Kinds of Flowers

We are all a accustomed to various flowers that we like, such as roses, tulips, and perennials such as Columbines, Daisies, Foxglove, Iris, and Lavender. We see most of these at flower shows and exhibitions and even in our gardens. We can see artificial flowers as well in various flower arrangements however when it comes to the real deal we never really know what kinds of flowers we have all that attracts us is the smell and look.

While we do love seeing this flowers arranged in front of us we rarely know anything not even what kinds of flowers they are. We usually buy flowers and put them in vases but the reason for buying these flowers is because they look good and smell just as good. We never really know much about these flowers when we buy them like what country they come from and what it takes to grow them as well as which season they bloom. To help you to understand the real value of the flowers and where they come from you can always search the internet for information. Try the flower encyclopedia or look for various flower guides. You can always as your florist on the origin of the flowers as well as advice on how to grow them and take care of them.

If you are a first time gardener you will need all the information you can get on what kinds of flowers you need for your garden and which blossom during winter or summer. It's important before we start our own garden to get to know the flowers we are dealing with and what necessities they will need.

Wedding Flowers: Getting Fresh Flowers for Less

If you want wedding flowers that are fresh, in some areas of the U.S., you can plan on spending $20,000 or more. Wedding flowers are one of the biggest parts of any wedding budget, so saving money on them should be a top priority for any bride and groom. If you are thinking that you could just go with high-quality silk flowers-think again-silk wedding flowers can cost as much as fresh flowers. So, what alternatives do you have? How can you have fresh flowers at your wedding without a huge cost? There are ways, but they take planning and a good florist.

Choosing your wedding flowers should coincide with choosing your wedding date. Many flowers are seasonal. If you want a certain type of flower, you should choose to be married at the time when it is in season. It can save 50 percent or more on the cost of that particular type of flower. Once you know what wedding flowers you want, you will also be able to coordinate the rest of the decorations as well. Keep in mind that February, although a very romantic month, is one of the most expensive times to buy fresh flowers. Make sure that your florist knows about any flowers that you hate, or that you are allergic to before they start planning arrangements. One great flower is the carnation, because although it may be plain to look at, it comes in nearly every color and it is seasonable year round for wedding flowers. Just put it in the background and it will not be noticed except for the color.

You can possibly save money on your flowers by getting married in December or around Easter, if you are a Christian because the church may already be decorated for the holiday with fresh flowers.

Or, you can choose to get married in a garden or park where there are flowers already as part of nature or the landscaping. This is another way to save money on the flowers for your wedding.

So, there are ways to save money on your flowers if you get creative and plan ahead.

Buy Bulk Flowers Online

Buying flowers in bulk is a great option to get a large number of flowers without spending much money. Some dealers provide online purchasing for bulk flowers. In order to purchase flowers online, you just want to know what you are looking for. i.e., flower type, style, color preference, and shipping method. Bulk flowers when purchased on the web can also save you valuable time.

Customers can find bulk flowers online by running a search. There are a countless number of online vendors in the scenario to provide you with bulk flowers. These online stores offer some of the best selections available. A wide selection of tulips, orchids, callas, lilies, roses, campanula, carnations, asters, fillers, and more are available in large quantities.

You can also purchase bulk flowers online from wholesalers. There are a myriad number of online stores exclusively specializing in wholesale bulk flowers. Wholesalers offer some kind of reduction in the form of discounts for bulk orders. Customers are able to purchase bulk flowers from online retailers too. They have their own websites providing information about the services and attractive packages offered to buyers.

Do it yourself wedding flowers are also offered in large quantities. Costco.com is one such site, where we can make a quick search for bulk flowers for special occasions. Flowers from $79 to above $424 are available here.

Some of the online vendors ask for at least two to five days for shipping. This may be based on the day and the chosen method of shipping. Some of them ask for bulk minimum quantities.

Before making bulk purchase of flowers, considerable research must be done for better results. Most the stores require a minimum of four days to process the orders. Therefore, it is better to order flowers well in advance. It is also important to make a comparison of the excellent terms, prices, and services offered by online dealers for bulk flowers.

Flower Delivery London - Brighten Up Someone's Day

We all love flowers. And particularly people in England have a special penchant towards these lovely creations of nature. In fact, Brits are quite famous for their love for flowers and how they handle and care for them. And not just flowers, in UK you would find people caring for various plants as well.

No celebration in UK is complete without flowers. People send flowers and gifts to their dear ones. Even if they can not make it to the jubilations, they send flowers through flower delivery London services. With flowers they express various emotions and feelings that even words fail to.

Flowers are probably the best way to express how you feel for people or that you wish well for them. There are flowers that express love, there are flowers for peace, flowers to cheer up someone, and there are flowers that have a particular message to carry to the person receiving them.

With different flowers having so many messages to convey, they make life beautiful and worth living. They fill up the senses and cheer up the soul. They are a visual delight and that is why they are great for decoration as well. Another great way to celebrate the beauty and elegance of flowers is through floral shows and exhibitions. UK, particularly London boasts of a numerous flower shows that take place almost throughout the year.

Why not act today? Surprise someone with a sudden flower delivery London. You are bound to put a smile on someone's face and brighten up his / her day with beautiful flowers and gifts. Yes! You can send gifts along with flowers. You can send a cute soft toy or you can send a fine bottle of vintage champagne or how about a box of yummy chocolates? Go for flower delivery London and help someone kick start their day with beauty and joy.

Unleash Your Emotions With Lovely Ferns and Petals Flowers!

Flowers are the way to express your love and emotion. Nothing is special as flowers. Flowers can express your feelings and sentiments in the best way they can. Be it any occasion you have all the kind of flowers and expressional gifts to make your emotion flow out of your heart. Making every occasion a wonderful celebration of your life, these flowers adds colors to your life. There are situations when you don't have enough time to attend many functions and occasion.

And you really want to be there, so these wonderful and exotic flowers can express your greetings on those times. With attaching a message note, you can make those occasions more memorable for your loved ones.

Flowers come in different shapes and sizes as you can send wonderful floral arrangements to your business associates. Or you can go for intimate flower collection with exotic touch for your friends. Wishing happiness to which you are sending flowers is the best way to express the desires. Sending valentine flowers is the best way to spark up your relationship. Flowers make everything come alive, make alive all your lost relationships by going for flower delivery.

You can send these lovely, exotic and sensuous flowers to everyone you love. Birthdays, anniversary, wedding be it be any occasion these flowers are the best way to send comforts and cheer. You can wish all the luck, congratulations and make any ones day to brighten up by these beautiful and lovely flowers. Also you can express your sympathy; you can send flowers at death and many other occasions.

These flowers can really express all your sentiments to your loved ones. Being useful in many purposes these flowers are part of your life such as connected to your new job, new home, on graduations. Each and every single moment of your life is brighten up by these flower arrangements. Make your day and others day as special as they are.

Tropical Flowers

Using all types of flowers for your garden will provide a different look compared to other gardens. You should try tropical flowers in your garden which will spice up your garden and make you fell like you have taken a holiday in a distant tropical location. You can try using these flowers to provide a difference such as beautiful shapes and vibrant colors.

Even though you might think they are pricey, you might actually find some that will go with what your pocket has to offer. Some of the tropical flowers that we do know about include Bougainvillea, the Anthurium, Bird of Paradise flower, the red Purpurea, the Ostrich Ginger Plume, and the Musas flower to name but a few.

The care need foe these flowers is very important to learn about especially since they are cut out for warm areas and might grow to very big heights. Its important to read up on tropical flowers before attempting to plant any in your garden and try and get all the necessary information from your nearest gardening center or florist.

These flowers might need a bit more care than you normally give your other flowers especially since they come from countries like Hawaii and Colombia, this are flowers like the Hibiscus flowers and lotus flowers, as well as many others. It is important to know how to maintain these flowers especially if you want them to live long enough for you to showcase your garden to your friends. Learn what they need for survival and plant the right flowers that can survive in your area tropical or not.

Virtual Flowers

In the new technology age, even flowers and their delivery has gone online and most people are now using virtual flowers to send to their loved ones. These kinds of flowers are provided online and you get a chance to design them to your liking. We usually send flowers for all kinds of reasons. Some of these reasons would include birthdays, Valentines Day, as well as days you want to impress a girl like when you are on a date. Flowers fit all kinds of occasions like weddings and funerals. We often give out flowers to show how we feel and to portray our love.

Online flowers or virtual flowers are usually sent through the internet and you get the chance to create your own design. You also get to choose your own vase where you can place your flowers. Before you design your own flowers there is an option where you get to see flowers which are already arranged and ready. So if you are in a hurry it would be best to go there first. Virtual flowers like ordinary flowers can be found in a store or more like an online store which is filled with a variety of flowers that you can choose from which are designed to look like seasonal floral arrangements, and special holiday flower designs.

In the special holiday flower the figurines are ceramic and that same idea of figurines has also been passed over to the virtual store where they even look better than the ceramic ones. By choosing any flower you want you get to design and arrange how they look and after that you send them directly to the person you made them for.

