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Archives for March 2014

Best 5 Reasons to Send Flowers in April

April is upon us and that means spring is in swing! Whether you are enjoying some fresh air while you tackle yard work or watching April showers pour down during your spring cleaning campaign, one thing is missing from your day. Flowers! Your local florist has a huge stock of springtime blooms to share. Here are some of the reasons you should be sending flowers this month.

Very Special Delivery#1. Passover – April 14th

The 3rd week in April brings the celebration of Passover for those of the Jewish faith. This ancient holiday is steeped in tradition and always begins with a gathering of family and friends for the Passover meal. Whether you are hosting the ritual Sedar feast this year or heading to a family member’s house, flowers will add to your celebration in a big way. A fresh-cut arrangement makes for welcoming decor or a wonderful hostess gift for the lady of the house. A beautifully crafted arrangement will add beauty and elegance to this important time of year and last throughout the week long observance.

Easter's On Its Way#2. Easter – April 20th

Headed to your mother-in-law’s for Easter dinner? Add to the table a breath-taking centerpiece of fresh-cut garden flowers. Have grandkids who are too far away for an in-person visit from the Easter bunny? Your florist has you covered with customizable baskets full of toys, candy and topped with a balloons. Want an arrangement that speaks to you or your recipient’s religious beliefs? Ask your florists about their faith-based designs including crosses, favorite card scriptures and more. Make your Easter celebration special and memorable this April with gifts from the flower shop.

Early Spring Hyacinth#3. Earth Day – April 22nd

Time again to celebrate the rich beauty and the fullness of this great planet that sustains the lives of billions of inhabitants everyday. Earth Day is a day designed to inspire appreciation for the Earth’s environment as well as raise awareness for the protection for our fascinating home. What could be more inspiring than nature? Ask your florist about the fantastic potted plants and plant-able spring bulbs they have in store. Add a little more green into someone’s day to help them celebrate all the reason’s Earth is important to us.

Cup O Cheer#4. Administrative Professional’s Day – April 23rd

Once known as Secretary’s Day, Administrative Professionals Day has become one of the largest workplace observances. By setting aside a special day to recognize support staff with gifts and words of appreciation, now is the perfect opportunity to tell your staff or assistant “Thank you so much for everything you do!” Favorites include beautiful fresh-cut arrangements in fun and useful coffee mug vases. Also, gourmet snack baskets piled high with fruit and treats will go over big in the breakroom. Let your employees know how much they are valued with just a quick call to your local florist.

Gerb Appeal#5. April Birthdays

Anyone with an April birthday deserves all the loveliness of spring for their big day. Daisies are the official birth flower and are sure to bring big smiles. There are so many varieties of the Asteraceae family, you’ll have fun picking out pretty styles and colors. Daisies instantly bring cheer and exuberance while symbolizing innocence, purity and new beginnings. The Victorian meaning of daisy is loyal love and will never tell. Surprise your birthday girl with a big bunch of bright Gerberas and she will never forget your thoughtfulness!

 

What are your favorite reasons to send flowers this month?
Let us know in the comments!

Friday Florist Recap 3/22 – 3/28: An Explosion of Color

We’ve got a post full of beauty and excitement for you this week. It should come as no surprise that Spring-themed arrangements are leading the charge, but we’ve got some other pieces sure to get your blood pumping. Scroll through and enjoy this week’s explosion of color!

Wedding Flowers

A brooch bouquet from Blue Shores Flowers & Gifts in Wasaga Beach, ON

A brooch bouquet from Blue Shores Flowers & Gifts in Wasaga Beach, ON

Lovely bouquet from Awesome Blossom in Adin, CA

Lovely bouquet from Awesome Blossom in Adin, CA [Read more…]

Ask the Plant Expert: What is this Sticky Substance on my Schefflera?

