Ask the Expert: Peace Lily flowers are turning green
We have
several peace lilies planted outside next our patio out of the sun and for
several months they were blooming abundent white flowers but now the majority of
the white flours are turning green.  What can I do to correct this problem. Tyrus

Plant Expert Reply:

This is the natural process of peace lily blooms.  They will start out white then turn green and eventually turn brown.  You need to remove spent the blooms.  Follow the stem to the base of the plant and cut the stem off.  This will encourage the plant to produce new blooms.

Many readers probably remember last year's post about zodiac flowers for Cancers.  Cancers are people with whose birthdays fall between June 21 and July 21. In my family, that's a lot of people! Finding unique gifts for each of them becomes very difficult each year. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  These are the people who have everything, enjoy only a few hobbies, and have spent many years collecting gifts so they don't seem to need anything either. What to do, what to do!?

Just enough Delphinium to be exciting!

I can say that just like last year I stand beside cancer zodiac flowers as awesome and unique birthday gifts. I mean, come on. Who would expect something which requires so much thought and effort (or so it seems)?

My local florist makes it practically effortless to pick up a pretty birthday bouquet for my friends and family. I just call up June and say "I need an arrangement centered around zodiac flowers for cancer. They are roses, lily of the valley, hydrangea, iris, cornflower, delphinium, and ferns. Can I get something in an X price range?" That's almost the entire extent of the conversation and the birthday gift shopping is done!

Yeah. As far as zodiac flowers are concerned, two thumbs WAY up for Cancer zodiac flowers!

Lavender Rhododendron

Ask the Expert: What kind of flower is this?
My friend has this flower in her yard and doesn't know what it's called. I think it"s beautiful and I would love to use it in  my wedding but cannot find the name of it.
Thank you! Lindsey

Plant Expert Reply:

Your friend has a lavender Rhododendron.  This shrub is fantastic in the garden.  However probably not a good one for wedding flower use.  If you want to incorporate these into your wedding, you will probably need to use potted ones.  Of you will need to check with your local florist as to the availability of potted Rhododendron in your area and during the season of your wedding.  Your florist might be able to provide potted Azaleas which are part of the Rhododendron genus.

Rosary Vine - Ceropegia

Ask the Expert: what type of plant is this?
I have a plant that was given to me. It consists of long, string-like tendrils with small leaves.. the leaves are green with a whitish pattern. They are spaced approximately 3 inches apart.
I have attached a picture and would really appreciate it if someone could help me identify it so that I can figure out how to propagate it.
Thank you
Janet

Plant Expert Reply:
This plant is called Rosary vine, Hearts on a String, Sweetheart vine and string of hearts. It is formally known as Ceropegia linearis or Ceropegia woodii.

You can propagate it by seed in the early spring when temperatures are around 66 to 77 degrees. If you want to propagate it from stems cuttings, you will need to take 4 to 6" stem cuttings in the early summer and root them in a sand and peat mixture.

Good luck and keep me posted on your propagation.

Flowers.

Come on. Did you ever expect me to say anything besides "flowers"? Hostess gifts are easy to pick out when you have time to go shopping. Those of us with a busy day job and our second job (family) don't have much time to go look. Personally, I can't stand shopping. Don't want to do it. Bringing along a bouquet of flowers that matches the theme of the party is simple enough, quick, inexpensive and tasteful. The best a gal could ask for!

My local florist is awesome. I can say "pool party hostess gift" and she'll come up with something perfect for the occasion. Maybe even a mermaid on the enclosure card. Being with Flower Shop Network, I get to meet some of the most creative florists and floral designers in the country. I'm constantly impressed by their floral designs. If you're lucky enough to have a talented florist nearby, make great use of that opportunity!

"Indian Summer" Is Perfect For The Poolside Table!

So picture it. You're walking up in your little bathing suit and cover-up. You have a towel and some sunscreen in a bag over your shoulder. You're rocking the shades and own the look. So what's missing? The hostess gift.

I was explaining one aspect of "southern hospitality" to my friend's daughter last night. She's new in town and we had just met so I wanted to get her a gift. I explained that just like arriving to a party, you never show up anywhere empty-handed especially if it's your first time. First impressions matter. Incidentally, she was attached to my hip the rest of the night.

In the same way, it's important to keep a cool hostess gift handy for occasions just like this. Pool party hostess gifts may not be the first thing on your shopping list every week but keep your local florist in mind when it does come up. You'll feel great knowing you gave a gift that they liked. They'll feel good knowing how polite you are and that you appreciated their hospitality. You'll feel wet because of the pool, but it's the summer flowers that will make a splash.

You ever sit down with someone and realize that you are speaking to someone with a heart of gold? That's how it was when Tony picked up the phone. Bay Bouquet Floral Studio, a flower shop in Tampa Florida, is already well renowned for their stylish designs and attention to customer service. I can see why! One 30 minute conversation with Tony showed why so many people choose Bay Bouquet Floral Studio for their flowers, though I knew in the first 3 minutes.

