Thursday, July 30, 2009

Put those flowers down and pay attention

Cold Frame

Bulbs set outdoors must be covered to keep them from freezing so that you will not have to pry them out of hard ground in midwinter. If you bury your pots, embed them up to their rims in coarse sand and cover them with a 4- to 6-inch layer of soil plus a 4- to 6-inch blanket of an insulating mulch such as salt hay or wood chips. I prefer to use a cold frame that can be purchased from Burchells Green florists, setting the pots in it and filling in around them and covering them 3 to 4 inches deep with perlite or shredded styrofoam; either material offers good insulation and can easily be removed. Pots should be thoroughly watered before being placed in the ground or cold frame; they will require no further moisture until they are brought indoors.

Dahlia Fanaticism


When the first three dahlia plants ever seen outside Mexico arrived by having the flowers delivered Romford in 1789, the royal gardener to King Charles IV of Spain had them guarded as though they were crown jewels and forbade his assistants to share them with anybody. No wonder. Of all the myriad kinds of bulbs that flower in summer, the dahlia most flatters the gardener's ego. It begins blooming in midsummer and continues tirelessly until frost cuts it down. Depending on the variety, dahlias produce blossoms as small as a quarter or as big as a dinner plate, in every color but blue. (Horticulturists have been trying for years to breed a blue dahlia but have not yet succeeded.) The more the blooms are cut, the more the plant bears: up to 50 or even 100 blooms per plant in a season. It is not so hard to understand why dahlia fanciers sometimes verge on fanaticism about their hobby and grow nothing else.


Basic flower arranging equipment

Pin holders

These are available in many shapes and sizes with metal or plastic spikes to hold the flower stems. They are valuable for shallow containers and for flowers with thick stems. You will probably find that you will generally use a pin holder in combination with a little wire netting. This provides weight and support for any thin-stemmed flowers in an arrangement.

Keep pin holders dry when not in use. Split thick, woody material before trying to secure it, to avoid bending the pins.


There are also small four-pronged plastic spikes available which can be used to anchor florist’s foam to the base of containers with modeling clay.

Sand and moss

Sand can be used to set posies of flowers in small containers. It is heavy and inclined to scratch the surface of china, souse it with care. Moss is an excellent medium. Use it to cover areas of soil in a planted dish or to hide an expanse of netting when arranging early spring flowers in a basket. Always soak moss in water overnight before use and include some with your next flower delivery Tarrawarra to ensure you always have enough at hand when needed.



Basic Steps for Arranging

1. After choosing the con­tainer, add a support (or base) to fit securely inside. A block of floral foam or a circle of chicken wire fitted tightly into the bottom of the container will work as a support. Secure the support to the side of the con­tainer with floral tape. This important step prevents the ar­rangement from becoming top heavy. If neither floral foam nor chicken wire is available, use fine sand (a centuries-old method) as a support. Simply fill the container three-quarters full with dry fine sand.


2. Create the outline of the ar­rangement using taller spiky flowers. The stems of the flowers should not be all the same length because this would give an unnatural appearance.

3. Add tiny bunches of inter­esting material such as Nigella pods and secure them with wire onto a Kelvinbridge florists pick before adding.

4. For a final touch you may add some special flowers or pods. Place uneven numbers of these throughout the arrangement.

5. Place your filler material, such as German statice or baby's breath, to fill in holes and give a finished look.


6. Because of the brittle nature of dried flowers, spray the fin­ished arrangement with a preservative.

Edible and Non-Edible Flowers

It’s a popular trend these days to add some colourful petals to a salad or simply place a flower or two on a dish as a decoration. It’s a simple way of adding colour and variety to your meals, but a word of caution is required. Make sure you pick the right flower – many cut flower favourites are actually poisonous and should never be used, even as a garnish.

