Top Ten Unusual Flowers

Orchids

There are more than 25,000 species of this rare and beautiful cone-shaped flower. Some of them are extremely expensive and hard to come by, but other varieties are affordable, available and simple to grow at home.

Flowers

Hibiscus

Top Ten Unusual Flowers

There are 10,000 named varieties of the tropical Hibiscus flower. These beautiful and colorful flowers are emblematic of the tropical environments they come from, such as Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica and India. Hibiscus are wonderful for decoration because the flowers will not wilt until their natural time to close -even without water. Opening buds may be picked early in the day, stored in a cool place and brought out for the evening. Storing Hibiscus in the cold slows down the flowers closing by a few hours.

Torenia

Also known as the Wishbone Flower, these annuals and perrenials originate in tropical Asia and Africa. Torenia grow to be about a foot tall, with toothed, ovular leaves. Torenia produce a striking amount of beautiful pouched flowers that can grow to be an inch across. Torenia flowers are noted for their wide array of beautiful colors, such as white, blue, purple, mauve or lilac. Tornias can be grown with proper care in an environment that has a temperature of 70 degrees or more.

Lamium

Also know as White Nancy, Lamium is a beautiful ground-covering plant with white heart-shaped leaves and short spikes of pink flowers. Lamium blooms in the summer, grows up to eight inches tall and can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions. It does best in shady woodland areas.

Portulaca

Portulaca is a group of annual flowers that comes in several varieties. Native to Brazil, Portulaca grow spiraling stems up to five inches long and have cylindrical leaves and bright, colorful flowers up to an inch in diameter at the end of the stems. The flowers can be purple, yellow, pink, scarlet and many other colors. To cultivate Portulaca successfully you need to place them in a spot with plenty of sunlight and sandy soil.

Pentas

Simple to cultivate, easy to care for, and beautiful to behold, Pentas is a wonderful choice for your garden. Pentas is native to tropical Africa and its beautiful red, pink, white and lavender blooms are well-known for attracting hummingbirds. The plant grows up to three feet tall and wide and does well indoors, potted in a sunny spot or outside in warmer climates.

Lavatera

Though named for a Swiss botanist, Lavatera are native to the Himalayan Mountains, Siberia and Australia. These plants come in several varieties, both perennial and annual, with bush-like growth or tall straight stalks. Their large, beautiful flowers last only a day or two before wilting, but the plant produces new flowers for an extended period of time.

Sedum

Sedum, which come in hundreds of varieties, are easy to grow, late-blooming, hardy and beautiful plants. Sedum plants have thick stems, fleshy leaves, and flower heads that resemble lavender broccoli. These plants do best in well-drained soil and can tolerate both droughts and rainy weather. Because they bloom so late in the year, they often remain attractive through the winter.

Abutilon

Also known as the Flowering Maple, the Abutilon is a beautiful plant that does well indoors. Abutilon's lovely blossoms range from reds, yellows, blues and shades of orange, and its foliage is usually pale green. Depending on how much space it has to grow, Abutilon plants can grow to be very large, which is why the plant is best kept indoors in a small to medium sized pot.

Gazania

Gazania, native to South Africa, is a beautiful, perennial ground cover with colorful daisy-like flowers. Gazania tropical flower boom in late spring to early summer and come in shades of yellow, orange, white and pink. Gazania thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil.

Top Ten Unusual Flowers

Tidy's Flowers offers tropical flower arrangements which are suitable for a wide array of occasions such as corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, grand-openings, house-warming gifts, and funeral tributes to celebrate the life of a loved-one. We offer flower delivery as well.

Wedding Flowers - The 7 Most Popular Forms For Bridal Bouquets

You may be well versed on the different wedding gown silhouettes like A-line, Empire, Ballgown or Mermaid, but did you know that wedding flowers come arranged in different shapes too? You'll find that the same combination of flowers can look very different depending on the shape of the bridal arrangement. Though shape is important for your wedding centerpieces and other flowers, the biggest place where shape has an affect on your wedding flowers is in your bridal bouquet.

