A pretty flower - Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan)
Characteristics: Black-eyed Susan is a showy, daisy like native American perennial often found in natural meadows and along roadsides. It provides wonderful garden color all summer long. Black-eyed Susans make long lasting cut flowers. Their range of petal colors includes yellow, orange, red and bronze. When the petals fall off, they leave a dark, attractive cone-shaped center. This dark core is excellent for use in dried arrangements. Rudbeckia hirta 'Gloriosa Daisy' has profuse displays of large blooms up to 5 inches across on 3-foot stems.
Cultural Information: Plant black-eyed Susan 2 feet apart in average, well-drained soil. Divide the clumps in spring or autumn every four years. Dividing will ensure a more robust production of blooms. These tolerant plants will grow in poor soil and can withstand rough handling if Bald Hills flower delivery is being used for shipment.
Harvesting/Drying: You can harvest black-eyed Susan at any time during its development. Just decide what size center you want to dry. Remove the petals and hang up the centers to dry. If you prefer, simply allow the flowers to mature on the stems and harvest later. The individual petals can be pressed and then reattached to the core with glue before mounting on a board.

Spread those blooms around the home
There is no reason to restrict flowers to specific locations. Flowers are now so affordable and so easily available that we can live with them every day, all around the house — in the kitchen, the bathroom or next to the computer. Perch them on a ledge, a windowsill, the edge of the bath, the landing, or even on the floor. Be bold, too, with your container. Experiment with something that usually serves a different purpose, such as a large, glass salad bowl, or even a collection of chunky candles that have been hollowed out and stuffed with dampened floral foam to keep flower stems moist. These materials can be supplied by good florists Hawkes Bay in your area.
Because they are almost prodigal in their ubiquity, carnations often get a bad rap. But carnations are more versatile, and varied than a clichéd buttonhole would lead you to believe. Unlike hasty carnations, sweet peas are one of nature’s most tender stemmed flowers, and their vase life is short — just a few days. Packing them in tightly gives them strength in numbers, and shows them off in all their frothy charm.

Do your homework on your florist
Although a professional flower stylist can enhance your special day with beautiful floral arrangements, the florist must know your style, criteria and budget. Many attributes must be carefully thought through before selecting a florist or flower shop. Carefully read through the information in this blog to save you time, money and unsatisfactory results from your delivery of flowers Bromsgrove. Florists are like any other profession - there are good ones, and there are bad ones. do your homework and make sure you end up with one of the good guys.

Nosegays
Nosegays or tussie mussies are fun to create and make wonder­ful gifts if you would like to send flowers Miles Platting to someone you love. They can be made with fresh or dried flowers. A certain amount of stress will cause the dry stems to break. Caution should be taken when working with all dried material for this reason. For fresh flowers, use a selection of flowers that air-dry well. Collect the flowers one by one and hold them tightly in your hand while intertwining their stems in a crisscross pattern. When you are pleased with the combinations of color and textures, wrap the stems together with a rubber band or a piece of wire high up and close to the flower heads. If fresh flowers were used, hang the bouquet upside down until dry. After it is dry, it will be strong enough to stand up on a dresser or table without the support of a container. Before placing it on a table, tie a pretty ribbon or raffia around the rubber band. Tiny nosegays can also be used to decorate a narrow mantle or as favors on a dinner table.

Floribunda Roses
Floribunda roses blossom almost continuously except for a short midwinter dormant period in some climates, and from spring until frost in most areas. Combining the virtues of their parents (the hardy polyantha, with its clusters of small blossoms, and the showy hybrid tea rose, with its large blossoms on long stems) they produce clusters of moderately large blooms on fairly long stems, and are relatively hardy, most varieties surviving without winter protection in mild climate areas.
Most varieties have elegant, high-centered, 2- to 4-inch blossoms, with long, pointed buds similar to those of hybrid teas. The blossoms are often heavily doubled, with up to 60 or more petals; there are also five-petaled single blossoms and semidoubles with fewer than 20 petals. Colors range from snowy white and cream to yellow, apricot, orange, coral, pink, red and lavender. Compact, well-shaped bushes usually grow 2 to 3 feet tall and wide and have foliage and thorns similar to but smaller than those of hybrid teas.
Floribundas make good hedges and can be massed in beds of their own or in front of taller roses. They provide constant color and good cut flowers Little Ethiopia.

