Archives for January 2011

FSN’s Favorite Flower Arrangement For February

January 31, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Kissable Tulips is our hands-down favorite flower arrangement for February. It’s fun and fresh style makes it a perfect choice to send to your Valentine. I know what you’re thinking, tulips for Valentine’s Day?? Yes! Everyone gets roses for Valentines Day, why not mix it up this year and send something a little more unique. Kissable Tulips arrangement will suffice until your lips meet hers again.
Because the Kissable Tulips arrangement is a lot less traditional, it makes the perfect arrangement to send to anyone of your many Valentines. Have one sent to your mom or even to your kid at school. Everyone loves this playful and fun Valentines Day flower arrangement.

Whomever your recipient, use a local florist to send your Valentine’s Day flowers. You will get the best quality and service, and feel good for helping your community. When using Flower Shop Network, you can guarantee you are dealing with a real, local florist.

Flowers used in this arrangement: tulips and white wax flowers

Related Articles:

How To Surprise Your Sweetie With A Romantic Valentine’s Weekend!
Let Tulips Suffice Until Your Lips Can Touch Hers!
Floral Design With You In Mind – How To Order Custom Flower Arrangements
Pantone Color of the Year Perfect For Valentines Day 2011

This post is brought to you by local Nashville TN florists.
Not in Tennessee? No worries, use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of real local florists to find a florist near you!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: favorite flower, Tulip, Valentines Day Flowers

Buying Last Minute Valentine’s Day Flowers: Why Wait?!

January 28, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

First of all,

DON’T WAIT!!

Buying Valentines Day flowers early ensures you get the BEST QUALITY flowers, BEST SERVICE, and they will arrive ON TIME!

Valentines Day flowers mean so much more than just a bundle of roses put together. If you want to really show how much you care, order EARLY! Take just a few minutes to call your florist and talk to them about your sweetie. When a florist knows what type of person they are designing for, they can make it truly personal.

Just by telling your florist just a few things about your honey, such as their age and basic interests, they will create something that is sure to be a hit! (And, guys, take it from a gal who knows, you WANT to send your girl beautiful, meaningful flowers!)

It a recent news article, one of our florist friends, Marybeth Flowers, owner of Flowers by Flowers in Parkville, Md., says, “RUN, don’t walk away from the idea of giving roses to your sweetheart.”

Of course, roses are the traditional Valentine’s gift, but why not send her a flower arrangement to truly IMPRESS?! Tell your florist her favorite flowers and colors and let them do something truly personal! (Trust me guys, style goes a long way to us ladies!)

“You don’t need to know every flower available or even the types of flowers the person likes most,” said Marybeth in her interview. “You know this person. You know how warm they are. Just look at the way they dress. If they are a flannel or corduroy kind of person, then we can develop something like a bohemian bouquet or something with a prairie look.”

So, what happens if you DON’T order Valentine’s Day flowers EARLY?!?

Valentine’s Day Flower Deliveries

Well, waiting til the last minute to order Valentine’s Day flowers can put you out of luck with deliveries. Florist have a tight schedule on Valentine’s Day; ordering early ensures you a guaranteed spot for delivery. If your delivery requires special accommodations, such as a specific time, then it is especiallllllly important to order early. (Getting the message here, guys?!)

How florists help: Often, to account for these last minute Valentine’s Day deliveries, florists will add temporary delivery drivers. Even then, you’re still playing it risky!

How you can help: Not to sound like a broken record, but order early… Another thing you can do is have your flowers delivered to your sweetie on FRIDAY. (Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday for 2012) It’s a great way to kick off a Valentine’s Day romantic weekend.

Valentine’s Day Flower Pickups

Last minute Valentine’s Day flower pickups is also a bit of a gamble. Don’t be one of those guys standing around the flower cooler staring at the last few flower arrangements left, and don’t just pickup a last-minute bouquet from a street vendor or grocery store either. (We will know, guys, we will know…)

How florists help: Florist fill their coolers to the brim with pre-made Valentine’s Day orders, but trust me, they go fast! These are also the ones that go out on last-minute deliveries (if there are even any available). Many florists will open their flower shops early and stay late on Valentine’s Day, but doesn’t your sweetie deserve more thought than the last bouquet in the cooler?