When you choose the shape for your bridal bouquet, you'll want to make sure that it blends with your wedding theme. For example, a heart shaped bouquet would clash with a modern and minimalist wedding where a cascade shaped bouquet would look quite lovely. You'll also want to keep in mind the level of formality of your wedding when you choose the shape for your bouquet. Loose organic bouquets are best suited for garden and beach weddings while pageant bouquets are ideal for formal affairs.

Flowers

Your bridal bouquet should also flatter the look of your wedding gown. With the right shape, your wedding flowers will lend a beautiful touch to your wedding ceremony and be your best bridal accessory. Large ballgown silhouettes will go well with ornate arrangements like the cascade shape. Simpler gown silhouettes like a classic A-line will work better with simpler bouquets in a round or loose form.

Wedding Flowers - The 7 Most Popular Forms For Bridal Bouquets

No matter what your wedding theme is, you'll find that there's a bouquet shape that's just right for you. If you're familiar with the 7 most popular bridal bouquet shapes, once you choose your wedding florist, you'll easily be able to talk to her about the type of bouquet you want.

Read on to discover the 7 most popular wedding flower shapes and find which one is right for your bridal bouquet.

Round

Round bouquets are the most popular wedding flower choice for brides. Round bouquets are, as the name implies, bouquets with flowers arranged in a round or globe shape. Though the round shape is a very traditional look for wedding flowers, modern brides appreciate its versatility. Simple and elegant, round bridal bouquets are appropriate for both formal and casual weddings.

Crescent

A dramatic shape that consists of flowers and greenery arched from the center and then tapered at the ends, the crescent shape is best suited for formal weddings. Because of the natural way that the flowers seem to fall around your hands, the crescent shape is favored by many brides. Crescent bouquets can be created with a symmetrical look or they can be created asymmetrically by arranging flowers in a graduated fashion for a more contemporary look.

Pageant

Pageant shaped bouquets are characterized by long stems arranged in a sweeping fashion so that the bouquet can fit nicely into a bride's arm. Named for the way that a beauty queen carries her bouquet, the pageant shape can be used for formal or informal weddings. For casual weddings, the pageant shape should be created loosely to lend an organic and wispy look to the bridal bouquet.

Cascade

Also known as a waterfall, the cascade shape features great amounts of flowers at the base of the bouquet that slowly taper along the length of the bouquet. The Cascade shape gives the appearance of flowers spilling over the edge of the bridal bouquet. Sophisticated and elegant, bridal bouquets done in the cascade shape can be used for formal or casual weddings.

Heart

Because the heart is the symbol of love, a heart shaped bridal bouquet is ideal if you want your wedding flowers to have a romantic quality. Arranged in a dense heart shape, heart bouquets add a girlish sweetness to your wedding flowers. If you're carrying a heart shaped bouquet, you'll only want to select one or two different flowers to include so the shape of your bridal bouquet is clearly discernable.

Loose

Also known as organic or hand-tied, loose flower arrangements are the epitome of casual elegance. Loose bridal bouquets are characterized by the stems of flowers and greenery loosely tied together by wire or ribbon. Bridal bouquets done in a loose style appear unfussy and are perfect for beach weddings and other more casual wedding ceremonies.

Now that you know what's available, you can start thinking about which wedding flower shape is right for you. With so many beautiful options, you'll have no problem in finding a bridal bouquet that will compliment your wedding theme and wedding gown perfectly.

Wedding Flowers - The 7 Most Popular Forms For Bridal Bouquets

A wedding expert, Elizabeth Reuth offers wedding tips online for brides and grooms and is the author of the popular wedding vow book Perfect Wedding Vows in Minutes

Post Blossom Tulip Care - Pruning Your Flowers After They Bloom

What tulip care should you use to maintain your tulip garden after tulip petals droop and wilt? The tulip blossoming period is beautiful - and swift. Your garden may show blossoms in early, mid or late Spring, from early April to late early June. Most tulip flowers bloom for about two weeks before the petals curl up and wither.

Tulip bulbs are time consuming to plant and nurture. Some exotic bulbs are costly. However, tulips can bloom again next year, if you maintain them correctly. You can save extra money in the fall, as well as the time and effort to replant a new tulip garden. If you want to regrow your tulips, the best gardening practice is to "deadhead" those wilted tulip flowers. Why is this important?

