Easter flowers have always brought beauty and spirituality to the special holiday. There are a variety of elegant and vibrant flowers that enhance the meaning of Easter. These flowers are used to decorate homes, churches, and are even given as gifts. They make for great table center piece for family and friends to enjoy while eating their delicious Easter dinner. When selecting the perfect flowers for your holiday celebration, it is important to know the types of flowers that are typically used to renew this meaningful occasion.

1. Easter Lily - The Easter Lily is the most popular Easter flower. Although the traditional Easter lily is white with a bell-shaped flower, there are a number of different colors of lilies to choose from such as pink, white, yellow, and red orange. Originating in Japan, the Easter Lily symbolizes purity and renewal of Easter. Because of the shape of the Easter Lily’s petals, Christians refer to them as the trumpet of God summoning Jesus to return.

2. Hydrangeas - Another popular flower for the Easter holiday, the Hydrangea, is a short growing shrub with stunning blooms. This beautiful flower will bloom in the spring making it a great choice for the Easter holiday. The flower head of the hydrangea is big, round and consists of a number of differ color hues such as white, blue, and pink. It is a popular decorative flower for such places as a church and it is also a popular Easter gift, especially for hosts of Easter dinners.

3. Daffodils - Daffodils, also known as Narcissus, are another popular Easter flower. This vibrant flower contains six petals which are yellow. Daffodils symbolize rebirth and eternal life which is relevant to the Christian meaning of Easter. Daffodils also bloom in the spring. According to Christian beliefs, the flower bloomed during Christ’s resurrection.

4. Tulips - The tulip is a popular flower that adds beautiful décor to Easter celebrations. The elegant tulip symbolizes the rebirth of spring and true love. This striking flower blooms in the spring and the flower itself has a teacup shape. Tulips are available in a broad spectrum of colors.

5. Hyacinths - The Hyacinth is available in a variety of colors that include white, blue, purple, and pink. These gorgeous flowers are often used in Easter bouquets and as a table centerpiece. The flower petals are small and it blooms in the spring.

6. Azaleas - Many people give Azaleas as an Easter gift. They are available in a variety of beautiful colors such as orange, white, red, and pink. They bloom around Easter time which makes them a popular choice for the holiday.

When you ask people what they think of when they reflect upon Easter, many will say colored eggs and colorful Easter baskets. These are widely known Easter symbols; however, beautiful colorful flowers have had a long Easter history. When planning your Easter celebrations, consider including eye-catching flowers such as the traditional Easter Lily. It will make your holiday much more meaningful and memorable.

Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year. It is a time to express your true feelings for that special person in your life. One of the most romantic ways to express your feelings is by giving the gift of flowers. They are not only a romantic gift, but they make for a decorative addition to the home or office. They are one of the best ways to communicate your heartfelt sentiments and let that special someone know how much he or she really means to you.

There are many romantic ways to express your feelings with Valentine’s Day flowers. For instance, you can give them after a special romantic dinner, have them delivered at the office, or bring them home as a romantic surprise. As well, many people will give flowers along with another special gift such as chocolates, jewelry, engagement ring, lingerie, stuffed animal, etc.

Roses are the most well known flowers given on Valentine’s Day. Whether as a single rose or in a bouquet, your special love will definitely love the romantic gesture. The wonderful fragrance will make her heart melt. When selecting roses, make sure you know what each color signifies. For instance, purple roses symbolize long lasting love, red roses mean true love, yellow roses signifies friendship, and white roses mean peace. It is important to pick the right color that expresses your true feelings to avoid misunderstandings.

Roses are not the only kind of romantic flower people give on Valentine’s Day. There are a number of different types of flowers with varying shades of color and fragrances that will allow you to express exactly how you feel. Lilac and Narcissus are beautiful flowers that emit a wonderful fragrance. White or purple lilac represents sincerity. Orchids are a beautiful choice that symbolizes sensuality. White lilies are a lovely way to express the harmony and purity of your love. A bouquet of daisies or orange-blossom will express your faithfulness to your special love. White carnations or white gardenia represent hidden passion. Multi-colored tulips say your love is sincere and ever-lasting. Yellow jasmine symbolizes passion. You could arrange a beautiful bouquet of different flowers that blend well together and express your true sentiments.

In order to convey your feelings to your special love with a gift of flowers, it is important to know what each flower represents so you know you are sending the right message. There are flowers that convey such feelings as true love, friendship, shyness, faithfulness, passion, virtue, serenity, eternal devotion, and much more. Mixing and matching flowers into a beautiful bouquet will make a positive and romantic long lasting impression.

