Ask the Expert: 2clematis grown under apple tree9 (all growth.)

clematis has been watered and fed but no flowers or buds have appeared.Large flower type to flower in summer  and montana grandiflaura to flower in spring. All growth but no flowers. bOTH PRUNED AS PR INSTUCTIONS.

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I learned yesterday that Heather Lockwood is joining the staff at Bay Bouquet Floral Studio in Tampa, Florida. A Florist with Heather’s comprehensive AIFD floral training and extensive list of florist awards will compliment the philosophy held by Tony Swick and J. Thomas, who believe in creating only high quality unique fresh flowers arrangements.

Located in the Hyde Park area of Tampa Florida, Bay Bouquet Floral Studio clientele require fresh flowers and high-end trendy flower arrangements. As a result they cater to their customers needs by shipping in fresh flowers daily and creating designs that are unique and trendy. Heather will bring yet another fresh perspective to the Bay Bouquet design team. It will be exciting to see how Heather’s creative talents will add to the already fabulous designs coming from the design team at Bay Bouquet.

Cathy Condray FSN network coordinator and I were talking about how Tony and J. constantly look for ways to improve their customer service and the quality of their designs. They search for talented and innovative designers as well as ways to incorporate convenience into their clientele shopping experience both online and in their store. In fact as I understand, there are plans to add truly unique and customize flower arrangements to their website. From the look of things, Bay Bouquet has a lot of thrilling things in store for their customers this summer. But the one thing that remains the same with them is dedication to service. When you send flowers with Bay Bouquet Floral Studio you know the person receiving it will enjoy the work of art they receive.

Flowers are a way of life in Tampa and many creative florists play a part in this lifestyle. Heather will have no problem melding in to the flower culture of Tampa, after all she joining a flower shop that is one of the essential stems of the flower community.

One of Bay Bouquet's Trendy Floral Centerpieces

Inside Bay Bouquet Floral Studio

Bay Bouquet Floral Staff pictured are Tony Swick, Heather Lockwood and J. Thomas.

Bay Bouquet Floral Studio Store Front

Funeral services are taking on a very different tone these days while the desire for funeral flowers remains constant. Funeral services today, though not always religious in nature, reflect the long-held traditions of many religious memorial services that celebrate the life of the deceased moreso than mourn a passing.

The family of my sister’s boyfriend recently celebrated ten years in the funeral home industry. My sister’s boyfriend Josh and I stumbled across a recent Ramblin’ Jan blog article that outlined some of the recent changes that help to personalize a loved one’s funeral service—a practice that is gaining popularity largely due to its help in expediting the healing process. Josh confirmed the personalization of funeral services and less rigid practices of mourning.

Josh was also able to offer very valuable news, that is, that funeral flowers are still in high demand and used in a wide variety of ways during the funeral service. According to Ramblin’ Jan, funeral flowers were used to decorate a Steinway and Sons piano during the non-traditional funeral for a concert pianist. Though personalized memorials are becoming the practice of the future, a traditional funeral service still requires traditional memorial gifts, i.e. funeral flowers. Sympathy baskets, casket sprays, funeral arrangements and more will long remain accepted and respectable choices for sympathy gifts or adorning funeral parlors.

Local funeral home directors and florists will be able to guide you in selecting an appropriate sympathy arrangement for the funeral service of a friend or loved one. Whether a traditional funeral service or a personalized memorial service, contact your local florist for information about which funeral flowers or arrangements are appropriate.

Ask the Expert: Why aren't my Casablanca lilies blooming?

I have Casablanca lilies in my garden, they are about four feet high and are staked
in full sunlight all day. Last year it seems that they were in bloom by now. About a month ago they did develop the buds and looked like they were going to start growing but they never got more than and inch or inch and a half big. Now they look like they are drooping. This is their second year. Any ideas??? Brenda

Celebrate July with a bang! The fabulous flower for the month of July is the larkspur which is the common name for several varieties of flowers from the Delphinium and Consolida genera. Beautifully complex, the intricate spikes of Larkspur plants bloom in colors ranging from white to blue and violet to pink, making Larkspur an attractive addition to gardens, homes or inside flower arrangements. The long, stemming Larkspur plant adds a very desirable height and visual appeal to flower arrangements. This touch of distinction keeps Larkspur the popular choice for florists desiring a little extra for a truly stunning arrangement.

Celebrate your independence from unoriginal, boring gift ideas this July. The uncommonly appealing blossom of the larkspur can be used to Read the rest of Light Up July With Larkspur Flowers »

The Networker, a quarterly publication, from Flower Shop Network was recently launched "as one more way to help the local florist in marketing their business effectively both online and offline," says Brock Atwill, president of Flower Shop Network.

Most successful businesses have one thing in common and that is great communication skills.Communicating with your peers and your customers is essential to achieving a higher bottom line. Communication is the basis for The Networker.

Floral trends, marketing insights, new features, new products, design techniques, informational tidbits and how to market your business are a few of the features found in the publication which will be mailed to Flower Shop Network members.

"Creating a presence for Flower Shop Network’s local florists online is something we strive for" says Loranne Atwill, FSN Vice-President. "Our marketing services for flower shops includes holiday email campaigns, marketing posters, and information resources like the Bloomin’ Blog and now The Networker."
Creating tools that help local florists reach and provide quality services for their customers is the goal of Flower Shop Network.If you would like to learn more about this publication or other marketing services offered by Flower Shop Network you can call (870) 215-5444 or go online to Flower Shop Network Florists Only.

Read the first edition of The Networker online now - PDF download.  (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

The Ohio Florists Association will host their annual OFA Short Course floriculture convention from July 12-15, 2008. Slated as the “PREMIER educational and trade show experience serving the floriculture industry,” the OFA convention will be a valuable experience for member and non-member florists. Columbus, Ohio is once again the host city for the event which will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Florists in Columbus, Ohio and guests to Columbus attending the OFA convention can expect to learn, grow, and connect with other florists and industry experts. Make plans now to attend this exciting and education experience today!

Ask the Expert: Lucky Bamboo Plant

The tips of the leaves are turning brown. Is there anything I can do to prevent
this? To cure? Can the tips be cut off? Will tht prevent the leaves from growing?

Thank you.

Join Flower Shop Network's network coordinators at the Texas State Florists Association Convention hosted this year at the South Shore Resort and Convention Center in League City, Texas. Florists have a great opportunity to meet and network during this convention. Taking place July 11-13, 2008, the TSFA Convention is sure to be a great time full of education, networking and information. Get to know your Flower Shop Network representatives and other area florists, designers and industry professionals while learning about fresh floral design, enjoying a seminar for improving your business, or getting hands-on experience in a design workshop.

See you there!

Florists, designers and gift shop managers should get excited as the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market is set to take place once again from July 8-16, 2008. Make plans to attend as the permanent and temporary exhibits provide excellent ideas for fashioning new floral designs, providing creative home décor in your store or home, and allow a convenient time to network with other Atlanta florists and local designers.

More information can be found at the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market website.