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Happy Holidays from FSN!
Today was our annual Christmas celebration and our first ever Ugly Festive Sweater Day! We had everything from jingle bells, to ornaments to even lights! It was so much fun seeing everyone with so much holiday spirit!
Merry Christmas 2012 from FSN!
December 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
What Is This Succulent With Hot Pink Flowers?
December 19, 2012 by 3 Comments
Ask the Expert:
Can you identify this plant? It likes sun.. The flowers are bright pink –Phyllis
Happy Kwanzaa!
December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Make your Kwanzaa celebration beautiful and memorable this year with a special flower arrangement in the traditional Kwanzaa colors of red, green and black. Kwanzaa celebrations last 7 days; observed from December 26 to January 1 each year.
Kwanzaa Decor
Celebrating Kwanzaa means focusing on family and community, so you know there’s going to be food involved. Why not decorate your food table with a beautiful arrangement of Kwanzaa flowers? Talk to your florist about ways to interpret the Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) for the arrangement. For instance, you might have a candle with two or more wicks to represent Unity (Umoja).
Celebrating Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a unique celebration that really bonds a family and community together. During the week of Kwanzaa, observers light candles for each of the 7 days. The candles are displayed in a candle holder called, Kinara and are usually surround by 7 symbols. The main colors of Kwanzaa are derived from the Pan-African flag. However, all bright colors are welcome. No matter what your race, religion or background, the principles of Kwanzaa are values we can all support. They not only are building blocks for ourselves, our family and community, but serve to reinforce and enhance them.
For more information on Kwanzaa: the principles, colors & symbols, click here.
Please Help Our Friends in Connecticut
December 17, 2012 by 1 Comment
This is a note sent out by Bob Heffernan the Executive Director at Connecticut Floral Association (CFA) concerning the tragedy this week in Connecticut. If you or someone you know could help with these points, please email the contacts below. If you would like to send a donation, you can do so via the Michigan Floral Foundation, details at the bottom of this post.
Connecticut Floral Association Special Notice
Because there is the potential for a huge amount of funeral flowers this week for the funerals of the victims of the Newtown school murders, CFA will coordinate our industry’s response:
- Volunteer designers. There’s only one real florist in the town (Newtown Florist) and one funeral home. They may be overwhelmed with orders on this, the busiest week of the year. If you would like to be on a stand-by list to volunteer for design help, please send an email to ctflorists@aol.com.
- Assistance to Newtown families in need. We don’t yet know if there are lower-income families of the victims. There could be a major draw on flowers for memorial services. President Obama may also come to Newtown. If you are a wholesaler who would like to make donations of flowers or product, OR if you simply would like to contribute to providing the funeral pieces in some other way (financial, product, etc.), please send an email to ctflorists@aol.com.
We all know that flowers can and will ease the pain of the families and loved ones of the Newtown victims, as they do for every other person who suffers a great loss.
Send Your Donations via Michigan Floral Foundation
The Michigan Floral Association has established an account for cash donations to be used to help the CFA provide for the victim’s families that are in need. If you would like to make a donation please make checks payable to the Michigan Floral Foundation and note CFA on the memo line and mail to MFF – PO Box 67 – Haslett, MI 48840.
If you would like to use a credit card please call Cindy at the MFA office (517) 575-0110. She will be able to assist you over the phone. The MFF will send 100% of your donation to the CFA to help with their efforts. You may also contact Cindy via email here cindy@michiganfloral.org.
Thank you for your support, this is going to be a difficult week for our industry friends in Connecticut. Thanks so much to Rodney Crittenden for sending this to us so that we can share with others.
Shades of Emerald Green – The Color of the 2013!
December 17, 2012 by 1 Comment
Pantone, the global authority on color, has named PANTONE 17-5641, or Emerald Green the color of the year for 2013!
Why Emerald Green for 2013?
“Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. Also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity, no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.”