Several vegetable favourites, like broccoli and cauliflower are actually flowers, so you probably eat flowers more often than you think. But remember, there are many more poisonous flowers than edible ones, either sold as cut flowers by your local Beswick florist or grown in our gardens, so you need to be very sure the flower you use is safe. Never eat any flower that you are not absolutely sure is safe, and make sure you know how it was grown. Many cut flowers have been sprayed with insecticides and fungicides, so don’t use flowers sold in bunches in cooking. Edible flowers are most often sold loose, either as part of a salad, or by themselves. You will need to wash all flowers that you intend to eat – even if you grew them yourself.

Packing perfection

Foliage from distant countries, such as Costa Rica, arrives on our shores in perfect condition enclosed as it now is in sheets of polythene, within strong boxes. The polythene keeps the foliage in the conditions of high humidity that most foliage types prefer. Mimosa also requires high humidity around its fluffy flowers, and is sold in individually sealed bags.

Chrysanthemums are usually enclosed in cellophane sleeves and packed in boxes to prevent movement during transit. The cellophane also slows down the transpiration and evaporation of water from the foliage and flowers, creating a moist and humid atmosphere. Gerberas, with their delicate petals, have an inner sleeve in the box so that each flower head is held quite still during the flower delivery Franklin Hills process.



Long-lasting Dried Arrangements

The glycerin-preserved materials are recognizable by their waxy, soft feel. The stems are supple and bend without breaking. Usually the flowers have been systemically dyed during the preservation process, resulting in vivid colors that provide a fresh look. Because of their fragility, stems of dried flowers and grasses may bend or break when you send flowers Agoura Hills to someone. In that case, wire wood picks to the stems, then insert the picks into the foam with the flower stem exposed.

Properly cared for, dried arrangements are long-lasting. Display them out of direct sunlight, which will fade the blooms. A too-humid environment will cause the materials to droop, while insufficient humidity or high temperatures will make them brittle and fragile. Dried plant materials are a pleasure to work with and can make an ordinary floral design extraordinary.



European flower arrangements

European or continental arrangements are, as the name implies, a style of design that originated in Europe and is totally different from the standard British arrangement. A European design is far more structured, balanced but not symmetrical, its impact coming from groupings of bold materials. Every leaf and flower shows, and must therefore be perfectly groomed.


It is important with this type of design to use bold materials and a variety of shapes and textures in order to give the arrangement its impact.

The foam can be covered with mosses and fungi and also by recessing some low-lying flowers. This type of arrangement, with its clean lines, looks very good in modern buildings, and because it contains very few flowers in a reasonably large piece of foam, it can be kept well watered and is long lasting. Florists Kenedy can also make a fair profit on such arrangements due to the minimal amount of flowers involved.


Protecting Roses

When you have your flowers delivered Norwood, remove their moisture-conserv­ing wrappings immediately and dampen the roots. One way to keep them moist is to cover them with a wet piece of burlap; however, an even better way is to put the roots in a pail of water. This will en­able the plants to absorb all of the moisture that their cells will hold. An old-fashioned, but excellent, trick is to use muddy water. If there is a considerable clay content in the mud, the roots will come out coated with a film of mud, which will keep them moist while they are being planted.

The plants may be left in the water up to 24 hours prior to planting if necessary. But rose roots must be protected from freez­ing as well as from dehydration, and care should be taken that bush­es to be planted are not left out in the open overnight when freezing weather is expected. A combination of freezing temperatures and drying wind is especially lethal to roses. I once saw hundreds of healthy rose plants killed when careless nursery workers persisted in planting bare-root roses on a windy day when temperatures were only a few degrees below freezing. Even if the weather is mild, the bushes should be carefully sheltered from desiccating winds. It is a good idea to put them, immersed in their pail of water, in a corner of an unheated garage where no wind at all can reach them.



