Calla Lilies

When you think of lilies, the Calla Lily is one of the first that comes to mind.  This is significant since they aren’t really lilies at all.  They were catalogued incorrectly at first and the name just seemed to remain regardless of their re-classification.  They are popular in a number of different arrangements for various occasions including wedding flowers.  Brides have been known to include one or more Calla Lilies in their bridal bouquet.  It symbolizes magnificent beauty and every bride wants to be the beautiful focal point on her special day.

Calla Lilies are native to South Africa and have also been known to thrive in places such as Madagascar.  As with most living things, just because they are native to a certain part of the world does not mean that they can’t flourish elsewhere.  In the case of the Calla Lily, they are really easy to grow just as long as your location provides the right weather conditions.  Take into consideration the weather conditions of South Africa.  Snow only falls on the mountains and frosty conditions occur in the deeper valleys.  However, in general, South Africa enjoys a hot summer and a moderately chilly winter.  Temperatures usually don’t drop too low especially in the coastal towns like Cape Town and Durban.

So, if you live in an area where it snows or heavy frost occurs, your Calla Lilies will be grown as annuals.  If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where winter conditions are much like that in South Africa and Madagascar, then you will be able to plant the Calla Lily as a perennial and see it bloom year after year.

Calla Lilies make excellent cut flowers and they can last between four days and two weeks as cut flowers.  Of course, if they only last four days then it really means that they have not been cared for properly.  Every cut flower should be cared for according to the advice of a professional or florist.  The better care you take of your cut flowers, the longer they will last and there is no reason for your cut Calla Lilies to perish after just a few days.  They have strong stems and the flowers are nice and firm.  They will not wilt like tulips and their thick stem should also allow for more than enough absorbtion of water and nutrients.

When displaying one or a bouquet of Calla Lilies, you would really only do the flower justice by placing it in a nice, tall vase.  The flower only blooms on top of a very long stem so, take advantage of this and create a lovely long-stemmed arrangement.  If you cut the stems too short, it will also appear out of proportion.  The flowers are quite large and would look best with a longer stem.  The vase should also be simple, just like the flowers and tall enough to support the stems.

Carnation flower facts

When you think of flowers, carnations are probably one of the first flowers that come to mind.  They are one of the most popular cut flowers and your local or online florist can surely confirm this.  Not only are they one of the most affordable flowers available but they also last longer than most other cut flowers too.  Now that’s value for money!  If they aren’t used along to form a bouquet, they are still great to be used as mass flowers.  They are available in so many colours that you can always find the right one to fill in any gap!  Here are so facts about the carnation flower and, hopefully, this will encourage you to choose carnations the next time you send flowers.

Since they are widely available throughout the world these days, you might not know that they are actually native to Eurasia.  The carnation became so popular that, like many other lovely blooms, it was eventually cultivated wherever possible.  Today there are possibly as many as three hundred varieties.

Carnations are a wonderful choice of flowers to send to somebody who suffers from allergies.  This is because there are so many varieties that produce pollen in such small quantities that it should not cause any allergic reaction.  Naturally, you shouldn’t go digging your nose into the bouquet regardless of this.

The carnation is commonly associated with the celebration of Mother’s Day.  In the past, the custom was for women to wear a pink carnation on Mother’s Day to honor their mother if she was still alive.  A white carnation was worn by those whose mothers had passed away.  These days, however, we prefer to send flowers to mum instead.  Many have strayed from the carnation tradition slightly but they still at least include pink carnations in the bouquet they order.

Apart from Mother’s Day, the carnation is also known as the flower for the month of January.  So, if you know somebody who is celebrating their birthday in January, this is a great gift to give them!  Nobody can refuse such a popular flower!  After all, it is also the national flower for Spain and the state flower for Ohio!

Carnations can be divided into three main groups: large flowered, spray or mini carnations as well as dwarf carnations.  The large flowered kind is what you will see at just about every florist you visit.  Mini carnations are often used as mass or fillers with other flowers as the focal flowers.  The dwarf variety includes a bunch of flowers on a single stem.  Mini and dwarf varieties also make great house plants.

