If you're anything like me, concerts are a home away from home. Since the summer is concert season, surprise your wife or girlfriend on your anniversary with tickets to an upcoming concert of one of her favorite artists. It's very sweet to bring flowers also, not to mention traditional. Even a non-traditional girl will be caught off guard in a good way by the uniqueness of such a romantic gift. Here are some other ideas for incorporating rock concert tickets (or country, jazz, et al) and anniversary flowers into one rockin' evening.

Tips for Presenting The Tickets With Her Anniversary Flowers:

• Send flowers on your anniversary date but ask your local florist to incorporate the tickets and the theme of the evening into the design.
• Arrive on the doorstep with a beautiful bouquet of anniversary flowers, tickets behind your back. Even if you're used to walking in, ring the doorbell or knock but make sure that she has to answer. She'll be awed when she sees you standing there holding a gift. She'll be even more surprised when you reveal the tickets!
• If the concert is after your anniversary, keep your ticket stub(s). Ask your local florist to put the ticket stubs in the envelope along with the enclosure card. A sweet anniversary enclosure card message ties it all together.
• At dinner before the show, excuse yourself and discreetly sneak out to your car. From here, place a bouquet of anniversary flowers in her seat along with the tickets. (You can keep it hidden in the backseat or in the trunk but only briefly!!) When you leave, open her door for her. This gentlemanly treat becomes more special when she sees the tickets and the anniversary flowers.
• At dinner, ask the maitre d' or your waiter/waitress to deliver the anniversary flowers to your table before the end of dinner. This may require a pre-call to make sure that the staff will agree. It may also require a bigger tip but it will be well worth it to see her face!
• Any of the above ideas will work, just remember to give her plenty of time to prepare for a rocking night out if the tickets are a surprise.

Now you're ready for a great show and a great anniversary!

Ask The Expert: I am preparing to repot my beloved peace Lily and have selected a beautiful (large) pot. I would like to accent around the base of the Lilly with another small leafy plant. I wonder if you can suggest a variety that will be symbiotic, or at least get along very well with the lilly?

Thank you very much! Kabir

Plant Expert Reply:

You need something that needs the same conditions as a peace lily.  So plants that like humid and warm environments and light to partial shade are going to be compatible with peace lilies (Spathiphyllum).  I suggest using Peperomias or Tradescantia (Spiderwort).  There are other plants that will work, but these genus have textures and colors that will compliment the peace lily foilage.

Florists often have a large hand in the community. More than getting the name of the flower shop into the community, helping out is a great way to keep the community alive and active. Painted Petals Flower Shoppe knows the importance of staying involved in their Middletown New York community which is why they are helping with a local blood drive on June 16, 2009.

The New York Blood Center of the Hudson Valley will host a blood drive from 3-7pm on June 16th at Deerpark Reformed Church in Port Jervis. Whether they signed up the church's community open house (June 13th) or at the door, all donors will receive a flower compliments of Painted Petals Flower Shoppe in Slate Hill, New York.

The beauty and nature of flowers is inspiring. Its' a reminder of life, fragility and the need to nurture. That's exactly what blood donors are doing. They give of themselves to help someone who needs to be nurtured, who is fragile and who wants a fresh start at life. As a small reminder and a big thank-you, Painted Petals Flower Shoppe welcomes the opportunity to share flowers with the donors.

It doesn't take much to participate actively in the community. To watch the community grow and thrive, that takes more work. Painted Petals Flower Shoppe may be just one flower shop, but they're a huge part of what makes Middletown New York florists so special.

Flower Shop Network representatives "took a break" over the weekend and visited the Florida State Florists Association Convention in St. Petersburg Florida. Florists from around the state and the country were there to celebrate the things they love the most — flowers! If you had a chance to go, you already know that this year's FSFA Convention was cram packed with fun things to do and great people to see.

Joe Hays and Leslie Cox, FSN Network Coordinators

Did you happen to see these two characters at the convention? Flower Shop Network's own Joe Hays and Leslie Cox had the opportunity to visit with florists, enjoy the other displays and snap a few pictures of the event! Even if you didn't get the chance to go, you can feel like you were there thanks to the magic of digital photos. Don't forget to share your photos and comments as well!

FSN Network Coordinator Leslie Cox and John of Lake City Florist in Lake City FL

(l to r) Rodney from Flowerama in Pensacola FL, Joe Hays, Angela from Pink Flamingo At Petals in New Smyrna Beach FL

Flower Shop Network Display at FSFA Convention 2009

Sporting A Flower Shop Network Tote Bag

If you were at the FSFA Convention this year, why not share your photos with the rest of us? We'd love to see your favorite parts of the show and hear about what sparked your interest!

Ask The Expert: can pease lillies be put out side in summer months? Jill

Plant Expert Reply: Yes peace lilies can be placed outside during the summer.  I recommend placing pease lilies (Spathiphyllum) in an area protected from hot blazing sun.  Bright areas are good for peace lilies but sunlight beating down constantly on them will cause the leaves to scorch.  Keep them moist outside but watch for overwatering.

Ask the Expert: when is the proper time to  transplant grapevine in west tn? Bill

Plant Expert Reply:

Transplanting an established grape can be a little tricky.  They usually don't like to be moved which is why people taking cutting of their grape instead of moving it.  However, it doesn't mean that a grape can't be moved. I recommend waiting until late fall.  When you transplant the grape vine you will need to prune the plant back as well.   Good luck and keep me posted.

