Archives for 2004

If you haven’t visited your neighborhood flower shop lately, you might want to stop in and see what’s in store. It so often happens that our relationship with a florist begins and ends at the telephone or the computer screen that sometimes we never know about the other kinds of goods and services that they offer. So this month and next, we’ll be talking about some of the other kinds of products that many florists are providing for their customers.

For example, home decor is an area that’s a natural extension of floristry since so many arrangements, whether they’re composed of fresh blossoms or artificial flowers, are designed to complement a home interior. Flowers are a perfect accent in practically any home decor setting, and can go a long way toward enlivening the decorating scheme of a room, either spare and contemporary or filled with antiques. Custom designs of silk flowers are among the specialties of most florists, and they can create a unique arrangement that will coordinate beautifully with the other elements of the interior setting, combining colors, textures, and forms in such a way that they repeat or play off of the home decor furnishings.

Very few artificial flowers are actual silk these days. In fact, the fabric petals of most silk flowers are made of cotton/polyester blends. Manufacturers of artificial flowers — or “permanent botanicals” as we prefer to call them — use a combination of materials, including plastics, resins, polystyrene foams, and latex, to create the most lifelike blossoms, the best of which can scarcely be distinguished from their living counterparts. Silk flowers, of course, are available from many outlets. However, a professional florist is most likely to carry the highest quality artificial flowers and foliage and will have the expertise to arrange them in a way that will beautifully highlight your home decor.

Flower shops can be excellent sources of other home decor accessories as well, such as picture frames, candles, potpourri, baskets, lamps, china and crystal, and more. Naturally enough, containers that hold flowers are likely to be most abundant. Fresh and artificial flowers alike look great in crystal vases, and many florists carry an ample selection of them. A vase doesn’t have to be Waterford crystal in order to be sparkling and beautiful. A flower shop can be a great place to find attractive lead crystal bowls and vases that won’t break the budget, whether it’s for your own home or for a gift. If crystal — Waterford or not — isn’t your preference, select from a variety of ceramic, wood (very popular right now), wire, colored glass (another hot item), plastic resin, or stoneware vessels to serve as decorative and functional additions to the home decor setting.

Some florists have decorated their stores with antiques, using them, in many cases, as display fixtures and props. Others specialize in selling antique furniture and other decorative items as well as floral designs. Many very popular florists across the country have successfully combined artwork, furniture (including antiques), and interesting accessories with their flower businesses. If you’re a collector of antiques, you may find it worthwhile to frequent a few flower shops; who knows..you may find a treasure that’s off the beaten path of the usual antiques stores. And even if the object of your desire doesn’t have a price tag on it, inquire about it anyway; there is very little in the typical flower shop that isn’t for sale.

Interestingly, several large floral and gift stores have begun to offer a bridal or wedding registry service. Going beyond the traditional crystal and china table settings of the typical bridal registries in department stores, an upscale flower shop can also provide a wedding registry that includes all sorts of beautiful and unusual giftware. With the holiday season fast upon us, imagine a soon-to-be-married couple establishing a Christmas wedding registry with a florist who specializes in holiday decorations. Selections could include ornaments, wreaths, swags, centerpieces…even an artificial Christmas tree. The newlyweds could have their entire home decked out for the holidays with wedding gifts from the registry; gifts that would be fondly cherished again year after year as the decorations were brought out and the gift-givers were remembered.

Next month we’ll take a look at some of the other sorts of merchandise and services that florists are providing. In the meantime, stop in soon at your own local flower shop to see what kinds of things you can find there besides flowers. You might be pleasantly surprised.

…..or a painting, or a sketch. Since becoming one of America’s most popular blossoms, sunflowers seem to be appearing just about everywhere. Commercial growers have devoted vast acres to sunflower gardens in order to meet the demand for fresh blooms, as well as for seeds and for sunflower oil. Florists are using them in centerpieces and bouquets of all types. Photos of sunflowers appear on greeting cards, in advertising, on wrapping paper, and just about anyplace where a bold icon of warmth, happiness, generosity, or abundance might be needed. Sunflowers seem to symbolize everything good.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are annual plants of the genus Helianthus (from the Greek “helios” – meaning “sun”, and “anthos” – meaning “flower”). They get their name from the fact that their round, golden blossoms grow facing the moving sun. Sunflowers are native to North America, where they were known to native peoples more than 8,000 years ago. Archeological evidence suggests that sunflowers were cultivated and improved upon as early as 2300 B.C., possibly predating the farming of corn, beans, and squash. Sunflower seeds provided a handy source of nutrition to the indigenous tribes of America, while dyes were extracted from petals and pollen. Pulverized seeds also yielded oil, which was used for cooking and in hair treatments. Various parts of sunflowers were also involved in traditional medicinal applications.

