Bloomin' Blog

Log Cabin Florist’s ‘Spot The Van’ Contest

July 25, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Log Cabin Florist in Bakersfield CA knows exactly how to get their community excited about flowers!

Every month, they begin a new “Spot the Van” contest. When someone spots their fabulously floral van and snaps a photo, they can enter it into a contest to win a free arrangement from Log Cabin Florist to be delivered locally to themselves or a friend. How cool is that?

The contest runs during the summer months of June, July and August. To spread the word about Spot The Van, the flower shop sends out emails, announces it on their Facebook page and at the workshops they host. This contest is a terrific way to get the community of Bakersfield excited about flowers and florists. Way to go guys!

Is your local florist hosting any summer contests or workshops? Are you a florists doing something like this? Share your experiences, thoughts or ideas in the comments below!

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights, Florists Only Tagged With: Delivery Vehicles, Flower Delivery, Marketing Tips

2012 Texas State Florist Convention: Recap & Photos

July 24, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Over the weekend, part of the FSN Team traveled down to the Lone Star State for the Texas State Florist Association‘s Annual Convention. This year’s theme was, “Floral Paradise” which is exactly what they created. In their unusual location, The Hanger Hotel (an actual airplane hanger!) they brought paradise to life with only the flair florists can bring.

Metro retro. The old hanger definitely had a retro vibe. Love the way these creative Texas florists work it into their show. Looks like something you’d see in a old war-time postcard or something. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News, Florists Only Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Flower Pictures, Texas State Florists Association, Texas State Florists Association Convention, Tropical Flowers

Send Summer’s Color-ific Blooms!

July 23, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

What is your favorite thing about summer? The lake? Picnics? Poolside? Chances are, it has something to do with the outdoors! As we move into the dog days of summer, it’s not quite as easy to stay outdoors.

You’re in luck; it’s easy to bring the colors and fun of summer inside with a lush bouquet of flowers. Your flowerbed may be suffering outside, but inside you can be greeted with beautiful summer blooms.

Perhaps you know someone who is unable to get out and enjoy their summer. Flowers are a great way to send cheer and let them know you care.

Best colors for summer:

Yellow – Think sunshine and sunflowers.
Orange – Because it’s hot!
Magenta – Jewel-toned beauty.
Bright Green – Fresh grass.
Coral – Beach memories.
Sky Blue – Bright skies.

Just remember, when it’s time to order flowers, always always always order from your local florist! Use our handy florist finder to find your local flower shop today!

Filed Under: Seasonal Flowers Tagged With: Summer Blooming, Summer Flowers

Facebook Friday Recap – Wedding Season

July 20, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Friday! Friday Friday Friday! It’s they day of the week with our favorite blog post, and this week is one of the best Friday Recaps we’ve ever had! Wedding season is in FULL SWING! It’s obvious from all the pictures florists across the US and Canada posted on our Facebook page. Before we get to the pictures, let’s see what our florists had to say about what’s trendy for the 2012 wedding season.

“Purple and plum colors with lots of other bright accents… also a lot of natural stuff… grasses, burlap, barn weddings…” – Every Blooming Thing, Akron OH

“Greens, purples, blues and magenta” – Cottage Flowers, Pasadena TX

“Now that you mention it…yes, we have seen quite a bit of purple this summer. Gerberas have been a more popular choice than usual for bridal work as well. We’re starting to see a shift away from the compact round hand-tied bouquets to a looser, less uniform shape with lots of different textures.” – The Flower Patch & More, Bolivar MO

“Both the weddings I have so far have black as a main color.” – A Lovie Creation, Gresham OR

“One of ours this weekend is green and peach/oranges” – MaryJane’s Flowers & Gifts, Berlin NJ

2012 Wedding Season Photos

Beautiful wedding bouquets by Back To The Fuchsia, Saugatuck MI.

“A beautiful bride surrounded by gorgeous flowers from Back To The Fuchsia!! Thanks Alisha!”
Photo by McConomy Photography.

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Beautiful mixed bouquet by Botanica Creations Bouquet, Klamath Falls, OR

“One of our July Weddings!”

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Bling bouquet by La Petite Jaune Fleur in Red Deer AB, CA

“A little bling from la petite Jaune Fleur”

Bingo! The Perfect Funeral Flower Memorial

July 19, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Jean Everly of Heart to Heart Flower Shop in North Cape May, NJ shared with us the story of a recent sympathy tribute. Who says flowers for a funeral have to be the same? This lady loved her weekly bingo game. This beautiful floral memorial is a great way to lift spirits at such a somber occasion. It is a perfect conversation starter for reminiscing the best memories of the departed.

“She loved her Bingo game. Every week she was there until her illness took her away. Her friends decided this was the only flower arrangement proper for her service.” – Jean Everly

Have an interesting story from your flower shop or about flowers? Share it with us!

