Tropics can be associated with those parts of the earth that are warm and humid throughout the year. These spots are the ideal vacation spots for many people. The skies are clear and blue and these places are usually associated with sandy beaches.

People from all over the world often head to these parts for a quality vacation time. With the weather warm and humid these parts are abundant in fauna. The flowers that grow in these parts of the world are called tropical flowers. These flowers are rich in color and are beautiful to look at.

The health of these flowers is because of the climatic conditions of these parts. Some of the most exotic flowers on earth grow on these parts. Hawaii flowers are an example of such flowers. Hawaii is a well known tropical island that is known for its beaches and its warm welcoming weather.

The flowers of Hawaii are beautiful and some of the most exotic kind found on earth. These flowers are highly in demand by customers form all over the world because of their beauty and their color.

There are many outlets that export these flowers to different parts of the world therefore obtaining these flowers are not that difficult. With the internet, these flowers have become even more obtainable to people around the world.

There are many sites today that are selling the blooms of Hawaii. You can obtain these flowers to make a beautiful bouquet that you can gift to someone special. These bouquets make great gifts for weddings, birthdays or any other such similar occasions of joy.

These flowers have exotic shape and size. Also these flowers are rich in their color and they are found mostly in specific shades. Also tropical bouquets last for a longer time than other bouquets. This is because of the long life of the tropical flowers as compared to the other flowers. Making a tropical flower bouquet is simple and easy.

All you need to do is obtain these flowers and arrange them in a specific fashion. You can make some exotic flower arrangements with these flowers from Hawaii or from any other tropical part of the world. First you should decide your theme.

Choose a color tone for the bouquet and then get flowers that only match with the color tone that you have chosen. If you have decided to choose contrasting colors then make sure that the brighter color flowers are in the center and the darker color flowers make the border.

The key to making a good looking tropical flower bouquet is to use the right amount of flowers. These flowers are unique and they do not look good in a bunch. Your bouquet should be carefully made so that the beauty of each flower is displayed well in the bouquet.

You can take inspirations from the Hawaiian gift baskets that contain beautiful arrangements of flowers. These bouquets will surely make a great gift for your loved one for any occasion that you want to celebrate.

Send Some Hawaiian Tropical Flowers To Someone You Love Today and enjoy Hawaiian Tropical Flowers every month by joining one of our monthly flowers clubs! Hawaiian Flowers last up to 4 x longer than other flowers. Come see our tropical flowers at pick out a bouquet. http://www.BloomsofHawaii.com

Flowers bouquets can be a very thoughtful gift. These bouquets can be for any occasion. Whether it's a wedding or a birthday or any such cause for celebration, you can always show your loved ones your appreciation with a flower bouquet.

A flower bouquet can be made very easily. The best choices of flowers for a flower bouquet are tropical flowers. Flowers that are grown in places like Hawaii make a good choice of flowers for flower bouquets. These flowers are exotic in color and shape. The shade of these flowers are not found anywhere across the world.

This is because these exotic flowers grow in ideal conditions of humid and moisture that are mostly found in these regions through out the year. With the most suitable climatic conditions, Hawaii flowers bloom to their full glory.

These flowers are used all over the world for making suitable bouquets. The flowers that picked from these regions are shipped across the world. If you want to choose flowers for your bouquet then your flowers are only a click away today.

The flowers that are selected can also be sent in a tropical gift basket. You can send Hawaiian flowers for different occasions of weddings or birthdays. You can also have these flowers delivered to your home so that you can make a bouquet out of them that you can gift to your loved one. These flowers are last longer than the other flowers and hence the bouquets that are made from these flowers are longer lasting.

Choosing tropical flowers at first might prove to be a little difficult for you. This is because of the variety of flowers that are available might put you into confusion as to which flower to select. The best way to select flowers of Hawaii for your bouquet is to first select a theme for your bouquet. This can be in terms of colors or shape.

The darker color flowers make the borders and the brighter color flowers make the center. Also it is important to remember that the tropical flowers are very individualistic. They do not look good as a bunch. Therefore carefully select the flowers that you want in the most optimum quantity and make a bouquet out of them in such a way that all the individual beauties of the flowers are well pronounced.

Tropical flower bouquets can also be ordered on the internet itself so you do not have to go through the trouble of making them. You can choose the flowers that you want to be used in your bouquet online and you can have the bouquet made as per your specifications.

You can have this bouquet delivered to your loved one directly or you can have the bouquet delivered to you if you want to add some more personal touch to it. While making bouquet make sure that you keep all the stems of even size and wrap them well with matching decoration paper.

Send Some Hawaiian Tropical Flowers To Someone You Love Today and enjoy Hawaiian Tropical Flowers every month by joining one of our monthly flowers clubs! Hawaiian Flowers last up to 4 x longer than other flowers. Come see our tropical flowers at pick out a bouquet. http://www.BloomsofHawaii.com

A tropical bridal flower bouquet is a beautiful gift for any bride to be. It is easy to make and makes a lovely gift for your loved one on her special day. It is very simple to make a tropical bouquet for a wedding.

First you have to get hold of the tropical flowers. These flowers are specially made in countries that have tropical climate. These countries have warm climate all through out the year. The weather stays humid and the skies stay clear. This makes these countries an ideal place to grow beautiful fauna. As such many beautiful flowers grow in these countries. Places like Hawaii are famous for their tropical fauna and many beautiful flowers grow here.

Flowers form Hawaii will look very good on your tropical flower bouquet for the bride. The flowers can be easily delivered to your house by order. There are many sites that are offering this service to deliver flowers at your door step.

You can look up on the internet for the most exotic flowers that are available at your disposal. Make sure that you do not order too many of such flowers. This is because the Hawaii flowers are individually beautiful and they do not look good in a bunch. Therefore carefully select around five of six flowers so that you can make a bouquet of them. Make sure that you select the flowers according to a particular theme. For a wedding choosing the bright flowers will make a good choice.

After you have the flowers with you the important part is to arrange them. Hold the flowers together and make sure that the most exotic ones in the group lie in the center. Also a bright color in the center of the bouquet would look good. After you have arranged the flowers wrap the flowers at a position that is a little lower than the base of the flowers with a hand wire. This will help to secure your bouquet.

Cut can remove the excess stems and make sure that all the stems of the flowers are of equal size. Fold the leaves of the flowers back and put some glue at the tips of the leaves. These leaves can then be arranged at the base of the flowers and these leaves can be used to arrange the flowers of the tropical bouquet. A final long leaf can be taken to wrap all along the base of the flowers to give a finished look.

You can use this leaf to cover the wire that you used to secure the flowers. You can order tropical wedding flowers that are especially available for weddings to make this bouquet. These bouquets are not only beautiful looking but they also last long.

This is because of the life of the flowers. The tropical flowers are known to last longer than ordinary flowers. Blooms of Hawaii can be used to make beautiful bouquet that will make your loved one's day special

Send Some Hawaiian Tropical Flowers To Someone You Love Today and enjoy Hawaiian Tropical Flowers every month by joining one of our monthly flowers clubs! Hawaiian Flowers last up to 4 x longer than other flowers. Come see our tropical flowers at pick out a bouquet. http://www.BloomsofHawaii.com

Flowers make the ideal gift for nearly every occasion. Whether someone has had a baby, celebrated a birthday or lost a loved one, flowers are the ideal gift. The vast range of colors and types that are available means you can literally find something for every occasion. People love to get flowers, too, so that makes them an even better gift. But how did we get started giving flowers?

