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Summer Flowers Create Marvelous Memories

May 11, 2010 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Some of our fondest memories of summer stem from our love of flowers. This month, we are taking a look at three summer flower favorites! Who can forget their childhood summers spent sipping tiny drops of nectar from honeysuckles? What about the colorful flowers that attracted the first hummingbird you saw? Or the moment your first real-flower lei was draped over your shoulders? Get into the spirit of summer early this year with this first look at sensational summer flowers.

It’s Not Summer Without Honeysuckle Flowers!

Who can forget the childhood wonder of their very first taste of honeysuckle nectar and the sensory abandonment that accompanied the moment when the sweet scent of this summer flower’s blossoms wafted over you and the sugary taste of the syrup as the first drop hit your tongue? Many children have undoubtedly spent hours of their summer vacations laboriously collecting teeny droplets into mason jars, believing themselves to be business savvy entrepreneurs who could “get rich” selling the sweet ambrosia.

While those dreams never came to fruition for most of us, the honeysuckle remains a great source of nostalgia and continues to bring joy to those who find pleasure in its many uses. Many people unfairly deem honeysuckle an invasive pest with a penchant for overtaking everything in its path. Because of the resilience of the honeysuckle vine, it remains an ideal candidate for creating borders in the yard or around garden areas. The honeysuckle vine will climb a trellis or a fence and create a beautiful natural perimeter when well pruned.

Outdoor dinner parties on the patio hosted near its fragrant blooms create an [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Memories, Newsletters Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Hawaiian Lei, Summer Flowers

How To: Personalize Your Mother’s Day Bouquet

April 6, 2010 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

No one knows you better than Mom, and the inverse rings true, too! Our moms are special, wonderful people whose personalities have been with us since the beginning. So, why not include a touch of Mom’s personality when sending a floral arrangement this Mother’s Day? It’s amazingly simple to add a touch of personality for a Mother’s Day bouquet that says, “Mom, I got this for you.”

To get started, contact your local florist to discuss your options. Adding something special to your mother’s arrangement can be as small as adding her favorite candy or getting creative with the container. Here are a few ideas:

Mother’s Day Collectible Gifts:

Is your mom an avid collector? If so, you and your florist can come up with a great way to incorporate any number of things, from brooches to tea pots. A skilled florist can find a way to mix in small items or arrange flowers in unconventional containers. For example, for a mother who collects tea pots, you can ask your florist to build their arrangement inside a lovely tea pot. Imagine how thrilled your mother would be to receive a stunning bouquet, as well as an addition to her prized collection!

Stamps, thimbles and countless other trinkets can be added with ease to a variety of arrangements. Collaborate with your florist to find the perfect idea for your mom! Trust me, the extra effort will be worth it!

The Perfect Color For Your Mother:

This is an easy one! What is your mother’s favorite color? My mother likes red, so naturally, I would choose red flowers and accessories when designing my arrangement. Add colored beads, ribbon and other details to add some pizazz to your arrangement. Don’t be afraid to go monochromatic: it’s modern and chic! The variety of textures in a monochromatic arrangement captivates the eyes in a new and exciting way!

Another great idea is to choose birth month flowers to represent each of your mother’s children. Follow this handy birth month flower guide to create a custom arrangement to represent those lucky enough to call your mother, “Mom.” Consider adding a card that explains the flowers and who in the family they represent. This colorful bouquet will be a exquisite reminder of how much your mom means to your family.

Mothers Adore Photos:

Adding family photos to bouquet is another wonderful way to personalize your Mother’s Day bouquet. Bring a handful of your mother’s cherished photos to your local florist and ask her to incorporate them into the arrangement. Include photos of your kindergarten graduation, your brother’s childhood toothless grin or photos of your entire family. You know your mother better than anyone, so choose photos you know matter most to her. You really can’t go wrong!

Another interpretation of this trend is creating a generational bouquet with flowers of your mother, her mother and your great-grandmother. This honors all the cherished mothers in your family and reminds your mother of the important place she holds.

Adding photos is a great way to personalize an arrangement if your mother lives far away, as photos can be sent to local florists all over the country. The extra effort will go a long way when letting your mother know how much you appreciate all that she has done for your family.

Moms Love Candy:

Adding candy or other edibles to an arrangement is a growing trend in floral design. By adding your mother’s favorite candy to an arrangement, you’re creating a bouquet to please all of the senses! Your florist will know the best way to incorporate candy bars, apples or whatever else your mother may like.

