Ask the Expert: question about a large peace lily
We have a large peace lily and I’m wondering about the sqiggly looking stuff (no better way to describe it) on top of the soil is necessary. Thanks Natalie

Are you a florist or floral designer who thrives on the thrill of a deadline? Do you enjoy the opportunity to challenge your creativity? If you answered yes to these questions, you may enjoy the live floral design competition at the Society of American Florists annual convention in Palm Beach. Florida florists aren’t the only participants in the fast-paced and exciting competition. Whether you are a small-town florist in Laurel, Delaware or acquired your skills as a big city florist in Redondo Beach, California, the contagious excitement is perfect for you. Read the rest of Who Is Daring Enough To Challenge The Iron Florist? »

The merry marigold (Calendula) is the birth month flower for October, my favorite month of the year. October birthdays mean a little more to me because my birthday falls in late October on the cusp of the Libra-Scorpio zodiac signs. A fall birthday can be tons of fun especially with so many wonderful holidays just a few weeks away. I don’t give myself gifts for my birthday but I have been known to post pseudo-selfless blogs entailing the wish list that I’ve been too fearful to display. This will not be one of those birthday gift idea blogs.

So I believe that I speak for every October birthday owner, especially those claiming October 23rd as their special day, when I say that unique birthday gift ideas are surprisingly easy to come by this year. Read the rest of Forget The October Birth Month Flower? »

Ask The Expert: The leaves on my lucky bamboo are really tall and spindly, can I cut them back? Lynda

At Fuqua and Sheffield Florist in Richmond, Virginia,  we strive to have the best flowers, arrangements and customer service around. All of my associates are happy when they come to work, and it reflects that when they speak with customers. I try to keep a light and humorous atmosphere and let people be who they are.

Every customer has a unique story or reason for sending flowers. We need to capture that moment and emotion.  My Staff and I feel privileged knowing that our customers are trusting us to send their expressions of love, sympathy, celebration and many other occasions through our shop. From the moment we answer the phone until we deliver the flower arrangement, it should be a wonderful experience for both us and the customer. Read the rest of 5 Fabulous Customer Service Tips »

When you work with flowers everyday you are bound to hear the phrase “my favorite flower is” at least one hundred times per month. It was what seemed like the 78th time that I heard “my favorite flower is the gerbera daisy” that inspired me to learn more about gerbera daisies. Flower meanings are quite interesting things. I learned that the flower meanings of gerbera daisies are purity and strength. These are two of the most admirable qualities in any person. To send a bouquet of gerbera daisies is not only a beautiful gesture but also expresses an appreciation for the purity and strength of the recipient. How sweet! Read the rest of Speak Softly And Carry Gerbera Daisies »

Pink Hydrangea Bridal Bouquet

Hydrangeas are the true definition of mass flowers. It’s easy to see why hydrangeas have received such a recent boost in popularity. These versatile blooms appear to be bursting at the stems with colorful blossoms that can appear in purple, hot pink, green, blue, white, multicolored and more.

This very full appearance makes hydrangeas the first choice of many floral designers looking to add mass and dimension but lack the time or budget to use many stems. Because of this, a single stem can easily take the place of many other focal flowers. Who doesn’t want more bang for their buck?

Tony Medlock of PJ’s Flowers and Gifts knows this design tip well. One of the talented florists in Phoenix, Arizona, Tony understands that hydrangeas are Read the rest of High Fun and High Design With Hydrangeas »

Jaguar Spirit Flowers

If you missed the first kickoff of the official football season, don’t worry! You can still kick off the next big game with a fun football themed party. Grab your team colors and have a blast. The one thing that you can’t forget at this party is flowers. Arrangements of chocolate cosmos or other brown flowers shaped like a football will rock everyone’s socks off as a festive centerpiece. Throw in some foods in the team colors and the party is underway.

Another great idea for the women at the party is to contact your local florist for stems of flowers in the team colors. Snip the stems just enough so that the women can Read the rest of Kick Off The Party With Game-Day Football Flowers »

Though many have been tragically affected by the hurricane, florists are looking to flowers as a reminder of the power and beauty of nature. Florists are able to help their customers (and themselves) maintain a bit of normalcy by delivering flowers that would otherwise have been lost during electricity outages and other effects to victims affected by Hurricane Ike.

The kind words and good thoughts associated with receiving flowers never fades. They cannot be marred by misfortune but instead provide tender relief as nature’s band-aid. Florists across the south and even as far north as Illinois were recently given an opportunity to remember this phenomenon as Hurricane Ike struck a powerful blow in Galveston on September 13. Read the rest of Florists Powerful Resolve As Effects of Hurricane Ike Blow Over »

Yes, it’s true. I’m a Libra. Well, I am on the cusp with an October 23^rd birthday. Fair and balanced and not having even the slightest high opinion of myself (hardly), I find that I adhere to a lot of the personality traits of Libras. This makes purchasing gifts very difficult for myself and the literal dozens of family members and friends falling under the Libra sign. I love gifts and am not likely to complain about anything that I receive. However, not all Libras are as wonderful as I dare to be and some require a bit more charm in a birthday gift. Read the rest of Love ‘Er Or Libra With Zodiac Flowers »