In the Beginning

No one knows exactly who gave the first bunch of flowers, but it could easily go as far back as Adam and Eve! Toddlers automatically pick wildflowers to give to their mothers, drawn by the colors and prettiness.
We do know, however, that each culture has used flowers for different reasons. In Ancient Greece, flowers were considered to be property of the gods, making them very special. There are accounts of flowers being given as a gift for many thousands of years. The majority of these would have been flowers that where picked wild, plus a few from the garden.

The Language of Flowers

In Victorian times, flowers were used to express more than just admiration or love. Entire letters could be written with blossoms alone! Each flower has a specific meaning . . . though the exact meaning depends on a variety of factors, including color and size. For example, a red rose means "passion", pink means "romance" and coral colored roses mean "friendship".

Back in the day, people knew the meanings of all the most common flowers and this made each and every bouquet full of much more meaning. A young man might send a girl a bunch of wildflowers, but it would really be a message in disguise! Even today, some people enjoy learning the meaning of flowers and adding these special flowers to their bouquets. It really adds a whole other dimension to a simple bunch of mixed flowers.

This time period was definitely the most meaningful of all for flower giving. With the extra messages contained in bunches of flowers, it was one of the big gifts of the day.

Modern Flower Giving

Traditionally, men gave flowers to women, but now it`s quite acceptable to give a man a bouquet of more masculine blooms, too. Even children get into the act! Try giving a little girl a bunch of roses for her birthday and you`ll make her day.

These days, it`s quite common and acceptable to give flowers as gifts. We aren't restricted to simply wild flowers or those available in the garden anymore, either. Now there are tropical blooms and more delicate varieties of flowers available year round. This makes giving flowers a more exciting experience.

With the ability to grow many flowers in hothouses right in country and also the ability to import those that don`t grow well in the greenhouses, your options at the florist are stunning. No longer are we restricted to daisies and roses. Now you can select a delicate orchid, bird of paradise or lily for that special someone. It really opens up the realm of possibilities, thanks to airplanes and special technology.

Another modern convenience is the internet, which lets anyone anywhere in the world buy flowers online and have them delivered to a specific destination. You could easily be in the US and have flowers delivered to your mother in Spain! This turns the art of giving flowers into something so easy to do that you don`t even have to leave your own home or office. Just find a good website and you can send flowers without ever having to set foot in a florist shop.

Send flowers online, local and International, for any occasion. Surprise your loved ones with beautiful birthday flowers on that special day.

Flowers are very popular as gifts. They are being used as gift items for a very long time. On all occasions flowers are given and taken as the most common gift items. In their different forms flowers are attracting people. Especially woman are crazy for beautiful flowers and their beauty. Most often they want to decorate themselves and increase their beauty with help of flowers.

Different Flower Gifts

Flower Arrangements - Flower arrangements in different forms are a popular object for gifting purposes to loved ones on all happy occasions. Florists often try to lure maximum number of customers through their attractive arrangements of flowers. The arrangements look more beautiful with their attractive flower pots and cases. No matter what is the occasion, you can always find a suitable flower arrangement specially made for you and customized to your special needs. You will feel delighted by the beauty and elegance of the flower arrangements and the recipients will feel themselves lucky after receiving wonderful flower arrangements.

Flower Bouquets - Flower bouquets are the most popular gifts for occasions like birthday, wedding and anniversaries. You can see every guest coming with a flower bouquet in such ceremonies. All florists make special bouquets to fulfill the increasing demand of people during the wedding and festive season like Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Day. Roses, Lilies, Carnations and daisies are most popular flowers used in making attractive and beautiful flower bouquets. The most important thing is the packaging of bouquets that make them even more appealing with their added attraction.

Flower Buds - Flowers are the most important form of displaying the symbolic beauty of nature. Even if it is presented alone, it transfers same set of emotions and feelings from the presenter to recipients. Especially among the youths the tradition of presenting flower buds are very popular. They never loose any chance of celebrations with flowers. Be it Valentine's Day, Rose Day or Friendship Day, modern day youths are always crazy about different kind of flowers. You can watch them presenting flowers according to their individual attributes to their loved ones.

Not only love birds use flower buds for expressing their heartiest desires in front of their partners, but kids also present these flower buds to their parents on occasion like Father's Day and Mother's Day. Therefore nothing can override the importance of distinct set of flowers and gifts made of different flowers in a human's life.

Rideau Florist Toronto is a local Toronto florist. Send flowers & gifts the same day in Toronto area. Find premium quality flowers at affordable prices. For more information please visit: http://www.rideaufloristtoronto.ca

Rose

The roses are charming, but very sophisticated and pretentious flowers too. There are some tricks to prolong the rose's life:

· It would be good, if it's any possibility, to be conserved in a cold place, even the fridge, but not near the other products, for a few hours, after bought them.

Cut the stem at a very sharp angle under the water and than let the water to flow over the stems for 3 minutes.

Soften the base of the stem into mint oil before put in the vase.

· Add some lemon drops into flower's water or a little salt.
· Introduce the roses till flower in a tall and full of water vase than leave them in a dark cold place even for 24 hours.
· For bacteria to be destroyed, add a drop of disinfecting substance in flowers water.
· The roses need to stay in tall vases, filled with warm water.
· You have to change the water daily.

Tulip

The tulip's availability, as a cut flower, is from 8 to 10 days. The tulip doesn't bear the water privation and the warmth. For a better hydration, you need to cut the white base of the stem under the water and put it in a cold, without draught space, into cold and fresh water. To maintain the water's freshness and the flower's natural colors, attach some small branches of Tuia. You can also put a metal coin. To avoid the tulip's declension, you have to fill the vase with water or to wrap the flower into a paper, because the stem will turn towards the light.

Lily

The punks of the lily have their different opening phase, that the flower lives in water more than 1, maybe 2 weeks. For a long availability, you got to avert the full-blown flower's stamens, before the pollen will spot the petals, fading them. To prolong the lily's life, add in the water a spoon of white vinegar (it applies to the gladioluses, anemones too).

Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum is one of the most resistant cut flower and it will decorate your house for a long time, more than 2 weeks. By hybridization, the chrysanthemum has a several numbers of petals, multiple colors, forms and sizes. For the best hydration, you'll smash or cut the stem at a very sharp angle, eliminate the base leafs of the stem. A bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers has to be disposed in a large vase, so the flowers will not be crowded. You need to change frequently the water in the vase and powder the flowers with water, because the chrysanthemum loves the humidity.

Orchid

The orchids will decorate your
place for 1 or 2 weeks, maybe more, if you offer them the best conditions. It's
important for you to know that the orchid, being an exotic flower, prefer a 26
degrees temperature. After gathering, the flowers have to be left in a cold space (10-15 degrees) for a couple of hours. Than put them in capacious vases. To refresh the orchids you'll cut the stem and than put it in a boiled water,
so the flowers will resist more. Keep them away from the draught, smoking or hot vapors (this is also a practice for the anthurium cut flower).

Daffodil

The daffodil cut flowers can resist from 4 to 8 days, if they are carefully attended. Their stems excrete a
viscous substance which is speeding up the blight process. Therefore you'll follow this practice: cut the stem at a very sharp angle 2 inches below the end, than pass it through the fire or leave it for a while in warm water, for the pest substance to be eliminated. You can use a combination of vinegar and salt to clean the daffodil's vase.

