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!

15 Hot Summer Flowers

Summer begins Saturday June 21st. If you enjoy having seasonal blooms on your table or in your home, check out this list of some of the most popular summer flowers available June through August. Your florist may not have all of these on-hand every day, but they should be available if you give her a couple days notice.

Rainbow of BloomsSavannah StyleCelebrate the Day

Sensational Summer Flowers

  1. Begonia – These are beautiful flowers that come in large variety of colors. They are native to tropical climates, but can be grown in colder regions of the world during the summer months. This flower traditionally means, beware or be cautious. Sound advice if you are planning on giving these flowers as a gift to your significant other.
  2. Chrysanthemum – These flowers have a long and storied history dating back to before the 15th Century BCE. So if you’re looking for blooms with a little gravitas, these are the flowers for you. They traditionally mean joy or optimism.
  3. Orchid – These delicate blooms represent love, luxury, beauty and strength. They have long been coveted flowers because of their fragile beauty and long lives.
  4. Gardenia  The perfect choice for the secret admirer or the smitten would-be lover. This flower traditionally means secret love and is a wonderful way to let someone know you’re thinking of them.
  5. Gerbera – A popular choice, this flower means innocence, purity and cheerfulness. For more information about the Gerbera, check out our March Flower Spotlight!
  6. Hyacinth – A wonderful flower for professing your devotion, the hyacinth traditionally means constancy. Its name comes from an unsurprisingly tragic tale from Greek Mythology, but then what Greek Myth doesn’t end in tragedy?
  7. Hydrangea – These make a wonderful gift to give after you’ve had a sincere apology accepted. The traditional meaning of hydrangea is heartfelt emotion and gratitude for being understood.
  8. Iris – The iris is another flower whose name hails from the Greeks. It stands for faith, hope, wisdom, courage and admiration.
  9. Lily – The lily may be a flower that has grown alongside mankind as long as there has been a thing such as mankind. As such, it has many different meanings depending on the culture you’re coming from. For detailed information on the lily, check out our April Flower Spotlight!
  10. Lilac – Oh, those flower loving Greeks, they named another one! It should come as no surprise that so many summer flowers have names that come from the Greek isles. After all, the Mediterranean climate is sort of … summery. The lilac is perfect as a gift from a student to a teacher or from you to your child as the flower traditionally means youthful innocence.
  11. Magnolia – The magnolia tree is a common site throughout most of the South during the summer. It is a gorgeous white blossom that means splendid beauty and dignity and is perfect for that singular love of your life.
  12. Marigold – The marigold is a gorgeous flower that comes in bright, vibrant oranges and reds. It should then come as no surprise that it traditionally means passion and creativity. This makes it the perfect gift for that relationship in the heat of its life.
  13. Peony – The peony is lovely flower that means good fortune and a happy marriage. It is generally considered synonymous with the 12th wedding anniversary. For more information on peonies, check out the May Flower Spotlight!
  14. Poppy – The poppy has a gorgeous bloom and means beauty, magic, consolation, fertility and eternal life. It makes a good gift for many different situations, and its versatility makes it popular.
  15. Rose – I’m sure you’re more than familiar with this extremely popular flower, but it is a summer flower and it’s popularity makes it impossible to leave off this list. Roses have many different meanings based on their color, but the most commonly known is red which means romantic love. For more information on roses, check out our February Flower Spotlight.

Sweet Georgia PeachSun-Drenched ColorHooray For Summer

Summer is definitely the season for flowers, and as always, the best place to get those flowers is from your local florist. Don’t neglect yourself this warm summer season, buy some flowers for you or a loved one and enjoy the best that nature has to offer!

Hanakotoba: The Japanese Language of Flowers

"Noble Wealth"

"Noble Wealth"

In the Victorian Era, flowers were used as a means of communication. Each flower had it’s own, particular meaning and bouquets were used to send coded messages. People today still send flowers chosen specifically for their flower meanings.

Not only did the Western world have its own coded, flower language, the East had one as well— Hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers. Although, obviously not as popular today as it once was, Hanakotoba is still used in many Japanese movies and animations.