I racked my brain trying to think of something clever for the title of this blurb about corn plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) but failed. Whether it has the backing of my corny titles or not, Corn Plant is one of the best gift ideas you could consider when shopping for houseplants. I can't think of a corny joke but here are three reasons why corn plant is the houseplant you need.

Corn Plant Houseplants

A Plant By Any Other Name Would Sound…Less Like A Delicious Vegetable??

Buying corn plant houseplants can go a long way for the person wanting to give a unique gift. It has a unique name and appearance. More clever people than I can think of funny card messages to go along with a plant called "corn plant." If you want a gift idea out of left-field, try corn plant houseplants.

Popular Veggie, Popular Plant, Popular Gift Idea

It's well-known that houseplants are great gift ideas. Many are easy to care for even for beginners. Corn plant is one of those anyone-can-do-it houseplants that requires a small amount of love but provides a large return. If you want a gift that you know will be well received but is unique enough to be remembered, send corn plants.

Corn Plants Provide A Taste of The Tropics

Though not a tropical houseplant, corn plants have that look. Whether growing as an evergreen shrub or a small tree, corn plants have very woody stems and elongated leaves that resemble something you'd see on a California boardwalk. This less traditional appearance makes corn plants perfect for the summer season where tropical plants and flowers are hot hot hot gift ideas.

Want to hear more reasons why corn plant houseplants are fun gifts? Contact your local florist today!

If you own corn plants or have recently sent this gift, please let us know what you think of corn plants by commenting below!

Ask the Expert: Lilies
I have some beautiful lilies that are about 3 feet tall, orange, and they have what looks like a black seed. It is attached between the leaf and the stem-about the size of a peanut. Are these seeds? If not, what are they? If they are seeds, what do I do with them…plant them or what? Thanks!!!
Sherry

Plant Expert Reply:

The lily family has many members most of which form round black seeds.  Usually the seed form at the end of a bloom stem.  You can plant the seeds now or harvest and save them to plant later.  If you want to save them wait until the pod opens and collect the seed.  Place the seed in a plastic resealable bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible. Place the bag with seeds in your refrigerator vegetable crisper until you need them.

Ask the Expert: I just recently got my Lucky Bamboo!I was reading some on the computer and they said that the roots are healthy when they are red. Mine are a light tan??? I got it that way I just have one stalk!! Is it better to leave it in water or plant it in soil or in pebbles? every site I read says all three work! And Mine is Yellowish on the top of the stem what does that mean? I'm about to go out of town and leave it with my friend so I need to get all the info I can so she doesn't kill it!! Thanks SO Much Jadee

Plant Expert Reply:

Caring for lucky bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana) is fairly simply.  With the right light and water, your lucky bamboo will basically take care of its self.

Let's address your first question.  What color should the roots be? Older roots are ususally orange or rust colored.  Newer roots are white or cream in color.  Roots which are any of these colors are healthy.  However if your roots are black or slimy red, you have a problem.

Second question - what should lucky bamboo be planted in.  If it came to you in water leave it in water.  It is not necessary to add pebbles or rocks, but it won't hurt to have them.  If your lucky bamboo came in soil, leave it in soil.  Lucky bamboo can grow in weither soil or water.  However, it doesn't like to switch back and forth.

Third question - Yellowing top.  Lucky bamboo with yellowing at the top of the stalk can be a result of too much light, fertilizer or exposure to fluoride.  This kind of damage actually presents itself in the leaves of the stalk.  If the yellowing is on the stalk above where it has been cut, you have dieback.  Should the yellowing travel down the stem, the stalk will die.

Since you are new to lucky bamboo, I suggest reading our Caring for lucky Bamboo newsletter.  You can also find more question and answers about lucky bamboo in the blog.

Ready to give yourself a break between Mother's Day and Father's Day? These upcoming flower shows are perfectly scheduled so that you're not missing any excitement back at the flower shop but you ARE enjoying the excitement at the show!

The Super Floral Show 2009 is being hosted June 9-12 in Atlanta Georgia. Florists here know how much fun it is to network with other Atlanta florists as well as the many talented florists and designers who come in from across the country for this well-respected show. The planners of the Super Floral Show 2009 understand what you want most from this show. For that reason, expect to get your money's worth all in one day! You can enjoy the exhibitor floor from Wednesday (June 10) through Friday (June 12), but be prepared to learn if you come on Wednesday! This day features  a keynote breakfast, exhibitor displays, education sessions and a keynote lunch. What a day! Whether in the Atlanta area or not, check out the Super Floral Show. Get ready for a good time!

The Florida State Florists Association Convention 2009 (what a mouthful!) is also taking place this week. In fact, the show starts tomorrow (June 5) and runs through June 7 in St. Petersburg Florida. Florists are welcome to attend this show and bring along their learning caps. Each day is filled with fun things to do, networking with other local florists and designers, educational sessions–and did I mention that it's in St Petersburg? A sunny day on the beach and a day with flower sounds like fun! If it sounds like fun to you to, pack your bags for the FSFA Convention 2009. What are you waiting for? Sun, sand and Florida's best flower show await!