Find Your Local Florist:Everything you want to know about flowers!
Ask the Expert: September wedding what kind of flowers?
We live in the high desert in CA, the wedding is in September, the colors are baby blue and chocolate brown. What flowers would you suggest? We are on a limited budget. I was even thinking of just going with white roses with a “splash” of blue for the for bride and an assortment for bridesmaids. What is a good flower that is blue? Kim
You’ve probably heard the expression, “It’s the thought that counts.” That is very much the case with Mother’s Day gifts. I recently found myself scrambling among the mass of people shopping for something very unique and non-floral for my mother. However, I realized that there are many reasons why sending my mother a special flower arrangement is a unique Mother’s Day gift.
My mother is as unique as a dainty snowflake. She is among the most important people in my life. Decades spent with her have woven together the threads of time into a bond between her and I that cannot be broken. Because of this I wanted to get the best gift possible for her this Mother’s Day. I walked through the aisles and peered through online galleries in search of the perfect gift for her but none seemed to show how much I care. Not one had the special touch that a child or grandchild can bring. I wanted a gift that warms her heart because it brought forth a special memory. I thought back through all of the many times that my mother had received flowers from her children, my father, her own father who is now deceased, and others. I remembered the chipper little girl that seemed to shine through when she received each arrangement. I knew then that what I really wanted to give my mother was another flower memory.
My mother’s father has been gone for many years now. I’ve heard her speak often of her “pa” and the many wonderful attributes of this amazing man. I poured through the recesses of my mind and finally remembered the story that I’d heard mother relay of the first time that her father gave her flowers. I couldn’t wait to call my local flower shop and order a bouquet of daisies because it is exactly what she received from him nearly forty years ago.
No generically manufactured gift can ever elicit the same response from my mother as the daisies and accompanying card that read, “Your daddy would be proud of how wonderful a mother you’ve been to me.” While generic gifts may conjure up some sort of general emotion, they cannot touch individual hearts with the same tenderness as a child. They rarely accomplish the feeling of awe as a child watches the wrinkles of her mother’s face melt away, replaced by the bright smile of a little girl. Though many offered ideas, few would’ve thought that the perfect gift with the most special touch was the one that I’d almost overlooked though all it really needed was my mommy-daughter touch.
— Brynn Jackson FSN —
Ask the Expert: my son is having an outdoor wedding reception
In June it will be very informal type BBQ outside. What suggestions would you have for some sort of floral arrangement that is both economical and able to stand the possibilities of say wind..etc that day? Her colors are black, white and a touch of orange. We thought of tiger lilies will they be in bloom by June 14th? Besides putting something in a vase that could blow over what else can we do? Thank you. Diane
Ask the Expert: what flowers are in in October. Kelley
Ask the Expert: What flowers are in season in the Great NW on 7/4?
I am planning a wedding to commence on the 4th of July this year. I am trying to plan it as “‘green,” local, and inexpensive as possible. My colors are green, purple, white, and perhaps bold yellow highlights. Please email me your response as soon as possible. Thank you! Shawnicee
Flowers empower according to recent studies published by Prevention magazine and Redbook magazine. While an old adage has long suggested that stopping to smell the roses will brighten one’s day, new evidence concludes that even casually glancing at flowers has the same uplifting affect.
According to Prevention magazine’s April 2008 publication, a study at Texas A&M University compared the productivity of two women in a room decorated with abstract sculptures versus the productivity of two women in a room embellished with two potted plants and a floral bouquet. The women in the room with flowers produced 13% more ideas than the women surrounded by abstract art.
April 2008’s edition of Redbook magazine cites a study conducted by Harvard University that asked 50 female participants to keep mood journals during a single day. Half of these women were sent flowers. The leader of the study, Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., noted that—not surprisingly— these women began the day anxious, nervous, and worried but those who had received flowers noted elevated and more compassionate moods throughout the rest of the day. Ms. Etcoff goes on to suggest that having a visual reminder of life and health “may have a calming and positive effect on the brain.”
With these and other studies suggesting flowers as a way to boost productivity, lift and brighten moods, and put a positive spin on the day, it is no wonder that so many people surround themselves and loved ones with beautiful bouquets, colorful blooms, and decorative green plants. Imagine the smile on the face of a child who receives a birthday blossom at school or the debonair gentleman who places a small flower in his lapel before presenting his beloved with a loving bouquet. The spring in the young man’s step and the glow of the child’s heart are simple expressions brought to life by flowers. Let flowers like these invigorate your day today.
Want to send someone a little FLOWER POWER? Click Here to find a local florist and send flowers today!
Brynn – FSN Support Staff
April is the month of many birthdays in my family. I knew that I wanted to send my elderly grandmother a colorful spring bouquet but was unsure of which unique gift to give my sister. Shannon shares a birthday with my best friend, which is difficult enough, but her birthday is also one of five family birthdays in the month.