Carnation

The carnation is a very resistant flower and is usually used in the arrangements that have no water supply. Some cultures consider the carnation a funeral flower, maybe for its resistance. It's important for it to be cut between the stem nodules for the best hydration. The carnations love the fresh water and the sweetmeat, thus put some sugar in the water. You can also add some lemon drops.

Daisy

It's very alike the chrysanthemum, therefore the scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucantheum. Daisy is a resistant cut flower, though it's fragility. As the best care, cut
the stem till the green part, put it in tall vase, filled just for 3 quarts with water and add a drop of whitening substance.

Anemone

Depend of the type of flower, the anemone will resist between 5 and 8 days, maybe more, if it's well attended. The stem has to be cut at a sharp angle. This flower prefer the cold water and the cold spaces, that you can get them into the fridge, for 1-2 hours, in a separated compartment, before their placement in water. Just like the anemones, the flowers with a fragile stem (freesia, for example), have to be doused till the flower.

Lily-of-the-valley

This flower will not resist more than 4-5 days since the gather and that so under a good care. You have to put it in fresh and not very cold water as soon as you can.

Crocus

The crocus's cut flower doesn't resist much time, just 3-4 days. As a bulb root flower, like the tulip, iris, daffodil etc, it loves the cold water, changed every day. The warm water speeds up the flourish. Is good that the white area from the stem's base to be cut, because only the green part will absorb the water. You'll get the crocus in small vases filled at 3 quarter with water.

Iris

Being tall, the iris cut flowers will be disposed in big vases filled a half with water. They love the cold fresh water, so change it ones at 2 days.

Dahlia

The availability of the dahlia is about 6 to 10 days. To maintain fresh the dahlia you have to follow those instructions: introduce the base of the stem in boiled water and keep them there till the water cooling or till the base becomes black; than you'll cut the boiled side and finally put them into cold water.

Lilac

Though it's a shrub, lilac is one of the most popular spring flower. To keep them long, you have to avert the leafs and smash the base of the stem, for a better hydration, than introduce it in boiled water. Don't you forget that the lilac love the warm water and the sunlight. As a trick, you can put a little of sugar in the water.

Peony

The peony will be as fresh as the beginning into the vase from 7 to 10 days. The cut flowers are conserved in a cold place for 24 hours without water and thereafter you'll cut 1 centimeter from the stem and put them in vases filled of warm water.

Gerbera

The gerberas, as well as the tulip, usually inflect their stem. There are some simple tricks for not to happen: prick the stem just under the flower, to get out the air deterrent the flower hydration or fill of water the empty stem and keep it with the flower turned downward overnight.

Poppy

It's a not resistant flower. Although it's a wild flower, the poppy is a fragile one, but loved for its full of passion color. As well as daffodil, the poppy's stem excretes a pernicious substance that has to be eliminated. You could pass the stem through the fire or leave it in boiled water for 30 seconds, after you cut the stem 2 inches below the end.

Sunflower

This is a long life flower. As a cut flower, it last 6-12 days, but it's a wonderful dry flower. There is a trick to avoid the blight: add in flower's water 2% of liquid detergent.

http://www.flowersgrowing.com

Wedding flower arrangement is as important as choosing the right flowers. A proper arrangement can make your inexpensive flowers look beautiful whereas a jagged arrangement can make a mess of even the most exotic flowers.

Bride's wedding flower bouquet, bridesmaids' bouquets, flower girls' baskets, toss away bouquet, maid of honor's bouquet, corsages, boutonniere, center pieces are all necessary and all of them should have unique arrangements.

You can hire a reputed and experienced florist to create a perfect wedding look. You can also select the best floral arrangement from his catalog and leave the rest to him. On the other hand, if you want to give a personal touch you can do the arrangements yourself. However, you need to keep a few details in mind.

First and foremost it is pertinent to choose flowers according to the season. Baby's breath and roses, daffodils and daisies are popular spring wedding flowers. White wedding flowers are perfect for winter weddings. You can include calla lilies, white roses in your palette. For fall wedding flowers like aster, chrysanthemum and hydrangeas are in. Roses, protea, orchids and tuberoses can fill your summer wedding with colors.

Laces, ribbons, pearls and crystals are additional accessories which can be used to give a royal touch to these flower decorations. Artistically arranged flowers along with these accessories have the ability to make a stupendous statement.

Some Popular Bouquet Arrangements

* Cascade - includes flowers with heavy blooms along with flowing foliage.
* Nosegay - includes a lot of greeneries arranged with flowers in a round shape.
* Round - has a lot of flowers arranged in a round bunch.
* Nosegay - is a small round cluster of flowers, often not as dense as traditional round bouquets. It includes more greenery and ribbon streamers.
* Heart - is a red flower heart shaped bouquet.
* Single stem - has a single flower decorated with lace and streamers.
* Basket - small baskets filled with a lot of petals or small flowers are carried by flower girls.

Artificial flower arrangement is also popular these days. It can enhance the beauty of your wedding. You can decorate it in your house later on. The main benefit of it is that you can change the style whenever you want. While arranging them you should always keep the large flowers in the center and arrange small flowers around them. You need wires; base, silk cloth for making them yourself. You can also get readymade flowers from the market and arrange them according to your desire.

Few other important things to keep in mind are the color scheme, placement and quantity of flowers required. Miniature bonsai trees add color and greenery to the surroundings. The edible flower arrangement can also be done. Cake and desserts are designed in various floral shapes are eye catching. There are various other things which can be incorporated in a flower arrangement. Small flowers can be attached to candles to create centerpieces. Flowers can be attached to archways too, to indicate the entrance.

-- Sending flowers for business

Sending flowers is an excellent way to liven up a business meeting while letting your boss and coworkers know that you care about the company. Flowers have proven stress-reduction abilities, which is what makes sending them to work so great. We all know that work causes stress, so what better way to relieve it by sending flowers to the office?

By sending a bouquet or basket of beautiful flowers to work, you are helping to guarantee improved future relations with those present. Another good idea is to send flowers to a client to help improve relations. After sending them flowers, you're more likely to be contacted in the future for additional work.

Consider sending any number of combinations of arrangements to the office. Consider it an investment for the future. If you have any questions about what would be most suitable, feel free to contact a florist and ask as many questions as you'd like.

-- Sending flowers to socialize

If you're looking for ways to improve relationships with friends and family, consider sending flowers as a great way to do so. Everyone loves receiving flowers, which is what makes sending them as a gift such a good idea.

If there's a special someone in your life, nothing says "I love you" quite like bouquets of red roses. The rose is a perfect flower to send your loved one on such an occasion as allows you to better express your feelings, so consider sending flowers to help smooth along any romance in your life.

Sending flowers for someone's birthday is considered very kind and is generally well-received by all, so keep that in mind for such a day.

If you have any questions about sending flowers, or would like to begin sending flowers today, feel free to contact a florist to arrange for delivery. They'll be happy to help.

-- How sending flowers is convenient

Sending flowers is just as easy as shopping for them thanks to the dedication of florists to provide quality service. All you need to do is walk into a florist's shop and browse their selection, or ask them to help you make the best decision based on your needs.

Sending flowers is easier and more cost-effective than most other forms of gift, which is why it's such a great choice. If you have questions about sending flowers, the florist is both qualified and happy to answer them for you so don't be afraid to ask.

