Direct2florist Blog

The Run for the Roses

Simon — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:47:46 +0000

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most famous horse races out there, and it’s also an event that’s closely linked to flowers – and roses in particular.

The race is also known as the ‘Run for the Roses’, with the winning horse and jockey presented with a huge garland of roses at the finishing post. This year however, on the night before theDerby, it was a floral dress that was drawing the attention.

At the Unbridled Eve gala, model Rachel Wagoner strode through the cocktail hour wearing a dress made of 600 roses. Created byLouisvilleflorist Amy Streeter of Susan’s Florist, the dress consisted of a mini-skirt onto which roses had been wired by hand, plus several rows of roses strung like Hawaiian lei to cover the chest.

At the same time that the dress of roses was turning heads, the actual garland that would be given to theDerbywinner, I’ll Have Another, was being created by a team of floral specialists, using 400 roses in a design that weighed 40 pounds.

And while a horse carrying a 115-pound jockey wouldn’t mind another 40 pounds, the skirt-and-top ensemble of 600 roses weighing about 75 pounds was giving Ms. Wagoner a tough night!

Male plant purchasers enjoy interior design

Simon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:36:21 +0000

If you are a man, and you sidestep making plant purchases for the home, there is a high probability that the woman will be in charge of things in the house generally, according to a new, representative study by the Wilke market research institute.

The study revealed that there’s a clear correlation between buying plants and your degree of involvement in your home’s decor.

The survey was conducted among men of all ages, who were asked who was generally responsible for the decorative part of the household furnishings. The results showed that when men are responsible for some part of the home’s decor, they also buy plants.

Among the group of men who never bought plants for the home – corresponding to almost one-fifth of those polled – more than half left the home decoration entirely up to the women.

So now we know!

Delivering Mother’s Day flowers around the world

Simon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:31:05 +0000

With International Mother’s Day looming large – this year it takes place on Sunday 13th May – if you have a mum living in a far flung corner of the world that you would like to send flowers to, we thought it would be handy if we created a list of countries that Direct2Florist delivers flowers to.

International flower delivery is actually one of Direct2Florist’s specialities and, in addition to the UK, we have our own member florists in the following countries:

Australia
Brazil
Canada
Cyprus
Hong Kong
Ireland
Malta
New Zealand
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
USA

Time zone permitting, Direct2Florist can organise same day delivery to any of the above countries, with the ability to choose a florist that delivers to the specified delivery address available wherever in the world you would like to send flowers to.

So, this International Mother’s Day, take the easy option and send flowers through Direct2Florist. Click here to find out more.

Colour in Focus – Wicked Whites

Simon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:16:16 +0000

Calm and serene, white is perhaps the most adaptable colour when it comes to floral design. Not only is it appropriate for every formal occasion from weddings to funerals, but notwithstanding these enduring associations, it comfortably meets a whole host of other challenges – from informal to formal; kitchen table to boardroom; spring to winter.

Joyfully, fragranced options abound throughout the year, starting with spring bulbs like narcissus and hyacinth (which enjoy an extended season thanks to the growers’ intervention and are still available now) moving on through the year to lily-of-the-valley, guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), white lilac, garden roses, jasmine and, towards the end of the year, winter honeysuckle.

White often comes tinged with another colour. For white with a hint of pink think of the peony Paeonia ‘Baroness Schroder’ and the tulip, Tulipa ‘Angelique’.

Creamy white blooms such as the carnation Dianthus ‘Delphi’ and the stock Matthiola incana are, subtly, more soothing and gentle than pure white. Mixing crisp white with creamy white brings definition to what would otherwise be a monochromatic scheme, allowing the individual flowers to stand out.

Although white berries are comparatively rare. Symphoricarpos ‘White Hedge’ is one example. Aside from the berries, there are plenty of heavenly blossoms to choose from including viburnum, magnolia and pussy-willow. Set against the textured stems these blooms have a stately simplicity that is often shown to its best when used alone.

