Winter House Plant Care:

With our outside gardens finished for the year, I have now turned my attentions to the care of my houseplants. In areas where temperatures reach the freezing point, it is time to bring indoors any of those plants that were placed outside. Plants having experienced the ravages of a harsh summer are now ready for some TLC. Prune away any damaged and yellow leaves, along with any straggly branches. It is best to isolate these plants from your strictly indoor plants for a short time to make sure there are no harmful insect hitchhikers on them. If you discover any, go to your garden center and look for products suitable for house plants (and people too!).

With the reduced light and temperatures of the season, most green plants will go into a period of dormancy. There will be little or no growth. So along with these cut backs, be careful to not overwater your plants. The soil may not dry out as quickly as it would in a warm sunny place. Keep the soil lightly moist by checking with your finger tips or a soil moisture meter. In addition, be very sparing with fertilizer. Also, if your house is very low in humidity, you can mist the foliage with water (except African Violets or Gloxinia).

In the placement of house plants, never put a plant on top of a heat source, including radiators, wood stoves and old fashioned TVs. In northern regions, the more light you can provide, the better.

Enjoy the touch of nature that plants bring to the “Great Indoors”!

Posted by Mary

Making This Simple Arrangement:

At eleven inches in overall height this small arrangement has a big impact. Using just a few flowers in bold colors, this pretty, basic line design is easy to do.
The materials we used are: Pottery dish with frog purchased from Christopher Vaughn Pottery at the Essex Junction Farmers Market, two small sprigs of variegated pittosporum, three yellow daisy mum blooms, one stem purple iris and two sprigs of purple status. .

Start with the pottery dish and place the sprigs of pittosporum at the base to cover the mechanics. Next add the daisy mum blooms, starting with the bottom one and continue upwards, spacing evenly and placing each of the blooms behind the last. Add the iris. And finally, for the finishing touch, add the sprigs of purple status at the base of your design.

Now you are ready to enjoy your arrangement. Remember to add water daily.

Posted by Mary

A Vase of Flowers Adds the Perfect Touch to Alfresco Dining.

There is nothing like eating outside with family and friends. And a vase of flowers really makes an ordinary dinner feel like a special event. It is really easy to put something together.
Look in your cupboard for a container. Think outside the box … Use a goblet, pitcher, or that nice vase you’ve forgotten about. Forage around your yard for unusual greenery and blooms. Don’t forget to consider sticks, pods and berries. Then spice it up with some focal flowers. If you don’t have any, buy a few stems. They can really add pizzazz.
Collect your materials with a sharp knife and immediately place them into a gathering container filled with water.
Now have fun with designing something in your display container. For a table piece, you’ll want to make it “all around” in style so that everyone can enjoy your beautiful work. Keep the overall height below the line of sight of the diners so they can see each other while engaging in conversation. Remember to use slightly warm water with flower preservative (available at the flower shop). Remove all leaves from the stems that will be submerged in water to prevent rot and bacteria from forming and change the water every day or two. The flowers will also last longer if not exposed to direct sun. Now you’re ready to fire up the grill, set the table, and open that bottle of wine that is chilling.
Bon Appetit!
For more tips on arranging flowers take a look at our Flower Arranging 101 post on May 16, 2011.

Posted by Mary

Buying Flowers through a Broker:

Here’s the scenario … You’ve ordered flowers and are disappointed with what was received. So what happened? Where did my money go?

If you bought them through a place like Just Flowers, FTD.com, Blooms Today etc., remember that you are using a broker service. And just like buying anything from a broker (say tickets for instance), there are broker fees that are added on. Unfortunately, we’ve found that these fees may not be adequately disclosed to you when you order. So the total dollar amount you paid is not given to the local florist or reflected in the product received.

Be a savvy shopper, skip the broker and go to the source. Contact a local flower shop for the best prices, local selection and personal customer service.  A local business cares about their customers!

Find out more at: http://www.floristdetective.com/
Posted by Mary

How to Get the Most Out of Your Wedding Consultation:

Now that we are entering the busy wedding season, here are some tips to make the most of your wedding consultation. Although we always welcome walk-ins, it is usually best to give us a call and make an appointment. That way we are sure to be able to spend exclusive time with you.

And when you call, we will get some information from you which will help us make suggestions for you.
 First of all, we need to know the date, time and locations for the ceremony and reception.
 What is the style and color of your gown?
 How many attendants will there be, and what will they be wearing? (Style and color)
 What type of overall look are you interested in? (i.e. simple, elegant, garden …)
 Are there any flowers and/or colors you especially like or don’t like?
 Are you working within a budget?

At your appointment, bring with you any ideas, colors or pictures of things you like, along with fabric swatches. Our wedding specialists are here to help you with designs, style, and budget.  We love to meet with brides and help plan that special day.
Posted by Mary

Flower Arranging 101:

Don’t be afraid of arranging flowers. First select flowers based on how they will look grouped together as a bouquet … keeping size and colors in mind. Remember to include some greenery in your selection. Next choose a container. You can use just about anything from a formal elegant vase to a casual and whimsical container … Just as long as it holds water. (Otherwise unusable containers can be lined with a strong plastic bag or plastic cup.) Now create some structure to hold the stems. There are commercially available floral frogs with spikes to hold your flowers. Other methods use greenery or branches woven together for support. You can even use a chicken wire ball dropped into the container. Special floral foam called Oasis can be purchased from the flower shop. Next decide on the shape you would like to achieve. Shapes include all-around, fronted, or asymmetrical. Outline your design with your tallest flowers and fill in with the other flowers … cutting and removing any foliage from the stems as needed. Greenery also adds shape and dimension to the overall design. Flower arranging is an expressive art form. Have fun with it! Admire your handiwork and keep the water clean and topped up.
Posted by Mary

Why should you choose a bricks-and-mortar flower shop?

