift like an arrangement of beautiful flower, you might not have to as all-out on colour as you think. Sometimes, all it takes is ...
Source: http://www.flowers24hours.co.uk/blog/spring/freshen-up-before-spring/
Friday, 29 April 2011
Your Christmas Window
Checkout some local florists that are promoting their Online Christmas Windows, festive arrangements and themes by local florists nationwide here in the UK.
The Perfect Irish Supper
This time last year we were celebrating St. Patrick?s Day with a feast of beer, potatoes and a healthy side of? flowers!
I can?t help but smile when I see these festive place settings that are just perfect for a St. Patrick?s themed meal. Mashed potatoes, corned beef and cabbage will all be served at my [...]
I can?t help but smile when I see these festive place settings that are just perfect for a St. Patrick?s themed meal. Mashed potatoes, corned beef and cabbage will all be served at my [...]
Elegant Sympathy Display
Member Statue of Design in San Antonio, TX, www.statueofdesign.com, features a simple and elegant standing sympathy spray in the corporate photos section on their website.� Suspended in the center of a tripod made of 6 foot Bamboo Poles, the soothing combination of yellow Cymbidium, white Dendrobiums, white and green Calla Lilies and varied tropical leaves [...]
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/03/17/elegant-sympathy-display/
2011 Lambeth Business Awards
Last night at the awards dinner Lambeth Council chose us as South London’s Best Customer Service Business
Source: http://www.flowers24hours.co.uk/blog/flowers-online/2010-lambeth-business-awards/
The Perfect Irish Supper
This time last year we were celebrating St. Patrick?s Day with a feast of beer, potatoes and a healthy side of? flowers!
I can?t help but smile when I see these festive place settings that are just perfect for a St. Patrick?s themed meal. Mashed potatoes, corned beef and cabbage will all be served at my [...]
I can?t help but smile when I see these festive place settings that are just perfect for a St. Patrick?s themed meal. Mashed potatoes, corned beef and cabbage will all be served at my [...]
Women?s Day
Women’s Day is not as widely celebrated as Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, but it is an event that should be paid some attention.
This is a time when you can really show the women around you that you appreciate their independence and the accomplishments they have achieved. Giving flowers on this day is a part of tradition. So if you ...
This is a time when you can really show the women around you that you appreciate their independence and the accomplishments they have achieved. Giving flowers on this day is a part of tradition. So if you ...
Source: http://www.flowers24hours.co.uk/blog/flowers-online/womens-day/
Ushering in Springtime in SF
Always a sensory delight!� Save the dates for Bouquets to Art 2011 March 15 thru 19, bouquetstoart.org.� And the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show March 23 thru 27th 2011, sfgardenshow.com.
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/03/04/ushering-in-springtime-in-sf/
Happy Mother?s Day!
For a limited time, we are excited to offer customers who place a Mother’s Day order with a value over $150, a complimentary annual subscription to
flower, the nation’s only floral lifestyle magazine.
If you do not wish to receive the magazine, or prefer it to go to your recipient, please mention this in the ‘Order [...]
flower, the nation’s only floral lifestyle magazine.
If you do not wish to receive the magazine, or prefer it to go to your recipient, please mention this in the ‘Order [...]
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/04/26/happy-mothers-day/
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Townend Florist in Sheffield
Hi so this is my first honest to goodness blog. What to expect, who only knows? What I can promise is a true life blog of the day to day running of my life, work and experiences as an independent florist in Sheffield. So no boring instructional or promoted writing you just get the truth. [...]
Local Florists
When we search online using a search engine to send flowers, 9/10 we search for a local florist by typing in a search term along the lines of liverpool florist, or florists liverpool for example. Check out this new website�www.localflorists.co.uk, it delivers exactly what the name suggests, local florists from all 4 corners of the [...]
"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Originally uploaded by Abby Lanes
The dogwood tree brings back the Spring in my childhood memories. I found this tree in my parent's front yard in NC, while we were visiting family for Spring Break. I have long associated dogwoods with Easter. The four petals represent the cross, the marks on the petals, represent the nails into Christ's body. It's a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Easter, and a gorgeous floral Spring tree.
This is a gorgeous old Southern home in my parents town. I thought the pink dogwood trees framed the home so beautifully!
