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Florist’s Roadside Journal

Florists, do you keep a roadside journal? What is that you ask?

A roadside journal is a little notebook you keep that documents local places where and when flowers grow naturally. Often times this might be near a field, around a fence, or growing at the end of a driveway. Of course, you can’t take flowers from just anywhere, but it can’t hurt to ask! Ask the owners of the property if you could collect their wild flowers in season. Give them a coupon for a free bouquet if they do!

Wild Flowers Grow In More Places Than You Think

North Dakota State Flower, Wild Prairie Rose Photo courtesy 50states.comLook for places with an over-abundance of flowers. Right now I am seeing lilies growing along roadsides, covering ditches — they are simply everywhere! Many people don’t realize how flowers will spread over time and grow more than they can possibly handle. There are houses near mine with more hydrangeas and roses than they could ever do anything with. There are several abandoned houses in our neighborhood with roses and other summer flowers that are all but forgotten. Even trees with interesting foliage, such as cedar or magnolias can be part of your mix.

It can’t hurt to ask their owners if you could buy or trade for them? This can be a great, and possibly inexpensive way to add some local flair to your product mix. You could even turn them into a special edition line for your shop.

Keep a journal of places where you get flowers, and when they were blooming for next year. The journal is a great source when looking for something NEW for the shop. Be sure to let your customers know their flowers are local. This is a way to reach out to your community and spread the word about your shop.

Grow your own! Starting a garden is easier than you think! Grow flowers you want to use! Add uniqueness, texture and fun to your flowers!

Things To Remember:

  • If the person is hesitant about sparing some flowers, don’t be pushy! These are your potential customers, so just accept it and give them a discount coupon anyway.
  • Flowers hold many special memories for most everyone who grows them; don’t take every last flower they have unless they give the okay. Leave them some to enjoy.
  • BE SURE to prep these wild flowers well. Remove all insects, bugs, and varmints they might have.
  • Trespassing is illegal in some areas, make sure you have PERMISSION FIRST!

We’d LOVE to see pictures of your local flowers! Share them on our Facebook, or in the comments below!

 

Spice Up Your Holiday Vases With This Technique

If you’re looking for a little something extra to spice up your holiday flower arrangements, try this cinnamon vase technique!

Cinnamon Flower Arrangement

Not only will this arrangement spark Christmas spirit, it will smell wonderfully for weeks to come! Cinnamon is a favorite in holiday smells, and will definitely set the mood for any holiday party. This little design would make a perfect hostess gift for the elf in charge of your favorite Christmas get-together.

For this technique, you will need:

  • a small, plastic cylinder container under 8″
  • a bunch of 8″ cinnamon sticks
  • hot glue
  • scissors
  • ribbon

Cinnamon + Vase = Creativity!

First, hot glue the individual cinnamon sticks vertically to the outside surface of your vase. (tip: cut the tops of the cinnamon sticks different heights to give it a staggered, rustic look)

Tie ribbon around the center of your cinnamon vase to finish the look. Depending on your design, you could use ribbon, rafia, wire — it’s really up to you. If you want to go a step further, add a bunch of holly, mini candy cane, mini pine cones, or anything festive, to the front of your design.

Don’t stop at just cinnamon! Think of other ways to use this technique. You could use branches from your yard. (Birch wood is very popular this time of year.) How about the large candy cane sticks? Instead of a vase, use this as a great candle treatment. It’s all about using your imagination!

This is a great technique for florists to use in their shops. However, if you’re a craftster like me, try this at home! Just don’t forget to visit your local florist for a great winter flowers to use in you’re new and aromatic vase!

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

Glitz & Glam: This Ain’t Your Momma’s Christmas Decor

Are you tired of the traditional red and green we see every year at this time? You’re not alone. Many people are opting for a more quirky Christmas look. This year, opt for the Glitz & Glam Christmas!

For this outrageous look, channel your inner child and go wild and crazy when selecting your Christmas decorations and ornaments. Pick bright and playful contemporary colors like hot pink and electric blue. Use over-sized Christmas ornaments and trendy Christmas tree picks to take your look to the next level (literally).

