Flower Meanings - Bloomin' Blog

January Newsletter: Winter Wonderland

January 16, 2014 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

The holidays are behind us, and a new year has begun!

January is traditionally a month for reflection, a time to think about the past year and all the things we can do to make the coming year better. The natural world has grown silent. Birds have migrated. Animals have gone into hibernation. And Mother Nature herself seems to be holding her breath as she faces a clean slate on which to build for the coming spring.

Snow blankets the ground and wind greets us with an icy chill, but even now, amidst all the starkness and cold, flowers still find a way to bloom. Some of the most beautiful florals thrive at this time of year bringing true meaning to the phrase “winter wonderland”.

As you sit cozy at home, warm coffee cup in hand and looking out the window at the frozen landscape, don’t hesitate to make bold plans for the future. After all, you are not the hibernating bear. You are the winter flower, a bloom which finds a way to thrive even as the rest of the world is falling asleep.

Flower Spotlight: Carnations

This month we are spotlighting the carnation!

Carnation Origins

The carnation is a beautiful flower most likely native to the Mediterranean region. I say “most likely” because it has been so widely cultivated over the last 2,000 years that no one knows for sure the full range of this flower’s natural origins. Still, if you were to try growing your own carnations, you’d need well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil and full sun. Certainly in keeping with a Mediterranean climate.

Continue reading Flower Spotlight: Carnations

Best reasons to Send Flowers in January!

Gray and blue don’t have to color this wintery month. We have some great reasons to send exciting flowers in January so not only can you help celebrate a special occasion, you can feel great about brightening someone else’s day… and your own!

1. Chinese New Year – Jan. 31st – Also referred to as the Lunar New Year, this traditional Chinese holiday is marked by bright red decor, big feasts, offerings to the spirits, and cleaning house to make way for good luck in the new year. Help someone near and dear to you celebrate good fortune and happiness with a bright Asian-inspired bouquet! Send flowers for their reunion dinner or as a wish for good luck in the coming year.

2. January Birthdays – You gotta love nature for creating flowers that are designed to bloom even in the gloomy cold seasons. So if there is a birthday to celebrate this month, January’s birth flower, the carnation, is ready to thrill and delight. Carnations are symbolic of love, fascination and distinction.

3. Beat The Winter Blues – Even if you don’t have a full blown case of seasonal affective disorder, long grey winters have a way of bringing everyone down. After the December holidays and marching right into the coldest days of the year in many climates, January is an especially hard month for sunny dispositions. Battle the winter blues by sending some bright flowers!

Continue Reading Best Reasons to Send Flowers in January!

Facebook Friday: December Favorites

We provide a Friday recap of all the wonderful posts and pictures from active florists on our Facebook Page. It’s been so much fun seeing all the completely different designs every day. We hope you enjoy these favorites and continue through to see more from each Friday this month:

The Petal Patch, Ltd. of McFarland, WI

Fancy Flowers in Hialeah, FL

Sassy Floral and Design in Saint Anthony, ID

Crossroads Florist, Mahwah, NJ

Flowerama Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN

Monday Morning, Princeton, NJ

See all Facebook Recap pictures in these posts:

Instagram Inspirations

Digital color filters and retro frames might not be needed to show off the beauty of these arrangements but it certainly doesn’t hurt. We selected our favorites from Instagram this week and we are loving the variety of styles!

We present 3 stellar florists who are great at fusing their own brand of creativity into their work.

FSN Christmas Celebration!

Today we enjoyed a wonderful lunch together for our annual Flower Shop Network Christmas Party. The food was great, the company was better and the homemade desserts were to die for! To keep things interesting, we also held an Ugly Sweater Contest. I’ve never seen so many people wearing working lights! Take a moment to peruse through this photo tour of the FSN festivities and Happy Holidays!

FLOWER CARE TIP Do not use scissors to cut your flowers because they can crush the stems and prevent water absorption.
More Flower Care Tips

WE’RE SOCIAL!