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/well-spent-day-brings-happy-sleep-so.html
Battle of the Flower Designers ? Poll III
Please vote for your favorite flower arrangement and designer between these two entries: Everyday Flowers, Tustin, CA or Mums and More, Wagner, SD Voting is open from March 11 – 20, 2010 Please also Vote in: Battle of the Flower Designers Poll I Battle of the Flower Designers Poll II Battle of the Flower Designers [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/m2y0xsNrykI/
New Year, New Flower Ranges
Flowercraft�have launched their new Interflora�Core Collection for 2011, Spring Range and Valentines Range. Check out�Flowercraft in Holmes Chapel Cheshire offering new flowers in the new year.
Flower Delivery Dates in 2011
Important dates to remember�in 2011, take a look at a complete diary on Local Florist’s website. This year Valentines Day falls�on a Monday and�Mothers Day is in April.
Battle of the Flower Designers Championship
Please vote for your favorite flower arrangement and designer between these two entries: Belvedere Flowers – Philadelphia and Havertown PA or Avante Gardens Florist – Anaheim CA Read more about Belvedere Flowers’ design process for the championship finale arrangement. Read Avante Gardens Florist blog about creating their finale floral design. Voting is open from April [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/Uq3okJOwqNM/
Round 2 Battle of the Flower Designers ? Poll I
Please vote for your favorite flower arrangement and designer between these two entries: Twigs Flowers – Yerington, NV or Belvedere Flowers – Havertown – Philadelphia, PA Voting is open from March 27 – April 3 (noon EDT) , 2010 Please also vote in Poll 2 QuestionsView Results
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/7Z0NR095tzs/
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
The Moveable Feast ? April 24th, 2011
Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons).
In Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 [...]
In Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 [...]
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/04/13/the-moveable-feast-april-24th-2011/
A Good Day
Need to be uplifted today? Then click the title above... you'll be taken to an inspiring video that I just love.
"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more." Brother David Steindl-Rast.
"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more." Brother David Steindl-Rast.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/good-day.html
Wildflower Garden Experiment Update
My wildflowers are in full bloom. This is a macro photo of one of the pretty blooms. 
This is the box of seed, and the flower's baby photos. :-) The box was $6 and yielded an entire wildfower bed beside my driveway, and around my rose garden.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/05/wildflower-garden-experiment-update.html
Florist Marketing
If you’re a florist Searching online for new links to your online business during the final weeks before Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day you have left it too late to make any real impact! I see a pattern each year, especially this year since my network of floristry related websites has grown tenfold. In the [...]
We are on Facebook!
We are now on Facebook! Go to our Facebook page. I haven’t decided what to do with it, but our current plan is to use it to announce our Specials and news, and also to answer questions. So if you already have Facebook account, please become a “fan”!
Source: http://flowers-insolita.com/blog/2010/03/07/we-are-on-facebook/
We are on Facebook!
We are now on Facebook! Go to our Facebook page. I haven’t decided what to do with it, but our current plan is to use it to announce our Specials and news, and also to answer questions. So if you already have Facebook account, please become a “fan”!
Source: http://flowers-insolita.com/blog/2010/03/07/we-are-on-facebook/
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
British Grown Chrysanthemum?s
Battle to save our blooms! Cheap imports are driving Britain’s glorious chrysanthemum farms out of business… but in one Cheshire greenhouse the fightback has begun.
Read the complete story here.
First bloom of youth: Once considered the ‘granny’ of the flower world, breeders are now creating new, sexier varieties of the chrysanthemum.
Read the complete story here.
First bloom of youth: Once considered the ‘granny’ of the flower world, breeders are now creating new, sexier varieties of the chrysanthemum.
Love Note Day
The month of September continues to fly by, but I wanted to take a moment and share one of the sweetest holidays I have ever heard of! Love Note Day falls annually on the fourth Friday in September and was created to encourage people to share their feelings for the ones they love with written [...]
Why we Love Lilies!
Lilies are one of the most popular when it comes to flowers. It is not difficult to see why, they are beautiful, elegant and a true representative of spring and all the beauties of the season.
Another great aspect of this flower is that it is easy to care for and fairly sturdy. Making it the ideal bloom for weddings and ...
Another great aspect of this flower is that it is easy to care for and fairly sturdy. Making it the ideal bloom for weddings and ...