How you can help: Order early! Pick up flowers for your honey on Friday instead of Tuesday!

This post is brought to you by local Scottsdale, AZ florists.
Not in Arizona? No worries, Flower Shop Network connects you to a real local florist in your town or city!

Filed Under: Holiday Info Tagged With: Valentines Day, Valentines Day Flowers, Valentines Weekend

FLOWERADE – Hydrate Your Creativity with the Florida State Florists Convention

January 27, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

We just got back from the Florida State Florists’ Association‘s Mid-Season floral convention. The theme of the show was FLOWERADE – Hydrate and Refuel Your Creativity and the florists attending really did get refueled with creativity! Flower Shop Network also sponsored designer Anthony Swick, CFD, FSMD, during his Floral Mechanics presentation.

Other presentations from the Florida Flowerade Convention included:

Hand-Tied By Design, a hands-on class by Sylvia Bird, AIFD
The Green Thumb — Growing Your Plant Sales by Christina Brown, horticulture specialist
How To Market Your Wedding Biz by Jacob McCall and Bobby Kyser
Weddings A-Z by Deborah De La Flor, AIFD, PFCI
Creative Foliage Accents a hands-on class by Dan Hathcock, AIFD, ISES
Perfect Parties & Exceptional Events by Alex Jackson, AIFD, PFCI

As you can see, there is a lot to learn for florists at your state conventions. It’s always good to come out and meet others in your industry, but also take home some much needed inspiration and FLOWERADE!

Also at the Florida State Florists’ Convention this year, was their floral design contest, Save Your Sole a shoe art competition. I know what you’re thinking, shoe art? YES! Well, shoe art with flowers! Just take a look at these amazing pictures from the event:

It’s easy to see why florists have SO MUCH FUN at their job. The winner of this competition received $200! If you’re a florist and have never attended a state convention, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Florida State Florists Association Convention

Use Lucky Flowers To Decorate For Chinese New Year

January 26, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

The Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year’s Eve is known as chú xī (除夕). It literally means “Year-pass Eve,” and is also a festive time just like the New Years Eve we have in the States. This Year, Chinese New Year starts on February 10rd in the US. 2013 is the year of the snake according to the Chinese Zodiac.

If you are throwing a Chinese New Year party, or simply celebrating at home with family, don’t forget the flowers! I know what you’re thinking… flowers for Chinese New Year? Well, yes. Flowers are actually very popular Chinese New Year decorations.

First of all, most florists don’t carry a specific Chinese New Year flower arrangements, however any florist will be happy to make a great custom flower arrangement or centerpiece for your celebration. Simply contact your local florist and explain to them you are wanting flowers for Chinese New Year. Here are a few suggestions for your florist:

Chinese New Year Colors:

Red – an emblem of joy, and this color also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity. It is thought to scare away evil spirits and bad fortune.

According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. One year, people noticed that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the color red. Hence, every time when the Chinese New Year rolled around, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors.

Gold – gold is another favorite color of the Chinese New Year. Gold symbolizes fortune and prosperity, perfect symbols for a new year.

Chinese New Year Flowers:

Stress to your florist the use of reds, such as a red container or red flowers. (A golden pot would also make a good container) There are also flowers associated with Chinese New Year, but some might not be available from your local florists. Here are a few flower suggestions that should be available and their meanings:

Narcissus (daffodil) – means prosperity
Chrysanthemum – means longevity
Bamboo – means luck
Sunflower – means ‘to have a good year.’
Mandarin Oranges – fortune

Plum blossoms are also a favorite, but may be hard to find. In some places in China, plum trees are purchased much like Christmas trees for the Chinese New Year celebration.

