Ask the Expert: What kind of flowers are popular a fall wedding??

I am starting to plan a wedding and I am getting married in Sept 2011 and I am wondering what kind of flowers are popular for a fall wedding and also what kind of flowers would you recommend for a wedding?? I would really like some advice and suggestions..
Thanks,
Sarah

Flower Expert Reply:

First off congratulations, Fall weddings are wonderful. But, don't let the fact that you wedding is occurring in fall keep you from having the flowers you desire.

With the globalization of the flower industry, you are not bound by seasonal flowers. What is more important is choosing colors that represent fall – deep reds, harvest golds, burnt oranges and other symbolic fall colors.

However, if you want to keep with the autumn theme and use seasonal flowers, there are several options to choose from. You can see a complete list of flowers available in September here.

My personal (and often the most popular) choice for fall wedding flowers are:

Anthurium
Gerberas (particularly the wonderful orange and red shades available in the fall)
Calla Lily
Sunflowers
Hydrangeas
Slipper Orchids
Gloriosa Lily
Chrysanthemums
Protea
Roses

Any flower or foliage that represents the fall harvest is a candidate for an autumn wedding bouquet.

Don't be afraid to beat to your own drummer.  Your wedding bouquet is an extension of your personality.

I have seen fall brides use flowers not typically associated with autumn in their bouquets. Remember a sense of fall can be achieved through texture and color. So discuss what unusual flowers are an option or will compliment the traditional fall flowers you choose.

I recommend finding a few pictures of flowers that represent fall to you and pictures of bouquet styles you like.

Take the pictures to your local wedding florist and discuss how to incorporate the flowers you want with the bouquet style you want. This way you can achieve the ultimate fall bouquet for your wedding.

Do you know someone who is CONSTANTLY smiling? It seems like they wear a smile that they can never remove? I know plenty of people like that. They're good friends, good listeners, very supportive, and a bit like a personal sun on a cloudy day.

"1st Class Friendship" Bouquet With Iris

February is National Friendship Month which made the wheels in my head start turning. I had no idea what to get my friends that I hadn't purchased for Christmas. Of course, I remembered the always faithful gift — flowers.

So what kind of flowers do you send to a cheerful person to show how much he or she means to you?

I chose my two most cheerful friends then consulted my favorite little flower reference, the FSN Flower Meanings Guide. I decided that I simply had to send a friendship bouquet that included yellow carnations, pink carnations, gardenia, gladiolus, iris, larkspur, day lilies, ranunculus, or pink roses.

Of course, I couldn't decide which to use and didn't know which my local florist had in stock so I called her up. June was a big help once we ran through the list of flowers that I would like to use. The bouquet was perfect and my friend received a lovely bouquet during the first week of the month.

Each of the flowers chosen has a very special, specific meaning. Including just one or two is enough to express how you feel. Speak with your local florist about which flower is right for you. Keep reading to discover the type of flower, its flower meaning, and a sample card message. Continue reading "The Flower Meanings For Cheerful People" »

I know everyone's eyes are on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics this week, and what florist can help but notice the bouquets? The 2010 Olympics bouquets, with their monochromatic color scheme, are quite unique when compared to past arrangements. Not only are they beautiful, but have a touching story behind them.

The 1,800 bouquets are made by designers and students of Just Beginnings, a school that teaches the floral art to women who are recovering addicts, leaving prison or who have been victims of violence. This chance to be part of something so globally huge is life-changing to these women.

The bouquets include deep green, folded aspidistra leaves and monkey grass surrounding brightly colored spider mums and green hypericum berries. The simple, green design is meant to reflect the British Columbia and Canada green countryside. Green is also a symbol for luck. Designers wanted to use pussy willow branches and other native Canadian plants, but were left out for safety reasons. Many athletes will toss their bouquet into the crowd in excitement so no sharp points or hard edges were considered.

Did you know, it is in the official olympic rules that each medal-winning athlete must get a commemorative bouquet? It's true. The rules specify each Olympic bouquet must be at least 20-40cm in length and 25cm in diameter, and for the sake of allergies, flowers must have very little fragrance and pollen. The bouquets are specially designed to subtly represent the host country, as well as be a  keepsake from this huge event in the athletes lives.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic bouquet designer also did a great job of incorporating the spirit of China in their outstanding arrangement. The bouquet contained: 9 red China roses, 6 red hypericum berries, 6 physostegia virginiana, 6 leaves of fragrant plantain lily, 6 ophiopogon japanicus. The result was a very festive pyramid-shaped  masterpiece. Each element was symbolic, even the numbers: the number 9, in Chinese culture, represents everlasting or eternal, where 6 represent smoothness.

In the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, bouquets included various red and white flowers surrounded by deep green foliage to hint at the Italian flag.

Your guess is as good as mine as to what London 2012 Olympic bouquets will look like. With their confirmed, funky logo it could get pretty wild!

For more on the 2010 Olympic bouquet click here.

It's time for another flower quiz! Are you ready? This month's flower quiz is a match game that tests your knowledge of birth month flowers. With this handy little flower quiz, you can impress your friends, sweethearts, and family with your knowledge. Before you begin, take a look at the birth month flowers posted on the FSN Bloomin' Blog and refresh your memory.

