Topic: Flower Facts
Wildflowers and how to use them
The prospect of wild flowers growing in grass is a thrilling one, but I must sound a note of warning! If you have a large garden and an out of the way place where grass and wild flowers may grow in happy confusion, that is fine. But should your garden be small I would strongly recommend you to move with caution — after the first few weeks of delight the long grass will start to look a mess and very unattractive. It will also be difficult to get it back into shape as a lawn again. I believe Lady Bird Johnson was responsible for having thousands of seeds scattered on the road verges of Washington during her husband’s presidency, and I think that was a lovely thing to do.
If you are thinking of gathering wild flowers from the countryside it is important to have a clear view about conservation. Nowadays with the ever- increasing amount of building it is essential that we watch over our precious native plants. This is especially necessary in rural areas where the rarer species such as orchis, fritillaria, lily of the valley and other delightful flowers are at risk. The sorts of wild flowers you can safely pick are what I call ‘wayside flowers’ — wild flowers that grow along the sides of roads and which will be cut down anyway by the council when the verges are ‘tidied’. You will be surprised how many wild flowers delivered Pakenham you will find — I have used dog daisies, which spring up in hundreds whenever any waste land is disturbed, sorrel and docks, hemlock, cow parsnip, parsley and carrot (better know in the USA as Queen Anne’s lace), willow herb and grasses of all kinds. They all flourish abundantly and picking them will not worry the conservationists.
The versatility of flowers
Funerals and weddings have something in common – flowers! In both cases, flowers are used to celebrate life; the end of a life and the beginning of a couple's life together. Flowers send many different messages for all sorts of different occasions.
An arrangement of daisies can be sent to cheer someone up and let them know that you're thinking of them. A dozen long-stemmed red roses says, “I love you” quite clearly. Flowers can be sent with get-well wishes, happy birthday wishes, congratulations on your new job or graduation, apologies, and of course, to new mothers to celebrate the birth of their new little one.
But let's face it; people can get through an illness, a birthday, a graduation, and more without a single blossom. That's not the case with a wedding. Start talking about a wedding and images of flowers come to mind. A wedding simply wouldn't be a wedding without a flower delivery Paihia of a bridal bouquet and the many other arrangements that are part of the big day. From reception centerpieces, to corsages, to flower girl baskets to the wedding bouquets themselves, flowers are an essential element in a wedding.
Preservation is the key
What could possibly be more beautiful than a bunch of fresh, scented flowers delivered by a reliable florist? They just ooze beauty and freshness bringing to life the most drab of rooms. However, fresh flowers delivered Banning have a short shelf life as we all know too well. Drying the flowers at the right time, and using the right technique, can preserve them as close to their original beauty as possible. Which would you prefer, a week of fragrant fresh flowers, or a lifetime with a gorgeous dried floral arrangement?
An Open Posy
When ordering flowers for a funeral, many customers prefer to send a natural-looking tribute, such as an open posy or basket. The open posy can be made in a range of sizes, and various combinations of flowers and foliage can be used. This would be a suitable tribute to suggest for a child’s funeral or for a design to be sent on behalf of children to the funeral of a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin or friend. They have that childlike feel to them, which makes them ideal when children are involved. If you are unsure when to use posys, just canvass some other florists Clapham for their opinion, I'm sure you'll find someone willing to share their knowledge.
Simple Steps to Long-lasting Cut Flowers
Keep the water fresh and deep. For maximum life, change the water in your vase at least every third day. Many flowers benefit from fresh water daily. There is a direct correlation between clean water and long flower life. When you change the water, cut ½ inch off the base of the stems with a sharp instrument. Also consult with your florist for the best advice when you take your flower delivery Hengrove.
Go Hardy for winter months
Hardy annuals are beautiful plants that will produce flowers even in the cold winter season. These annual flowers are planted during the spring season or fall season when the weather is not that cold. Unlike other annuals, these hardy annual flowers don't like hot weather as they are not heat tolerant. These are certainly not suitable for a flower delivery Telford, in Newcastle, whose climate is considerably warmer than other parts of Australia. As their name suggests, hardy annuals are very resilient plants.
My dearest flower series - Gladiolus
Gladioluses are grown primarily for cutting, and few if any other plants offer such a wide variety or mass of color for bouquets, which make excellent gifts to be sent by Culverhouse Cross flower delivery. Plants range from 1 foot to over 5 feet in height, depending upon the variety and growing conditions. Although individual plants bloom only for a week to 10 days, a staggered planting schedule will assure flowers for about three months. All have sword-shaped foliage that may remain green until cut down by frost.
Of the 150 or more wild forms of the genus, plant breeders have used about a dozen South African species in developing G. hybridus, the familiar modern "glads." Because of their complex ancestry, these hybrids are classified by color and flower size. The North American Gladiolus Council recognizes 28 different basic colors and lists them in a numerical sequence beginning with white (coded 00-01) through green, cream, yellow, buff, orange, salmon, scarlet, pink, red, rose, lavender, purple and blue to smoky, tan and brown (96-97). Numbers have been reserved in the ranges where new colors are expected to be developed.
Starting a flower garden?
Study the problems, such as an ugly shed to be hidden, or a cold prevailing wind; draw in the features you want to emphasize, such as a fine tree or a natural slope, and remember practical considerations. A flower delivery West Derby could be a thing of the past once your lovely garden is established. Ask all your friends for advice: everyone loves to give advice, though you may not want to take it all. Often you will find that something will strike one person and something else another, and you will be given quite a lot of useful ideas. For example, we had decided to make a path between the house and a wall, and some sensible friend said ‘Make it wide enough for the barrow.’ I have never ceased to be grateful for the enormous amount of walking that advice saved me.
Using wire to support flowers
Long stemmed flowers may be wired to give support and control. Select a wire that gives support, but not rigidity, and where possible conceal wires internally. All support wires must finish at the stem end.
There are three basic forms of support wiring that a florist Moody may choose to use, the choice depending on the stem structure: internal wiring, for hollow stems; semi-internal, for soft stems, and external for woody/hard stems.
External method
Insert the wire (either taped or coated) into the flower base and twist it around the stem at regular intervals.
Semi-internal
Insert the (taped or coated) wire into the stem, 4-5cm (l’ii-2in) below the flower and push it up into the base. The protruding wire is twisted around the stem, avoiding the foliage.
Internal wiring
Make a small hook at one end of the wire. With the flower in your left hand (reverse if left-handed), insert the wire through the flower and down the stem, hiding the hook in the flower. The long-stemmed flower is now ready to be used.
How about this?
Whilst we aim to provide you with a never ending supply of flower facts, you may like to check out The Florist Chronicles if you want even more! You can never have too many tips and facts when you love flowers, or wish to have a career in the floral industry.