If you are giving your Chinese New Year flowers as a gift, use the traditional red envelope as their enclosure card. The red envelopes are given out during Chinese New Year and almost always contain money of an even number. (Odd numbers are associated with cash giving during funerals.) The number 8 is considered lucky and most of the red envelopes given in the US contain $8.

You might also write a traditional Chinese New Year greeting on your envelope:

The first translates to “Happy New Year” and the second is “Congratulations and be Prosperous”

So remember, if you’re looking for great floral Chinese New Year decorations, contact your florist and custom order something special! Search Flower Shop Network’s florist directory to find a real local florist near you! If you aren’t sure how to custom order a Chinese New Year flower arrangement, send them a link to this article!

This post is brought to you by local San Francisco, CA florists.
No in Cali? No worries, use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of real local florists to find a florist near you!

Filed Under: Holiday Info Tagged With: Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year Decorations, Holiday

When Do I Plant My New Azaleas?

January 25, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell

Ask The Expert: I bought 3 hardy, Japanese azaleas. Leaves are dropping and is it o.k. to put outside yet? Do I plant in garden or in pots? How general should I care for them? I got them from a website called gardening direct. They are in 17cm pots. The leaves that are on the plants look very healthy but there were a lot of dead leaves in the packaging. I live in SE London.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

I looked up London’s hardiness zone which is 9 and compared it to the hardiness of the azalea plants, which is zone 5 -9. So, the plant will do well in your area. However, this isn’t really the time of year to plant azaleas. Without knowing where the plants came from and what temperatures they were kept at, I wouldn’t place them directly outside. I would probably grow them in a garage or winter building until late April or May when the temperature are a bit warmer and more stable. Or you could slowly acclimate the azalea to the cold temperature. Either way keep the azaleas exposed to moderate light and moist but not soggy soil.

Hope this helps!

You might also like:
Winterizing, Pruning and Fertilizing Your Azaleas
Caring For Indoor Azaleas
Did I Prune My Azaleas Correctly?

This post is brought to you by local Auburn AL florists.
Not in Alabama? No worries, Flower Shop Network connects you to a real local florist near you!

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Azalea

Fresh Spring Marketing Ideas For Florists

January 25, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 2 Comments

Ideas For Spring Flower Specials

Create special edition spring flower arrangements available to your customers for a limited time, like one or two weeks. Promote these on your website, Facebook, direct mail and any other social media outlet you may use. Create one special per week. Make sure your customers understand there is a deadline for ordering one of your specials to create a sense of urgency and excitement for these unique flower designs. It also shows your diversity and artistry to your customers.

Garden-Themed Special

– Use spring garden flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips. Include items like seed packets, shovels, or even plant markers with encouraging messages written on them. For the container, use a cute watering can. (Check thrift stores!)

Spring-Themed Special

– Again use a good assortment of spring flowers. Use a blue-painted coffee can (recycled) as your container. Paint a white horizontal stripe a couple of inches from the top and bottom. Use white cardboard cut into pointed strips to create picket fencing to go around your coffee can. Then simply hot glue them to your can leaving a unique, picket fence container, 100% recycled!

Birds & Bees Special

– Spring means romance is in the air! Don’t leave your love birds out, create a spring-themed romantic arrangement. Create an arrangement using spring flowers. Cut a heart out of cardboard and cover it, front and back, with small spring flowers. Use bird and bee floral picks if available to complete your Birds & Bee special. Promote this as something a guy could send to his lady at work!

Kite-Themed Special

– Create a kite by making an ‘X’ with left over stems. Glue diamond-shaped thin paper or fabric, to the tips to create the main part of the kite. For the tail, use thin wire with tiny bows glued to it. Have this kite flying high [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips Tagged With: Marketing Tips, Spring Flowers, Spring Marketing

Let Tulips Suffice Until Your Lips Can Touch Hers!

