Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!
Find Your Local Florist:
Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!
You are here: Home / 2008 / Archives for February 2008

Archives for February 2008

The Wonderful Things Florists Do

February 29, 2008 by 2 Comments

I love my job. I get to see many things before they occur on our site. Newsletters are one of them. I’m so excited about next weeks Flower Shop Network newsletter – Florists and the Wonderful Things They Do – that I can hardly keep it to myself. Amy Stewart (Dirt blogger and author of Flower Confidential) gives great insight to the wonderful things florists do all over the world and shares them in this newsletter.

Florists are enthusiastically dedicated hardworking individuals who use their talents to help enjoy the beauty of flowers and create memories. It is nice to see someone recognizing all that florists do. After all it’s not just their livelihood but also their way of life.

Filed Under: FSN Announcements Tagged With: , ,

Do I Have A Chilean Visitor? Is This A Chilean Bellflower?

February 27, 2008 by 2 Comments

Ask the Expert: What is this plant in my backyard? I have a plant growing in my backyard that has grown out of nowhere. It stands about 6 feet tall and has bright pinkish-red berries. My dog has access to this plant and he has a tendency to eat random things. I would like to know what it is and if it is dangerous. J petry

Possible Lapageria rosea Possible Chilean Bellflower

I think you might have a Lapageria rosea or Chilean Bellflower. Your description sounds [Read more…]

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: , , ,

Hydrating A Hydrangea Bouquet For A Wedding

February 26, 2008 by

Ask the Expert: How do I hydrate a hydrangea bouquet for a wedding

Should I just leave them in the water before the wedding starts? We are combining 2-3 stems for a bouquet and wrapping them with a ribbon. I’m worried about the hydration.

Lara,

When you get the hydrangea be sure to submerge the heads under water for up to 4 minutes this encourages hydration. Then gently shake dry, at this pint you can re-cut the [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design, Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , , , ,

No Rest For The Weary – Florists Are Busy With Conventions

February 20, 2008 by

Although Valentine’s Day 2008 is over, the next two weeks is a busy time for many florists. Several florists’ conventions are taking place February 29th through March 9th.

The Northeast Floral Expo will be celebrating its 75th year, February 29th –March 2nd in Hartford Connecticut. Florists attending have the opportunity to attend workshops, programs and a trade fair. Some of the Flower Shop Network staff have their bags packed and are ready to go.

Florists from Georgia attending the Georgia State Florists Association Convention February 29th – March 2nd in Atlanta Georgia. Florists will have the opportunity to network with others from across the state.

Florists from Michigan can attend the Michigan Florists’ Association Spring Conference and Great lakes Floral Expo February 29th – March 3rd in Grand Rapids Michigan. Florists will have the opportunity to enjoy many activities all revolving around the “Visionary Concepts For A Bright Future” theme

Florists from Illinois can attend the Illinois State Florists Association Conference March 6th-9th in Springfield Illinois. Florists will have the opportunity to attend workshops, competitions and other useful programs.

Although many florists are exhausted from the Valentine’s Day holiday, they can’t pass up the excellent opportunity to network and learn the latest floral trends. So for all of you attending these great conferences, remember its not all work at the conventions – you get to play quite a bit, too.  For those of you attending the Northeast Floral Expo our network coordinators look forward to seeing you. In fact if you stop by the Flower Shop Network  trade show booth, we have a great totes bag to give you.

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News, Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Where Should I Plant The Pink Hydrangea I Received For Valentine’s Day?

