By Dennis Harp

Success of a flower shop hinges on many variables, including marketing and customer service. But the basic building block is finding the best wholesale flowers supplier. After all, you can pour as much money into advertisement, but if the flowers in your store do not look good, getting many customers will be difficult. If the flowers that you are offering your customers are blotchy or suffering from stained petals you will find that your flowers will be dying on your shop shelves. Finding the best wholesale flowers supplier is simply the single most important business decision you will make.

Does the wholesaler grow their own flowers?

Try to find a wholesaler who owns their own farm or has a partnership with flower farms. If they do, the flowers you receive will likely be a lot fresher. This means both better looking flowers and flowers with longer shelf life than the ones you would get from a cut flower wholesaler. Selecting a supplier that grows their own flowers eliminates part of the costs associated with a longer supply chain.

Does the wholesaler offer a variety of blooms?

Your customers' picks of particular flowers changes with seasons, occasions, budgets, to name a few variables. Keeping a variety of blooms available in your store at all times widens the client base and increases your chances for repeat buyers. Yet dealing with several suppliers to maintain a diverse inventory of cut flowers can become very time-consuming and confusing. Simplify your business's operations by choosing a wholesale flowers supplier that offers not only a wide variety of cut flowers, but also a variety of colors.

Wedding planners know that many brides do not always want to settle for roses, even if they are available in colors other than white or red. Instead, they often like to add unique touch to their event using unusual flowers, such as Birds of Paradise and heliconias or use more subtle white campanulas or even wild flowers. Finding a wholesale flowers supplier that can ship you such flowers will put your shop at the top of the brides and event planners list.

How fast will you get your order?

Many larger wholesale flower suppliers work with a network of farms in order to provide the widest selection of cut flowers. This is great since the supplier will be able to meet your business's needs for a variety of blooms. At the same time, it lengthens the supply chain and might present a logistical problem of getting the flowers to you in the shortest possible time.

When looking for a wholesale flowers supplier, make sure to ask for their delivery guarantee - how many days it takes them to deliver cut flowers to your shop. Additionally, make sure that the delivery time frame refers to the number of days from the day the flowers are cut, not from the day they arrive to your wholesaler's packing facility.

Does a supplier have proper flower processing facilities?

Once the flowers arrive from farms to the supplier's facilities, the blooms need to be processed quickly while kept in a climate-controlled environment that extends their life and preserves their freshness. This means you need a supplier that operates out of state-of-the-art refrigerated warehouses with specialized wet packing and bouquet assembly facilities.

Is your potental supplier easy to reach?

What are your wholesale flowers supplier's hours of operation? As a business owner, you know that your hours are quite long and work can be hectic. You might find it hard to place a timely order with a supplier if their hours of operation are limited. How many different ways can you get in touch with the supplier to place an order or get your inquiry resolved? It is a bonus if your wholesale flowers supplier has an online ordering option and an around-the-clock customer support.

A multitude of factors must be considered when selecting a wholesale flowers supplier. Vital to your flower shop's success, the supplier that you end up choosing must combine high quality, wide selection, quick processing and superior customer service with low price.

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.

By Adriana A Noton

Flower gardens have always added beauty and life to a property. For the plant enthusiast, having a flower garden is not just a hobby, but it is also a passion. The disappointing part of having a flower garden is when they go out of bloom. Fortunately, there are many flowers that bloom all year long or last a long time, depending on the region and climate. Most gardeners plant perennials because they bloom each year, however, when properly taken care of, they can stay in bloom for a long time. The key to getting your flowers to stay in bloom for an extended period of time is to plant hardy plants so they last as late as possible into the fall. Examples of hardy plants include: mums, carnations, wild flowers, daisies, geraniums, marigolds moss roses, and peonies.

The following is a list of flowers that bloom all year long or last a long time:

1. Day Lily - Although the Day Lily lasts only one day when it blooms, it is a very hardy plant that will bloom late in the fall. They are available in a broad range of colors and bloom over and over into the late season.

2. Catmint - The bloom span of the catmint is approximately 2 - 3 months. These plants will bloom throughout the summer. They are very robust and can thrive in drought prone climates. These flowers are blue-lavender in color and have gray foliage. They make a lovely addition to the flower garden.

3. Black-Eyed Susan - This pretty flower grows well in many regions. Their petals look like flat landing pads and they have a bloom span of 3 months. Deadheading will prolong bloom. They grow well in soil that is well drained.

4. Yarrow - This flower can bloom for 3 months or more. It is a hardy flower that can grow in a variety of regions and climates. Gardeners will deadhead the spent flowers for repeat bloom. These flowers prefer drier climates and soil.

5. Bellflower - The species Campanula, or Bellflower, has a bloom span of 2 months or more. They grow best during cooler summers. They should be grown in partial shade. There a number of species of the Bellflower and they are easy to grow and maintain.

