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Fireman Sympathy Tribute

Fireman Sympathy Tribute Flowers Fireman Sympathy Tribute Flowers

Beautiful sympathy flower arrangement by Petal Pusher Diva Flower Studio in El Cajun CA. This was created to celebrate the life of a devoted fireman. Below, the florist explains the thought behind their creation:

Reflection: The white hydrangea reminds me of the smoke plumes at the start of a forest fire; the green Trachelium soft and wet grass rolling on the hills. The red gloriosa burst out flames while the Dahlia are stationary and contained. This is my interpretation of a fireman’s sympathy piece.

So much thought and care goes into creating each and every sympathy tribute. Especially when your florist has some insight into the life of the departed. It doesn’t have to be a literal ‘firetruck’ out of flowers; they can still incorporate many thoughtful elements of their life as a fire fighter into the design, just as they did here.

Tell us your floral story! Whether you are a florist or flower lover, you can share your floral story with the rest of us on the Bloomin’ Blog. Simply Share Your Story here.

Florist Friday Recap 8/11 – 8/17: Back to School

It’s Friday! Time for our flower picture recap of all the great photos shared with us on our Facebook page. This week, back to school flowers were a new addition! (Can you believe it’s time for school already?) We also had a great collection of wedding flower pictures and a very unusual sympathy flower arrangement that you must see, plus so much more. So, without further adieu, onto the pictures!

Back to School Flower Pictures

Brenham Floral Company, Brenham TX Back to school flowers by Brenham Floral Company, Brenham TX

Back to school flowers by Brenham Floral Company, Brenham TX

“We are ready for the first day of school. Our pencil version of our in house made cube for back to school.’

Sorority Flowers by TCU Florist, Fort Worth TX

Sorority flowers by TCU Florist, Fort Worth TX

“Our arrangement for the Chi Omega house.”

[Read more…]

What Is This Beautiful Pink Flower

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this flower?

I’m trying to figure out what the name is of this beautiful pink flower. Katie

Plant Expert Reply:

Katie,

The flower is from the family of Malvaceae sometimes commonly known as the Mallow family. This family includes many genuses such as Alcea (hollyhock), Gossypium (cotton), Hibiscus, Malva (musk mallow), Lavatera trimestris (rose mallow), Callirhoe (poppy mallow) to name a few. In this case, I am not exactly sure which genus it belongs to. At first, based on the leaf I thought it was a type of Malva, but the bloom it looks more like a Callirhoe. So I did a little research and I think it is a type of rose mallow (Lavatera trimestris).

Hopefully one of the blog readers will have a better identification for us.

North Carolina State Florist Association Convention 2012

North Carolina State Florist Association Convention 2012 Tropical Tiki Flowers at the North Carolina State Florist Convention

We had the wonderful opportunity over the weekend to attend the North Carolina State Florist Association Annual Convention themed “Fantasies, Dream, Imagine and Create.” Florists took this theme to heart as they created imaginative and whimsical designs.

Attendees were treated a very unique competitions, including: Body-fashion flowers, headdress-hat competition, a mask contest, a miniature contest and also a talent contest! That’s just a few examples of the agenda at the NCSFA show.

Flower Shop Network booth - Fairy Flowers

Even the Flower Shop Network booth was in on the fantasy. Our booth flowers was one of the most unusual flower displays we’ve ever had. Derek from Young’s Florist from Kernersville, NC did an incredible job on this massive fairy garden. You can see the little mushrooms in the middle, butterflies, fairy houses and even fairies! (More detailed pictures of our fairy garden display will be featured in the very blog soon!)

See all the pictures we took at the North Carolina State Florist Convention below:

[Read more…]

Rustic Beach Wedding by Back to the Fuchsia Florist

This is a guest post by Jeanne Smiczek of Back to the Fuchsia, a flower shop in Saugatuck MI.

Rustic Wedding - Alter Flowers

The bride for this wedding gave me a few flowers that she liked, the colors that she wanted and the rest was up to me.