“The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”
Florist Friday Recap 12/08 – 12/14: Christmas Traditions
December 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Almost every single picture shared with us this week had a holiday theme. What else would you expect this close to Christmas? We’ve got some very unique and beautiful holiday arrangements in this week’s recap! Check them out…
Christmas Flower Arrangements
Red & White Holiday Flowers by Montgomery Florist, Montgomery NY
“A beautiful Christmas vase.”
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Pink holiday flowers By Myra Rose Florist, Winnipeg, MB, CA
“Christmas in Pink and Silver! Love it! “
Zombie Wedding Bouquet
December 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This unique wedding story was shared with us by local flower shop, Mullica Hill Floral Co. in Mullica Hill NJ.
“Last week we received a call from our friend Jill at Jillian Kathryn Photography. She had entered a zombie-themed photography contest and decided to create a zombie wedding. In need of a bridal bouquet, she called on us, and we were more than happy to help!”
How The Zombie Bouquet Was Made
“The bouquet consists of dried celosia, yarrow, cockscomb and straw flowers, which were sprayed black to achieve a moldy look. Also included are red spray roses, which were left out of water so they could wilt. The bouquet is framed with dying ginger leaves. I used white tool to wrap the bouquet, then used a light coating of black spray paint to make it appear dirty. As a final touch, I took a knife and shredded the tool ribbon to further keep with the theme.”
“I had a lot of fun creating this bouquet and I can’t wait for future challenges!”
Anything zombie-themed is so trendy right now. With all of the popular movies and TV shows out. it’s easy to see why. This story just goes to show you that you’re local florist is there to help you make your wedding dreams come true.. No matter how far towards the nightmare side your dream might be. Has any other florist-readers out there had a similar challenge? Don’t forget to share your story!
How would you create your zombie bouquet? Tell us in the comments below!
Send Her A Dozen For 12/12/12
December 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today’s a very special day — 12/12/12! This unique date is a once in a lifetime event, as it only happens once every 100 years! Isn’t that enough reason to celebrate? Why not send your sweetheart a dozen (12) roses to observe this special event? Just think how excited she will be to receive surprise roses!
Be sure to contact your local florist when you ask for a dozen roses!
Help! Why Are There Spots On My Avocado Tree?
December 11, 2012 by
Ask The Plant Expert:
Hello, I bought a 2 year old avocado tree and transplanted it to a larger pot about 3 months ago, and the plant looked perfect. Now 3 months later I am getting these spots on the plant…
It is planted in a large pot and on one of the pictures you can see where the main middle stalk has died, but the other stalks off of the main are alive. It is potted (extra large pot) in miracle grow moisture control soil and I water once a week. No rain since the issue began. I live in Houston, Texas and the temp is high 79° and low of 46° right now. I am presently spraying Bonine copper fungicide, and Bonine neem oil on the plant once every 7 days. The moisture has been extremely high at night and foggy. Can you possibly tell me what this is? -Michael
Turn Holiday Frazzle Into Holi-dazzle!
December 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
In the last few years Christmas style has changed dramatically. We’ve moved away from the traditional green and red to something completely unique. You now see Christmas trees in every color, holiday decorations in all sorts of styles, and so much more non-traditional decor than ever before.
Turn Holiday Frazzle Into Holi-dazzle!
Who says holiday flowers still have to be traditional red and green? This year, ask your florist to create a holiday arrangement in yours or the giftee’s favorite colors! You can combine brightly c0lored flowers with matching ornaments and other holiday decor. What a great Christmas gift for that oh-so-hard-to-buy-for person on your list.
Ritz & Glitz Holiday Centerpiece
Go even bigger with your holiday flower arrangements and order a custom-designed holiday centerpiece in your favorite colors and styles. If your style is very specific, bring your own decor accessories to your local florist to create a 100% custom centerpiece just for you. You might choose ultra-modern style ornaments to be arranged with lush tropical flowers in electric colors. Or you may bright, shimmery teal ornaments with rustic branches and snow-coated evergreens to create a semi-natural, yet stylish Christmas design. The limit is your imagination, but if you’re short on creativity, your local florist is sure to help you out!