Source: http://www.flowers24hours.co.uk/blog/mothers-day/why-we-love-lilies/
10 years of Make Someone Smile Week
It began with leftovers. A group of florists wondered why the flowers left after a florist convention were simply disposed of and not enjoyed by someone who could use a little added cheer. That question grew into what is now Make Someone Smile Week - the florist industry's leading benevolent program, celebrated each year in July by Teleflora and thousands of Teleflora member florists.
The goal of each and every Make Someone Smile Week for 10 years has been to deliver smiles, in the form of a bouquet of flowers in Teleflora's happy keepsake Be Happy Mug, to those who need it most. We have delivered to senior citizens living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, to children's hospitals, to women's aid shelters, to recipients of Meals-on-Wheels programs, and so forth. And, to make the program even more special (since we think 10 years is a big deal), 10 regional groups of Teleflora members will be awarded a $1,000 check to be given to the charity of their choice this year.
This year, Teleflora and local Teleflora members across two countries (the US and Canada) celebrate the 10th anniversary of Make Someone Smile Week to deliver more bouquets than ever before - around 50,000 bouquets. That's a lot of flowers, a lot of florists and a lot of smiles!
In the past decade of Make Someone Smile Week celebrations more than 22,000 florists have participated in these joyful deliveries. And more than 200,000 bouquets (and smiles!) have been given to those most in need.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/fNAH9GPrs_k/post.aspx
Rainbow rose and its knockoff
Stay away from rainbow-rose knockoff.
Source: http://flowers-insolita.com/blog/2009/09/01/rainbow-rose-and-its-knockoff/
A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California
April
Is your patio spilling over with color? It could be!
Mine is brilliant with pots of blue and yellow violas, pansies, blue ageratum, geraniums,a nd white alyssum. But they were all planted in November and December. So reach for your calendar and make a note to plant these things next year in those months. Even a huge redwood tub of yellow marguerites was planted last fall. The petunias blooming now are left over from last year. All in the sun.
Last month, and this month, is the time to be planting containers and tubs, and moss-lined hanging baskets of plants that will bloom clearn thru till next November. To plant now use for Pink: petunias, White: allysum, Blue: ageratum, potato vine, light blue or dark blue lobelia, Yellow: or Orange: dwarf french marigold, Red: fiberous begonia. These are all for sun. Vinca also.
For shade, now, use fuchsia, white allysum and impatients, but this would be light shade.
Small cyclamen can be purchased now for next winter's bloom.
PLANT - Dahlias from now till mid-June. A handful of bonemeal worked into soil below tubers at planting time is good. Take mum blooming bulbs, braid it and bend it over till completely brown. Try cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket, one basket will supply two people all summer. Put cascade mums into 12" pots now.
SPRAY - Watch roses for signs of mildew and spray it as it appears. Usually next month is bad for this. Spray ground too. Systemic granuales with fertilizer will protect from insects and fungicide to get the mildew. Systemic granules completely protect cinerarias, calendula, carnations, and any other plan you knoww that will get insect damage. Most of the garden will not need spray.
PRUNE - Camellias and azaleas after bloom, but only if needed for shaping and only after reading a book on pruning them. Important too is to remove the dead flowers from plants. Know what you are doing here. Sunseet prints a good book on pruning. Prune cape honeysuckle. Many other spring blooming shrubs need pruning after bloom.
PINCH - fuchsias till May Day.
FERTILIZE - lawns - shrubs and trees and bulbs when blooming.
Epiphyllums get top dreing of well-rotted manure. Hydrangeas get camellia food or cottonseed now. KEEP AFTER THOSE SNAILS.
WEED - Don't let it get ahead of you!
Hint: Even if you have poor reusults with petunias in the garden, do try them in container, epecially in moss lined baket where snails can't get them. Only trouble wa leaf minor and you can control that for six weeks at a time with systemic granules. These granule can be bought with or without added fertilizer.
REMEMBER: A garden is a thing of joy and a job forever! - unknown
Florence Sullivan
Is your patio spilling over with color? It could be!
Mine is brilliant with pots of blue and yellow violas, pansies, blue ageratum, geraniums,a nd white alyssum. But they were all planted in November and December. So reach for your calendar and make a note to plant these things next year in those months. Even a huge redwood tub of yellow marguerites was planted last fall. The petunias blooming now are left over from last year. All in the sun.