African lily (Agapanthus)
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophilia)
Bleeding heart (Dicentra)
Bull Bay (Magnolia)

Camellia (Camellia)
Canterbury bells (Campanula)
Crocus (Crocus)
Dahlia (Dahlia)
Delphinium (Delphinium)
Dill (Anethum)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Freesia (Freesia)
Gardenia (Gardenia)
Gerbera (Gerbera)
Guelder rose (Viburnum)
Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
Lily (Lilium)
Lisianthius (Eustoma)
Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris)
Stephanotis (Stephanotis floribunda)
Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Windflower (Anenome)

All eyes on Chelsea

Simon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:10:47 +0000

For five days in May, the gaze of the world’s media, gardening enthusiasts from around the globe and those who just like to celebrity spot, will be on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Taking place from Tuesday 22nd May and running through to Saturday 26th, the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, will be transformed into the spectacular gardens and floral displays that make up the world’s most famous flower show.

Renowned as the “catwalk of the gardening world”, the show’s spectacular Great Pavilion will be filled with displays of perfect plants and flowers by some of the best growers from the UK and around the world. In addition, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show boasts displays of floral design from some of the UK’s best florists, including the finals of the prestigious RHS Florist of the Year and Young Florist of the Year competitions.

This year’s sixteen Show Gardens will be created by some of the finest contemporary designers, including 2011 Best Show Garden winner Cleve West for Brewin Dolphin, Andy Sturgeon designing for show sponsor M&G Investments, and Joe Swift for Homebase. For the first time the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is embracing QR code technology: each show garden will have a QR code for visitors to access further information on the exhibit. Elsewhere in the showground there will also be an innovative QR code garden and visitors will be encouraged to use this technology to vote for their favourite Artisan Retreat.

New for 2012 is Fresh, a category which challenges designers to come up with cutting-edge gardens that are experimental and less conventional in design than traditional Chelsea Flower Show gardens. Designers in this category will be under fewer constraints than in other garden categories, which means Fresh is sure to become an unmissable part of the show this year. A dramatic feature by Tony Heywood and Alison Combie will launch the category.

Also new for 2012 is RHS Environment, which replaces Continuous Learning and supports the RHS commitment to improving the environment through gardening. The RHS Environment exhibits will offer perspectives on the science of urban greening, highlighting how we can make the most of our green spaces – no matter how small – and help counter the effects of our changing climate. Themes will include community, water management and harnessing the power of plants to help reduce energy usage and heating costs.

To find out more about the show and to see the best of the ac tion as it happens, log on to www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea

The growth of flower sending for International Mother’s Day

Simon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:01:45 +0000

Whilst in the UK and Ireland, Mothering Sunday celebrations take place on the fourth Sunday of Lent, it’s worth remembering that in other parts of the world the date is fixed. For example, in America, New Zealand and Australia it always falls on the second Sunday of May (it’s also a national holiday in USA), with this year’s International Mother’s Day, as it’s known, falling on Sunday 13th May.

One of the earliest recorded calls to celebrate Mother’s Day is documented as taking place in the United States in 1870. The “Mother’s Day Proclamation” by Julia Ward Howe, was a pacifist reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. The Proclamation was tied to Howe’s feminist belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies at the political level.

Then, in 1912, to mark the passing of her mother two years earlier, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases “second Sunday in May” and “Mother’s Day”, and created the Mother’s Day International Association, with a ‘holiday’ day created in the US to remember mums everywhere.

As other countries and cultures adopted the US holiday, the date was changed to fit already existing celebrations honouring motherhood, like Mothering Sunday in the UK or the Orthodox celebration of Jesus in the temple in Greece. In some countries it was changed to dates that were significant to the majority religion, like the Virgin Mary day in Catholic countries, or the birthday of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic countries. Other countries changed it to historical dates, like Bolivia using the date of a certain battle where women participated. However, for the majority of nations around the world, the second Sunday of May became known as International Mother’s Day – a celebration that has stuck to this day.