The ceremony was taking place in a beautiful, old chapel by the lake and the reception was in a tent right on the shore of Lake Michigan. The bridesmaids were wearing “clover” dresses, so I chose 3 sunflowers with bear grass and wrapped in raffia. The boutonnieres were Viking bloomies wrapped in raffia.

The Bridal Bouquet [Read more…]

FSN’s New Networker Is Out!

FSN's Networker

Florists, watch your mailboxes! Flower Shop Network’s Networker just mailed out! The Networker is chocked full of great ideas for florists to use, including: Phone Etiquette tips, new container ideas, new announcements and much, much more!

Can’t wait!? Here’s a sneak peak of the Networker Vol 5, #3.

Are there topics you would like to see in The Networker?

Email your suggestions to TheNetworker@FlowerShopNetwork.com and we’ll send you a Flower Shop Network tote bag.

2012 AIFD Symposium – An Unforgettable Experience

One of the florists in our network had the marvelous opportunity to attend the AIFD National Symposium in Miami and has shared her story with us. Lori Himes, AIFD, CFD from A’Bloom LTD in Walkersville MD tells us all about this once-in-a-lifetime floral experience.

AIFD Fun Arrangement Interesting Floral Design, AIFD 2012 Symposium

“Caliente means Hot, it was in Miami.. but it was hotter here [Maryland] than in Miami,” Says Lori.

“My first [symposium] was in California. And that was what… 5 years ago?” Lori has been hooked every since. And why not? The AIFD Symposium is one of the biggest floral design shows in the world. Lori not only attended this year’s conference, but also helped out behind the scenes.

WOW - AIFD Symposium

“We did probably $100k worth of decor before we were done. That’s something I’ll never get to help with again in my life. [Read more…]

Take Her Breath Away – Bring Home Roses Tonight

Bring Home Romantic Roses Tonight

It’s not her birthday. It’s not Valentines or an anniversary, but it is the perfect day for a little passion. Why? Because any day can become romantic, especially when it’s spontaneous.

Take her breath away by bringing home the beauty and romance of roses, the traditional gift of romance. Your local florist will always have exactly what you need to show your sweetie how much she means to you. It’s so easy to stop by your flower shop on the way home from work and pick up a bouquet in her favorite color.

2 Dozen RosesYou could also choose your roses based on their color meanings, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Lavender rose – Enchantment
  • Orange rose – Fascination
  • Pink rose – Thankfulness, perfect happiness
  • Red rose – Love, I love you
  • Red & white mixed rose – Unity
  • White rose – Purity, heavenly, I am worthy of you
  • Yellow – Friendship

Away on a business trip? Send roses to show your sweetheart she is always on your mind. Let them keep her company until you return to her loving embrace.

If you need help finding a local florist, use FSN’s handy florist finder to find a flower shop near you.

What are these plants from the Vizcaya Gardens in Miami?

Ask the Expert: What are these plants?

I’m unsure as to what these plants are, one I believe is a sedum/sempervivum. They are both from Vizcaya Gardens in Miami. Also are the two plants which looking very similar the same? One was in the shade and one in the sun which could explain the difference in colour on the edges of the leaves. Emma

[Read more…]

Florist Friday Recap 8/4 – 8/10: Truly Inspiring

Friday is our favorite day on the FSN Blog because it’s the day when we get to compile all the amazing pictures submitted on our Facebook page into one great post! This week, we’ve got some truly inspiring designs for you!

Wedding Flowers

Bridal Bouquet by Swannanoa Flower Shop, Swannanoa NC

Beautiful all-white bridal bouquet by Swannanoa Flower Shop, Swannanoa NC

Fall Wedding Bouquet by A'Bloom LTD, Walkersville MD

Fall wedding bouquet by A’Bloom LTD, Walkersville MD

“Emily Douds Pieklo and Lori Himes AIFD from Abloom Ltd. have just returned from the Tennessee State Florists Convention in Franklin, TN. Lori did a presentation on Autumn Saturday Morning. This was the hand tied bridal bouquet created around a stem of ornamental Kale. Check out our page to see more. We visited with FSN while there. Such nice folks!”

[Read more…]