Now, with the surge of flower delivery services, including online flower delivery businesses, you can send flowers to anyone in almost any place around the world and have them arrive fresh and in the same condition as when they were sent. If you find it difficult sharing your true feelings, you can still make your special valentine smile by giving a gift of romantic flowers.

How Valentine’s Day evolved is a fascinating story. In early Roman times, the Roman Feast of Lupercalia was a celebration of pagan fertility held on February 14 that honored the Queen of Oman known as Juno, the Roman gods and goddesses, as well as the goddess of marriage and women. During the celebrations, women would write special love letters and place the letters in an urn. The men would then retrieve a letter from the urn and passionately court the woman who wrote the particular love letter.

The most well known origin of Valentine’s Day comes from a 3rd century Roman priest by the name of Valentine. Against the explicit orders of Emperor Claudius II, Valentine performed secret marriages. The Emperor prohibited marriages because he thought that unmarried soldiers were more apt to enlist in his army. Valentine was caught and sentenced to death. The story says that Valentine conveyed a letter to a friend which was signed ‘From Your Valentine’ just prior to his execution on February 14 in 270 A.D. In 496 A.D., in honor of St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers, Pope Gelasius named St. Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Ever since that time, people all over the world have been celebrating Valentines Day.

Flowers have become a staple of Valentines Day. The rose as a symbol of love, is the most widely used flower to give someone on Valentine’s Day, especially the traditional bouquet of a dozen red roses. Over the years there have an increase in the diversity of flowers chosen for the special day. Different types of roses include multi-colored roses, white roses, red roses, yellow roses, long stemmed roses, pink roses, and special valentine roses. Other types of flowers now chosen include: carnations, lilies, hyacinths, crocuses, buttercups, tulips, and daisies. Men will send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to their special sweetheart. When giving Valentine flowers as gifts to men, popular colors of flowers include purple, orange, and red. Women love such colors as red, lavender, peach, and pink.

By giving a flower to your special loved one, you are expressing how you feel about that person. The choice of Valentine’s Day flowers will depend on the sentiments you want to express.

For instance, a red rose expresses strong feelings and love. Lilac roses are a symbol of love at first sight. Peach Pink rose is a symbol of gratitude, sympathy, gentleness and friendship. Red Roses and White Roses mixed in a bouquet means truth and love, union and harmony, or true love. Lily means that one is a nurturing person. A red carnation means admiration. A white Carnation means pure love, faithfulness, innocence, and sweet and lovely. Chamomile/Golden Marguerite/Anthemis means cheerfulness and friendship. Iris means promise in love, wisdom, faith, and hope. Purple Lilac means the first emotions of love. Ambrosia means love is reciprocated. Pink Camellia means longing for you. White Chrysanthemum means truth and loyal love. Forget-Me-Not means true love, hope, and memories. Gloxina means love at first sight. Pansy means the recipient is being thought about warmly. Yellow and orange roses being mixed together means passionate thoughts. A yellow tulip means hopeless love.

Valentines Day is a day to let that special someone how you feel. Giving flowers to your loved one is a thoughtful and romantic way to share your sentiments.

The holidays are a special time for celebrating with family and friends. Whether you are decorating your home or giving gifts, no holiday is complete without the addition of Christmas flowers. No matter what holiday you are celebrating, flowers are a beautiful addition to the celebration.

Roses are beautiful flowers for any holiday event. Whether it is for decoration or a gift, a vase of roses or roses complementing a decorative setting will add richness to the holiday occasion. They brighten up any room and a bouquet of roses makes for a wonderful gift to that special person in your life. If you are on a tight budget, a bouquet of fresh flowers is an affordable and wonderful personal gesture that will be greatly appreciated.

Christmas is one holiday where flowers are used to add cheer to the season. It is important to pick flowers that emphasize the spirit of the holiday. Flower arrangements that contain bright greens, reds, and whites, are usually chosen for the Christmas holidays. As well, many people will often be more creative and choose a flower arrangement with added vibrant colored flowers. Poinsettias are the usual Christmas choice; however, various colors of tulips and roses have increased in popularity. Many people will mix in various colors of flowers in their wreaths for an added sparkle. There are many different types of flowers that can be used in a wreath as well as for a Christmas center piece. Using fresh flowers to decorate your Christmas tree will add even more beauty and cheer to the tree.

