We've already discussed this month how Valentine's flowers aren't always roses and baby's breath. Going the extra mile to make it extra personal always pays off in the end. Here we've compiled a list of the trendiest flowers for Valentines Day 2012 (Coming up Feb 14th) that doesn't include roses! If you don't know your honey's favorite flower, I can almost guarantee she'll love one of these!

 5. Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is a beautiful and delicate flower that kind of resembles a lily mixed with a gladiolus. Their big, showy blooms come in many beautiful colors and are used by florists in so many creative ways.

These flowers work well in many styles of floral arrangements, especially in traditional or garden-style designs.

 4. Carnation

Carnations have made a huge comeback in recent years with the appearance of bright new colors and styles. Florists have also found incredibly creative ways to showcase this ruffly flower. And you've got to love their long-lasting abilities!

Carnations come in so many unique and vivid colors now, as well as different sizes and styles.

3. Tulip

The elegance of a tulip is undeniable. Even it's champagne glass-like shape echos romance. Even their flower meaning is about love. Red tulips mean declaration of love and yellow tulip mean hopelessly in love; what more can you say on Valentine's Day?

Tulips are available in many different colors and also sizes. Their stems are unique in the fact that they can be bent and shaped in many ways, this gives florists many more artistic options.

Continue reading "Top 5 Trendiest Flowers This Valentines Day" »

Still mulling over Valentines Day arrangements trying to find the perfect flowers to send to your sweetie? Well, let me give you a little secret, it really is the thought that counts.

The more thought and time you put into choosing your honey's flowers, the more she will undoubtedly appreciate them. Include her favorite color, favorite flower or both! Use her favorite song as lyrics in the card message.

The Most Romantic Valentines Day Flowers

For a truly romantic gift of flowers, send her flowers just like the bouquet she used on your wedding day. I'm sure you have a picture of it, probably in your wallet, you can easily show your florist. Use the same colors and flowers to recreate this very special arrangement that means so much to your wife.

Most brides spend hours going through color palettes, flowers, styles and so many other bouquet options before finally choosing their perfect wedding bouquet with their florist. She will most likely instantly notice her bouquet flowers and be overwhelmed with romance and love. (Especially good for newly weds!)

Custom ordering flowers for Valentines Day is easy, you just have to do it early — like right now!

And remember, always always always use a real local florist!

Continue reading "Send Her Wedding Bouquet on Valentines Day" »

It's that time again. The time when our whole country, and much of the world, sits down to watch present-day gladiators battle it out in a game of strength, skill and determination. Whether you enjoy watching football or not, chances are you'll be watching the big game on Sunday, February 5th.

Who's In The Super Bowl This Year?

Decorating for the Super Bowl

Decorating for the 2012 Super Bowl is going to be super easy — both teams have the SAME colors: Red, White, Blue and Gray. Time to pull out those Fourth of July decorations!

• If you're cheering on the Patriots
  Use red, white and blue decor that includes flags, stars, and anything patriotic.
• If you're cheering on the Giants
  Use big blocks of color, mostly blue.

Flowers for football??

I know it sounds crazy, but flowers make decorating so much easier. Order a big bouquet of red, white and BLOOMS from your local florist! Have these sitting on your game-day buffet as a little pick-me-up for whoever should need it at the time. Because both teams use the same colors, it only takes one arrangement to make everyone happy! You could even draw numbers or play a game to see who takes home the flowers at the end of the party!

If your home is strongly for one team over the other, think of creative ways to make your flowers represent your team. You might add stars or a flag to a New England Patriot-themed arrangement. Maybe an all-blue arrangement for Giants fans.

Need A Hostess Gift?

Attending a Super Bowl party, but don't know what to bring? Flowers also make a great hostess gift! Especially if your hostess has planned out all of the game day food and festivities, don't go empty handed, bring flowers!

No matter what you choose, always always always use a real local florist when ordering flowers. Flower Shop Network is an advocate of real local florists. If you don't already know your town's flower shop, use our handy florist finder to find yours today.

Lack energy? Feeling unmotivated? Sounds like you have a case of the Winter Blues! The winter blues tends to get everyone this time of year. With the short, gray days, frigid cold weather, and lack of flowers outside, it's easy to fall into a slump.

But wait, there's a cure!

The best and only way to remedy the winter blues is with bright hues! Don't believe me? Check out this quote from one of our favorite 2010 articles, Our Get Well Flowers Have Healing Powers:

What exactly is this flower energy?

Light is a nutrient to living things, just like food. Our bodies need light (the sunshine vitamin), just like plants need sunshine to grow. Well, we all know light is energy, but did you know color is light? That's right! Color is simply light vibrating at different frequencies. So, if light is energy, and color is light, than that means color = energy!

There is growing evidence that humans respond, both physiologically, mentally and emotionally to different colors. Simply seeing these different colors can be therapeutic, also known as chromotherapy.

As you can see, color really can help, especially against the winter blues. And what's the best way to add some color to your routine? Why, flowers of course!! Have a big bouquet of beautifully colored blooms delivered to your home, office or anywhere you are going to be spending most of your time.

Flower Shop Network is an advocate of all local florists. If you order flowers to beat the winter blues, always always always order from a real local florist!! If you don't know your local florist, use our handy florist finder to find yours today!

