Language of Color.

One of the most commonly asked questions, as a florist, is "What do the different colors of roses mean?" - well here are a few answers....

Red roses - Love and endless passion. Only meant to be given as a devotion of true, infinite love.

Yellow roses - Friendship. When someone is feeling down, in need of a hug, this is the perfect rose to brighten their day.

White roses - Purity and innocence. This rose is also known as a "bridal rose" - as it is commonly associated with young, new love.

Pink roses - Elegance and femininity. A beautiful gift of grace and beauty. This rose is usually given as a gift of admiration or respect.

Orange roses - Desire and enthusiasm. This vibrant bloom is one meant to add excitement to one's intentions. Orange roses are most commonly paired with another color to create a deeper meaning.

Purple roses - Enchantment. Commonly associated with mystery and intrigue, the perfect gift for love at first site.

In addition to the rose, many flowers are used to represent colors associated with certain cultures....

Green, the symbol of luck thanks to the Irish!

Red or Fuschia, the bold colors of China and India.

Red and Yellow, the marriage colors of Egypt, Asia and Russia.

Blue or Turquoise, the "wedding color" of many Western countries. "Something borrowed, something blue".

Purple, the color of wealth and royalty, dating back to ancient Greece.

Service with a Smile & More...what your florist can do for you

A century ago, flowers were grown in one's own yard and enjoyed modestly outside of major occasions like weddings or funerals, which were served by family owned floral businesses. Today it is common to find flowers almost everywhere; your local flower shop, your neighbors yard, the grocery store, farmers market, the street corner, and even places like gas stations and Wal-mart. With so many options, and flowers becoming a commodity, why continue to choose your local professional florist?

Beyond the intrinsic value of supporting local companies who hire from, buy in and support your community, a professional offers services well beyond basic blooms. They can provide:

1) information on fresh flower and plant availability and suggestions for alternates when your favorite is out of season.

2) guidance on trends in floral, fashion, weddings, and gifts

3) best designs for your occasion and complimentary gifts

4) same day delivery...outside of pizza, this is hard to come by!

5) non-traditional gifts like fruit baskets, candy, pies, and more. Most with notice will custom design the perfect gift basket for your recipient

6) information on plant care, fresh flower care

7) re-potting of older plants

8) special ordering of exotic items

9) custom design for the home

10) ideas/options from the opulent to budget friendly for your wedding and other events

11) peace of mind...your gift, expertly prepared, handled by people you get to know, and delivered on time.

12) classes! Many florists offer design classes, which can be fun and informative, and a great way to learn more about flowers and to spend time with friends.

13) restaurant/photographer/bar/ movie/ baker/ etc suggestions....your local professional works with many other vendors and local businesses and can guide you in finding some local gems.

14) rental containers.

15) follow up service. Where else can you buy a gift, have it custom made, delivered, re-delivered if needed, and comes with a guarantee?

16) candles, ribbons, gems, speciality vases, and more

17) genuine concern...you are not a number with your flower shop. Like a barber, bartender or barista; they are there for all of life's high and low points...when babies are born, at birthdays, serious illnesses, proposals, weddings, thank yous, funerals and just making folks smile.

18) flower lore (where did the bridal bouquet come from, what are the special qualities of marigolds, etc)

19) full value. Ordering from unknown sites or call centers often comes with hidden fees.

20) quality product. Your florist knows where their blooms came from, handles them with proper care, and the attention and service often lacking in other transactions.

When offered with a choice, please consider flowers, and the local professionals whose passion for the product offers so much more than the price tag suggests. We hope to see you soon!

Flowers For A Year - The Gift That Keeps On Giving

One gift that is often overlooked for special occasions like Birthdays, Anniversaries, Mother's Day, and Administrative Professionals' Day is the gift of Flowers For A Year. This is a present that can remind a person they are special throughout the upcoming months.

Flowers are valued for their delicate beauty; however, some may be discouraged by their perishable nature. As florists, we try to encourage our customers to extend the life of their gift by customizing a Flowers for a Year package. Whether sending a beautiful bouquet each month, or a beautiful blooming plant every third month - one can design this gift on most budgets.

There are many benefits of the Flowers for a Year program that many people do not realize. First, it is a reasonable expectation that your florist will take on the responsibility of coordinating the various deliveries with the recipient, after the initial gift. Also, your florist should give you the most 'bang for your buck' by selecting the most seasonable blooms or plants. Furthermore, by ordering a Flowers for a Year, you are in a sense "pre-ordering" which for our customers, entitles them to a discount of 10% off each months order. Lastly, the payment types can be customized. Whether it is more convenient to pay upfront for the Flowers for a Year or place a credit card on file with your florist that will be charged at the time of each month's delivery. This really is a convenient gift to give!

Be sure to customize your gift for your recipients. You can send seasonal arrangements, a mix of bouquets, green plants, blooming plants, outdoor plants, pie & flowers, balloon bouquets or much much more!

Enjoy the ease of giving flowers that will bring a smile to the recipient's face throughout the year!

Stop and Smell the......

"Flowers are the sweetest thing God ever made and forgot to put a soul into"
--Henry Ward Beecher

There is little argument that part of the timeless appeal and fondness for fresh flowers is due in no small part to fragrance; whether it be subtle and sweet, to heady or spicy. It is a common request that a designer include blooms that have this undeniable attribute. And no wonder! The sense of smell is connected to our emotions and memory more so than any other....we remember the gentle breeze though grandma's lilacs, or the anticipation which greeted us with our prom corsage, or the rich aroma of dad at the grill.

Of course most people are familiar with choices like oriental lilies and gardenias. Spring and early summer is an excellent season for those who love the smell of flowers: hyacinths, sweet peas, peonies, freesia, lilacs, lily of the valley sweetening the air. Once the season is past, all is not lost however; look for inexpensive and varied colored stock with it's spicy, chai tea like smell, or the humble carnation with a mild clove scent. Many herbs can enhance the fragrance of your design as well; mint, scented geranium, rosemary, lavender, and even eucalyptus can create a bountiful bouquet for the nose!

Certain rose varieties also still retain this ephemeral and enchanting quality, ask for varieties like attache or ohara. English garden roses often have more fragrance than their common relatives and are a great substitute for peonies in style and size.

There are many surprises to be had; most orchids lack scent, but some are wonderfully aromatic; chocolate cosmos smells like--you guessed it--bittersweet chocolate, and alliums like onions. Even snapdragons have a light, fresh scent like pea pods in the garden.

I encourage you to explore flowers not only with your eyes, but with all your senses and enjoy the natural aromatherapy of having them on your desk or in your home--your nose will thank you!

Are flowers worth the money?

Lately so many people have approached me and asked why they should spend money on flowers?
My response is, why spend money on dining out? On going for drink after Softball or for Girls' Night Out? Or on new shoes or a round of golf? My response is, the experience. Your meal, your drink or the golf will not last forever - like flowers - but the value is in the occasion. It does not last forever, but does anything? Especially during an economic downturn it is so important to treat those around you, and yourself, to a smile, at less than the price of a new car, a vacation or diamonds. When I receive flowers as a surprise - it completely transforms my day - isn't that our goal? To enjoy the now, and help others do the same.