Importance of Flowers in Wedding and Special Occasions

Flowers form a remarkably vital part of nature and our life. Humans and flowers are both products of nature, witness to the mystery of being. With their essential but fleeting beauty, flowers remind us of our own existence and the sequential quality of our human lives.

Usually we send flowers to our loved ones for special occasions, like wedding, funerals, hospitals etc because Flowers strengthens feelings of compassion, and decreases nervousness and worry.

Flowers are sent through the mail to express thoughts of cheer, thankfulness, apologize, recognize and encourage. There are many things that can be said with flowers.
For as long as anyone can remember it has been customary for a man to send a woman roses by way of a gift and it is well known that roses carry with them an unwritten message of love.

The Japanese people have a deep respect for nature and flowers are important part of their art. Certain flowers have special meanings. Drawings or paintings of flowers are used to decorate clothing, furniture, and even family crests.

There are many online florist that deliver flowers in festive occasions. Most important among then is wedding flowers. Fresh Wedding flowers is an integral part of every wedding, and after gown and ring, it is flowers that should occupy a wedding organizer's primal importance. Fresh wedding flowers are not only used for decoration but are also used as a bridal floral accessory. Apart from this, fresh flowers are also used in a bride's bouquet.

At a time of loss and sadness it is difficult to know what to say to the bereaved. Sending tasteful sympathy flowers with a simple note is often enough to let someone know you are thinking of them. Lilies have long been regarded as the obvious choice for sympathy flowers.

Many online florists provide large range of seasonal flowers. There are large varieties of flowers for all seasons. Flowers available in spring are daffodil, tulip, peony, hyacinth etc and summer flowers are rose, Sunflowers, Lily oriental, Hydrangea, Holly etc.

Your Wedding Ceremony - Decorate the Altar With Herbs and Flowers at Your Perfect Wedding

No matter where you're being married, if there isn't a table behind you for flowers, you may want to find one to put there. You may want candles, flowers or pictures to make the space more beautiful. Instead of a spray of flowers, carefully coordinated with the wedding attendant's dresses, why not use the language of flowers and herbs to enrich your wedding ceremony?

Flowers have ancient meanings associated with them. In the past, lovers used to use flowers to hold conversations with one another when they didn't have as much access as we have to our beloveds. Did you know that Bachelor Buttons mean Hope; Calla Lilies, Magnificent Beauty; and Daffodils, Regard and Constancy? Who knew a bouquet of springy yellow flowers could mean: You are the only one? Those are great Courtship flowers.

But the Orange Rose of Passion, the Red Rose of Love and Desire, the Violet of Devotion, Lavender of Loyalty and Marjoram of Joy? These are flowers to be included in the flowers gracing your Altar Table.

* Find the flowers that have meaning for you and for your relationship and have a bouquet created for the altar table.
* List the meanings for the flowers in your program so everyone can share.
* Gather those meanings as blessings for the marriage on which you are embarking.
* Pledge those characteristics as promises in your wedding vows.

The goal of your wedding ceremony is to create a lifelong marriage based on your wedding vows. Using flowers to cement the important characteristics and promises in your minds (and in your community's) is an effect tool for reinforcing your vows. Use flowers to speak to you of love in your wedding ceremony. Then give one another flowers and emotions throughout your life together. The reminders will continue to work to deepen your rich relationship.

Tips on How to Plant Flowers in Containers and Outdoor Beds

Flowers are beautiful and having some in your garden makes a home very enjoyable to stay in and therefore the importance of how to plant flowers properly.

How to plant flowers depend on the purpose for which the flowers are being planted. There are flowers in homes, flowers in recreation parks, around buildings that are used in different ways. All these are planted in different ways according to the theme of the place.

In homes, flowers are aimed at making the home pleasant to relax in. How to plant flowers in homes depend on whether they will be indoor plants or a home garden or if they are for an edge.

Indoor flowers are usually planted in pots or specifically prepared planting containers of troughs. Below is a brief on how to grow flowers indoor.

* Select the flowers suitable to survive under shade and low light intensities.
* Select low maintenance flowers that will not require a lot of work if you are going to plant them indoor.
* Prepare the growing containers by putting course gravel at the bottoms, follow with fine gravel and then fill the rest with your preferred media. This is good for drainage.
* Think of where the water will drain after watering.

Then plant your selected flowers in your containers, otherwise called pots and water properly.

Here is a brief of how to plant flowers out door of in the field.

* Prepare the soil deep to break any hard pan.
* Add compost and a base dressing fertilizer like Triple super phosphate and mix well.
* If your the area is not well drained, raise the planting bets to allow for this when it rains.
* Plant your flowers on the beds observing the density that is required for the particular plant variety.
* Water well and observe.

The best way to learn how to plant flowers is by doing it practically. There are many guides available in the internet.

Send Flowers Over the Internet

Many times we are too busy to go and buy a variety of flowers and arrange them well enough to send to the ones we care and love. Sending flowers has been made easy with the birth of the internet, now we do not even have to leave the comforts of our home or office.

If you are intend to send flowers to anyone no matter the reason you have to first realize the situation. Is it a wedding, party, valentines, funeral and even just to be compassionate? Many a times we send flowers to people to be romantic which is why you have choose the perfect means or store to use for this endeavor.

Using your usual florist or flower shop should be the first thing that pops in your head. This would be a good idea if they however do not offer such services you can look in the directory for flowers stores that deliver flowers. If all this is too much for you to do then try online stores. There are several of them especially in your state that you can look at. Maybe you want some flowers in your arrangement that is exotic in nature then online stores would be your best bet. They even provide virtual flowers which is an added advantage.

You can send flowers for all occasions such as Valentines Day, mother's day and even on your anniversary. Mixing and matching the flowers with all kinds of flowers like roses and orchids will make the flowers look more attractive and original to the person receiving the flowers. When it comes to sending for a funeral then you will have to try funeral flowers. Whatever the reason flowers always make the day for the person receiving them and will please just about anyone.

Fresh Flowers Inspires the Designs of The Most Exquisite Paper Flowers!

Fresh flowers are the reason one creates paper flowers simply because like they say art imitates life. Although there are many paper flowers that are not replicas of fresh flowers there are many that are. Fresh flowers inspire the designs of paper flowers because it makes a very good example of what a flower should look like. When making paper flowers whether it is a Rose or a Carnation or a Tulip, the real flower is usually used as a guide to the pattern design.

The petals are dissected and a rough sketch is drawn using the petals as a guideline. Leaves are another aspect of some flowers that is also copied. With the amount of varieties of flowers in the world there are so many ideas you can come up with. Some times people take two flowers and combine them making one very unique paper flower.

Paper flowers are much cheaper than real flowers and are also maintenance free and can last indefinitely, that’s why many people replicate real flowers through paper flowers as there’s nothing sadder than a wilting bouquet. It’s very hard to throw away a bouquet from a loved one when it dies, with paper flowers you may never have to. Paper flowers can be made with many different kinds of paper creating different textures and unique colors not found in natural flowers that the creator may prefer.

The scent of real flowers is one thing that cannot readily be duplicated although this allows for the creator to imbue the paper flowers with her or his own specially preferred scents, although paper flowers do not hold scents for very long. The art of making paper flowers is practiced a lot in Japan where origami is a great hobby. Origami can be quite elaborate and when based on real flowers can take a great deal of time to complete, but in the outcome you will have a treasure worth keeping for a long time. Paper flowers may be cheaper, last longer and require no maintenance however real flowers are irreplaceable, their true beauty coming from their ephemeral nature and as such we should never take these delicate blossoms for granted.

Orange Flowers

We often look for flowers to brighten your day or to take away your blues. The color of flowers you choose helps bring a difference in your life. The flowers help take away the negative feelings that may come your way. Flowers that are orange, are the kind of flowers that we put up in our house to make it more vibrant and comfortable.

Orange flowers can be planted as bulbs or seeds in your garden. These flowers come several shades of orange and you can mix these different shades in your garden to make it look more appealing rather than stick to one shade. Once you plant these flowers you must have all the right tools to ensure they stay alive and flourish.

Before you begin your garden its best you get all the advice you can on maintain one. This especially important when you are dealing with exotic orange flowers or the kind that are not ordinary grown in your neck of the woods and how you maintain them is also important. Some of the orange flowers available include calendulas, cosmos, birds of paradise and other exotic tropical flowers like an orange hibiscus flower. Other flowers of this color include Orange Emperor tulips, Illumination Orange Begonias, Dover Orange Peruvian Lily, Nasturtiums, Marigolds and many others.

Many people forget that plants and flowers alike are just like humans and have to be take care of so that they grow and flourish into beautiful flowers that we love to look at. Many times you will deal with orange looking flowers and how you place them around your home garden is usually up to you but it is important to place them in a way that will style up your home and garden.