Flowers

When the tulip petals fall from the flower, a seed pod is left on the stem. The tulip plant will continue to feed the seed pod by extracting nutrients from the soil. Since the flower won't bloom again, the seed pod robs the tulip bulb of the energy it needs to regenerate. When the pod is removed, the plant draws energy from the environment and stores it in the tulip bulb. So, if you remove the seed pod, you give the tulip bulb the chance to renew itself.

Post Blossom Tulip Care - Pruning Your Flowers After They Bloom

Deadheading a tulip flower is easy to do. Simply take a pair of garden shears and snip off the seed pod about one inch below the seed pod on the tulip plant. Once you have removed the flower from the plant, leave the rest of the vegetation alone. Allow the plant dry up and turn brown naturally. Don't even water the plant. After the leaves turn yellow or brown, prune the vegetation down to the dirt.

If you keep the tulip bulbs underground, they will remain dormant until the fall months. In July, you can dig up the bulbs, shave their roots, and allow them to dry. Place the bulbs in a plastic bag and freeze them until fall planting season. Allow the tulip bulbs to warm up to room temperature and then replant them.

Despite the best care, tulip bulbs do not always grow back again the following year. Many bulbs will re-flower for one-to-two years. However, the tulips will be smaller and have less vibrant colors. Make sure to replenish your garden. Purchase and plant more bulbs in the fall, at a density of five bulbs for every square foot of garden space.

Get the best prices on tulip bulbs by pre-ordering them in late spring and summer when nurseries offer a sale on bulbs. If you want a specific tulip species, you will receive a better chance of getting it, if you pre-order. Many on-line garden centers guarantee your order and hold your shipment until the planting season in September. If you wait to order your bulbs in the fall months, you may pay more and the flowers you want may not be available.

Practice good tulip care. Prune and deadhead your tulip plants at the right time. You can get a jump start on next year's garden.

Post Blossom Tulip Care - Pruning Your Flowers After They Bloom

Growing beautiful, big tulips is an art and a science. To grow the best tulips every Spring, get these tips on tulip care, deadheading and pruning tulip flowers visit http://www.TulipReview.com

Funeral Flowers-A Guide to Sending Sympathy Floral Arrangements

The death of my father was probably the most painful experiences I ever had. Despite death being a natural part of life, most people, like me, still have difficulties getting through this experience.

So how exactly do we alleviate the sorrow that the bereaved is experiencing?

Flowers

It is traditional to have flowers sent to the church or funeral parlor by relatives and friends. But giving the florist a call, ordering some flowers, and getting them delivered is not quite enough. Some decorum needs to be followed regarding this tradition.

Funeral Flowers-A Guide to Sending Sympathy Floral Arrangements

Sending the Flowers to the Proper Places

The recovery process of the mourning family is made faster because of the different ceremonies organized during the grieving process. Visitations and viewings are held to welcome everyone who wants to pay their respects to the family. Funeral flowers may be delivered to the home, parlor, or place of worship where such ceremonies are held. If no such services are held, flowers may be delivered directly to the residence of the deceased.

Prior to the initial visit to the parlor or church, funeral flower planning should be organized by a close family member. Funeral directors often allow flowers to be delivered a day before the wake. But most people choose to send them on the morning of the ceremony. However, if the delivery can not be made in time, the florals can be sent to the home of the deceased.

What Kind of Sympathy Flower Arrangement to Send

The spouse of the departed usually chooses a Bleeding Heart, while other types of floral sympathy sprays may be delivered by relatives and associates.

The immediate family of the deceased can order the sympathy casket wreaths or casket covers.

But different floral arrangements like crosses, wreaths, and sprays may be requested by anybody who would like to extend their condolences to the family of the deceased.

Numerous arrangements of funeral flowers that are even more personalized are now offered for these occasions.

• Normally comprised of roses or sometimes calla lilies, casket arrangements are top choices of friends and relatives.
• For a beautiful display at the wake, funeral flower baskets are the ones usually ordered.
• Sympathy sprays are popular with groups where the deceased is a member of.
• An organization of the family of the deceased can send floral wreaths.
• One may also choose to send vase arrangements to the family or close friends of the deceased.