Sending flowers is especially convenient when you have forgotten to purchase a gift for someone and need a last-minute idea. Florists guarantee same-day delivery within the same country, thus helping make sending flowers as easy as possible for you. Sending flowers could be the answer to your problems, so contact a florist today!

-- Extra benefits of sending flowers

There are some other benefits in sending flowers to people, including the messages of love and friendship that flowers tend to share. Ordering flowers and sending them with personalized cards is great for people in the hospital or off with an illness, as it reminds them that you still care.

Sending flowers is perfect for a funeral because of the peaceful serenity that they lend to the scene. They are also time-honored, which makes sending them along to a funeral a good choice. Having flowers delivered to a care home is also a great idea because of the healing energy that they share with the residents, so consider sending them if you have a relative living in such a facility.

There's also the fact that people simply like being given flowers, which is perhaps the greatest reason for sending them. Contacting a florist today is just the first step, and they'll be happy to get you started.

About: Matthew (Matt) Harley writes for Brant Florist. Brant Florist is a Burlington Ontario based flower shop, owned and operated by The Bolt family since 1977. Doyle, Tim, Elaine and Ken Bolt treat every customer the way they would like to be treated. Staff are well trained, have years of experience and are professional. Brant Florist has been on the web since 1996 and leads the way with a computerized network to manage and record all orders.

You can send flowers and order your flowers online for world-wide delivery by visiting Brant Florists 24hr website at http://www.BrantFlorist.com or learn more about flowers and other interesting floral facts at their specialty blog http://TheFlorister.com today!

Why you should buy flowers

Flowers make a great choice of gift for any occasion in both Edmonton and anywhere else in the world. Rather than stopping at any old store to buy a gift someone might not enjoy, shopping at a florist for flowers is always a great idea.

Not only are flowers more affordable than many other gifts available, they are also better received by both men and women of all ages. Anyone you happen to know will appreciate a beautiful bouquet or basket of flowers Not only do flowers help to enhance the appearance of any home, they also happen to clean the air. The visual and health-related benefits are hard to ignore!

If you're stumped about what you should buy someone, call up or visit your local florist and ask them about the flowers they recommend for your situation. They'll be very happy to assist you!

Creative use of flowers

The flowers available to you in Edmonton are not limited to the usual bouquets and baskets. There are a wide variety of arrangements that you can order which are suited to just about every occasion you can think of.

For example, if you know someone staying in a local hospital due to illness you can send flowers to them with, or instead of, a simple card. In addition, your local florist will be able to mix and match flowers with other accessories, such as a teddy bear. This is perfect for the younger friend or family member who might be under the weather!

Professional florists are skilled in the art of preparing flowers for weddings and funerals. A well-designed display of flowers will enhance the beauty and elegance of your wedding just as well as an appropriate display can lend a peaceful air to funeral services. If you have any questions about the creative adaptation of flowers to a specific occasion, your local florist would be happy to assist.

Flowers as holiday gift alternatives

With the frequent occurrence of holidays, you might be looking for exciting gift alternatives. Flowers can fill that role perfectly. A simple card is often viewed as an underachievement, so why not spruce it up with a bouquet of flowers? For example, with Valentine's Day fast approaching you'll want to consider a bouquet of roses or other flowers for that special someone in your life. They make the perfect compliment to chocolates and jewelry.

Birthdays are a great chance to show someone that you care with a gift of flowers Rather than a gift certificate or a pair of socks, consider an attractive arrangement of flowers as an alternative. If you have any questions about how to make the best use of flowers for a holiday, consult with a florist today.

Ordering flowers online

You aren't limited to shopping for flowers locally. If you find you're unable to make it to the shop for any reason, you can now log on to your favourite florist's website to find and order the flowers you want. The process is as simple as clicking on the gallery section displaying the flowers available at that particular florist, making a selection, and then paying for the purchase using a secure form.

One benefit of using a local florist to buy flowers is that you can arrange for same-day delivery around the country. Simply notify your chosen florist of your desired delivery destination, and they'll contact another florist in that city with your order of flowers.

If you're curious about the best arrangement of flowers for your need, consult with a local florist and feel free to ask any questions you might have. They will be delighted to assist you!

About: Matthew (Matt) Harley writes for Brant Florist. Brant Florist is a Burlington Ontario based flower shop, owned and operated by The Bolt family since 1977. Doyle, Tim, Elaine and Ken Bolt treat every customer the way they would like to be treated. Staff are well trained, have years of experience and are professional. Brant Florist has been on the web since 1996 and leads the way with a computerized network to manage and record all orders.

You can send flowers and order your flowers online for world-wide delivery by visiting Brant Florists 24hr website at http://www.BrantFlorist.com or learn more about flowers and other interesting floral facts at their specialty blog http://TheFlorister.com today!

How will it feel if your neighbor comes to your house and tells you how wonderful your garden really is? Have you ever stopped your car in front of a house with a truly blossoming garden, just to admire its beauty? We, the garden lovers, plant flowers not to negate the greenhouse gas affect but for the joy of seeing our garden bloom, and visitors appreciate our hard work. Anyway, it is not an easy task. Flower gardens need planning and preparation. There are hundreds of books written on flower gardening to guide a potential gardener but a few simple steps can ensure that you understand the basics of a successful plantation.

THE BASICS

In planning your flower garden, it is necessary to include a variety of different plants. This strategy will ensure that your garden remains colorful throughout the year. When it is off-season for one species of flower, it is bloom time for the other variety. If you plan your flower garden by including plants that blossom in different seasons, it will allow your garden to be lively and functional, year round. Just make sure, you only buy flowers that can acclimatize themselves to your region.

TYPES

Before launching a flower gardening plan, understand the two main types of flowers. The first type is seasonal. It is called Annuals. These are the flowers that will bloom in a certain season i.e. spring and than stop flowering. The advantage of such flower is that they are available in a wide variety and easy to look after. Another primary reason that you must include these types in your gardening plan is the charm and the sheer beauty of its colors. Mostly these types are cultivated to provide a border around the edges of your garden. These flowers are primarily used in decoration. You can plant them in balconies, baskets and containers.

Your flower garden should be planned to include the most common variety. This type is known as Perennial. These flowers generally have a larger life span that can extend to several years. They also bloom in different times but they differ from annuals because they don't need re-planting. Perennial flowering plants come in much larger varieties. They can include large flowering trees, thick shrubs and tall flowering shoots. Perennial require constant maintenance but little planning. These plants can sustain your flower garden plans for years to come as the main requirement is their protection from sun and shade, depending on the individual variety.

SPECIALITY FLOWERS

Apart from the two types, flower buds and rose gardens are also among the best choices to plan your flower garden. Flower buds are the plants that produce only a flower. These buds are dormant in the winter season. The best thing about the buds is that they are long lasting and does not cost much. You can buy different flowering buds in bulk to ensure that you get the most out of your money. These buds will form an integral part of your garden and are a highly reliable species that will present their grace for seasons to come.

Last but not least is the king of all flowers, the Rose. It is so popular that many flowering enthusiasts only design a rose garden. Counter to the popular belief that rose gardens are difficult to cultivate, it is a fact that proper care and a little guidance from experts will help you look after these tender flowering plants. No garden is complete without a Rose; therefore you must understand its variety and include it in your flower garden plans.

