Spiky Flower Pod

Ask the Expert: Found this plant and trying to find out more
Hello!  I am trying to find out more about this plant I found.  It has these green round balls with small spikey things on them, but they are filled with air.  Do you know anything like that?  One of my friends thinks she has seen them dried before.  She thought it was called an Oscar - but I keep doing online searches and can’t come up with anything! THANKS! Michelle

Plant Expert Reply

It appears to be a Gomphocarpus physocarpus or Asclepias physocarpus.  You friend was partially correct. There is a Asclepias physocarpus called Oscar. It is commonly called Ballon plant or Swan plant and is in the milkweed family.  Catepillars love this plant.  Although I don’t think it is native any where in the U.S. (it is a southeast Africa native), there are many seed supplier who sell this plant.  It can become invasive if not controlled.

Ask Flower Shop Network: ASFA Convention:  I would like to get a printed out schedule for the convention. ~ Earlene of E & E House of Flowers in Montgomery Alabama

Flower Shop Network: The Alabama State Florists Association website has some fabulous information about their show. They also have a link to their ASFA Convention newsletter with detailed information about the show. We highly recommend taking the time to visit the site. There’s so much going on at the Alabama State Florists Association Convention (September 25-27, 2009) that you’ll want to make sure you hit all of the high points.

After working with florists across the country and some across the globe, it is easy to recognize a few simple things that each customer and flower shop can do to make sure that all orders are processed correctly and the flowers are sent without trouble. A very interesting flower sending tip was recently pointed out to me so I thought I’d share.

Always give the recipient’s full name.

This seems simple enough, right? Not always. Many customers continue to do this but some simply address the recipient by their first or last name only. Others use titles such as “Mr” and “Mrs” that can be ambiguous. If an arrangement addressed to “Mr. Jones” is sent to a home with an adult Jr. and Sr. in the home, confusion occurs. If flowers are sent to an office addressed to “J. Doe”, this may be confused for John Doe when the recipient was inteded as Jane Doe.

Though this isn’t often a problem, it is important for those sending flowers to remember the full name of the recipient when buying flowers, especially when buying flowers online. Florists who take orders by phone or in person should also consider this when asking for recipient information.This will prevent confusion and keep the flower buying process as fun and simple as it should be.

Just a handy heads-up!

Type Of Helianthus

Ask the Expert: Yellow Wildflower - grows in Kentucky
This flower (I’m sorry the pick is somewhat past bloom) grows all along the farm - my friend believes it to be wild cosmos… and I didn’t think there was a cosmos genus around here - could you help us out?

Thank you! Anne

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe it is a type of Helianthus.  Kentucky has many wild species of Helianthus.  My best guess would be one of the following: Helianthus hirsutus (Hairy Sunflower), Helianthus strumosus (Pale-leaved Woodland Sunflower) or Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke).  Of course it is a little hard to tell without an open bloom.

My heart is jumping up and down a little because that means that my birthday is just around the corner. I’m on the cusp of Libra and Scorpio but I align myself more with Libras. Libras are an awesome group of people. There are exceptions to every rule but not when we’re concerned. We are all awesome. If you’re a Libra, you’ll understand my passion for this zodiac sign. If not, feel free to let my ramblings elude you and take a peek at this AWESOME birthday gift for Libras.

A Unique Birthday Gift For Libras

If you know someone who was born between September 23rd and October 23rd, you have a Libra’s birthday gift to buy. As always but with growing passion, I recommend flowers. Not just any old flowers though. Give flowers associated with the Libra zodiac sign. Some Libra zodiac flowers are:

Half Dozen Pink Roses

• pink roses
• dahlias
• gardenias
• tea roses
• orchids
• tuberose
• freesia
• gladiolus

They’re all beautiful flowers and many of them are quite fragrant. They strike an easy balance between pleasing both the eyes and the nose. This isn’t just a coincidence. Libras fall under the sign of the scales so finding a balance  in nature is part of our charm.

If you’re in the mood to give a unique birthday gift this year, contact your local florist and ask to send your friend some astrological/zodiac flowers associated with the Libra sign. It’s something they don’t hear often enough and will give them a pleasant change. Watch how their creativity flows when given a fresh idea! You’ll love what comes out of their creative process, but more importantly, your sweetheart/friend will adore them too. Most of all, they’ll adore you!

Miss the Libra zodiac flowers blog last year? No worries. View it now!

Clarkia elegans Blooms

Clarkia elegans

It looks like a form of Clarkia unguiculata or Clarkia elegans. It is an annual flower that is naturally found on dry, open slopes in North America to South America. Some Clarkia make good cut flowers. I’m not sure if this species does, but you might try cutting a few stems.

Ask the Expert: please give me tips on china doll aralia plants
every year i buy one of these but with no luck. is there a secret i am missing? i can grow almost anything inside and out.please help thank you Rosemary


Plant Expert Reply:
Here are a few plant care guidelines for China Doll Aralia (Radermachera sinica):

• Keep it away from temperatures below 65 degrees and away from heaters or radiators.
• Place in full bright light but avoid light sources that shine directly on the plant.
• Check the need for water frequently. You will need to let the soil dry  to the point of almost wilting but not beyond.
• Fertilize the plant once a month with a water soluble during the growing season (spring & summer) and bi-monthly the rest of the time.
• All growth comes from top. Prune occasionally. After pruning you might need to cut back on watering for a while.
• Watch for signs of  Aphids, Mealy Bugs and Spidermites.