Last month, and this month, is the time to be planting containers and tubs, and moss-lined hanging baskets of plants that will bloom clearn thru till next November. To plant now use for Pink: petunias, White: allysum, Blue: ageratum, potato vine, light blue or dark blue lobelia, Yellow: or Orange: dwarf french marigold, Red: fiberous begonia. These are all for sun. Vinca also.
For shade, now, use fuchsia, white allysum and impatients, but this would be light shade.
Small cyclamen can be purchased now for next winter's bloom.
PLANT - Dahlias from now till mid-June. A handful of bonemeal worked into soil below tubers at planting time is good. Take mum blooming bulbs, braid it and bend it over till completely brown. Try cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket, one basket will supply two people all summer. Put cascade mums into 12" pots now.
SPRAY - Watch roses for signs of mildew and spray it as it appears. Usually next month is bad for this. Spray ground too. Systemic granuales with fertilizer will protect from insects and fungicide to get the mildew. Systemic granules completely protect cinerarias, calendula, carnations, and any other plan you knoww that will get insect damage. Most of the garden will not need spray.
PRUNE - Camellias and azaleas after bloom, but only if needed for shaping and only after reading a book on pruning them. Important too is to remove the dead flowers from plants. Know what you are doing here. Sunseet prints a good book on pruning. Prune cape honeysuckle. Many other spring blooming shrubs need pruning after bloom.
PINCH - fuchsias till May Day.
FERTILIZE - lawns - shrubs and trees and bulbs when blooming.
Epiphyllums get top dreing of well-rotted manure. Hydrangeas get camellia food or cottonseed now. KEEP AFTER THOSE SNAILS.
WEED - Don't let it get ahead of you!
Hint: Even if you have poor reusults with petunias in the garden, do try them in container, epecially in moss lined baket where snails can't get them. Only trouble wa leaf minor and you can control that for six weeks at a time with systemic granules. These granule can be bought with or without added fertilizer.
REMEMBER: A garden is a thing of joy and a job forever! - unknown
Florence Sullivan
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/calendar-for-growing-flowers-in-costal.html
British Grown Chrysanthemum?s
Battle to save our blooms! Cheap imports are driving Britain’s glorious chrysanthemum farms out of business… but in one Cheshire greenhouse the fightback has begun.
Read the complete story here.
First bloom of youth: Once considered the ‘granny’ of the flower world, breeders are now creating new, sexier varieties of the chrysanthemum.
Read the complete story here.
First bloom of youth: Once considered the ‘granny’ of the flower world, breeders are now creating new, sexier varieties of the chrysanthemum.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Ushering in Springtime in SF
Always a sensory delight!� Save the dates for Bouquets to Art 2011 March 15 thru 19, bouquetstoart.org.� And the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show March 23 thru 27th 2011, sfgardenshow.com.
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/03/04/ushering-in-springtime-in-sf/
Monobotanical Artistry
Greg Campbell of The Garden Distrist in Memphis, TN, www.gardendistrictmemphis.com, demonstrates how to create a simple, elegant monobotanical topiary arrangement in the Winter Issue of Flower Magazine, www.flowermag.com.
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/03/30/monobotanical-artistry/
?The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.? ~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel
Happy Pink Saturday!
Thank you Beverly at "How Sweet the Sound" for hosting.
Welcome to my flower blog. This week I'm taking you on a garden tour. First stop; my rose garden! The more I garden, the more I realize roses are my favorite flowers.
?The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.? ~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.
Thank you Beverly at "How Sweet the Sound" for hosting.
Welcome to my flower blog. This week I'm taking you on a garden tour. First stop; my rose garden! The more I garden, the more I realize roses are my favorite flowers.
?The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.? ~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.
Earlier this year, I added new bareroot roses, and this is the first "pink" bloom on the new bushes.
Next stop... the area women's club hosts a yearly garden tour... and this home had a beautiful waterlily coy pond that ran right underneath the driveway.
The tour had five gardens, and the perfect mix of garden styles for the tour. 
The cottage garden had this mullein verbascum album. It was quite frankly, the first time I had ever seen this flower. Thank you to my gardening friend Kate for the flower id. If you get a chance, visit her blog, it's packed full of gardening knowledge and beautiful flowers. http://www.katesmudges.com/ 
Finally, the last stop on our garden tour today, was taken at the flower fields in Carlsbad. There were so many ranunculas there, to focus on one seemed odd, but I thought it was fitting for our tour. 
