Bloomin' Blog

Ask the Expert: What Plant is This?

October 10, 2013 by Ed Belly

Ask the Expert: please identify this plant.

Found at our neighbors house. We live in Colorado, and it attracted bumble bees. Intriguing plant!

Plant Expert Reply:

Dani,

Thank you for submitting your plant Id question to the Bloomin Blog. I apologize for the delay in my reply. I think the plant is a type of Cerinthe – maybe Cerinthe major. Please take a look at the plant in this picture and tell me if it looks similar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cerinthe_major.JPG.

If not could you get a close-up picture of the flowers and the foliage?

Thanks

Jamie

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert

A Halloween without Flowers? Spooky!

October 10, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

Halloween is the best time of year for scares, but trying to celebrate this annual homage to fright without mood-setting florals? That’s downright spooky! Flowers should be an integral part of any Halloween celebration, and I’m going to give you three exciting reasons to head out to your local florist right now!

3 Reasons to Find a Florist for Halloween

The ‘Mum’kin – That’s right folks, a living pumpkin filled with mums. Or, for the slightly more daring florist, a living pumpkin covered with mums!

Once you’ve seen it, you’ll realize that no Halloween party can be complete without one of these floral masterpieces. And if you’re attending a Halloween party, the mumkin makes the perfect hostess gift!

Set the Dark and Scary Mood – Flowers are not only capable of providing that spooky visual decoration we all crave on Halloween, they can also provide a distinctive scent to titillate the nostrils!

Your local florist will know exactly what flowers to provide for the look and smell you’re trying to achieve. Want flowers that look dark and brooding? Can do! Need some blossoms that smell musty or dry to set off your haunted house? With enough notice, even that is possible! There is no end to the exciting effects you can achieve with a little desire, creativity and a phone call to your local florist!

Halloween Themed Fairy Garden – For those of you who only use florists on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter, you may be unaware of your local florists ability to create artistic and amazing arrangements unconnected to those holidays. One of those creative arrangements is called a fairy garden.

This can be achieved in a variety of ways, but the most common is to use a potted plant and arrange small furniture and other items under the leaves so that it appears fairies use the plant for a garden. Think of it as a type of diorama. Now imagine using tiny tombstones, wispy, cotton ghosts and a miniature iron rail. Oh yeah, Halloween party gold!

Halloween is full of candy, laughs and all-around fun. And if there’s one thing that florists know, it’s how to help their clients have fun! So when going over your Halloween party list, don’t forget to contact your local florist. They will have some spooktacular ideas to ensure you have the best decorations in town!

Not sure where to find your local florist? Click here and we’ll help you find one!

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info Tagged With: Halloween Flowers, Halloween Party, Holiday Flowers, October Flowers, October Holidays

Member of the FSN Family Passes

October 9, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of James (Jim) Richard Endicott. Jim was the owner/operator of Flowerama located in Fort Collins, CO and a member of the Flower Shop Network family since 2004. He passed away on October 6th, 2013.

Jim was a valuable member and vocal supporter of Flower Shop Network. We appreciate him for his hard work as a local florist, his tireless dedication to his craft and to the industry as a whole. Jim enjoyed attending floral shows and conventions around the U.S. in order to, ” … see what the rest of the country is doing, what the trends are.”

Please join us in sending thoughts and prayers to Jim’s family. His loss will be felt by all those who knew him.

Filed Under: FSN Announcements

Bring On The Pink In October!

October 9, 2013 by Juli Jackson Leave a Comment

This month you might notice things turning a little more pink than usual. That’s because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wearing and sharing the color pink is a way to raise awareness and express moral support to women with breast cancer.

Promote Awareness

1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. But the good news is that breast cancer has a hugely successful remission rate! This is possible only with early detection. This is how you can help.

Make a statement with pink ribbons, clothing – anything you can think of! When someone asks you “What’s with all the pink?’ you can explain that you’re choosing to bring about awareness. Because early detection saves lives!

THINK PINK this October as a way to remind all women to stay informed.

Key Steps to Minimize Your Risk

Schedule regular exams
Learn about family history
Know what is typical for you
Promote health with your life choices

Celebrate Survivors

According to cancer.org, there are an estimated 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. Chances are you know someone who fought this disease and won! Show your support to a real life hero with Think Pink flowers this month.

Remember: Early detection means stopping this cancer in it’s tracks so get your pink on!

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Breast Cancer Awareness, Flower Suggestions, Pink

Say “Boo” With Blooms!