Use this as an opportunity to get creative! For example, for mother who is a teacher, incorporating apples into a bouquet would be a charming way to pay tribute to her profession while sending a one-of-a-kind bouquet to make her day.

Trust your florist to incorporate your ideas in a way that is pleasing to the eye. There are many ways to make your creative ideas come to life! However, this isn’t a last minute call. Take the time to plan ahead to ensure your Mothers Day bouquet worthy of the one who has done so much for you.

Mothers’ hobbies vary as much as their personalities. You know your mother better than anyone. Choose one thing to add to an arrangement that speaks to who your mother is and what she means to you. Taking the time to personalize a Mother’s Day arrangement will let her know how much you love her for her.

Teapot picture courtesy of Creative Commons

Photo Bouquet courtesy of Mary Jane’s Flowers and Gifts in Berlin New Jersey

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Newsletters Tagged With: Floral Design, Flower Suggestions, Gift Ideas, Mothers Day, Mothers Day Flowers, Mothers Day Gifts, Sending Flowers

A Passion for Purple Flowers

March 2, 2010 by Cindy Dyer 5 Comments

first-paragraph-photo2 Every spring, I begin the process of taking stock in my garden. What survived the cold winter? What areas just need sprucing up or an extreme makeover? Then, I head to my favorite nursery and begin my annual indulgence—plant shopping! The color I gravitate to most is purple—from pale periwinkle to luscious lavender to deep, velvety jewel tones.

Purple adds drama and mystery to my garden. I add yellow, pink and white flowers to add contrast and lighten the palette. To create great focal points with intense color, I combine shades of orange or gold in front of a swath of purple blooms. My favorite color combination is combining a punch of chartreuse with deep purple—talk about eye candy!

Below are some of my favorite purple blooms:

Balloon Flower or Chinese Bellflower (Platycodon) is a perennial plant known for its large, showy blossoms that resemble hot air balloons right before they open. The plant forms in clumps and each stem bears bell-shaped flowers in pink, purplish-blue and white. Grown in full sun or partial shade, they bloom throughout the summer.

Easy to grow, the striking Bearded Iris is a drought-tolerant plant with blooms in a rainbow of colors. Grown from rhizomes, these perennials blossom in spring, although there are summer-blooming irises. The blooms are large, showy and make a great backdrop in your garden.

crocus

Harbingers of spring, Crocus are one of the easiest bulbs to grow. Best planted en masse, these perennial flowers grow in full sun to partial shade and are ideal for naturalizing. With minimum growing conditions, they will reward you with a profusion of colorful blue, purple, yellow, white, orange, and even variegated flowers.

Grown from bulbs, Gladiolus have multiple blooms on long, sturdy stems. These sun-loving plants come in a wide array of colors and make great cut flowers. I’m always amazed that Gladiolus bulbs are so inexpensive—I’ve purchased a bag of 100 bulbs for as little as $12! And yes, I managed to plant all of them!

istock-gladiola

The Romance Of Flowers: How To Choose The Best Flowers For Your Sweetie

February 2, 2010 by Flower Shop Network 2 Comments

Flower Romance Consists Of More Than Roses!

Yes, roses are traditionally considered the most romantic flower.

However, this isn’t always the case. Though it seems hard to believe, many men and women do not care for roses or favor other flowers more highly.

When you’re in a pickle about which romantic flowers to get your sweetheart, don’t be discouraged. Try these ideas instead:

Choose A Flower With A Significant Meaning

The instant joy felt when receiving flowers is a memory not quickly forgotten. Often, parents send their children the same type of flower each year to celebrate a birthday, special occasion or Valentine’s Day before boyfriends and girlfriends enter the picture.

Carnations, orchids, tulips, daisies and other popular cut flowers are given as tokens of love and affection on these occasions. Growing up with those memories, the flowers sent are revered through adolescence and into adulthood.

When considering Valentine’s Day gifts, anniversary flowers, or birthday flowers this year, do your best to learn if a particular bloom has a special significance to your sweetheart.

Instead of the traditional “because it’s expected of me” gift, your sweetie will enjoy the “it’s truly because I care” gesture. The little things go a long way, and this is the “extra mile” sort of gift that will dazzle.