Dear Plant Expert:Schefflera with Sticky Substance
Our schefflera has a sticky residue on its leaves and underneath the plant itself.  After looking closer, while taking the picture, I see what appears to be little white bugs.  How should I clean it and treat it?
Thank You for Your Assistance,
Vicki
Plant Expert Reply:
Vicki,

You will need to apply a houseplant spray to the plant in order to kill the insects. In the meantime, you can take a wet rag and clean the leaves. The rag needs to be dipped in lukewarm water that has a couple drops of liquid soap (use a non-antibacterial soap).  Good luck and let me know if you need help with anything else.
Sincerely,
Jamie Jamison Adams
FSN Plant Expert

FSN to Attend the NIA Florists 2014 Design Program

J-SchwankeAre you planning to attend the Niagra International Association of Florists Design Program?

The event will be held this Sunday, March 30th at the Hilton Hotel and Suites in Niagra Falls, ON. They have a full day of events planned including talks from award-winning speaker J Schwanke AAF, AIFD, CFD, PFCI and a stellar lunch buffet. The theme will be “Trend Concepts for Everyday, Wedding & Special Events,” and at the end of the day, there will be Raffle Prize Drawings!

Come Visit Us!

This is the first time that Flower Shop Network has attended this event, and we are excited to make the trip! Be sure to stop by our booth and chat with Diane O’Rourke and Guy Laurin for all kinds of company info and some pretty nice free swag, if we do say so ourselves.

If you haven’t registered yet, there’s no time like the present! Pre-registration is encouraged and tickets will be a bit more pricey at the door. So click over to the NIA Florists website, and we’ll see you on Sunday!

DIY Pressed Flower Phone Case

etsyhowto-iphonecase-tutorial-diy-1a

We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to use flowers, and any time we find an idea that is “outside the box”, we like to highlight it. That’s the case today as we ran across this excellent DIY post on Etsy from author Clare McGibbon detailing how to decorate a phone case with dried and pressed flowers! The process is simple, though not without need for a steady hand. Still, Mrs. McGibbon includes a method for clean-up if you get a little wild with the resin.

It’s perfect for anyone wanting to customize their own phone case, and could even be used to make beautiful, flower-themed cases to sell! Check out the article here.

 

A Visual Feast From Instagram

Instagram Inspiration Feb 25

This week, we have selected our favorite floral arrangements from Instagram that feature texture as a prominent element of their design. Each of these beautiful designs was created with highly tactile materials that intrigue the eye and invite closer inspection.

From moss and dried grass to feathers and small sprigs offering colorful clusters, the minute details present in these materials give a delicate pause within the bouquet while the larger blooms beg the eye to drink in their color on a grand scale.

Take a look at the variety and creativity from these talented florists. Don’t be shy either. You can always call up your local florist and work directly with them to create something that tickles your fancy.

English Garden Raleigh

The English Garden Raleigh Florist – Raleigh, NC

Mille Fleurs

Mille Fleurs – Addison, TX

Everett Floral

Everett Flowers and Gifts – Everett, WA

Hey FSN Florists! Want your Instagram photos to be featured on our blog?
Add your Instagram info
in fsnF2F.com. Just use ‘Edit Social Media’ under the Marketing section of the orange side bar.

Ask the Plant Expert: A Torrid Tale of Oaks and Azaleas

Dear Plant Expert:

I have 6 matured live oaks in my front yard. Can I plant azaleas around the bottom of these trees?

Candace

Plant Expert Reply:

Candace,

Azaleas and oaks can live together quite happily. However, azaleas do not due well in deep shade so plant them as far away from the base of the oak as possible to give the azaleas access to the better light. Also keep in mind that you may need to water the azaleas in the summer since the oak trees will use most of the available water.

Hope this information was helpful!

Jamie Jamison Adams

Friday Florist Recap 3/15 – 3/21: A Touch of Spring

Spring is in the air in this week’s Friday Florist Recap! All the florists want to put winter in their rear view and they’ve let their longing for Spring inspire them to create some gorgeous arrangements. Scroll through our selection below for a host of photos with just a touch of Spring.