February 18, 2008 by

Hello, I just received a pink Hydrangea plant for valentine’s day. I wanted to plant it so it could grow bigger but where I live doesn’t have the best soil (the live in the acreage in Florida). I wanted to know if I could plant it in a pot? If so what size pot do you suggest? Also, what soil should I use for it? And my final question is do I have to trim it ? Please let me know. It’s a beautiful plant I don’t want to die. Thank you and have a great day. Danielle Adams

Danielle,

There are many types of hydrangea. Florists typically use Hydrangea macrophylla; a big-leaf type of hydrangea with blue, pink or white flowers. Valentine’s day is not the normal blooming time of hydrangeas; so for a while, I would treat it as a houseplant. In fact, when this type of hydrangea is young it is often grown as houseplant. If the potted hydrangea came wrapped with a bow and foil, remove the pot from the foil. The foil, ok for a little while, will not let it drain properly. I usually drop the pot into a slightly larger decorative pot until I find a permanent home for it. Keep the plant moist but not soggy and place in a room with a fair amount of light. If you want to plant it in a new pot select one that is 1 1/2 times larger than the existing one. Use a humus-rich potting soil (your local garden center will have this type of soil). When you re-pot make sure that the hydrangea is planted at the same level as it was in the original pot.

Hydrangeas prefer to be grown in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil in sun or part-shade. The hardiness zone for hydrangeas is zone 6-9. I believe Acreage Florida is hardiness zone 10-11 and your soil stays a bit on the soggy side. Neither of these conditions is good for a hydrangea. You could amend the soil, so that it drains better. Zone 10 is a problem because the temperature doesn’t get cold enough for hydrangeas.

Despite these issues, hydrangeas have survived in zone 5 and zone 10. These are exceptions and not the rule. You have a few options; pot it and keep it in the cool area of a sunroom; pot it and place it outside on a patio with some shade; plant it in a partly shady spot in the garden. With all of the options, use a soil or amend the soil so that it is humus rich and drains well. To keep the hydrangea pink you will need to keep the soil slightly alkaline (use a small amount of hydrated lime to achieve an alkaline soil). I would probably plant the hydrangea in a pot and place it on the patio.

Hydrangea macrophylla should be trimmed shortly after the blooms are spent. Normally hydrangea bloom mid to late summer, so trim no later than mid fall.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , , , ,

The Mystique of Chocolate & Flowers

February 15, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Create the Ultimate Romance with Chocolate & Flowers

Photo of a heart shaped box of chocolates and four pink roses

Love. Romance. Desire. Yearning. Expectation. Think moonlit walks on the beach, candlelit dinners for two, a bed of rose petals. Think chocolate-covered strawberries, a dozen red roses, a romantic card. It’s Valentine’s Day, the time of year when the heart expresses its affection and couples gather together to rejoice in their relationships. Whether the love is young or more seasoned, flowers and gifts abound on Valentine’s Day in an ever-increasing effort to celebrate true love. Want to make this Valentine’s Day unique and special? Think it’s too boring to send flowers and chocolate? Don’t be afraid to put a new twist on an old favorite and make flowers and chocolate a romantic and exciting expression of love. These seemingly universal Valentine’s Day ideas can be unique and personal with just a little bit of thought and advance planning. Satisfy both halves of your Valentine’s daily life: send traditional flowers and chocolate to work during the day and then surprise with personal flowers and gifts at night.

Keep romance alive and interesting by adding an element of surprise. This Valentine’s Day, turn traditional flowers and gifts into a heightened expression of love and commitment by adding a bit of flair and creativity. Remember, first, that roses and assorted chocolates in a heart-shaped box are not the only options for St. Valentine’s Day. Each flower connotes a unique meaning, and an individualized bouquet specially selected by a Valentine means more than a generic arrangement. Florists carry all sorts of exotic and beautiful flowers; visit a local flower shop well before Valentine’s Day to see both its selection of flowers and to explore its more specialized options. Choose blooms that reflect cherished traits in a Valentine – beauty, compassion, love, delight, loyalty – a bouquet that would melt any beloved’s heart. Have these flowers delivered in a public place so that the recipient can be the center of attention (and you’ll be the center of attention when your Valentine returns home!)