October 8, 2013 by Juli Jackson Leave a Comment

Halloween is creeping ever closer. How are you celebrating this year? Treat-or-treating with the kids? Dressing up for a costume party? Or cuddling on the couch with a spooky flick?

However you spend your All Hallow’s Eve, be sure to share the enchantment of one of the best holidays of the year. Seriously, what other time of the year embraces magic, fall-inspired sweet delights, and good-natured pranking?

Say “boo” to someone special this year! Surprise them with a colorful arrangement that will take their breath away and cause screams of delight from everyone around. After all, beautiful florals can be so bewitching! Also fresh-cut flowers are perfect for hostess gifts and decorating your home.

A fun trick is to order your flowers early, enjoy them for a couple weeks
and by the time the party rolls, add some cobwebs and spiders to wilted flowers for some great haunted decor!

Know a friend or family with a monstrous sweet-tooth? Send treats from far away with themed candy baskets. Just because they aren’t close enough to knock on your door for trick-or-treating doesn’t mean you can’t reach out and say a warm hearted “Happy Halloween!”

Orange, black, purple and green are the best color combos for this holiday. Balloons and fun stuffed animals are a perfect greeting for your favorite ghouls and goblins too.

Have a spooktacular Halloween and don’t forget to use a real local florist for the most spell-binding treats.

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Halloween, Holiday Gift Ideas, Sending Flowers

What is this Plant with Red Leaves and Flower?

October 8, 2013 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Sumac

Ask The Plant Expert: What is this plant called?
Can anyone tell me what this tree or shrub is called?

Amanda

Plant Expert Reply:
Amanda,

This plant is a type of Sumac. There are 250 species in this genus (Rhus). I am not sure exactly which of those can claim this particular plant. Some of the species in this genus can be poisonous like Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy) or Rhus vernix (Poison Sumac) while others are used as a cooking spice. You might want to take a leaf to your local garden center or extension service to make a positive id.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert

5 Floral Gift Ideas for 5 Different Boss Types

October 7, 2013 by Ed Belly 1 Comment

Boss’s Day has really gained traction in recent years. If there was ever a time when this holiday could be ignored or set aside in favor of more important things, that time is long passed. So if you have a boss, and let’s be honest most of us have a boss, here are a few floral gift ideas to make your boss’s Boss’s Day a roaring success!

The Sports Fan

If you’ve ever seen your boss sporting their favorite football team’s mascot on his tie, he may be a sports fan. Your local florist is more than aware of any local or regional sports teams and probably carries a plethora of items they could use to put together a wonderful sports-themed arrangement. If nothing else, an arrangement using flowers in your boss’s favorite team’s colors can provide that “Wow” factor! If your boss loves golf, a sport where there are no teams, or is a fan of a team across the country, do not fret! Your local florist will have what they need to put together something impressive!

The Workaholic

Does your boss spend long hours at the office? Is she there when you arrive and there when you leave? Then she may be a workaholic. The best gift for these dedicated employers is a potted plant! The plant will inject some much-needed nature into their world while offering fresh oxygen that hasn’t been run through the building’s filters and HVAC unit. A plant is also very low maintenance. It will be a benefit without distracting this hard worker from her daily duties.

The Free Spirit [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Seasonal Flowers, Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Boss's Day Gift Ideas, Candy Gift Basket, Gift Baskets, Holiday Flowers, Houseplants, National Bosses Day, Seasonal Flowers

Can You Identify These 5 Mystery Plants?

October 5, 2013 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask the Plant Expert:

hi there,

I inherited these plants from a neighbor who was getting rid of them and I’d love to know what they are so I can make them a bit healthier. I looked on your nice identification page, but couldn’t find information on all of them. (Sorry for the bad lighting in the pictures – I can take better photos, if you need.)

I don’t have a green thumb, so please bear with me for some basic questions: I’m assuming they haven’t really ever been repotted – is it okay to just buy a big bag and use the same kind of soil on all of them? My apartment gets sun, but not a lot, especially in the winter (I live in Berlin), so any ideas you have about which of these should be in the absolute sunniest places, would be appreciated. Some last more specific questions:

Mystery plant #1: is tall and completely awkward – any thoughts on how to stabilize it a bit? Mystery plant #2: When I repot this one, should I just weed out that network of old stalks in there? The probably-Dracaena-plant: The leaves look horrible on this one. I’m not watering it too much, I think – maybe it’s somehow getting too much light? Jade: see the little guy popping up in the corner of the pot? Is it cool to repot that into its own little pot? Kids gotta leave the house sometime :)

Sorry for so many questions! Thanks for the help! -Mason

Plant Expert Reply:

Mason,

Mystery Plant #1 looks like a Schefflera (Brassia Actinophylla) commonly called octopus plant or umbrella tree. The only way to stabilize this plant would be to double the size of the container when you repot it. However, do not bury it any deeper than it is in the current pot. If you go to the Flower Shop Network Schefflera page and scroll down to the care information, you will find light and water instruction for this plant.