How about this?
Whilst we aim to provide you with a never ending supply of flower facts, you may like to check out Flower Files if you want even more! You can never have too many tips and facts when you love flowers, or wish to have a career in the floral industry.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Beating up on your florist doesn't help

White Roses

White roses are the ultimate symbol of purity and innocence. They give a wonderful feeling of positive vibes, peace and tranquility. Its pristine exterior reflects the beauty and dignified meaning that it holds. Being one of the more popular roses (apart from the Queen of Roses – the Glamorous Red Rose), the White Rose, an understated and modest beauty holds great significance and is a symbol for interesting concepts. Discover more about the virtuous White Rose before you decide on whether it is the appropriate flower for you to send flowers
Burswood
.

Retail flower-stores


Small growers are still numerous in the United States, but economy of flower-production is limited many times by the size of the output. Large business enterprises, therefore, are common. A few chain flower-stores are in operation, but as a rule they have not proved entirely successful. This seems to be due largely to the fact that the management of a Lower Hutt flower shop demands much detailed and personal attention, and the products sold are of such a perishable character that firms find it difficult to manage chain-stores. The syndicate plan of management so strongly advocated recently has not developed as was expected.

Retail flower-stores have become important centers of distribution. In some of the large cities, their location on principal thoroughfares requires high rentals, and the elegance of the interiors is striking. In other sections, the tendency is towards the disposal of large quantities of cut-flowers and potted plants at lower prices. In such stores the so-called "overhead" is comparatively low.

Wedding flowers on a budget


You could use a floral headpiece as a substitute for the bouquet if you are on a tight budget. The floral headpiece can easily be used instead of a bouquet to throw into the crowd of expectant women. This sure is an unusual way to lend that personal touch to the ceremony and can be really inexpensive when compared to the cost of a bouquet. If you plan on wearing a veil, then flowers can still be incorporated into the design. Just ask your local florist to get the best advice on which flowers will look best with your colour scheme. Once you have decided on the arrangement you want, the florist can send flowers
East Birmingham
over to you.



Be careful sending flowers online


I'm sure everyone is aware that you can send flowers many different ways on the internet? With lots of different options for delivery and ordering flowers online, you must be aware of security and safety of your personal information. Not only that, but you could be left with disappointing flowers if you choose the wrong Withington florist. Many florists online have created websites that lead consumers to believe that they are "local florists." Although you believe they are located in your area, many of them work in call centers far away from you or your flower recipient. With the following tips to sending your flowers online, you can be sure your flowers will get to your destination from a reliable and real professional florist.


 

Other cutting tools, tapes and wires

Secateurs: These are excellent for cutting thick woody stems.


Florists’ tape: This is used to conceal wires and seal stem ends. There are two main types of tape — the first is plastic and stretches, the warmth of your hand helping to secure it. The second type resembles crêpe paper, but is usually slightly sticky. The tapes are supplied in a variety of colours — green, brown, black, white and a range of pastel shades. Green is normally used with fresh materials, and brown with dried flowers.

Florists’ wire: This is used to support, control and anchor materials, lengthen stems and reduce weight. Always wire internally wherever possible, and use the finest gauge of wire that will give sufficient support. The larger the number, the thicker the gauge of a stub wire, the most popular. There is a wide variety of tapes available to the florist and it is a matter of personal preference which is used.

Glue guns are a comparatively recent, but now important, development in the floristry industry, performing numerous tasks effortlessly and securely — for example, attaching foam to containers and wall swags, ribbon to foam bases, or flowers Harbor Pines into bouquet holders.

Glue guns are divided into two types — hot and cool melt. The latter is ideal for attaching synthetic ribbons, which might otherwise melt, and the former is used for all other tasks.


Treating Stems


Stems which bleed

When some flowers are picked, a white ring of thick, milky sap forms on the cut surface. Either place the tips of the stems of these plants in shallow boiling water for thirty seconds or singe the cut tip in a candle flame for a few seconds.