Why You Would Want to Buy Flowers Online

You can always order flowers online to send to someone special or someone you love. Flowers can be used for all kinds of situations, such as a gift to your girlfriend, or as flowers to give for a funeral etc. Buying flowers online is the normal norm nowadays. As we move into the digital age everything will be transacted on the internet.

When buying flowers online you need to choose the right deliver company that will deliver your flowers to the right people without any hesitation or delay, These online stores we apply to have a variety of flowers that we can look at before we order and offer you the chance for seasonal arrangements as well as the chance to arrange your own flower arrangement. You can choose to buy flowers online as seasonal arrangements, special holiday gifts, and occasional gifts and even get well flower arrangements.

When choosing an online store it is best to choose one that is in your neighborhood or area so if the fail to deliver you can get in touch with them or go to their store to find out why they haven't sent the flowers. Choose your favorite flowers such as Ostrich Plume Ginger flowers, Lobster claws, Peruvian Lilies, assorted roses, and many different orchids, tulips, daisies.

There comes several occasions when you will want to send something special to someone you care for such as a gift and even flowers marking a special occasion in your life. Well there are several such companies available online which offer you the chance to send, deliver or even give a special gift, flowers are one item that we think of buying.

Flowers As Great Gifts

Flowers are optimal choice for gifts; whether it is a special occasion for lovers, business events, recognition, awards night, wedding anniversaries, or any kind of gathering, flowers is just what you need to excite the moment. Due to the high demand for flowers, florists are often dedicating so much of their time and effort to produce and distribute these products. During spring time, nurseries and greenhouses control multitude quantity of buds that are just anticipating to be relocated on gardens and yards.

Flowers would always be associated with love. It may also stand for your concern or condolences for someone or particular incident such as death of a loved one. A good option for showing affection and appreciation for a beloved individual is to give flowers.

These things are perfect to be given as gift. Giving flowers would make the bond of the giver and recipient to be tighter and stronger. It merges a strange refinement and magnificent aura which constantly unites with any event.

Shopping for flowers online can do you a lot of advantages. Online shopping for flowers gives the searcher the option to see a wide array of selection. Some may provide the meaning for every flower in order for the viewers to know what the appropriate flowers to pick on certain occasions.

Flowers may come in various forms, sizes and shapes. Anyone would want to receive a good smelling flower; therefore you can have the choice to personalize the arrangement of your flowers to be given to your recipients.

How to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers

Wedding flowers can give the finishing touch to your wedding. From bouquets to buttonholes, they are elegant, beautiful and colorful. A venue such as a reception can be given the wow-factor with carefully chosen arrangements.

Here are some cost cutting tips for your bridal flowers. Buy flowers that are in their correct season to keep prices down. If you buy peonies in May it will be cheaper than trying to get them in winter. Thankfully, some of the most popular flowers such as roses and gerberas are available all year. You can easily do a search on the Internet to find out which flowers are available at the time of your wedding.

The type of flower you choose will have a bearing on the price. Tulips and gerberas will cost less than flowers like orchids. A skillful florist will still be able to make these flowers look brilliant.

The most popular choice by brides is to have fresh cut flowers. Indeed some brides insist on having them. However artificial flowers can be a cost effective alternative. These flowers can be fashioned into amazing bouquets and arrangements. The best quality products can look extremely life-like.

It's now getting popular for brides to make their own wedding flowers. This can help to keep costs down. You can learn about the subject by buying a book about creating flowers or going on an evening class. Remember that a florist does a lot of unseen work like buying the stock and delivering and arranging the flowers. You will need to make arrangements for this if you are creating your own wedding flowers.

Mother's Day Gift Flowers

Flowers are one of the most common presents for Mother Day’s. They are a symbol of life and beauty, and they always manage to put a smile on a woman’s face. In fact, you may spend your whole life looking for a woman who does not like flowers and still not find one. That could be one of the reasons why flowers are such an appropriate present for Mother’s Day. You can get your mom a bouquet with a variety of flowers or a simple bunch with her favorite flowers. They can be your only gift or be a supplement gift.

When choosing flowers, remember that any flower you get will make your mother special. While selecting flowers, you can either buy her favorite flowers or buy her different flowers in her favorite color or colors.

If you are wondering what color to get and what each of them signifies, following is a guide. Besides passion and romance, red flowers also represent courage and congratulations. White flowers are for loyalty, integrity, sympathy, and eternal love. Orange is for fun and cheerfulness and to wish luck and say thank you. Green flowers signify health, prosperity, and success. Pink flowers are to show appreciation, to show that you care and also to signify harmony and happiness. Yellow flowers are for happiness, new beginnings, and friendship; and purple flowers are perfect to show your admiration and enchantment and to ask for forgiveness.

You can also combine two colors to signify different things. To show abiding love, unity and teamwork, use red and white flowers. Purple and white flowers can say you are sorry. Yellow and orange flowers can symbolize friendship, and green and yellow represent success. Pink and white can be used to convey harmony and purple and pink for admiration and hope. Red and orange flowers can say thank you—or, you can simply get all colors to show an abundance of feelings!

Wedding Flowers - Fresh or False?

Whatever you do, make sure you have flowers at your wedding. They add color and smell very nice. Flowers can enhance and adorn any wedding and it is best to include them at the planning stage and to budget for them accordingly. They should be equally considered with all of the other aspects of your wedding and not simply as an add-on. But, what type do you choose?

You basically have two options on what flower to use during your wedding. You can opt for fresh flowers or you can go for artificial ones. You can also choose to have a combination of the two. For instance, you can have a bridal bouquet of fresh calla lilies and artificial flower centerpieces in your reception.

Though nothing could beat the beauty and appeal of fresh flowers, there are instances when you may consider using artificial flowers instead. The cost of fresh flowers can be prohibitive. If you are short on budget, you should not hesitate in getting artificial flowers. There are such flowers that look quite real. Artificial flowers can also come at the exact shade of your motif. Moreover, artificial flowers will not wilt on you and you can take them home after the occasion and use them to decorate your living room.

Before you decide, ask around. Ask a fresh flower vendor how much your desired wedding flowers would cost. Ask an artificial flower-maker about how much it will cost to make such flowers, too. If you need to cut some costs or if you want fewer wedding flower headaches, then go with the artificial flowers

Spring Wedding Flowers

Spring wedding flowers are flowers used for weddings that occur during the spring time. Usually they are light and fluffy. Spring wedding flowers evoke beautiful and happy memories of much awaited spring weddings, chiming church bells and beaming faces. Spring wedding flowers come with delicate petals and simple designs, and are used for decorations, in bouquets and as centerpieces. These flowers have the finest color choices, which include pale yellows, baby blues, tender lavenders, and soft greens.

Among the most cherished spring wedding flowers are roses, tulips and daffodils. Tulips, with their different pastel shades and the sunny colors of daffodils, complement other flower combinations in wedding bouquets. Pew bows of tulips and daffodils look delightful, and these flowers are no less attractive when showcased in vases. Lily of the Valley with its delicate blossoms and intoxicating smell, multi-colored calla lilies combined with maidenhair or lemon leaf, anemones used in bouquets and roses are other favorite spring wedding flowers.

A number of trees offer spring flowers, sprigs, and limbs with which wedding arrangements and decorations can be made. The dainty blossoms of fruit trees such as orange, peach, and apple provide wonderful fragrance, when used along with other spring wedding flowers.

For early spring weddings, white carpet flowers can be arranged around the crocus, which indicates the arrival of spring after a snow-covered winter. Spring wedding flowers can be tied together with organza, pastel ribbons, or chiffon. An experienced florist, however, can suggest the ideal selection and arrangement of spring wedding flowers.

Selecting Flowers for a Wedding

One of the biggest parts of a wedding is the flowers that are included. There are flowers for the bouquets,
flowers for the church, and flowers for the mothers,grandmothers, groom, and ushers, as well as centerpieces for the reception.

Something that should be taken into consideration when selecting the flowers to use in a wedding is that
sometimes there are people who have allergies and may be affected by the scent of the flowers.

When you are choosing the type of flowers for your wedding, think about yourself and your attendants
especially. Are there any sensitive noses The last thing that you will need on your wedding day Is to
have yourself or one of your attendants having a sneezing fit in the middle of the ceremony.

Once you have chosen what type of flower you want to have for your wedding, the next thing is to decide on
the colors. Usually the colors for bridesmaids and groomsmen will correspond to the colors of the
bridesmaids' dresses for the bouquets. But when it comes to the grandmothers and mothers flowers it may
be a good idea to find out what color their dresses will be so their flowers will match.

So that there aren't a lot of flowers left over from the reception, it's not a bad idea to mark a chair and
whoever sits in that chair gets to take home the centerpiece. This way the flowers can be enjoyed for
longer than a day and you don't have to worry about what to do with them.

How to Choose the Best Flowers For Your Wedding

Planning a wedding can be an extremely fun event. Choosing the best flowers for your wedding is yet another thing that can be exciting to do, but also daunting for some. The flowers you choose will carry the tone, theme and overall feel of your wedding through out the day. Here are a few quick tips that will help you pick the perfect flowers for your beautiful wedding.