Select Fresh Flowers With Special Meanings

The sweetest thing someone can do for their lover is to personally select the flowers that go into a romantic bouquet. Taking the time to learn about flower meanings, flower color meanings and personal significance to the recipient is the most amazing part of any gift. When ordering a romantic flower bouquet from your florist, consider the following flowers. Each has a special flower meaning. (Hint: Include the flower meaning on the card and watch her eyes light up!)

Holly = domestic happiness
Larkspur = beautiful spirit
Lilac = first love
Orchid = delicate beauty
Red Tulip = declaration of love
Yellow Tulip = hopelessly in love

Talk with your florist about using flowers with significant meanings. The best gift of all is the gift that shows how much you care.

Romantic Flowers She’s Sure To Love

There are some fresh flowers that never fail. Many of the flowers below are [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions, Newsletters Tagged With: Flower Suggestions, Fresh Flowers, Lilac, Peony, Valentines Day Gifts

Roses: Your “Go To Gift”

January 5, 2010 by Flower Shop Network 6 Comments

Need a fresh gift idea? Many people traditionally think of roses as a romantic gift. However, roses are so much more than that. Few truly appreciate the uniqueness of roses and how the right spin on the gift of roses will make it the best gift yet.

Don’t feel left in the dark. From the flower meaning of roses to crafty card messages, here’s how to turn your bouquet of roses into the ultimate gift of love, friendship or thanks.

It’s Good To Look Back – A Partial History of the Rose

Adding a creative spin to your gift is easy when you know the history of the rose. The enclosure card is a great place to let your sweetheart or friend know why you chose the gift of roses. Do you see her as a goddess? An elegant, aristocratic type? Find your inspiration below.

Rose With Dew Drops Roses have played a large part of many societies throughout the world. In both Greek and Roman mythology, roses were associated with their goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus respectively). The rose has also been attributed to the Egyptian goddess Isis and the Christian religion’s Virgin Mary.

During the time of the Roman Empire, Romans placed a rose on the doorstep where secret matters were being discussed. The term “sub rosa,” meaning “under the rose,” came from this practice. The phrase means “to keep a secret” or “keep it secret.”

In English society, the rose is the national flower of England and the provincial flower of two provinces. It is also the national flower of the United States and the state flower of four U.S. states.

Valentines Day in the U.S. is not the only time when roses are given as a gift of love. Dark red roses are also given as romantic or affectionate gifts on St. George’s Day in Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain.

Why do you see so many roses with French names? Because much of the fascination with roses began when Empress Josephine of France encouraged the breeding of roses at her gardens in Malmaison. Subsequently, many famous French artists have grown famous for their depictions of roses. Examples include Pierre-Joseph Redoute, Henri Fantin-Latour, Claude [Read more…]

Filed Under: Newsletters Tagged With: Holiday Gift Ideas, Rose, Valentines Day Gifts

The Unique Beauty Of Christmas Cactus

December 8, 2009 by Flower Shop Network 7 Comments

Whenever I think of a Christmas cactus, I am reminded of the large one my Grandmother had while I was growing up. It sat on a shelf in a back bedroom and had long green arms of the unique-shaped leaves that spilled out everywhere around it. Only a few times can I remember seeing the beautiful white tubular flowers blooming on it. I always enjoyed seeing the plant when I visited and wished to have one of my own.

Red Christmas Cactus

During a visit while I was in college, I took a few clippings with me to try and start one of my own. The leaves did not survive the plane trip from Nevada to Arkansas, and I was disappointed to hear that the plant had died a few years later. I have since enjoyed the wide array of Christmas cacti bloom colors now available. In fact, I look forward to purchasing one this year to enjoy with my family.

With the holidays right around the corner, you may be thinking about your own Christmas cactus. Will it bloom soon? Perhaps you will look for another one this year, or maybe you will send one as a gift for a loved one to enjoy. The plants can be found in a wide variety of bloom colors, including white and shades of pink, red, purple and orange. If you do not have a Christmas cactus, this is the time of year they can be found in your local florist shop. With a little care, the Christmas cactus can become an heirloom, living long and providing beautiful blooms up to twice a year. It can truly be a gift that keeps on giving.

Christmas Cactus Facts

Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) are native to Brazilian rain forests and have been cultivated for commercial purposes for many years. In nature, the cacti are commonly found growing in decaying plant matter in tree branch crevices: here temperatures remain moderate and water runs off easily, keeping the plants moist but not damp. Because of these characteristics, the cacti make great houseplants.