Love flowers? Follow us on the above Social Networks! We are always sharing the latest articles from our Bloomin’ Blog, as well as the most fascinating news on the net!

FSN’s Pinterest Picks Really feeling the purple this week when we searched through Pinterest for some great inspiration from talented florists. Take a closer look and you’ll see all those carefully crafted details that make these pieces so lovely and ready to deliver smiles!

January is Houseplant Appreciation Month! Houseplants are wonderful additions to your home. They add color, life and a touch of nature everyday. They give off oxygen that helps purify your home and they ask for so little care in return. This is the month to give them a little extra love and attention. Now that the holidays have passed, find a moment to check in with your plants and give them some TLC.

Suggest an Article: Car Wrapping Not too long ago, we asked our member florists to submit any ideas they had to use in future blog posts. We intentionally didn’t specify what kind of ideas we were looking for, and as a result, we received suggestions encompassing all aspects of the business. This will be the first in a series of articles wherein I take those tips and present them to you!

Valentine’s Day: It’s Never Too Early to Plan for Love! Valentine’s Day may be more than a month away, but that’s all the more reason to start planning your big day immediately! When it comes to love, you can never prepare too early. After all, “He who hesitates is lost.” By getting an early start, you’re guaranteed to have everything you need to make your significant other’s day magnificent!

Help make Flower Shop Network‘s monthly newsletter even better! Got questions? Have an idea for a story? With your help, we can make the FSN newsletter just what you want and need. You can drop us a note in the comment section on the blog or email us at social@flowershopnetwork.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Filed Under: Newsletters Tagged With: Christmas Flowers, Floral Design, Flower Meanings, Seasonal Flowers, Wedding Flowers

Flower Spotlight: Carnations

January 9, 2014 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

This month we spotlight the carnation!

Carnation Origins

Carnation Colors and Meanings

In general, carnations represent love, fascination and distinction however color variations can have their own meanings.

Light Red – Admiration
Dark Red – Deep love or affection
Pink – A mother’s undying love – The legend around this color says that the pink carnation was formed when the Virgin Mary wept for Jesus as he carried the cross to his own crucifixion.
Purple – Capriciousness, unpredictability, fickleness and unreliability
Yellow – Disappointment, dejection and rejection
White – Pure love and good luck
Green – Not a natural color, they are often dyed and coupled with white carnations for St. Patrick’s Day.
Striped – Regret or refusal

As you can see, the carnation covers a wide range of feelings and events. Did someone ask you out but you want to let them down easy? Say, “No” with flowers! Want to tell the world you’re feeling a bit unpredictable? A purple carnation on your lapel will do the trick nicely. Are you wanting a different flower to use on Valentine’s Day? The red carnation says love as loudly as any rose. The carnation is also the official flower for January birthdays!

Need to think of new and creative ways to use carnations? Contact your local florist and let them guide you! Carnations have been popular flowers for over 2,000 years. They have a storied history and are just downright gorgeous. Next time you have flower needs, don’t forget the carnation!

Filed Under: Flower Meanings Tagged With: Carnation, Carnation Comeback, Flower Meanings, Modern Carnations

Best 5 Reasons To Send Flowers In August

August 1, 2013 by Juli Jackson Leave a Comment

The lazy hazy days of summer are in full bloom. August brings 31 days of heat waves and air conditioning worship. Take a refreshing dip into flowers this month and send a tall, cool vase of flowers to someone special.

Here’s our favorite reasons to call up a local florist in August.

#1. August 4th – National Sister’s Day

This is a day to recognize your sister for the role she has played in your life. Even if she stole your favorite clothes or always made fun of your haircut, your sister shaped who you are in a big way. Say “I love you, Sis” with a bright bunch of flowers.

Whether she lives down the street or across the country, flowers are the perfect way to tell her how special and appreciated she is without going to a lot of fuss. Give her a reason to say, “You shouldn’t have!”

