Bloomin' Blog

2011 Fall Wedding Bouquet Trends

October 5, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Our florist friends on Facebook constantly keep us with our jaw on the ground. Each week they post some of the most amazing designs around! Because it’s wedding season, we’ve seen a lot of amazing fall bouquets! So let’s take a look at what trendy designs are popular for 2011 fall brides!

*The gorgeous bouquet in the photo above was created by C & C Sensations in Waynesboro, VA. It features deep red roses mixed with circus roses (orange with red tips) and hypericum berries. This florist also did an amazing job weaving in bright bits of green with bells of Ireland.

Help! Christmas Cactus Has Lost It’s Spirit

October 3, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Plant Expert:

I have a limp Christmas cactus. How large a container & what kind of soil mixture should I use? This is a cutting that is special. Also, there are bugs on the soil – not the plant – help, please!

I don’t have a photo, but the plant hasn’t bloomed since I planted the cuttings. The cactus has been in the house and I wonder if I should put it outside since I live in Palm Desert, CA.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: You do need to re-pot your Christmas cactus. I like to use a potting soil specifically blended for Christmas cactus (for example Fafard Cactus and Succulent potting mix). I would transplant it into a pot that is 1½ times larger than the existing pot. If you have mealy bugs, try to remove all of them as your transplant the Christmas Cactus.

Christmas cactus can bloom up to two times a year inside. So moving it outside is not necessary. However, you may need to fertilize it or prune it.

Please read Flower Shop Network’s article, The Unique Beauty of Christmas Cactus, it has very valuable information about Christmas cactus.

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Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Cactus, Christmas Cactus, Repotting Plants, Succulent

Favorite Flower Arrangement For October

October 3, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

This month’s favorite flower arrangement is all about fall and harvest time. As we mentioned in the recent article, Feeling Fall-ish, this season was once mainly referred to as harvest. In this design, Harvest Moon, you see lots of great elements that remind us of harvest time: hypericum berries, mini cattails, fall leaves and lotus pods. The beautiful range of deep colors are also perfect for the season. You can’t go wrong with this beautiful autumn flower arrangement adorning your October decor!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Fall Decorations, Fall Flowers, favorite flower, October Flowers

Lucky Bamboo Growing Extra Roots

September 30, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask The Plant Expert:

Hi, My lucky bamboo (dracaena sanderiana) stalks started growing roots in the middle of the stems (nodes) where leaves have grown. This is the first time I have encountered this. Would like to know why this happens, and what should I do. I suspect it’s not getting any water and thus the leaves are yellowing…

Thanks in advance for your help! – Meng
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Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo

Circle of Life For This Yellow Spiny Weed

September 29, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert: Here we go again. You identified my crocus (which I suspected) and now I have another “just showed up” plant. She’s cute. She could be a weed. If she’s a plant or flower I will keep her, put her somewhere else. She is in the middle of a landscape project. If she’s a weed, no matter how cute she must go. The circle of life. –Rochelle

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: It is a Buffalo-Bur (Solanum rostratum). Depending on your thoughts on poisonous plants, you may want to get rid of it. This plant is in the nightshade family. The leaves and green fruits are poisonous and contain glycoalkaloid solanine.

If humans or animals come in contact with the burs (spines) intense lingering pain can occur. This is especially problematic for dogs who will chew and lick their feet if they step on this plant. It is sad that beautiful plants like these also come with dangers.

Hope this information helps!

Filed Under: Plant Identification, Weed Identification Tagged With: Buffalo Star, Weed Identification, Weeds

Hotel Lobby Decor Not What It Seems

September 29, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Rare Creature Spotted In Hotel Lobby

Scientific Name: Brontoterodactylsaurus
Common Name: Green Flying Dinosaur
Behavior: Non-aggressive toward humans
Food Requirements: Drinks water only
Natural Habitat: Hotel Lobbies
Life Span: 1 -2 weeks

SEPT 23 — The photo above is a rare glimpse at the elusive Brontoterodactylsaurus in their natural habitat. These two were spotted by expert florist and amateur dino-photographer, Tom Kenison of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, New Jersey. Tom reports that these two creatures truly enjoyed the time they spent in this hotel’s lobby.

Because they only require water for sustenance, hotel workers greeted them with open arms. “They were very friendly to all guests. Normally they would just strike a pose and blend in as lobby decorations,” says Kendra, a desk-worker for the hotel. “We had people from all around the state coming to see these rare creatures as they passed through our lucky, hotel lobby.”

This pair of lobby decor dinos only stayed at the hotel for a couple of weeks and have moved on. Will we ever see these creatures again? Your guess is as good as mine, but keep your eyes peeled next time you’re in a hotel lobby. You never know what elusive creatures might be hiding in plain sight.

When Tom submitted this picture on our Facebook page, I knew I had to share it with all of our readers! It’s just way too cool and creative. This hotel lobby design was made by Tom and his staff at Crossroads Florist. They typically do a new floral design for this hotel’s lobby every couple of weeks. I always enjoy seeing them because Tom really find ways to be creative and think outside of the box. This is the type of floral design that really turns heads and gets noticed! It would also make a great design for event decor.