The reason for the call was to congratulate Tony for earning the Florida State Master Designer accreditation at the FSFA Convention in early June. It's a big accomplishment so we wanted to let him know how proud we are of him for a job well done. Not being from Florida, I wasn't sure what earning the FSMD entailed so I asked.

According to Tony, the rules and judging standards are based on the AIFD test. It is a two part test which contestants are given three hours to complete. First, they must finish a 125 question written test. (The AIFD has only 25.) Second, they are given tickets to create three floral designs. Tony's assignments were hospital flowers, a corsage and a boutonniere, and a designer's choice arrangement. It's not a competition. The flowers are judged by design and knowledge of certain key floral design concepts. Only already accredited designers are allowed to judge. What makes it tough is that if you fail either part, you fail it all. You must then repeat the part you failed at the next session. Fortunately for Tony, he did it on his first try!

I could go on and on about Tony and Bay Bouquet Floral Studio. Tampa is lucky to have a flower shop like Bay Bouquet Floral Studio. I'm sure (because I've spoken with them) that there are many other talented florists in Tampa, but you'd be well off to stop in and have a conversation with Tony.

Yeah, there pretty much isn't a less-than-fabulous Fathers Day arrangement in Flower Shop Network's photo gallery. With that in mind, we racked our brains and came up with what we think are the three MOST fabulous Father's Day flower arrangements ever. Lucky for your dad, all of these flowers are available from your local florist.

It's really easy to tell Dad how much he means to you with an arrangement like the "You're The Greatest" Father's Day flowers. Fans of Babe Ruth may find this especially significant. Fathers day flowers like these are a real treat because they are brightly colored, full, contemporary and just masculine enough to make Dad feel joyful about receiving flowers.

Father's Day flowers don't get much more in line with what Dad wants than the "Artistic Tribute" contemporary flower arrangement. This arrangement just screams "buy me for Dad!" The high-style "Artistic Tribute" Fathers Day flowers are nothing short of architecturally amazing, visually stimulating, and emotionally satisfying for the father whose child is you.

Dad a sports fan? Then he'll love the "Fiery Red Topiary" for Father's Day! Flowers like these create a stylish display for every sporty dad. The fiery red color is right in line with the St.  Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and other teams (it is baseball season after all.) Ask for a black ribbon or raffia instead and it's the colors of the Atlanta Falcons! Whatever his team, whatever his sport, your local florist can create a beautiful topiary like this for your dad. Just ask if a color substitution is possible.

Need to know about foliage plants? Just ask Greg at Fresno's The Cherry Blossom.

There are many different sides to the floral industry. Some florists strictly celebrate fresh flowers. Others enjoy foliage plants as well. Some have a hand in the wholesale nursery side while others remain in their flower shops creating works of art each day.

Imagine how fun it would be to go to work at a Fresno flower shop then head over to your own nursery for fresh plants. This dream is an everyday reality for Greg at The Cherry Blossom in Fresno California. Florists usually carry live houseplants or dish gardens to accentuate their gift line. Greg at The Cherry Blossom, however, goes the extra mile in this area. He also owns a wholesale nursery where he grows foliage plants for his shop and other nurseries. How neat!

When you need a place to go for foliage plants, just call Greg! Even other Fresno florists come to him because they know that flowers and foliage are his life. His passion is consumed by more than just fresh flowers. He also loves plants and has a knack for matching customers to the plants that they'll like the best.

Greg understands the busy life of a florist because he is one. He understands the nature of plants and how to get the most from them because he grows them. His hands help grow the plants that he delivers. Other shops can trust his plants because Greg trusts them in his own. He's not keeping the best for himself. They're all high quality foliage plants made with the green thumb that only a true plant and flower lover can have. You can't get much better than that. To get a glimpse of a different side of the floral industry, visit Greg at The Cherry Blossom.

Ask the Expert: Peace lily: Brown tips
Hi,

I want to ask you what I should do when my peace lily has brown tips. Should I cut them?

Also, some of the tips are turning kind of green. Is this good or bad sign? Jack

Plant Expert Reply:

You can cut the leaves at an angle to remove the brown tips. If only a few leaves have brown tips, I like to remove the whole leaf instead of cutting the tips off.

When you say turning green do you mean a lighter green? Water stress and insect stress can be a factor. I would say since the plants have brown tips, it is more of a water issue. Create a more humid environment around your peace lily and make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy.

If you can take a picture of the leaves from various angles, I will take a look at them to see if I can determine any problems.

Ask the Expert: please ID plant
I want to know if this plant should be in my planter or not.  I'm afraid that it may have been seeded by an airborn weed.  I can't taste anything with the leaf.  The plants are 4-6 inches high. Elaine

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe the plant is called Carpet Weed (Mollugo verticillata) and is something you do not want.  You would be correct that the seed probably blew into your pot.