Kanji

English

Meaning

アマリリス Amaryllis Shy
アネモネ Anemone (white) Sincere
椿 Camellia (red) In Love
椿 Camellia (yellow) Longing
椿 Camellia (white) Waiting
カーネーション Carnation Passion
Cherry Blossom Kind/Gentle
黄菊 Chrysanthemum (yellow) Imperial/Elegant
白菊 Chrysanthemum (white) Truth/Self-Esteem
水仙 Daffodil Respect
天竺牡丹 Dahlia Good Taste
雛菊 Daisy Faith
勿忘草 Forget-Me-Not True Love
フリージア Freesia Immaculate
梔子 Gardenia Secret Love/Pure
紫陽花 Hydrangea Pride
アイリス / 菖蒲 Iris Noble Heart/Good News
白百合 Lily (white) Purity
百合 Lily of the Valley Sweet/Promise of Happiness
鬼百合 Tiger Lily Wealth
マグノリア Magnolia Natural/Love For Nature
雛芥子 Poppy Comfort
紅薔薇 Rose (red) Love/In Love
薔薇 Rose (white) Innocence/Devotion
桃色薔薇 Rose (pink) Trust/Confidence
黄色薔薇 Rose (yellow) Noble
チューリップ Tulip Charity/Trust

Contact your local florist today and ask for an arrangement using your favorite Hanakotoba flower meanings.

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

Mesmerizing, Majestic Magnolias; The Louisiana State Flower

I have a beautiful magnolia tree in my front yard so I’m especially attached to the Louisiana state flower. In case you haven’t guessed it yet, the Louisiana state flower is the magnificent magnolia. The flowers that bloom on a magnolia tree are beautiful, large, creamy white and richly scented. Even as the petals fall, there is beauty to behold. Watching magnolia flowers fall from a tree is like watching snow dance across the yard in the middle of June. There is very little to dislike about magnolias, so it’s easy to see why Louisiana legislators would choose the magnolia as their state flower.

Photo courtesy 50states.com

Photo courtesy 50states.com

Like most state flowers, the magnolia is not one that you will find in arrangements from a local flower shop. Instead, these are beautiful flowers that are found on magnolia trees all across the south. It’s probably why you hear so many Old South impressions that include the phrase “like a beautiful magnolia” or “my little magnolia.” Having never seen the movie, I can’t tie Steel Magnolias into my southern theme but it says a lot for the magnolias to be in a movie title! That’s one distinctive flower!

Louisianans can be very proud of their state flower. The magnolia is a credit to any yard that the magnolia tree graces. As the flowers begin to bloom a very sweet aroma is released. You can tell it’s spring when you step onto your porch and smell a light, airy fragrance laced with sweetness. One look at a magnolia tree in bloom and there is no doubt what kind of tree it is. Magnolias are remarkable and unmistakable. Louisiana florists are not the only ones who get to witness the beauty of magnolia flowers. No, this is a bloom that florists everywhere can enjoy even if it’s just a photo. They are that special!

Magnolia Alive Or Dead?

Ask the Expert: Newly planted magnolia trees looks dead?
Hello,
I just bought 3 magnolia trees from a nursery last May. 7 ft, 5 ft. and a 3 ft. in height. The trees didn’t have flowers and leaves when I bought them but I thought that maybe it’s because it’s still early spring. It’s is now June 10 and they have less than 10 leaves on each tree. Is it dead? how long should I wait for leaves to bud?

Plant Expert Reply:

I assume you have purchased a type of deciduios Magnolia like Magnolia soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia) and not Magnolia grandifolia (Sounthern Magnolia).   Southern Magnolias should always have leaves.  However decidious magnolias will drop their leaves in the winter.

When you say you bought them last May do you mean May of 2008 or 2009.  If you mean 2008 and the trees didn’t have leaves all of last year, the trees are probably not going to make it.  However, if you mean May 2009, then trees have a good chance and may be slow in forming leaves.  Usually by this time, your magnolia should be fully leafed out.  To see if your tree is still alive take your finger and scrape the branches.  If the tissue underneath is green or has a green cast to it, the tree is still alive.  You will need to prune off any dead till you reach the green tissue.

When you planted the magnolia trees, did make sure not to plant them too deep.  The original top of the tree root ball should have been even with or slightly higher that the top of the ground.  If the trees are planted to deep, the tree will be stressed and may not produce leaves correctly.  You will need to raise the plant if it is planted too deep.

You can give the tree Vitamin B1 and fertilize to help it thrive.

Good Luck and Keep Me Posted.