Tip #1: Color
Choosing flowers that go with the overall color scheme of your wedding is key to making everything cohesive and will add to the overall appeal of the wedding. Taking swatches of the colors you have chosen for your wedding will help you and your florist to choose the best flowers to match your colors.

Tip #2: Flowers in season
Not only is choosing flowers that are in season going to be easier on your budget it will also be easier on you. It will save on the stress of locating the flowers and having them ultimately shipped in for your wedding. So many other things can go wrong on the day of your wedding, you don't want to flowers to be one of those things.

Tip #3: Research
Research the different types of flowers that are not only in season but also the smell and look of them. By being armed with research and knowledge meeting the florist for the first time and choosing the flowers will be much less stressful. The internet is a wealth of knowledge so utilize it by checking out different wedding sites and eBooks that will help you to choose the flowers that are perfect for your amazing wedding day.

Prolonging The Life Of Your Fresh Flower Bouquets

Most cut flowers will last 4-7 days, but you can greatly increase this by taking good care of your bouquet.

On receiving your bouquet:

* Remove 1 inch of the stems, cutting at a 45 degree angle under running, warm water. Use a sharp implement to trims stems to avoid crushing and jeopardising water intake.
* Remove all foliage which will be below the water level when in the vase.
* Ensure any vases used are cleaned prior to use
* Place your flowers in warm (not hot) water, in a cool, draft free area for at least 2 hours to encourage optimum water absorption.
* After a minimum of 2 hours, transfer your flowers into a vase of cool (but not ice cold) water.
* Use any flower preservative or 'flower food' provided with your flowers, as these can greatly increase the longevity of your cut flowers. Mix according to the instructions provided and don't over or under dilute.
* Choose a spot to display your flowers that is bright and draft-free.
* Don't place your flowers on top of the TV, or on a window ledge above a frequently warm radiator, as the heat will greatly reduce the flower's life.
* Make sure your flowers always have plenty of water, and top it up regularly to prevent wilting.
* Adding daffodils to other flowers in an arrangement may cause premature wilting of the other flowers.
* Every couple of days, re-cut stems using the same original technique, by ¼ to ½ inch.
* As flowers begin to wilt or die, remove individual dead flowers one at a time to maintain freshness in the remaining flowers for as long as possible.

Purple Flowers

When creating your garden it is always good to be diverse in colors as well as fragrant and smells. Purple flowers are such flowers that can add some diversity as well as color to your garden. Making your garden involves different flowers which either bloom annually, perennially and biennially.

Choosing seasonal flowers is necessary if you want your garden to work out especially since some flowers have no chance of blooming in winter and some just won't appear during other seasons. Creating a beautiful look for your garden is important so missing the purple flowers with orange and red flowers will make your garden look trendy and cool.

You do not have to plant your flowers in your garden flower bed only you can also try planting them around trees which makes it look really good. Since the purple flowers bloom mostly in summer you should put them amongst other such flowers. The flowers flourish well during the summer's warmth and that is when you get to see its real beauty. The large clusters of bright purple that grow on the new tips of the shrub branches of the flowers are released by the shinny rays of the sun. As these shrubs with their clusters of flowers are easy to care for you can see many gardens in warm climates having these shrubs planted in various places.

To make your garden the best in your neighbor hood you will have to learn how to care about your flowers during the seasons they bloom and as the flowers grow you will get to appreciate the beautiful elegant look as well as the great aroma that will be coming from your garden.

Flowers for All Occasions

Artificial flowers are imitations of real flowers. They have been available for many years. Many people prefer these flowers for maintenance reasons. You don’t have to water them, and they can often look just as nice as real flowers.

A variety of materials have been used to manufacture artificial flowers, and this has changed over time. The most recent materials used for these types of flowers are carved or foam soap, nylon netting, ground clay, and mass produced plastic mouldings.

Let’s take a look at some of the different types of artificial flowers:

Cloth and paper flowers

These are made by cutting up various fabrics and materials and made in to shapes that can be used to form the leaves and petals etc. Die is used for the veins of the leaves. The petals and other parts of the flowers are then assembled. Finally, a stork is used to mount the flower on. A suitable coloured material is used to set the whole artificial flower off.

Clay flowers

The clay is dried to form a powder, water is then added and a specific colouring to set the flower off. A paste is then used as modelling paste to set the desired shape. Normally a skilled crafts man will model the shape in to form.

Plastic flowers

Mass production is used which moulds each artificial flower. This how you can get identical artificial flowers mass produced in high volumes. Businesses normally take this route to sell as many flowers as they can in high volumes.

Our website offers articles on different types of flowers, specifically artificial flowers. Be sure to check us out for all the information you will ever need relating to artificial flowers.

Annual Flowers

These are flowers, like the Poinsettia that only blooms during winter. Annual flowers are flowers that you can plant during all kinds of season or the kind that bloom during different seasons of the year. These kinds of flowers are good for planting in your back yard. The best however are the kinds that survive all year long and do not cost a bundle to maintain.

When choosing flowers for your garden it is best to choose flowers that you know when they will bloom. Annual flowers are always the best choice to plant in your back yard or garden. The flowers that grow in different seasons are the kind of flowers we can get annual.

Make your choice of annual flowers is important because if you choose poorly the flower will rot before you have a chance to plant it. There are three choices you can make when choosing annual flowers. You can either buy hardy annuals, half hardy annuals and tender annuals. The difference between the three is that they bloom during different types of weather and soil conditions.

The best kind of flowers to plant during winter is hardy annuals that flourish during the cold season like in December. These flowers are usually planted during the spring season or fall season when the weather is slightly cold. . Unlike other annuals these hardy annual flowers don't like hot weather as they are not heat tolerant. Some of the hardy flowers include foxglove, sweet alyssum, viola, calendula, cornflowers, pansy and many more. The half hardy annual flowers include snow-on -the-mountain, torenia, blue sage and several others.

Drying Fresh Flowers

Flowers are a symbol of beauty and exude freshness all around. However, fresh flowers have a short shelf life. Drying flowers using the right technique can result in preserving them as close to their original form, flexibility, color and texture. There are many methods that are used to dry flowers.

Pressing is the most popular form of drying fresh flowers. Flowers are neatly straightened and kept between sheets of paper and weighted. This ensures that the pigments are not lost and the color is retained. Special devices called plant presses give excellent results. This method should be adopted when the flowers are fresh, so that they remain so in the dried form. Violets, pansies, larkspur and ferns preserve well when pressed in this manner. These dried flowers can be arranged in framed displays.

Air-drying, also known as "hang and dry" method, is the oldest and simplest method for preserving flowers. The flowers are collected, tied and then hung upside down in a warm, dry place. Since the flowers are dried in air, the method is referred to as "air-drying." The darkness helps retain the color of the flowers. Flowers such as baby's breath, cattail, celosia, dock, goldenrod, heather and pussy willow preserve well when stored this way. Blue and yellow flowers retain their color whereas pink flowers fade.

Flowers are also dried using desiccants. Embedding the flowers in a granular, desiccating material is considered the best all around method to dry flowers. The flowers are covered with the desiccant so that their form will be maintained.

Water drying is also used to preserve fresh flowers. Here, stems of the flowers are initially placed in a couple of inches of water, the water is allowed to evaporate and be taken up by the cut flowers. The container and flowers should be in a dry, warm and dark location. Hydrangeas, yarrow, bells-of-Ireland and celosia dry well with this method.

Most people pursue drying and preserving flowers as a hobby. Even with the increased popularity of synthetic flowers, many people still prefer the real flowers preserved in a lifelike manner.

How to Press Flowers - 4 Tips To Get Started

Before you start working with pressed flowers you should know how to press flowers. Adding satisfaction and enjoyment to your activity of creating a finished and pressed flower piece is you knowing the art of pressing the flowers. Should you not know how to press flowers, please read on as I discuss some basics of pressing flowers.

How to press flowers?

· Flower Preparation – The idea is to press the flowers when there is no moisture content on them. This can be ensured by pressing the flowers immediately after picking them. This will allow you to see the true colors of the flowers when they blossom.

· Press flowers in books – Buy some rugged books for a low price and dedicate them for your flower pressing needs. Start by keeping the flower between two sheets of paper and weigh the book down. This is a traditional though effective technique of pressing flowers.

· Buy Flower Presses – Invest some money and buy your own flower presses for pressing flowers. Should you not decide to spend money on buying flower presses, make your own. If you have good skills working with wood, I would advice you to make a botanical flower press. The advantage of using a botanical flower press is that it allows greater air circulation for the flowers.

· Microwave Pressing – Some of the best results in flower pressing can be noted when people follow this method of pressing flowers. This technique is extremely good for pressing thin flowers though enough care must be taken to press the flowers in short bursts of 30-60 seconds.