Carnations also have medicinal uses and can be used to relieve stress, inflammation, skin rashes and irritations, stomach aches, pain and fever.  If you plan on making your own homeopathic remedy, however, do take care and follow all the instructions carefully.  Make yourself aware of any possible risks.

Care tips for your orchids

Orchids are the kind of gift that is sure to impress and please anyone lucky enough to receive one.  Although they appear delicate they are actually one of, if not the longest lasting cut flowers available!  That’s why your florist will probably charge you more for an orchid than any other flower in their stock.  However, as popular and wonderful cut orchids are, one should always consider giving the plant as a gift.  Plants will last much longer than cut flowers and they will cost you less than if you were to send flowers arranged in a large bouquet.

Each and every potted plant has its own personal preference when it comes to care and conditions.  Orchids are no exception.  In fact, when you give somebody a potted plant like an orchid, it would be a good idea to include some notes on how to adequately care for the plant.  Remember that different types of orchids require varying degrees of care so make sure that the care you provide is specific to the exact type of orchid you have purchased.

Orchids are known as tropical plants so many assume this means that they need a lot of water.  In actual fact, they only need to be watered every five to twelve days.  The amount of water required will also depend on the current weather conditions as well as the temperature inside.  It’s easy to understand that warmer conditions will mean more frequent watering is required.  You might know that tropical areas are, however, quite humid and this kind of environment can be created by placing your orchid on a humidity tray.  Along with the humidity, you should also make sure that there is a slight amount of air movement in the room.  Stagnant humid air will cause the plant to rot.

When using fertilizer, you should make sure that it is specially formulated for orchids.  The package should include instructions on how to add fertilizer to the pot.  These instructions should be followed strictly!  You should add more fertilizer every month.  This will ensure that the plant will flourish and bloom nicely.  Be careful not to fertilize too often or you may burn the roots.

There are a number of pests that can cause major damage or even death to your orchid.  These include snails, slugs, aphids and Mealybugs.  The best thing to do is to consult with a professional regarding your options as far as pest repellants are concerned.

While the health of most plants is judged by the condition of their leaves, in the case of orchids, it’s all in the roots.  Healthy roots mean a healthy plant.  It is suggested that you plant your orchid in a small pot that is just large enough to fit the root system inside.  Clear pots are popular for monitoring root growth.  Transplant the orchid into a larger pot only when it is absolutely necessary.

Blossoms for your table

During the course of the year we are faced with many occasions that call for celebration and meal together as family or friends.  Be it a birthday, the celebration of a new baby or Mother’s Day, it usually means that the venue will be decked with food and flowers will add the finishing touches.  These days, however, not everyone can afford to order from a florist every time they need a bouquet or ten.  It’s one thing when you plan to send flowers to somebody special but it’s quite another when you are simply adding decor to an already colourful setting.  Most people want the best of both worlds and, with fruit blossoms, this is actually possible!

Decorating your guests’ tables and / or a buffet table can be made really simple.  Instead of going to the trouble and expense of ordering specially made bouquets, perhaps you should rather gather a variety of fruit blossoms and place them wherever you see fit.  The first advantage of decorating in this way is that your flowers will fit in where you want them to.  In other words, you won’t have to arrange the table according to the flowers.  Rather, the flowers can be placed in between much like the foliage or filler flowers in a bouquet.

The most important thing to consider, however, is what kind of blossoms you intend on using.  Reason being, many fruit blossoms are perfectly safe.  However, there are a number that are known to be toxic.  You really don’t want to place toxic flowers anywhere near your food!  Especially if there will be children attending.

Apple blossoms are both pretty and quite safe.  They have even been known to be included in certain dishes.  However, it is recommended that these blossoms are consumed with care and in moderation.  Citrus fruit blossoms such as orange, lemon and grapefruit blossoms, are known to be used as part of citrus drinks.  You should have no problem using such blossoms to decorate your tables.  Not only this but they have the most amazing fresh scent too!

