Voters have declared this week’s Flower Shop Network Facebook photo contest of the week winner. What a mouthful! The votes were numerous and close but one amazing bridal bouquet photo skirted past the others and took home the win by a single vote.

Congratulations (again) to Renee DeStefano Griswold of FloraBella Designs LLC! Your bridal bouquet photo charmed us all.

FloraBella Designs’ bridal bouquet photo displays more than a unique wedding bouquet. It also shows the hands and wedding rings of the newlyweds whose attraction and affection is obvious even without showing their faces. The colorful array of flowers designed by FloraBella Designs, a Wallingford CT flower shop, sets off the beauty of the moment even more.

Want to be the winner of this week’s FSN Facebook photo contest? Simply read the official rules then post your pictures to Flower Shop Network’s Facebook page or post them in a comment below. It’s as easy as that!

For more great information from local florists, visit www.FlowerShopNetwork.com.

Ask the Expert: Is Lucky Bamboo poisonous to cats?
Have received a Lucky Bamboo plant, need to know if it will make my cats sick—since they believe plants are there to be eaten. Dallas

Plant Expert Reply:

According to the ASPCA Dracaena sanderiana (lucky bamboo or ribbon plant) can be harmful to cats.  If ingested, it causes dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heart-rate and drooling.  Cats who ingest lucky bamboo will show signs of depression, no appetite, drooling, vomiting, incoordination and weakness.  If you think your cat has ingested lucky bamboo, call your veterinarian for recommendations on how to handle the toxin.

This lucky bamboo question was sponsored by local flower shops across the United States and Canada.

Passionflower - Passiflora

Ask the Expert: What kind of flower is this one found in Florida?
This flower is strange. I have never seen it before… Dereck

Plant Expert Reply:

What you have is a blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea).  It is a twining vine that can grow 30ft in length. Passionflower is evergreen in tropical climates.  Although it will survive in areas where the winters are cool, the vine will become deciduous. They will produce a fruit that is edible.  Passionflowers are wonderful additions to butterfly gardens since they are exclusive hosts for numerous species of Heliconian butterflies.

This flower identification was brought to by real local florists across the United States and Canada.

Zinnia Bloom

Ask the Expert: What kind of flower is this?
Flower no bigger than thumb nail
Grows up to about a foot tall

Alexandra E

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe it is a type of zinnia.  Probably a Zinnia augustifolia by the look of the leaf in the picture.  Another option would be a type of Dahlia.  Both of these genus are in the Asteraceae family and have similar characteristics.    A view of the plant and the leaves would help me make a better identification.

I admit that I was a Quiz Bowl junkie in school and have always been a trivia nut. Reaching 24 years of age this month, I’m relatively fresh to the floral industry. To try to boost my own knowledge of the history of the floral industry, I’ve created this little flowers quiz. It may not get you up to Jeopardy level, but it’s a fun way to spend a few minutes. Don’t forget to log in to the Bloomin’ Blog and let us know how you fared!

The Flower Shop Network Floral Industry Trivia Quiz

(1) What does “S.A.F.” stand for?

(a)    Society for Advanced Floristry
(b)    Society of American Florists
(c)    Special American Florists
(d)    Social American Florists

(2) What is the most popular cut flower?

(a)    Carnation
(b)    Daisy
(c)    Chrysanthemum
(d)    Rose

(3) Which guest writer for FlowerShopNetwork.com wrote the famous Flower Shop Mystery series?

(a)    Kate Collins
(b)    Kate Costas
(c)    Kate Winslet
(d)    Kate Heigl

(4) Which word from the French “boschet” was introduced to English by Lady Mary Montague in 1716?

(a)    Bouvardia
(b)    Bouquet
(c)    Boutonniere
(d)    Basket

(5) What is the most commonly preserved arrangement of flowers?

(a)    Vase Arrangements
(b)    Wedding Bouquets
(c)    Groom’s Boutonniere
(d)    Prom Corsages

(6) What does “A.I.F.D.” stand for?

(a)    American Institute of Floral Design
(b)    American Insurance for Floral Designers
(c)    American Institute of Floral Designers
(d)    Accreditation In Floral Design

(7) To what nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (N-P-K) ratio does “balanced liquid fertilizer” refer?