These plants tend to go through severe transplant shock. It is important to place them in the optimum location as soon as you bring it home.  The first few weeks will be the most difficult for the plant.  Don’t fertilize and watch your watering very closely.  Good luck. Keep me posted.

Ask The Expert: My ex and I are still friends. We dated for a long time but now we are both with other people. His mother just passed away. Is it appropriate to send him flowers since we aren’t together anymore? Thanks. ~ Keely

Flower Etiquette Expert: I’m sorry to hear about your ex-boyfriend’s mother, Keely. In response to your question, it is appropriate in a few situations. There are a few very important questions to answer though. I have included the appropriate flower etiquette for each situation. I hope it helps you both deal with this hard time in a positive way.

“Do I get along with his new girlfriend?” — This one is hugely important because it will dictate when/where/if you are able to send sympathy flowers. If you do get along with his new partner, feel free to send sympathy flowers to his home but make a point to mention her as well on the enclosure card. This is polite even if you aren’t close to her. It can be something as simple as “please let me know if you and *partner’s name* need anything during this difficult time.” It’s simple and lets both of them know that you aren’t trying to horn in on her territory during a weak moment when emotions run high.

“Was I close to his mother?” — If you were close to your ex-boyfriend’s mother and remained that way after the split, it is appropriate to send funeral flowers to the funeral home. Sympathy flower etiquette also allows flowers to be sent to her  home but usually addressed to the family instead of just one person. If you were never close to her, sending flowers to your ex depends mostly on whether or not his new partner would be accepting.

“Would my new partner be offended?” — The chances are slim that your new partner will react in a negative way provided you discuss sending sympathy flowers before the gesture is made. Otherwise, it may seem shady whether it was meant that way or not. If your new partner is offended anyway and refuses to budge on the issue, the decision to send flowers or not is completely up to you. At that point it’s juggling your partner’s feelings and consideration for those feelings should be put first.

We are so excited for Scott Darhower of Apple Blossoms Floral Design & Gifts who was just voted The Best Florist of Tampa for 2009. What an honor! Scott is an excellent designer and savvy business owner so we were not shocked at all to see him earn such a lofty honor.

Christmas Decorations by Apple Blossoms Floral Design

Scott’s skills are impressive to say the least. Like many other talented Tampa florists, Scott does it all. Not only does he create beautiful floral works of art for most major occasions, but he is also one of the finest wedding florists in the area. His unique mastery of making art meet beauty keeps people returning to his flower shop just to see what his creation will be for their next occasion.

The inside of his shop is a work of art as well. You walk in and get a glimpse inside his creative mind. He decorates the shop for each major holiday in a very upscale, unique way. Spending a great deal of time at the shop, Scott makes his flower shop as appealing and homey as possible. It is familiar, pleasant, warm and inviting. It takes merely opening your eyes to his designs to imagine what your own home can look like. If he can do that in his shop, imagine what his designs will look like in your home, office or at your wedding? The possibilities are shocking.

We are very proud of Scott for his recent award. We know that it was definitely earned. Way to go Scott! Congratulations!

There is no easy way to express condolences. Extending sympathies to someone who has lost a loved one is never without a pang of emotion. Many people express their sympathies in different ways such as sending funeral flowers to the funeral services. Others choose to wait a few days or more before having a arrangement of sympathy flowers delivered to the funeral home. It is very important to the grieving that they never feel the void of loss, never feel alone. This is why it is so important to send flowers but even more important to include an enclosure card with the right message.

There is no single correct way to express condolences. Many begin to compose a sympathy card message but get lost somewhere between “is this helpful” and “am I being insulting?” It is completely natural to have a difficult time writing sympathy cards. After all, often the sender is a close personal friend of the family was the same to the deceased. There is no need for this difficulty anymore. Florists understand the grieving process. To make the process of sending sympathy flowers easier on everyone, below is a list of condolence card messages compiled by empathetic local florists.

Extend Your Sympathies With These Condolence Card Messages:

1)       With deepest sympathy

2)       Keeping you in (our) thoughts and prayers

3)       Thinking of you during these difficult times

4)       Deepest condolences for your loss

5)       May the Lord comfort your heart as only He can do

6)       Sharing in your sorrow

7)       Please know that (our) loving thoughts embrace you

8)       May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.

9)       May you rest in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding

10)   Words are not enough to convey my sympathies at a time.

11)   Just thought you could use a little extra sunshine today.

12)   Just wanted to let you know that (we’re) here for you

13)   Thinking of you with sincere sympathy at the loss of someone so dear.

14)   Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

15)   Condolences on your loss. May you find strength in the love of God.

There are more condolence enclosure card messages to help express your deepest sympathies. These enclosure card message ideas are brought to you by Flower Shop Network and Flower Shop Network Funeral Homes.