Banana blossoms are usually used in cooked dishes.  If they are included in salads, only certain varieties are used.  This is because there are many types of banana blossoms that are bitter.  White suitable for cooking, the bitter varieties would ruin a salad, for example.  If you are using them purely for decoration purposes then this should not matter.  If your guests dare to bite into the decor without asking, then they will have to endure their bitter choice.

Finally, cherry blossoms are stunning and popular.  However, there are a number of cherry blossoms varieties that are quite toxic and should be avoided completely.  Make sure that if you plan on using cherry blossoms that they are of a non-toxic variety.  Also, as you should know by now, fruits are usually sprayed with various chemicals to keep bugs away.  The same goes for flowers.  So, if you can, you should opt for organic flowers if you intend on placing them on or near food.

How to arrange a basket of spring flowers

So many people forget about using baskets to display their flowers.  Everyone is always on the hunt for the pretties vase and, as wonderful as flowers look in vases, your designs are limited to vertical styles.  Baskets come in so many different shapes and sizes and this makes them a lot more versatile.  Basket arrangements are so easy to make in just a few simple steps.

You will need:

- Flowers of your choice

- Foliage

- Basket of your choice

- Floral foam

- Plastic tray (for the floral foam to be placed in)

- A pair of scissors

- Floral food

Method:

- First take care when selecting your basket, it is very important that you choose the flowers and

the basket together.  Consider a number of options with regards to flowers and then go out to

select the perfect basket.  You will also need to make sure that your basket will be able to hold

a small plastic tray inside it.

- When you have decided on your basket, you can choose your flowers.  Darker baskets

will look good with darker flowers inside and light coloured baskets will suit light and pastel

coloured flowers.  Select focal flowers, mass flowers as well as some fillers.

- Once you have your flowers and basket, you can choose some greenery.  There is no need for

too much foliage.  All you need is enough to fill in the gaps here and there and enough to drape

over the edges around the base so as to conceal the floral foam.

- Lay out all your materials on a table but be sure to keep your flowers and plant material in a

bucket of water so that they don’t dehydrate.

- Use the plastic tray as a guideline for the size to cut your floral foam to.

- Dissolve some floral food in water and submerge the floral foam in the water until it is filled

with water.

- Put the floral foam on the plastic tray and set it inside the basket.

- Start with some greenery and create a base for the arrangement.  Place stems close together

around the lowest part of the bouquet.  You can let the leaves stretch out and overlap the

basket.  Just make sure that, when you are done, nobody will be able to see any floral foam.

- Remember to trim each stem before placing it in the foam and be sure to remove any leaves

that may get in the way.

- Now add your focal flowers where you like.  They can be in the middle or they can form a line

down the center in the case of a rectangular basket. The design is really up to you and should

suit the shape of the basket.  Focal flower stems can be a little bit longer than the other stems

so that they stand out a little more.

- With your green base and focal flowers in place, it’s time to add some mass flowers.  They

should fill up the arrangement without attracting attention away from the focal flowers.

- Finish the arrangement off by adding filler flowers and foliage.  Baby’s breath is always a

popular choice when it comes to filler flowers but check with your florist regarding any other

fillers tha they may have in stock. You can fill the empty spaces with some foliage and you

can even use left over leaves from your cut flowers too.  For a different texture, you can even

add something like beargrass at the very end.

Spring flowers for your living room

Spring is upon us and everything is in bloom.  The days are longer, the air is crisp and no more heavy winter clothes.  You house can certainly enjoy some extra natural light filtering through its windows and the new life in your garden should inspire you to decorate your home in the same way.  Your florist should be overflowing with new fresh flowers.  You can choose something for your own home and perhaps even send flowers to a friend too.

