Ask the Expert: An annual flower
I grow a twining plant, an annual, the has a very thin stem, with soft feathery leaves shaped like individual pine needles, and very small magenta star shaped flowers. The seeds are small and individual with each flower, black and about the size of coursely ground pepper. I saw it at the Missouri Botanical garden, but it was mislabled as penta lanceolata. The plant grows up to 15 feet up the side of the greenhouse, and reseeds readily. Gail

Cardinal Climber Vine

Picture comes from the Missouri Plant website.

A popular trend in fall decorating is enhancing the color and wonder of fall flowers with fresh and dried fruits. How does fruit enhance fall decor? Glad you've asked!

Bales of hay, quirky scarecrows, gourds and pumpkins are all common accents used in fall decorations. Fall flowers such as chocolate cosmos and dahlia light up autumn decor with warm, festive colors. Many fruits and vegetables also appear an a variety of fall colors making them perfect additions to creative fall decorations. Whether looking to add a splash of color to fall decorations or wanting a quirky gift to accompany an arrangement of fall flowers, fresh and dried fruits are the way to go.

The fruit most popularly used in fall decor may come as a bit of a surprise–the pumpkin. Indeed, the pumpkin is actually a fruit that can be traced back hundreds of years before the first Thanksgiving celebration. Pumpkins and their veggie counterparts, squashes and gourds, are often seen adding warm colors to a unique fall centerpiece, decorating a mantelpiece, or lighting up the home as a fun jack-o-lantern.

Pumpkins also make great gift ideas for children. Even Charlie Brown knew how important these great fruits are during the fall! Parents and children can enjoy carving jack-o-lanterns into funny faces that will be enjoyed all season. Trips to the local pumpkin patch make great weekend getaways for families wanting a fun fall outing.

Once the pumpkins have made it home safely, enlisting the help of children in creating festive fall decorations around the house encourages family togetherness, stimulates creativity, and is a very fun way to develop an appreciation of nature in children–not to mention memories that will last a lifetime.

So the next time you stop to buy fall flowers from your local florist, think about the fun ways to include fruits and veggies in your decorations. The sweetest of the sweet rewards will follow.

Dish Gardens Add Beauty To Every Indoor Space

The beauty of a garden has long been a cherished addition to the landscape of many homes. Working in a garden is for many a great bit of exercise, a calming place to unwind after a long day, and a wonderful reminder of the collective beauty of fresh flowers and plants. The trick for many gardening enthusiasts becomes bringing this beautiful, calming garden atmosphere into the home.

A great way to share in the joys of a garden from within the home is by caring for a dish garden.  A dish garden provides an assortment of fresh plants that is all the joy of having a tiny garden inside of the home. Dish gardens usually require only the same amount of care as a houseplant making them great home decor accents and excellent gift ideas as well!

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"Never arrive to a party empty-handed." ~ Mom's Everywhere

It's almost impossible to break away from this helpful tidbit of information that many moms delivered, nay, insisted throughout our formative years. Now that you've been invited to a fun fall party, the inevitable question arises:  "What should I bring?" Don't be stuck searching for hours for the perfect hostess gift idea. Here are Flower Shop Network's top picks:

• Potted mums make excellent hostess gifts. Potted mums appear in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They're also easy to care for which is a big plus for most busy hosts.
• Fall centerpieces decorated with gourds, miniature pumpkins, or fall flowers also put a twinkle in the eye of many hosts. This is a great gift to have delivered by a local florist before your arrival. A short and sweet card lets the host know who sent the gift without putting him or her on the spot in front of others who may not have brought a gift. At best, your host may love it enough to use it as part of the party decorations!
• Colorful arrangements of fall flowers are a very traditional gift that hosts and hostesses will love. Fall flower arrangements can also accompany other smaller gifts such as dark chocolates, wine that complements the flowers, and other unique gift ideas.
• Decorative pumpkins are also great and quirky gift ideas for fall parties. Depending on the formality of the event, a hand-painted pumpkin or jack-o-lantern is a unique gift that will have your host smiling brightly.

Unless you are a hermit living deep within a forest you are a part of a community. It may be a small community or it may be a large community. It might be a flower loving community or a dog loving community. You might be the center of the community or you might be on the fringe of the community. But you are a part of a community. Many of us take our community for granted and don't think about or make an effort to contribute to our community; not with our time, money or heart. So when I found out what Connie at The Alamo Flower Co was doing, it put a smile on my face and a little guilt in my heart. Sometimes I am stingy with my time, money and my heart.

The Alamo Flower Co. is located in a California city called Alamo just northeast of San Francisco. The town has a strong sense of community and one of the big community events is the Tree Lighting Ceremony that occurs every year in Andrew H. Young Park and adjoining Oak Tree Plaza. This year the festivities will take place on Dec 7th. So what does this have to do with Connie and Alamo Florist? Well every community event takes money and effort. Instead of being on the fringe of her community Connie and her flower shop have jumped in with both feet. Giving her time, money and most definitely her heart. During The Alamo Flower Co's Holiday Open House, Connie will donate 10% of the proceeds from her pre-holiday orders to the Tree Lighting Fund. What a wonderful way to be involved with her community.

It is amazing what an Alamo florist like Connie and The Alamo Flower Shop can do with the gift of flowers. When the switch is flipped and the lights begin to glow more that just a holiday light display will radiate. The beauty of Connie's flower gift and the commitment that The Alamo Flower Co. promotes will sparkle through out the town.

Ask the Expert: tips on my spathiphyllum isbrown
why are tips on my spathiphyllum brown. Some leaves are yellow. what does it mean. how often do you repot. Yvonne

Ask the Expert: identification?
This plant is turning yellow and I want to find out what kind of plant it is so I can research what I'm doing wrong Deana

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Hindu Rope

I get lazy around the holidays and very much enjoy the chance to relax with my family and friends. This is probably the biggest reason why I chose to highlight the Green Schefflera plant this month. Schefflera plants (Schefflera actinophylla or Brassia actinophylla) are easy to care for and easy to love. Ask almost anyone and you’ll hear the same resounding praises about buying Schefflera houseplants for beginners or sending Schefflera as gifts.

The world is such a green place to live right now with a rise in eco-friendly activism. Certain members of my family have bounced onto the environmentally friendly bandwagon. It’s very hard to shop for someone who is so particular. The great thing about houseplants is that you cannot find a more green gift—literally! Beginners or seasoned houseplant experts love Green Schefflera plants and can always find fun new ways to decorate their homes with the wonderful houseplant.

Though I prefer a different kind of green gift, there is one thing that strikes my fancy about my Schefflera plants. They flourish in my home with little effort from me. I’ll put that in a way that deserves more fanfare. Green Schefflera plant care is simple enough for everyone. Schefflera plants require only very basic attention. Water occasionally, make sure it receives adequate light, repot in the spring and you’re done!

Green Schefflera plants add an unparalleled ambiance to any room. Going to work is just a bit more fun when you are able to look forward to gazing at Schefflera plant all day. The rich green color of Schefflera houseplants adds pep to boring rainy days. It’s almost a certainty that whatever your mood, Schefflera plants make it better. Easy care and a more fulfilling environment. What more can you want from a houseplant?

Green Schefflera plants make great gift ideas!

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this plant? 
What is the name of this plant? Is it poisonous to cats?

Thanks, Susan

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Ask the Expert: I was wondering what the name of this plant was.
I was just wanting to know the name so I can find out how to care for it. Thanks Samantha

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Dracaena

Dracaena Up Close