First Come Flowers

Tulip Time

I was reading about tulips on my friend, Rona's delightful blog called, Flowerona. She inspired me to write this post on the amazing tulip.

 

Image:  Flowerona

 

Unusual Varieties of Tulips:

Image:  via knitspot

1) Double Tulips - These have a double layer of petals. Magnificent!

 

Image:  The Plant Expert

2) Fringed Tulips - I love the little "shredded" edges of these tulips. I buy them, especially in white, as often as I can for our shop.

 

Image:  via Tricia's Musings

3) Lily-flowered Tulips - These really do resemble lilies in a way. Quite unique aren't they?

 

Image: via urbanpix

4) Parrot Tulips - These are crinkly around the edges and open beautifully.

 

Learn More About Tulips Here:  

 "Mind-blowing Video About What Really Keeps Tulips Looking Great Longer"  - Tulip Tips by Chive Inc. 

Tulipmania Festival - Read and see Rona's photos of this amazing event by London florist, Neil Strain at his flower shop called, The Flower Lounge.

Aerial View of Tulip Fields in Holland - via Ursa Major 

"How To Make A Simple Tulip Centerpiece" - If you've  never arranged flowers before in your life this centerpiece is for you.

Interesting Tulip Fact - Tulips are the only flowers that continue to grow once cut. If you place them in an arrangement with other flowers, particularly in floral foam, they will grow right out of the arrangement. I learned this the hard way. It takes about 2 days to happen.  

I love tulips in flower arrangements, but no longer use them in my weekly accounts in floral foam. Tulips are great in water though and for special events.

Any interesting experiences with tulips?

Mimi

 

 

 

How to Care for Cut Daffodils

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Daffodils are the first sign that spring is on its way. Even on a gray day, daffodils make you feel like everything is right with the world.

 

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Narcissus, the botanical name for daffodils, can be a little tricky to care for.

 Here's What You Need to Know About Caring for Cut Daffodils:

1) Buy your daffodils when they're still a bit closed. They will begin to open after being in the water for a while.

2) Daffodils give off a sap that can be deadly to other flowers.  So it's best to arrange them with other daffodils only. Feeling adventurous? Want to include them in a mixed flower arrangement anyway? Then let the daffodils stems soak overnight in cool water to release some of that sap.

3) Partially fill a clean vase with room temperature water. Half way should be good. Daffodils prefer shalow water 

4) Add some of the floral preservative from the little packet. A few shakes, not the whole thing.

 

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5) Stand the daffodils next to the vase to see how long or short you want them to be.

6) Cut each daffodil stem on an angle with a sharp knife or flower shears. When in doubt, cut them longer than you think you actually want them. You can always re-cut them later. If you cut them too short the first time though...

7) Gently remove the protective husks or you can leave them on.

8) Repeat steps 3 - 6 every other day to help the daffodils last longer.

 

For more info on daffodils:

How to Arrange Daffodils - Video

 Different Types of Daffodils  

 

How do daffodils make you feel? I'd really like to know.

Mimi

 

 Linking to: 

2805

At The Picket Fence

Chic On A Shoestring

Common Ground

Finding Fabulous

French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home

No Minimalist Here

Not So Functional Housewife

Primp

Shabby Nest

Simply Sweet Home

Stuff and Nonsense

The Charm of Home

 

4 Links To Help You Select and Care For Your Fresh Flowers

Fly Me To The Moon Florists 

There's something nice about having fresh flowers around. Some folks use fake ones instead, because they last longer.

But fresh flowers can last quite a while if you select them carefully and take good care of them.

At our shop, we buy our flowers from the finest wholesalers in New York City. Then teach you how to take good care of them.

Here are links to earlier posts on the selection and care of fresh flowers:

8 Secrets For Selecting Fresh flowers The Way Florists Do

5 Ways To Afford Fresh Flowers

10 Secrets For Keeping Fresh Flowers Alive Longer

How to Care For Cut Hydrangea 

 

Is there a topic you'd like me to write about regarding flowers?

Mimi

Mind-blowing Video About What Really Keeps Tulips Looking Great Longer

michael george

Everyone has the perfect solution for keeping tulips upright and looking great. I actually like the look of tulips when they bend. But hey, that's just me.

Chive Inc.

 

You've got to see this video by Chive Inc., the cool vase people.  It's called, "Tulip Tips."  It's hosted by Noel P. Greaves. You can see it here.

Ovando


Have any tulip tips you want to share?