#2. August 21 – Senior Citizens Day

Not to be confused with Grandparents’ Day, this holiday honors all individuals who have reached the ripe old age of 65 and beyond. Fresh flowers can be a beautiful and thoughtful way to acknowledge the gifts of wisdom, friendship and support the elderly have given to you and your family over the years.

Think of your favorite neighbor, professor, or family member who could use some cheer. If a parent or friend has only recently hit “qualifying age” this could be a fun opportunity to let them know what they have to look forward to in coming years.

#3. Back To School

Depending on where you live, August means back to the schoolhouse for many students and teachers. If you have a reluctant teen starting a new high school, surprise them with an arrangement sent to the school. Sign the card “From Your Secret Admirer” to give a chance for some good-natured bragging rights. Do you know a hardworking teacher that deserves some motivation? Potted plants delivered by your florist are a great option for teachers to add some life to their new class.

Get the school year started on the right foot by sending flowers to school. This is a fantastic surprise the recipient will never forget.

#4. August Birth Flower: Gladiolus

Perfect for those August birthdays, gladiolus has long been the flower associated with the 8th month of the year. The gladiolus represents sincerity and strong character. The hidden meaning of the gladiolus, adapted in the Victorian era, is “love at first sight.” Gladiolus are tall stately stalks with multiple gorgeous blooms of ruffly petals available in many different colors including orange, red, white, yellow, and pink.

No matter what color you select for your special someone, gladiolus will make a bright bold statement and a memorable birthday wish.

#5. Savor The Last of Sizzling Summertime

This is the time of year where rain is scarce, grass turns brown, and the whole outdoors can really become unbearable on certain days. But before you know it, fall with be here. So enjoy all the hot colors and summer fun that is possible. No matter who you are, there is someone near and dear to you that could use some thoughtful cheer. Offer a lush oasis to enjoy in the middle of a summertime desert.

Send some of these favorite flowers that always bring smiles:

gladiolus
spider mum
bells of ireland
lily
alstroemeria
daisy

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Best 5 Reasons, Flower Meanings, Flower Sending Tip, Sending Flowers

Best 5 Reasons To Send Flowers In July

June 24, 2013 by Juli Jackson Leave a Comment

Blue skies, white clouds, and red hot grills mean July has started off right this year. With the height of the hot summer season rolling in, remember to refresh with flowers! There are so many fantastic hot-weather blooms available and here are some great reasons to send summer joy:

#1 – Independence Day – July 4th

It’s America’s birthday and time to celebrate! Along with lemonade, homemade ice cream, and anything barbecued, flowers are a sparkling addition to every party or gathering. An arrangement in the middle of the table makes your whole event more festive without much effort at all.

Flowers can serve as a great reminder of the reason we don the white, red, and blue. Our nation battled for its independence and won! Don’t these lilies, mums, and gladiolas look like perfect flower fireworks?

#2 – Show Your Summer Love

Do you have a summer sweetheart? Sending flowers can make a big impression in a budding relationship. Maybe you want to rekindle the affection of your long-time partner? Remind her than your love is in full bloom with a gorgeous arrangement packed with the very best the season has to offer. The summer growing season has so many bright exciting colors, textures, and fragrances to choose from.
To take advantage of seasonal flowers, ask for combinations of these sun-loving varieties:

Stock – voted best smelling by our florists!
Gerbera
Hydrangea
Sunflowers
Gladiolus
Zinnia
Freesia

#3 – Parents’ Day – July 28th

Sure, mom and dad get their own individual day in spring, but Parents’ Day honors them both. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July, this relatively new national holiday started in 1994 by President Bill Clinton for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”

It is also quickly becoming a favorite day for families celebrating non-traditional parents because it focuses more on the team effort of parenthood instead of singling out only mothers or fathers. Show your parents they raised you right! Treat them to an arrangement bursting with color or a fruit basket to enjoy while they sip iced tea on the porch.

