FAQ’s

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Meaning of Rose Colors
Meanings of Flowers
Flowers of the Month
Birthstones of the Month
Wedding Anniversary Symbols
Flower Care and Handling
Why We Don’t Pick Wild Flowers?
How do I get my Flowers to last longer?

Meaning of Rose Colors

We are often asked what the various rose colors mean, especially in regard to love/hate relationships.

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Meanings of Flowers

What do various flowers mean in the Language of Flowers? Used for more than a century, the book written by Kate Greenfield in the 1890’s is sort of a bible for this.  Based on the meanings of Victorian Times, Greenfield listed more than a hundred flowers in her book.  We give the most used ones.

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Flowers Of The Month

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Birthstones of the Month

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Wedding Anniversary Symbols

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Flower Care and Handling

How do I get my Flowers to last longer? A little extra care can make a big difference for any size flower arrangement or fresh flower bouquet.

Most floral arrangements last 4-7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. The Society of American Florists provides these tips for longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers:

For floral arrangements:

• Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water containing a flower food provided by your florist. Flower foods make flowers last longer but it is important to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet. Most packets are to be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified on the packet.
• If the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely with properly mixed flower food solution. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Be sure to use a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems. Immediately place the stems into solution.
• Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes flowers to dehydrate.) Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.

For loose bunches or boxed flowers:

• Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them in a flower food solution. Don’t forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet.
• Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food from your florist.
• Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower.
• Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Place the flowers in the vase solution you’ve prepared.
• If you purchase loose flowers for your own arrangements you should also consider these tips:

• When selecting flowers, look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open. Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age.
• When using woody stems and branches (such as quince, forsythia or lilac), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place them in warm water containing fresh flower food to promote flower opening.

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Why We Don’t Pick Wild Flowers?

Why we do not just send staff out to pick wildflowers like Lilies, Daisies and Goldenrod from meadows and roadsides for use in our arrangements. First of all, sending an employee out to pick a few flowers can be expensive, timewise.

But here are the main reasons we don’t, and you should not. First, the bride and maids should not be itching during the ceremony as they try to scratch away the bugs that were on the flowers when they were picked in the meadow and may still be. Even though you may have rinsed them before arranging, you will be surprised how many eggs hatch from body heat. ‘Nuff said.

Secondly, those you purchase are greenhouse grown, special varieties developed for brighter colors and to last longer.

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How do I get my Flowers to last longer?

A little extra care can make a big difference. Let’s talk about the personal flowers first, the bouquets, boutonnieres first. Flowers are quite delicate. We know that If they came from our flower shop they were given every possible care and handling effort to keep them fresh and long lasting. That may not be sure of other places, especially those ordered online from mass marketers or other sources. These might have been out of water for multiple days. So, choose your source carefully.

When your flowers arrive, try to keep them in the box for as long as possible. We try to deliver in cooled boxes. And, depending on the bouquet styles, yours may arrive in a vase of water. For those beautiful outdoor summer weddings, it is important to keep then out of the bright sunlight until the last moment.  You want to keep them to look great for the photos. After that, relax. They’ve done their job. They will continue to look okay throughout the day.