Too hot to handle
While some flower species can't tolerate lots of hot summer weather, the half hardy annuals may sometimes droop in this weather but they will perk up in the later summer months. You can choose some tender annuals like scarlet sage, morning glory, petunias, begonias, celosia, balsam, nasturtium, and verbena. Flowers that can withstand almost anything a Queensland winter has to throw at it can be found in the local shop you use to get your flowers delivered Battlefield. Always do your homework prior to planting as some plants just can't handle the heat of summer.

Tree Roses
Tree roses, which look like small trees, are man-made plants that may be of almost any rose variety. They usually consist of three plants: a sturdy rootstock onto which is budded another rose variety that produces a sturdy trunk, or standard, which in turn supports a budded-on plant that forms the flower-bearing crown. Nurseries sometimes combine the first two steps by growing a strong rootstock that also produces a tall standard, but in either case the process is slow and takes skill; for this reason a rose variety costs several times more in tree form than it does as a bush.
Because the tender bud joint at the top of the stan­dard is very vulnerable to frost damage, most tree roses are hardy enough to survive winter weather without protection only in warm climates; elsewhere, St Michaels florists must wrap them snugly, or partially dig them up and bury them flat in the ground, unearthing and erecting them when spring comes.
Varieties with strong, upright stems like hybrid teas are the most popular tree roses; their round, stately crowns of blossoms make a striking sight, especially in formal gardens. Climbers also create spectacular ef­fects: when weighted with flowers, their long, pliant stems droop over like graceful weeping willows.

Research what you want

This step is very important before you talk to your florist. Discuss what type of flowers you prefer for your special occasion. To get more ideas, look around in local flower shops or even online. Get a taste of the quality of flower delivery Whitchurch and the range of flower arrangements in your area. Knowing what color, size or type of flower you want will let your florist tailor to you. Also, researching different flowers trends can give you more creativity with flowers. If you are aware of what flowers are in season, your purchased flowers will stay strong and stay healthier, longer.

Roses That Are Not Roses
Many plants having “rose” as part of their names are not related to the rose family of flowers Columbus Circle at all, but are associated with it because of the shape or color of their blooms. The Christmas rose, for example, is an evergreen perennial whose white blossoms turn a roselike pink in winter. Rose mallow is another name for the stately hibiscus. Rose moss (not to be confused with the moss rose), is an annual of the portulaca genus with roselike flowers, and rose-of-heaven is a member of the pink family that boasts handsome, rose-colored flowers. Rose of Sharon, named after the Biblical plain, is actually a type of hibiscus with showy pink blossoms.

Additional information
If you love flowers as much as we do you may also enjoy Flower Power. Another blog dedicated to bringing you the very best florist information on the internet.

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.

Silver wedding anniversary
A family get-together or a party will often accompany this anniversary, to help the couple celebrate their 25 years of marriage. Arrangements for the home or for the party should continue to reflect the silver theme. Flowers in pinks, pale lilac and white are put together with silver ribbons, little silver picks and, more recently, silver congratulation balloons.
Customers often bring silver bowls or vases to be filled with flowers delivered Emersons Green for the occasion. To protect the container and to enable the flower preservatives to work effectively, use a liner or inner plastic container.
The arrangement can be a delicious combination of flowers and foliage types. Larkspur, veronica, phlox, lilies, freesias, anemones and carnations make a lovely summer bouquet for an anniversary couple.