6. Pin Cushion Flowers - These flowers look like pincushions and the stems are long and lanky looking. The bloom span can be over 3 months if you use deadheading. They require the full sun to thrive. Pin Cushion Flowers are a very interesting looking flower making them a very popular choice.

7. Coneflower - This hardy flower can bloom for 2 - 3 months. They thrive well during periods of drought. They have long stalks and are a very colorful flower. They are popular because they attract a variety butterflies and birds. Deadheading will prolong the bloom period. To thrive, they require good soil drainage and full sun.

Planting long lasting flowers will help you maintain a beautiful blooming garden for a long time. The key point to remember is the woodier and thicker the stem, the hardier the flower because it can better resist the frost. There are many flower sites that provide essential tips on picking long lasting flowers. As well, you can consult with your local garden centre for advice on picking the best flowers. For those who view flower gardening as an art and passion, knowing the plant's structure, attributes, and bloom period ensures they will extend the bloom time to much later in the fall.

By Flor Gurner

Five things you can do with silk flowers are: create beautiful wedding bouquets, create table center pieces, create home arrangements, decorate outdoor spaces and create clothing accessories. You may not have thought to use silk flowers in these manners but the truth is that silk flowers provide many benefits over real flowers. In the following paragraphs I will discuss the different ways to use silk flowers and their benefits over real flowers.

1. Create Wedding Bouquets: Silk flowers are perfect for creating silk wedding bouquets, however, don't expect fake flowers to be cheaper than real flowers because you may be surprised. The benefit of using silk flowers for wedding bouquets is not in the price. The benefits are that you can use any silk flower anytime of the year, you don't have to worry about setting off allergies and silk flowers will never wilt or die due to the weather.

2. Table Center Pieces: Creating a table center piece is a beautiful way to decorate tables for formal and semi-formal occasions. Creating silk table pieces is becoming more popular due to their durability and life-like appearance. Fake flowers can also be scented to smell like real flowers.

3. Home Arrangements: If you enjoy the beauty of flowers in your home but lack a green thumb to keep them alive then artificial flowers are a good alternative. The best way to create a realistic silk bouquet is to avoid bright pastel colored flowers because those tend to look fake. Use a variety of different flowers, and pick artificial flowers with dark green stems and leaves. Mix in some green foliage as filler, set the silk bouquet in an appropriate vase and enjoy the look of beautiful flowers in your home.

4. Outdoor Landscaping: A growing trend taking place on poolsides and patios is to use artificial plants and trees instead of real. Manufacturers of artificial silk trees and plants are using durable materials such as Polyblend, specifically for outdoor use. Home owners love the beauty of real flowers, plants and trees that Polyblend products give but with none of the maintenance. Polyblend products are expensive but when you add the maintenance time and water saved the value presents itself.

5. Clothing Accessories: Today people are as creative and crafty as ever, using fake flowers to spice up clothing such as pants, shirts, sandals, hats and head bands. I know a lady in Hawaii that makes beautiful leis out of silk orchids and sells them to tourist for a nice markup. Simply cut of the head of a single stem flower, and apply it to any part of clothing using a hot glue gun. I speak from experience when I say practice on old clothing first.

Quality artificial flowers have all the beauty of real flowers, but with none of the maintenance. Shop around and look for good deals on quality (and I stress quality) artificial flowers, plants and trees. So whether you are looking for flowers and bouquets for a wedding, need to spruce up your dining table, trying to brighten up your home with a colorful arrangement, looking for a low maintenance, low water landscape solution or you want to create a pretty hair band for your daughter then give silk flowers a try.

By Graham Olsen

Arranging a bouquet of flowers in a vase is somewhat of an art form. However, it only takes a few simple tips to get you started in learning how to arrange the flowers, a little bit of practice and an eye for beauty. Before you know it you will be an expert floral arranger!

The setting for the flowers: There are numerous ways to display a flowers. Virtually any type of container that is able to hold some water and some flowers can be used for your floral arrangement setting. Some possible suggestions would be a vase, a cup, a jar, a watering can or a pot. The important thing to look for when choosing the container that will hold your flowers is that it does not leak and that the opening at the top of the container is wide enough to hold the bouquet of flowers. Sometimes a block of floral foam is used when arranging flowers.

A floral foam block will hold the flowers in their desired position making floral arrangements much neater and more stable. The floral foam block needs to be cut to fit the shape of the container that you are going to use. This is best done when the floral foam block is wet. The foam block should be wet with some type of plant food solution to optimize floral conditions. Another idea to create an attractive floral arrangement piece is to add some colored stones, marbles or fish aquarium pebbles or stones to the bottom of the vase, if the vase is clear in color. When adding water to them you can use either a watering can with a long, thin spout or a bulb baster that you can find in your kitchen. Using either of these will keep the area mess-free.