In the middle of the 1900’s, it was the Russians who extensively hybridized sunflowers, developing new varieties which were bred for maximum oil seed production and disease resistance. Of the many garden cultivars which are popular today, it’s the “Russian Giant” which seems most spectacular. Its impressive photos on seed packets and pictures in garden catalogs — depicting them towering over normal-sized humans — captivate our attention, with flower heads often a foot or more across.

Our fascination with sunflowers has undoubtedly been fueled by their notoriety as the subjects of fine art. Vincent Van Gogh immortalized them in a series of canvases painted in the late 1800’s. His colleague, Paul Gauguin, even painted Van Gogh as he painted his sunflowers in the small studio they temporarily shared in the south of France. Another Impressionist artist, Claude Monet, painted his own dazzling picture of a vase of sunflowers. These and other works became world famous, and provided inspiration for generations of artists to come, encompassing photos, graphic designs, and sculptures as well as paintings. Such a lofty role for our common but radiant garden sunflowers!

Sunflowers are really quite easy to grow. They’ll thrive in just about any garden, provided they have plenty of sunlight. Being annuals, sunflowers sprout readily from fresh seed, and they complete their growing cycle in just one season. A rich, loamy soil is best. Make sure they get regular waterings, as their roots are relatively shallow. Sow successive plantings, two weeks apart, to lengthen your enjoyment of the harvest. Giant varieties of sunflowers may require staking to prevent them from falling over under the weight of enormous seed heads.

Of course, if you don’t have the time or space for a garden, your local florist can provide you with beautiful, long-lasting sunflowers that you can enjoy at home in a vase, or send to someone in another state. Many new varieties have appeared on the market, including yellow, orange, russet, and chocolate-petaled forms, smaller hybrids in a more manageable scale, and even a fuzzy, rounded type known as ‘Teddy Bear’. Stop by a professional florist’s shop soon and see what charming sunflowers are in store. Then, take some artistic photos of your own.

Beware!! The animals have escaped from the zoo!

Photo courtesy of Petting Zoo Plush, Inc

Happily, they’ve been rounded up by local florists everywhere, and today you can find a great selection of teddy bears and other stuffed animals at many flower shops. They make wonderful gifts for babies and other children of all sizes… even for grown-ups who just need a little cuddling. After all, teddy bears are the original ambassadors of hugs.

Teddy bears got their start in the early 1900s, when Theodore Roosevelt was the President of the United States. Teddy was Roosevelt’s nickname. He was known as a great hunter, and he was once depicted in a 1902 newspaper cartoon sparing the life of a captured bear cub, saying that it would be unsportsmanlike to shoot it. Based on a true incident, the cartoon drew immediate attention. A Brooklyn, NY, shopkeeper displayed the cartoon along with two small stuffed bears, made by his wife, in the window of his stationery store. The “Teddy’s Bear” craze was born, and the stationer went on to found the Ideal Novelty and Toy Corporation so as to meet the huge demand for the cuddly toys.

At nearly the same time, the Steiff Company in Germany introduced small, jointed stuffed bears to Europe. The Steiff bears had evolved from the wood and felt, pincushion type toys which the company had been manufacturing for years. U.S. distributors imported thousands of them. Thus, the lovable stuffed animals that we all know as teddy bears were born simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic.