#4 – July Birthdays

Have family or friends with a upcoming July birthday? Show them how much you care with a lovely arrangement. Make it more personal by ordering their favorite color. Not sure what color would be a hit? Select the traditional July birth flower – consolida. Sometimes called larkspur, this flower symbolizes a strong bond of love, is very closely related to delphinium, and highlights how special this month is to your recipient.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Best 5 Reasons, Birth Month Flowers, Flower Meanings, Flower Suggestions, Holiday Gift Ideas

Show Them The Tassle is Worth The Hassle

May 13, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Graduation at any level is an accomplishment deserving of a little recognition. What better way to say, “I’m so proud of you” for all of your Grad’s hard work than by sending graduation flowers? Sure, it may sound cliche, but seriously, a reminder to stop and smell the roses couldn’t come at a better time.

Flower Meanings for Graduation

Customize your grad’s flowers to include flowers with special meanings.

Aspire – Alstroemeria
Good Luck – Bells of Ireland
Admiration – Heather
Faith, hope, wisdom and valor – Iris
Happiness – Lily
Daydreamer – Stargazer Lily
Outgoing nature – Lisianthus
Refinement – Cymbidium orchid
Happy life – Peony
Courage – King Protea
Friendship, Promise of a new beginning – Yellow Rose
Longevity – Sunflower

If you are planning to send flowers to your favorite grad, remember to always always always use a real local florist. Not only will you avoid middlemen, your local florist will know all regulations on sending flowers to a school or for a school event. You can also have flowers delivered to their home prior to graduation as a symbol of ‘good luck’ or ‘we’re so proud of you.’ Because really, the tassle IS SO WORTH the hassle!

Filed Under: Flower Meanings, Gift Ideas Tagged With: Flower Meanings, Flower Suggestions, Gift Ideas, Graduation

Let Flowers Symbolize Your New Year Resolutions

December 31, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

With a brand new year on the horizon, we’ve all started thinking about what we can do to make it better than the previous. We all have good intentions when creating New Years’ resolutions, however, most of us never follow through. Why? We tend to make a lot of promises to ourselves we can’t keep — Loose 20 lbs; stop smoking; read a book every month. While these are great goals to have, it can be extremely overwhelming to start these all at once on January 1st.

How To Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions

Choose New Year’s resolutions that aren’t as hard to keep. Instead, make goals to yourself that are broad, fit into your routine and are also fun to do! Instead of focusing on drastically changing your habits, choose resolutions to enhance those aspects of your lifestyle.

Let Flowers Symbolize Your New Year

Each flower has a meaning that dates back as far as Victorian times. These meanings symbolize anything from ‘love’ to ‘wealth & prosperity.’ This New Years, let flowers symbolize what you want 2013 to mean to you. Symbolic flowers with specific meanings will help you visualize and empower your goals. Order flowers for yourself or to decorate your home for the new year, make it a new tradition. Use the flower meanings tool to find symbols of exactly what you want your new year to be for you and your family.

Best New Year’s Resolutions To Keep

Spend more time with family. (Aster, Lily, Statice)
Go to lunch with friends more often. (Aster, Peony)
Enjoy life more. (Gerbera Daisy, Peony, Statice)
Find time to read more. (Iris, Protea, Heather)
Learn something new. (Iris, Protea)
Join a gym class you’ll actually enjoy. (yoga, dancing?) (Gerbera Daisy, Protea)
Save money. (Iris, Heather, Bells of Ireland)
Find ways to recycle more. (Iris, Aster, Protea)
Cut back on smoking. Find ways to commit to the quit. (Protea, Gerbera Daisy, Aster, Lily)
Devote more time to hobbies and fun. Especially with the family. (Aster, Peony, Statice)
Visit somewhere new. (Protea, Heather, Gerbera Daisy)
Give or volunteer to help those in need. (Aster, Protea, Heather)

Here are a few good flower meanings to get you started: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Meanings, Holiday Info, Seasonal Flowers, Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Flower Meanings, New Years, New Years Flowers

Florist Predictions For The Royal Wedding Bouquet

April 28, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

About a month ago, we asked our florist friends to submit their predictions for the Royal Wedding bouquet! We were blown away by the incredible submissions! Only about 1 more day left before we FINALLY get to see what we’ve all been waiting on!

