2010 June | 416-florist.com Flower Blog

Archive for June, 2010

Patriotic Flowers for Canada Day!

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Tomorrow is Canada Day, a celebration of the 143 years our country has been, well, a country. Want to celebrate the statutory holiday with the style and grace it deserves? Decorate your event with flowers, Canadian style!

Do this by choosing any blooms in red and white, our official national colours as represented on the flag since 1921. An interesting fact: the flag, first adopted by the government in 1964, uses red and white because they are the same colours that appear on the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. And you can always use maple (Acer rubrum) leaves to make it even more “patriotic”!

Whether it be carnations, tulips, lilies or roses, red and white are spectacular colours to decorate the day. They provide a vivid contrast and can compliment a range of settings.

Although Canada does not have an official national flower, each province does.

British Columbia
Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii): tall trees that boast beautiful white flowers in the early spring.

Alberta
Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis): pretty wild roses in pink.

Saskatchewan
Western Red Lily (Lillium philadelphicum): vivid red flowers.

Manitoba
Prairie Crocus (Anemone patens): lavender flowers that bloom in early spring.

Ontario
White Trillium (Trilliium grandiflorum): Small white blooms that can be found in forests.

Quebec
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor Linn.): a native flower with delicate petals.

New Brunswick
Purple Voilet (Viola cucullata): small blooms in purple and lush blue.

Nova Scotia
Mayflower (Epigaea repens): small pretty flowers that bloom in spring.

Prince Edward Island
Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule): flowers with petals that shaped like lady’s slippers.

Newfoundland and Labrador
Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea): carnivorous plant.

Yukon Territory
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium): tall plants that boast small flowers in pink.

Northwest Territory
Mountain Avens (Dryas octopetala): pretty white flowers.

Nunavut Territory
Purple Saxifraga (Saxifraga oppositifolia): vibrant purple flowers that grow all over the territory.

Happy Canada Day to all!

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Potted Hydrangeas in the Garden

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Have you received a potted hydrangea plant and want to add it to your outdoor garden? It is possible, as long as you follow a few rules.

The most important thing to remember is that much like other potted plants sold at Toronto florists, your hydrangea was most likely grown in a controlled environment – probably in a greenhouse with temperature, lighting and humidity at ideal levels. Obviously, this is to ensure a good product that may be made available to you through your florist. However, because of this, you’ll need to allow your hydrangea plant to adjust to the non-greenhouse environment of your home. Keep it outdoors, placing it in partial sun then moving it to full sun. Water regularly, but do not overwater. For the first while, you may want to bring the plant indoors over night, when temperatures drop considerably.

Once the hydrangea has adjusted to its new environment, plant it in your garden. A good time is in the early summer (right now!) and a bad time is in the middle of the summer. Choose a spot with full exposure to the sun and well drained soil. Don’t put the plant too deeply into the ground – it should be at the same level as what it was when in the pot. You may want to add some mulch around the base just so that some moisture may be retained on hotter days. Water and there you go – you’re done!

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Standing Sprays for Toronto Funerals

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Stargazer Lilies Standing Spray

Of all of your local Toronto florist’s sympathy flower arrangements, the most popular comes in the form of a standing spray.

The standing spray is simply a more extravagant funeral flower arrangement that is set on an easel that stands on its own. The courier delivering the spray can set it up for you, but it’s so simple to set up that someone else may be able to do it as well.

These types of arrangements are popular for a number of reasons:

They’re easy to move and portable so that they may be moved to another location if necessary without difficulty. This is a good feature since you may want to move the funeral spray from the entrance to the room where the service is being held or near the casket.
Because they come in a wide variety of styles, they’re suitable for all types of services regardless of religious, ethnic or cultural background.
Colours and arrangement forms range from understated to extremely showy. There are simple white sprays, multicoloured ones, and even arrangements in the shape of a heart or cross – it’s all about selection.
Appropriate if you’re unsure of the venue due to its portability.
Like all of our funeral flower arrangements, standing sprays may be delivered on the same day if ordered by 2:00pm.

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