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Archives for September 2007

Autumn Wedding Flowers

Although autumn didn’t officially begin until Sunday September 23rd, last Saturday I attended an autumn wedding. I was told, the date was selected because the Farmer’s Almanac said it would be a nice fall day (meaning it would be cool). Evidently someone forgot to tell Mother Nature; because Saturday in Paragould Arkansas was hot and this autumn wedding was held outside under a tent. Luckily a light breeze began during the ceremony.

Despite the warm temperatures this wedding was the ultimate autumn experience. A beautiful sheer moss green ribbon hung between stakes lining the pathway to the tent. Each stake had moss green ribbon intertwined with gold ribbon forming a bow. This set the foundation for the look of autumn. But, it was the wedding flowers that brought home the feel of autumn. The bride didn’t carry the traditional autumn wedding bouquet; instead she held a hand-tied bouquet of orchids wrapped in ivory ribbon. Some of the dendrobium orchids were tinted a chocolate-green color. The bridal bouquet also had rusty red spider, green lady slipper, and golden orchids. The intensely beautiful orchid bridal bouquet was only the beginning of an exceptional display of autumn wedding flowers.

Most fall weddings include chrysanthemums and over the top arrangements. However, traditional flowers and style were absent; replaced by exotic flowers, unusual foliage and simplicity in design. Unique fall colors like chartreuse, moss green, deep rusty red and golden-orange were present during the ceremony and reception. Square glass vases filled with the rusty red spider orchids, golden-orange orchids, bear grass, Bells of Ireland and hanging green amaranthus created a simple, yet, elegant display on the wedding reception tables. The same unique fall flowers and foliage adorned the cake and food tables. The weather may have said summer; but the atmosphere was definitely announcing autumn.

The beauty of this autumn wedding makes me want to get married again, only this time in autumn instead of winter. I wonder if my husband would be willing to renew our vows? I’m sure, I could find everything I need for a fabulous autumn wedding. Although, he’s more likely to agree to a blowout anniversary party in January.

You can find great tips at Wedding and Party Network if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. Find autumn wedding flower ideas at Flower Shop Network. Their “Fall in Love with Fall Wedding Flowers” newsletter describes colors, flowers and foliages that work well for a fall wedding.

I would be interested in the opinions of those of you who had or are having an autumn wedding.

More than a Dozen Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist

I constantly advocate the use of local florists. After all, hometown flower shops are the life force of the floral industry. So when I read “A Dozen Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist” on Dirt (a blog by Amy Stewart), I was thrilled. Florists often don’t communicate their value and strengths to the consumer. Amy does a fine job in reminding florists what their value and strengths are and how they should relate them to the consumer. But this article is more than a reminder to florists. As Apartment Therapy points out it is also “… a good read for the consumer, to know what to look for and expect in a good local florists, and also know why it is good to support them.”

Here is an abbreviate version of Amy’s article

12 Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist

  1. Local florist flowers are better.
  2. Local florists take better care of their flowers.
  3. Local florists take better care of the customer.
  4. Local florists offer a money-back guarantee.
  5. Local florists can handle long distance orders.
  6. Local florists are part of the community.
  7. Local florists give back.
  8. Local florists care about the environment.
  9. Local florists go the extra mile.
  10. Local florists are artists.
  11. Local florists affordable.
  12. Local florists have more fun.

Go to Dirt for a more in-depth explanation of A Dozen Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist. Amy’s article begins on September 4th and goes through September 17th.

I would like to add another reason — making it a bakers dozen.

  1. Local florists know their flowers and their customers.

Ok, so your thinking isn’t that implied somewhere in the other reasons. Yes and No. Local florists know what is in season in their area and what is available for a special occasion. They also know the meaning of flowers. Lets say your need to convey a message such as “I have lasting affection”; your local florist knows that magenta zinnias represent lasting affection. With this in mind, they can design an arrangement with magenta zinnias as the predominate flower.

Knowing their community and their customers is a critical aspect of being a local florist. They are more than part of the community; they know the community. Local florists. with a strong Chinese community, know that red flowers are not appropriate sympathy flowers for a Chinese funeral. Florists are people who want to know who you are and because of this can provide you with better service. When I send my mother flowers, my local florist knows that she hates the color orange. As a result, they steer away from oranges when they design her arrangement.

So whether you’re a florist or a consumer, it is good to know all the reasons you should shop at a local florist.

How to make a Christmas Grave Blanket.

Ask the Expert: grave blankets i was wondering if you could email me directions on how to make a christmas grave blanket for my dad and my sister? thanks norma

Other Helpful Information About Grave Blankets

Important information when sending grave blankets from a local florist.
How to make grave blankets.
Grave blanket history.