A hundred years later, stuffed animals are available in nearly every species. Domestic pets, such as beagles, poodles, and other plush dogs, tabby and calico cats, hamsters, goldfish, bunnies and parrots are popular choices. Farm animals are well represented by horses, pigs, ducks and sheep, and a complete menagerie of stuffed zoo animals, from aardvarks to zebras, rounds out the selection. The favorite of all plush animals, however, is still the old-fashioned teddy bear. He’s come a long way from his humble beginnings as a novelty toy fashioned of old quilt scraps, stuffed with excelsior and fitted with shoe-button eyes. Now, teddy bears come in all shapes and sizes and in every color of the rainbow. They may be dressed for any occasion, adorned with a simple bow around the neck, or just “bear-naked”. Small bears, made of terrycloth with a rattle inside, are excellent gifts for newborns. Larger ones, with a myriad of personalities and facial expressions, are popular with older kids. Teenagers name them after boyfriends and girlfriends. Even adults can appreciate the emotions and the memories represented by a teddy bear.

Plush animals are easy to have delivered alongside a fresh flower arrangement or a basket of plants, even clutching a bouquet of balloons, and will remain as a lasting reminder of your good wishes for years to come. Your professional florist can arrange to send them locally or out of town, from Alaska to Virginia, Arizona to Vermont.

Teddy bears will never go out fashion. We’ve all had our childhood favorites, and they’ve changed a bit over the years. But there are some things about teddy bears that will always remain constant; they are faithful friends, they’re good at keeping secrets, they’re always ready with a comforting hug, and they have a boundless capacity for love.

Golden Pothos

House Plants for Interiors

Every interior space can benefit from the addition of a few house plants to the decorating scheme. Whether they are alive and growing or artificial replicas of botanical specimens, house plants can lend a touch of warmth and vitality to any living area or commercial environment, helping to relax visitors and guests and delivering a message of welcome. Their presence shows that the occupant has an appreciation for things natural, something to which we can all relate.

There are several factors to consider when selecting house plants for an interior space. The first of course is the size, shape, and growth form of the plant as compared to the area where it will be placed. For example, the tall, upright character of a Dracaena or a Ficus Tree might be most appropriate for a narrow corner or for use as a room divider. The cascading vines of an Ivy Plant or a Philodendron may be most appealing if they are allowed to tumble from the top of a tall cabinet or dresser. A shrubby Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum or Dwarf Schefflera, Arboricola could fill a gap between two chairs or other pieces of furniture.

Another important consideration will be the cultural requirements of the house plants themselves. While many of the most popular specimens that are sold as house plants are well-adapted to the environmental conditions found in the average home or office, there are some exceptions.

Low-Light House Plants
The following are among the best house plants for low-light situations and will grow well in a north-facing window or under the artificial light found in many offices.

• Philodendrons
• Chinese Evergreen, Aglaonema
• Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum
• Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, Snake Plant, Sansevieria
• Dracaenas

House Plants that Need Some Light
These plants thrive in slightly brighter interiors, such as an east or west-facing window in a home or office.

• Dumb Cane, Dieffenbachia
• Schefflera
• Ivy Plants
• Palms

Sun-Loving House Plants
Certain house plants flourish under very bright light. A sunny spot next to a south-facing window is ideal for the following kinds of house plants.

• Croton
• Cacti
• Bromeliads
• Succulents (Jade Plant, Aloe Vera, etc.)

Parlor Palm

A general rule of thumb is that the more colorful a plant is or the more variegation it has – the more light it will require in order to stay healthy.

Something else to think about is the amount of water a house plant will need. Typically, a plant will grow more slowly, and therefore use less water, if it is in a relatively dark location as opposed to a bright one. Most people tend to over water their house plants, causing the lower leaves to turn yellow and drop off. It’s usually better to allow the potting soil to become a little dry between thorough waterings, a cycle which more closely approximates the plants’ natural growing conditions and prevents the roots from drowning. There are some exceptions, such as Ferns and Ivy Plants, which should never get really dry. No plant, however, should be left standing in a saucer of water, which could cause the roots to rot. Also, be aware that large pots dry out much more slowly than small ones. Big house plants in large pots may only need watering once a month, especially during the winter.

Nearly all house plants will benefit from frequent, regular misting with tepid water so as to increase the humidity in the immediate environment. Most of our homes and offices have much drier air than do the tropical jungles from which our favorite house plants hail, and this dry air can cause browning of the leaf tips (just as it dries our own skin). Another solution to the problem of dry air is to place the house plant onto a tray of pebbles, perhaps an inch deep, which are kept wet. Do not bury the plant’s pot in the gravel, but keep the bottom of it above the water level. Water evaporating from the pebbles will create extra humidity in the air around the plant.