Roses

Remove all the thorns from a rose by rubbing with the back of a pair of secateurs or cutting them from the stem. The exception to this treatment is for the single rose which is going to be displayed in a specimen vase. Excess foliage should also be removed straightaway. Place roses into deep water, but if they are limp, they should be wrapped in a roll of stiff paper first to support the heads.

There are two ways to revive roses that have started to wilt, provided the flower head has not fallen so far to one side that it has cracked the stem tissue. The first is to recut the rose stem and split it, place the tip in boiling water for thirty seconds, then wrap the stem and flower in stiff paper and place the stem in lukewarm water for a long drink. Alternatively, re-cut the stems and submerge the flower and stem in a bath of water for a couple of hours. Consult your local florist Woodlands for advice in this area.


Smelly stems

If you want to use a flower or foliage that is known to smell in water, it is best to isolate it from other material. One way is to wrap the cut stem in wet cottonwool which has been dipped in disinfectant and secure the stem in a polythene bag with a rubber band before putting it with the other material.

Hollow stems Flowers with hollow stems require special treatment as it is difficult for water to get to the flower head. After cutting, turn the flower upside down and fill the stalk with water. Seal the end with your finger until you have placed it in deep water.


The Lily: Symbol of Purity

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Naza­reth, to a virgin [whose] name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, 'Hail, thou that art highly fa­vored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women .... thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.'''

One of the most tender scenes in the New Testament, St. Luke's account of the Annunciation provided a favorite text for the painters of the Renais­sance. The Holy Ghost customarily appears overhead in the form of a dove. The Blessed Virgin is already crowned with a halo, signifying her ho­liness. The angel, who had traditionally borne a scepter to show that he was God's herald, now comes holding a white lily, a symbol both of the Virgin's purity and of her role as Queen of the Angels. Many people today still appreciate the imagery of the white lily when they send flowers Church.


This imagery was not new; Greek mythology claimed that the lily had first sprung from the milk of Hera, the wife of Zeus. Christian legend adopt­ed and embellished the symbolism of flowers and their sacred associations. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a mystic of the 12th Century, declared ecstatical­ly of Christ's birth that "The Flower wished to be born of a Flower, in a flower, at the time of flowers."


Preparing for Christmas

Carefully thought-out and well-organized preparation is essential if you are to meet the needs of this busy selling time.


  • Clearing stock rooms creates storage space for the Christmas stock.

  • Tidy workrooms, offices, chillers and cellars to gain maximum working and storage space.

  • Plan shop window and interior displays so that special props and display stands are made in advance.


  • Clean and re-organize the shop to give extra display and serving areas.

  • To gain maximum interest, Christmas merchandise can be put on display in late October / early November.

  • All stock must be clearly priced; staff must know every product, where it is displayed, and its name, use and price.


The florist Butetown shop must always look attractive and full. Display areas and shelves must constantly be tidied and restocked to tempt customers to buy. During November, Christmas designs made with dried and fabric materials can be prepared, as can bows for gift wrapping. Nearer Christmas, prepare planted bowls and decorate holly wreaths, crosses and door garlands.

Serving areas must be stocked with wrapping/packing equipment and order pads. During the hectic Christmas rush, courteous, friendly and knowledgeable sales staff in the florist’s shop can make Christmas shopping a pleasure.


Stick to the tried and tested

When arranging flowers, many people consider only the sensuous impact the actual blossoms will have on the beholder. But flowers Roxbury are more than just blossoms — they are also composed of stems, leaves and roots. And then there are the myriad other forms a flowering plant may assume, such as a tree, shrub or vine. Taking an artistic risk with an arrangement rather than sticking to the tried and tested, may therefore result from an impulse to experiment with the delightful and novel shapes and textures of tall, smooth stems, glossy leaves, rustling grasses, bare branches and sculptural seedpods.