Sweet Gourmet Chocolate Treat With A Touch Of Beauty

Many florists also provide gourmet chocolates that are sure to make a Valentine feel special: dark chocolate, white chocolate, and milk chocolate in all sorts of truffles, fudges, cheesecakes, brownies, and chocolate desserts. Chocolate can even come in special forms perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts – consider a stunning arrangement of chocolate roses and hearts interspersed with Baby’s Breath filling and decorative ribbon, or a tray of gourmet chocolates arranged to spell “Happy Valentine’s Day” in chocolaty goodness. Plan to deliver a large selection of chocolates to a Valentine’s office or work place just after the romantic floral bouquet arrives. Not only will the additional Valentine gift be unexpected, it will be well-received: the sweet treat can be shared with coworkers and allow them to share in the Valentine’s Day revelry.

As much fun as it is to celebrate true love publicly, Valentine’s Day is ultimately a celebration meant to be shared between two lovers alone. Once again, the traditional Valentine’s Day ideas of flowers and chocolate can be specialized to make this evening unique. After the chocolate and romantic flower delivery at work, treat your Valentine to a candlelit dinner. Place a rose or special arrangement on the dinner table and dine over its aromatic perfume. Don’t forget dessert; tempt the sweet tooth with a small piece of gourmet chocolate fudge, chocolate truffles, or even sip a chocolate martini beside a flickering fireplace. Afterward, lead your Valentine down a path of rose petals to a private room lit by candlelight and filled with flowers that uniquely reflect your Valentine’s personal traits and preferences, and draw attention to a small tray of chocolate-covered strawberries. Here the traditional gift of flowers and chocolates during the workday is complemented by the personal attention to flowers and chocolates at home. To complete your Valentine’s Day surprise, read a love poem or personal note that enumerates all the ways in which your Valentine is beloved and special. Then linger to receive the reply.

Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. So many Valentine’s Day ideas are expensive and impersonal. Your local florist can work within your budget to help you plan the perfect Valentine’s gifts. Be sure to visit the flower shop early; love is in the air this season and your florist is bound to be overwhelmed come February fourteenth. To help save time and effort while in the shop, learn your Valentine’s favorite flowers and chocolate preferences in advance, and then seek your florist’s advice in the arrangement of the details. Both you and your Valentine will be happy with what can happen when the traditional Valentine’s Day flowers and gifts become a celebration of your own unique love.

Contributor: Beth Roberts

Send a little delight their way – order your Valentine’s Day Flowers & Chocolate now.

Did you like this newsletter? Do you have flower and chocolate suggestions? Send your comments to the Bloomin’ Blog under 3 Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas – Chocolate, Flowers and Wine.

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Newsletters

Mom Is Still Son’s Number 1 Valentine – Florists Help Spread The Love

February 14, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Like most people in the floral industry, Valentine’s week is a busy time for the Flower Shop Network staff. We work long hours and are only passing blurs at home. Luckily, we all have wonderful families who understand and support us. Family members drop-by to check on us and there is an abundance of snacks to keep us going when exhaustion hits.

Valentines Day Flowers From SonYesterday afternoon, Loranne Atwill (Flower Shop Network owner) received a beautiful Valentine’s Day flower arrangement from her nine-year-old son, Luke – I’m sure his dad probably helped. English Garden florist in Paragould Arkansas delivered the flower arrangement with Luke’s hand written message. Basically the note said, although his mom was working late every night this week, she was still his number one Valentine. This delivery, as well as some of the other Valentine’s Day flowers received by other FSN staff member, reminds me of the real reason for sending flowers – to express our feelings and create memories.

After all, isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about; letting those we love know how much we love and appreciate them. Whether it is a grand gesture like Luke’s or the simple gesture of purple tulips in a silver vase, sending flowers to someone on Valentine’s Day is a magnificent way to express your love and create a lasting memory.

For all you florists who are exhausted, frustrated and pondering the big question “why am I in this business”, remember the world needs florists to do their magic with flowers; so, we can create memories, express our affection and look like heroes to our loved ones. So, from the bottom of mine and Flower Shop Network’s heart, to all of the florists and their staffs who have work so diligently to make everyone’s Valentine’s Day dreams comes true — THANKS.

