Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!
Find Your Local Florist:
Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!

What Is This Flowering Plant With Coral-Pink Blooms

May 10, 2010 by 1 Comment
Christmas Pride Ruellia macranthia

Christmas Pride Ruellia macranthia

Ask the Expert: Could you please tell me the name of this flower

This plant was given to us by a friend who does not know the name of it. We think it may belong to the Begonia family, but are not quite sure. It was thought that perhaps its common name was African Rice plant but I don\’t think this is correct Can you help please.

Kind Regards
John

Plant Expert Reply:
I can’t see the flower detail exactly, but I believe what you have is a Ruellia macrantha commonly called Christmas Pride or Brazilian Rose. This erect soft stemmed shrub blooms fall and winter and occasionally. It is used as a container plant , although in California it is used as a garden plant. They like bright filtered light and high humidity.

This flower identifications was brought to you by the local florists in Elverta California.

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: , ,

Interesting Bloom May Come From Pineapple Guava

May 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: Identification of this flowering shrub
A friend gave me this shrub, I did not realize that it blooms until last year. The first picture is the bloom, the second is of two buds, and the third is another bloom. I have not found anyone around that can identify this plant. The leaves are a velvety grayish green color on the underside, it is a woody type shrub. Can you help me? Kelly

Plant Expert Reply:
I believe the plant is a Feijoa sellowiana – Acca sellowiana (Pineapple Guava). It is an evergreen shrub that produces an edible fruit after 3 to 5 years. The kiwi size fruit tastes like a cross between a pineapple and guava with a hint of mint. The sweet edible flowers appear May through June. Temperatures from 20 to 50 degrees stimulate flower production. They need full sun and usually prefer a zone 8 or above if planted outside.

This flower identification question was brought to you by the local florists in Boca Raton

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: , ,

Painting Hydrangeas To Use On A Wedding Cake

May 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

wedding-cake-with-purple-hydrangea-bloomsAsk the Expert: Can you paint hydrangeas and put on cake?

We are doing a wedding this weekend with Hydrangea. Since they are very expensive in colors we are using white hydrangea and painting them purple. I have some reservation about using painted flowers on a cake. Will it smear on to the icing? I am pretty sure the ones in the attached picture are painted but I just wanted to make sure.Please let tell me what you would suggest! Thanks. Whitney

Plant Expert Reply:

Hydrangea would not be my choice for cake flowers. If you need to use them begin by hydrating them properly. Without a water source the hydrangeas will curl quickly. So, proper hydrangea hydration is essential.

As for painting the blooms, you need to use the right type of paint.  You need paint specially designed for flowers.  Design Masters’ “Just For Flowers” floral paints come in several different shades.  Choose one that has the right tint and test it on one of the hydrangea blooms. This is the only way you will be able to tell if the color will run. Using a paint specifically for flowers is critical.  Other paints will not be absorbed by the flower correctly and will cause issues like: blotchy and smearing.

Good luck and please let me know how it turns out.

This flower design tip is brought ot you by local Phoenix Florists.

Filed Under: Floral Design Tagged With: , , ,

How To Care For Mother’s Day Azalea

May 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: I got a Azalea Plant for Mothers Day, and I want to know if I can plant it in a flower pot instead of planting it outside because we are planing to move from the home we are now living in. I also need to know how I should I plant it in the pot.

Thank you very much Katie

Plant Expert Reply:

If you are planning on moving and want to take the plant with you, I would keep it in a pot.  I assume that the azalea came from a florist.  Typically these types of azaleas do well in a pot for quite a while and are hardy only in zone 7-10.  If it came in a basket or was wrapped in foil, I would transplant it into a better container with a drain hole. Azlaea do not like to be soggy, so drainage is essential. Use a peat based potting soil with gravel, rocks or broken terracotta pieces at the bottom of the pot.

While the azalea is in the pot be careful not to over water it. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. The soil should be moist to the touch but you should not be able to squeeze water from it.

If you are moving to a 7-10 zone, you can plant the azalea in your yard. Again you will need to plant the azalea in soil that drains well.  I also suggest mulching the azalea with pine mulch. During the warm season place it on your deck or patio.  During the winter place it in a room with lots of light.

During the growing season (April through August), make sure you fertilize it.  You can use liquid mir-acid every couple of weeks. Once in the ground use a slow release fertilize with a systemic insecticide once a month.