THE DESIGN

Once you understand the basic types of plants, it will be much easier to design a garden. Simply, you have to include a variety of plants that blossom in different season. When a season ends for one species, there should be another flower to take its place. A garden with a combination of perennials and annuals will provide the best results. Addition of rose and flowering buds adds to the charm. A perfect amateur flower garden plan is the one that constitutes a lot of variety and includes plants that are easy to cultivate.

Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about how to plan a flower garden [http://coolgardeningideassite.info/how-to-plan-a-flower-garden] please visit Cool Gardening Ideas Site [http://coolgardeningideassite.info] for current articles and discussions.

Making flower arrangements is an activity that you should enjoy at all times. Of late it has been taken far too seriously on a lot of websites that are around at the moment. In this article, we are going to discuss the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. We will keep it light hearted and try to avoid getting too serious about this really enjoyable, relaxing artistic craft.

Flower Selection

The health of the flowers that you select for your arrangement is an important factor. If you start with flowers that are not healthy, you will end up with a droopy and unattractive arrangement. Key factors of healthy flowers are healthy foliage, unbroken stems and looking generally attractive.

Believe it or not, different flowers (and even different colors of the same flower) have different meanings. It is probably not appropriate to send your grandmother a flower arrangement made up of red roses and pink lilies; unless of course you want to let her know that you have a passionate, romantic love for her.

More is not always better! You should keep your selection of color combinations to a maximum of three. Any more just looks cluttered and unappealing.

Flower Preparation

Arranging flowers is an artistic expression of one's self, so don't just throw your flowers into a vase, even if they are pre-arranged. If making a fresh flower arrangement, never include "organic mulch" type items like dried foliage or twigs. Unless of course you are trying to make your water go stagnant as they quickly decompose.

For success, when preparing your flower arrangement:

* Before adding the flowers to water, cut the stems at an angle, under running water
* Use floral foam to avoid the growth of bacteria and maintain the freshness of your flowers
* Before you begin arranging, remove any foliage that is not required

The Arrangement Process

Some people think that florists simply add some colored wrapping to a few random flowers that they throw together at a moments notice. This is obviously not the case (otherwise we'd all be florists!) It can still be a very simple process if you avoid the common mistakes outlined below.

As a rule of thumb, do not:

* Squeeze in dozens of varieties of flowers, too many variations will result in decoration as opposed to an emotional expression. If you want a decoration, buy a balloon.
* Make flowers arrange themselves the way that you want, let the natural arrangement of the flowers guide you.
* Have all of your flowers in full bloom, or just buds, you want to avoid the cluttered effect that occurs when they are all in bloom at once.
* Starve your flowers, if their stems can't reach the water, they cannot drink. Think about it!
* Start with the 'Taj Mahal' flower arrangement. Start small and basic, as you improve your knowledge and skill, attempt bigger arrangements.
* Ignore the surroundings that the arrangement is being made for, a bouquet for a wedding will look entirely different to a bouquet to lay on top of a coffin.
* Leave it to the last minute when making a flower arrangement for a special occasion, flowers need time to settle and develop before they will look comfortable.
* Use more flowers than you need. The mother of a new born baby, fresh out of hospital, would probably not appreciate an enormous bouquet of roses.
* Make it harder than it needs to be! Enjoy yourself and your new found past-time

Have Fun!

The most important thing that people do not consider when they are making a flower arrangement is that you inadvertently project your mood into your arrangement. If you are happy and really enjoying yourself, this will shine through in the way your arrangement comes together. By the same token, if you are getting frustrated and looking at your project as a chore, this will shine through in your arrangement.

No matter how hard you try to convey the "WOW I'm so happy" feel in your arrangement, if your partner just left you, your pet parakeet has just flown away and your car was just stolen while you were on your way to have a coffee and relax at the local cafe, your arrangement will reflect a feeling of disappointment and sorrow.

So before you begin making your next flower arrangement, take some time to consider the emotions that you would like to project and get yourself into that mindset and that emotional mood. Without ensuring that you are enjoying yourself and you are in the right mood, you will soon give up on flower arranging, which is one of the most rewarding, relaxing and pleasurable activities you could become involved in.

Judith A. Babb is a self-taught floral design expert and author of Flower Arrangements Made Simple loves to see everyone enjoy the beauty of flower arrangements has created an easy step by step guide available at http://www.artisticflowerarrangements.com Sign up for the free monthly newsletter "Flower Talk" and receive numerous tips and techniques for making your own flower arrangements.

Wedding flowers can be very expensive, but they don't have to be! You can have the wedding flowers chosen by royalty without breaking the bank.

Spring Wedding Flower Choices

For a spring wedding, there are many colorful and inexpensive flowers to choose from. Sweet pea with its delicate pink hue is a beautiful accent for wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces and is reasonably priced. It was once used as altar decorations for weddings by Italian royalty and is still perfect for spring weddings.

Purple wedding flowers such as irises and lilacs when arranged with delicate pink sweet peas and some traditional white wedding flowers like lilies scream of springtime. Irises come in a variety of colors and are very fragrant, relatively inexpensive, and are a traditional wedding flower favorite.

According to legend, a blue iris and a white iris in a vase were placed at a bride's table signifying that marriage would have its bright times as well as its dull ones, and this was the beginning of the "for better or worse" phrase found in the traditional wedding vows.

Chrysanthemums have always been popular choices for wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces. They come in many colors and are inexpensive. A wedding flower bouquet of peonies, sweet pea, irises, chrysanthemums, lilacs, and lilies can be absolutely breathtaking and easy on your budget at the same time.

For the Summer Wedding

If a summer wedding is in the works, you have some really nice but inexpensive flower choices available to you. Yellow wedding flowers like yellow chrysanthemums combined with blue or purple hued accents such as irises or wisteria are great for spring and summer weddings and are particularly pretty when combined with orange tiger lilies.

Alstromeria has blooms that look very much like orchids and they have many blossoms per stem, making them a more economical choice. Alstromeria comes in several different colors and keeps fresh for a long time.

Dahlias are another great but economical choice, particularly if the wedding is taking place in late summer. Consider a wedding flower bouquet and centerpieces made with alstromeria, dahlias, daisies, irises, tiger lilies and chrysanthemums for sophisticated color, style, and savings.

Colorful Flowers For Your Autumn Wedding

Fresh wedding flowers of choice for fall are anemones. Their deep hues of red and blue bring rich vibrancy without major expense. Many brides in Italy wear crowns made of them at their weddings. Asters many years ago were almost like family heirlooms, passed from one generation to another.

Where better to use asters than in fall wedding flowers, since weddings are often the prelude to the next generation? Delphinium, with its strong stems and delicate purple blossoms is the symbol of strength, particularly with regard to the marital bond.

Wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces containing anemones, asters, delphinium, gerbera daisies, gladiolas, and chrysanthemums not only add spectacular color but are easy on the budget, too.

Wonderful Flowers for a Winter Wedding

Winter wedding flowers can be absolutely elegant and budget friendly, too. Red, the color of love, is simply dashing with white, which symbolizes joy. Star of Bethlehem with its delicate white blossoms resembling stars is absolutely gorgeous combined with amaryllis or poinsettias.

Adding Euchalyptus to the greenery in your winter wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces enhances the natural beauty of your flowers.

