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Know Someone Needing A Boost? Send These Flowers

Flower Meanings of Hydrangea & Stargazer Lilies

"Glorious Magenta" Hydrangeas & Peonies

"Glorious Magenta" Hydrangeas & Peonies

Many trials face us in life, but thankfully we have friends and family to encourage us through them. I know from personal experience what it is like to need encouragement or a dose of happy but have nowhere to turn. It’s remember these moments that make me love the flower meanings of stargazer lilies and hydrangeas. These are the absolute perfect gifts for someone needing a boost.

The hydrangea flower meaning is “perseverance.” Know someone struggling to get through their next big trial? Perhaps it’s something as simple as passing a difficult exam or getting through the night at a job that they dislike. Maybe your loved one was recently given a poor diagnosis at their physical exam. Whatever the issue, these times call for encouragement. If we can’t get it from friends, where can we turn? When you know someone facing a situation that calls for perseverance, embolden them with the gift of hydrangeas.

"Stunning Stargazers" Arrangement of Lilies

"Stunning Stargazers" Arrangement of Lilies

Stargazer lilies also have a particular flower meaning that caught my eye. These lovely flowers mean “ambition.” The drive to succeed is inbred within all of us. We all want to make more of our lives than futility. Someone facing a situation that calls for them to use their ambition will appreciate the flower meaning of sunflowers.

Perhaps you have a friend that is moving to another city for the first time. Maybe a friend is starting college or a new job. These are excellent opportunities to share in the richness of ambition. Send flower arrangements with stargazer lilies and watch the richness unfold.

Decorate Your Baby Shower With Fresh Flowers!

Summer is the time of weddings and babies. Both special occasions seem to center around this time of year which is why I’ve decided to include baby shower decorations in the fresh flower decorating tip this month. Whether celebrating Mommy’s first child or fourth, you can use fresh flowers to create the perfect occasion. Here’s how!

Tips For Decorating Baby Showers With Fresh Flowers

  • Use fresh flower petals of tulips or roses to decorate the gift table. This adds color and uniqueness.
  • Put a New Baby flower arrangement on a pedestal in the middle of the gift table or food table. (Gift table is probably best.)
  • Present each guest with a rose boutonniere. The “can’t say baby” game is so much more fun with rose petals! Plus, the remaining rose petals or a spare rose is (when dried) a great addition to the baby book.
  • Have each guest bring a single flower stem. Use these as a fresh flower bouquet during the party. When the baby shower has ended, have the flowers preserved or dry them old-school style (inside a thick book) for use in the baby book.

Fresh flowers are a quick and simple way to cheer up everyone in the room. Preserving these flowers helps Mommy remember the kindness of her friends when she needed them most. Whether they’ll be a memento or just a way to liven up the room, decorating with fresh flowers will take your baby shower up a notch–but you’re planning it so it will already be great!

How did you use flowers to decorate for a baby shower? Are you planning a baby shower in the future? Let us know what you think is a great idea! Just place your comments in the comment section below.

What’s The July Birth Month Flower?

Try The "Thinking of You" Bouquet with Larkspur

Try The "Thinking of You" Bouquet with Larkspur

I won’t keep you guessing. The July birth month flower is the larkspur. Of course, regular readers probably remember this from last year’s July Birth Month Flower blog. For those who haven’t gone back that far, here’s a head’s up.

The official birth month flowers of July are the larkspur and the water lily. You’re not going to see many florists with water lily arrangements so most people tend to use larkspur instead. This is great though! Larkspur is gorgeous in birthday flower bouquets. It adds height and shape while looking as beautiful as any flower has a right to be.

What wasn’t mentioned in last year’s blog are the flower colors and flower meanings associated with the birth month flowers of July. Did you send birth month flowers last year? Send them again this year but add another dash of whimsy and character to the bouquet by using just birth month flowers in these colors:  green, russet and red. The flower meaning of larkspur is “laughter” or “levity.” Who wouldn’t want to send something so cheerful?

Whatever bouquet you choose to send this year, make sure you ask your local florist about using larkspur in the flower arrangement!

These Flowers Make It Cool To Be A Cancer

Many readers probably remember last year’s post about zodiac flowers for Cancers.  Cancers are people with whose birthdays fall between June 21 and July 21. In my family, that’s a lot of people! Finding unique gifts for each of them becomes very difficult each year. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.  These are the people who have everything, enjoy only a few hobbies, and have spent many years collecting gifts so they don’t seem to need anything either. What to do, what to do!?

Just enough Delphinium to be exciting!

Just enough Delphinium to be exciting!

I can say that just like last year I stand beside cancer zodiac flowers as awesome and unique birthday gifts. I mean, come on. Who would expect something which requires so much thought and effort (or so it seems)?

My local florist makes it practically effortless to pick up a pretty birthday bouquet for my friends and family. I just call up June and say “I need an arrangement centered around zodiac flowers for cancer. They are roses, lily of the valley, hydrangea, iris, cornflower, delphinium, and ferns. Can I get something in an X price range?” That’s almost the entire extent of the conversation and the birthday gift shopping is done!