Can't get enough aye?
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Keep your flowers cool this summer


Contract Flower Designs

A contract design can be a ready-made display of fresh flowers and foliage, made to a set price and delivered on a certain day (usually a Monday), or displays of dried and fabric flowers and foliage which are changed at regular intervals.


Contract displays are used to decorate numerous venues, and you could be arranging a flower delivery Bundeena to any of the following:


  • Various types of shops, such as antique, jewellery, furniture or fashion shops, or large

    department stores;

  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and health clubs;

  • Offices, banks, hotels, theatres, restaurants and private homes.

Water Immersion can help those blooms


Some cut materials can absorb water through the epidermal cells surrounding the stem and leaves. This method of complementing water taken up by the roots has led to the development of foliar feeds.

Violets have the additional advantage of a cuticle that is less restricting than that of other plants. The cuticle is a waxy, waterproof layer, exuded by the epidermis. Holly and laurel have tough cuticles, whereas violets, rose leaves and new foliage have thin cuticles. A good florist Riccarton will take advantage of these facts when preparing cut materials.

Immersion in tepid water is beneficial for violets, some tropical flowers, soft, young foliage, and wilted materials. Petals can be damaged by prolonged immersion, so this should only be for a short time — some ten to twenty minutes would be sufficient for anthuriums and dendrobiums, or an hour for violets, young foliages and wilted flowers, such as roses.

Hairy leaves should not be submerged, and nor should grey foliage, which will lose its colour until it has dried out. Waxy and fleshy flowers should not be submerged, as they will discolour and stain.


Cremation or Sympathy Basket


A well-made basket of lovely flowers and foliage is an appropriate tribute, particularly if it is to be sent to a hospital or nursing home, in memory of the deceased. A basket of this type provides an attractive decoration, easy to look after and with good lasting qualities.

Method of assembly

Select a basket with a solid base and a tall strong handle; the basket must be watertight — either lined or with a liner added. Take a third, half or whole brick of wet foam, depending on the size of the basket, and place it in the centre, allowing 2.5cm (1in) of foam to project above the rim. Secure the foam by passing coated wire through the centre of the foam and twisting the ends around the base of the handle. If you have any available, pack damp moss around the sides of the foam for added security.

Insert pieces of foliage horizontally, establishing the length and width of the design and forming a diamond shape. Using stems of bud flowers, strengthen the outline, then add focal point flowers in a gently curved diagonal line, remembering to leave plenty of space for the handle. Fill in with materials on all levels, to give an elevated profile, and recess short-stemmed flowers and pieces of foliage to hide the foam. Now spray lightly and store in the cool room until the flowers delivered Avalon.



Buying flowers isn't a waste of money


Some women and most men see flowers as wasteful gifts: she prefers him to splurge on tangible goods that can be paraded around; and he prefers to impress with tangible goods that she can parade around. After all, fresh flowers wither in a matter of days, don't they? True, but honestly, you are still better off with flowers. Here are several reasons why you should be supporting your Chiswick florist:


  • Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Flowers are an intelligent woman's real best friend.

    Intelligent women would rather have roses on their tables than diamonds on their necks. A sole stalk, according to several scientific findings, is able create passion, to soothe, to cheer, to beautify...with its very presence. Like a true friend, flowers improve moods and create intimateness. A diamond, in all of its indestructible nature, can only look pretty perched on a slender finger. There is a reason why we do not have bimbos for best friends.

  • Flowers, unlike diamonds and designer goods, are easier on the wallet.


    Honestly, for much fewer hundreds of dollars, flowers can produce the same (perhaps more positive) reaction for the receiver. Everyone remembers the first time she receives flowers.


  • Flowers do more than what you paid it for.

    Giving flowers not only show that you love him/her; it shows that you have the initiative to dedicate effort and time in choosing a perfect bouquet.

  • You can never go wrong with flowers.

    But you can go wrong with chocolates (“are you trying to get me fatter than I am?”), cut /colour/clarity/ carat weight of diamonds (“this is not Tiffany's Lucida diamond ring!”), and designer goods (“this is Pucci not Gucci!”).