Mimi

 

Linking to:

2805

At The Picket Fence

Chic On A Shoestring

Common Ground

Finding Fabulous

Fingerprints On The Fridge

French Country Cottage 

My Romantic Home

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

No Minimalist Here

One Artsy Mama

Primp

Simply Sweet Home

Stuff and Nonsense

The Charm of Home

The Not So Functional Housewife

The Shabby Nest

5 Ways To Afford Fresh Flowers

Image:  Fly Me To The Moon Florists
 

Fresh flowers are a cheap thrill. They aren't just for the rich and famous! They can bring a smile to your face in an instant.

Fresh flowers make you feel good.They can boost your morning moods and lift your spirits. Read "How to Boost Your Morning Mood here."

Fresh Flowers Are Affordable

You can have fresh flowers in your home daily.Even on a tight budget.

 

Image:  Fly Me To The Moon Florists

Here  Are 5 Ways You Can Afford Fresh Flowers 

1) Go to a florist and buy one unusual flower. Ask the florist to recommend a long-lasting flower. Cut it and place it in a vase. Learn how to care for fresh flowers here. This is a good investment.

Lilies, alstroemeria, carnations and some varieties of roses can last as long as 7-14 days. If properly cared for that is.

Flowers purchased from good florists generally last longer.They condition them well. And keep them in coolers to preserve them.

2) Buy a small bunch of mixed flowers. Cut them short and place them in small vases and jars around the house. Flowers cut shorter often last longer.The shorter stems allow the water to get to the flowers more quickly. 

3) Learn to appreciate flowers at all their life stages. Ever notice that roses in magazines are always all the way open. That's when they are most beautiful.

Don't just go for the tight buds. Often those tight buds you think will guarantee you a longer vase life really mean the flower was cut too early. When that happens with roses, they won't open at all.

Learn how to select flowers the way florists do here.

4) Buy a bunch of flowers and split them with a friend. Spread the wealth. By going in together you'll get more bang for your buck.

5) Buy a cheap bunch of flowers from the corner store. Ask which day the flowers are delivered and buy them that day. Follow the tips above for proper care.

These flowers aren't kept in coolers. So sometimes they don't last that long. But they are still flowers.They will make you happy

Fresh flowers are a joy to behold. Make them a part of your daily life! I've just given you 5 ways to get started.

Can you think of other ways to make fresh flowers affordable? 

Mimi 

31 Days of Orange: Day 3 Create An Orange and Red Flower Arrangement

 

 

Don't you just love this simple yet elegant flower arrangement.  I think the combination of orange and red roses is quite stunning.

 

How To Create This Orange and Red Rose Flower Arrangement

Find a place that sells fresh and unusual colored roses. Buy 2 dozen red and orange roses. Read "How to Select Fresh Flowers The Way Florists Do."

Cut the flowers and place them in water. To learn how to care for your flowers read "10 Secrets for Keeping Flowers Alive Longer."

Select a vase with an opening of approximately 4-5 inches. The wider the opening of the jar, the more roses you will need.

Fill the vase with water. Not all the way to the top though. Don't forget to add some floral preservative to the water.

Remove any leaves from the rose that will go into the water. Leave the thorns on though. They prevent bacteria from entering the stem of the flower.

Cut one rose and place it in the vase. The stem should reach the bottom of the vase and the blossom should be right at the top of the vase edge. That's if you want a full and elegant flower arrangement. Do the same thing with the other roses until the bowl is full. Better to cut the rose too long than too short.

Arrange the roses around the bowl. Don't do one red, then one orange. Live a little. Be spontaneous. It's okay for 2 oranges to be together and then one red...

That's basically it! 

 

Bonus Tips

You can use a colored or clear glass vase. If you do though, you will see the stems. If you prefer not to see the stems, try a ceramic vase.

Don't forget to: change the water, wash the vase and re-cut the stems every few days. It will make your arrangement last longer.

Buy good quality roses if possible.  The flower arrangement will be more full and it will last longer. If you buy roses that are tight, tight, tight they will never open. They were cut too early by the grower.

 

Enjoy your rose arrangement. Let me know how it turns out.

Mimi

 

Link to other blogs in the 31 Day Challenge here at The Nester.

 

 

Image: Dean Zamani   Arrangement by Piccolo Floral Artistry

How To Care For Cut Hydrangeas

 
 Image:  Fly Me To The Moon Florists  

Hydrangeas are beautiful, but they do require a little special care. Follow these steps below and enjoy:

 

 
Image:  Fly Me To The Moon Florists 

 8 Tips for Caring for Cut Hydrangea

1) Purchase hydrangea from places that always sell fresh flowers. Hydrangeas, or any flower really, purchased from shops that sell old, poor quality flowers won't last long.