The Royal Family has done an excellent job keeping the details of Kate’s bouquet top secret! We do know they have chosen renounced London-based, floral designer Shane Connolly to head up their wedding flower team. He also holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, making him an official supplier of flowers for royal events, including Princes Charles’s 2005 wedding.

Royal Wedding Bouquet? According to the royal wedding website, he is known for his sustainable approach to floristry, using growing, rather than cut, plants and trees, and for producing “elegant and unique displays” using seasonal, natural and organic flowers.

While the bouquet is still a mystery, we know that the floral displays in Westminster Abbey feature a variety of seasonal growing and cut British flowers and trees sourced from Royal Estates and other growers around the country. The flowers and plants include blossoms, azaleas (rhododendron), euphorbias, beech, wisteria and lilac.

The floral displays in the Abbey itself will include eight 20 feet-high trees: six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam. All the trees will be growing in planters, which have also been designed by Mr. Connolly and which were made by craftsmen at Highgrove, The Prince of Wales’s Residence in Gloucestershire.

Also, according to the Royal Wedding website, the couple has taken an interest in traditional Language of Flowers and are using these flower meanings to tell a story through their flowers. So far the flowers they’ve chosen mean:

Azaleas (rhododendron) – “Take care of yourself for me, temperance, fragile passion”
Lilac – youthful innocence
Beech Trees – harmony, peace, balance and all that is good.
Wisteria – honor, memory, patience

After the wedding, the flowers and plants will be left in position in Westminster Abbey for the public to view until Friday 6th May 2011. Following this, many of the trees will be taken to Highgrove Gardens, where they will be planted. The Couple’s intention is that many of the cut plants and flowers and all the growing plants will be donated to charities or re-planted.

Now, take a look at the at the amazing designs created by real florists all across the US and Canada. Which one do you think will be the closest to the real design for the Royal Wedding Bouquet?? Let us know in the comments below! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Meanings, Flower Memories, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: Bridal Bouquets, Flower Meanings, Wedding Flowers

Hanakotoba: The Japanese Language of Flowers

October 21, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell 3 Comments

"Noble Wealth"

In the Victorian Era, flowers were used as a means of communication. Each flower had it’s own, particular meaning and bouquets were used to send coded messages. People today still send flowers chosen specifically for their flower meanings.

Not only did the Western world have its own coded, flower language, the East had one as well— Hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers. Although, obviously not as popular today as it once was, Hanakotoba is still used in many Japanese movies and animations.

Kanji	English	Meaning
アマリリス	Amaryllis	Shy
アネモネ	Anemone (white)	Sincere
椿	Camellia (red)	In Love
椿	Camellia (yellow)	Longing
椿	Camellia (white)	Waiting
カーネーション	Carnation	Passion
桜	Cherry Blossom	Kind/Gentle
黄菊	Chrysanthemum (yellow)	Imperial/Elegant
白菊	Chrysanthemum (white)	Truth/Self-Esteem
水仙	Daffodil	Respect
天竺牡丹	Dahlia	Good Taste
雛菊	Daisy	Faith
勿忘草	Forget-Me-Not	True Love
フリージア	Freesia	Immaculate
梔子	Gardenia	Secret Love/Pure
紫陽花	Hydrangea	Pride
アイリス / 菖蒲	Iris	Noble Heart/Good News
白百合	Lily (white)	Purity
百合	Lily of the Valley	Sweet/Promise of Happiness
鬼百合	Tiger Lily	Wealth
マグノリア	Magnolia	Natural/Love For Nature
雛芥子	Poppy	Comfort
紅薔薇	Rose (red)	Love/In Love
薔薇	Rose (white)	Innocence/Devotion
桃色薔薇	Rose (pink)	Trust/Confidence
黄色薔薇	Rose (yellow)	Noble
チューリップ	Tulip	Charity/Trust

Contact your local florist today and ask for an arrangement using your favorite Hanakotoba flower meanings.