Note, however, that often after the funeral service the grieving family needs the most comforting. Sending flowers, a gift basket, or a simple note of "Know that I will be here if you need me" even weeks after the death is a beautiful act of compassion.

Sending flowers for the loss of a friend or relative's loved one is never easy. Often times, people are confused by which funeral flowers would be appropriate to send. In order to alleviate some of the stress of this decision for you, here are some traditional sympathy flowers, plants, and messages for sympathy cards to help you out.

Funeral Flowers-A Guide to Sending Sympathy Floral Arrangements

Aurelia Fleur is an aspiring writer who recently experienced the death of her father and had a wonderful buying experience with http://www.Order-Flowers-Delivery.com

How to Use Wholesale Cut Flowers to Build Your Retail Florist Business

Most florists place their largest orders of wholesale cut flowers in anticipation of the Valentine's Day, followed closely by Mother's Day. On these days the shops get more walk-in customers than ever. Yet two high-selling days a year are not enough to sustain and grow a floral business. It is possible to have sales volume and revenue akin to these holidays every day of the year. However, in order to do so, the main business of the florist must come from wedding planners and other special event organizers. In order to secure repeat business and referrals from these professionals, a florist must look at her own business through the eyes of these high-volume clients. When looking for flower vendors, event planners and coordinators search for the following things:

Quality of available flowers - Are the flowers fresh, with vivid colors? How long the flowers stay fresh also referred to as vase life, is determined in large part by how fresh they were when delivered to the floral shop. Using a wholesale flowers supplier that delivers quickly and has proper facilities to maintain freshness and vase life of cut flowers means you will be able to offer longer lasting arrangements to your clients.

Flowers

Attractiveness of display arrangements - It goes without saying that unattractive arrangements of flowers that are past their prime will be a huge turn-off for anyone. When it comes to event planners, their professional reputation depends in large part on how dazzling an event they can put together. To help you with creating attractive arrangements, choose a wholesale cut flowers [http://www.bloomsxpress.com%20] supplier that offers bouquet assembly and chance to place custom orders.

How to Use Wholesale Cut Flowers to Build Your Retail Florist Business

Trendiness of display arrangements - For many brides wedding planning starts with checking out bridal magazines and websites for the latest trends in gowns and flowers. While red roses are always in demand, if the season's trend is using Birds of Paradise in bridal bouquets, then one needs to have a wholesale flowers supplier who can meet this need. As many varieties of flowers should be offered by the wholesale cut flowers supplier as possible. A wide variety of colors, from common to exotic ones, are a great asset.

Flexibility and willingness to work with the event planner's or bride's ideas and wishes - The event planner is there to make a beautiful event according to theirs and their clients' vision. They will appreciate suggestions, but they have envisioned their event and want to execute it that way. For a florist it means finding a wholesale flowers supplier that delivers exotic flowers and colors, offers a wide selection of flowers, and has the freshest flowers available even out of season.

In short, a successful wholesale flowers supplier will, after impressing a few event planners, gain the coveted and priceless word of mouth advertising. If you buy quality wholesale cut flowers, you will find that in time the success of your business will be measured by the wedding and event planners you impress.

How to Use Wholesale Cut Flowers to Build Your Retail Florist Business

Do you need to know where to find the best quality wholesale flowers? Bloomsxpress.com has top quality fresh cut flowers for all occasions at low prices.

Unique Cake Decorating With Flowers

Flowers as a Cake Decoration, unique and easy to place on every one of your cake creations.

Flowers, both real and artificial are relatively simple to use. Read through this article to get some great tips and ideas on using real and/or artificial flowers on your cakes.

Flowers

Section 1: Artificial Flowers

Unique Cake Decorating With Flowers

Section 2: Real Flowers

Section 3: Sugar Glazing Flowers

1. Artificial Flowers

Step 1: Cut the stems from the flowers, approximately 1 ½ inches from the base of the flowers and leaves.

Step 2: Cut a piece of floral wire at least 4 inch. (If you buy the pre-cut ones, typically they are 6 inches which is fine.)

