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Florist Helps Couple Celebrate 65th Anniversary

October 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This incredibly sweet story was shared with us by Maryjane’s Flowers & Gifts, Berlin NJ.

65th Wedding Anniversary Dance

Being a florist is a very fulfilling job because you get to help people celebrate the most important and special occasions in their life. That was just the case for Sandra Hooper of Maryjane’s Flowers & Gifts in Berlin NJ. She was asked to help a couple at an assisted living center celebrate their 65th (no, not a typo!) wedding anniversary.

Original Wedding Photo Wedding Portrait

Sandra was given a copy of their wedding portrait and was able to copy the original wedding bouquet almost exactly. What memories that must have stirred up!

Wedding Bouquet Remake Beautiful Bride With Vintage Replica Bouquet

Here you can see the beautiful bride and her wedding bouquet remake of the original. “She said it couldn’t have matched it better!!!”
 [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights, Florists Only, Flower Memories, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Florist Stories: First Day, 100 Roses & The Rolling Stones

April 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This Florist Story was shared with us by Angelique, The FlowerGurl of Cottage Flowers & Gifts in Pasadena TX.

Red Roses

“It all started when I was a sophomore in high school. My Aunt used to run a floral shop in town. Back in the day, the shops use to close at 10:00 pm. My Parents use to make me go after school to the floral shop to keep my Aunt company so that she would not be there by herself. I would walk to the floral shop after school and listen to the radio and or TV, while at the same time doing my homework, and spending time with my Aunt. I would finish my homework and sit there just watching my Aunt do these amazing things with flowers. I would ask her, how in the heck can you come out with something like that from all that? I was intrigued by it all.

Puttin’ On The Ritz

I knew nothing about flowers. I liked them, I loved receiving them, but what she could do out of nothing at all was beyond me. So needless to say I spent a lot of time with my Aunt and watched her do all these beautiful designs that I just had to try it one day. Well from just watching and observing all that time, I surprised myself. I could not believe, nor did my Aunt, I could actually wrap some flowers in pretty paper and make them look so pretty. Well from there I moved on to bigger things like dressing plants and greening her vases. I figured if having the concept of greening a vase was so easy, then I can take the next step of puttin on the ritz.

Well she walked me through it, and to my amazement, I did it again. I could actually design flowers in a manner that it sold within an hour. I was so pleased that it just made me want to try harder. My Aunt said that I had it in me all the time. Who knows, maybe I did? Her Boss liked what I did and hired me to start work the next day.

The First Day & All of It’s Surprises

I was so excited cause I got to run the shop all by myself. I had an interesting visitor that night. This hippie-looking guy walks in and wants to buy all the red roses we had on-hand. I called my Aunt right away and told her what the guy wanted. She told me to go ahead and give him a good price and let him buy what he wanted. He bought all 4 bunches (100) we had on hand. Before he left he handed me two tickets to the Rolling Stones concert that was taking place that same night. Oh to my surprise, he was one of the members of the band!

Memories I’ll Never Forget

So sad I was unable to attend the concert, but I still have the tickets as a souvenir. My Aunt has moved on, and so have I. She is and will always be my mentor. I am the owner/designer of my own Floral Shop and I have my Aunt to thank for showing me the knowledge. She is now retired and we call her the Retired Floral Critic. That she is, because every time I send her flowers through a wire service (she lives out of town) yep, she sure does call me, to let me know, yea or nea.

I have been in business for over 15 years, and still love it like I did the first time I laid my eyes on those beautiful blooms.”

– Angelique The FlowerGurl

Whether you are a florist or someone who just loves flowers, we want to hear your story. Use our Share Your Story page to submit yours today!

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights, Flower Memories Tagged With: , ,

The Importance of Your Local Florist

March 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Importance of Local Florists

A florist is so much more than a person who delivers flowers. They are stewards of life’s celebrations and most important occasions. Betsy Hall of Hall’s Flower Shop & Garden Center in Stone Mountain GA really says it best in this clip from the 2012 Great Lakes Expo interview with FSN’s Brock Atwill. Truly a must-see!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Convention Videos, Florist Spotlights, Flower Memories Tagged With: ,

In Loving Memory of Amaryllis

November 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Amaryllis | Hippeastrum

Today’s exceptional post was shared with us by Olivia Nicholas, a writer and a busy mom. She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work.

I’ve never been sure what made me remember Grandmother’s amaryllis obsession when autumn first began to turn the leaves this year. It could have been a flash of scarlet fabric seen from the corner of my eye, or maybe a stately bell-shaped flower struggling to carry on its existence despite the slow creep of cold weather. Whatever the case, I found myself driving to the local greenhouse one day instead of going directly home as I usually did after work. The clerk was very helpful, directing me to the perennial bulb section and setting me up with flower pots, soil, and everything else necessary to cultivate and continue my grandmother’s flower legacy. Excited, I got to work as soon as I got home.