I went in search of a unique idea for expressing just how meaningful Shannon is to me and how special she is apart from anyone else. I began shopping through the horde of treasures on her wish list but nothing particularly grabbed my fancy. I dislike shopping and exhaust easily under the pressure to be sold something so I took a break to peruse the rest of the marvels that the Internet has to offer. It was shortly thereafter when I stumbled upon a great gift idea and all I had to do was look to the stars! No, I was not viewing the celebrity gossip blogs but was looking at an article that noted the different types of flowers that coincide with astrological signs. How interesting!
I hear Shannon speak often of the birthstone that correlates to her zodiac sign so sending flowers that designated her astrological sign seemed like the perfect idea I’d longed to find. My dear little sister is an Aries which coincides with beautiful blooms such as tulips, red roses, and amaryllis. It was quite a treat to watch her smile at the spectacular bouquet our local florist had arranged.
This is similar to the bouquet that received such a favorable response.
April also cedes two weeks to the Taurus sign under which my grandmother falls. The arrangement of iris, sweet pea, lilac, and lavender is sure to brighten her table in the coming weeks. I look forward to letting my grandmother see how much thought went into her gift so that she will know how often she is on my mind.
Both women are strikingly different and sending a personalized gift of birthday flowers helped express all of the things about both that I love so much. They are strong, intelligent, beautiful, graceful, and charming ladies. In as much as I wish I could share my love for them in words, so also I wish I could have forever captured the indescribable happiness of seeing each receive my gift and feel as adored and splendid for a moment as I find them all year.
Brynn – FSN Support Staff
Ask the Expert: May seasonal flowers in Maryland
What are some seasonal flowers for a May wedding in Maryland? I don’t want to pay extra to have flowers flown in, as it’s much more affordable. The wedding is May 9th. I really like color and the wedding will be held in a garden.
Any ideas or suggestions? Jessica
Jessica,
In today’s global world, most flowers aren’t truly “seasonal” any more. With the exception of really rare flowers like lilacs, most florists can get any flower any time with very little seasonal cost difference. With that said, Roses are more expensive during Valentine’s Day and peonies are less expensive during May and June. Cost is related more to the sources your local florist has available. I would make a list of the flowers and colors you like and consult with your local Maryland florist. The florist will be able to tell you what they bring in as a standard order and what they can order without charging a premium price. I would also discuss the fact that you are having an outdoor wedding. Using flowers that will not hold up well outside, no matter what the price, will lead to disappointment. Your florist will be able to determine what flowers do well based on your climate. I will suggest the use of gladiolus for outdoor receptions since they do well in these conditions. I would, also, suggest using a mixture of flowers for your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets – this will try into the garden theme of the wedding. With mixed flowers you can get a lot of color.
Ask the Expert: Seasonal flowers in May in Northeast Ohio
We are planning a May wedding and I am curious about which flowers would be the best choice for a late May wedding. I’m on a fixed budget so someone suggested I go with “what’s in season.” I really love dahlias and would love to use these. Any chance? Also do the dahlias come in shades of pink? Thank you so much. DeeDee
DeeDee,
Most flowers are available year round and depending on where you live dahlias could be available for your May wedding. Dahlias do come in a variety of pink shades. With that said the cost of the flowers can vary from season to season and from region to region. The style of bouquets and other wedding flower needs will also create a difference in price.
Typically flowers like alstroemeria, calla lilies, carnation, daisies mums, delphinium, freesia, gardenia, gerbera daisies, gladiolus, hydrangea, iris, liatris, asiatic and oriental lilies, lisanthus, orchids, peonies, ranunculus, roses, snapdragons and statice are “in season” during the month of May.
As to the issue of cost effectiveness – it all depends on the style you choose for your bouquet and other wedding flower needs. You could use a more expensive flower if the style is simple and minimalistic. The use of premium flowers in combination with other flowers can create a balance in the cost of the bouquet. Typically your less expensive flowers will be alstroemeria, carnations, chrysanthemums, statice. Premium flowers would be gardenia, oriental lilies, orchids, peonies, ranunculus and some roses.
The first thing I would do is make a list of all of the flowers needs for your wedding: bouquets, corsages, boutonnières, reception flowers, etc. Then set a budget and make an appointment with your local florist. When you meet with the florist, tell them the style you have in mind and the flowers you prefer to use along with your budget. Your local florist will have a better sense of what those flowers cost in your area and what will fit your budget. And by all means if you love dahlias use them. Depending on your budget it may only be a couple here or there, but they will add a truly personal touch to your day.
Just a little side note. If I had to do it all over again, I would carry a hand tied bouquet of gerbera daisies or calla lilies.
Ask The Expert: Can you tell me what kind of flowers you would send to someone who has had a tough battle with cancer and won. Pat
Pat,
Flowers of any kind are appropriate for someone who has beat the odds, especially brightly colored flowers.
Rather than a general symbol of their achievement, send flowers that convey a very special and personal message. To add personal sentiment, you could send a flower that [Read more…]
Daisies For My Mother