Want to make it a little more challenging? Save the review for later.

To find out how you scored, Continue reading "Match Game: Birth Month Flowers" »

Ask the Expert: Please Help Me Identify this Plant
I've put several arrangements together using this unique plant. It was a gift to me awhile back and I propagated it to continue to enjoy its beauty. I'm hoping you'll be able to provide the name of this plant. Thanks! Candy

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe what you have is a Peperomia rotundifolia. I can't tell from the picture if the leaves have any fine hairs. Peperomia rotundifolia (Yerba linda) is often covered with minute, fine hairs.

As you already know it propagates rather easily. At some point it will produce short spikes of yellish white flowers.

Boy, has this month seemed long! It seems like it has snowed at least once a week. We got 12 inches one of those weeks! Unfortunately, the snow made it impossible for me to really get much of my list accomplished. I did get the supplies for my backyard composter, but the frozen conditions made building impossible, not to mention the frozen ground. (Read more about the list in my last garden blog post.)

However, I did do a mock-up of exactly how I want my backyard compost to look and what materials I think I will need:

What do you think? Pretty basic, but has style! It seems like a very easy build too. Your four large posts should be whatever height you are wanting your composter to be. (Not too tall or you won't be able look or reach into it.) The short boards should be the length of your pallet. Nail them together an that's your basic frame. Wrap that in chicken wire. Optional: use sheet metal, corrugated roofing tin or other covering to give it a fun, personal look. Imagine this painted in bright, beautiful colors! It has so much potential!

Again, this month is still a slow one for gardeners. I do have a lot of things in store for next month, however!  (Don't forget to subscribe.)

Without further adieu, here are the herbs I have picked to grow this summer.

I am choosing herbs because they are not only beautiful, but useful in so many ways! I suggest, when planning your garden, to find plants or herbs that interest you. This will make it easier to commit to growing healthy, amazing plants you will be proud of.

Anise – medicinal, culinary and aromatic uses. What catnip is to cats, anise is to dogs — will be fun to find out if this is true!

Basil – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and ornamental uses. Great on pizza! I plan to grow several types, just not sure which ones quite yet.

Bergamot or Beebalm – medicinal, aromatic, culinary, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Great color and beautiful flower, attracts hummingbirds.

Borage – medicinal, culinary and ornamental uses. Has a reputation for invoking courage, believe it or not. Bees love borage!

Caraway – medicinal and culinary uses. Every part of the plant is edible.

Chamomile – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Great for teas and bath soaks! I will probably grow a few types. Said to contribute to the overall health of your garden.

Chives – medicinal, culinary and ornamental uses. I know I want garlic chives and common, maybe more.

Cilantro or Coriander – medicinal, culinary and aromatic (more fragrant with age) uses. That's right, the leaves are cilantro and the seeds are coriander. Very good at attracting useful insects.

Dandelion – medicinal, culinary and cosmetic uses. You can even make yellow and magenta dyes. Who knew this common weed was more nutritious than spinach?

Dill – medicinal, culinary and crafty uses. Kitchen staple.

Fennel – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and cosmetic uses. Fennel makes dye too! (yellow and brown) I've got an easy recipe for a great fennel face cleanser. (Watch for this in future blogs; subscribe!)

Feverfew – medicinal, ornamental and crafty uses. Great natural insect repellent.

Lavender – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, cosmetic and crafty uses. Great fragrance! I will be growing a few different kinds of lavender. I can't wait to make my first lavender wand!

Lemon Balm – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Bees LOVE this plant. Lemon balm smells fantastic and is said to cleanse skin. Works great in an herbal bath mixture.

Lemon Grass – medicinal, culinary and aromatic uses. Once used to break fevers in Africa.

Lemon Verbena – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, and ornamental uses. Mentioned in Gone With The Wind as Scarlet's mother's favorite fragrance.

Marigold – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and ornamental uses.

Oregano – medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and crafty uses. Essential to Italian cooking.

Mustard – medicinal and culinary uses. Make your own mustard! (Watch for recipe)

Parsley – medicinal, culinary, ornamental and cosmetic uses. It's even a natural breath sweetener. Be careful, this herb will attract unwanted rabbits.

Peppermint and Spearmint – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Amazing home remedies from bad breath to chapped hands and bee stings.

Purslane – medicinal and ornamental uses. Very, very high in vitamins and nutrients. Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other plant.

Rosemary – medicinal, aromatic, ornamental and cosmetic uses. Great in bath soaks.

Rue – medicinal, ornamental and crafty uses. Rue is very dangerous in large doses; to plant this in your garden is your call entirely.

Sage – medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental, cosmetic and crafty uses. I will be planting several kinds of sage plants.

Tansy – medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and ornamental uses. Makes outstanding tea! Great color. Can discourage ants and flies.

Tarragon – culinary uses. Tarragon is a staple in French cuisine.

Thyme – medicinal, culinary, aromatic and cosmetic uses. Very beneficial medicinal uses.