What Causes Black Spots On Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)?

Ask the Expert: what makes the leaves have black spots some leaves on my chinese evergreen have black spots on them why is this

21st Century Poinsettia Trends

It may seem a little early to talk about poinsettias. After all poinsettias are a seasonal plant used as Christmas decorations. Or are they? This past July, Florists Review had an interesting article called 21st Century Poinsettias. Accordingly, this lovely Christmas favorite is making a showing year round. In fact, in Japan and Korea a significant quantity of poinsettias are sold year round as potted plants. Poinsettia visibility is on the rise in the United States as well. Spring and early fall availability is increasing as poinsettia color choices reflect the season rather than the Christmas holiday. Look for pastel colored bracts in the spring and intense orange, red, purple and yellow colors in the fall.

As a complement to seasonal decorations or even as an alternative, non-traditional poinsettia holidays may see a new face emerge with these color choices. Picture Halloween decorated with ghosts, witches, hay bales, and orange poinsettias. If poinsettia colors and blooming times change, allowing us the opportunity to use poinsettias year round, think of the possibilities. For example, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) pink poinsettias could be sent to survivors as a symbol of their cause.

If you believe poinsettias should only be used during the Christmas season, but feel that they don’t reflect your holiday color theme, there is hope. Another 21st Century Poinsettia trend is customization. A poinsettia can be customized to fit your décor and color scheme. There are several types of spray dyes, translucent colorants, glitter sprays, shimmer sprays and floral fragrances that are safe to use on poinsettias.

The 21st Century Poinsettia trends are not just about color change; form and uses are also changing. Poinsettia hanging baskets, miniature poinsettia trees and column shaped poinsettias are taking their place beside the traditional ones. One of the most successful trends for the 21st Century Poinsettia is cut flower production. With the Paul Ecke Ranch ‘Winter Rose Renaissance’ and ‘Jester’ series poinsettias, consumers will see more cut poinsettias used in floral arrangements.

So for consumers and florists, the 21st Century Poinsettia trends should provide an exciting and thrilling potential for the future.

The Power of Red Flowers

Holiday Bouquet Using Powerful Red Flowers
RED FLOWERS.

Since ancient man first broke the silence of pre-history and left his mark on a cave wall, he has harnessed the power of red to represent his most basic instinct and desire. Red has been splashed across the pages of time in every imaginable way: on rock, wood, scroll, parchment, tapestry, flag. It is the color of innumerable flower varieties, precious stones, consuming fire, spilled blood.

Red is a color that motivates, that charges the emotions & spurs the carnal appetite. Red bespeaks love and lust, beauty and battle, wealth and debt, power and danger, religious purity and the Devil himself. It is an enigma of opposites, a never-ending source of inspiration and fear. Nature throws red at the human eye from every possible cranny of creation, not the least through vivid crimson blooms that flower across the globe. These red flowers have been variously used as mascots, decorations, and tokens of love. A red flower can have innumerable associations; it is up to the bearer to capture its power for his own.

Red surrounds us, but it never fails to leave an impression. It is most closely associated with blood and thus with emotions that stir the blood: anger, passion, and love. The color red alone has been shown to stimulate a faster heartbeat and breathing. It has been symbolically used in just about every human culture.

In Asian cultures, it often represents the rich and powerful, good luck, or success. In India it is the color of a bridal dress and is the symbolic color for married women. The Russian words for “red” and “beauty” come from the same root, and are nearly synonymous. Western cultures have used red for the military, for royalty, for emergency and medical personnel, and especially for love.

Even religion does not allow red to be neutral: Christianity claims it both as a liturgical color representing the fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and as the burning evil of Satan. Is it any wonder, then, that red flowers have captured mankind’s imagination for centuries?

Legend has it that it was red clay into which God dipped His fingers and formed Adam. Other legends speculate that red flowers first appeared when the pure white blooms of Eden looked upon the nakedness of Adam and Eve and blushed. The red flowers of the Garden may have felt shame, but their progeny unabashedly filled the globe with infinite shades and varieties of red flowers.

Some, like roses, grow on sturdy bushes or climb tall, displaying each red flower in all its glory. Dahlias and gladioluses spike their clusters of brilliant red blooms proudly into the sky. The many red lily varieties spread huge colored blossoms to the admiration of all who behold them. Smaller tulips have red flowers that are no less vivid; they paint fields and hillsides with their dots of bright color. Other flowers, like carnations and gerbera daisies, are content in their simplicity and brighten the corners of gardens and flower arrangements.