Wedding flowers on a budget

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

The Internet is your friend
Sending flowers online can be a fast and convenient way for on-the-go folks to give a quick gift to the ones they love. Same day or next day delivery can get your flowers there on time. Another option is to place your flower order with a Greenway Florist ahead of time. Reminder services are also available to allow people to remember that important date or occasion. Many florists will actually send you a reminder when an important date you have registered with them is approaching. No more forgetting anniversaries or birthdays, your local florist becomes your very own personal assistant!

Winter Arrangements
Flowers associated with winter include hellebores which, although not generally available as a cut flower, can be purchased as pot plants. This is also true of the poinsettia, which will last much longer if the roots can be retained. Poinsettias are now available in pinks and creamy whites as well as scarlet, and combine beautifully with red carnations and carnation sprays.
The early spring flowers Scotstoun can be teamed with some of the flowering winter branches, such as witch hazel or Viburnum x bodnantense. The first narcissi and tulips appear in winter and these and other spring flowers help to brighten the dark winter days. The spicy scent of hyacinths makes them a favourite, and the delicate beauty of snowdrops is a very special pleasure.

When your flowers are arranged in water…

Be sure to follow the instructions on the floral food packet.
If the water in the vase becomes cloudy… replace the entire contents of the vase with fresh water and new floral food. Re-cut the stems with a sharp knife removing 1" to 2" of the stem. Remove any leaves that will be below the water line to discourage bacterial growth that can clog the stem of the flowers.
When your flowers have woody stems and branches…
Cut the stems with sharp pruning shears. Place the stems in tepid water containing fresh floral food… to promote flower opening. If you ever decide to send flowers Trafford always use a reputable florist.

Ribbons in Floristry
Ribbons form an intrinsic part of floristry and flower arranging. They can transform arrangements and enhance bouquets adding a new dimension to both colour and texture. Most wholesalers have a good selection of basic ribbons, plus many more designed for particular occasions such as Valentine’s Day Christmas or Mothers Day.
A vast range of aerosol paint colours and finishes is available to the florist. Provided simple safety rules are followed, spray painting is a straightforward and cost-effective way of giving a new look to dated containers and accessories. Basic, inexpensive items can he turned into stylish, modern containers and accessories at little cost and then added to any flowers delivered Arleta for additional profit. Individual and personalized effects can easily be created for distinctive designs or special occasions.

An Alice Band Headdress
Being able to offer a selection of head-dresses to a bride is part of a florist’s expertise. The Alice band style makes an attractive alternative to the circlet or garland headdress, and is particularly useful if a bridesmaid has fine, silky hair. Soft thin elastic is threaded through a slot at each end of the band and is taken under the hair at the back of the head, holding the band in position.
Always obtain the head measurement, so the design can be made to the appropriate length. Remember, where possible, to link the colours and types of materials used in the headdress with those being carried. Use good quality, well-conditioned flowers and foliage; it is important to use materials with lasting qualities, as much body heat is lost through the head.
With practice, this attractive headdress is quick and easy to assemble (for all florists Granite Bay), as the only materials which need to be prepared are the ribbon bows, but the glue gun must be handled with care.

What is Conditioning?
Conditioning is the treatment given to cut flowers and foliage in order to encourage the uptake of water and ensure that the vase life is as long as possible.
The general procedure is as follows: remove the packaging and then cut away any foliage that will fall below the waterline; groom the materials, removing damaged foliage, petals or flower heads; cut 2.5-5cm (1-2in) from the stem, cutting diagonally and using a sharp knife (not scissors), and place the materials immediately into prepared tepid water. An angled cut prevents the stem end from standing flat on the container bottom, impeding the water supply. All good florists will perform this kind of conditioning on their flowers whilst preparing them for a flower delivery Huntsville.

Flower care 101

Keep your flowers in a cool area, 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your flowers out of direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, and direct drafts from the sides or above. Don’t place your flowers on anything that gives off heat such as TV’s or heating radiators. Avoid leaving your flowers in the car otherwise your Sydney flower delivery North Corona could wilt badly.