I hope you enjoyed your pink garden tour. Stop back soon, and you'll get the rest of the garden tour, and I'll surprise you with giant honeysuckles climbing the walls of a Spanish Villa. Until then, have a lovely Memorial Day weekend.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/05/heart-has-reasons-that-reason-does-not.html
Sunday, 24 April 2011
A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California
My friend, and gardening mentor Florence Sullivan, passed away recently at the age of 95 1/2. I had previously asked her daughter's permission to share her gardening tips. She wrote a booklet, with the above title, so any tips I share on this blog, with this title are from "Florence Sullivan," with the kind permission of her daughter Holly.
Since it's already February, I'll do this slightly out of order and start with February.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This booklet contains flower gardening information for a specific area. This area includes Santa Barbara to the Mexican border and from the Pacific, inland to the hotter areas.
To make the best use of this information, may I suggest that you get a thin felt pen with green ink, go to your calendar and turn to the current month. Jot down chores which apply to your garden. Then continue thru the year. Green ink will suggest gardens. Thereafter when you fertilize or spray, make a note on your calendar, in green, to remind you when to do it next. Then you will be organized, and your garden will flourish.
Happy Gardening
Florence Sulivan
Mrs. Sullivan has taught Basic & Container Gardening at the South Coast Botanic Garden and lectured to Garden Clubs. She has gardened in this are for 25 years. (Copyright 1986 - Florence Sullivan)
September 1, 1913 to February 9, 2009
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/02/calendar-for-growing-flowers-in-costal.html
Google Might Actually Be Calling Your Business
A report today from Mike Blumenthal discusses how team members from Google Maps have been phoning local businesses. “Google has confirmed that as part of that additional level of verification, they have been calling businesses to find out business name and address.” Over the last year, our flower shop has receiving a large number of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/TOZMgmXKJ84/
Inspired by Woodland Forests
Shannon Pallin of Fiore of Pensacola, www.fioreofpensacola.com shows off some gorgeous, sumptuous and intriguing designs with woodland elements in the winter issue of flower magazine.
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/04/05/inspired-by-woodland-forests/
"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Originally uploaded by Abby Lanes
The dogwood tree brings back the Spring in my childhood memories. I found this tree in my parent's front yard in NC, while we were visiting family for Spring Break. I have long associated dogwoods with Easter. The four petals represent the cross, the marks on the petals, represent the nails into Christ's body. It's a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Easter, and a gorgeous floral Spring tree.
This is a gorgeous old Southern home in my parents town. I thought the pink dogwood trees framed the home so beautifully!
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/well-spent-day-brings-happy-sleep-so.html
Celebrate the Little Moments
Valentines Day is just around the corner – Monday, February 14th.
Perfect opportunity to celebrate the little things about your partner that drive you crazy — with love!
Perfect opportunity to celebrate the little things about your partner that drive you crazy — with love!
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/02/08/celebrate-the-little-moments/
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Make Someone Smile Week in the News!
We're excited to see how well our 10th anniversary of Make Someone Smile Week is managing to reach people across the country! We'd like to share a few links to the heartwarming stories that have been collected by press nationwide this week.
From Springfield, MO, KOLR-TV followed Teleflora's Louis & Clark Unit representatives from Flowers A Plenty flower shop, along with many community volunteers who gave of their time to assist, on their goodwill delivery.
And WDTV of Clarksburg/Weston, VA talked with Teleflora florist Sheila Larew about Make Someone Smile Week and how nice it is to share smiles with the members of the Taylor county community.
NBC-25 in Mid-Michigan posted a story about Make Someone Smile Week on their website, which was so nice!
And big thanks to KMAX-TV and Good Day Sacramento, who put together a wonderful story, as well. You can find it online at Good Day Sacramento's site.
We'll certainly have more great clips to share before the week is through, we're sure!
Update: We've got 3 more clips to share this morning (Wednesday)!
Jacksonville.com from The Florida Times-Union posted a nice video on their website.
From Farmington, N.M. the local newspaper The Daily Times posted a wonderful article, as well.
The Sikeston Standard Democrat from Sikeston, Mo. wrote a nice piece in their newspaper, as well. You can see the picture and a short excerpt, but only subscribers to The Sikeston Standard-Democrat can see the full story, unfortunately.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/xfoKtBChEmo/post.aspx
We are on Facebook!
