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All Zodiac Signs Point To Birthday Flowers

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.

rosyredposyroses2.jpg

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

Maryland Wedding Flowers In May

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.

Flowers For A Late May Wedding

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.

Flowers For A Cancer Survivor

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…]

Spring Into Prom With Flowers

Prom is almost here. You have the date, the dress, the shoes, the hair, and the car. What’s missing? The prom flowers!! The perfect corsage or boutonnière makes the difference between a fun yet elegant statement and a shabby accessory. Here are some tips for finding the perfect floral decorations for your night!

  • Prom Corsage InspirationFind a decorative, matching corsage wristband! Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but funky sequins, elegant gems, coral, and pearl with your corsage make just as beautiful a statement.
  • Small flowers or floral hair accessories are definitely an up-DO! These become an eye-catching way to show off the hair and makeup you worked so hard on, not to mention the aromatic fragrance they give your date when you’re dancing cheek to cheek.
  • Talk with your florist! These experts are sure to have creative ideas and unique arrangements to bring out even more beauty.
  • Know your budget! Don’t risk spending too much or passing over the perfect bouquet because you don’t know how much you would like to spend.
  • Doll up your date also! Matching boutonniere and cummerbunds not only are a stylish look but announce to prom guests that you and your date are the perfect stylish prom couple!
  • (Guys) Surprise your date with a bouquet! It’s an unexpected twist that your date will remember and probably brag to her friends about for days. Face it; she’s expecting the corsage. Go the extra mile for a date that she’ll love!

Find a local florist to design your perfect corsage or boutonniere.

Create a Unique Prom with Flowers in this Flower Shop Network newsletter you’ll find a variety of ways to make your prom special.

3 Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Involving Chocolate, Flowers, and Wine

Chocolate that tasty little mood-lifting relaxing treat seems to be the focus of everyone’s attention at the moment. In fact, the latest issue of Fine Cooking has an interesting article featuring the pairing of wine and chocolate.

The combination of wine and chocolate creates a sensuous pleasure for our taste buds. A little port wine with a piece of dark chocolate is a culinary experience that shouldn’t be missed and one of my favorites. Fine Cooking pairs different kinds of chocolates with the appropriate wine to ensure a delicious experience. But, wine isn’t the only thing you can pair with chocolate to create a sensory delight. Pleasure is multiplied when you include more than one sense. Pairing flowers with chocolate involves our sense of smell, taste and sight – a triple indulgence.

The Flower Shop Network February newsletter, The Mystique of Chocolate & Flowers, describes the allure of pairing flowers with chocolate particularly for Valentine’s Day. Guys or gals looking for Valentine’s Day gift ideas will find a multitude in this newsletter. Creating the ultimate romance with chocolates and flowers is detailed in length; all you have to do is go for it.

With all this talk of pairing chocolate with flowers and wine, it occurred to me the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift lies somewhere between the Fine Cooking article and the FSN newsletter. Flowers, wine and chocolate – what more could your sweetheart ask for? You might ask, shouldn’t the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift appeal to all of the senses? With the right combination of wine, flowers and chocolate – bells will go off and hearts will be touched. So, here are three ways to combine wine, flowers and chocolate to achieve the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift this year:

The ultimate luxury Valentine’s Day gift idea – Send a dozen red roses and a large box of milk chocolates to your sweetheart; include a note suggesting an evening sharing the milk chocolates over a bottle of Pinot Noir.

The ultimate dreamy Valentine’s Day gift idea – Send a bouquet of ‘Stargazer’ Lilies to your sweetheart; include a note suggesting an evening viewing the stars while sharing a semi-sweet chocolate mousse and a bottle of Shiraz.

The ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day gift idea – Meet your sweetheart at the door with a silver tray containing a vase of tulips, two glasses of a fine ruby port and a bowl of gourmet bittersweet truffles. Be sure to whisper, “Just a little something for the finest two lips in the world”.

With these ultimate Valentine’s Day gift ideas, amore will definitely be in the air along with the aroma of fresh flowers, the taste of chocolate and wine, the expression of love and the warmth of the heart. The possibilities are endless and I’m sure everyone has their own ultimate combination. So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner – let your imagination go wild with flowers, chocolate and wine.

Flowers Associated With The Months Of The Year

Ask the Expert: Where can I find a flower related to each month? Betty

Betty,

Here are a list of birth month flowers.

  • January – carnations or snowdrops
  • February – violets or primrose
  • March – jonquil – daffodils – narcissus
  • April – sweet pea or daisy – gerbera daisy
  • May – Lily of the Valley
  • June – rose
  • July – larkspur – delphinum
  • August – gladiolus or poppy
  • September – aster or morning glory
  • October – marigold – calendula
  • November – Chrysanthemum
  • December – Paper white narcissus or poinsettia

There are, also, flowers associated with the astrological months. Let me know if you want a list of those as well. I have attached some picture of particular birth month flowers.

orange carnation in a vase Carnations

Vase of Daffodils Daffodils
gerbera diasies in a vaseGerbera daisy

Roses in Vase Rose

Yellow Gladiolus in vase Gladiolus

stem of purple asters Aster

Basket Chrysanthemem Chrysanthemum

red poinsettia Poinsettia

Is it to Early to Think About Valentine’s Day?