When your flowers arrive in wet Oasis foam…
Keep the floral foam soaked with water containing floral food. The floral shop should provide and extra packet with your arrangement. Be sure to follow the instructions on the floral food packet.

Can't get enough aye?
Ok, so you need even more facts, tips and information on flowers? Well, you're in luck, just head over to Flower Fact File for more great information. Say hi from us as you browse through their mountain of flower and florist tips.

Silver wedding anniversary
A family get-together or a party will often accompany this anniversary, to help the couple celebrate their 25 years of marriage. Arrangements for the home or for the party should continue to reflect the silver theme. Flowers in pinks, pale lilac and white are put together with silver ribbons, little silver picks and, more recently, silver congratulation balloons.
Customers often bring silver bowls or vases to be filled with flowers delivered Emersons Green for the occasion. To protect the container and to enable the flower preservatives to work effectively, use a liner or inner plastic container.
The arrangement can be a delicious combination of flowers and foliage types. Larkspur, veronica, phlox, lilies, freesias, anemones and carnations make a lovely summer bouquet for an anniversary couple.

Wedding flowers on a budget

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

The Internet is your friend
Sending flowers online can be a fast and convenient way for on-the-go folks to give a quick gift to the ones they love. Same day or next day delivery can get your flowers there on time. Another option is to place your flower order with a Greenway Florist ahead of time. Reminder services are also available to allow people to remember that important date or occasion. Many florists will actually send you a reminder when an important date you have registered with them is approaching. No more forgetting anniversaries or birthdays, your local florist becomes your very own personal assistant!

Winter Arrangements
Flowers associated with winter include hellebores which, although not generally available as a cut flower, can be purchased as pot plants. This is also true of the poinsettia, which will last much longer if the roots can be retained. Poinsettias are now available in pinks and creamy whites as well as scarlet, and combine beautifully with red carnations and carnation sprays.
The early spring flowers Scotstoun can be teamed with some of the flowering winter branches, such as witch hazel or Viburnum x bodnantense. The first narcissi and tulips appear in winter and these and other spring flowers help to brighten the dark winter days. The spicy scent of hyacinths makes them a favourite, and the delicate beauty of snowdrops is a very special pleasure.

When your flowers are arranged in water…

Be sure to follow the instructions on the floral food packet.
If the water in the vase becomes cloudy… replace the entire contents of the vase with fresh water and new floral food. Re-cut the stems with a sharp knife removing 1" to 2" of the stem. Remove any leaves that will be below the water line to discourage bacterial growth that can clog the stem of the flowers.
When your flowers have woody stems and branches…
Cut the stems with sharp pruning shears. Place the stems in tepid water containing fresh floral food… to promote flower opening. If you ever decide to send flowers Trafford always use a reputable florist.

Ribbons in Floristry
Ribbons form an intrinsic part of floristry and flower arranging. They can transform arrangements and enhance bouquets adding a new dimension to both colour and texture. Most wholesalers have a good selection of basic ribbons, plus many more designed for particular occasions such as Valentine’s Day Christmas or Mothers Day.
A vast range of aerosol paint colours and finishes is available to the florist. Provided simple safety rules are followed, spray painting is a straightforward and cost-effective way of giving a new look to dated containers and accessories. Basic, inexpensive items can he turned into stylish, modern containers and accessories at little cost and then added to any flowers delivered Arleta for additional profit. Individual and personalized effects can easily be created for distinctive designs or special occasions.

An Alice Band Headdress
Being able to offer a selection of head-dresses to a bride is part of a florist’s expertise. The Alice band style makes an attractive alternative to the circlet or garland headdress, and is particularly useful if a bridesmaid has fine, silky hair. Soft thin elastic is threaded through a slot at each end of the band and is taken under the hair at the back of the head, holding the band in position.
Always obtain the head measurement, so the design can be made to the appropriate length. Remember, where possible, to link the colours and types of materials used in the headdress with those being carried. Use good quality, well-conditioned flowers and foliage; it is important to use materials with lasting qualities, as much body heat is lost through the head.
With practice, this attractive headdress is quick and easy to assemble (for all florists Granite Bay), as the only materials which need to be prepared are the ribbon bows, but the glue gun must be handled with care.