Filed Under: Funeral Flowers Tagged With: Custom Floral Design, Funeral Flowers, New Jersey Florists, Sending Custom Flowers, Sympathy Flowers

Upcoming Florist Shows & Conventions

July 18, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Floral conventions and flower shows are excellent ways to boost your creativity! No matter if you’re a florist or just someone who enjoys the beauty of flowers, these shows are just for you. Bring a notepad; you’ll be busy!

There’s nothing like a flower show to a florist. Not only will you find so much inspiration and new techniques, but you will meet fellow florists and form life-time friendships in this industry. Grab your bags and get going; maybe we’ll see you there! (*** Indicates Flower Shop Network will be there!)

JULY 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

***July 20 – 22, 2012: The annual Texas State Florists Association will be held at the Hangar Hotel in Fredericksburg, TX. Florists who are members, as well as non-member florists may attend.

***July 27 – 29, 2012: The annual South Carolina Florists Association Convention will be held at the Marriott Hotel, downtown in on Columbia, SC. Florists who are members, as well as non-member florists may attend.

***July 28 – 29, 2012: The annual Oklahoma State Florists Association Convention will be held at the Doubletree Waren Place Tulsa, OK. Florists who are members, as well as non-member florists may attend.

AUGUST 2012 — Floral Conventions and Flower Shows

***August 3 – 5, 2012: The annual West-Texas New Mexico Florist Association will be held at the The Midland Center in Midland, TX. Florists who are members, as well as non-member florists may attend. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Floral Conventions, Florists Association Conventions

Local Florist’s Quick Tips For DIY Flower Arranging

July 17, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

We just found this great video from back in 2007 that features one of our member florists and thought I’d share! Meghan Carter, host of Ask the Decorator visits with Vickey Wenshrup of Amelia Florist Wine & Gift Shop in Amelia, Ohio to learn a few DIY flower arranging pointers.

Don’t miss the video at the bottom of this post!

DIY Flower Arranging

At the beginning of the video, Meghan asks, “How hard can it really be to make a floral arrangement?” By the end, she adds, “flower arranging isn’t as easy and you would think!” There is a whole lot more that goes into flower arranging that just putting flowers into a vase. Florists are truly artists, but also have to be meticulous in their efforts to keep your flowers lasting as long as possible. Sure you can DIY a flower arrangement, but for the absolute best results, give your local florist a call!

If you’re interested in DIY flowers, keep an eye out for workshops available in your area. Florists all over the country offer flower arranging classes where you can learn the ins and outs of creating flowers.

Summer Love Blooms Here!

July 16, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Oh how sweet it is to be in love in the summer. There are so many great activities and parties in the summer, there’s no excuse not to have fun with the one you love.

Whether you’ve just had your first date or you’re going on 50 years, summer is the time to kindle or rekindle the love you have in the seasonal heat. What better way to do this than the always-romantic gift of flowers?

Let’s face it, we’re almost into the dog days of summer where we’ll be spending most of our time indoors beating the heat. Why not bring the romance of flowers inside for your summer love? If your partner is off on business or other reasons, why not send a surprise, summer flower arrangement to let him or her know you care?

Let your summer love bloom with flowers from your local florist. Don’t know yours? Let FSN help with our handy local florist finder; get started spreading summer love today!

Filed Under: Floral Design, Flower Suggestions, Seasonal Flowers Tagged With: Romance, Seasonal Flowers, Sending Flowers, Summer Blooming, Summer Flowers

Help! Why Is My Peace Lily Green, Not White?

July 14, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell

Ask The Plant Expert:

My Peace plant flower is green, it should be white. What does it need?

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Could be a variety of things. What most people call the the bloom is actually called a spathe. This is sort of like a leaf and surrounds the spadix, which supports the actual flowers of the plant. The Spathes can range in color from a pure white to a pale whitish green.

Factors you can work with to achieve better blooms: humidity, water light and fertilizer. Giving the plant the proper humidity and water will help make the formation of leaves, spathes and flowers stronger. The right fertilizer and light will help with strength the color and structure of the plant. So, follow the care instructions for Peace Lilies (at the bottom). Hopefully this will change future spathes from green to white.

Hope this is helpful!

Filed Under: Peace Lily, Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Blooming Problems, Peace Lily, Plant Care Questions

Florists On Facebook – Friday Recap

July 13, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

It’s our favorite time of the week – FRIDAY! No, not just because the weekend starts tomorrow, but because it’s time for our Friday Recap! Today is the day we show off all the great pictures you guys have posted on our Facebook page this week. Now onto the pictures! (Weddings are BIG right now!)

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By Monday Morning Flower Co. “From one of last weeks weddings. Such happy, summer colors and putting the hood of my hubby’s car to good use. The color was perfect, don’t you think?”

By Monday Morning Flowers in Princeton NJ.

“We had so much fun with last weekends weddings (we had 4 of them) that I thought I’d share. :)”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design Tagged With: Facebook Friday, Floral Design, Floral Design Photos, Flower Pictures