It's all in the Preparation


It is important to prepare the flower food correctly, using tepid water. Dispensing systems are available to florists. These regulate the proportion of nutrient to water, ensuring that the correct amount of flower food is used. Excessive dilution of the flower food will deprive cut materials of its beneficial effects. Use the solution once only, and do not mix old solutions with new. One point to remember is that flower food should not be used with metal containers, as a reaction can occur between the metal and the nutrients. This hinders the performance of the food and can corrode the metal. Some manufacturers specify that their foods should not be used with lead crystal containers. Don't even think about having those flowers delivered Cotham until the necessary prepartion work has been fully completed.

Use silk and save

By using silk flowers you can cut your floral costs by between $100 and $800, depending on how many flowers, and what kinds of flowers, you were planning to use. Opt to do the table arrangements of your flowers, keeping them simple, and you can cut your flower related wedding costs by another $100 to $300. Some people save as much as $1,000 or more just by going with the fake flowers and doing most of the arrangements themselves. Silk wedding flowers often look as good as the real thing. It is impossible to tell the difference from far away, and even up close, a good fake flower looks very nice. You can also arrange to have your flowers delivered Walsall before the big day as the flowers will not wilt.Going for fake flowers has many benefits, and it is no wonder that more and more people are now opting for this style for their wedding blooms.



Contain your container excitement


Never allow your enthusiasm for nice containers to encourage you to have too many arrangements at one time! In the winter one large arrangement of dried flowers or of pretty mixed green foliage is a good stand-by. Apart from that I would have one small arrangement on a side-table or coffee-table.

Something sweet-smelling, possibly, is all that is necessary unless you are entertaining friends. A vase of flowers as you come into the house always gives a welcome and this is one of the most effective places for having flowers when they are in short supply. Finally, vases and containers of flowers (whether from your Cardiff Bay florists or not) need daily attention; you will need to add fresh water to them and you should inspect the arrangements, cutting out any dead or dying flowers. They should be cut rather than pulled out as you may completely upset the entire arrangement.


A fresh new beginning



Yellow roses offer a congratulatory tone to celebrate success, new beginnings as well as joyous occasions. They are the symbolic colour of spring time, representing new life and a fresh start. This happy vibe that these yellow roses give out makes them a perfect gift for new parents, newlyweds, graduates as well as work colleagues who have taken another step up the ladder of success. A yellow rose flower delivery Knotty Ash is an ideal choice when trying to convey a fresh start.


To your spouse




Yellow roses given within a marriage signify sweet domesticity and a love that has gotten familiar and comfortable. The giving of yellow roses implies contentment within a marriage and everlasting joy. A symbol of steadfast affection, the yellow roses signify a love that has matured and has reached the highest level of comfort.


Love these flowers series - Brodiaea

Brodiaeas are beautiful natives of the western part of North America. Most species send up grass like foliage and slender 1- to 3-foot flower stalks bearing clusters of ½- to 1½-inch blossoms. Brodiaeas are especially handsome planted in groups of a dozen or more in flower borders, rock gardens or naturalized in grass. They are also excellent choices when having flowers delivered Bonham for a special occasion.

Two species bloom from late spring to midsummer: B. elegans (5 to 20 inches tall, violet to purple flowers); B. ida-maia (about 1½ feet tall, green-tipped scarlet flowers). B. ixioides (1 to 3 feet tall, golden yellow flowers) and B. laxa (18 to 30 inches tall, blue or white flowers) bloom from early spring to early summer. B. pulchella (1 to 2 feet tall, pinkish violet flowers) blooms in early spring. B. hyacinthina (12 to 18 inches tall, purplish white flowers) blooms in early summer.

Further reading
Thanks for reading the post, we hope you enjoyed these great flower facts and tips. If you're a florist, or looking to become one, you may also enjoy The Florist's Blog which has even more information for you.