When buying flowers for your home or even for a friend, one of the easiest rooms to decorate is the living room.  Your living room is also one of the best rooms in your home to put anything on display because it is a room that your guests will visit.  If you put your flowers on display in a more private room such as your bedroom or study, not many guests will have the chance to see them.  Also, you surely spend more time in your living room than most other rooms in the house so it is a sure way in which you can enjoy your flowers too.

When choosing fresh spring flowers for your living room or somebody else’s, the same guidelines apply.  Firstly, you need to choose flowers that will work well with the existing decor in the home.  The home can be themed in anything from a Victorian style to a modern one.  Victorian styled homes, for example, will benefit from a large bouquet of mixed flowers.  The flowers should be in a number of different colours and you should select mainly pastels.  You can include a few splashes of bright colour here and there.  Flowers that should be included are roses, peonies, freesia, tulips and zinnias.  For that splash of colour, you can add some dark purple amaryllis.  The style of the vase will need to compliment the flowers as well as the Victorian theme.  So, use a ceramic vase with a white base colour.  The vase should not be completely plain, however.  It should either have patterns engraved or painted on it.  Also, note that you need not go out and buy such a vase from some expensive store.  You should find just the right vase at your local thrift shop at a fraction of the price!

As for the modern approach, a living room decorated in a modern style will require a completely different kind of arrangement.  Oriental arrangements are very popular these days and are suitbale for both women and men.  They will usually consist of a single orchid stem as the focal flower.  The orchid will be accompanied by three smaller flowers, such as cherry blossoms and they are likely to use bamboo as a form of greenery.  The container will be a simple one in a single colour.  Most modern arrangements are placed in white, black or silver vases or containers.  Your choice will depend on the colour scheme of the living room.  If all else fails, you can always use a plain, clear glass vase.  The vase should be simple with no engravings.

Flowers for a spring time birthday

Spring time is one of the best seasons in which to celebrate your birthday.  The weather is mild and you can choose to celebrate indoors our out.  It is also one of the best seasons for flowers.  Your florist should be overflowing with all kinds of new, delightful blooms and it won’t take much to put something amazing together.  For spring, you can surely send flowers that will knock the socks of any lucky recipient!

When it comes to buying flowers for a woman, it’s pretty easy and your options are endless.  During the spring, there will be more than enough types of flowers available.  What’s most important is to find a bouquet that suits her style, personal taste and her age.  Some flower designs are traditional and more old fashioned than others.

Older fashioned designs during the spring time usually consist of a wide selection of flowers.  They will have a number of different textures and and pastel shades with perhaps a splash of purple here and there.  The bouquet will look more like a randomly gathered bunch of flowers that have been freshly picked from a field nearby.

More modern designs these days are made up of fewer flowers.  Smaller bouquets have become more popular for a number of reasons.  Firstly, they don’t occupy as much space and they are easy for the recipient to put on display in just about any room they choose.  Secondly, they are a lot cheaper than going out and paying double or even tripple the price for a mass, clumsy bouquet.  Also, it gives you the chance to choose more elegant flowers such as orchids and not have to worry too much about the price.  A single stem or bud arrangement with an orchid is often more appreciated than an entire bouquet of mixed flowers.

Flowers as a birthday gift for men is becoming an increasingly popular idea.  In the past it was really up to the men to spoil the birthday girl with a beautiful bouquet.  However, there is no law that says that men can’t enjoy the same things that women do.  You would want to avoid colours like pink, however and perhaps choose more neutral colours like orange, yellow and even some shades of blue.  Avoid pastels and, even though it’s a spring time bouquet, choose striking flowers as they appeal more to men.

As important as it is to choose the right flowers according to the recipient’s gender, age and personal taste.  It is just as important to choose the right vase or containers.  Traditional styled bouquets will look best in the kind of vases that you remember from your childhood.  They should be ceramic and have a design painted on them.  Modern bouquets, on the other hand, will look best in odd shaped containers that are painted in just one single colour such as black, white or even silver.  If all else fails, plain clear glass vases are always a hit.