January 24, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Missing your honey? It’s always tough to be apart, especially if you’re in a long distance relationship. These days, more and more people are meeting online, and connecting in new ways: video chat, text messaging, instant messenger, Facebook, SecondLife, the list goes on and on. Even with all of that, nothing beats a tangible show of love and affection.

So, how do you spice up a long distance relationship?

That’s easy! Do something completely romantic to show your long-distance-sweetie they are constantly on your mind. No one makes it easier than a local florist! Easily have flowers delivered to your sweetheart at their home or even at the office. Flowers never fail to bring romance and happiness to whomever receives them. Send the above bouquet, Kissable Tulips, across the long distance, with a message that reads:

“Let These Tulips Suffice Until My Lips Can Touch Yours…”

There is nothing more beautiful than fresh flowers, and your beloved will be overjoyed. Even though you can’t be there physically, it’s always good to remind her of your presence. If you are coming in for a visit, send flowers a week before so she can think of you every day in anticipation.

What’s the best way to send flowers in a long distance relationship?

When sending flowers, it’s always better to send from a real local florist, but whatever you do, don’t send cheap flowers that come in a box. No girl want’s to receive flowers and have to assemble them herself! The best way to send flowers is to use Flower Shop Network’s directory that connects you to a real florist in your sweetie’s town or city.

This post is brought to you by local Aberdeen, SD florists.
Not in South Dakota? No worries, use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you.

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions, Gift Ideas Tagged With: local florist, Long Distance Relationship, Sending Flowers, Tulip

Please Idenitify This Plant And Is It Poisonous To Cats

January 22, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert: Hi Jamie, I came across your info via google and was wondering if you could possibly help me identify two plants that we have at our house.

I am ultimately trying to find out if they are hazardous to cats but have not had any success at identifying the names. I would sincerely appreciate any help and have attached pictures.

Sincerely,
Karen

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: What you have are Chamaedorea elegans also known as parlor plams, Neanthe bella palms, or table top palms. They are not poisonous to cats or dogs.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Cats & Plants, Chamaedora elegans, Parlor Palm

When Do You Transplant An Umbrella Plant?

January 21, 2011 by Neal Adams

Ask the Expert: best time to transplant an umbrella plant it’s starting to get top heavy? Danielle

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: You can transplant Umbrella Plants (Schefflera) basically anytime they have outgrown their pots. However, if you can’t re-pot your plant indoors wait until a warmer season to do it. Schefflera don’t like cold temperatures and transplant shock will be much worse if the plant gets cold.

This post was brought to you by the local florists in Custer. Not in Custer SD? Find a local florist using Flower Shop Network.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Plant Transplanting, Schefflera actinophylla

Is It Possible to Rejuvenate Lucky Bamboo?

January 21, 2011 by Neal Adams Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: Lucky Bamboo – Stalk turning yellow
My daughter’s “lucky bamboo” plant (about 2-3 years old) has started yellowing from the base upward. Leaves and upper stalk are stilll firm and green, but lower stalk is yellow and beginning to give under gentle pressure. Is there any way to save the plant? Can the top (apparently healthy) portion be removed and re-rooted; or can the lower portion be rejuvenated in some manner? I’m assuming the problem is our water source (water quality fluctuates and contains both salts and chlorine to varying degrees)–so will be changing the water supply and also increasing the plant’s light source. Joy

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:Yes and No. You will only be able to save the healthy green top – the bottom will need to be discarded.

Please read the article written about how to propagate lucky bamboo. In the article Jamie discusses where to cut your lucky bamboo and how to get it to produce roots thus giving you a new healthy lucky bamboo stalk.

However, don’t put it in too much light. Lucky bamboo prefers a indirect bright light. Too much direct light can also cause the lucky bamboo to yellow. As for water try using distilled water or bottled water. If you must use tap water, place the water in an open container for 24hours before you use it in the lucky bamboo container.

This post was brought to you by local Palm Springs FL florists. Not in Palm Springs FL? Find a local florist in your area using Flower Shop Network.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Yellowing Lucky Bamboo