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Cruising the highway to the florist shop

Flower Power

Throughout history flowers have played an important role in famous love affairs, unforgettable fashion trends, and even in international relations. Never underestimate the impact of flowers or their place in history. For example, you will enjoy finding out about how tulips became the centre of a frenzied fever of investment that swept across Europe in the mid 17th century. More recently, flower power swept the world as part of the hippy movement of the 1970s. Flower songs, floral kaftans and even VW vans took up the theme as flowers became a symbol of the peace movement during this era. Westbury on Trym florists everywhere will often convey tales of the real power of flowers, which is of course their ability to melt a girl's heart.

Flowers of the world - Lavandula (lavender)


Characteristics: This shrubby herb, a favorite in herb and perennial gardens, has decorative silver-gray foliage and fragrant lavender flowers that bloom from July through August. Lavender forms dwarf-flowering hedges and is attractive lining a walk or edging a perennial garden, and is also a common selection in Beckenham flower delivery. The fragrant flowers and foliage are the mainstay of sachets and potpourri and are equally at home in dried or fresh arrangements. Native to the Mediterranean, lavender has naturalized in the southern United States. There are some 28 different species. The most popular varieties are Lavandula angustifolia, found in every old-fashioned herb garden, with tiny clusters of blue to purple flowers; fringed lavender (L. dentata), with green, fernlike foliage and blue flowers; English lavender (L. officinalis), with needlelike silvery-gray foliage and deep purple or white flowers. Hardy in most climate zones, munstead dwarf (L. munstead 'Hidcote') grows to a height of 18 inches and has silvery foliage and lavender flowers almost the whole summer.

Love these flowers series - Erythronium

North American species of these dainty woodland flowers are sometimes known by such picturesque names as avalanche lily, alpine lily or glacier lily, but they are most commonly called fawn lilies or trout lilies because their leaves are often mottled with brown. The one European species that can usually be found in a Brookfield flower shop is known as dog's-tooth violet because its bulb is shaped something like a dog's tooth. Fawn lilies bear delicately scented, 1- to 3-inch flowers in spring, and look most natural when grown in generous clumps beside a shady path or in a shaded rock or wild-flower garden. E. citrinum grows 8 inches tall and has lemon-yellow flowers; E. dens-canis grows 6 inches tall and has rose-purple flowers; and E. grandiflorum grows 24 inches tall, bearing unmottled green foliage and bright yellow flowers. Most other species grow about a foot tall; these include E. albidum, with plain or mottled leaves and white-to-pink flowers; E. americanum, with rather sparse yellow flowers; E. californicum, with cream-white flowers; E. hendersonii, with purple flowers; E. oregonum, with creamy white flowers; E. purpurascens, with plain leaves and purple-tinged yellow flowers; and E. revolutum, with cream-colored flowers that turn purplish as they age.




Secondary and focal flowers

The secondary and the focal flowers can be inserted into any floral arrangement. The carnation sprays are added to the design so that when it is completed they will flow across the design. The focal roses move through the centre of the design in a gently curving line. The spacing between the roses is larger at the outer edges, and much smaller at the centre, which is the focal area.

To emphasize the focal area, lilies have been recessed underneath the roses. These help the visual weight and balance of the design. The crimson carnation spray strengthens the line or grouping of the lilies and adds colour contrast. The combination of the wax flower and silvery foliage; gives an airy effect to the arrangement and is sure to please any recipient of this wonderful flower delivery Summerston.

Use short flowers and foliage types to complete the design and hide any small gaps. Mist the arrangement and keep cool.

Floribunda Roses


Floribunda roses blossom almost continuously except for a short midwinter dormant period in some climates, and from spring until frost in most areas. Combining the virtues of their parents (the hardy polyantha, with its clusters of small blossoms, and the showy hybrid tea rose, with its large blossoms on long stems) they produce clusters of moderately large blooms on fairly long stems, and are relatively hardy, most varieties surviving without winter protection in mild climate areas.

