All About Flowers – Our Blog | Flora2000.com

Think of the many ways we use the word “nest” in our language: When we decide to spend a quiet evening at home and alone with our family, we say that we are “nesting”. When our children leave home, we refer to “the empty nest”. When we put money in savings we “feather the nest”. When a full-term expectant mother does an impulsive house cleaning we say the she is “nesting” and will deliver soon.

Yes, a nest design speaks to our basic emotions, which makes it perfect for a centerpiece in the home. The fresh flowers in this featured centerpiece have been tucked into a bit of hidden floral foam. The nest has been secured to a branch which is then laid on the table as a centerpiece. How stylishly wonderful!

Some of the very first Europeans to explore the Great Lakes area of North America were French fur trappers, traders and the “voyageurs”. These were very tough men, capable of traversing the roaring rapids and stormy lakes of the far north in birch bark canoes filled to the gunwales with heavy beaver pelts. Their 18^th century exploits, drinking fests, displays of courage and feats of strength are legendary. Yet, on Macanac Island in northern Lake Michigan there are beautiful old Lilac bushes whose dates of planting have been traced back to the late 18^th century. They were most likely planted by the missionaries, fur trappers, traders and voyageurs of the time, well before any European women had traveled into the area.

I will always remember my visit to Fort Macanac, lingering in an ancient grove of lilacs. The deep purple color, the heady sweet fragrance and the wonder of those French-Canadian voyageurs who left their homes in France, traveled across the treacherous Atlantic, then hiked and canoed thousands of miles into the uncharted and hostile far north with only the very barest of essentials…… including their most precious lilacs. How they must have loved those flowers.

We are all familiar with the practice of memorializing the death of a loved one with flowers. It seems natural and almost instinctive to do so. Flowers are a part of the funerary practices of almost every culture in every country of the world.

When famed rock and roll star Elvis Presley died in 1977 the lawns of Graceland Mansion were covered with floral tributes. Each year on the anniversary of his death hundreds of floral bouquets are piled on his Gravesite by fans. When Princess Diana of England died in 1997 tens of thousands of floral bouquets were laid outside of Kensington Palace.

But, did you know that the practice of memorial flowers has been proven to be at least 40,000 years old. In 1960 archeologists excavating prehistoric graves in Iraq discovered patterns of pollen in graves indicating the placement of floral garlands.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
and satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
and run my stick along the public railings
and make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
and pick the flowers in other people’s gardens . . .

Jenny Joseph

Yes, purple flowers are very much in style. But, you don’t have to pick flowers from other people’s gardens. Flora2000 has dozens of purple flowers to choose from – roses, iris, carnations, dahlias, freesia, hydrangea and more.

Fill your house with your favorite purple blooms and wear a red hat – I promise, life will be a little more fun.

First off, we want to start by thanking everyone who took part in this contest. When we put up the Mother’s Day Contest, we had no idea that we were in for an emotional roller coaster ride. Some of the comments made us laugh and smile while others brought a tear to our eyes. Some made us relive similar moments in our lives but overall, we were carried away by the emotions all of you put across in your posts.

We want to wish all of you and your mothers a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Now, the time you all have been waiting for. The 2 winners are –

1) L Bermudez

2) Myla

CONGRATULATIONS – You have won our contest. Do check your email for your prize.

Thank you all once again and keep coming back. We try our best to keep all of you smiling.

Mother’s Day is here again but this year, we want to celebrate Mom’s in an extra special way.

This is the time when you start planning and get your Mother’s Day shopping started to make every detail perfect.

Since we want to be a part of this special day in your lives, we bring you a contest which would let you win your Mom flowers and be their champions.

It’s pretty simple, all you have to do is leave your comments on this post. Just tell us about a moment in your life, which made you stop and think – ‘My Mother is the greatest’.

The 2 most interesting comments will win Beautiful Mother’s Day Bouquets for their Mom’s Absolutely Free.

So get thinking, start typing and win your Mom the Flowers she deserves.

We will accept entries till the 5^th of May.

Fresh air, clean water, tall trees offering shade, beautiful grasses blowing in the wind and fresh flowers dotting the landscape – what wonderful gifts the earth provides.

As responsible citizens we all need to think about our part in protecting mother earth. Each day, take time to reflect and respect, recycle, conserve and appreciate all that we have been given.

Gift giving should reflect the same sustainable attitudes we use in our every day lives. What better earth conscious gift than fresh flowers? When choosing, think seasonal flower varieties and pick a wonderful, recyclable container. Your florist can help you choose the perfect “green” floral gift.

The arrangement pictured features a paper-pulp container made of recycled paper and is itself recyclable. The wheat grass and flowers are “Organic” and compostable; straight from the farm, to the Florist, and to you, all with love and care for our Mother Earth.

It’s hard to believe that 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz. It seems as though it was only yesterday. What a grand old movie! My favorite part is the transition from traditional black and white to the amazing Technicolor delight of Munchkin land. Wow! Color in all its glory.

Recreate the wonder of the rainbow and the colors glistening in the sunlight with flowers. A scattering of glass cubes filled with colorful foam and coordinating flowers.

“Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true”

Yellow, orange, green, purple and blue… a floral rainbow, just for you.

“April showers bring May flowers,
That is what they say.
But if all the showers turned to flowers,
We’d have quite a colorful day!

There’d be bluebells and cockleshells,
Tulips red and green,
Daffodils and Chinese squill,
The brightest you’ve ever seen.”

Chinese squill… What is that? It’s nothing more than common grape hyacinth.  What an interesting name – Squill. You may know the grape hyacinth as Scilla.  Now, you can also dazzle your friends with another name, Chinese Squill.

The lingering April showers have brought many flowers to your Flora2000 florist.  Drop by and find Chinese squill, daffodils and lilies (oh, the bright colors) and tulips, too. Spring time brings so many fabulous flowers to the market place. It is hard to choose. All these bright blooms make the rainy days a little brighter!

At last, spring has arrived. The change of seasons brings new delights each and every day. I walk through the neighborhoods and find crocus, daffodils, tiny little snow drops, flowering plum, quince and tulips (just starting to bud). What a grand time of the year to be alive. Listen close and you can almost hear the grass grow. Ok, that may be an exaggeration but be sure to listen to the singing birds. Winter is over and the return migration is underway. Last week I saw my first humming bird – what a surprise that was.

Bring the season indoors with a bright blooming plant from Flora2000. Have your florist add a few pussy willow branches and a springtime bird or two. Listen close and you may hear the bird sing….if not, sing a little song yourself, “Plenty of sunshine coming my way. Me oh my, what a beautiful day”.