Decorating your Christmas flowers will make your arrangement much more captivating. You can use various flowers and colors while adding such decorations as candles, ribbons, and any other Christmas decorative accessory that will complement the flowers. You can be as creative as you want, or just stick with a more traditional display. If you do not have a flare for floral design, a florist will be more than happy to help arrange a pleasing decorative holiday design. As well, you can order any type of floral arrangement online which can be delivered right to the door. You will have a choice of a centerpiece or floral arrangement. Guests will not only love the look of your flower arrangement, but also the exquisite aroma of the fresh flowers.

Christmas table centerpieces are popular for the holidays. Potted plants make for a great center piece or you can use a creative floral arrangement. Holiday plants such as berried greens, holly, mistletoe, and rosemary, can add holiday joy to the home. Popular flowers that can be used in arrangements include lilies, Hyacinths, mums, roses, and tulips. A simple arrangement of flowers can be customized to fit any holiday occasion.

The holidays are a special time of celebration and making new memories. Decorating your home with flowers adds glittering life into each room of a home and to a mantle and table. Whether you use Christmas flowers to enhance the décor of your home or use them as a gift, the flowers will enhance the holiday spirit and will help provide wonderful memories. Make your holidays shine with gorgeous and joyous holiday flowers.

For those who love flowers and love having outdoor and indoor flowers around their home, they know that winter can be a tough season on their plants. Cut flowers and potted flowering plants such as poinsettias and flowering bulbs can last longer when one adopts a few flower care techniques.

The following is a list of tips on how to make your birthday flowers, sympathy flowers, or Valentine’s Day flowers last through the winter:

Potted Flowers

1. When selecting a potted plant, the best choice would be a plant where there is just the bud that is showing. If there is no plant with just a bud, then pick a plant with bright green leaves. The plant you choose should not have roots protruding from the drainage holes. If there are roots this means the plant is root bound and should not be chosen.

2. Fill a water catcher with small stones. Fill the water catcher with enough water to barely cover the top of the stones.

3. Water the plant. Pour the water until it coming out of the drainage holes. Place your potted plant on top of the stones in the water catcher.

3. Place your potted plant in an area where it will be exposed to about 6 hours of sun each day. Temperatures of the room that the plant is in should be about 60 degrees F., even at night.

4. Whenever there are dead leaves and faded flowers, remove them.

5. Keep the water fresh and clean.

Cut Flowers

1. Prepare a vase for the flowers. Get your favorite vase and thoroughly wash it with dish detergent. Rinse the vase thoroughly and dry it.

2. When selecting your flowers, pick flowers that have just begun to open or are still a bud.

3. Place the stems in a container of cold water. While the stems are soaking in the water re-cut the stems by using a pair of scissors. When you cut the stems, make sure you cut it on a slant to allow for better water uptake. Take out any leaves that are in the water.

4. Fill the vase with half water and half with citrus soda such as Sprite. A teaspoon of sugar added to the water is a suitable replacement for citrus soda. You can add a few drops of lemon to the mix if you do not use citrus soda. Add the appropriate amount of flower food. Add a 1 tsp. of bleach. Mix and then add the flowers and arrange them.

5. Place the vase of flowers in a cool area out of the sun for about 2 hours. This will help the flower absorb the water/food mixture thereby increasing the lifespan of the flowers.

6. Put your vase of flowers in a place that is away from direct sunlight, drafts, and excess heat such heating vents. At night, place your arrangement in the refrigerator, but remember to take it out in the morning. Change the water and food every few days.

If properly cared for, you can extend the life of cut flowers and keep potted plants throughout the winter.

Fresh cut flowers add vibrancy and color to any room. When people receive a gift of fresh cut flowers, they want to keep them for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep fresh cut flowers.

The following are a list of tips to help you take care of your fresh cut flowers:

1. Remove the flowers from the wrapping and cut the stem on a slant (about 3 cm) as this will expose more of the stem to the water. Remove any leaves that will be in the water. For roses, do not remove the thorns as it will cause them to deteriorate at a much faster rate. Place the flowers in a vase of water. Lukewarm water should be used as it contains less oxygen than cold water which reduces the amount of air bubbles likely to form in the stem’s system. Distilled water is the best water to use. Use cold water for bulb flowers such as hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils. Add flower food to the water. Do not use metal containers as they reduce the effect of flower food. The stems should extend half way down the vase. As well, your vase should not contain any residue which can be a haven for bacteria that can cause flowers to wilt.