Hawaiian, Tropical, and Beach Themed Wedding Flowers

Tropical wedding flowers for themed weddings usually contain a mix of anthurium, bird of paradise, proteas, tuberose, and heliconia, all typically a bit more expensive. You can still use them to create a fabulous bouquet and add them to centerpieces without breaking your budget. You will not want to go overboard with them. Use them sparingly to make a scene. Remember, with these bold choices, less is more.

Hawaiian wedding flowers and centerpieces can be made with hibiscus blossoms, bird of paradise, heliconia, and palm fronds giving the desired effect without all the expense. Are you getting married on the beach? Beach wedding flowers should include some local flower varieties native to the area. This may mean hibiscus, crepe myrtle blossoms, wisteria vines and palm fronds. If you are not sure what grows locally, ask a florist from that area what choices are available to you at a reasonable price.

A Creative Way to Save

Bring out the artist in you! Consider taking a class in flower arranging at your local vocational school or college and buy wedding flowers from a wholesale distributor for creating your own wedding flower masterpieces.

You don't have to be wealthy to have the flowers chosen by royalty. Fresh wedding flowers in season arranged to perfection save you money and add exquisite beauty that you and your guests will remember for many years to come.


Glenna has been involved in virtually every aspect of the wedding industry from arranging flowers and Djing to officiating weddings and bridal consulting. For more information visit her website today at: [http://www.weddingringsandthings.us]

Cut flowers are a wonderful way to bring the beauty indoors. As well as making nice bouquets of flowers, they smell good too. There are several flower bulbs that make very nice vases of flowers. Some examples include but are not limited to irises, gladiola, lilies, and daffodils. Flower arrangements make delightful bouquets for the office or for special occasions, such as baby showers or dinner parties. People love to treat their eyes to the sight of beautiful flowers, and anybody can create a nice flower arrangement.

To start you will need a vase half full with water and a pair of scissors. Then head out to the flower patch. When cutting the stems on flower bulbs, be sure to cut the stem at an angle. Also, the longer the stems are, the longer the blooms will last. One other thing to keep in mind while making cut flower arrangements is the colors of the flowers. Some colors can drastically change the affect of a flower arrangement.
For an arrangement that will be placed in front of a wall and viewed from three sides follow these easy steps.

1. Cut any leaves off that will be in the water if left. This will help keep the water from getting scummy.

2. Start by placing the tallest cut flowers in the vase first, facing the blooms toward you in a fan like position. They will be to the back of the bouquet.

3. Then in front and to the sides of the tallest flowers begin to place the next tallest flowers in the vase. The blooms in the center of the flower arrangement should be facing towards you. The blooms to the right side should be turned slightly to the right. Likewise, the blooms to the left side should be turned slightly to the left.

4. Continue in this fashion until you finish placing all but the shortest flowers in the arrangement.

5. Personally, I always place the shortest flowers close to the top rim or slightly above the vase rim. It seems to fill in and finish the flower arrangement.

If you find that flower arrangement is top heavy, just get a larger vase that holds enough water to support the weight of the flowers. To create a vase of flowers that will be a viewed from all sides is a little different from the above procedure. It works much better if the stems are about the same size. Also it will help if the vase opening is only slightly larger than all of the stems put together.

1. Start by placing the tallest cut flowers in the vase first, facing the blooms outward in all directions. They will be in the center of the flower arrangement.

2. Then all the way around the vase place the next tallest flowers until completed.

If the cut flowers that you have selected lack leaves and the flower arrangement looks a bit stemy, just add some. Just about any leafy plant will work. For example, you can easily add a couple leafy cutting from a bush. Just trim the leaves that will be in the water off.

Making a flower arrangement is that simple. Have fun, be creative, and enjoy the wonderful aroma.

Kathy Case

Website Address: http://www.QualityFlowerBulbs.com Website Information: At this website you will find a photo gallery of many nice close up pictures of flowers grown from bulbs, rhizomes, and roots. We have information on flower bulbs. We also have flower bulbs and tool available for sale through an affiliate.

From rose flower paintings to flower garden paintings, you will find many different varieties of paintings that have to do with flowers. They may come in all colors of the rainbow, starting from red, and going all the way to indigo.

Flower paintings make quite an impact on a wall, whether to accent the rest of the room, to stand out in itself, or to give some color vibration to the room. But either way, the painting is there for a reason, and thats all that matters.

Flower field paintings are not the most common type of flower paintings, but they are definitely plentiful in flowers. A lot of times you'll see one color of flower, not a huge assortment like you might in close-up pictures. This color has a tendency to be yellow, which happens to be also very common in the real world.

It is very rare that you see a field of blue flowers, the ultra rare green flowers, or even orange flowers for that matter. Purple is another common color as well. But, having a painting of a flower field on a wall that make quite the difference, it's likely there to give energy to the room, as bright colors give off that energy.

Lets move on, similar to the flower field paintings is the flower garden paintings. These two have many aspects of similarity to them, but there is one huge difference, color. Like the flower field is mostly one color, the flower garden can vary in all types.

A flower field is usually dominated by one color simply because it is the most dominant flower in the area, or simply because there is a mass growth of that certain flower. A flower garden usually takes place in the garden of a home, where a large variety of flowers and plants are usually grown.

This is where you will see beautiful combination's of colors and many greens in the picture, this makes for a very balanced painting, both in color and intensity.

Another one of the great paintings that you will find is rose flower paintings. Roses are quite common when it comes to gardens, you almost always see at least one bushel of roses. They play quite a big role in the flower world as well.

Valentines Day leans heavily on roses as a symbol of love, especially red ones. Also at every flower shop, you will see a large variety of colors of roses, from red to yellow to white, even dyed ones that are green, blue, and even sometimes black.

Roses are all-around flowers that look great, and anyone can add their own style to a painting, unlike some flowers that are just too bland, or too complicated to look good.

You will often see roses all around the world simply because they are very easy to maintain and grow, as long as you keep the little chompers out of the way that eat the leaves, then you should be okay.

It never hurts to have a few helpful bugs to keep the little insecticides out of the way of your growth, because even little eaten leaves can lead to a dead plant in a matter of time.

Anyways, you never see rose flower paintings with eaten up leaves, it just doesn't happen. Overall, if your looking to purchase a flower painting, these are some great options to have. It's always nice to know what your looking for before you go out and buy something that you regret later.

Flowers are peaceful, and they never do any harm, it never hurts to take the time to water your plants even if you didn't plant them, they provide us with the oxygen we need to live, and as long as we provide them sunlight and water, they will keep us living.

Kevin Bailey loves serenity.

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Flowers have always had a strange power over us. To say the least, most of us are fascinated by the beauty of flowers. Of course, it helps that various flowers have different meanings. In fact, the act of presenting someone with flowers stems from the Victorian era when flowers doubled up as messengers. Since that time, we have been sending and receiving flowers during all kinds of occasions, for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and even for funerals.

In the past, so long as we wanted to send flowers to someone staying close by, sending flowers was a snap. All you had to do was visit a local florist, pick your favorite flowers and make the payment. But what would you do if you wanted to deliver flowers at some faraway place?

Online flower delivery has made it easy for us to deliver fresh cut flowers in faraway places. In the past, you had to depend on the agents of FTD (Florist Transworld Delivery) services to deliver your flowers. The process was somewhat complicated. You would go to your nearest branch and order the flowers you like from a very limited choice of selection. Then, you would pay and pray that the agency delivered the flowers you selected in a favorable condition. These services were extremely expensive and you never had any way to be sure that your gift was being delivered in time.