Mystery Plant #2 looks like an Aglaomena commonly called Chinese Evergreen, but with the condition of the plant it is very difficult to be sure I am correct. When you repot this plant definitely cut out any dead or damaged foliage. If you go to the Flower Shop Network Aglaomena page and scroll down to the care information, you will find light and water instruction for this plant.

Mystery Plant #3 looks like a type of Ficus, but again the condition of the plant makes it difficult to positively identify the plant.

Mystery Plant #4 does appear to be a Dracaena fragrans.

Mystery plant #5 is a Crassula ovate commonly called jade. You can remove the baby and pot it in its own container.

Hope this information is helpful.

Filed Under: Plant Identification

Friday Florist Recap 9/28 – 10/4: Chock Full of Floral Goodness

October 4, 2013 by Ed Belly 1 Comment

From rustic wedding photos to party themed and fall arrangements, this week’s recap is chock full of floral goodness! As always, Flower Shop Network is pleased to showcase the hard-working men and women who design and create these masterpieces on a daily basis. Our member florists are some of the best and most talented florists in the business. So come on in and take a look around. You’re gonna like what you see, guaranteed!

Stunning Wedding Flowers

Bridal bouquet by Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co. from Princeton, NJ

Beautiful wedding arrangement by the Flower Patch & More in Bolivar, MO

An excellent bouquet by Cary’s Designs Floral in Spanish Fork, UT

“Fall Weddings are the best!” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design, Florists Only Tagged With: Facebook Friday, Floral Design, Flower Pictures, Sympathy Flowers, Wedding Flowers

Your Sweetest Day Ever!

October 2, 2013 by Juli Jackson Leave a Comment

Celebrate Sweetest Day!

What? You don’t celebrate Sweetest Day every year? You don’t have any time-honored Sweetest Day traditions? Ok, so you wouldn’t be alone in this. This is a holiday observance that seems to be more popular in some parts of the country than others, but that’s no reason you can’t start the trend in your neck of the woods!

Think about the people in your life that are generous of spirit. Those that are good listeners or bring snacks for the entire office. Maybe it is your neighbor who always has a smile and a kind word. What about that new co-worker who is shy? There is definitely someone in your life that deserves a little sweetness. Be the one to share it!

What Sweetest Day Is All About

Even though this holiday was started back in 1921, it seems to currently only have a following in the Mid-West and Great Lakes regions. It’s time to change that, don’t you think?

The very first Sweetest Day is attributed to a committee formed by Cleveland candy company employees. They organized an effort to give over 20,000 boxes of candies to “”newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor” as a way to sweeten their day. It was a simple dream to show kindness and appreciation to those most often neglected in the community.

Be Sweet! Not Cynical!

Is it just me or can you never have too many holidays that celebrate love and generosity? Some people call Sweetest Day a psuedo-holiday or a “Hallmark Holiday” because it was created by an industry that produced candy. Well, it’s obvious these individuals suffer from a lack of imagination! Or maybe no one has ever given them a simple gift out of love in mid-October! Our day to day lives can get so busy and hectic, a single day of acknowledging someone special (not just mothers, fathers, lovers) is really a lovely idea. No reason to be so bah-humbug about it!

One of the best things about this holiday is it’s not based on a single religious sentiment or on a specific family relationship. It can serve as a reminder that a thoughtful word or action will build up others and make for a full happy life.

How To Celebrate

Select a cute and delicious CANDY BOUQUET for a killer sweet tooth
Send a Sweetest Day card that brightens a day
Order beautiful flowers to surprise a sweet soul
Pick a wonderfully scented candle paired with a couple of balloons for quite the pick-me-up
Take a fresh bakery treat into the office to share

Think Outside the Candy

While it is called “Sweetest Day” don’t let that fool you into only giving candy. If there’s anyone on your list that can’t enjoy the sugar rush, your local florist can help you decide on a perfect gift.

Celebrate in your own sweet way to show love, appreciation and gratitude for family, friends and loved ones this year on October 19th!

Photo Credits: FSN and Baker Florist in Spencer, NY

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Holiday Info Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Holiday Gift Ideas, Holiday Info, Sweetest Day, Sweetest Day Flowers