The cacti require little care and can live and thrive for many years. The soil should be kept moist, but not wet to touch and should not be allowed to dry out completely. Temperatures should be kept moderate, and the plants should not be placed near a heat or air source, or too near a window that gets direct sunlight. A little houseplant fertilizer can be given before or after the cacti have completed their blooming cycle. With the right conditions, your cactus should bloom twice a year, but can be encouraged to bloom several times during the year. Extremes in moisture, temperature and feeding during blooming time can interfere with the length of blooming and the ability of the cactus to maintain buds and blooms.

Christmas cacti belong to a group of Holiday cacti (Schlumbergera) that include Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Easter cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). There are a few differences between the three cacti, including leaf-stem shape, flower style and structure. The most distinguishing difference is the time period in which the flowers bloom. Thus, the Christmas cactus typically blooms late November to early January. While the differences between Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti can be minor, you may want to check with your florist to see which one to choose, if you want a cactus that blooms repeatedly during one holiday or the other.

Schlumbergera blooming in stores during October and November are probably Thanksgiving cacti. Although Christmas cacti can be found in early November, they have likely been grown under special conditions and may not bloom during the same time period next year.

Caring For A Christmas Cactus: Propagation and Re-blooming

Pink Christmas Cactus

If you’ve had a Christmas cactus for many years and the stems could use a little trim, you may consider propagation. After the cactus completes its blooming cycle, let it recover for a month. Then, cuttings of at least two leaf segments can be made from the tips of the stems. A fourth to half of the cutting is then placed in pot with potting soil. Be sure to place three or more cuttings per pot to ensure a full healthy plant. In a few months you will have another Christmas cactus to enjoy.

A Christmas cactus can also be forced to re-bloom. While you may think that temperature is a factor in blooming, daylight length is actually the key. Christmas cacti are triggered to bloom during short days. This can be achieved by placing the plant in a dark bedroom or by covering the plant for 15 or more hours a day. It may take up to a month to trigger the plant to produce bloom buds, but once the buds appear the plant can be returned to its usual viewing location. Remember to avoid extreme temperatures that would trigger bud release.

Regardless of whether you will purchase your first Christmas cactus this year or have an old one, this is perfect time to take pleasure in the plant’s distinctive green leafy stems. Celebrate the exquisite blooms as they appear, knowing you have a spectacular houseplant that can be shared, gifted and enjoyed by all.

Filed Under: Newsletters Tagged With: Blooming Plants, Christmas Cactus, Christmas Flowers, Christmas Gifts, Plant Care Problems

Christmas Flowers: Gifts, Tips And Decorations

November 3, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett 5 Comments

Red poinsettias, ‘Casa Blanca’ lilies, and the scent of fresh Christmas greens are the basis for many Christmas decorations. Sure flowers make great decorations, but what about sending flowers as Christmas gifts? Flowers are a fantastically appropriate gift for Christmas and other religious holidays. You won’t have to worry if they are the right size, shape, or color. You can rest assured they won’t already have one. Whether you use flowers for decorations or as a gift, now is the time to explore the world of Christmas flowers.

What Christmas Flowers Options Are Available?

At one time or another we’ve all sent a poinsettia to a loved one or friend for the Christmas holiday. Although a quintessential Christmas plant, poinsettias are not the only Christmas flowers you can send. Roses, mums, lilies, tulips and many other wonderful floral blooms are available at your local florist shop. In fact, Christmas flowers run the gamut from traditional red roses to lime green “Fuji” mums as well as a host of plum and purple flowers. Variety doesn’t stop with the flowers. Christmas arrangements can range from a traditional table centerpiece with candles and flowers to a contemporary arrangement with glitzy ornaments and flowers. Best of all, giving flowers as gifts during the Christmas holidays can make short work of buying presents for those hard-to-buy-for friends and loved ones.

Who Can I Send Flowers To At Christmas?

