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What A Charming Gift Idea for Fall!

I mean this in the best of ways…

The “Charming For Fall” flower basket looks just like something my grandmother would love. For that matter, my mother would love it also. It’s the perfect fall flower arrangement for a dining room table, a mantlepiece, the coffee table, or anywhere else that flower baskets could be used for decoration. In my mother’s house, that’s the table at the end of the hall. It fills an empty space and is often overlooked. Not anymore!

"Charming For Fall" Flower Basket

"Charming For Fall" Flower Basket

Both women have an affinity for fall decorating. Flowers are their thing. They usually have immaculate gardens and displays of flowers that neighbors envy. This year is going to be a little bit different for both. My grandmother turned 82 in April. Still a pistol with her speech, her body is failing and she’s left in a motorized wheelchair. That means gardening the hilly land around her house is out of the question.

My mom is a full time mom even though her children are 22, 23 and 26. She is also the full-time homemaker, a college professor during the day and is a medicare billing specialist at night.

I love these women with all of my heart.  I couldn’t ask for more respectable, strong women in my life. I want to honor them with something special this month. A gift isn’t enough. They need a special gift with meaning and feeling. I looked at the “Charming For Fall” arrangement and knew instantly that it was the right gift for them. Though too busy and too frail to garden for themselves, they can still enjoy fall flowers and autumn decorations.

It’s important to me that they get the best. They always give it to me.

Which flower arrangement is your favorite? Tell us why and it may be next month’s featured flower arrangement!

Did You See Us At The SRFA Convention?

Network coordinators from Flower Shop Network recently attended the 2009 Southern Retail Florists Association Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the stories I’ve heard, it was a lot of fun! Here’s some of the stories Joe Hays and Leslie Cox brought back from the convention.

That’s One Dedicated Florist — It’s not everyday that you meet someone who drove hundreds of miles just to see you. It’s a very flattering sentiment which is why it stuck out in Joe’s mind when he was reliving how he met Jerry and Judy Eisenberg. Jerry and Judy own a flower shop in Gathersburg, Maryland called Floral Scentsations.

When Jerry and Judy heard that FSN would be at the SRFA convention, they decided that it was the perfect time to visit one of their children who lives near Charlotte and stop on the way just to say hi. That’s over 400 miles and 6 hours of driving just to be able to stop in and meet the people they’d been working with for over four years. They wanted to tell us in person that they’re dropping all of their other wire services and sticking with Flower Shop Network exclusively. Joe and Leslie were thrilled with the touching action and are very pleased to have been able to meet such a lovely couple.

Rosemary from Daniels Florist, a Raleigh North Carolina flower shop, also made a large trip just to see her Network Coordinator from Flower Shop Network. She stopped to take photos with Joe and Leslie, share stories, and encourage the people around her. Rumor has it that she is a dear, sweet lady and a huge pleasure to be around.

Take A Reading Break — Leslie also had the privilege of meeting a recent author, Rick Rivers of A Floral Boutique in Ormond Beach Florida, who was at the SRFA convention this year as well. His book, Blooming At The Top:  12 Strategies To Double Your Sales, is a smash hit. Thankfully he took a moment to stop and chat with Joe and Leslie and pause for a quick photo op. After more than 25 years in the floral industry, both successes and failures helped shape Rick’s creative tips for growing a flower shop. His insight was very appreciated.

50 Years Is Small Time — After more than 50 years in the floral industry, Eula Le Foskey of The Flower Shop in Homerville, Georgia decided that it was time to become a member of Flower Shop Network. Leslie was happy to oblige but was more interested in this sweet lady’s story. Eula Le has been a member of the SRFA for over 40 years. Only in my 20’s now, I can hardly imagine doing something for so long but Eula Le’s passion has never faded. She is still an endearing, inspirational, wonderful lady and we are happy to have her with us.

Training Day Is More Than A Movie — This was one of the few times that vendors were able to sit in on the convention’s sessions. The conference room held all of the conventions as well as the vendors so Joe and Leslie were able to learn some very interesting things. Among them was that “silk and artificials” is an out word. It’s passe. The new phrase for turning silk flowers into something profitable is “permanent botanicals“. Means the same thing but says it with a lot more punch. Interesting.