Step 3: Use floral tape to secure the flower to the new stem.

Step 4: After you have done this to all of the flowers and leaves, place them all together and use floral tape to secure them in any order you would like. (Tip: Do not place floral tape all the way down the stems. Only place enough to secure the flowers, making sure that the individual wires do not come out of the tape.

Step 5: Bend the stems carefully using the flower head between your thumb and index finger. Once you have each flower where you want it, cut the excess stems off of the flowers holding onto the floral tape and not the flowers.

2. Real Flowers

Real flowers can be place directly on the cake you have prepared or you can follow the instructions above to add movable stems to them.

Tips for purchasing real flowers:

Tip 1: Make sure you are using an edible flower unless your cake is for show.

Here is a website that has a complete list of edible flowers:
http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blflowers.htm.

Tip 2: Make sure that the flowers do not have pesticides on them. You can do this by picking them out of your own yard or just ask the florist that you are purchasing them from. Typically florists have sets of flowers that have never been treated for pesticides.

Tip 3: Make sure you freeze your flowers and apply them to the cake directly before serving or showing it. If you are adding stems, add them as soon as you get the flowers, place them in baggies or an airtight container and freeze them until you are ready to put them on the cake.

3. Sugar Glazing Flowers

Step 1: Fill one bowl with a gently beaten egg white and put some regular sugar in a second bowl.

Step 2: Cut the stems on the flowers or fruits leaving only enough to hold onto with your thumb and forefinger. (Tip: Make sure you are using an edible flower for this.)

Step 3: Coat the fruits or flowers you are sugaring using a pastry brush lightly with the egg white. Make sure you get all parts of the flower or fruit.

Step 4: Using a spoon, sprinkle sugar all over the flowers or fruits. Make sure you cover all parts of the flowers or fruits.

Step 5: Place on a paper towel to dry. This typically, takes a few hours. After they are dry add them to your cake.

You can be as creative as you like with flowers on cakes, they make for a beautiful and unique decoration!

Unique Cake Decorating With Flowers

Paula Wilkinson is the author of Cake Decorating Secrets. Cake Decorating Secrets presents and answers numerous problems and issues in everyday cake decorating, as well as provides unique advice and tips. You can visit her website at http://www.cakedecorating101.com

The Symbolism of Flowers

When creating a gift basket for a special occasion, you may want to include flowers in your display. Since Victorian times, different flowers have represented different things. Understanding these meanings can help you to include the proper flowers in your next gift basket.

There are several flowers that represent purity and innocence. The daisy symbolizes innocence while a white lily represents virginity, purity, and majesty. A rose bud is a symbol for beauty and youth as well as representing a heart that is innocent of love. A red rose bud symbolizes purity and loveliness, while a white one represents girlhood. The primrose represents early youth, while the orchid is the symbol for many children in China. The white carnation represents innocence as well as pure love.

Flowers

As well as purity and innocence, there are many flowers that are associated with love. Baby's breath, the anemone, and the white rose are symbols of everlasting love while red roses and forget-me-nots represent romantic love. A gladiolus and a thornless rose symbolize love at first sight while lavender represents devotion. First love is symbolized by lilacs while red tulips serve as a declaration of love. The acacia and the fern represent secret love while maternal love is symbolized by moss and nasturtium. The myrtle also represents love while the yellow tulip symbolizes hopeless love.

The Symbolism of Flowers

Flowers can also stand for a variety of other aspects of the human condition aside from love. Cheerfulness and feelings of joy are represented by the buttercup, the calendula, the lily of the valley, the chrysanthemum, and the marjoram. Burnet symbolizes a merry heart. Pride is symbolized by the amaryllis and the tiger lily. Strength is represented by the bay leaf, garlic, and thyme. The latter two also represent valor along with the iris and the borage plant. Humility is symbolized by the bluebell and woodruff while compassion is represented by allspice.

Some flowers represent the less desirable qualities in people. The striped carnation is a refusal aimed at love, while the larkspur represents fickleness. An orange lily symbolizes hate while a yellow lily, a snapdragon, and an orange mock represent a falsehood. Lust is represented by the coriander.