Yeah. As far as zodiac flowers are concerned, two thumbs WAY up for Cancer zodiac flowers!

What Hostess Gift Should I Bring To The Pool Party?

Flowers.

Come on. Did you ever expect me to say anything besides “flowers”? Hostess gifts are easy to pick out when you have time to go shopping. Those of us with a busy day job and our second job (family) don’t have much time to go look. Personally, I can’t stand shopping. Don’t want to do it. Bringing along a bouquet of flowers that matches the theme of the party is simple enough, quick, inexpensive and tasteful. The best a gal could ask for!

My local florist is awesome. I can say “pool party hostess gift” and she’ll come up with something perfect for the occasion. Maybe even a mermaid on the enclosure card. Being with Flower Shop Network, I get to meet some of the most creative florists and floral designers in the country. I’m constantly impressed by their floral designs. If you’re lucky enough to have a talented florist nearby, make great use of that opportunity!

"Indian Summer" Is Perfect For The Poolside Table!

"Indian Summer" Is Perfect For The Poolside Table!

So picture it. You’re walking up in your little bathing suit and cover-up. You have a towel and some sunscreen in a bag over your shoulder. You’re rocking the shades and own the look. So what’s missing? The hostess gift.

I was explaining one aspect of “southern hospitality” to my friend’s daughter last night. She’s new in town and we had just met so I wanted to get her a gift. I explained that just like arriving to a party, you never show up anywhere empty-handed especially if it’s your first time. First impressions matter. Incidentally, she was attached to my hip the rest of the night.

In the same way, it’s important to keep a cool hostess gift handy for occasions just like this. Pool party hostess gifts may not be the first thing on your shopping list every week but keep your local florist in mind when it does come up. You’ll feel great knowing you gave a gift that they liked. They’ll feel good knowing how polite you are and that you appreciated their hospitality. You’ll feel wet because of the pool, but it’s the summer flowers that will make a splash.

3 Fabulous Fathers Day Arrangements

Yeah, there pretty much isn’t a less-than-fabulous Fathers Day arrangement in Flower Shop Network’s photo gallery. With that in mind, we racked our brains and came up with what we think are the three MOST fabulous Father’s Day flower arrangements ever. Lucky for your dad, all of these flowers are available from your local florist.

"You're The Greatest" Fathers Day Flowers

It’s really easy to tell Dad how much he means to you with an arrangement like the “You’re The Greatest” Father’s Day flowers. Fans of Babe Ruth may find this especially significant. Fathers day flowers like these are a real treat because they are brightly colored, full, contemporary and just masculine enough to make Dad feel joyful about receiving flowers.

"Artistic Tribute" Fathers Day Flowers

Father’s Day flowers don’t get much more in line with what Dad wants than the “Artistic Tribute” contemporary flower arrangement. This arrangement just screams “buy me for Dad!” The high-style “Artistic Tribute” Fathers Day flowers are nothing short of architecturally amazing, visually stimulating, and emotionally satisfying for the father whose child is you.

"Fiery Red Topiary" Fathers Day Flowers

Dad a sports fan? Then he’ll love the “Fiery Red Topiary” for Father’s Day! Flowers like these create a stylish display for every sporty dad. The fiery red color is right in line with the St.  Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and other teams (it is baseball season after all.) Ask for a black ribbon or raffia instead and it’s the colors of the Atlanta Falcons! Whatever his team, whatever his sport, your local florist can create a beautiful topiary like this for your dad. Just ask if a color substitution is possible.

Sending Flowers To Someone In The ICU?

Try "Flower Garden" Or Other Get Well Flowers

Try "Flower Garden" Or Other Get Well Flowers

I remember when my best friend’s mother was having brain surgery. Over the course of 6 months she had 5 surgeries to repair her brain stem which sat too low. Tabby, myself, and our mutual friends all view Mrs. Vickie as a mother so we spent countless hours in the ICU waiting room at our local hospital in Jonesboro, AR.

The staff was great but there is little that makes the waiting room experience pleasant. After hours waiting for the surgeon to call, the time seems to pass like molasses. You know what would’ve made that experience better? Well, not having to do it (especially 5 times) for one. Aside from that though, flowers.

It’s never fun to need to send flowers to someone in the hospital. However, it brightens their day. Studies have shown that someone happier also heals faster. Whether it’s on the enclosure card or not, you really are “wishing a speedy recovery” when you send flowers to someone in the hospital.

There is one hiccup.

Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are not allowed to receive flowers. Once they are moved to a room, fine and dandy. When in the ICU, hospital flowers are a no-go. Don’t feel like you have to give up though. Sending flowers expresses a great sentiment which can be enjoyed by the person’s family and friend in the ICU waiting room. I know it would’ve helped us. We felt like we were the only ones in the world that knew or cared about what was happening. Receiving hospital flowers reminds those waiting that someone else is thinking, praying and caring at the same time.

Ever go through something like this? Did you receive flowers while you were waiting? Have you sent flowers to a hospital and received a good response? Please share your stories with us.