Continue reading "Bright Hues Cure Winter Blues" »

Ask The Plant Expert:

Hi, I recently read a response of yours to a comment on a blog regarding the sticky white substance, and I have the same problem with mine. I’d been away over xmas and with no one around to water the plant. All the leaves have wilted over the edge of the pot and there’s this residue. I’m currently watering it regularly to try and save it, but I don’t know what to do about this white stuff. I’ve attached a photo for you to see. -Mathew

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

What you have is plasmodial slime mold. It isn't harmful to you or your plant. You can just let it be unless it starts to take over then you can get a fungicide from your local garden center.

To keep this mold from occurring, be sure to keep a good watering and care-taking routine for your plant. Check out this article on How To Care For A Peace Lily Plant for more information on Peace Lily Care.

Continue reading "Help! What Is This Slime On My Peace Lily?" »

Watch your mailboxes! Flower Shop Network's Networker for winter 2012 just mailed out! The Networker is chocked full of great ideas for florists to use, including: Marketing in 2012, Florist Photography Tips, Stay in the Spotlight, and much, much more!

Can't wait!? Here's a sneak peak of the Winter Networker 2012.

Are there topics you would like to see in The Networker?

Email your suggestions to TheNetworker@FlowerShopNetwork.com and we'll send you a Flower Shop Network tote bag.

Valentines Day this year (2012) is on a Tuesday! I know what you're thinking, "Tuesday? How can I be romantic on a Tuesday??" With our busy schedules, trying to find time on a Tuesday to breath, much less be romantic, is hard enough. However, with just a little thought and planning, you can have the most romantic Tuesday Valentines ever!

This is where your local florist comes in handy! Not only do they deliver the most beautiful and creatively designed flowers, but in addition, most florists offer uniquely personal gifts.

Getting a Jumpstart on Valentines Day

• Plan to stop by your local flower shop early to pick out gifts/personalized arrangement. Talk to your florist about your sweetie: her favorite colors, flowers, style, etc. Sometimes it really is the thought that counts! A flower shop will have lots of gifts to add, in addition to sending Valentines Day flowers.
• Schedule a Monday or Valentines Day (Tuesday) delivery. Surprise her on Monday or have them delivered on Tuesday, either way she'll be thinking of you all week, every time she peeks up at her beautiful blooms. Continue reading "Get A Jumpstart on Romance This Valentines Day!" »

Have you started planning your schedule for the 2012 flower shows and florist conventions?? It's only January, but the list of great shows this year is filling up! If you want to see the most incredible floral ART possible, learn edge-winning design techniques, have a whole lot of fun and fill up on inspiration, attending a floral convention is a MUST!

Take a look at these great upcoming shows!

JANUARY 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

January 22, 2012: The Florida State Florists' Association Design Summit will be held this year at Oscar G. Carlstedts Co. Wholesale, Pensacola, FL. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

FEBRUARY 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

February 3 – 5, 2012: The Kentucky Florists' Association 55th Annual Convention will be held at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort, KY. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

February 8 – 12, 2012: The Northwest Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

February 9 – 12, 2012: The Maymont Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

February 23 – 26, 2012: The Road Island Spring Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI. Florists and guests are welcome to attend.

MARCH 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

March 2 – 4, 2012: The Arkansas Flower & Garden Show will be held at the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, AR. Florists who are members as well as non-member florists are welcome to attend.

March 2 – 4, 2012: The 2012 Great Lakes Expo will be held at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Florists and other industry professionals are welcome to attend.

Continue reading "Spring Flower Shows & Conventions" »

When ordering flowers, it's often for a special occasion or well wishing. For romance, birthdays, get well soons and even condolences, flowers are always intended to lifting the spirits of the recipient.

Sending Flowers? What Type of Customer Are You?

• Customer On-A-Mission

You know exactly what you want and won't stop until you've got it. Perhaps the person you are sending flowers to has a favorite flower that must be used. Maybe you have a specific centerpiece idea in mind and you must have it. Whether you are shopping in store, online or on the phone, make sure to ask about the specific items your arrangement must include.

A florist keeps a good amount of flowers in their cooler at all times. However, they can't possibly have them all. When ordering flowers from pictures, such as on a florist's website, sometimes substitutions will be made if the florist doesn't have a particular flower. Same goes for vase style, ribbon, etc.

How To Get Exactly What You Want:

Call! To make sure the specific flowers/vase/etc you want get used in your arrangement, call and ask if they have them in stock. If they don't have them in stock, the florist will explain what will be used to substitute, or how long it will take to get your full request in stock. If you are ordering specific flowers for an event, this is why it's best to order in advance.

• The General-Idea Customer

You have an idea of what you want, but haven't quite put your finger on it. You know you want flowers, you know what the occasion is, but you don't know the first thing about floral design, so you're just browsing. Continue reading "Buying & Sending Flowers For All Types of Customers" »

2012 is Here!

Best of the Best – Trends Edition!

Wow has it been a great year! So many incredible floral design trends — some new, some tried and true. We publish articles daily here at FSN, but today we are looking back through 2011 to find the best of the best in floral design trend posts. Want to see the latest and greatest floral design trends, don't miss this article!

See the Best of the Best…

Continue reading "January Newsletter: Welcome 2012" »