Certain flowers also represented victory, wealth, and success. The nasturtium symbolizes a conquest and victory in battle while palm leaves stands for victory and success. Some of the flowers whose meanings deal with fame and wealth are the tulip, the yellow poppy, jasmine, and the cattail.

There are also flowers that represent eternal life and death. Some of those that symbolize longevity and eternal life are the acorn, the peach, sage, and the stock. Those that symbolize death and grief included aloe (grief), the poppy (eternal sleep), a black rose (death), and a dark crimson rose (mourning).

In past times, certain flowers were thought to be lucky while others were thought to serve as protection. Some modern meanings for flowers have come down from our superstitious past. The bells of Ireland, the holly, clover, and the camellia are all flowers that are associated with good luck. Other flowers are associated with protection, such as the juniper and the feverfew. The begonia warns to beware, as does the oleander. The lily is thought to keep unwanted visitors away, while the hyssop wards against evil spirits. The monkshood warns to beware because a deadly foe is near.

These are just a few of the different meanings that flowers have acquired over the years. Knowing what each flower represents may help you to decide which to include in your gift basket. If nothing else, you will be able to tell the recipient exactly what the flowers mean.

The Symbolism of Flowers

We have baby gift baskets that are cute and practical. Perfect for the newborn and new moms. For more information, visit this article on baby gift baskets.

Flowers and Allergies

Flowers are beautiful. They brighten up a room and make everything in it seem more beautiful, more cheerful. For most people a vase of flowers on the table signifies that that room is a happy one, a comfortable place to be. For allergy sufferers, however, a vase of flowers is far from inviting- it's treacherous. If you're one of those unlucky people who enjoys fresh flowers but has to consider the effect they'll have on your allergies, plastic flowers are not your only option. You just have to know which types of flowers are dangerous. Of the huge variety of flowers that you can plant or buy, many types of flowers will affect your allergies very little- or even not at all.

Dangerous Flowers for Allergy Sufferers

Flowers

Truth is, if your allergies are particularly severe, most flowers are going to affect you negatively. In general, the more dangerous flowers are the ones with more pollen. So a good guideline when decorating with flowers to avoid those ones that have visible pollen.

Flowers and Allergies

One type of flower that is particularly bad for allergy sufferers is tree flowers. If creating a flower arrangement, be careful not to include almond, cherry, orange, or any other kind of tree blossom. Though they are beautiful flowers, they're some of the most powerfully allergy-causing.

Lilies are some of the more dangerous flowers for allergy sufferers, as parts of them are covered in powdery orange pollen. Strangely enough, however, they can be a good choice for allergy sufferers, as it's easy to simply remove the stems of pollen from each flower. Just have a non-allergic friend or family member do this particular job, as it will probably have you sneezing in two seconds flat.

Good Flowers for Allergy Sufferers

There are several types of flowers that will affect allergy suffers less. One of these is possibly mums and daisies. While regular mums and daisies do have lots of pollen, an new hybrid type of daisy, called formal doubles, that do not have any pollen at all, and therefore won't aggravate allergies. Forma double flowers were bred so that the parts of the flower that used to produce pollen now produce petals. Watch out for regular mums and daisies, however, as they can be highly allergic. If in doubt, ask your florist.

Another great choice for the allergy sufferer is roses. Roses are some of the most beautiful and elegant flower you can find, and fortunately for allergy sufferers, they don't have much effect on allergies. The reason for this is that their pollen is too large in size to be able to become airborne and truly infiltrate the respiratory system. If in doubt, choose roses with little or no smell- the less smell, the less pollen.

Last but not least, one of the best kinds of flowers for allergy sufferers are orchids. Orchids are gorgeous and exotic flowers that come in an amazing variety of shapes and colors. Very few types of orchids cause any pollen-related allergies, and so are quite safe for those allergic to most flowers. It is important to note, though, that some orchids may cause a slight skin rash on sensitive individuals.

Flowers and Allergies

Tropical arrangements are suitable for a wide array of occasions such as corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, grand-openings, house-warming gifts, and funeral tributes to celebrate the life of a loved-one. Beautiful flower arrangements at Tidys Flowers.