What is Conditioning?
Conditioning is the treatment given to cut flowers and foliage in order to encourage the uptake of water and ensure that the vase life is as long as possible.
The general procedure is as follows: remove the packaging and then cut away any foliage that will fall below the waterline; groom the materials, removing damaged foliage, petals or flower heads; cut 2.5-5cm (1-2in) from the stem, cutting diagonally and using a sharp knife (not scissors), and place the materials immediately into prepared tepid water. An angled cut prevents the stem end from standing flat on the container bottom, impeding the water supply. All good florists will perform this kind of conditioning on their flowers whilst preparing them for a flower delivery Huntsville.

Flower care 101

Keep your flowers in a cool area, 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your flowers out of direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, and direct drafts from the sides or above. Don’t place your flowers on anything that gives off heat such as TV’s or heating radiators. Avoid leaving your flowers in the car otherwise your Sydney flower delivery North Corona could wilt badly.

When your flowers arrive in wet Oasis foam…
Keep the floral foam soaked with water containing floral food. The floral shop should provide and extra packet with your arrangement. Be sure to follow the instructions on the floral food packet.

Can't get enough aye?
Ok, so you need even more facts, tips and information on flowers? Well, you're in luck, just head over to Flower Fact File for more great information. Say hi from us as you browse through their mountain of flower and florist tips.

Plastic and Metal containers
People are often fooled by plastic containers, picking up what they imagine to be a heavy ceramic pot, only to find they are holding a light-weight plastic, for these days the latter can have all the advantages of plastic with the good looks of china. Plastic containers of this type are not inexpensive, but they are likely to last much longer than their more breakable counterparts, and they come in a rainbow range of colours, and in many shapes, sizes and designs. Any good florist Seville East will stock an array of these containers.
Metals
Copper cache-pots and brass containers from goblets to coal buckets, make lovely containers for flowers. The differing textures of the flowers and the shiny containers contrast and act as a foil for each other. Most pedestal stands designed for use .n churches, hotels or marquees are made from wrought iron, and containers of this type are both adaptable and functional.
Whatever your needs, there is a wealth of containers to enhance the beauty of flower and foliage materials.

Sympathy & Memorial
Memorial designs are often taken to the graveside at Christmas and other times of the year to express love and respect, and to offer comfort to the bereaved. The use of evergreens for Christmas decorations is a traditional practice that dates back to ancient times, and from the florists Mt Wellington viewpoint, holly wreaths and crosses offer a practical alternative to cut flowers placed1in cemetery vases, with the advantage that, at a time of year when the elements can quickly damage flowers, evergreens will withstand wind and cold — even frost and snow — and remain attractive for a long time. Cones and clusters of bright red berries are lasting alternatives to the carnations used here.

Finishing touches to a Chaplet
When the foliage basing is complete, give the leaves a coating of leaf shine for a lovely glossy finish. Other foliage can be used in this type of design — the golden-leaved and the silver-leaved varieties of eleagnus are effective, as are camellia leaves and the larger varieties of hedera.
The foliage base requires a bold cluster of flowers to complement it, as any good florist East Birmingham will tell you. The exotic foliage of Joseph’s coat, Codiaeum pictum, harmonizes with the gerberas and the lime-green Singapore orchids to give an exotic feel to the cluster on the chaplet.