For newcomers to the art of creating a finished flower piece, please note that pressing flowers is an important part of the set of activities. I have discussed some techniques here which will allow you to press flowers at ease. You can choose any of them and press your flowers.

Buying Flowers You Can Afford

Before you ever thought of buying a gold or silver necklace for your girlfriend or even diamonds for someone, you often bought flowers. Flowers are the perfect gift to give anyone we care for. We often hesitate from buying flowers because we think they are too expensive to give as gifts however there are cheap flowers that you can find from different dealers of flowers.

These cheap flowers that can be found from different stores that sell flowers are often of high quality as the high priced flowers you cannot afford. One of the best ways to show how you care is by buying the one who you love a bouquet of flowers.

You might have to do some leg work before you find a store that sell good high quality cheap flowers. Look for a store online it is usually faster and easier to find than going through the yellow pages trying to find a store with the exact flowers you need at the price you want.

Flowers are a good way to show how you feel for someone and choosing the right kind of flowers is important. If you do get a store that sells cheap high quality flowers they will probably have vases that you can put your flower arrangement so that you can send a more good looking piece to whoever it is who you are sending to. The best way to get these flowers is to buy from reputable local florist and you can be sure that your order will filled with a selection of good and undamaged flowers.

Flower Delivery

Over recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of flower shops that are offering flowers and flower arrangements at discount rates over the internet.

Many offer free shipping and most offer some form of discount. It has quickly become one of the most popular forms of flower sales for florists.

Most of these flower shops offer same day delivery within a specified distance from the flower retailer. Discounts are often offered for specials occasions such as Mothers Day, Valentines Day, Christmas Day and also for other personal occasions such as the birth of a baby.

By buying directly from the retailer over the Internet you can be assured of freshness and flower quality, as the reputation of these online retailers can spread quickly over the Internet.

As flowers can make a powerful impression on the person who is receiving them, so too can the service and the quality of the flower retailer and they know that providing good service and prices will help them retain your custom.

Added to this is the fact that there are now so many opportunities for the customer to shop around and get exceptional deals.

Ordering flowers online is so much easier, and more often than not you will have a far greater selection to choose from when dealing with the big flower delivery services.

Flower deliveries can be scheduled for different times of the day adding to the convenience of online ordering. With many different payment options it is as simple as filling out the details, paying with your credit card and your flower delivery will arrive at your desired destination when you determine.

It is very convenient for those occasions when you have forgotten to order on time or you have limited time to arrange flower delivery through your normal channels.

It is possible to arrange for delivery of flowers both nationwide and also worldwide as many of the big flower delivery businesses have branches throughout the world.

The best place to start is with a quick search of the Internet where you can compare what the different flower delivery companies are offering in the form of discounts and delivery times.

There is no longer a problem sending flowers to a loved one anywhere in the world.

Flower Meanings

Certain types or colors of flowers mean different things, and you don't want to send the wrong message if you give them as a gift! Of course, not everyone knows what a particular flower means, but you can never be too sure!

FLOWER NAME and/or COLOR -- FLOWER MEANINGS

Carnations

Carnation (General) -- Fascination
Carnation, Pink -- Emblem of Mother's Day, I will never forget you
Carnation, Purple -- Antipathy and Capriciousness
Carnation, Red -- Admiration, my heart aches for you
Carnation, Striped -- No, Sorry, I cannot be with you
Carnation, White -- Pure Love, Sweet Love, Innocence
Carnation, Yellow -- Disdain and Rejection

Lilies

Lily, Calla -- Majestic Beauty
Lily, Day -- Coquetry
Lily, Orange -- Hatred and Disdain, Wealth, Pride
Lily, White -- Majesty and Purity, Virginity
Lily of the Valley -- Purity and Humility, Sweetness

Roses

Rose, Coral/Orange -- Enthusiasm, Desire
Rose, Dark Pink -- Thank you
Rose, Light Pink -- Admiration
Rose, Musk -- Capricious Beauty
Rose, Pale -- Friendship
Rose, Peach -- Let's get together, Closing of the deal
Rose, Pink -- Love, Grace, Gentility, You're so Lovely
Rose, Pink & White -- Love, Desire, Respect, Courage, Job well done
Rose, Red -- Majesty and Purity, Virginity
Rose, Red & Yellow -- Congratulations
Rose, White -- Charm, Secrecy, Silence, You're Heavenly
Rose, White on Red -- Unity/Flower Emblem of England
Rose, Yellow -- Infidelity, Joy, Friendship, Welcome Back, Remember me
Rose, Yellow & Orange -- Passionate thoughts

Tulips

Tulip -- Symbol of The Perfect Lover
Tulip, Red -- Believe me, Declaration of love
Tulip, Variegated -- Beautiful eyes

Others

Daffodil -- Emblem of Annunciation/Regard, Unrequited love
Daisy -- Gentleness, Innocence, Loyal love
Iris -- Faith, Wisdom, Valor, Your Friendship means so much
Orchid -- Magnificence, Love, Beauty, Refinement
Sunflower -- Homage and Devotion

Flower Gardening

When you think of any kind of gardening, the first thing that pops into your mind is flower gardening. Flowers and gardens being naturally synonymous with each other. And dedicated gardener that you are, you’ll naturally be doing your own flower gardening this year.

Flower gardening need not be limited only to summertime. If you plan carefully and plant ahead of time, your garden can be filled with an abundance of flowers for most of the year.

If we start by seasons, then for spring flowers, the best thing you could do would be to plant bulbs. Any nursery will have them, and if you’re more inclined towards the exotic, and rarer flowering bulbs, there’s a good chance you can have them ordered specially.

Favorites amongst bulb lovers are early springtime Crocuses, and cheerful Snowdrops. Tulips though, are by and away the most famous of bulbs in demand by flower gardeners, and are available in a variety of shades, including a black-colored one, which is really more of a deep maroon and one of those rare flowers I was talking about earlier.

Remember that all spring flowering bulbs should be planted in mid autumn, as this is the best time for them. Come any closer to winter and you’re in danger of losing your bulbs altogether.

Moving through to summer, we find that perennials are a firm favorite for flower gardening as they yield blooms almost continuously throughout the season, and sometimes beyond. With a little luck and care, you’ll also find that most of your perennials will last through to next year, and the year after that, and, well you get the picture right? You’ll also find that as the years and the seasons wear on, your perennials will become fuller, and generally will become more abundant than the first year you planted them.

As autumn gently closes in most flower gardens are left bereft of anything but a few small hardy plants. If you're into more dedicated flower gardening however, that need not be the case for you. Hardy, drought resistant plants like Asters number among the many types of fall flowers available, and will look stunning in late summer/early fall, Generally, autumn plants will grow to a good 3-4 feet in height, and have vivid colors, as well as the more genteel pastel colors to choose from. Ornamental grasses are another favorite and will nicely complement your fall flowers.

To round off the year and your efforts at flower gardening, don't despair as there are many winter blooms available. Amaryllis, Hyacinth, and Narcissus are a few of the more common known flowers and are available in bulb form. If you want something a little more out of the ordinary, you could always try Winter Jasmine, or Winter Honeysuckle.

So, take heart, take plenty of notes, plan, and buy to your heart's content. By the end of it all you truly will have a flower for every season, and your flower gardening efforts will be rewarded most bountifully

Flower For Your Wedding



At your wedding reception you really want everything to be perfect, pretty, and, most importantly, meaningful. Flowers can really accomplish all three of these vital tasks at your wedding and still impress your guests with the way you use one thing for multiple purposes. Flowers are a beautiful addition to any room, home, or party because they bring with them feelings of joy and they stimulate your senses with their aromatic scent and their beautiful blossoming petals and colors that make your eyes become fixated on them. Flowers are really enchanting and adding them into your wedding reception décor will impress your guests especially if you are having a themed wedding and flowers really fit into that theme and bring your decorations together and show your guests that you know what you are doing.

The other great part about flowers is that they all have different kinds of meanings. For example, all different colors of roses have different meanings like love, romance, passion, and friendship so you can really express your true feelings through them and show everyone what you think about them and the whole wedding reception. Other flowers have other meanings that you might want to research and then write a little blurb about to leave as messages at the tables to tell your guests why you chose these specific flowers. The universal meaning of flowers is the idea of eternity and everlasting life because their intense beauty is very inspirational and will bring this mood to everyone and has special meaning for you on your wedding day. The everlasting meaning applies to you on this amazingly special day because you have just entered into an eternal bond that you will enjoy for the rest of your life and that you will share with your spouse and every single one of your friends, family, and loved ones because they are such a big part of your life.

Flowers are just the best choice if you are looking for something to add to your decorations but you really don't know what to do because you can't think of anything. Flowers will always be the right choice, no matter what, because they will always add a special something to the color scheme, smell, and meaning of the party.