Rock Out With This Anniversary Flowers Idea

If you’re anything like me, concerts are a home away from home. Since the summer is concert season, surprise your wife or girlfriend on your anniversary with tickets to an upcoming concert of one of her favorite artists. It’s very sweet to bring flowers also, not to mention traditional. Even a non-traditional girl will be caught off guard in a good way by the uniqueness of such a romantic gift. Here are some other ideas for incorporating rock concert tickets (or country, jazz, et al) and anniversary flowers into one rockin’ evening.

Tips for Presenting The Tickets With Her Anniversary Flowers:

  • Send flowers on your anniversary date but ask your local florist to incorporate the tickets and the theme of the evening into the design.
  • Arrive on the doorstep with a beautiful bouquet of anniversary flowers, tickets behind your back. Even if you’re used to walking in, ring the doorbell or knock but make sure that she has to answer. She’ll be awed when she sees you standing there holding a gift. She’ll be even more surprised when you reveal the tickets!
  • If the concert is after your anniversary, keep your ticket stub(s). Ask your local florist to put the ticket stubs in the envelope along with the enclosure card. A sweet anniversary enclosure card message ties it all together.
  • At dinner before the show, excuse yourself and discreetly sneak out to your car. From here, place a bouquet of anniversary flowers in her seat along with the tickets. (You can keep it hidden in the backseat or in the trunk but only briefly!!) When you leave, open her door for her. This gentlemanly treat becomes more special when she sees the tickets and the anniversary flowers.
  • At dinner, ask the maitre d’ or your waiter/waitress to deliver the anniversary flowers to your table before the end of dinner. This may require a pre-call to make sure that the staff will agree. It may also require a bigger tip but it will be well worth it to see her face!
  • Any of the above ideas will work, just remember to give her plenty of time to prepare for a rocking night out if the tickets are a surprise.

Now you’re ready for a great show and a great anniversary!

Discovering The Sego Lily, Utah’s State Flower

Anyone who has stepped into a flower shop knows what a lily is. However, very few people know about the Sego Lily, Utah’s state flower.

Photo courtesy 50states.com

Photo courtesy 50states.com

Don’t let the name fool you!! The Sego Lily is not a lily at all (does not belong to the Lilium genus). Still, the Sego Lily (Calochortus gunnisonii) is a beautiful wildflower from which much inspiration can be drawn. The flowers are white, lilac or yellow. Pretty enough but what really captures the eye is the center of the flower which has touches of crimson and yellow. It looks almost as if a fire has been lit and extends into white-hot flames. With a look like this, the Sego Lily inspires designs laced with passion, beauty, dimension, color and fervor.

The Story of The Utah State Flower

The Utah state flower has been inspiring Utah florists as the official state floral emblem since 1911. Before this, the Sego Lily was being used in a rather unconventional but lifesaving way. Kate C. Snow, president of the Utah Pioneers, wrote a letter in 1930 describing how early Utah pioneers in the mid 1800s were forced to scavage for food. They discovered that the soft, bulbous root of the Sego Lily could be eaten. Many survived using this interesting flower as sustinence. This effect on Utah’s history was a deciding factor for legislators who declared the Sego Lily Utah’s state flower after the turn of the century.

Strange but cool. Unique but beautiful. That’s why I think all florists will find something inspiring to love about the Sego Lily.

The Flower Meaning For Aspiring People

If you’re happy with the hum-drum, this flower isn’t for you.

"Flower Garden" Arrangement with Alstroemeria

"Flower Garden" Arrangement with Alstroemeria

When looking at flower meanings this month I ran across alstroemeria. I was impressed right away and instantly thought of someone that I wanted to give these flowers to. The flower meaning of alstroemeria is “aspiring.” You know what that says to me? It says that it is time to celebrate someone moving out of the hum-drum and into the ta-da!

I have a friend who just received a promotion. I think her work and her attitude have improved exponentially since starting with that company so I want to let her know how proud I am. There really is no holiday to speak of but there doesn’t have to be. Instead of sending a holiday message to her, I’m making it more personal by sending flowers with a special meaning. This occasion calls for flowers that motivate people with the drive to move forward. She’s that kind of woman so she deserves alstroemeria!

“Aspiring” can mean a lot of things though. This thoughtful gift can be sent to a little boy or girl going through a graduation at school. Many schools have elementary graduations that recognize children moving into junior high. What a perfect time to give flowers! A bouquet of alstroemeria and a kiss on the cheek are enough to make your baby the king or queen of the class.

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria

“Aspiring” can also work for a suite mate in the dormitory who is a drama major (aspiring actress/actor), business major (aspiring executive), or even a zoology major (aspiring Steve Irwin).

Whatever your friend or family member is into, let them know how proud you are with alstroemeria. Celebrate their ability to move forward in life, to make something of themselves, and to make everyone proud.

Know the meaning of your favorite flower? Share it below along with why this flower is your favorite. Not really sure what the flower meaning is? Ask away! Simply log in and comment below.