Dahlia and Gladiolus Planting
Dahlias are generally planted outdoors as soon as the ground has warmed up and there is no further danger of frost. Gladioluses may be planted in series, a week to 10 days apart, continuing until mid-July. As a more general rule, they may be planted until 60 days before the first expected frost; the gladiolus becomes virtually a year-round plant in frost-free areas, making it a very popular selection for Whalley Range flower delivery. Successive plantings greatly extend the flowering season, since gladioluses of a single variety that are planted in series will bloom in the order in which they were planted. But some called "early blooming" take less time to flower than do those designated "mid season" or "late", so three different varieties planted the same day may bloom weeks apart. By planting in sequence and using different varieties, the shrewd gardener can keep a supply of gladioluses available for cutting all summer long.

My dearest flower series - Lilium
A few years ago, only wild species of lilies were grown in gardens. This is no longer true; a revolution in lily culture has produced hybrids that are more vigorous and colorful, adapt to a greater variety of growing conditions and are freer of disease than their forebears. As a result, gardeners can have a succession of fragrant, blooming lilies from late spring until early fall. Except for a few tried and true species, the new hybrids are the only ones to be recommended.
Lilies can be used anywhere their striking beauty is desired to create a focal point in the garden. They are most effective in small groups, along a hedge or fence or against a dark background of evergreens. Plant at least three bulbs in each group. Colonies of bulbs can be left undisturbed for years, but the bulbs should be lifted and divided when the plants become overcrowded. Easter lilies bought as house plants from a florist Country Club Park can be planted outdoors to flower during summer in following years. Certain Asiatic Hybrids can also be grown as house plants.

Preserving the Beauty of Nature
At the end of the winter I look forward to the awakening of the garden. I de­light in the first signs of spring and the sight of each and every bulb, tree, shrub and flower. I eagerly anticipate the gathering of the first of many floral bouquets so that I may send flowers Craigton to those I hold dear. However, this yearly ritual brings mixed feelings because in the best of circumstances, the cut flowers will last only a few days in water. If only they could last longer! Since the beginning of time, people have wished to preserve the beauty of nature throughout the long winter months.
In my quest to learn more about preserving flowers, I have met many people who have taken on the hobby of flower drying and who treat it as an art, sometimes devoting their full time to it. Most of the enthusiasts plant, grow, nurture, harvest and dry their own flowers and ultimately create wonderful displays.
It is estimated that 80 percent of flowers can be successfully dried and preserved. This was a surprise to me because I had always thought of dried flowers as everlastings. The term ever­lasting brings to mind an arrangement of life­less flowers in a limited range of beige, yellow and orange colors. But I have learned that the term is misleading.

Retail flower-stores
Small growers are still numerous in the United States, but economy of flower-production is limited many times by the size of the output. Large business enterprises, therefore, are common. A few chain flower-stores are in operation, but as a rule they have not proved entirely successful. This seems to be due largely to the fact that the management of a Orrell Park flower shop demands much detailed and personal attention, and the products sold are of such a perishable character that firms find it difficult to manage chain-stores. The syndicate plan of management so strongly advocated recently has not developed as was expected.
Retail flower-stores have become important centers of distribution. In some of the large cities, their location on principal thoroughfares requires high rentals, and the elegance of the interiors is striking. In other sections, the tendency is towards the disposal of large quantities of cut-flowers and potted plants at lower prices. In such stores the so-called "overhead" is comparatively low.

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 Coryton 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.

Ribbon Edging a tribute
Ribbon edging is a versatile addition for both formal and informal tributes. Ribbon can complement both based and open designs, and it can harmonize or provide contrast and add texture to funeral designs. There are two types of pleating — box pleats and overlapping pleats. Box pleats are made by folding the ribbon first one way and then in the opposite direction. For overlapping pleats, the ribbon is folded in the same direction throughout. Whichever method is chosen, the folds must be orderly and equal.
A hand stapler is used to fasten the ribbon, and either German pins or the glue gun to fix the ribbon to the tribute. Be careful not to damage any of the flowers Peter Cooper Village during this process. Corners are mitred to give a very neat finish to tributes such as the cushion, heart and cross. Ribbon used for the edging can be employed in the tribute, in the form of loops and trails, to create a sense of complete unity.

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