That's my basic list. I'm sure there are tons of other great herbs out there. If you think I should add one to the list let me know in the comments below!

What to expect next month?

- If weather permits, I will be finishing up my backyard compost contraption.

- This weekend, I am attending the horticultural walk at our local zoo to learn about their winter plants, as well as how they take care of their tropical plants during the winter. All that in next month's edition of Beginning Gardening.

Since the dawn of floral design, florists have been trying new techniques for enhancing simple, clear glass vases. Flower Shop Network's lead floral designer, Regina Berryman AIFD AAF, shows a floral design technique that has grown in popularity. In this video, Regina explains how to use aspidistra inside a glass vase to enhance the look and appeal of your flower arrangements. Don't forget to view the gallery below the video to see floral arrangements that use this technique.

Member florists: see information below about accessing these videos through your FSNf2f system.

To see the video and view a gallery of related flower arrangements Continue reading "Aspects of Design: Enhancing Glass Vases With Aspidistra Leaves" »

…"Because I Love You."

"Because I Love You" Valentine's Day Flowers

While the guys finish groaning, most girls are warming up their hankies and breathing deeply to keep the tears at bay. Any lady that hears these words has forever bound a piece of her heart to the Romeo who spoke them.

Of course, Flower Shop Network knows how important it is to spend a happy Valentine's Day with your special someone. Imagine walking in the door emptyhanded because you FORGOT what day it was. Bad idea! Of course, there are exceptions to the rule but I wouldn't recommend testing to see if your sweetheart is one of more *ahem* forgiving kind.

Instead of a dreading the day, live up to it! You have a few weeks to prepare which is a few weeks to stop worrying about rushing to the store and fighting the crowds to find a Valentine's Day gift in the picked-through selection. Don't even bother getting out of your chair if it suits you. You can send the perfect message with the "Because I Love You" bouquet of flowers.

Time is of the essence. We know. That's why we've made it simple. You can call your local florist, buy flowers online from the florist of your choice, or visit your florist and discuss gift details. Whichever you choose, FlowerShopNetwork.com has all of the information you need to contact your local florist.

When she opens her eyes and greets the morning sun that day, surprise her with a romantic bouquet of flowers like this one. When she asks why — and she will, despite knowing full well what day it is — your answer will invariably be "Because I Love You."

Make this happen for you. Call, click or walk into your local flower shop today. With the recipe below, your Valentine's Day flowers are as good as delivered.

"Because I Love You" Recipe For Florists:

• Red Classic Urn Vase
• Foliage: Eucalyptus, Lily Grass
• Red Spray Roses
• Red Mini Carnations
• Stem White Daisy Poms
• Stem Gypsophila

Ask The Expert:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10888936&id=519140575
what is this plant and its care and properties?? it leaves water on the desk from its leaves. thank you. Rosemary

Plant Expert Reply:

It looks like you have an Aglaomena sometimes referred to as a Chinese Evergreen. The water on the desk is perplexing. Is the water dripping from the leaves. Is it water or a sticky substance? A sticky substance could indicate an insect problem or damage to the plant. When you water the plant do not wet the leaves only the soil.

As for Aglaomena (Chinese Evergreen) care instructions are as follows:

Light: Filter light or partial shade – no direct sunlight.

Water: Keep soil evenly moist; occasionally letting it dry slightly. Mist plant with lukewarm water every day.

Fertilizer: Feed a balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks except during the winter.

Let me know more about the water and I will try to figure out if it is a problem.

Ask The Expert: Im trying to figure out what would be the best plants to plant outside in March to beautify my community. Kimberly Columbia, SC

Plant Expert Reply:

Are you looking for shrubs or flowers?  South Carolina is a zone 7-8.  So, you would need plants that are zone 7 hardy. The issue is March may not be the best time to plants shrubs in your area.  Another issue to consider is the location you are wanting to beautify.

If you simply want to beautify an entrance to your home or an office building, I suggest using decorative pots filled with annual flowers. This option gives you color, as well as an opportunity to change your colors seasonally. For March, I suggest the following flowers: pansies, snapdragons, wave petunia, lisanthus, dianthus, delphinium, diascia, stock, alyssum, bacopa, bellis, primula, violas.  My personal preference is a pot with snapdragons and wave petunias. To find your best option drop into your local nursery or garden center and discuss the flowers available in your area.

The same goes for shrubs. To find the right shrubs for your area, you have to consider many factors: space requirements, soil needs, maintenance, whether a commercial or residential application and the need for year-round interest. I personally like a mixture of evergreen, blooming and deciduous plants.

Nandinas are one of my favorite shrubs in early spring. Although, I prefer the dwarf nandinas — either a harbour belle or a gulf stream variety. Nandinas have a reddish foliage in the cold months and a green foliage in the warm months. So, this plant could add a lot of interest to your area in March. I also favor boxwoods and cleyera japonica as foundation plants. If you have room for a tree and you want early spring blooming try a saucer magnolia or a star magnolia.

The best suggestion I can give you on want to plant is to take a photo and measurements of the area and take it to your local garden center and nursery. This way they can help you design your area and show your the plant options available in your area.

Good luck and let me know how it turns out.