Also, Joe and Leslie were able to watch as they awarded each design competition winner. Some of the arrangements were stunning even to those of us who have been around flower designs of all types for many years. Feel free to view photos below and click on each for a larger picture and more information about the design. We were so proud to see many of our member florists achieving prominent positions in the rankings. Among them were Kristina Reese of Floral Dimensions in Durham NC who took first place in the sympathy division.

A Special Thanks To — A very special thanks goes out to Gallery of Flowers. The flower arrangement displayed inside FSN’s booth at the 2009 SRFA Convention was designed by this wonderful flower shop in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sad To See It End — It’s hard to remember all of the stories about three fun-filled days but Joe and Leslie tried their hardest. After all of the jokes and sweet stories ended, it was a definite letdown to know that no more humorous anecdotes or funny stories would be heard until the next show. Well, not without your help so share them if you have some! If you weren’t at this year’s show, sorry we missed you and hope to see you next year. Please enjoy the SRFA convention photos below! [Read more…]

In The Mood For Gift Baskets?

Who isn’t? They’re fun, funky and unique.

Mary Ann Hodge knows this better than most. She’s the owner of Hodge Podge Etc. Flowers & Gifts in North Little Rock Arkansas.  The name is cute but what has earned Hodge Podge the “best of the the best” award three years running is the quality of her gift baskets. She has a massive assortment of incredible gift baskets ranging from gourmet gift baskets to something more sweet, more salty, more plush or more tailored.

Mary Ann has made a name for herself making gift baskets that people adore. Joe Hays of Flower Shop Network met Mary Ann at the ASFA Convention in Hot Springs Arkansas. When he came back she was one of the first names on his lips. “You should check her out. We’re talking big time gift baskets. She has gourmet gift baskets like you wouldn’t believe.”

Of course I took him up on it and checked out her website. I see beautiful flowers everyday so I was stoked to see some of her incredible gift baskets. My mouth literally began to water. The only thing stopping me from making a call for one of them is distance. (Can you imagine a 4 hour round trip delivery fee??) They’re awesome!

We at Flower Shop Network are always happy to see florists who have a passion for other specialties as well. Mary Ann also does gorgeous flower arrangements but the kicker is the quality of her gift baskets. They make you smile. It’s like unwrapping a Christmas present with 5 or 6 gifts inside!

If you need a gift basket for someone in Little Rock or just want to get some ideas for how to create your own, contact Mary Ann at Hodge Podge Etc. Flowers & Gifts.

Identify These Pinnate Oval Scalloped Leaves

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

Pinnate Leaves & Blooms

Pinnate Leaves & Blooms

The growth habit is erect.  It’s leaves are pinnate, in an alternate arrangement, they are oval, scalloped, have an uneven base and a blunt tip.  I live in zone 3, southern Alberta Canada.  Shelly

Plant Expert Reply:

Can you tell me a little more about this plant.  I am having trouble
identifying it.  It could be Agastache (hyssops) or Sanguisorba (burnet) or something in the mint family.  Does it have a scent? Are they growing in a high and dry environment or a low boggy environment?  In sun or shade?  The bloom-like structure in the picture – fresh or a spent bloom?

Once I get the answers to these questions, I should be able to pinpoint the
id.

Pink Blooming Succulent Is A Kalanchoe

Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this?

Pink Kalanchoe

Pink Kalanchoe

The leaves appear to be a succulent, because they are thick and spongy. The flowers are like heather…     Heather

Plant Expert Reply:

You have a succulent called Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.  This happens to have pink flowers but they also come in yellow, white, red and orange.  Give it bright filtered light and keep moist to the dry side.  Watch for pests like aphids and mealybugs.  If kept too wet, kalanchoes can develop powdery mildew, leaf spot, as well as , crown and root rot.

Know What North Dakota & Iowa Have In Common?

Photo courtesy of 50states.com

Photo courtesy of 50states.com

North Dakota and Iowa may not seem like very similar states but both chose the Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa pratincola,  a. Rosa arkansana) as their official state flower. Though no official species was chosen for the Iowa state flower, Rosa pratincola is most often cites as the official state flower of Iowa and who am I to argue?