2. Flowers stay fresh in the light and at temperatures of 65-72F. Warm temperatures cause flowers to deteriorate faster so they keep them in a cooler room and out of direct sunlight. As well, keep them away from any appliance that gives of heat. Make sure you keep the flowers away from open drafts such as open windows.

3. Keep cut flowers away from fruit. Fruit releases ethylene gas that causes flowers to age quicker.

4. Daffodils should be placed in their own vase because the stems of these flowers give off a substance that is toxic to other flowers. Keep flowers out of direct sunlight

5. You should spray the flowers with a mild mist of water daily and remove any dying flowers and dried up leaves. Flower food contains a biocide which helps inhibits bacteria growth. The food can be purchased at local florists and nurseries. If you do not have a plant food packet, add a little sugar to water.

6. Take care of the flowers every day. Remove wilted flowers. Rotting flowers and leaves can make the water toxic to flowers. Change the water every 2 days. Make sure you add a preservative each time you change the water. You can also re-cut the stem for better water absorption. The lower the temperature of the room, the longer the flowers will last. It is important to be aware that flowers in temperatures below four degrees will diminish faster.

Most people receive flowers for a special occasion such as Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, birthday flowers, etc, so they want the flowers to last for a long time. By implementing the above tips, you will be able to enjoy your fresh cut flowers for a longer period of time.

Flowers are one type of plant that is loved by almost all people. They make wonderful home décor as well eye-catching adornments to the outside of the home. To make flowers even more pleasing to the eye, many people choose to arrange them in beautiful and unique ways. Arranging flowers is not a difficult task to learn. All that you need is a little imagination and creativity.

The following is a list of tips and tricks to arranging flowers:

1. When arranging flowers choose the colors that you find appealing. Colors that display joyfulness and vibrancy include bright colors such as red, yellow, and blue. If you are looking for an arrangement that reflects a season such as Fall, use orange, brown and a dark deep red.

2. There are different types of flowers you can work with. You can use fresh flowers, dry flowers or artificial flowers. For the type of flower you choose, you will need floral foam. Green water-retaining foam is used for fresh flowers and flora. Brown foam is used for dried or artificial flowers. For fresh flowers, soak the foam in warm water with plant food. For dry and artificial flowers, you do not soak the foam. You just have to add glue to the foam to make sure they stick to the container that they are placed in.

3. Once you have placed the foam in the container and it is secure, place short pieces of bushy greenery along the base to cover the sponge. For dry flowers, you can use floral tape to cover the foam and lay heavy flowers along the base. For traditional arrangements, always cut your floral foam about 1″ higher than the rim of the container. This will allow plants to be arranged naturally.

4. When arranging, use the largest and heaviest flowers along the base. Arrange one flower at a time. Shorten the stems as necessary. Arrange them like a pyramid or ball shape. Make sure the shape is smooth and edges even. The flowers should face outwards and at an appropriate angle. Use a knife to slant and shape the stems. A sharp edge knife is needed to make a sharp smooth cut that will permit water to enter the flower stems. Do not bunch the flowers. Fill in extra holes with some long greens. Make sure the greens don’t clump together. Smaller blooms can be grouped to make a unique appearance. Group flowers freely by arranging them close to each other.

5. It is important to remember that some flowers dry up before others, so if you want the arrangement to last a long time, pick flowers that last long. Some flowers that last a long time are carnations and roses. The fresh flowers should be watered every few days, Flowers such as Baby’s Breath make the entire display more stylish and striking. If some of the flowers die earlier then the others you can remove and replace them with some other fresh flowers. Scented flowers can be overwhelming in small confined areas. The dried and artificial flower arrangement should last.

6. Other additions that make the flower arrangement look elegant include corn, fruits, berries, and much more.

Arranging flowers is a fun and creative way to add life and vibrancy to a home.

The day was wonderful! The bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and the flowers were gorgeous! As another anniversary comes around, one wonders where do the years go? Anniversaries are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate love, and much like the actual wedding day, they’re a great opportunity to help the happy couple do exactly that! Each year is a milestone honouring the love two people have for each other. Whether it’s your own anniversary you’re celebrating or that of your parents, grandparents, siblings, children, cousins or friends – acknowledging this joyous occasion is a time-honoured tradition. Finding the right gift can be much easier for an anniversary than it was for the wedding! Anniversary Flowers — delivered right to the door, can express how much you wish them your very best. A beautiful vase arrangement or a bouquet of colourful cut flowers can be the finishing touch to a day filled with happiness.

