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