Most varieties have elegant, high-centered, 2- to 4-inch blossoms, with long, pointed buds similar to those of hybrid teas. The blossoms are often heavily doubled, with up to 60 or more petals; there are also five-petaled single blossoms and semidoubles with fewer than 20 petals. Colors range from snowy white and cream to yellow, apricot, orange, coral, pink, red and lavender. Compact, well-shaped bushes usually grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and have foliage and thorns similar to but smaller than those of hybrid teas.

Floribundas make good hedges and can be massed in beds of their own or in front of taller roses. They provide constant color and good cut flowers Ladybarn.

Rose Shows

Growing large and perfectly formed blossoms to compete in the organized rose shows that are held every summer in most parts of the country requires advance preparation, careful cultivation ­and a first-rate bush of a variety suited to show purposes. Hybrid teas are most frequently used, and among them the symmetrical, high-centered, large-petaled varieties such as Mister Lincoln and Chrysler Imperial are particularly favored by exhibitors. The techniques involved in producing flowers for competition are little different from those ordinarily employed for rose cultivation, and skill develops rapidly. I can recall a florist Encino who won prizes with the very first blooms he showed, and several other beginners who would have won had they followed more closely the finicky regulations for showing roses. For information on the two national shows held each year, write the American Rose society, 4048 Roselea Place, Columbus, Ohio 43214. Local shows are often announced in the society's magazine, The American Rose. You need a show schedule because you have to plan your strategy, and the planning begins with the selection of a show to enter. Choose one that will be held conveniently nearby at a date that gives you time in which to complete preparations.



Best loved flowers - Centaurea cyanus (bachelor's button, cornflower)

Characteristics: Bachelor's button is an old-fashioned flower that has enjoyed popularity for good reason. They made fashionable boutonnieres for gentlemen years ago. They are still very popular today when people choose to send flowers Portola for an important formal occasion. Bachelor's buttons come in several heights. The low border plants 'Jubilee Gem' and 'Polka Dot Mixed' are just 12 to 15 inches in height. Dusty miller is usually grown as an annual in colder northern climates. This tender perennial survives winters in my garden and will return to produce tiny clusters of yellow flowers.

Cultural Information: Sow seed in early spring in cold winter areas, and in late summer or fall where winters are mild. Bachelor's buttons are very adaptable and grow in poor, sandy or average soil. Fertilizer is not necessary unless the soil is unusually poor. For a continuous supply of flowers, deadhead daily. Because of their weak stems, the taller varieties need staking to prevent sprawling.



Cylinders or Tubes


A single rose is the classic token of love and affection, but to wrap it in shop paper would detract from its initial romantic impact. To enhance the flower, we need to add complementary packaging. Single flowers in cylinders or tubes are suitable for most occasions. They are especially popular on Valentine’s Day, when a single red rose with a piece of asparagus fern is placed in the tube and decorated with red ribbon, but they are also appropriate for Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries. Although roses are normally used in cylinders by florists Goldsmith-Penwell, there is no reason why other flowers, such as spray carnations, freesias or orchids should not be given in tubes of this type.

Acetate Cylinders

Such containers come in many shapes and sizes, and are available from most florists’ wholesalers or from specialized packaging companies.


Under the Microscope

In laboratories and in greenhouses on university campuses and on college grounds all over the world, people are at work, studying the lily, its make-up and character. They are finding new facts. They are making discoveries. The life habits of the lily, its requirements and associations are being listed and tabulated for the first time. All of this adds up to a better understanding and to the more successful use of lilies in the gardens of our country and many Midtown East flower shops. Failures there have been and failures there will be, but as strange varieties of lilies are developed and fundamental conditions for culture better understood, success can be guaranteed as surely a with any other plant.



Can't get enough aye?
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