It’s Friday! And not just any Friday, the Friday before a big 3-day weekend! You can tell florists are looking forward to the break by the amount of photos in today’s photo recap. There might only be a few, but they are fabulous! Before you kick off you’re Memorial Day Weekend, check out these beautiful designs made fresh this past week!

Spring Flower Designs

Made in the Shade by Crossroads Florist, Mahwah NJ

““Made in the Shade
This eye catching visual display is brought to life by a play on contrasting colors. Bright teal parasols are inserted into simple round arrangements of red alstroemeria and red carnations, and are arranged in mustard yellow jardinières

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Beautiful purple flower arrangement by Vintage Garden Flowers, Fairfield CT

“Rustic wedding centerpiece.”

Continue reading “Florist Friday Recap 5/18 – 5/24: Ready for Summer” »

When was the last time you stopped and smelled the roses? Or the lilacs? Or the hyacinth? With spring ushering in all these beautiful blooms, we wanted to know what fresh-cut flowers are the best for filling a room with a heavenly aroma. So we asked those who would know best – our FSN florists! We had quite a response, but compiled a list of the top ten.

Top 10 Best Smelling Flowers

1. Stock
2. Freesia
3. Lilacs
4. Gardenia
5. Rose – garden & rainbow
6. Lilies – asian & stargazer
7. Boronia
8. Jasmine
9. Peony
10. Hyacinth

So if you want to walk in your home and be transported to a lush garden or know someone needing a bit of scent-inspired pick-me-up, contact your real local florist today. Ask for your favorites from this list for a scent-sational arrangement. You can’t go wrong!

This list was generated from responses received on our Facebook page. Join in the fun!

Florists, here is how you can help.

The tragedy of yesterday’s storm has left several families in the position of planning their child’s funeral with little to no resources. Realizing the need these families have, Kimbra from Enchanted Florist (Amarillo TX) is spearheading an effort to help the families and the Oklahoma City florists provide a loving tribute for each child.

Kimbra shared this information with us this morning.

“I have contacted the Oklahoma Governor’s office and we will be working with Channel 9 in Oklahoma to get the word out to the community about these special gifts for the children. I cannot bare the thought of any family not being able to have one last final memory without everything they need to do so. I am in the process of learning best how to set up this special account. If we all give some then these families will know their families have a place in our hearts. A loss of any type is a part of life, the loss of child is a special gift to God!”
Kimbra

She is working with a funeral home in Amarillo and others to help provide some of the services and items needed. As soon as she can make contact with the FSN members in Oklahoma City*, she will help them coordinate the effort to provide casket sprays for each of the children lost.

For those of you who want to help, contact Kimbra at 806-322-2878 or enchantedflorist_6913@yahoo.com.

*At this time, we have not been able to reach any of our members. Please keep them in your prayers.

We’re so close to June and the sunshine season of summer I can already feel it! (It could just be the 90°+ temperatures outside.) When the weather starts heating up outside, everyone starts spending more time in the cool of the indoors. Enhance your indoor fun this summer with a bouquet of beautiful roses from your local florist.

Decorate an end table, the dining room table or the fireplace mantle with beautiful, fresh roses from your local florist! Have them delivered as a treat for yourself, or pick them up from your local flower shop — either way you can never go wrong with flowers! Flowers make everyone happier, and add color and cheer to any room.

Sending Roses for National Rose Month

You might also use National Rose Month as an excuse to send roses to a special friend or family member. Roses come in such a variety of colors, why not choose one to match their birth stone or favorite color, just to make them even more extraordinary. Continue reading “Get Ready for National Rose Month” »

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day so, as expected, our Florist Friday Recap has many beautiful flower arrangements that were sent to special moms all across the country by real local florist. Even though Mother’s Day is over, there are still plenty of reasons to send beautiful flowers to other deserving people in your life. Let these flower photos be your inspiration, and remember to always use a real local florist when you send!

Any Day Flower Arrangements

Spring flowers by Flowers ABK, North Windham CT

“Spring Elegance”

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Tropical flowers by Treehouse Florist, New Freedom PA

“A tropical arrangement for Mother’s Day to a regular customer.”

Click to see more pictures!

Today was the annual Spring Cookout here at FSN headquarters. Brock and Jason cooked the most delicious burgers, chicken and more for all of our employees.