Magnolia Is Dying Why?

Ask the Expert: Magnolia Tree….leaves brown and dry
I live in PA.  I have a Magnolia Tree that is about 5 years old.  Last year it got a few flowers.  However, this year it looks dead.  All of the leaves are brown and hard.  We put holly tone fertilizer in the ground.  A few branches (on the lower half) of leaves turned really green after a week, but the rest still look dead and brown. The leaves were never spotted and I do not see anything growing on the trunk. Someone mentioned that there is some kind of worm that gets in the top of the tree trunk and kills the tree…is that a possibility?  If so, what is that called?  Thank you for any advice. Kelly

Plant Expert Reply:

They could be referring to scale or magnolia borers. If you had either there would be signs of it still on the tree in the form of things that looked liked raise bumps or oozing places on the stems or trunks.

Magnolias are susceptible to a few pests and diseases such as baterical leaf spot, magnolia boreres, spot anthracnose, canker, dieback, butt rot, powdery mildew, anthracnose, fungal spots, snails, weevils, scale insects, planthoppers, and thrips.

I believe in your case dieback is probably the culprit.  Dieback is cuased by a freezing injury to the plant.  This usually occurs when the winter has extreme flutuation in the winter temperatures and condition.  The tips or tops of plants usually are effect by dieback.  You will need to prune out all of the dead limbs and branches.

It could be a result of anthracnose, fungal or bacterial problems.  However, normally fungua will present themselves with discoloration on the leaves, trunk or branches.  Since you didn’t see any of these signs, dieback seems to be the isssue.

If it was insect damage, you would see evidence of the insects.  Again since there is no evidence of insects, dieback seems to be the problem.

I would take one more careful look at all parts of the tree.  If you see anything out of the ordinary, send me a picture and I will identify what it is.  In the mean time, you will still need to trim out the dead.  Cut branches back until you find live green wood.

Good luck and keep me posted.

What Causes A Magnolia To Look Dead

Ask the Expert: mature magnolia tree in northeast looks dead mature tree has been blooming beautifully. last year I got only leaves, this year it looks dead. the only thing I did different was to put yard leaves around base of tree last fall. Tracy

Reply:
I don’t recommend piling leaves up around the base of any tree. If you want to use leaves as a way to mulch your tree, create a saucer of leaves that are not stacked against the truck of the tree. Think of a cup and saucer. The saucer is higher at the edges than it is when the cup sets.

However, I don’t think the leaves necessarily are the contributing factor for the decline in the magnolia. How long has the magnolia been planted and do you know what kind of magnolia it is? Have you noticed any funny growth on the tree? There are a few diseases that could be causing this problem. If you can send me photos of the tree, I might be able to tell if a disease is the problem. Get photos from different angles and different parts of the tree.

In the mean-time, take your fingernail and scrape a few branches and the trunk. If you see any signs of green the magnolia may still be alive.

How The Magnolia Blossomed Into The Mississippi State Flower

I have a magnolia tree in my front yard so I have a unique love for the magnolia blooms. Their colors range from stark white to ivory. While most of the other trees in the yard are simply green and normal, the magnolia tree produces beautiful flowers that my family and neighbors are able to enjoy each year.

Photo Credit:  50states.com

Photo Credit: 50states.com

I ran across a list of state flowers and the Mississippi state flower caught my eye. Little did I know, the magnolia earned this prestigious title more than 100 years ago! An election was held in November of 1900 to select the state flower of Mississippi. What amazes me is that school children were the ones who voted. 23, 278 school children voted. Of this large number, 12, 745 votes were cast for the magnolia. Wow! The cotton blossom and the cape jasmine took home a large chunk of the votes but the magnolia was declared the winner. Legislature in 1952 officially declared the Mississippi state flower to be the magnolia.

What’s even more entertaining is that the magnolia is so popular that the magnolia tree was voted as the Mississippi state tree as well! That’s right. The Director of Forestry put it to a vote in 1935. School children were given four options–magnolia, oak, pine, dogwood–of which the magnolia received overwhelming support.

It’s hard for a florist to look at magnolia blossoms and not be inspired. Their color, unique shape, light scent and even their blooming season is inspiration enough for a beautiful bouquet. Want to know just how inspiring these blooms can be? Contact a local florist for a magnolia inspired arrangement.