Glitter, glitter, glitter! Everything on your Glitz & Glam Christmas tree should be sparkly and youthful. This is a great look for anyone who wants something more fun and contemporary this Christmas.

Glitz & Glam Contemporary Christmas Tree Decorations Glitz & Glam Christmas Tree

The Glitz & Glam Christmas is the perfect holiday theme for teens, college girls, or the gal who’s just young at heart. Go beyond the Christmas tree and decorate your house with all of the fun of the Glitz & Glam style. Have your florist create an amazing Christmas wreath with all of your favorite wild-child colors: hot pink, electric blue, neon green, etc.

Glitz & Glam Contemporary Christmas Wreath Contemporary Christmas Ornaments

Imagine the Glitz & Glam Christmas party: bright colors, playful lights, and the wildest Christmas decor you can think of~! Use over-sized, glittery ornaments and feathery boas for great mantel decor — don’t forget the colorful stockings!! If you are throwing a dinner party, have your florist create a fun, contemporary Christmas centerpiece that’s sure to set your glamorous mood.

So, if you’re looking to spice up your holidays, try gettin’ your bling on and decorating with Glitz & Glam style!

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

Spruce Up Your Spring: It’s Bulb-Planting Season!

Now’s the time to spruce up your spring! If you want more spring color in your garden, plant spring bulbs today! It may sound strange… planting in fall for spring flowers, but bulbous plants need the winter dormant season to grow roots to support their big, beautiful blooms in the spring.

Popular Bulbs For Spring:

  • Daffodils
  • Hyacinths
  • Crocus
  • Ornamental Alliums
  • Tulips
  • Grape Hyacinths
  • Amaryllis
  • Fritillaria
  • Scilla

There are lots of other spring bulbs that you could also plant, but these are the most popular and available ones. Select bulbs that are firm and free of mold. Generally the bigger the bulb, the bigger the flowers.

The best time to plant bulbs is just before the first frost, or just before you know it’s going to turn cold. This really depends on the climate zone you live in and can be different for different plants. Check with your local nursery or garden center for exact planting times for your specific location.

Planting Spring Bulbs

When planting spring bulbs, make sure you have carefully chosen your planting location. Consider the needs of your plants: full or partial sun? (Tip: Remember, for early spring bloomers, your trees will still be bare and you may have more sun than you have now.)

Select rich, well-drained soil for your new bulbs. You will need to talk to your garden center or nursery about the exactly planting requirements for your bulbs, but as a general rule, a depth of about 2-3 times the width of your bulb will suffice.

Add fertilizer into the bottom of your hole and mix it in with the returning soil. Be sure to plant your bulb with the roots down. Push on your soil to ensure the bulb is firmly in place and that there are no air pockets. Water thoroughly. Plant your bulbs the recommended distances from each other to allow them enough room to grow.

Tip: If you live in an area where the temperature regularly drops below zero, pile a layer of mulch on top, about a foot high. Then, in the spring, remove this layer. Otherwise, spring flowers are fairly hardy and can take regularly cold, winter temperatures.

Planting Indoor Spring Bulbs

If you can’t wait until spring for a dose spring color, plant amaryllis or paperwhite daffodils in containers now! Both are great, blooming plants for indoors. Select a decorative container and cover your bulbs about half way with soil. Keep them watered and soon you will see tiny shoots of green peeping out of the top of the bulb and will have gorgeous blooms by Christmas! (*fingers crossed*)

Planting bulbs differs from location to location. Before planting your bulbs, consult your local garden store or nursery for exact planting instructions.

This post is brought to you by local Cedar Rapids Iowa florists.
Not in Cedar Rapids? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of real local florists to find a florist near you.

Vampire-themed Flowers? Why not!?

One of the hottest trends out right now just so happens to be vampires… Twilight, Trueblood, Vampire Diaries, the list goes on and on of newly popular vampire shows and movies. With Halloween coming up, why not use this new vampire trend to your advantage!

Easy Halloween Flowers Promotion

Create a special for your shop called Love At First Bite or something catchy. Use deep red roses and other dark colors, especially black, to create something unique and contemporary. Black, red or silver wire can be used as fun accents. Remember, most vampire fans are going to be around 12-30 years old, so have as much fun as you want.