If you remember reading about the North Dakota state flower, you’ll find this only equally enthusiastic because the wild prairie rose is a darn pretty flower! I grant you it’s a wildflower and not a cut flower that Iowa florists could use in an arrangement but it’s still a great source of inspiration. If I were to narrow it down to the three things I find most inspiring about the wild prairie rose, here you go. You’ve forced my hand. *grin*

  1. Color
  2. Shape
  3. Location

When you get right down to it, the color of the wild prairie rose is a beautiful, soft shade of pink offset by yellow stamens in the center. The gentle pink is a reminder of romantic occasions. When designing romantic flower arrangements, pink is often used to symbolize affection romance, gentle passion and kindhearted love. A pink wildflower that grows and blooms naturally is a wonderful reminder of how love can often be found in surprising places and blossom without fear.

This particular species of the Wild Prairie Rose is noted for having 4-5 petals laying flat but slightly overlapping one another. When I say that I like the shape, this is not what I’m talking about. Each of the petals are heart shaped with the point of the hearts meeting at the stamens. We already know that pink is symbolic for love. Now we see heart shaped flowers. See where this is heading?

Love is so incredible. It guides us, motivates us, encourages us, causes our biggest headaches and our largest victories. The most intense arrow in Cupid’s quiver often strikes at unexpected times and in strange places. I met my sweetheart while working at Wal-Mart. Some meet in church, a library, passing on the street, in the park, or by a chance encounter. This strange trend is why I like the location of the Wild Prairie Rose as it blooms throughout Iowa.

Iowa is known for corn. Miles and miles of corn. “Corn, corn, corn, oh look a tree!” as the song goes. To be gazing across the countryside and see a simple pink flower? Unexpected, unanticipated, a pretty break from the ordinary.

Take a walk on the wild side and chance finding inspiration in the unique, gentle flower that is Iowa’s official state flower–the Wild Prairie Rose.

Celebrating Sweetest Day

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.

Chocolate Hearts & CandyGifts 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…]

You Can Call Me Persicaria Lapathifolium – Smartweed

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this flowering plant?

Knotweed

Knotweed

Hi,

This plant was about 1″ tall this May and I thought it was Oleander. Now 3 months later it is more than 3feet tall and started growing multiple buds off of a single stalk. What is the name of this plant? Niru

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe the plant is a Persicaria lapathifolium commonly known as a knotweed or in this case a pale smartweed.  Although some states consider it a weed, in Illinois it is considered a native wildflower. It likes marshy or boggy types areas.  It will attract bees, wasps, flies and small butterflies.  This plant contributes to the habitat for wetland areas by giving several caterpillar species a food source. These caterpillars become the food source for many types of wildlife including waterfowl.

Keep in mind this plant can become weedy and very invasive.

What Is This Delicate Vine With Small Pinkish-Purple Bloom?

Ask the Expert: Can you identify this blooming vine?

Beggers Lice

Beggers Lice

I saw this vine a few days ago in wooded area next to gravel road.

Desmodium

Desmodium

Vine seems to be at least 4 feet tall, blooms are sparse, blooms late July-early August. Leaves are 3 in cluster. Thanks. Debbie


Plant Expert Reply:

It looks similar to a sweet pea but I don’t think it is. I am investigating
a few possiblities. Is this plant crawling on the ground or more up right.
What state did you find it in – this will help me narrow down the choices.

What Is This Trailing Plant With Blooms?

Ask the Expert: Can you tell me what this plant is

Trailing Plant With Blooms

Trailing Plant With Blooms

I have had this plant for many years, it bloomed about 7 years ago and once done blooming, I repotted it and just about killed it.  It has finally started to bloom again, but I have not idea what it is or how to take care of it properly.  If you could identify provide me with information on it that would be great.  Cindy

Plant Expert Reply:

Ever see someone you know and their name just won’t come to mind. It is very frustrating. Well this plant is creating the same frustration.  I seen it before and the name just won’t come to me.  I am confident that it is in the Gesneriaceae family, but as to the genus and species I am stumped.  Possible genus that come to mind are Aeschynanthus, Columnea, Gloxinia, Nemathanthus and even Sinningia.

Most of these plants need bright light, moist but well-drained soil and warm humid environments.

I wish I could be more specific.  An up-close picture of the blooms and leaves might help.