Good luck and please kee me posted.

This plant care questions was brought ot you by Mobile AL Florists

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: , ,

It’s Mother’s Day At Flower Shop Network!

May 7, 2010 by 1 Comment

This is such a cute story, I had to share it with you guys! Lynn, one of our awesome FSN Reps just received flowers from her daughter Samantha. The best part is, Samantha ALSO works here at Flower Shop Network in our Relay dept.

Just goes to show you, NOTHING should stop you from sending flowers to your mom on Mother’s Day! Even if you work in the same building!! Way to go Samantha!

As you can see from the pic (above), Lynn is a wonderful mother and all about her family! Every corner of her desk is covered in tiny thumbnails of her children. She definitely deserved receiving Mother’s Day flowers from her daughter this afternoon!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: ,

Send an Arrangement Your Mom Will Remember Using Birth Month Flowers!

May 7, 2010 by 1 Comment

Mothers love anything that reminds them of their children–including flowers! Harness the deep meaning of flowers this year to create a personalized Mothers Day Bouquet with a bloom to represent each of her children. Similar to the popular mother’s ring, these gorgeous bouquets are a wonderful Mother’s Day Gift that hold special meaning and brighten Mom’s day!

sweet-pea

Sweet Pea Represents April Birthdays!

Work with your local florist to choose blooms that represent the birth month of each of your siblings and design a bouquet to send on Mother’s Day. These creative, colorful bouquets will touch Mom’s heart and include all of your siblings in showing her how much you care. Here’s a quick guide to finding your birth month flower:

  • January – Carnations or snowdrops (Colors:  black, dark blue or red)
  • February – Violet or primrose (Colors:  violet, sky blue or yellow)
  • March – Daffodil or jonquil (Colors:  white or light blue)
  • April – Daisy or sweet pea (Colors:  yellow, red and colorless)
  • May -Lily of the Valley or hawthorn (Colors:  yellow, red and green)
  • June – Rose or honeysuckle (Colors:  light blue, white and cream)
  • July – Larkspur or water lily (Colors: green, russet and red)
  • August – Gladiolas or poppy (Colors: orange, red and light green)
  • September – Aster or morning glory (Colors: brown, deep blue)
  • October – Calendula or cosmos (Colors: white, yellow and varied)
  • November -Chrysanthemum (Colors: dark blue, red and yellow)
  • December –  Narcissus or holly (Colors: indigo, green, greenish blue)

As you can see, there are few options per month, making it easy to create a beautiful Mother’s Day Bouquet! It’s that simple! Call your florist, tell her your chosen flowers and let her work her magic!

This is also perfect for Moms who live far away. Locate a local florist near you mother and tell her your brilliant idea! Your mom will appreciate the extra effort making her Mother’s Day one to remember!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What Is This Vine? What Is This Yellow Blooming Plant?

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment

green-vining-plantAsk the Expert: MA wild flowers/weeds. toxic?

I run a small dog care facility and need to know if any of the plants in this picture or toxic. We just moved here and have lots of questions about what is emerging now that it’s spring.  Thanks! Deb

Plant Expert Reply:

I think the vining plant is Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper, woodbine) which is a native plant in Massachusetts. As far as I know it doe not have any toxic qualities. The USDA has a Viriginia creeper fact sheet that has some very useful information. You might want to read it.

I can’t really tell from the photo, but the yellow blooming plant may be a type of Euphorbia. The sap of some Euphorbias can cause irratation but I’m not sure how toxic they are. I didn’t find them on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-toxic plant list.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions

Las Tradiciones del Día de Las Madres en Mexico

May 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Flores Brillantes Para El Dia De Las Madres

Flores Brillantes Para El Dia De Las Madres

El Día de Las Madres es un día muy especial para celebrar alrededor del mundo. Un día para honorar y darle amor a todas las madres por todo lo que han hecho por nosotros. Es seguro que El Día de Las Madres es un día celebrado por todo el mundo, pero sabia usted que en unos países El Día de Las Madres no es celebrado el mismo día. En los Estados Unidos El Día de Las Madres siempre es el segundo domingo del mes de Mayo, pero en Mexico hay un día escogido cada año, este año es el día 10 de Mayo. No solo son los días que son diferentes para El Día de Las Madres pero tambien las tradiciones.