2) Buy hydrangeas that look full. There should be no brown spots. No wilting or gaps between the flowers either.

3) Fill a clean vase with room temperature water. Hydrangeas are big drinkers. So don't skimp on the water.

4) Add a little floral preservative. Yes, use that little packet that comes with the flowers. It helps the flowers last longer. I use it all the time.

5) Don't smash the stems with a hammer. That's old school advice. It destroys the cell structure of the hydrangea stem.

Instead, just cut the stem twice. The first cut should be on the angle. The second cut should be a vertical one at the bottom of the stem.

6) Spray the hydrangea blooms with water. Remember, hydrangeas are really thirsty. 

7) Place hydrangeas in a cool spot. Away from the sun and other sources of heat.

8) Change the water. Remove hydrangea from the vase. Wash the vase with soap and water. Repeat steps 3-5 above.

 

5 Minute Flower Arrangement

• Fill a large, somewhat heavy, vase with water.
• Get 3 hydrangea with or without leaves.
• Cut hydrangeas so each head rests on the top of the vase.
• Voila! Beautiful and elegant flower arrangement.

 

Where would you place this hydrangea arrangement?

Mimi  

Fly Me to The Moon Florists Featured on Botannical Brouhaha

 

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Botanical Brouhaha yesterday written by my friend Amy.The post was called,"Working Designer Wednesday:Keeping Flowers Fresh in the Flower Shop."

So I decided to write a lengthy response to her post based on my experience here at Fly Me To The Moon Florists.

When I visited her blog today, I was surprised to see that our shop was featured. You can read the post called, "Mimi's Response to Yestersday's Post" here.

How exciting!

Please read it and let me know what you think.

Mimi

 

Image:  Fly Me to The Moon Florists

10 Tips for Using Baby's Breath in Flower Arrangements

 

 
Image: Design With Christine

 Love/Hate Relationship with Baby Breath

 Florists either love or hate baby's breath.  Those who love it see it as a way to use less flowers in a flower arrangement. Florists who hate baby's breath see it as an overused filler flower that detracts rather than enhances a floral arrangement.

When we first opened Fly Me To The Moon, I refused to even have baby's breath in the shop.  But due to popular demand, we had to start carrying it. I keep it in the back where it can't be seen and only bring it out when customers ask for it.

 

 

Image: Wreath Palace

Gypsophila or "gyp," as it's referred to in the industry, does have a place in floral design. The key is to put it in only the right places.  Follow the baby's breath dos and don'ts listed below and you'll be creating more professional-looking flower arrangements in no time:

 
Image: The Knot

10 Baby's Breath Dos and Dont's  

Don't use a truckload of baby's breath with a few flowers thinking it will make your arrangement look like you spent more money on it. Trust me.  It won't.

Do buy one, three or five flowers (odd numbers always look best) beautiful flowers and ask for a little foliage to go with them.

Don't use an entire stem of baby's breath. It's too big and will overpower the flower arrangement.

Do separate the baby's breath by cutting apart the longer branches.  Tuck these smaller branches into large gaps between the flowers. This will give the arrangement a more balanced and elegant look.

Don't just grab the baby's breath and stick it into a floral arrangement or bouquet.

Do make sure the baby's breath is fresh and the flowers are white. Old baby's breath  turns brown and may have broken flowers. This makes the entire arrangement look old.

Don't insist on putting baby's breath into every floral arrangement. It will do more harm than good. Because it is used so often n cheap floral arrangements, it can make a perfectly beautiful bouquet from a florist look like one you picked up at the corner store.

Do add it to arrangements that are more traditional or romantic in style. Use it when you want that "just picked from the garden" look. Use baby's breath with light-colored roses, carnations, lisianthus and alstroemeria.

Don't resist the urge to think outside of the baby's breath box. A flower arrangement of just small vases of baby's breath for a baby shower is a sweet idea.

Do try using other fillers such as solidago, caspia, statice, wax flower or hypericum berries.

 

 

 

Pictures of Flowers in a Vase Vs Real Flowers?

 

 

How would you like to be the first on your block to receive these Fresh Flowers? They come in a pack of 32 pictures.  All you have to do is place a new picture on the outside of the rolled pictures and stick them in a vase.  Might make a great gift for someone too busy to take care of real flowers. No watering necessary!

They'd be great for weddings. A no fuss, no muss bridal bouquet can be created by just stapling the rolls together and tying a ribbon around them.

Image via Design Spotter