Continue reading “FSN Spring Cookout 2013” »

Congratulations to Lori Himes, AIFD of A’Bloom LTD for her great floral designs recently selected for “Best Cake Decor” in the Picture Perfect Wedding Contest in the Florist Review – April Issue 2013.

Lori contributed floral designs for a wedding last fall at The Lodge at Blue Ridge Summit in Walkersville, Maryland, and was recognized for her excellent work when incorporating flowers into the wedding cake. She took a moment from the busy Mother’s Day order rush to talk to me about her featured flowers.

“I’ve known the bride and her family for a long time. She was very open to our ideas. When given that opportunity we like to do more of a natural style that goes with the season. Autumn colors are my favorite and I love to use what is available in this area like bittersweet vine. You have to know where to find it. We have a secret spot where we go collect our own so don’t tell anyone where it is. You have to be sure and get it before the first frost.”

The winning cake decor consisted of fresh ‘Orange Unique’ roses, red and orange spray roses, mixed spray chrysanthemums, sunflowers and miniature dahlias and hypericum placed directly on the icing.

The autumn colors beautifully set off all 3 layers of decadent white cake. Placed in front of a large mirror in the reception area, this towering delight was nestled on a tabled with a fabulous scatter of preserved oak leaves, colorful flower petals, and Lori’s own secret store of bittersweet vine.

Lori’s Expert Tips for Working with Cake Florals Continue reading “Sweet Florals – FSN Member Lori Himes Featured in Florist Review!” »

Honor Your Hero

May is definitely the month for honoring American military heroes. With two holidays that focus on those that serve our country, you have twice the opportunity to show your love for the red, white and blue this month. Send fresh flowers to service members and their families to express your appreciation of their hard work and sacrifice.

Armed Forces Day  – May 18th

Memorial Day – May 27th

As Armed Forces Day celebrates active military and Memorial Day honors the fallen, those that have retired from the military have their own special day to be remembered as well. Veteran’s Day is November 11th.

Give thanks to our military members for their patriotic service and honor them with beautiful flowers from a real local florist.

Read more Salute Your Hero With Patriotic Flowers

Continue reading “May Newsletter: Reasons to Celebrate” »

Graduation at any level is an accomplishment deserving of a little recognition. What better what to say, “I’m so proud of you” for all of your Grad’s hard work than by sending graduation flowers? Sure, it may sound cliche, but seriously, a reminder to stop and smell the roses couldn’t come at a better time.

Flower Meanings for Graduation

Customize your grad’s flowers to include flowers with special meanings.

• Aspire – Alstroemeria
• Good Luck – Bells of Ireland
• Admiration – Heather
• Faith, hope, wisdom and valor – Iris
• Happiness – Lily
• Daydreamer – Stargazer Lily
• Outgoing nature – Lisianthus
• Refinement – Cymbidium orchid
• Happy life – Peony
• Courage – King Protea
• Friendship, Promise of a new beginning – Yellow Rose
• Longevity – Sunflower

If you are planning to send flowers to your favorite grad, remember to always always always use a real local florist. Not only will you avoid middlemen, your local florist will know all regulations on sending flowers to a school or for a school event. You can also have flowers delivered to their home prior to graduation as a symbol of ‘good luck’ or ‘we’re so proud of you.’ Because really, the tassle IS SO WORTH the hassle!

There are just a few days left until Mother’s Day! Florists everywhere are busy  getting everything created and delivered to special moms all across the US. That could be why our Friday Recap has about half it’s usual photos — that doesn’t make them any less spectacular!! So, check out all of the gorgeous flowers designed this week by local florists all across the US!

Mother’s Day Flowers

Mother’s Day floral display by Crossroad Florist, Mahwah NJ

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

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Mother’s Day floral design by Flowers ABK, North Windham CT

“A Flowers ABK (Arranged By Kelly) design for the FSN Friday Recap! This one is my favorite! Happy Mothers Day Everyone!!!!”

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Mother’s Day spring flowers by Gaia Flowers, NV

“Petals for Clean Power-now through Mother’s Day, Gaia Flowers is donating $10 to the Clean Energy Project of Nevada for each arrangement sold!”

Click to see more pictures!