Jenny’s (Oak Hill Florist in Scarborough, Maine) “Thoughts of Valentine’s Day” post on Monday was interesting. First, it proves what I always thought: Florists never rest – they are constantly trying to make the next holiday or flower arrangement better for us. Second, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the earlier we prepare for it, the better it will be for us and our special someone.

Jenny had a good point when she said “… men – you don’t have to buy roses for Valentine’s Day.” Roses maybe the Valentine’s Day flower and considered the flower of love, but contrary to popular opinion they are not the favorite flower of every woman. I like roses; I even have some in my garden, but if you really want to excite me give me “Star Gazer” lilies, gerberas or tulips. Over the years, my husband has sent me roses, “Star Gazer” lilies, gerberas, tulips and mixed flower arrangements – I loved them all and have wonderful memories associated with each one. Flowers, in general, are always a wonderful gift for Valentine’s Day or for any other reason; you can never go wrong by sending roses. But if you really want to make an impression, find out what her favorite flower is and send it. The key to flower giving is to create a memory that will last forever.

We always refer to the act of flower giving as men sending and women receiving. Jenny brings up a good point – men love flowers too – they just have a hard time admitting it. Of course, my husband loves flowers – after all he grows bedding plants for his nursery and landscaping company – but he adores fresh cut flowers. He is the one who make sure that we have fresh flowers in our home at all times – he either cuts them from the garden or pops into the flower shop and picks up a few stems. (If you want to create your own arrangement, your local florist is a great place to pick up flowers by the stem.) I’ll be honest; I haven’t sent my husband flowers before, but this Valentine’s Day, flowers sound like the perfect gift.

Although the new year may have just begun, it is never too early to think about Valentine’s Day. So, start looking for great Valentine’s Day gift ideas now. I love to hear other people’s Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas and I’ve even copy a few over the years. Flower Shop Network has several newsletters with Valentine’s Day gift ideas:

Hearts and Flowers

Roses, Roses,and more Roses

Romantic Valentines Ideas

Language of Flowers

Help someone else create a magical Valentine’s Day by sharing your ideas. Remember “Love is in the Air” enjoy it.

Christmas Flower Arrangements Enjoyed By A Flower Stalker

I constantly search the Internet, magazines, hotels, restaurants and even peoples’ homes for interesting flowers and flower arrangements. I’m somewhat of a flower stalker. Lucky, no one has taken out a restraining order yet. So, when I finally had time to read the Flower Chat blog post for the last couple of weeks, I was delight to see – Local florists offer unique flower arrangements for Christmas. I am always amazed with the creative talents of florists; their ability to enhance the beauty of an already gorgeous flower; their ability to use flowers, greenery, ribbon and other materials to create a magnificent floral sculptures. The florists who submitted photos of their floral designs for the post were no exception.

I loved the Glittering Christmas Flower Arrangement Glittering Christmas arrangement from Everyday Flowers, a Tustin California florist. The use of cut limes and lemons, miniature apples, lisanthus and cymbidium orchids paired with pinecones, hypericum, eucalyptus and other Christmas greens definitely put a unique and exquisite twist to their Christmas flower arrangement.

Central Square Florist, creating flower arrangements in Cambridge Massachusetts, demonstrated the artistry of creating a “floral sculpture” with their Holiday Tree Centerpiece Holiday Tree Centerpiece Christmas Flower Arrangment. This design is a fantastic way to display a “Christmas Tree”; especially, if you lack the room for a life size one. The best part is you won’t have to decorate it.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Christmas flower arrangement designs submitted by all of the florists. Pictures of Christmas flower arrangements are wonderful resources for ideas and a pleasure to look at as well. Sharing design ideas is an advantage for those of us involved in the flower community. If you want to share some of your personal designs or photos of flower arrangements you have enjoyed, drop me a line.

Christmas Wedding Flower Suggestions.

Ask the Expert: Suggestions for flowers in Dec. for wedding

I am going to host a wedding at my home Dec 30. I plan to leaves some of my Christmas decoration out such as outside lighting, garland up the stairway, around the flowerplace on around the front door. There will be no Christmas tree and I plan to remove the red poinsettias.
The groom in military and will be wearing blue, the bridesmaids dresses are dark blue. The bride is questioning what flower would be appropriate this time of year. I wanted to steer her away from using any blue at Christmas time because she wants blue. Do you have any suggestions? The bride wants to use calla lily for herself what could be used and work with some Christmas decor still in use?