We are now on Facebook! Go to our Facebook page. I haven’t decided what to do with it, but our current plan is to use it to announce our Specials and news, and also to answer questions. So if you already have Facebook account, please become a “fan”!
Source: http://flowers-insolita.com/blog/2010/03/07/we-are-on-facebook/
Wildflower Garden Experiment Update
My wildflowers are in full bloom. This is a macro photo of one of the pretty blooms.
This is the box of seed, and the flower's baby photos. :-) The box was $6 and yielded an entire wildfower bed beside my driveway, and around my rose garden.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/05/wildflower-garden-experiment-update.html
British Grown Chrysanthemum?s
Battle to save our blooms! Cheap imports are driving Britain’s glorious chrysanthemum farms out of business… but in one Cheshire greenhouse the fightback has begun.
Read the complete story here.
First bloom of youth: Once considered the ‘granny’ of the flower world, breeders are now creating new, sexier varieties of the chrysanthemum.
Read the complete story here.
First bloom of youth: Once considered the ‘granny’ of the flower world, breeders are now creating new, sexier varieties of the chrysanthemum.
Farewell to Winter and Jack Frost
We just had to share these shimmering images from the Valerie Easton article in Garden Design magazine Nov/Dec issue of winter frost designing with impeccable results!
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/03/22/farewell-to-winter-and-jack-frost/
Calling All Brides!
Did you suffer a wedding disaster that put a damper on your big day?
Does your wedding video play like a blooper reel?
Do you wish you could do it all over again and have the wedding you originally dreamed of?
Our friends at WEtv are casting for a wedding do over show. If you have the ultimate [...]
Does your wedding video play like a blooper reel?
Do you wish you could do it all over again and have the wedding you originally dreamed of?
Our friends at WEtv are casting for a wedding do over show. If you have the ultimate [...]
Friday, 22 April 2011
Parents Day is almost here!
Did you know that the US, in addition to Mother's Day and Father's Day, also celebrates Parents Day? Each year on the 4th Sunday in July, this fairly young holiday (it was signed into law in 1994 by President Clinton) highlights the idea of parenting and the importance of parents, rather than just celebrating the contributions of a particular parent as Mother's Day or Father's Day do.
This year, Parents' Day falls on Sunday, July 25th - that's just 3 days away!
Parents Day is championed by the Parents' Day Council in the US. The Parents' Day Council identifies numerous "Parents of the Year" in various cities and states, and even chooses a family to highlight for being "Parents of the Year" on a national level. For Parents Day 2010, it doesn't look like the Parents' Day Council has yet named their "Parents of the Year", but you may want to check their website for profiles on those who've won the honor in prior years.
An obvious question (at least to me!) is how a family might choose to celebrate Parents' Day, since at Mother's Day or Father's Day the 'other' parent usually helps make preparations.
Here are a few ideas for kids (young or old) looking to celebrate Parents Day in 2010...
- Breakfast is popular, but why not think outside the house and plan a picnic instead? Make use of the beautiful summer weather and ask your family to head out for a nice day out of doors, and offer to do the hard work of preparing the dishes, utensils, blanket and snacks for your picnic lunch!
- Make a homemade card with a nice Parents Day poem or a picture you've drawn yourself!
- Older kids can do more involved crafts, such as making a photo album or photo slideshow on the computer to remember favorite times as a family. Get everyone together and watch them to remember the reason for Parents Day.
What ideas do you have for celebrating Parents Day?
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/uPP7YTbVzng/post.aspx
Mother?s Day Flowers from Local Florists
It’s almost Mother’s Day Week and local florists across the US and Canada are getting ready to deliver your fondest wishes to Moms, Grandmas and the women who have been special ‘moms’ in your life. Today we’re highlighting signature floral designs – across a range of styles and budgets – available exclusively from these independent [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/otiS9i9bqxw/
Townend Florist in Sheffield
Hi so this is my first honest to goodness blog. What to expect, who only knows? What I can promise is a true life blog of the day to day running of my life, work and experiences as an independent florist in Sheffield. So no boring instructional or promoted writing you just get the truth. [...]