Shop around your local crafts store for a few cheap Halloween decorations like vampire teeth, small skeletons, or anything black and red. Buy some inexpensive, black fishnet or lacy stockings to use around your vase or as ribbon.

Your vampire-themed floral would be an easy choice for a guy looking send flowers to his Twihard girlfriend.  This design would make a stunning sight at a Halloween party, or a great hostess gift!

To promote your newest special, post LOTS of pics on Facebook. (That’s definately where your vampire fans would be!) Also put photos of your festive Halloween flowers on your website. Use your pictures to make a quick flyer to advertise your special and hang them anywhere young people gather. (Local bookstores, college campuses, etc.) Remember to price it reasonably for this younger demographic to keep them flying off the shelves!

Vampire Lovers! If you are a vampire lover looking for flowers like the ones described in this post, call your local florist and recommend this article to them! I’m positive they will work with you to create something drop dead gorgeous (pun intended)!

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

New Fall Color Trends For Floral Design

Fall Pin Cushion

Upcoming color trends for the 2010 fall season are all about using new and exciting colors. Now, I know what you’re thinking… falls colors have been the same forEVER! Reds, oranges, yellows, browns… Don’t get me wrong, those are very fun colors to use, but this year add in accent colors like lime green, magenta, or orange cream.

Check out these great palettes, get inspired and start planning your fall season!


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‘Daffodil Days’ Spread the Message of Hope for Cancer Survivors

I was flipping through the newspaper yesterday and came across a lovely photo entitled “Daffodil Days,” featuring a local florist a few of her friends surrounded by dozens of Daffodils. Since the  Daffodil is the official flower of the month here at FSN, I was intrigued. Not to mention, the florist featured in the photo is one of our very own…Posey Peddler!

daffodil-days1After doing a little research, I found that Daffodil Days is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. In fact, it is one of its oldest and most beloved.
Using a symbol of hope, the Daffodil, as a means to raise money and support in the fight against cancer, local florists and volunteers can make difference in the life of someone struggling with cancer with just a flew blooms.  As Spring arrives, the bouquets symbolize rejuvenation, hope and happiness for the future.

Here’s how it works:Volunteer florists begin taking donations in January, February and early March, to provide cancer survivors and their families with adorable bunches of ten cheery Daffodils, known as a Gift of Hope. The Gift of Hope donations are delivered anonymously to cancer patients and are meant to serve as a symbol of hope and positivity to those in the midst of a struggle against a terrible disease.

Florists can also offer the bouquets in exchange for a donation to the American Cancer Society. Donation amounts vary, but the AMS Web site suggests asking for a $25 minimum for Gift of Hope donations. However, every little bit helps, so use your judgment. You know your clients better than anyone.
What better way to celebrate the beginning of Spring and the hope for a better future than with such a special and symbolic gift? I’m going to contact my local florist today and see about spreading a little hope!

Christmas Flowers: Gifts, Tips And Decorations

Christmas Flower Arrangement

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…]

Ordering Texas Bluebells (Eustoma grandiflora).

Ask the Expert: Where can I purchase Texas Blue Bells.
I want to have Texas Blubells (Blue Bells?) delivered to my cousin in Amarillo, Texas.
Please help me locate a florist. Lynda

Flower Expert Reply:
I would be happy to help you find some Texas Bluebells (Eustoma grandiflora). Flower Shop Network has several Amarillo Florists who carry an assortment of popular and regional flowers.  However, Texas Bluebells are not a stock flower items for most florists.  You will want to make arrangements for these flowers well in advance of the day you need them. Advanced notice will give the florist time to contact their wholesaler to determine availability and confirm a ship dated.  My suggestion is to try Sweet Creations Floral Design. Although they don’t carry Texas Bluebells, they will call their wholesaler and check the availability.

Please let me know how your search goes and if I can help with anything else.

Express Your Gratitude with Fall Flowers

Flowers And Thanksgiving – A Natural Pairing

Colorful Thanksgiving FlowersThanksgiving 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

Fall Centerpiece With CandlesAs 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.

Bountiful Cornucopia 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

Contemporary Thanksgiving FlowersJust 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 26th or a Canadian celebrating on October 12th, 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.