Over the past century, Mother’s Day has grown larger and larger, as more and more gifts became showered on mums. Ask any florist, pretty much anywhere in the world what their busiest occasions are and Mother’s Day will surely be listed first or second. But why has flower delivery become such a big deal at Mother’s Day? Anna Jarvis herself raised the selfish issue of presenting chocolates, when all you will do is eat them yourself, whilst back in the days before reliable postal services and overnight couriers, flower delivery could be arranged through the then modern technology of the telegram. Indeed, floristry was, and still is in many cases, at the forefront of technology.

A customer working away from home in say Chicago could, for example, send a delivery of flowers to their mum in San Diego the next day. The florist in Chicago would take the order and the money, before sending a telegram to the delivering florist in San Diego, who would then deliver the flowers, complete with a personalised card message, with the money being sorted out later. And this in the day when posting an item could take days or even weeks!

Whilst technology has moved on, with online ordering now the norm, the principle of sending flowers remains the same. Only now, the transmission of the order is faster and can go further. For example, it’s possible to place an order in London in the morning and have a delivery made in New York the same day. Some companies – Direct2Florist is one – even allow you to see the actual work carried out by the florist in New York, after selecting your chosen florist based on address and even what the shop looks like!

Whilst technology clearly helped flowers become a major part of the demonstration of love towards mums on International Mother’s Day, there’s one more overriding factor that we can’t ignore – mums love flowers. Couple that with the convenience of sending flowers and it’s easy to see why florists are busy people on the second Sunday of every May.

For a list of countries celebrating International Mother’s Day this month, click here.

Win with Direct2Florist

Adeel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:07:25 +0000

In this month’s newsletter we’ve talked about long-lasting flowers and the health giving properties of plants, so it makes sense for us to combine the two by giving away three orchid plants in our superb prize draw.

Combining air cleaning properties with long-lasting spectacular flowers in an easy to look after package, the Phalaenopsis orchid was voted Plant of the Year 2011 by eFIG, The European Federation of Interior Landscape Groups.

We have three beautiful Phalaenopsis plants up for grabs, which will be delivered by one of Direct2Florist’s talented florists to the address of your choice. Each plant will be beautifully gift-wrapped and come complete with a suitable container.

To enter, simply email webteam@direct2florist.com with your name and contact details, which will only be used to contact you if you win. Closing date for entries is noon on Monday April 30^th and the three prize winners will be drawn at random. Good luck!

Plants equal good health

Adeel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:06:09 +0000

Did you know that houseplants greatly improve your health and wellbeing? Well, according to various scientific studies, houseplants are good for you – physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Plants are proven to:

Remove harmful chemicals from the air
Absorb noise and lessen dust in the home
Help hospital patients recover faster, and with less medication
Lower blood pressure, help concentration and improve memory
Promote feelings of relaxation, calm and well-being

NASA space research, inside airtight space habitats, showed ordinary houseplants had amazing capabilities in fighting air pollution. In its test, in addition to soaking up formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, houseplants absorbed benzene (found in car exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke) and trichloroethylene (TCE) or dry-cleaning fluid.

Meanwhile, a study carried out by Oxford Brooks University proved that when plants are present in a room, anxiety levels are lowered and people recover from mental tiredness faster.

So, with the scientific proof there, which plants should we choose to ensure a clean, healthy and happy environment? Well, according to NASA, the most effective are palms including lady palm (Raphis excelsa) and parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), ficus, peace lily (Spathiphyllum), dragon tree (Dracaena), Boston fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata), chrysanthemum and gerbera. The truth is though that nearly all houseplants can have a positive impact.

The simple addition of a few houseplants in your home or office can do a great deal to boost your health and well-being. So what are you waiting for… get yours today!