Thursday, 21 April 2011
A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California
My friend, and gardening mentor Florence Sullivan, passed away recently at the age of 95 1/2. I had previously asked her daughter's permission to share her gardening tips. She wrote a booklet, with the above title, so any tips I share on this blog, with this title are from "Florence Sullivan," with the kind permission of her daughter Holly.
Since it's already February, I'll do this slightly out of order and start with February.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This booklet contains flower gardening information for a specific area. This area includes Santa Barbara to the Mexican border and from the Pacific, inland to the hotter areas.
To make the best use of this information, may I suggest that you get a thin felt pen with green ink, go to your calendar and turn to the current month. Jot down chores which apply to your garden. Then continue thru the year. Green ink will suggest gardens. Thereafter when you fertilize or spray, make a note on your calendar, in green, to remind you when to do it next. Then you will be organized, and your garden will flourish.
Happy Gardening
Florence Sulivan
Mrs. Sullivan has taught Basic & Container Gardening at the South Coast Botanic Garden and lectured to Garden Clubs. She has gardened in this are for 25 years. (Copyright 1986 - Florence Sullivan)
September 1, 1913 to February 9, 2009
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/02/calendar-for-growing-flowers-in-costal.html
Google Might Actually Be Calling Your Business
A report today from Mike Blumenthal discusses how team members from Google Maps have been phoning local businesses. “Google has confirmed that as part of that additional level of verification, they have been calling businesses to find out business name and address.” Over the last year, our flower shop has receiving a large number of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RealFloristsBlog/~3/TOZMgmXKJ84/
Mothers Day April 3rd 2011
Don’t forget to send mum flowers on Mother’s Day, this year Mothering Sunday falls on April 3rd, click here to check out the UK Local Florist Map showing local florists throughout the UK that sell bouquets, arrangements, chocolates, wine, champagne, balloons and vases online.
Farewell to Winter and Jack Frost
We just had to share these shimmering images from the Valerie Easton article in Garden Design magazine Nov/Dec issue of winter frost designing with impeccable results!
Source: http://www.fineflowers.com/2011/03/22/farewell-to-winter-and-jack-frost/
Rainbow rose and its knockoff
Stay away from rainbow-rose knockoff.
Source: http://flowers-insolita.com/blog/2009/09/01/rainbow-rose-and-its-knockoff/
?Plants that wake when others sleep. Timid jasmine buds that keep their fragrance to themselves all day, but when the sunlight dies away let the delicious secret out to every breeze that roams about.?
?Plants that wake when others sleep. Timid jasmine buds that keep their fragrance to themselves all day, but when the sunlight dies away let the delicious secret out to every breeze that roams about.?, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes (on Spring Break!).
~Thomas Moore
The jasmine is blooming in my neighborhood. It's delightful.
Source: http://simply-flowers.blogspot.com/2009/04/plants-that-wake-when-others-sleep.html
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Fall - In love with flowers!
Today is the first day of Fall! Or the first day of autumn if you prefer. Though it may not be something you think of right away, fall is actually a great season for many beautiful flowers! Fall brings several holiday, like Halloween and Thanksgiving, which can be celebrated with lovely blooms. Additionally, many beautiful flowers are seasonal to fall.
Fall flowers are usually found in 'fall colors' like yellow, orange, red and brown - mimicking all of the beautiful colors that people seek out on fall color tours in wooded areas.
Here's a top list of several flowers available in fall:
- Asters
- Sunflowers - the sunflower sticks around from summer into fall and makes a great addition to a tablescape as part of a floral centerpiece
- Celosia
- Dahlia - I was in Seattle the other week and dahlia season was definitely on at the flower stalls in the Pike Place Market! There are a wide variety of dahlias in many different shapes and colors to brighten up your fall decor. Check out this gallery of dahlias on Dahlia.com to see the wide number of varities!
- Marigold - While it seems marigolds aren't used as often in floral arrangements anymore, they are a lovely autumn flower and can add a nice yellow/gold color to an arrangement if you want to ask your florist to include them in an arrangement you're sending to friends or family.
- Goldenrod
- Mums (or chrysanthemums)
- Daisies
- Alstroemeria (also known as Peruvian Lily)
- Lilies
What's your favorite fall flower? Let us know in the comments section!
(*Image credits: Homepage image courtesy hello-julie via Flickr)
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeleflorasFlowerBlog/~3/5Ui9205MaiQ/post.aspx
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