Wedding Flowers

A beautiful bouquet from The Enchanted Florist in Taos, NM

A beautiful bouquet from The Enchanted Florist in Taos, NM [Read more…]

Blog Spotlight: Enchanted Florist

Blog

The Enchanted Florist

Welcome to the March edition of the blog spotlight. Our first two spotlights came from the northeast so this month we are featuring a blog from the southwest area of the country. Located in Pasadena, TX, the Enchanted Florist is a full-service florist who has been in business for over 25 years. They offer all the services you might expect: weddings, birthdays, sympathy pieces, corporate functions, etc., and they are more than happy to work with you if you have a project that’s a little off the beaten path.

The blog for this florist is written by Tarrah Wright, daughter of shop owner Debbie Wright, AAF, TMFA. Tarrah grew up in the florist business doing every job in the shop from bucket scrubber to flower designer. After attending college to get her degree in marketing, she has once again returned to the flower shop to fulfill her role in the family business. So, without further ado, here is an excerpt from the blog!

10 Weeks of Spray Roses Delivered

BIG BUNCH SPRAYS SOLID COLORS

10 Weeks of Spray Roses Delivered

Posted on March 1, 2014 by enchantedflo

10 Weeks of Spray Roses Delivered to Your Home or Office

100 stems of spray roses, you know, the cute little ones with a bunch of blooms on each stem. Let us bring you to your favorite location, 1 bunch of spray roses every Monday for 10 weeks this summer. You can keep fresh roses in your home or office all summer long.

Makes a great gift because it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Weekly flowers have a positive influence on productivity in the work place and at home create a happy peaceful environment. (Real research from Rutgers University)

Program Details:

*1 Bunch (10 stems) of spray roses every Monday afternoon

*1 vase of appropriate size delivered Monday June 23, 2014

*Price includes 10 bunches of spray roses, 1 vase, and delivery each week

*Program runs Monday June 23, 2014 thru Monday August 25, 2014

*Spray roses will be delivered to your home or office, must be in our delivery area

*All spray rose bunches must be delivered to the same address

*Save over 20% by paying in full up front

pink spray roses in vase

Payment Options:

OPTION 1- (Save 20%) Billed in full on your June 2014 Enchanted Florist statement – $150

OPTION 2 – (Save 20%) Pay by check, cash, or credit card in full by June 23, 2014 – $150

OPTION 3- Billed in 3 installments to your Enchanted Florist statement in June, July, and August 2014 – $190

OPTION 4- Billed to your credit card in 3 installments June 23, July 23, and August 23, 2014 – $190

Roses and spray roses are some of our most popular flowers in the store. So this program is perfect for those rose lovers as well as flower lovers in general. Click here to order online, or call us at (713) 944-4303

Tarrah

Enchanted Florist

Marketing Focus

Tarrah’s marketing background shines through in her posts, but that is not a bad thing. Her blog offers value to Enchanted Florist customers and potential customers because she uses it to provide special offers and discounted rates. I want to thank Tarrah for giving us the opportunity to show off her blog, and I’ll see you all next month for April’s Blog Spotlight!

Suggest an Article: Hydrating Hydrangeas!

In this edition of Suggest an Article, we have a fantastic tip from Jo Ann Evans of JoAnn’s Flowers and Gifts in Indian Trail, NC. Take it away, Jo Ann!nikko-blue-hydrangea

“To keep Hydrangeas hydrated:

Wet tip of stem and place in alum powder, then put the flower in the water bucket. You can also put a small amount of alum powder in the water bucket itself. This simple application keeps the flower fresh. It really works!!” 

Discovering Alum

If you aren’t big into cooking, pickling in particular, you may not be familiar with alum powder. It’s a primary ingredient in the pickling of fruits and vegetables to help maintain freshness. It would stand to reason that if it can keep these items fresh through the pickling process, it could help prolong the life of your freshly cut hydrangeas!

Because alum powder is used in cooking, it can easily be located on the spice aisle of your local grocer. It’s a cheap additive to keep Hydrangeas happy, so there’s no excuse not to use it.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Suggest an Article, and I can’t wait to see what kinds of ideas we’ll find in our comments section. Remember, your ideas do not have to be limited to flower care tips or marketing techniques. If you think something is happening in your local community deserving of an article by Flower Shop Network, let us know!