You can send flowers to anyone; your child’s teacher, your hairstylist, your uncle and aunt in TimBukTu. Sure, you could simply exchange cards, but why not add a bit of Christmas joy with some flowers? Do you have trouble finding an appropriate gift for your boss? Do you ponder with each item you look at “Is it appropriate?” or “Could it be misconstrued?” Flowers are the perfect solution—not too fancy, not too expensive, yet very thoughtful. Flowers eliminate all gift choice second guessing. The number one person to [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Newsletters, Seasonal Flowers Tagged With: Christmas Flowers, Christmas Gifts, Tips & Tricks

Express Your Gratitude with Fall Flowers

October 1, 2009 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Flowers And Thanksgiving – A Natural Pairing

Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time to brighten the season with fall flowers. The colors alone are enough to bring a smile to a loved one’s face or bring warmth to a cold November day with shades of red, gold, orange, brown and plum.

Flowers communicate in ways that other decorations can’t. They say that the day is blessed and the guests or recipients are valued. When you add the natural beauty and aroma of a fall flower arrangement to the aromas associated with Thanksgiving—roast turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie—you can really make someone’s day.

At the very first Thanksgiving in December 1621, the Pilgrims thanked God for their bountiful harvest of crops and expressed gratitude to the Native Indians for their help in surviving their first year in America. Their feasting tables were laden with duck, turkey, venison, fish, clams, lobster, berries, watercress, dried fruit and plums.

Not only did the Pilgrims get to eat from their bounty, but their harvest also decorated their tables. Wheat stalks, pumpkins, squash, berries, plums, corn and sunflowers arrayed their tables like a kaleidoscope of autumn colors. The hearty flowers that grew back then no doubt were tucked into the bounty to bring splashes of color and beauty.

Flowers as a Hostess Gift

As a guest at a Thanksgiving Day gathering, this day is a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude to your host, whether your parents, grandparents, aunt or friend. It is always impressive when guests are thoughtful enough to bring a hostess gift; like a bottle of wine, baked goods or gourmet coffee.

But when you arrive with a beautiful fall flower arrangement of mums, gerbera daisies and berries, that takes the cake. An arrangement can be as simple or as lavish as you want. You can choose several stems of fall flowers tucked in a decorative vase or a lavishly-wrapped flower bouquet; either will be well-received. Pairing seasonal fruits such as oranges, apples and pears with flowers makes an appealing combination. You not only show your appreciation for being part of the celebration when you bring a flower arrangement, but it is also a tangible expression of your gratitude for all to see.

Flowers to Enjoy Indoors and Outdoors

Potted chrysanthemums are a fall favorite for making your home come alive for the holidays. You can use them as an indoor decoration during the holidays; at an entryway, on a mantel or stairwell, then plant them outdoors to enjoy year-round. Potted mums, ornamental cabbage and curly twigs tied with raffia make festive decorations at doorways, mailboxes and on porches. Golden sunflowers and fall leaves make an inviting door wreath to welcome family and friends.

You can also send these kinds of versatile flowers to loved ones you can’t be with at Thanksgiving. It’s a very thoughtful way to show appreciation to those you love. Flowers in bloom, whether indoors or outdoors, remind us of those special to us and shared memories with them.

Flowers provide that perfect, finishing touch as a centerpiece to a Thanksgiving table. Florists do so many creative arrangements with miniature pumpkins, gourds, flowers, grains, curly willow and calico (aka Indian) corn.

For a symbolic twist, flowers can be arranged in a cornucopia or “horn of plenty”, a horn shaped container which symbolizes the the meaning of Thanksgiving. It represents the overflowing abundance of the Earth’s harvest. Cornucopias are especially beautiful as Thanksgiving centerpieces with flowers, leaves and berries flowing from them.

Many times, holidays can be difficult for families who have lost a loved one. A flower centerpiece can be an especially beautiful reminder of those loved ones. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for families and friends to reminisce about times past, especially the funny memories to brighten the mood.

Flowers as Decorations

Just as important as the family feasting and prayers of thanksgiving is decorating for the season. Wreaths with fresh and dried flowers evoking the warmth of autumn and a spirit of gratitude for daily blessings are the decor of traditional choice.

In keeping with the Thanksgiving tradition, you can use fresh flowers, nuts, leaves and candles (in fragrances like Mom’s Apple Pie, Cinnamon Cider, and Candy Corn) to decorate fireplace mantels and entryways. Small places like guest bathrooms and kitchen windowsills are just right for miniature flower arrangements and a single votive candle. Don’t underestimate the impact a small vase of flowers will make in a bedroom, bathroom or a coffee table to make guests feel at home and welcome.