The soil in which the house plant is potted will, over time, become depleted of the nutrients needed for growth and maintenance. Therefore, house plants should be fed monthly during the spring and summer growing period with a balanced house plant fertilizer. Use the fertilizer at a dilution rate of about one-to one-half quarter of that which is recommended on the label. This will prevent an excessive build-up of salts in the soil, which can damage the plant. Every two or three years, re-pot the plant into fresh potting soil, using a larger pot if warranted.

English Ivy

Fortunately, if all these care requirements aren’t practical in your situation, or if you want to have a plant in a spot where a live one won’t survive, your professional florist can provide you with a selection of realistic-looking, permanent house plants which are botanically accurate in many details. The quality of these artificial specimens has improved tremendously in the past several years, so that the best of them are essentially indistinguishable from living house plants. All they’ll need is dusting!

Visit our House Plants Picture Gallery to see pictures of some of the more popular house plants. Then, visit your local florist who has the knowledge and creativity to advise you on the best plant selections for beautifying your particular indoor environment and for sending to out-of-town friends or loved ones.

For centuries, people the world over have been fascinated by bonsai (pronounced BONE- SIGH). These carefully trained trees and shrubs captivate the imagination, as they seem to be impossibly old for their small size, all the while appearing to be exact, miniaturized replicas of mature, full-sized specimens.

The term bonsai’ is a Japanese word made up of two characters: bon’, meaning tray, container, or pot, and sai’, which means tree or planted tree. Thus, bonsai’ may be best translated as “tree planted in a tray’ (to say “bonsai tree” is redundant). The word is both singular and plural, and though they occur in a variety of sizes and shapes, bonsai are always in pots. The practice of growing bonsai originated in China thousands of years ago, but has been truly perfected by Japanese masters.

A typical bonsai is usually a deciduous or evergreen tree which has been maintained at a size between ten and thirty inches tall, although smaller and larger sizes are common. These trees are carefully pruned, trained, potted and coddled so as to maintain their dwarfed size despite ever-increasing age. Age, of course, adds character…an aesthetic quality which bonsai enthusiasts strive for. The older a tree is, the better. There are bonsai specimens living today which are literally hundreds of years old…trees which have been handed down from generation to generation, or which have adorned the entrances to temples or palaces, or which have been official gifts to heads of state. Some bonsai have been trained to resemble ancient and nearly- dead evergreen trees, weathered and beaten by the elements while clinging to a windy cliff. Others are planted in groups which call to mind the stately serenity of a primaeval forest. A solitary, gnarled and statuesque tree may seem to hold the history and the wisdom of the ages.

Bonsai care depends on what species the plant is. Traditionally, bonsai have been created of trees from temperate climate zones, like Japan, with a regular cycle of changing seasons. Various species of pine, spruce, and small-leaved elms and maples are typical. Caring for these trees requires growing them out of doors and duplicating their native environment. Because they are normally planted in relatively small or shallow containers, good care requires frequent watering (sometimes several times a day) during the growing season. In the wintertime, these bonsai are frequently placed in a cold frame to protect them from drying winds and extreme temperatures while providing a necessary and chilly dormancy. These plants should never be kept indoors for very long periods of time.

Many tropical and subtropical plants, including some common houseplants, lend themselves to being good bonsai subjects as well. Popular varieties include ficus and pomegranate, among others. These trees require the normal care for their species, keeping them warm and well-watered virtually the year round. In all cases, frequent pruning and shaping is necessary to maintain the shape and character of the plant. Because bonsai are often grown in shallow pots or trays, regular re-potting and root pruning is essential as the plants deplete the nutritive value of the potting soil.

With proper care, bonsai can live for generations, just as any normal size tree. They can become like members of the family. There is a spectacular collection of bonsai specimens at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, which is well worth a visit. Your professional florist may be able to source some kinds of bonsai for you, but it’s probably more useful to consult a nursery which specializes in such plants. Local bonsai clubs may be located through your area botanical garden, and they typically sponsor shows where bonsai may be viewed or purchased.

Take some time to experience the beautiful art of bonsai.