This post is brought to you by local Honolulu Hawaii Florists.
Not in Honolulu? No worries, use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!

Filed Under: Flower Meanings Tagged With: Amaryllis, Anemone, Camellia, Daffodils, Dahlia, Flower Meanings, Freesia, Lily of the Valley, Magnolia

Flower Meanings For Expectant Mothers & New Arrivals

March 19, 2010 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

This may sound strange to some, but I recently struggled alongside a friend who was having difficulty conceiving. She and her husband had anticipated children since the early stages of their relationship. However, her age and medical history made it a troublesome ordeal.

"Grace Under Pressure" Pink Roses Bouquet

It’s hard to watch a close friend go through something like that. I wanted to help her so we would stay up late talking and praying about the situation. One day she called me in tears because the stress finally became overwhelming. I racked my brain for some way to console her when it finally hit me.

I called up June, my local florist, and discussed an arrangement specifically for my friend. I relied on my guide of flower meanings (I use the FSN flower meanings reference) and found the perfect flowers to express what I wanted to say to her but couldn’t.

Though some of these were out of season, I discussed many flowers with my florist including apple blossom, azalea, peony, Queen Anne’s lace, pink roses, Star of Bethlehem, stephanotis, pink tulips, violets, and yarrow.

I chose apple blossom because it means “promise” and through many nights of prayer we were reminded of the Biblical story of Abraham and Sarah who also struggled with bearing a child. They were promised abundance and were blessed so I wanted apple blossom for encouragement. Azalea means “abundance” so this also seemed fitting of the promise.

I chose the rest of the flowers based on their significance in her life, particularly her struggle with medical issues and a need for peace of mind. The flower meanings of the rest discussed with June are:

Peony “Healing”
Queen Anne’s Lace “Delicate Femininity”
Pink Roses “Friendship”
Star of Bethlehem “Hope”
Stephanotis “Good Luck”
Pink Tulips “Caring”
Violets (specifically blue violets) “Faithfulness”
Yarrow “Good Health”

And a year later a child arrived…

The flower bouquet had raised her spirits so much that I decided to send a new baby bouquet when her son was born. I again turned to the flower meanings guide and consulted my local florist, June, about using these flowers: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Meanings Tagged With: Flower Meanings, Peony, Queen Annes Lace, Star of Bethlehem, Yarrow

The Flower Meanings For Cheerful People

February 22, 2010 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Do you know someone who is CONSTANTLY smiling? It seems like they wear a smile that they can never remove? I know plenty of people like that. They’re good friends, good listeners, very supportive, and a bit like a personal sun on a cloudy day.

"1st Class Friendship" Bouquet With Iris

February is National Friendship Month which made the wheels in my head start turning. I had no idea what to get my friends that I hadn’t purchased for Christmas. Of course, I remembered the always faithful gift — flowers.

So what kind of flowers do you send to a cheerful person to show how much he or she means to you?

I chose my two most cheerful friends then consulted my favorite little flower reference, the FSN Flower Meanings Guide. I decided that I simply had to send a friendship bouquet that included yellow carnations, pink carnations, gardenia, gladiolus, iris, larkspur, day lilies, ranunculus, or pink roses.

Of course, I couldn’t decide which to use and didn’t know which my local florist had in stock so I called her up. June was a big help once we ran through the list of flowers that I would like to use. The bouquet was perfect and my friend received a lovely bouquet during the first week of the month.

Each of the flowers chosen has a very special, specific meaning. Including just one or two is enough to express how you feel. Speak with your local florist about which flower is right for you. Keep reading to discover the type of flower, its flower meaning, and a sample card message. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions Tagged With: Flower Meanings, National Friendship Month