The feel of the amaryllis bulbs in my hand and the rich smell of potting soil evoked even more memories of planting flowers at my grandparents’ home. Like my grandmother herself, amaryllis is a winter beauty, as dainty and gorgeous as it is tough and hardy; both thrive in cold weather and wilt in the heat. In my mind, the two of them had always been synonymous, especially since my grandmother was also called Amaryllis.

[Read more…]

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Get Out, Get Inspired! Visit Your Local Botanic Garden

June 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you need a boost of creativity this summer, get out to your local botanic garden. If you’re a florist, or just a flower-lover, there are huge benefits to visiting gardens FULL of summer beauty.

Inspiration At Botanical GardensGet In The Mood For Summer – The gardens will definitely put you in the right mood for the season. The vivid colors of the flowers and the incredible variety you will see will certainly set you on a course for inspiration.

Be Impressed – At a botanic garden, you will see dozens, if not hundreds of unique flowers, plants and trees that you probably have never even heard of before. The surprise is, they are actually growing in your area! (It’s always astonishing to me to see just what’s possible in my area with a little love and some hard work.)

Keep Track of Creativity – Most botanic gardens divide their grounds into several themed smaller gardens, such as butterfly gardens, four seasons gardens, Japanese gardens, etc. These can be very inspirational. Carry a journal along with your camera to keep track of color patterns you see, creative use of flower pairs, and anything else than inspires you.

I am fortunate enough to live close to the Memphis Botanic Garden, which offers visitors 96 acres of small gardens and trails, thousands of flowers, but also thousands of unique trees. That is one thing to keep in mind when visiting the gardens — Look Up!

With 152 different species of trees, the Memphis Botanic Garden is classified as a Level IV Arboretum by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. This Level IV designation makes the Garden one of four in the state and the only one in West Tennessee. “We estimate there are at least 2000 trees in the Garden – with lots of duplicates,” says Adult Education Manager Laurie Williams.
[Read more…]

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Show Your Patriotic Pride With Red, White & BLOOMS!

May 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Over the years, Memorial Day has become synonymous with shopping, car races, trips to the lake/beach, family get-togethers, etc. It marks the start of the summer vacation period, and with the hustle and bustle of our day off work, it’s easy to overlook the true meaning of the holiday.

Memorial Day commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.

Many Americans observe Memorial Day by:

  • Visiting cemeteries and memorials and placing patriotic flowers on our fallen veterans’ graves.
  • Observing a national moment of remembrance which takes place at 3 p.m. local time
  • Fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time.

Patriotic Memorial Funeral FlowersSo, how can you enjoy the best of both worlds?

Although it’s a significant US holiday, 3 day weekends are scarce in most working American’s routines. How can we enjoy our weekend, while keeping in mind the real reason for the extended time off?

First, start your weekend by ordering beautiful red, white and blue flowers to decorate your house. Especially if you are planning a Memorial Day BBQ or block-party. Use your patriotic florals as your table centerpiece or buffet table decoration.

During your celebration, have everyone take a few moments of silence to remember our fallen soldiers. Turn the music off, and make sure you have everyone, including the kid’s attention. Have each guest recall memories of fallen veteran family members and friends, such as a grandfather, aunt or uncle. It’s good for us to remember our past veterans and the contributions they have made for all of us. Children especially need to see respect and honor given to those who have given their lives to make our country safe for us to live.

After your celebration is over, take your patriotic flowers and flags to decorate the grave of a veteran friend or family member as a perfect ending to your Memorial Day celebration.

Make this a tradition in your family.

Filed Under: Flower Memories, Holiday Info Tagged With: , , ,

The Most Popular Iris In The World — Flag Iris

May 18, 2011 by 2 Comments

One of the most well known symbols, the fleur-de-lis is seen all over the globe! While it’s name means “Lily Flower” it’s beginnings did not start with the lily. Instead, it’s widely thought to be a stylized version of the species Iris pseudacorus or the Flag Iris.

Yellow Flag Iris - Fleur De Lis

As you can see, the flag iris is a bit different from the normal irises we usually see in our gardens. The upper petals are not as pronounced as regular bearded irises, but it looks just like the fleur de lis.

According to Pierre-Augustin Boissier de Sauvages, a French naturalist and lexicographer:

Flag Iris - Fleur De LisThis flower, or iris, looks like our fleur-de-lis not just because of its yellow colour but also because of its shape: of the six petals, or leaves, that it has, three of them are alternatively straight and meet at their tops. The other three on the opposite, bend down so that the middle one seems to make one with the stalk and only the two ones facing out from left and right can clearly be seen, which is again similar with our fleurs-de-lis.