Filed Under: Floral Industry News, Holiday Info Tagged With: , , , ,

Sending Valentines Flower Early – Make Them Feel Special

February 12, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day came early to the Adams residence. Last night my husband presented me with a silver vase filled with purple tulips. It was a sweet and loving gesture. After all, tulips are one of my favorite flowers. The truly amazing thing, in this whole early Valentine’s Day gift, is that I realized my husband does listen to me. At lunch yesterday, I told my husband about a couple of wonderful blog posts I read that morning. Oak Hill Florist in Scarborough Me had a post called “Tell them you can’t wait”. In her blog post, Jenny explained that sending Valentine’s flowers before the actual day will make your sweetheart feel extra special. Then in their blog, Everyday Flowers – a florist in Tustin CA had a fantastic idea “…have your order delivered earlier. So that your loved one can enjoy their Valentines Gift all Week long.” It is evident that he was actually listening to me; I usually don’t get flowers before Valentine’s Day.

Putting a unique spin on a Valentine’s gift is sometimes difficult; both of these florists have an innovative, yet simple way to make those Valentine’s Day flowers extra special. One of the guys I work with takes this concept a little further. He is sending his wife flowers everyday this week. I feel a little sorry for the husbands of his wife’s co-workers; they have a lot to live up to. Of course, any Valentine’s gift that comes from the heart is special and unique. Luckily, my gift came not only from his heart but from his ears as well.

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions, Gift Ideas Tagged With: , , ,

2008 Valentine’s Day – Holiday Tips

February 8, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. In an effort to make your holiday less stressful, we are sending a Valentine’s Day Tips sheet for your new or part-time employees. Hopefully these tips will equip your employees with the information they need for efficient customer service while eliminating potential problems with order delivery.

Valentine’s Day Tips

Place orders early, orders placed after 5:00PM CST Tuesday cannot be guaranteed for delivery before Valentine’s Day.

Please provide complete delivery information for recipients. We must have street address and telephone number, and a cell phone if possible.

Minimum Order for Valentine’s Day is $40 with an average delivery fee of $8 to $10 except in metro areas where delivery could be as much as $15.

Always provide a 2nd choice option for each order.

Please inform your staff that Flower Shop Network Headquarters may be calling with florist to florist orders during this holiday. These checks will be sent the week following the delivery date of the order and will be paid at 80%.

The FSN relay team is committed to making your holiday go smoothly.

Filed Under: FSN Announcements, Holiday Info Tagged With: , , , ,

New York Times Recognizes Eco-friendly Santa Cruz Florist

February 5, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Kudos to Santa Cruz florist Teresa Sabankaya and her flower shop Bonny Doon Garden Co. for their unique eco-friendly flower sales approach. This Valentine’s Day, their sales pitch is more than romance and red hearts. In fact, with their “green” approach you might think it was St. Paddy’s Day. Bonny Doon Garden Co lets customers know the “green” status of the flowers they sell by labeling flowers organic, certified or locally grown. According to the New York Times article “… A bucket held red and fuchsia anemones that were ‘organic’. Ecudorean roses the size of baseballs were ‘certified’. Roses from a nearby farm were ‘locally grown’.” Customers who want organic flowers can easily find them at Bonny Doon. But, giving customers, who normally don’t think about the eco-friendly concept, an introduction to eco-friendly products is a great way to engage them in the eco-friendly dialogue. Creating beautiful flowers arrangements and selling gorgeous flowers by the stem maybe the ultimate goal of Bonny Doon Garden Co., but their effort to connect the customer with the environment is admirable. It is nice to see a florist balance their need to provide a product and service with the need of being a good steward for the whole world.

Filed Under: Floral Industry News Tagged With: , , ,
Find Flowers
Learn & Explore
For the Florists
More About Us
We're Social
FSN on Facebook FSN on Youtube FSN on Pinterest FSN RSS Feed
fsn02-at
Flower Shop Network is your source for finding a real local florist.