With such a wide variety of red flowers, choosing the perfect species for an arrangement can be tricky. Take the size and shape of the blooms into account, but don’t forget to consider the shade of various flowers nor the message they can convey.

Modern societies associate red flowers with friendship or romance. Generally, the deeper the red the more romantic the sentiment, thus the traditional St. Valentine’s day gift of a dozen deep-red roses. A red rose denotes deepest love and respect and encourages deeper commitment. Carnations and tulips are also traditional envoys of love that can be incorporated into corsages and boutonnieres, or given “live” as a potted plant.

Gerbera Displayed As A Single Red Flower
But what if a sweetheart deserves an expression of love that goes beyond the traditional? Pick a red flower for its unique characteristics: scent, texture, appearance, and singularity. Remember that red is the spectral opposite of green, so even a single red blossom will still be striking against a background of green stem and leaves.

Try a red lily for a fragrant display in the home that can later be planted in the garden and enjoyed for years to come. A gerbera daisy alone or in a small cluster can brighten any room, a red dahlia can add intrigue and mystery to romance, and a protea can add a quirky mid-western twist to a simple gift.

Some red flowers can tantalize the nose and the ears as well as the eyes. Sweet William flowers cluster together and emit a spicy, clove-like scent. They can add height to floral arrangements and are also a splendid addition to the garden: the blooms are edible and their nectar attracts even more colorful fauna to them, such as birds, bees, and butterflies. The Sweet Pea plant lives up to its name, with a sugary scent that is sure to beguile the senses. Children are delighted by the Snapdragon’s red flower; not only do its climbing blooms add height and dimension to a flower arrangement, each blossom “snaps” when pinched, making an entertaining clicking sound!

It can be elegant or simple, classic or modern, stunning or understated, but a well-designed arrangement of red flowers never fails to impress. Think about the message you wish to send with flowers, and feel free to mix-and-match among traditional and unorthodox blooms. Whether seeking to enchant a loved one, cheer a sick bed, or congratulate a success, place a quick call to your local florist. Your florist will know how to expertly arrange just the right red flowers into a breath-taking arrangement that captures your sentiments exactly. Contact a local florist today to harness the harness the power of red for your own.

Contributor: Beth Roberts

Check out other newsletters involving romance, red or flowers.
Romantic Valentines Day Flower Ideas
Red Roses & Flower Meanings

Red Roses

Perennial Plant Identification – Foliage like an Iris – Flower Like a Lily

Ask the Expert: Need help identifying a flower. I found this plant at our old hunting club and rescued what look kind of like an iris. The leaves have a iris appearance with flat tall leaves but it is more like a fan because they are on one stalk that gets up to about three feet. I have put some in shade and some in full sun, and it seems to like full sun best. The flowers are like a tiger day lily (orange with specks) but they tiny (when fully open they are a little larger than a quarter and only stay open a day like a day lily) Can you identify this flower? I don’t have a picture.Thanks for you help. Kim

Kim,

I think you have a Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinesis) also known as Leopard Lily. I found this picture of a Blackberry Lily on Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Blackberry Lily

Identification of Unknown Tree

Ask the Expert: What is this tree? Can you identify this tree? It is growing wild alongside my house, with no clear water source. I live in West San Bernardino county. thanks! Renee

Leaves from an unidentified tree from San Bernadino

Unidentified tree - mayba a poplar

Chinese Evergreen Light Requirements

Ask the Expert: Chinese Evergreen light requirement Can my dark green with lighter green Chinese Evergreen take low light or is bright indirect light what they need? SLS

SLS,

Similar to the Peace Lily, Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) can thrive in bright light and some low light levels.  The variegated varieties need more light. However, I have found that direct sunlight tends to burn the leaves.  An optimal location would be a bright room with indirect light –  a sunroom or a room with many windows.  Humidity is a key factor in the health of a Chinese Evergreen.  Mist the air surrounding the plant or use a wet pebble method for humidity.   Place pebbles in a shallow container without a drain , then place the potted Chinese Evergreen on top of the pebbles.  Water the pebbles every few days .  This technique will produce a humid condition around the plant.

Peace Lily Light Requirements

Ask the Expert: Peace Lily – Lighting shade or brighter light? I’ve read conflicting care info specifically light requirements for the peace lily. One plant book says bright indirect light, another source says low light. Mine currently is receiving low light- does it need more? No signs of yellow leaves. SLS

SLS,

The great thing about Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) is that it can take both bright indirect light and low light levels. I have noticed that in low light levels it tends to stretch and may not be a full as it is in bright indirect light. The important question for you is “Does my plant look healthy and green?”. If your answer is yes then your lighting is fine. If it doesn’t – rule out pests, fertilizer and watering problems before you change the light exposure.