Sending long-lasting flowers

Adeel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:04:28 +0000

When sending flowers as a gift, one of the questions may well ask yourself is, how do I select long-lasting flowers?

With the continuing stories of economic doom and gloom, value-for-money has never been talked about so much and when it comes to flowers that means searching out cut flowers that last longer than most. Indeed, that’s a question customers of Direct2florist often ask us.

Whilst the way you look after your flowers plays a big part in the longevity of flowers – more about that later – there are certain varieties that last for longer than is the norm. One of these – and a flower that’s a real favourite amongst consumers is the Chrysanthemum. It’s a cheaper flower – so better value-for-money to begin with – and is available year round in an enviable selection of colours and sizes, making it perfect for every occasion.

Carnations and Gladioli generally last just as long as Chrysanthemums and, for a more expensive option, try orchids, which are definite contenders for top spot in the longevity stakes. Roses and Lilies have an average lifespan if looked after properly.

No matter which flowers you choose, be sure to follow the florist’s care instructions and use the flower food if provided – it makes a big difference, as we’ll show in next month’s newsletter.

Finally, for the best possible life, why not consider sending plants as gifts?

A flower for every anniversary

Adeel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:03:11 +0000

When you want to send flowers, selecting the correct flowers can be something of a headache. Some choose their flowers and plants by colour, others through knowledge of favourite flowers. However, next time you send anniversary flowers (or birthday flowers for that matter), why not reflect the tradition of anniversary gift lore in your choice of flowers and plants?

Each anniversary has a special something traditionally associated with it; and Direct2Florist has found a flower or plant to match, allowing you to choose the perfect floral gift. Here’s a roundup of flowers for the big anniversaries.

1st: Paper – Paper Flower is another name for bougainvillea.

2nd: Cotton – Hibiscus is sometimes called the Cotton Rose; Gossypium or ornamental cotton is also available.

3rd: Leather – Leatherleaf is a readily available foliage that would make an ideal collar for a mixed bouquet. It’s commonly used by Direct2Florist’s florists.

4th: Fruit or flowers – Anything goes here!

5th: Wood – Zantedeschia “Highwood” has huge white flowers. Zantedeschias are of course also known as arum or calla lilies.

6th: Iron – Aspidistra is known as the Cast Iron plant; or choose the Begonia masoniana “Iron Cross”.

7th: Wool – Specialist florists might be able to get hold of Lacynostachys, the Australian Lambstail. Or, wool can be used as a surprisingly lovely decorative accessory.

8th: Bronze – Several varieties of Rex begonia have beautiful bronzed leaves.

9th: Pottery – “White Wedgwood” iris fits the bill; as does hyacinth “Delft Blue”.

10th: Tin or aluminium – Pilea is commonly called the Aluminium Plant.

15th: Crystal – Zantedeschia “Crystal Blush” is very pretty and very appropriate.

20th: China – Callistephus is better known as Chinese Aster; Physalis is the Chinese Lantern plant; Sandersonia is also called Chinese Lanterns.

25th: Silver – Silver Vine is the common name for Scindapsus pictus.

30th: Pearl – Choose Anigozanthos “Mini Pearl”, a pale pink kangaroo paw.

35th: Coral or jade – Ardisia is also known as Coral Berry; Jade Plant is another name for Crassula argentea.

40th: Ruby – The soft tails of Setaria “Red Jewel”

45th: Sapphire – Track down the elusive Browallia, or Sapphire Flower plant.

50th: Gold – Zantedeschia “Florex Gold” is pure deep yellow; or what about some Soleil d’Or (gold sun) narcissi?

60th: Diamond – Iris “Blue Diamond” is a rich navy; alstroemeria “Diamond” leopard-spotted white; spray carnation “West Diamond” a soft pink.

Above all else though, if you’re unsure of what to buy, we’re here to help, with Direct2Florist’s florists happy to create gifts to match your requirements. Click here to find a florist.