“Well sometimes you just have to have fun… I was hiking in the woods and came across a bamboo patch… I cut some down and started playing.. I made the bamboo stands and was just going to put an arrangement on top, when the vision of “legs” came to me… and it developed from there… “

Keep up the GREAT work, Tom, and we love seeing your pictures on our Page!

Filed Under: Floral Design Tagged With: design, Floral Art, Floral Design, New Jersey Florists

Think Pink This October

September 28, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the time the whole world turns PINK! Because about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, but this doesn’t have to be a death sentence. The good news is, with early detection, there is a 95% survival rate! So if you’re over 20, male or female, don’t forget to check yourself regularly!

In 2010, there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. This is a fact we should all be excited about. Cancer is a scary subject and hearing stories of survival are always encouraging! The battle with breast cancer is a fight we CAN and WILL win! All it takes is reminders, awareness and a little PINK!

If you know someone who has championed their fight with breast cancer, send them Think Pink flowers this month to let them know how happy you are to have them in your life.

We have added a PDF download of the above flyer here: Breast Cancer Awareness Free Flyer

Filed Under: Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Breast Cancer Awareness, Cancer Survivors, Pink Flowers

Unique Wedding Bouquets

September 27, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

It’s no secret brides are looking for something out-of-the-box when it comes to their wedding. In the last three years, traditional weddings have declined by as much as 30%. Brides are opting for more of a personal and stylish look to make their dream wedding truly unique. While most brides keep with the traditional white dress, it’s the bouquet that really packs the punch of pizazz. In this article, we will show you some really unusual wedding bouquets spotted at florist conventions all across the US.

Bride’s Bouquet Attention To Detail

The above bouquets are truly phenomenal because of their attention to detail and texture. The pink bouquet must be seen in full size to appreciate it’s details. Sure, they are both non-traditional bouquets, but imagine just how much these would POP against a wedding dress. I’d imagine the bride with the pink bouquet would be down-to-earth and quirky with a unique style all her own. The bride with the blue bouquet would be a little more classy and sophisticated, with a bit of a wild side that loves glitz and glam.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to designing your wedding bouquet. It is a way to really show your personality. If you love nature and the outdoors, tie in a few twigs and rustic elements and top it off with garden ivy. (like the pink bouquet above) Or if you love all-things-bling this blue bouquet is for you. It’s rare blue color and interesting sea holly flowers just scream style, and the added trails of flashy gems put this bouquet over the top!

Identification of an Interesting Red Seed Pod

September 27, 2011 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Plant Expert: Can you help me ID this
Recent trip to a nature center here in Conyers, GA I photographed this plant/flower and would like to know its name.
Thanks very much. Russ

: Euonymus americanus seed pod

: Strawberry Bush Seed Pod & Leaves

Plant Expert Reply: I believe the plant is an Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush). Native to the United States, this perennial shrub can grow from 6-12ft in height. If you want to grow a Strawberry Bush in your own yard you will need the following:

A part-shade exposure – grows best in light shade
A moist soil – although with proper watering can be grown in dry soils
Needs high amount of water – can be used in swampy areas

Strawberry Bush grows well in the following states – AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV.

This plant, also, goes by Brook euonymus, Hearts-a-burstin, Bursting-heart, Wahoo and is in the bittersweet family.

I hope this information was helpful.

Did you know that a local Conyers GA Florist can create an arrangement that simulates the unique elements of the seed pod?

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Identification, Seed Pod Identification

Leave The Flowers To Us! — Benefits of Local Florists

September 26, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

I know around here we are always repeating “local local local!” but just what is the importance of using a local florist when ordering flowers?

Best Deal In Flowers is Local

Did you know by finding and using a real local florist you could ADD as much as 30% MORE to your flower order? Many websites online promise flowers, but take a large percentage of your order for their own pockets before they send it to a florist to be created. (Not FSN of course!) This is not a good deal for you OR your florist.

How to tell if a florist is local:

Local Physical Address
Phone Number To The Shop Directly

Flower Shop Network makes it easy for you to buy online from a real local florist. When you select a flower arrangement from our Flower Gallery, you will be instantly connected to a REAL local florist in your community. You can also visit our directory and choose your own florist anywhere in the US & Canada!

Best Quality Flowers & Flower Delivery

Your local florist will have the freshest and best selection of flowers, hands-down. When you send a friend flowers from a local florist, you know they will be fresh and beautiful. A local florist would never dream of delivering your flowers in a box for your friend to put together themselves. (Yes, it happens!) Also, a local flower shop in your city will know the area and won’t get lost when delivering your important order.

Local Quality

Florists in your area will have expert knowledge of what flowers work best and last the longest in your area. Some florists even use locally grown flowers when available. If you host a lot of outdoor events, a florist local to the area is going to know the ins and outs of keeping your flowers looking their best throughout the entire occasion. You just can’t go wrong with a good local florist.

What if I want to send flowers to a friend who is not in my city? How do I find a local florist?

This is exactly where FSN’s local florist directory comes in handy! Here you can find real florists, as well as reviews, maps, and more!

So remember, for the best quality, service and freshest flowers — when you think flowers, think local!

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Florist Directory, Flower Shop Network, Local Florists, Local Flower Shops