Another great feature is that depending on what kinds of flower you get, you can give them out as types of wedding party favors for your guests to take home and remember your special day forever with. A wonderful tradition is that of drying and pressing flowers so that you will always have them and you will always have a physical representation of the night that made your life complete. This is a good thing to have because a lot of times physical objects can trigger our memories of the past. In years to come, you and your spouse can look at these dried and pressed flowers together and remember all the emotions and hopes you felt during that night of dreams coming true and very palpable love.

Simple Steps to Pick a Perfect Valentine's flower

Three simple steps to pick a perfect Valentine's flower

Valentine Day is right around the corner and do not fall behind this special celebration to bring the love one with a bouquet of flowers. It doesn't make a difference if you are in love or just wanting to express care for your close friend or family members, it is nothing better Valentines Day gift than the gift of floral arrangement. Valentine's Day is globally accepted as the special day for expressing love. Over 1 million people send flower as gift during Valentine's Day. According to a study, there are getting more women sending flowers to men. Flowers are suitable for everybody regardless sex, age, or ethic background. In addition, it is affordable as floral gifts come in nearly every price range. Do not panic if you do not know what flower to choose, I will walk you through three simple steps on how to select the right flower for love ones.

Step 1: Brainstorming what recipient like Before choosing the flowers, there are few things you need to brainstorm. Firstly, how close is your relationship with your recipient? Secondly, what is the recipient preferred color or flower? Thirdly, does your recipient prefer stronger or softer scents? Flower has it symbolic meaning that has been formed over centuries. For lovers, red roses are always the first choice for Valentine's Day flower. Red color represents romance and love, which is suitable for spouse or girlfriend whom you have long term relationship with. Pink roses, which represent passion, are more appropriate for new couples. Some of the flowers that are sent frequently during Valentine's Day including: roses, carnations, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, tuberoses, and freesias . However, please bear in mind, for some girls, they might prefer to receive their favorite flowers rather than the flowers mentioned above. Therefore, it is better to find out in advance. Step 2: Presentation of the Flower After choosing the flower, good and presentable packaging plays an important role to enhance the appearance of the flowers. Believe it or not, nice packaging changes the overall perception of the value of the flower being deliver. Several options such as basket and pot are available together with decorative item which can be put together in the bouquet of flower. Flower with candy, chocolate and decorated in soft animal and hearts are available for selection in different price range. Alternatively, you can put everything together by yourself.

Steps 3: Customize your Valentine's message. Finally, do attach a personalized message to your recipient. Here are some of the suggestions you can "steal": 1) Love you from the bottom of my heart 2) You are the sweetest! 3) Today is a very special day for sending all my love your way! 4) My heart is empty without you, like a bird without a song. 5) We've been through a few hard times honey. Well, I just want to let all the people to know that you are my only one. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. 6) Your smile is my sunrise; your kiss is my sunset. Thank you for being the most wonderful friend and companion 7) I love now, tomorrow and today, and if God give me the time.. I'll love you 'till the end of my life... 8) With you it's Valentine's Day 365 days a year. 9) May this Valentine's Day find you counting God's blessings and all the warm wishes of those who care about you. 10) Happy Valentine to you with all my love!

Now you can order flowers online almost effortless. Learn what your recipient/lover prefer and order your flowers in advance to avoid delay in delivery on Valentine's Day. Alternatively, you may even surprise your love one with a bouquet of flowers before the valentine's dinner (if you happen to order late minute!)

Valentine's Day - Why Rose Is The Preferred Flower?

The world is full of flowers. Visit any place dedicated to flowers and you will be amazed at the types of flowers, and facts about them. Flowers come in all shapes, and colors. Some of them can intoxicate you with their lovely perfume. Some are so delicate that one fears touching them. And all of them are stunningly beautiful. Still, it is the Rose which is preferred around the world as a flower of choice on the Valentine's day? I wonder about this. And though I have not tried to search for the reasons, here is my own theory on why it is so. One another fact struck me. We can get Roses in many colors but still it the dark red that is preferred as the flower of love. Why? View some of the desktop wallpapers for Valentine's day. You will find rose prominently on them. Therefore the question - Why?
Let us first think about the color choice. I think that dark red must be the preferred color as it looks like red. And every true lover is ready to shed his/her blood for the beloved. Also love is associated with the heart, and heart pumps blood. So red signifies love. Colors have their own significance, looking at any white color, the first thought is of purity. Same way red means love.

Now let us examine our central theme. Why Rose? A Rose has thorns. But the thorns are below the Rose. The Rose represents life beautifully. It has very soft petals, that tell us about the soft side of living and thorns to convey that life is not all the bed of Roses without thorns. What does a lover do? A true lover will always take the thorns and give only the soft flowers to his/her darling. That is love and love demands that one give only comfort to one's darling. Love demands sacrifice. Love demands giving of joy. Love demands that all pain be kept away from the beloved. That is also the message a lover sends across to his/her beloved with a Rose. I have kept the thorns with myself and I am sending you these soft flowers . I think this is the reason why on Valentine's day, the red Rose is the flower of choice. To feel the joy of flowers you can view these animated love flower screensavers. To feel the romance of flowers download these flower desktop wallpapers. Enjoy love. Life is no life without love.

Love Text Messages - The Perfect Partner for Flowers





“love text messages” Overview: Thanks to the convenience of cell phones, nobody is ever more than a few buttons away. Text messages are becoming a more and more popular trend amongst people of all ages, and can be a good way to remind someone that you love them. This article will detail how you can mix them with flowers to produce a great result.

Text messages to tell her you love her

With Valentines Day swiftly nearing, it’s always good to come up with new ways to impress your wife or girlfriend. A simple card and box of chocolates is a good start, but you can do so much more. Text messages containing love poetry or cute reminders are a great idea. Remind her you love her with text messages bringing up shared memories of a pleasant day you had in the past.

You can find a large selection of love text messages online if you’re not the world’s greatest poet, which will allow you to still benefit from this convenience. Women love cute text messages reminding them of how special they are to you, so consider text messages when trying to send a suggestion of love.

Text messages aren’t quite enough of a solution for Valentines Day, however, even though they are a great start to expressing your love. Read below for more ideas.

Text messages and flowers to keep the love alive

What better way to express your love than through flowers? There really isn’t one, as flowers are a tradition long held dear by many cultures across the world. Following up on text messages with flowers is an effective one-two combination for winning over your girl.

Say you’ve sent her text messages telling her you love her. She’ll be pleased, but probably not expecting anything more. That’s when you follow up on the love text messages with a surprise delivery of flowers. A bouquet of fresh roses does the trick, and will guarantee a good evening for the both of you.

Sending messages of love through text mixed with flowers is a surefire strategy for success. Remember the winning combination: text messages followed by flowers bearing your message of love. It can’t possibly fail! If you have any questions about using flowers to follow up on text messages of love, call a local florist.

Flower ideas to go along with love text messages

Once you’ve sent those text messages, you’re going to want to follow up with flowers to express your love as we have suggested. A bouquet of roses always works, but what about other ideas? You’re free to pick any colour and any variety of flowers to go along with your love text messages, which has the potential to give you nearly endless possibilities.

Not only can you follow up on text messages with bouquets, baskets and other arrangements, you can also mix and match other things to express your love. Why not include a card repeating or expanding on the text messages you sent earlier? Or you could include a cute teddy bear holding a heart that says “love.” The ideas are limitless.

If you’re curious about ideas to follow upon on love text messages for your special someone, feel free to consult with a florist. They’ll be happy to give advice regarding follow-ups for text messages that will help improve your love life.

How to order flowers for delivery to compliment love text messages

Now that you’ve decided to follow up on text messages with a floral message of love, you’re going to want to know the options available to you. Fortunately, you have several to choose from that will help you spread the word of love after you’ve sent your text messages.

The first option is to visit the florist or website to make a selection and to ask for suggestions that suit your woman’s or man’s tastes. The florist will be able to help you find the right flowers to demonstrate your love and that will follow up nicely on the text messages.

The second option is to go online and visit the florist’s website. There you’ll be able to browse and select from their inventory, pay using a secure order form, and set a destination address for the flowers. It’s perfect for a surprise follow up on your love text messages.

Domestic and international deliveries are both available, should your love live in another city. This will only heighten the surprise after you’ve sent your text messages. Flowers are the perfect way to follow up on love text messages. Contact a florist today!

MATTHEW HARLEY is an award-winning freelance writer and search engine expert who has written extensively for the advertising industry. DOYLE BOLT is President of Bolt Family Florist, and owner of the Brant Florist operating unit. For more great flower information http://brantflorist.com/

How We Came to Send Flowers, Cards, and Chocolates on Valentine's Day





Every February 14, couples send flowers, buy chocolate and break out their romantic sides. Few people, however, know how we came to celebrate Valentine’s Day. They may even believe the holiday was invented by the flower and greeting card industry. In fact, a history of Valentine’s Day through the years recounts many mysteries, romantic figures, and smart entrepreneurs.
One legend suggests Valentine was a priest in the third century in Rome when Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men because he thought single men made better soldiers than men with wives and families. Valentine secretly continued to perform marriages and when his actions were discovered, Claudius sentenced him to death. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270.

