Ask the Expert: what plant is good for the house
I was told at one time, there was a plant that works well witht the air in thehouse for breathing, is this correct? If so, what is that plant?
Thank you,  Brenda

Ask the Expert: Camelias and hydrangeas don't bloom
All the plants are 2 years old. They all look very healthy. They received fertilizer in the spring (10-10-10)and this summer I was able to give home made compost to all of them. We live in the North Georgia mountains, have clay soil, and they all receive only part sun/or shade. When I planted them 2 years ago I mixed in a mixture of mushroom compost or cow manure compost with planting soil. What am I doing wrong? Thank you so much for your help.  Inge

Ask the Expert: Should I worry about Chemicals I put on my plant?
Hi I have a parlor palm it looks like from the pictures. My cavalier spaniel decided it would be good for breakfast.  I did read that they are not poisoness to dogs. But, my concern is that around 2 weeks ago I sprayed it with insecticidal soap for a white fuzzy sticky problem it has. Would that all have been soaked in and of no harm to my dog.  Just wanted to check. I put it up on a table when I spray until its dry.  Just worried because we caught her eating it and she ate quite a bit and then threw up green foam.   Thanks, Dee

What's sweeter than the taste of a ripe fruity peach? The peach blossom, of course! Delaware's reputation as the "Peach State" led to the adoption of the peach blossom (Prunus persica) as the official state flower of Delaware in 1895. Since then, the peach blossom has paved the way for florists in Delaware to find the sweetest inspiration in the smallest places.

What's interesting is that the goldenrod was almost named the state flower of Delaware until agriculturalists, farmers, and school children took a stand for the peach blossom. After all, Delaware had garnered the nickname of the "Peach State" and was the leading producer of peaches in the country at the time. The goldenrod was out and Delaware legislation first recognized the peach blossom as the official state flower in 1953.

Though the peach industry in Delaware is no longer "growing," the peach blossom holds with it great tradition and recognition. From Woodside to Laurel, Delaware florists still draw great inspiration from the colorful pink blooms of the peach blossom. The small flowers amount to large, colorful displays when bunched together on peach trees. Even Fresno, California florists are getting excited about the peach blossom. Though on the other coast, the beautiful appeal of the peach blossom has inspired many at the California State University - Fresno to celebrate with the Peach Blossom Festival of 2009.

With such a large appeal, it is no wonder that Delaware florists often call on the peach blossom for creativity and inspiration. Show your little peach just how much you think of her by sending a colorful arrangement of pink flowers inspired by the colorful peach blossom.

There are many reasons to run out and grab throngs of equisetum stalks (Equisetum hyemale) for use in flower arrangements. Also known as horse tail, I would never have known how cool and diverse equisetum is in flower arrangements if it were not for watching Regina Berryman work with this amazing plant material one day. Regina is certified through the American Institute of Floral Design as well as the American Academy of Floriculture.

Regina Berryman Creating An Equisetum (Horsetail) Arrangement

I was caught off guard one day while watching Regina create a contemporary arrangement of red gerbera daisies and equisetum. The movement and flow that this odd little stalk created was very eye-catching and rather charming. Regina was kind enough to explain a few of the many benefits of using horse tail Read the rest of Top 5 Amazing Benefits of Equisetum In Flower Arrangements »

Many employees and friends of Flower Shop Network employees have struggled with breast cancer, making this issue particularly special to our hearts. I along with several others from Flower Shop Network recently attended the Project Hope Luncheon hosted by the Paragould, Arkansas Women's Council. The luncheon sought to increase community awareness about breast cancer.  It also gave us information on what we can do to prevent and cure this disease especially when empowered by knowledge and awareness.

The speakers at the luncheon were very interesting and presented a lot of inspiring information.  Among the speakers at the luncheon were Sherrye McBryde, executive director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation Arkansas affiliate, and Ginger Beebe, wife of Arkansas governor Mike Beebe. Read the rest of Project Hope Raises Hope Of Fighting Breast Cancer–And Winning »

Joshua L. Hudson FSN Creative Director

Joshua L. Hudson of Paragould, Arkansas was recently appointed to the position of Creative Director with Flower Shop Network. As a personal friend of mine and most other Flower Shop Network employees, I thought a blog today would be as good a way as any to let everyone know how proud we are of Josh for his exceptional talent.

Josh began with Flower Shop Network in 2005 and has since shown himself to be a creative genius. Not wanting to give him a big head with the professional title of "Creative Genius," Josh earned the promotion to "Creative Director" instead but it amounts to the same thing.

Did you know that Josh's creative talents have been splashed across Times Square in New York City.  A graphic art ad submitted by Flower Shop Network to Dell Small Business Division during their small business competition was one of the winners.  The ad ran on one of the large Times Square monitors for several days during the summer of 2007.  The concept for the ad was spearheaded and designed by Josh. Wow! Want to know what the winning design looked like? See Flower Shop Network's Times Square advertisement.

Josh has also had artwork featured at the 2006 AIGA Graphic Design Exhibitions at Arkansas State University and Missisippi State University. Not stopping there (and this is the short list, mind you), Josh has also had artwork featured at the 2006 Art Student Union Exhibition at Arkansas State University. I was also a student at this time and had no idea of the talent behind the art I was privileged to see daily. I am still amazed by some of his accomplishments and am completely sure that his talent and personality will take him very far in life.

Josh's largest and most recent project to date is the new Floral Selection Guide from Flower Shop Network. The new selection guide allows consumers to quickly see a wide range of arrangements. Once the selection is made, the florist can view the product recipe or call another sending shop with the information. Josh designed every aspect of the selection guide from the font styles to the color schemes. The Floral Selection Guide is easily one of Josh's finest works and as such as earned him this recent promotion.

Though you're already familiar with Josh's work with Flower Shop Network, Wedding and Party Network, and FGmarket, you may also view Josh's work at www.JoshuaLHudson.com. Way to go, Josh!

I was sitting with Jamie this morning when Amy Hall, a Flower Shop Network representative and good friend, brought us some interesting news about one of her florists in Savannah, Georgia who had received a pretty major award. So, all of us at Flower Shop Network would like to congratulate Vicki Sepielli of Kiwi Fleur for a job so well done that her shop was voted Best Florist 2008 by readers of Savannah Magazine! Way to go, Vicki!

What's really interesting about Vicki is that she's Read the rest of Congratulations Kiwi Fleur–Voted Savannah's Best Florist 2008 »

Ask the Expert: what is this plant It has a rhizome, like an iris, about 40 -45cm high. very beautiful. Jackie

See attached pictures:

Belamcanda - Blackberry Lily

Leopard lily

I adore winter. It’s my favorite season. Snow angels, snow boarding, snow crème, snowmen and most other cold weather treats delight my heart. However, it’s very common even for me to feel the same dreary blues associated with long periods of dreary winter grays. For this reason, I choose to have Floral Tapestry and other colorful vase arrangements decorating my home to drive away the snowy day blues.

The Floral Tapestry arrangement is absolutely gorgeous. I was viewing some of the new flower arrangements in our picture gallery when I scrolled over Floral Tapestry. The vibrant colors popped. The red gerbera daisies seemed to shine next to the purple, yellow, peach and green accents. Solidago, purple liatris, peach roses, purple “moonshade” carnations and other flowers leap off of the page next to the daisies. It’s one of those arrangements that you crave because you simply must know what it looks like in person. So, to breathe more life into the melancholy transition period between fall and winter, I’m decorating my home this month with the Floral Tapestry arrangement from my local florist.

Weave A Floral Tapestry of Smiles!