(a)    30-20-10
(b)    20-30-10
(c)    20-20-20
(d)    10-30-20

(8) The word “manure” is derived from which language’s expression for manual meaning “of or belonging to the hand”?

(a)    French
(b)    German
(c)    Latin
(d)    Spanish

(9) The translation of the French words “fleur de lis” literally refers to which stylized flower?

(a)    Lily
(b)    Laurel
(c)    Daisy
(d)    Lilac

(10) Which style of design was originally used by upper class members to show their opulence and wealth?

(a)    Flemish
(b)    Victorian
(c)    English Garden
(d)    American Colonial

(11) In classic literature, which novel holds a reference to the fleur de lis as a symbol used for branding criminals?

(a)    The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
(b)    Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
(c)    The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
(d)    Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Answers: 1. B      2. D     3.A     4.B     5.B     6.C     7.C     8.A     9.A     10.B     11.C

Special thanks to: The Society of American Florists, The American Institute of Floral Designers, Dictionary.com, and Kate Collins.

"Lavender Love" Anniversary Flowers

You’re in luck if you haven’t been able to think of a way to send anniversary flowers to the teacher who stole your heart. Whether in the prime of dating or in the heart of marriage, this is a great way to show your love to your favorite teacher.

Involve her students.

This can be done in several ways. All are guaranteed to steal her heart and send a blush to her cheeks (if she’s the blushing type). Plus, it will give her students a much-wanted break from the curriculum for a few minutes. That’s long enough to make them love you too. Here’s how to do it. You can do all of these, one, or a combination, but the effort will definitely pay off.

1. Have her called away to the office for something while another teacher or an aide watches her class. Then bring in the flowers that you bought from your local florist. When she returns, have the children say “Happy Anniversary” as as you present her with the flowers.
2. Put “Happy Anniversary from me and the gang in *her class number*” or a similar message on the enclosure card sent with your flowers. Your local florist will have some creative ideas if you get stuck thinking of a cute card message. (Want ideas? Try these anniversary enclosure card messages.)
3. Have an aide announce to the class that they are to say “Happy Anniversary” when the florist delivers the teacher’s flowers. Make sure she does this inconspicuously. This surprise may require calling the school for permission to have the florist deliver flowers directly to the teacher’s room. (Usually they’re taken to the office.)
4. Surprise her during lunch. Once she’s thoroughly surprised, have the children at her class’ table say “Happy Anniversary”

Don’t forget that these can be substituted for birthday as well so have fun and be creative! Don’t forget to return to the Bloomin’ Blog and let us know how your anniversary surprise turned out!

When you have a state flower like Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum), you’re not likely to skip over celebrating one of the most crucial holidays of the year. For florists Christmas is a major holiday that always seems to bring something new each season. This year let the inspiration for your latest holiday flower arrangements come from the Oklahoma state flower. Liven up your Christmas flowers using what Oklahoma florists have found unceasing inspiration in for years.

Mistletoe photo courtesy of 50states.com

Mistletoe is a funny little flower though many wouldn’t consider it a flower. Mistletoe grows on trees during the fall and winter. You can see its dark green leaves and bright white berries during the seasons when other flowers are falling away and leaves are making their last attempt at beauty before dormancy.

Of course, there’s the Christmas party tradition surrounding mistletoe. If two people stand under the mistletoe together, they are supposed to kiss one another. It’s fun to see who happens to land under the mistletoe. Some jokers make mistletoe hats to make the best (and a small joke) of the tradition. Either way, it’s fun and mistletoe’s most notable inclusion in the holiday.

Why not change that up a bit this season? Christmas flower arrangements need foliage. Can there BE a more perfect one than mistletoe? Take a tip from Oklahoma florists. Mistletoe has been a symbol of the state since before Oklahoma was even a state! Flowers with that kind of lasting impression can only be great inspiration for florists.

As the holiday season fast approaches, remember mistletoe this year as you hum “Jingle Bells” and prep a Christmas-themed arrangement.