Another story has it that while in prison, Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement and who may have been his jailor's daughter. The future saint cured the girl of her blindness and before his death, he allegedly wrote his love a letter, signing it 'From your Valentine,' an expression still common today.

We may owe our observance of Valentine's Day to the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, a festival that honored Juno Februata, the goddess of "feverish" love. Annually, on February 15th, young men and women would draw names to partner with for romantic game playing. Early Christians frowned on these lascivious activities and tried to transform the sexual nature of Lupercalia by turning the "feast of the flesh" into a "ritual for romance.” The Church selected a single saint, St. Valentine, to represent the new festival. Since Valentine was martyred on February 14, the date was also changed. When the names were now drawn on this day, couples began to exchange small gifts.

One of the earliest known “valentine” cards dates back to 1415. From his confinement in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt, a young Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent several poems or rhymed love letters to his wife in France. One valentine card showed a drawing of a knight and a lady, with Cupid in the act of sending an arrow to pierce the knight's heart. The holiday that honors lovebirds has not always been so popular, going in and out of favor throughout the centuries. The celebration experienced renewed vigor in England just prior to 1800 when publishing companies came to the aid of tongue-tied romeos by distributing booklets of passages that lovers could recite to each other. Gift giving included cards that were usually hand painted and often lavishly decorated with laces, silk or satin, flowers (made from the feathers of tropical birds), and perfumed sachets.

The first U.S. made valentines were fashioned by a Mount Holyoke College student, Esther Howland circa 1830. Her father imported valentines every year from England as a stationer in Worcester, MA. Esther decided to create her own valentine messages and began importing lace, fine papers, and other supplies for her cards. Her "Worcester" valentines sold an estimated hundred thousand dollars annually! Until the mid-1800's, the cost to send a Valentine through the mail was beyond the means of the average person. The postal service even demanded payment from the recipient, not the sender, of the letter! A hand delivered Valentine became the most popular way to declare love during this time.

The holiday suffered a popularity plunge in the late 19th century, but by the 20th century, Americans businesses had rescued Valentine's Day by turning it into a commercial bonanza. It became common for a valentine to usually accompany a more elaborate gift of candy, flowers, dinner, etc. Nowadays, many schools even enable students to send flowers to each other to celebrate the day. Valentine’s Day cards have emerged to become the second biggest sellers to Christmas cards. Recently, the internet has proved increasingly popular to celebrate the day as well. Now you can send an elecronic greeting card (http://www.123greetings.com), send chocolate (http://www.lindt.com) and send flowers (http://www.beyondblossoms.com) all without leaving the house.

A World Beyond Roses


The mere mention of ordering flowers often brings to mind the images of deep flush red roses, waiting to be bought and delivered to our loved ones. More often than not, roses, even of varying colors, are the flower variety commonly purchased for occasions connected to love and relationships.Roses are a thing of beauty, with their perfectly coiffed petals and velvety texture, it's no wonder why most couples have claimed it to be their favorite flower of all time. But why not start a new tradition and pick a new and fresh variety as Valentine's Day comes to a close.

Take a step back and notice the world beyond roses.

Orchids

You can't go wrong in picking a pot of orchids as a gift to your loved ones. With their delicate and unique flower structure, orchids are undeniably one of the most exotically stunning flowering plants.

Simply choose from the wide variety of orchid plants, and your loved one will enjoy the bliss of a rare and a delicate beauty.

Daisies

Seeing a bouquet or two of these lovely flowers can uplift anyone's mood. These lovely daisy flowers are often associated with sunflowers as they have a striking resemblance to the sunflower's shape and petal.

Put your loved one in a great mood with these vibrant bouquets of delight. Simple, lovely and gorgeous, daisy bouquets are perfect for any occasion.

Lilies

If you're going for a love message filled with innocence and purity, you can't go wrong with a bouquet or two of lily flowers.

These highly popular and uniquely textured flowers can be easily given to any kind of occasions, and definitely fitting for an event filled with love and dedication.

Iris

With over 200 colors to its name, irises are undeniably one of the loveliest flowers in the world. The name of iris flowers are derived from the Greek word of rainbow, which seems fitting as it grows in hundreds of different colors.

These dainty pretty things can sum up faith, hope and wisdom through its flowers. Why not give your loved one a bouquet of iris flowers today, as it's just about perfect for any occasion.

Top Seven Fowers for Bridal Bouquet

Bouquets look better when it use the right flowers. Make the bouquet for bride can be as simple as cut several flowers & tie them. But not every flower is suitable for bridal bouquet. Knowing what are the most popular flowers is very useful for you. If you know what are the best and most favorite, it is easy for you to make a good wedding flower. You can make it as single flower arrangement or combine several popular flowers to make it unique. So, what are the most beloved flowers for brides? Here is a list of the most popular flowers (in ascending order):

Hydrangea

A hydrangea bouquet should be a good choice for those who want a simple elegance nosegay bouquet. Hydrangea is native to southern and eastern Asia. White is the most species color. Other species can be pink, blue, purple, and red. Hydrangea has a unique shape. Its shape is suitable for making a nosegay bouquet.

Carnation

Carnation is the flower of love. Carnations usually are used for showing love and fascination. But cultivars of many colors can bring different symbol from each color. For example, white carnation may symbolize the purity of Mother's Day. Actually, the carnation is a species of Dianthus. Colors include pink (natural color), red, white, yellow and green.

Stephanotis

Stephanotis can make a simple cake become elegant. The flower has white petals, star-shaped flower, and dark green leaves. The best known stephanotis species is Stephanotis floribunda whose are popular component of wedding bouquets.

Tulips

The look is instantly fresh. The flowers come with hundreds varieties with typically have one flower per stem and are available year-round. Many people think that tulips are flowers from the Dutch. Actually, tulips are native to Central Asia & Persian Empire. The vast majority of tulips are being exported from Holland to all over the world.

Gerbera

The name was taken from the last name of the German naturalist Traugott Gerber. Gerbera is a genus of sunflower family. The flowers grow with less water, so they are suitable for home gardening. Gerbera is popular for wedding bouquet because it is vary greatly in shape, color, and size. The capitulum is composed of hundreds of individual flowers.

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies are elegant flower. The flowers are very popular choices for bridal bouquets, flower arrangements, & home decoration because of its range of colors available with unique shapes. Calla lilies are poisonous plants, so if you want to arrange a bouquet made with calla lilies, consider to keep it far from children & pet.

Roses

The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. Roses symbolize love with various color (white, pink, & red), beautiful shape, and more than a hundred species. Its beautiful shape with good smell can touch the heart of many people. No wonder if roses is the most favorite flowers in the world. Rose is also a durable flower. The characteristics of a good rose are: long stemmed, bold petals, & has minimum five petals.

Floristry of Passion


For a flower to look more beautiful and elegant, a special technique or skill is applied on it. Floristry, flower arranging, floral arrangement, floral design or floral arts is the art of creating flower arrangements in vases, bowls and baskets, or making bouquets and compositions from cut flowers, foliage, herbs, ornamental grasses and other botanical materials. A florist’s responsibilities includes selecting flowers that will look good together, knowing how to cut, treat, and arrange flowers and other stock plants so they will remain fresh as long as possible, and (as explained above) selling them, which involves knowledge of customer requirements and expectations.

Knowing how to form wreaths, bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres/'buttonholes', artificial arrangements and other more complicated arrangements is also important. Florists are very commonly seen on any flower shops, making floral arrangements on flowers to make it look more appealing and significant, just like the Florists here in the Philippines. Philippine Florists can also be seen on any kind of flower shop, especially in a place called the Dangwa Flower Market where an over of 50 flower shops exists. But aside from flower shops that you see on the streets or on the mall, there are also some Philippine Florists working on an online flower shop. And among them is the Flowers Express.

Flowers Express is an online flower shop that specializes in selling, delivering, and providing the best floral arrangements from the best Philippine Florists in the Philippines. The Flowers Express offers a wide collection of flowers to their customers such as Roses, Alstroemerias, Carnations, Ecuadorian Roses, Gerberas, Lilies, Orchids, Spring Flowers and Tulips. Flowers Express also offers the talents of their Philippine Florists when it comes to floral arrangements or flower arrangements. Flowers Express’ Philippine Florists can offer different kinds of floral arrangements on your flowers befitting a specific occasion or sentiment such as Anniversaries, Congratulations, Christmas, Get Well, Love & Romance, Sorry, Thank You, Welcome Home and Valentines Special.

Flowers Express can also provide their customers with a free delivery on all of their flowers to any part of the Philippines. This is mainly because Flowers Express is owned and operated by eLBC Direct, Inc., an LBC company that is dedicated to providing Filipinos access to products and services apart from the traditional products offered by LBC. If you want more information about the Flowers Express and the talents of their Philippine Florists, then visit www.flowersexpress.com.ph.