All you have to do is identify a good online flower directory service. These directories allow you to search through their wide selections and make your choices. You may search according to the place of delivery, time of service, type of flowers and occasion. Some directories even have a special category where they allow you to buy directly from growers. These flowers are among the best cut flowers, and when you buy directly from growers, you can avoid paying huge fee and commission.

Local flower shops also have a great amount of flexibility when it comes to the time of delivery. In case of emergencies, you can spot local flower shops that would be willing to deliver flowers on the same day. This would be impossible with international services that deliver flowers overnight. So, before you select local flower shops, see whether they accommodate your needs.

Local flower shops are your best choice when sending flowers to remote places. These shops will have seasonal flowers in stock, so you need not pay extra for exotic flowers. Just be careful that you buy from the right flower shop by going through their website for policies and terms.

Today, flower deliver has become easy because it is easy for you to identify local flower shops easily.

Flowers are the most beautiful and precious gift for loved ones. It is the best way of revealing thoughts and state of mind. Flowers express feelings in the best way. Where men had no time left for buying gift for their loved ones they can send special flower arrangement on various occasions. Whatever may be the occasion there are wide range of flowers are available for each occasions. Online flower delivery is the best method of sending flower for expressing the feelings. That feeling which is not possible to say sometime.

Using the net can be an advantage that will help people to find flowers that meet their budget and are appropriate for the event. Sending flowers online can be a quick and easy process. With flowers being one of the most popular gifts in the world to send for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas and Birthdays, finding the right flower at online delivery service is not so hard. The information on online flower delivery gives people a better idea of what flower is appropriate for each special occasion. There are flower arrangement, flower centerpieces, flower bouquets, florists, flower shops, silk flowers and roses.

Flowers are wonderful gifts for anyone and any occasion, from grandparents to co-workers, from Valentine's Day to anniversary, child- birth, congratulation, recovery, one can find the perfect arrangement of flowers to delivery online. Like for valentine day flowers can be of Fragrant Bloom Unity Candle, Altar Arrangement, for wedding Premium Red Rose Bouquet, Heart Full of Love Tulip Bouquet for birthday's Color burst Birthday Arrangement, Stunning Beauty Bouquet, Congratulations Balloon Bouquet, Big Hug Bouquet, Mixed Medium Stem Rose Bouquet with Vase and many more.

There are flowers for each and every special occasion to make the day more beautiful and remembering. By sending flower it online it also saves time for not searching flowers for the special occasion at market. Just by sitting at home one can get all information related to online flower service. It is the fast method of sending flowers to the loved ones. One has not to wait for the shop to open and make the choice. Whenever there is time one can book online flowery delivery. It also time consuming. Flowers are the sweetest gift sent to some one sweeter than that flower, so to make the special day important online delivery flower can help in sending the flower at right time and place. Especially the far distance place where it is difficult to send gift online delivery of flowers can solve the purpose.

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Wedding flowers are perhaps one of the most important aspects of the wedding, although they also tend to be one of the aspects of the wedding that are dealt with the quickest. This is because people tend to make snap judgments about flowers when sitting back and thinking about it a little bit is really the better way to go. The flowers in a wedding are everywhere, serving multiple purposes and that is exactly why understanding not only what the most popular wedding flowers are, but also why they are so popular is essential to picking the best wedding flowers for your specific occasion. In order to really understand the most popular wedding flowers however, it is important to look at them from the point of view of the different uses they will have.

The Bouquet

When dealing with the bouquet, there are two things in particular that drive the most popular wedding flowers. The first of these two things is the color of the flower because the vast majority of wedding bouquets involve flowers that are white or off white (i.e. cream) in color. Think about all of the bouquets at all of the weddings that you have been to and you will soon realize this fact to be true. Examples of extremely popular flowers in this category include gardenias, stephanotis, roses, carnations, orchids, lilies and sweet peaks.

In addition to color however, another thing that you must take into account is the scent of the flower. Some wedding bouquets are carried by people that love to have the scent of the flowers whereas in other cases light-headedness or outright allergy might argue against scented bouquets. Flowers that are extremely popular in scented bouquets are gardenias, tuberoses, peonies and stephanotis, so keep those flowers in mind when making the final decision on this front.

The Decorations

In addition to the bouquet that the bride will be carrying, there are also flowers that are going to be around in terms of the decorations. Decorations at weddings quite frequently involve floral arrangements of some kind and because of that making the decisions regarding the flowers in those decorations is absolutely something that you want to make sure that you do. There are not really any most popular choices in terms of decorative flowers because the flowers that people use in the decorations are going to depend on what they are doing with the rest of the decorations that are not flower in form. Colour, texture, shape, size and smell are all aspects of the decorative flowers that will largely be decided by what the other wedding decorations happen to be.

The Reception

At the reception of a typical wedding, there will be flowers in the decorations once again. However, these flower decisions can largely be put aside as being covered by the decisions you made in the previous paragraph, which in turn leaves the flowers that you will be using on the tables. Tables at the reception traditionally have a flower arrangement and a centrepiece, although the two might be combined together depending on the centrepiece design that is used.

When choosing flowers for the tables in a reception, there are many factors that you need to take into account. These are the same factors that you took into account vis-à-vis the bouquet, such as potential allergies that guests might have as well as personal preferences of your guests in terms of scents. While some people jump at the thought of scented flowers, other people find them extremely irritating and that is exactly why you need to spend time thinking about the flowers in the wedding before the final decisions are made.

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Planting silk plants outdoors in shady areas.

Consider artificial azaleas, pansies, geranium and ferns in locations with poor sunlight for an instant splash of color! Artificial flowers and plants are simple to plant--just stick in the ground! You can place mulch around them to add to the visual effect as well. Although flowers are generally color-fast and won't fade too much over time, the same may not be true to artificial foliage, as it may loose its green coloration sooner. Try spraying your plants with a sealer and UV protector, typically available at hardware stores in the paint department. This will definitely preserve greenery coloring much longer. Silk flowers are also a great alternative for areas frequented by wild life. Artificial cabbages (kale) work fantastically in areas where deer roam.

Planting silk flowers in window boxes.

So you've pulled the ladder out, climbed it to reach the flower boxes outside of your windows, planted the flowers (Wow! They look great!), climbed off, put the ladder away and realized you have a big dilemma before you...how to water them? Whether high or low, window boxes look magnificent with the addition of trailing artificial springerii (maiden hair fern), silk grasses and filler flowers. You can use floral foam and moss to fill the box, or simply use dirt. Start with your trailing material and plant around the sides and front of the box--really close to the edge, then plant the row closest to the window. This should be the highest row. Then follow with one or two shorter rows, so that the shortest row is closest to the front of the box. Intermix grasses and flowers for a great effect. If your boxes are at street level, make sure to fluff your flowers--that is to bend the stems in an S-shape to watch your silk flowers come alive. Important tip: If your boxes are on the second story, make sure the flowers are not only fluffed, but pointed down so that you can see them from the street level. Otherwise, only passing birds and neighbors across the street will be able to best appreciate the best view. Spray your silk plantings with a sealer and UV protector to preserve their look. The best bonus? No watering required!

Decorating outdoor structures with silk flowers and plants.