Whether you are an American celebrating on November 26^th or a Canadian celebrating on October 12^th, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday anticipated year after year. It’s a time to get together with family and friends, eat homemade comfort food, root for your favorite football team, take a long nap and relax from the everyday routine.

This holiday, in particular, reminds us of all the ways we are blessed and to give thanks for those blessings. It prompts us to say “thank you” to parents, siblings, grandparents and those who have been an influence in our lives.

There is no better time to express our gratitude to those we love (and who love us!) than Thanksgiving. Flowers are a simple and heartfelt way to do this, but their impact will last a lifetime. Your local florist can help you express your gratitude this Thanksgiving with a custom designed flower arrangement.

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Newsletters, Seasonal Flowers, Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Fall Color, Fall Decorations, Fall Flowers, Hostess Gift Ideas, Thanksgiving Centerpieces, Thanksgiving Flowers

Celebrating Sweetest Day

September 1, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett Leave a Comment

What Is Sweetest Day?

Looking for a reason to send a gift? How about Sweetest Day! Never heard of it? Well, it is the holiday that celebrates kindness and appreciation. Sweetest Day is a fantastic way to show your appreciation for a special person, to remember those who are alone, or give back to the unsung heroes of your community.

Gifts are extra special when unexpected and given as a form of appreciation or simply just because. Those receiving a Sweetest Day gift are usually caught completely by surprise. After all, no one expects a gift/treat on Sweetest Day like they do on Halloween, Christmas or even Valentine’s Day. The element of surprise and sheer kindness in these gifts is what makes Sweetest Day so awesome.

The History Of Sweetest Day!

Celebrated on the third Saturday in October, Sweetest Day is a tradition that is often forgotten, but has a deep and chocolaty rich history. The concept of this tradition began with a philanthropist and candy employee named Herbert Birch Kingston. Feeling the weight of his good fortune and seeing the plight and misfortune of others, Mr. Kingston saw the need to brighten the lives of others. Understanding the need all people have to feel appreciated, he wanted a day that recognized people simply for being people. So drawing from his candy background, Mr. Kingston conceived the idea of a holiday that would give candy and small gifts to the underprivileged, shut-ins and [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Newsletters Tagged With: Candy Gift Basket, Gift Baskets, Gift Ideas, Gourmet Chocolate Gift Basket, Holiday Gift Ideas, Sweetest Day, Sweetest Day Gifts

Dogs, Cats, Houseplants: Living Happily Together

August 3, 2009 by Leigh Morrisett 6 Comments

Pets And Houseplants – Achieving Compatibility

If you share your home with dogs or cats, keeping them safe and happy is often your primary concern. At the same time, having interior foliage really makes a house a home. Many houseplants actually improve air quality and create a healthy environment for you.

Although houseplants are pretty and help improve your life, they can sometimes pose a serious issue for your beloved pets. According of the Humane Society of the US there are 700 identified plants that have “toxic” qualities that can cause harmful side effects in animals. Does this mean you have to chose between living with your beloved pet or an awesome houseplant? NO! It doesn’t. By taking certain steps and knowing which houseplants are dangerous to your cat or dog, you can create a pet safe home that includes beautiful foliage.

Keeping Your Pets and Your Houseplants

Before you throw out all your houseplants for the sake of your kitten or puppy, take time to consider whether you’re dog or cat can live with your plants. Some dogs and cats never touch houseplants while others can’t leave them alone. You can still enjoy these plants, even ones potentially “toxic” to pets.

You can protect your pet by taking a few preventative steps. Place plants on stands or hang them out of your dog’s reach. This can work with cats as well. However with cats, the plant must be placed so that your kitty can’t climb up to or jump on to the hanging plant. Otherwise, all questionable plants will need to be placed in a room unavailable to the cat.

If you receive a new plant as a gift, take time to see if your pet is even interested in it. Most cats and dogs simply ignore houseplants and leave them alone. Kittens and puppies are a bit different. They are extremely curious and will chew or play with just about anything. If you have a puppy take time to train them to leave the houseplants alone. Spritzing them with water when they get near the plant is usually a sufficient deterrent. With kittens it’s a bit harder to train them; you may have to put the plants out of the kittens reach.

If you’re still leery about exposing your pet to houseplants, select [Read more…]

Filed Under: Newsletters, Plants & Pets Tagged With: Cats & Plants, Dogs & Plants, Houseplants, Newsletters, Poisonous Plants