5 Ways To Put Flowers On Your Wedding Cake




A great way to coordinate your wedding cake with the rest of the wedding theme is by using flowers on your cake.Here are 5 very easy and highly effective ways of placing flowers onto a wedding cake.
1. Flower topper - This is when you or your florist arrange a small group of flowers that are the same colour and type as used in the bouquets. This can be done very quickly by arranging them into a small piece of oasis with a plastic base.

2. Rose sandwich - When roses are placed in-between each tier of the cake. The wedding cake is constructed on thin pillars and tiered with a gap of approximately 1 ¼ inches between each tier. Your florist or yourself can then easily place roses cut and taped to about 2 inches in length into the gap. You must ensure that the roses are tightly packed and lay flush with the cake so that you don't have any gaps showing.

3. Flower trail - A flowing line of flowers that trail down the cake. This method is best suited to cakes that are tiered directly on top of each other. You start by individually wiring your chosen flower heads. Group several heads together, tape and secure on the top of the cake by gently pushing the taped wire stems into the cake. Then work your way down the cake pushing flower heads in at regular intervals. To create a strong band place the flower heads closely together.

4. Linked flower toppers - If you have a gap in-between your cake tiers and a flower arrangement on each tier you can easily link them together. Simply take a few stems of steelgrass and use it to link each of the flower arrangements to each other.

5. Scattered petals or flower heads - If you have no room to place flowers onto your cake or if you are having individual cupcakes. Scattering rose petals around the base of the wedding cake is a wonderful way to link in your colour theme. Individual flower heads look very pretty when placed in-between cupcakes on a tiered cake stand.

Don't forget some flowers and foliages are not suitable to use on cakes as they are poisonous. Ivy is one of those. If you're in doubt ask for advice from your florist or cake maker.

To see more pictures of wedding cake flowers visit http://www.wedding-cake-advice.com. Here you will also find ideas on unique wedding cakes and chocolate wedding cakes.

The Meaning of Flowers in Human Culture



“meaning of flowers” - The meaning of flowers is something that can be discussed from both an historical and present perspective. For many cultures flowers have had different meanings, but there are many similarities that last even to this day. Peace, beauty, purity, strength – all of these and more can be linked to flowers.

It has long been a custom that lovers will gift one another with flowers as a declaration of their desire and faithfulness. This is a custom that still stands today. Often, the flowers are chosen due to their meaning to someone, usually as a result of personal taste or favoritism. In addition to this, the individual meaning of the blooms can be an influence in the selection. When you are choosing flowers for a loved one, you may wish to consider the historical meaning behind each blossom.

The chrysanthemum has long been a popular flower for a wedding or similar happy occasion, with both the red and white varieties carrying the meaning of true love for another. The carnation has been used for Mother’s Day for over a century. The white variety is ideal for this purpose, as the yellow carries with it a message of disappointment or disdain, and the striped variety are used as a refusal to let someone know you can’t be with them.

The daffodil can have the meaning of a new beginning, but is also used to convey true love. As a result, it is appropriately associated with the tenth wedding anniversary. The azalea, considered in China as the symbol of womanhood, carries also the meaning of love and romance. Similarly, ivy can mean affection and friendship, and is used as a symbol of marriage.

Poppy flowers are used in Canada for Remembrance Day, and carry with them the meaning of consolation and pleasure in their white form, but wealth and success in their yellow. Magnolia flowers suggest dignity and nobility, but also a love for nature. The peony can mean shame, but is also used for good health and prosperity. A purple hyacinth has the meaning of apology, whereas a yellow one indicates jealousy.

The ever-popular orchid can mean love, but is often used to indicate beauty – specifically in a woman. In China, the orchid demonstrates longevity as well as beauty.

Many flowers are specific to a particular anniversary. Consult with a florist to help you determine the right flowers for the occasion and if you have a question about the meaning behind a particular bloom. They’ll be happy to help!

MATTHEW HARLEY is an award-winning freelance writer and search engine expert who has written extensively for the advertising industry. DOYLE BOLT is President of Bolt Family Florist, and owner of the Brant Florist operating unit. For more great flower information, Visit Brant Florist today!

http://brantflorist.com/

Flower Tips for Party Decorations



Flowers are a popular accessory to use for party decorations but, you may need a few tips to help your decorations go from fair to fabulous. Decide what kinds of flower go with the kind of party you're going to throw. Roses are romantic, tulips are elegant, daisies or sunflowers are whimsical and carnations are casual.

You can use real or silk flowers for your centerpieces or for table top decorations. You may want to arrange centerpieces ahead of time so that all of your party preparations don't have to be done at the last minute. Silk flowers are perfect for this accommodation.

If you want to help fresh flowers last longer there are a few things you need to do. Make sure that you use only healthy flowers. There should be no brown spots or wilting pedals. Cut the stems of the flowers at an angle underwater, place the flowers in lukewarm water and add a little lemon-lime soda to the water to give your flowers an extra punch.

If you are using flowers for centerpieces keep the arrangements high for a buffet table, low and long for a sit-down dinner and small and scaled down for smaller tables. Use unique and inventive items to place the flowers in. Look for elegant shaped vases, beautiful bowls or even silver or metal trays.

To create interest and beauty to your centerpieces fill the bottom of clear vases with colored stone or add floating candles to a centerpiece with few flowers. Using an online florist such as www.florists.tk will save you time. Shopping on the internet you can find all of the supplies you will need to create a wonderful setting for your party.

Another flower tip is to only use the petals of flowers in your decorating. Using this method is a great way to use your own flowers that are not picture perfect. Sprinkle pedals on table tops and other flat surfaces with a few candles as your decorative statement.

Viewing Tulips at the Tulip Festival in Holland MI



If you love Spring, tulips are blooming from mid-April to mid-May. This is your time. The Tulip festival in Holland MI occurs in the first part of May every year. In fact, Tulip Time in Holland, MI is the official celebration of one of the largest Dutch ethnic events in the midwest United States. If you have always wanted to see a close imitation of the Netherlands, visit Holland, MI to see beautiful tulip fields in full bloom.

Holland Michigan tulips are on display, depending on the Spring weather and the growing season. In 2007, the tulip season seems to be on track and the Holland tulip festival is scheduled for May 5- May 12, 2007. The city of Holland features a line up of tulip viewing, entertainment, events and ethnic celebrations for tulip lovers and families. Here is what to see when you visit Holland, MI for Tulip Time.

Fields of Authentic Festival Holland Tulips
When you drive down River Street from US 31, you will see the beginnings of tulip flowers that fill the Holland, MI area. The city claims that more than 5,000,000 tulips are on display in parks, along streets and in local attractions. For starters, visit the Veldheer Tulip Farm. This attractive farm began in 1945 with 100 red tulips and 300 white tulips. Now, there are millions of tulip bulbs that blossom every Spring. The farm hosts multiple gardens that teem with white tulips, yellow Big Smile, orange Apricot Dream, red Appeldorn, and literally dozens of other varieties and colors.

The Veldheer Tulip Farm displays lily tulips, Darwin Hybrid tulips, peony (double) tulips, parrot tulips, Triumph tulips and specialty tulips. The grounds show blue, white, and pink hyacinths, white and yellow daffodils and narcissi. Each garden has a numbered stake that identifies the type of flower. Visitors match the flower number with a printed guide sheet to learn more about the flowers. For those who want to order Holland tulip bulbs, visitors can order Holland tulip bulbs from the guide sheet, which are shipped the following September. Admission to the farm is $10 for adults, $5 for children. The Veldheer Tulip Farm is located on Quincy Street, just off Highway US 31, about 3 miles north of Holland.

If you are taking children and the family to Holland, make sure to visit Nelis' Dutch Village. Dutch Village is a family theme park model buildings, authentic Dutch chocolate and licorice, Delftware, a wooden shoe factory, a working street organ, bell tower and photo spots for adults and children. Dutch Village offers a beautiful setting for family fun. The spot has buildings modeled after 1800's Netherlands cottage architecture. Dutch Village had smaller patches of tulips that are spread throughout the grounds. Each "garden" is identified by numbered stakes so that visitors know what the tulips are. Dutch Village is on US 31 on the northern edge of Holland. Admission for adults is 10; $5 for children.

A third scenic spot to view tulips during the Holland Tulip Festival is Windmill Island. Windmill Island is the home of the "De Zwaan" (graceful bird,) a 240 year-old working windmill from the Netherlands. Located just off 7th Street, Windmill Island offers a shopping area, historic architecture including the Posthouse museum (14th century replica of a wayside inn. During Spring, Windmill Island boasts 150,000 tulips; during summer and fall, the gardens offer colorful annuals. Admission is $10 for adults.

You can wander downtown Holland on 8th Street and view the many attractive settings and plantings of tulip flowers. Then, drive along the eight miles of curbside tulips planted throughout the city. You can get some inspiring ideas for creating and enhancing the tulip garden at your home.

Make your Spring a joyful one; visit Tulip Time, the tulip festival in Holland MI.