There are lots of online sources to order flowers from. So why should you call us, a retail florist? Well, first of all, retail florists are the ones who fill those orders from places like; 1800Flowers, FTD.com and Just Flowers, We charge less than these order gatherers. (Why pay a service charge to a “middle-man”?!) We personally handle your order from start to finish. In other words … starting with taking your order, we design and deliver of your gift. And unlike those call centers, where you are just talking to a phone operator (who may have never been inside a flower shop), we know the product, local conditions, people and places. We love to help you with ideas and recommendations ... We are professional florists and care about our business. Plus, we’re physically here (not offshore) so you can talk to us about your order at any time. And by doing business with a local shop, you are supporting the local economy and keeping your dollar in the community. Bottom line? We give you the local, personalized, professional service you deserve and want.
Posted by Mary

DIY Wedding Flower Workshop, Satuday 16, 2011 @ 2:00 PM

Some brides want to do their own flowers and buy bulk flowers and supplies from us.
On Saturday April 16th, we are hosting a two hour hands on class which will cover care and handling of product, elementary bouquet, centerpiece and body flower design.  We will be making a bridal bouquet, centerpiece, corsage and boutonniere.  Tools will be provided for you to use during the workshop. The class will be taught by our wedding consultant, Wendy Baldwin.  Wendy has over 20 years of experience in the floral industry. 
The $30.00 fee includes flower designs which you will be able to take home with you.   Please plan to come a few minutes early to settle in and view our store.
Space is limited so sign up soon.  Call us at 802-878-8113. 
We look forward to seeing you here!
Posted by Mary

A Spring Makeover:

If you’re weary of winter, so are your houseplants. Those dark and dry indoor conditions have really taken a toll. Now is the time to look them over with a critical eye and give them some extra TLC. Remove any dry or yellowed leaves. If they have gotten leggy from darkness, prune them back to encourage new side growth. While you’re up close and personal, look for any signs of insect infestation. (A magnifying glass can help with this task.) If you see bugs, consider discarding the plant and treating yourself to a new one so it does not infect any other plants you may have. Now look at the soil and pot size. You can gently remove the plant from the pot by inverting it and giving the pot a gentle tap. If the root ball is crammed looking, it is time to divide the plant into two pots or repot it into a larger pot. At this stage, chances are the soil is depleted of nutrients, so new soil will really give it new life. Use a good commercial bagged potting soil that is light and full of organic matter.  As the days get longer and warmer it is time to start fertilizing again. Any good houseplant food used according to the label will do. Your plants will reward you with new vibrant growth and flowers. Enjoy!
Posted by Mary

Taking Care of Your Cut Roses.

A rose is a queen of flowers.   Whether your roses are boxed, wrapped or in a vase, here are a few pointers for maximum enjoyment.  First and foremost in terms of rose care, is the issue of water.  Roses hate to be out of water for long, so get them in water quickly.  Before putting your roses in a vase, re-cut the stems with a sharp knife.  (Scissors tend to crush the stem.)  An angle cut is best.  Be sure to use clean water, slightly warm in temperature (around 100 degrees F), and add flower preservative.  Keeping your roses in a cooler location and out of the sun will also help them to last longer.  If a rose droops over, this means that an air bubble has formed a blockage in the stem.  Submerge the entire rose and stem in warm water and cut off about 1”.  Straighten out the stem and leave submerged for a couple of hours.  This often revives the rose.  Check the water level in the vase daily and add water to keep it full.  For the longest vase life, change the water and re-cut the stems every couple of days.
Posted by Mary

What if the Obituary states "In lieu of flowers".

Some folks are unsure if it is OK to send flowers if an obituary states in lieu of flowers. In a word, yes, flowers are always appropriate. Flowers can be a real comfort to both the giver and the receiver. They can be sent to the funeral home or to the residence of the person you wish to comfort. They are a very personal, lingering and beautiful reminder of your sympathetic thoughts.
Posted by Mary

What should I know about Funeral Flowers:

Funerals are a celebration and remembrance of someone loved as a family member or friend.  With the gathering of friends, neighbors and relatives, those left behind share their loss and receive support.  Flowers are an integral part of this.  Family members can use their flowers to celebrate the uniqueness of this person.  Special items of significance can be included in the arrangement.  For example, flowers for the remembrance of a sports fan can include a team logo.  Or tools and items from a profession or hobby can be included.  In addition, flowers can be arranged in unusual containers. A floral display in a tool box for example, would make a special display for a mechanic. 
We are pleased to help make your flowers a unique expression of your loved one’s life.  Think about what was important to your loved one and bring these ideas to us.  It is a comfort to know that you can express your special relationship though flowers. All through the time of remembering, these displays can be also used as part of a viewing, service and a reception.
Posted by Mary