Of course all anniversaries are worth celebrating, but some are extra special! So we’ve put together a list to help you remember (or just look like you did!) which flowers represent each of these momentous anniversaries:

The Anniversary Flower idea is a long held tradition. Here is a list of anniversary flowers for some of the years.

For the missing years in between… just use your own imagination!

When you are planning out your planting calendar for your outdoor flower garden, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. Two of the main factors are what type of plant you are planting and what type of climate that you live in, as these will both be very important factors in your planting schedule. Another thing to factor in is the current weather as every year can be different. If you have early spring plants, you may have to hold off on planting them until you are sure that the last frost is gone if it’s a particularly cold year. The best time to start your flower garden varies depending on the type of plant as well.

Annuals

Annual plants are those that need to be planted again every year. These are more delicate plants and you need to make sure that they are planted after the last spring frost, otherwise there is a very good chance that they will freeze with the next cold snap. There are a couple of exceptions which include violas and pansies. These are sold as cold weather annuals and can last through harsher weather conditions.

Bare Root Perennials

Perennials are sold either as bare root plants or container grown. If you have purchased a dormant bare root plant, as soon as you can work the ground, you can plant it. This is when the soil is no longer frozen but not wet and muddy either. Dormant bare root plants need to wake up slowly with the season and this is the perfect way to do this. If you have to store the plant before planting it, you want to keep it in a cool, dark place, but only for a couple of days. Get it in the ground as soon as possible and keep it out of warm areas or else the root may start to grow before you have a chance to transplant.

Container Grown Perennial Plants

If the container grown perennial has been grown outdoors, you can transplant it as soon as you purchase it, assuming that the ground is workable. Those which have been grown in a greenhouse, however, need time to adapt to the outdoor conditions. These can be hardened by setting the pot out in the sun each morning and keeping it in a more protected area during the remainder of the day and night. Make sure that it also has protection from the wind and the frost if it has leafed out. Keep it watered enough so that the soil is as moist as a wrung out sponge. After leaving it in these conditions for a week, you can transplant the flowers into your garden.

If you are in doubt about when to plant flowers outdoors, talk to your local nursery. Workers there will know all about proper planting times or will have the means to find out. The tags that come with most flowers will also give you a good idea of when they should be placed in the ground.

Window boxes can add some much needed gardening space to small homes or perk up a window in any size house. They give the apartment dweller with no deck a place to garden and give the illusion of bringing the outdoors inside. Choosing what type of flowers to plant in your window box really depends on where your box is located and the type of blooms that you want. Take a look at where your window box is, or where you would like it to be and note how much sun it gets. This will help you determine which flowers to plant.

Size Matters

When you are plant shopping for your window box, you want to look for any type of plant that does not grow very tall so that you don’t obstruct the view from the window. Decide if you want to place new flowers in the box with each season or have leaves that look good all year round and choose your foliage accordingly. Try and stay away from plants that need a large root base because in a window box, these types can become easily root bound and either take over other plants or die.

Building Depth

When you are planting your box, try and build some depth in it by planting vine type plants such as ivy that spill out of the box and hang down. Behind these types of foliage, plant the lowest type plants and build your way up to the taller plants in the back. This will create a look that is 3 dimensional and give it a more professional feel.

The Best Flower Options

Some of the more popular types of blooms for window boxes include marigolds, petunias, pansies, geraniums and begonias. These are very seasonal however, and need to be replaced in the winter with greenery such as green hydrangea and bittersweet to keep the planters looking fresh and alive. Other popular plants include herbs, basil, chives, mint and thyme are all good ones which can be planted in a kitchen window box for a quick and flavorful addition to any meal.

Essentially, you want seedlings that will stay fairly small, so as not to outgrow the space. It’s also important to look for an abundance of color and long lasting blooms so you will have plenty of bright petals to enjoy throughout the season. Some blossoms come and go so quickly that it’s not even worth having them in your window.

For the lowest maintenance look while still enjoying a beautiful window, mix and match your choices. Pick some plants that have beautiful foliage that stands on its own and add in some long lasting flowers like marigolds or forget-me-nots for a splash of color. This will let you have a pretty planter even when the blooming season is over.

Window boxes offer a simple way to get into gardening no matter where you live and can add a homey touch to an otherwise dull room simply by including some beautiful flowers, and are a great gift for birthdays or Mothers Day.