Trellises and gazebos are a great addition to any backyard. They are especially a wonderful gathering space when entertaining or hosting special events. Dressing them up for these purposes is fairly easy. Once you've established your theme, your creativity is only the starting point. Shop for ready-mades to decorate in a snap. Artificial Ready-mades are groups of artificial flowers that have been put together in various forms for your convenience. Silk ready-mades include: swags, garlands and bushes. Are you hosting an outdoor wedding or shower? Large rose and peony swags can sway from post to post. Use plastic cable ties (available at your local hardware store) to attach them to your structure. This makes the installation (and take down) super easy. Adorn the posts with tulle, bows or with mementos such as rattles for a baby shower, or two champagne glasses for a wedding shower. For other theme events, such as patriotic parties, birthdays or holiday events, pick flower bushes, swags or garlands that will coordinate with the colors you are choosing. Do you want to decorate just posts? Get a clay pot, which you could paint if you choose, and add some floral foam and Spanish moss to hide the foam. "Fluff" a silk flowering bush and then plant it into your container. Attach the container to the posts using cable ties. Hide the cable tie by adding a wide ribbon, which could end up on a bow. You can also use artificial teardrop swags to decorate posts. Ready? Set? Decorate!

Indoor artificial plantscaping.

Decorating indoors? Plantscaping a building lobby? Foliage bushes make a great permanent backdrop next to which seasonal live or artificial flowers can be added. Maintenance of real plants can be stressing and expensive. Silk plants and flowers provide a viable alternative to real. When planning your plantscaping projects avoid crowding your items. Space is just as important as filled areas. On paper, divide your area by square feet. A good rule of thumb is to select one plant per 1.5 to 2 sq. ft. Chose a variety of heights, including low ground covers. Before starting your project create silk plant groups or 3 or more, placing the tallest one at the back. If your grouping is closest to the left end of the bed, then the second tallest should be to the left and the shortest to the right. If, on the contrary, your grouping is closest to the right, the second tallest should go to the right. This will make for a visually pleasing and well balanced plantscape bed. Cover your bed with mulch or with dirt. You can also add other garden-type decorative objects to the in-between areas for interest.

Real Touch artificial flowers.

One of the growing trends in the silk flower industry has been the use of Real Touch flowers. Also known as Natural Touch or Real Feel flowers, these flowers are so realistic and nature-like, that they not only look real to the last detail, but feel real to the touch as well. These flowers have been coated with a special finish which is palpably different to anything that had hit the market before. Manufacturers have created beautiful roses, tulips, gerbera daisies and orchids to name a few. Real Touch flowers are fast becoming the most requested type of flower for silk weddings. Just place a dozen Real Touch rose buds in a vase with water for a Can't believe they're not real! reaction every time.

Dana Plazyk of Flowers By Design is passionate about silk flowers and has been writing about them for the last 20 years. Flowers By Design stocks high-end artificial flowers. Please visit their Online Showroom [http://www.flowers-by-design.com/shop/Accessories.html] to see the newest and latest in silk flowers.

Imagine a bouquet of flowers placed in the centre of a room and as you enter your eyes fall upon it. It gives the viewer immediate pleasure. It is then that you will get the magic of flowers - it attracts, communicates and can make you happy like nothing else. The gift of flowers has been used to portray deeply felt messages since ancient times. Although giving flowers is popular and fashionable nowadays, there is evidence to show that this has been the case for a very long time.

If you read mythical stories, you will find that for centuries, flowers have been awarded to winners in the form of victory wreaths, they have been given as a gesture of love as they are regarded as nature's most beautiful creation. They symbolise everything that is positive in this world - life, love and happiness.

The diverse shapes, patterns, styles, colours, shades and fragrances have appealed to human senses since long ago. Flowers used to be a special offering to the Gods and Goddesses and a primary part of worshipping in the ancient ages. The giving of flowers is still a part of the religious customs of many cultures around the world. The gratification that a flower offers was thought to be the only way to please the divine.

The giving of flowers as gifts originates from Turkey in around the seventeenth century. It was the initiation of floriography that appealed to a wide audience. In medieval times, flowers were associated with moral implications as well. For example, white roses or lilies are associated with the Christian religious symbolism of chastity or virginity and hereby saints are often represented with flowers to denote virtue.

The symbolism of flowers differs from one culture to another. If you are hoping to send a special message through the choice of flowers, here are a few for you to choose from:

Love can be expressed through the gift of a purple lilac which symbolizes new love. However, do not make the mistake of giving a white one as it will carry the wrong message. Forget-me-nots and of course, red roses are the best way to show true love. If it is a love at first sight, then a thornless rose or lavender rose will speak of your complete surrender. A red carnation will express how your heart aches for her. A bunch of honeysuckle will prove your devoted affection, your bonds of love. And choosing a red tulip will be a complete declaration of love.

If you have received a flower to show love, you can reciprocate the gesture by sending a pink carnation. If you do not feel the same way, a white, yellow or stripped carnation is a sympathetic way to refuse.

Love isn't the only emotion symbolized by the gift of flowers, a Star of Bethlehem gives hope, a Snowdrop offers consolation and an Aloe or Marigold will speak of your grief. An Eglantine Rose can be offered as a healing touch.

Flowers do not have to be given as a connotation, sometimes we can choose to give flowers to a loved one just because you know that they will appreciate the thought. Flowers are the simplest way to show love, which is why giving them is involved in so many events in our lives. We have flowers for weddings as well as funerals. We give our loved ones flowers at every special occasion and at their tombstones when they have long left our sides.

The art of flower arranging has come a long way to create an industry in itself. The elegance and aristocracy associated with flowers as gift have opened new opportunities for experimentation and challenging designing. Playing with colours, shapes and patterns a florist now can offer you exciting range of wreaths, corsages, bouquets or boutonnieres. With Ikebana of Japan, English Country Garden of Europe or High Style of US - the theory of flower arrangement for gifts has been revolutionized. Along with the main ornamental flowers, the fillers like Baby's Breath, foliage and ribbon have completed and enhanced the giving of flowers.

The charm of gift of flowers ranges from the countryside bunch to an artfully decorated bouquet. Designer bouquets are quite the rage too, if you love fancy tags and if your budget permits then giving your beloved or friend a designer bouquet would definitely be a grand statement. There are many specialised flower boutiques which supply all kinds of exotic bouquets and arrangements all around the year, but they also customise and deliver the same on the special occasions in spite of time and distance.

Besides all these, you can choose different flowers for different occasions. For example, if you are attending a wedding party in spring, then you may choose pale and delicate blooms, whilst an autumnal wedding would suit richer, bolder shades. For anniversary parties, you may combine the seasonal flowers with fruit basket or food hamper. The bright and colourful flowers are the best for birthday parties, while Christmas cactus with pink or red flowers and green leaves or Poinsettia with red or white flowers and green leaves are best for Christmas parties.

Flowers can be used as beautiful decorations. If a wedding venue is less than perfect, you can brighten the place up with a theme of gorgeous bouquets matching the bridal colour scheme. You can even hire professional wedding decoration agencies to do this job professionally and artistically. The bride and groom are going to fall in love with this very thoughtful and flowery gift!

Whatever your choice, be sure to send flowers which suits the personality of the recipient. People will really appreciate the time and thought put in to choosing such a wonderful gift and for some, nothing could be better.

Sam Goddard is a hopeless, hapless romantic and recognises the importance of giving flowers. He has given gifts to girls, grannies and couples at weddings.