Las tradiciones del Día de Las Madres en Mexico son un poco diferentes a las tradiciones de los Estados Unidos. En Mexico celebrando el Dia de Las Madres tiene mucho mas razon y sentimiento. Para la gente de Mexico El Día de Las Madres no solo es un día para celebrar pero es un día muy especial para todas las madres y sus familias. Para la comunidad hispana la familia es algo muy importante y querida.

No solo las familias celebran El Día de Las Madres pero las iglesias de las comunidades hispanas lo hacen tambien. En Mexico las iglesias organizan un día de celebracion y amor muy festivo para todas las madres de la comunidad. La celebracion comienza con los mariachis o la orchestra tocando le ”Las Mañanitas” a todas las madres. Un poco despues las madres son servidas comida tradicional muy deliciosa. De tamales a atole, una comida muy sabrosa es exactamente lo que las madres necesitan para ponerse mas feliz de lo que estan. Para la comunidad Hispana no solo se trata de celebrar con la comunidad pero celebrar con la familia tambien.

Rosas Rosas Para El Dia de Las Madres

Rosas Rojas Para El Dia de Las Madres

Que regalos reciben las madres en las comunidades Hispanas? Bueno, reciben casi lo mismo que cualquier madre en otro pais como ramos de flores, chocolates,y globos. En las comunidades Hispanas las escuelas siempre toman parte en ayudar le a los niños hacer algo especial para sus madres. En veces decoran cartas o escriben un poema, la mayoridad de las vez viniendo de ellos mismos.

Estas son solo unas de las maneras en que El Día de Las Madres es celebrado en el pais de Mexico. De fiestas a comidas deliciosas, lo unico que importa al ultimo es darle gracias y amor a cada madre del mundo!

Quiere enviar le flores a su madre este Dia de Las Madres? Flower Shop Network le puede ayudar encontrar a un florista local en su area!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: , ,

This Florist Has A Special Connection To Mother’s Day

May 5, 2010 by 1 Comment

Every florist looks forward to Mother’s Day rolling around, but for this Berlin NJ local florist, 2010 Mother’s Day holds a very special meaning.

Sandy Hooper and her mother, MaryJane, ran their flower shop, Plum Point Gifts, together from 2003 until just last May. “We were doing OK, but not the best,” said Hooper. “For some reason, last May my mother told me to close down. We didn’t know why. We thought maybe she wanted more time.”

Soon after they closed the shop, MaryJane took a turn for the worse, and in September, MaryJane passed away at age 74.

But the story only begins there, Sandra was able to open a new flower business, just four months ago. The name of the shop? MaryJane’s Flowers, in honor of her mother.

Business has been thriving in just those short months — with Sandra’s close connection to Mother’s Day, its no wonder! Sandra created the beautiful, personalized Mother’s Day bouquet (seen above) in honor of her mother and since it has been featured in our April Newsletter, as well as written about in her local newspaper.

Congratulations, Sandra, on your new shop, and for inspiring all of us to do something great to honor our moms this Mother’s Day.

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: , ,

Mexico’s Love of Flowers

May 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, FSN is taking a look at Mexico’s deep love of flowers. From the earliest cultures, to the latest generations, Mexico has always had a close relationship with their natural surroundings.

Xochipilli StatueStarting centuries ago with the Aztecs, who elevated the importance of flowers through religious ceremonies and royal privileges.

  • There were certain trees (particularly one native, very fragrant magnolia) reserved only for royalty.
  • Important peoples had plant/flower titles such as “Noble Lord Flower”
  • They even had gods who loved flowers, Xochipilli was the god of art, games, beauty and flowers.
  • They named many of the Days, Months and Years after flowers on the Aztec Calendar.
  • Over 3000 medicinal plants used by the Aztecs are still used today.

ChinampasThe Aztecs also enjoyed personal flower gardens complete with pools, terraces and fountains. However, the Aztec chinampas was where their true gardening talent shined through. Chinampas were their extremely fertile, floating gardens.

The Aztecs would fence off a small section in a shallow lake bed, then fill it with [Read more…]

Filed Under: Holiday Info Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Find Flowers
Learn & Explore
For the Florists
More About Us
We're Social
FSN on Facebook FSN on Youtube FSN on Pinterest FSN RSS Feed
fsn-01.local-aws
Flower Shop Network is your source for finding a real local florist.