The other day I received a gift from my father that can turn even the most devout momma’s girl like me into Daddy’s little girl again. I told my mom about moving into a new office at work. She in turn told my father who surprised me when she came to see me on the first day in that office. Dad by himself was a treat but it was what he brought with him that nearly had me in tears.

A small recap of former posts:  my favorite flower is the standard pink carnation. It is this because this is the flower that dad always sent to my sister and me when we were growing up. He sent a pink carnation for Valentines Day when we were too young for suitors. He would send us pink carnations when he got lonely working away as a paramedic. I’ve loved the delightful flowers ever since.

So here mom comes with a few things for my new home. I’m already stoked to see my dad and their dog who tagged along for a quick visit. When dad walks me to my truck and shows what he’d put in my seat as a “new office” gift, I felt something I haven’t felt in a long time. I was pleased and delighted as well as a bit embarassed by the attention. In other words–I loved it.

I once heard a father say that the gift itself doesn’t matter nearly so much as the fact that it came from his child. “They could give me an empty box and I’d love it.” Well Dad, it works both ways. I knew my gift wasn’t something Daddy picked up from a random bix box store. He took the time to go to the town’s local florist and pick up a carnation for me.

Yeah, he just solidified the pink carnation’s place in my heart forever. See, dads give great gifts too.

To secure a fresh place in your daughter or son’s heart, send flowers from a local florist using Flower Shop Network.

I have to say that I think the world of Corinne Galarneau of Artistic Petals & Scents in Hanna Alberta. Though we’ve never crossed borders to shake hands, Corinne keeps us entertained and awed. Everyone at Corinne’s trendy Hanna AB flower shop is always a step ahead when it comes to implementing creative ideas like the haunted house they do each year for Halloween. It’s a clever idea in many ways, but I’ll let Corinne tell you more about it.

The Fun Florist’s Halloween Haunted House:

This was last year (08) which was our first year. There were 150- 175 people that went through in two nights (30th & 31st) We are in a very small town pop. 3000…

As I stated in the post to Flower Shop Network post we do this free of charge, just ask for a donation to the local food bank. No one is turned away and everyone gets a goodie bag at the end of the scares and screams

Again we have the opportunity to utilize our seasonal garden center at the back of our store but this could easily be adapted to either a store front or a rental space…or something a business could do as a community event… arena? community center? etc….

I act as the ‘Tour Guide’ dressed as the Grimm Reaper.. and my business partner is my surgery victum… We ask our families and friends to assist us in the haunting. We have spooky music, fog machine and things popping out from nowhere. As I walk in the back door I announce the presence of ‘young ones or older kids’ We take care not to really scare the young kids.. just enough to make it fun.

As you can see from the pics, we have ghouls hiding in corners, under tables, in coffins and what you don’t see is the goblins hidden under all the leaves… they all reach , grab legs or move slowly (depending on who is going through). We have an 8 foot spider web with a bunch of spiderlings as well as a 3 foot momma spider. Also as I walk from one room to another there is a 4 1/2 foot helium filled balloon spider that I reach over and grab her leg and have her float down in front of the kids… we complete the effect by adding in ghosts, bats, fun lighting, intestines (chowmein noodles dyed red) ‘eyeballs (water pearls) carved watermelon ‘brain’ , styrofoam tombstones, dead trees and plants and lots of fun things. The possibilities are endless. And the cost is very minimal… as much as you want to put into it.. lots of the items can be made at home. (bonus!)

Last year it was a ton of fun…. everyone had awesome feed back.

And if that weren’t enough, here’s a little spoiler. There’s also a town festival in July that is a huge hit. People from towns more than 300 miles away visit for this event. Want more info on that tasty morsel for promoting summer sales and fun? Check the Bloomin’ Blog again soon!

Artistic Petals & Scents is a proud member of Flower Shop Network. Want to contact your local florist? Flower Shop Network makes it easy.

Ask the Expert: Can you please identify this plant
This plant showed up in my garden this spring and has grown into a bush about 2.5 ft high since then, but it never flowered.  I live in the Pacific Northwest. Joe

Plant Expert Reply:

I think it is some type of Euphorbia.  Maybe Euphorbia amygdaloides or Euphorbia myrsinites.  Where in the pacific northwest did you find this plant?  Knowing which state or city might help make a stronger identification.