The fleur de lis has been used throughout history as a political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic icon, especially for heraldry, all over the world and as far back as history can remember. It’s interesting to see see this yellow flower pop up in anything from the oldest paintings to the most modern fashion. The fleur de lis is a classic symbol that is sure to be around for generations to come. Whether you’re in the French Quarter for Mardi Gras, New York for fashion week, or strolling the streets of Europe, keep your eyes peeled for the world’s favorite iris — the Flag Iris!

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Who Else Has Never Heard Of A Flower Frog?

May 11, 2011 by 2 Comments

Recently, while visiting a family friend, I discovered a new love for Flower Frogs. As an avid thrift store enthusiast, I had seen a ton of these little things before, but never put 2 and 2 together to realize they go with flowers! (doh!) Nor had I ever heard them called flower frogs.. I took as many pictures as I could to share with you guys, hope you enjoy..

Early Metal Versions

Vintage Flower Frogs

What is a Flower Frog?

A flower frog is simply something to hold flowers up, either with holes, a grid or a comb of metal. Some were intended to be placed in the bottom of a container to hold tricky stems, others were incredibly ornate vases themselves with holes to insert stems. Flower frogs were made of metal, ceramic, glass, and plastic.

How To Use Flower Frogs

Most people keep different varieties on hand. The spiky ones are good for thin, flimsy stems; ones with holes are suited to the thicker stems of tulips and lilies; and hairpin frogs with wire loops are best for stiff stems and branches.

This is a very decorative ceramic flower frog:

Decorative Flower Frog Decorative Ceramic Flower Frog With Bird
[Read more…]

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Florist Predictions For The Royal Wedding Bouquet

April 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

About a month ago, we asked our florist friends to submit their predictions for the Royal Wedding bouquet! We were blown away by the incredible submissions! Only about 1 more day left before we FINALLY get to see what we’ve all been waiting on!

The Royal Family has done an excellent job keeping the details of Kate’s bouquet top secret! We do know they have chosen renounced London-based, floral designer Shane Connolly to head up their wedding flower team. He also holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, making him an official supplier of flowers for royal events, including Princes Charles’s 2005 wedding.

Royal Wedding Bouquet?According to the royal wedding website, he is known for his sustainable approach to floristry, using growing, rather than cut, plants and trees, and for producing “elegant and unique displays” using seasonal, natural and organic flowers.

While the bouquet is still a mystery, we know that the floral displays in Westminster Abbey feature a variety of seasonal growing and cut British flowers and trees sourced from Royal Estates and other growers around the country. The flowers and plants include blossoms, azaleas (rhododendron), euphorbias, beech, wisteria and lilac.

The floral displays in the Abbey itself will include eight 20 feet-high trees: six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam. All the trees will be growing in planters, which have also been designed by Mr. Connolly and which were made by craftsmen at Highgrove, The Prince of Wales’s Residence in Gloucestershire.

Also, according to the Royal Wedding website, the couple has taken an interest in traditional Language of Flowers and are using these flower meanings to tell a story through their flowers. So far the flowers they’ve chosen mean:

  • Azaleas (rhododendron) – “Take care of yourself for me, temperance, fragile passion”
  • Lilac – youthful innocence
  • Beech Trees – harmony, peace, balance and all that is good.
  • Wisteria – honor, memory, patience

After the wedding, the flowers and plants will be left in position in Westminster Abbey for the public to view until Friday 6th May 2011. Following this, many of the trees will be taken to Highgrove Gardens, where they will be planted. The Couple’s intention is that many of the cut plants and flowers and all the growing plants will be donated to charities or re-planted.

Now, take a look at the at the amazing designs created by real florists all across the US and Canada. Which one do you think will be the closest to the real design for the Royal Wedding Bouquet?? Let us know in the comments below! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Meanings, Flower Memories, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: , ,

Texas Woman Grows GIANT Rose!

April 1, 2011 by 1 Comment

Giant Rose Found In TexasADDISON TX | APRIL 1 — A local woman has just revealed a stunning new botany experiment that can change the face of flowers as we know it. Botanist, Margaret Eddington and her father, Claud, have been working tirelessly for the past 3 years in their greenhouse on an Addison, TX farm. Locals had no idea what they were working on, but did report strange noises coming from the greenhouse late at night. Just when suspicion was at it’s most tense, Margaret and Claud revealed the fruits of their labor today, wowing the town and the nation. An enormous, peach rose they lovingly named King Peaches.

“A rose this big should not exist,” explains botanist and rose expert Lee Johnson of the California Giant Society, “It’s just not possible!”

The emergence of the giant rose has gained interest from botanists and scientists from around the world. Food experts are looking into the methods used by Claud and Margaret for possible use in growing giant, natural food for third world countries. Botanists are looking to use the new rose as attractions in botanical gardens. This could be one of the biggest horticultural developments of our time.

We will keep you posted when more information becomes available.

(Happy 1st of April!)

This post is brought to you by Flower Shop Network, your source for finding a REAL local florist.

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