Choosing your flowers: Choosing your flowers can be exciting. You can be as creative as you like when doing so. You will want to choose three different types of flowers when selecting them. The main focus of your floral arrangement should take up the majority of your container. Whether you select a small and delicate flower or a large and full flower these flowers would be the greatest in number. These are known as mass flowers. Line flowers will keep your floral arrangement in proportion. Line flowers are generally quite tall flowers, such as gladiolus or snapdragon. Line flowers are often put in a thin, tall vase on their own to create an attractive look. Filler flowers are just what they sound like. Filler flowers take up space and fill in the empty spots of your floral arrangement. Baby's breath is quite often used.

The arrangement: When arranging your flowers you will need to cut the majority of the leaves off the stem. Leave only a few leaves at the top of most of the flowers. The stems will likely need to be cut before placing in the vase. It is recommended that they be cut double the size of the floral arrangement container. A few flowers should also be left with an extra couple of inches. These flowers will go in the middle of your floral arrangement. The filler flowers are the first to enter the container. The filler flowers should be crossed in an orderly fashion to make a base for the other flowers that you will be placing in the floral container.

You should then place the main flowers in the floral container starting at the outer edge and working toward the middle of the container with the few flowers that you left a bit longer being placed directly in the middle of your floral arrangement. Your eye will be the best judge of how your floral arrangement looks. You may need to make some changes in your floral arrangements to come up with the desired look that you are seeking. The more that you arrange flowers the easier it will become. You will soon develop a knack for creating just the right floral arrangement that will suit any occasion.

By Flor Gurner

Wedding celebrations are among the most joyous and memorable times in a person's life. Preparing for a wedding, however, can be one of the most stressful times in a person's life. So let me use this time to try and help ease the stress of one aspect of wedding planning: the purchasing of flowers and bouquets. There are many benefits of using fake flowers over real such as: you can use flowers that are not in season, don't have to worry about people's allergies, silk bouquets will last forever, artificial flowers are more durable than real flowers and will not wilt due to heat and lack of water, and finally, they are a better investment.

Depending on the season a wedding is scheduled some flowers may not be available or the price for out-of-season flowers will be raised to a ridiculous cost. Seasons or climates will never affect artificial flowers, and every rare and popular flower has an artificial counterpart.

The last thing a wedding needs is the best man or bride's maids sneezing during the ceremony and throughout the night due to pollen in the flowers. And, if your wedding is during allergy season, beware. Avoid potential allergy problems by using fake flowers. Artificial flowers can be scented with that fresh flower smell but with none of the harmful loud allergic reactions of pollen.

Wedding bouquets are beautiful and expensive. And when the day is over what do most brides do with that keepsake? Well, they usually dry them out and stick them in a vase somewhere in the house. The wonderful thing about silk bouquets are that the keep their timeless beauty. With practically no maintenance a silk bouquet will look as beautiful thirty years from when the bride first carried it down the aisle.

Artificial flowers are durable. Real flowers are fragile and prone to disaster, especially throughout the hustle and bustle of setting up a wedding. You have to worry about the flowers wilting if the day is hot. You have to make sure they have water so they don't die, and you have to be careful to not break or tear their leaves when handling and arranging real flowers. All this can be avoided by going silk.

Silk flowers are by far a better investment than real flowers. In fact, real flowers are not an investment at all. If you're a wedding planner, you could keep sets of silk flowers and arrangement and use them over and over. After a wedding fake flowers can be sold over eBay or Craigslist to help recuperate some of the money that was spent on the wedding.

Real flowers are great. We purchased real flowers for our wedding. But, no one told us we had options. If you are teeter-tottering between silk or real wedding flowers keep in mind that you can get artificial flowers any season for no additional cost, silk flowers won't affect people's nasal allergies, silk bouquets will last forever, fake flowers are less likely to be damaged before and during the wedding, and finally, artificial flowers are a better investment because they can be reused or resold.

By Flor Gurner

There are many benefits to purchasing silk flowers over real. First, fake flowers don't need water. Second, fake flowers do not need sunlight. Third, fake flowers will never wilt. Fourth, fake flowers will last forever. Lastly, fake flowers will never affect anyone's nasal allergies. In the following paragraphs I will talk about these five points and let you make the final decision to either choose silk or real.

1. You do not have to water: Artificial flowers are better than real ones because you don't have to water them. Today, people of all ages more than ever are on the run scrambling anout their day. And as much as we would like to have and care for real flowers in our living space odds are they would never get watered and die. Silk flowers are never thirst and can be set in acrylic water to make it look like they are real flowers in water.

2. They do not need sunlight: Artificial flowers are better than real ones because they don't need sunlight. Unless you live in a greenhouse, we all have that one room that's constantly dim or flat-out dark. The one window either faces north or south letting in minimal sunlight, killing your favorite sunray guzzling geranium. Artificial flowers do not care if they are in direct sunlight or on a shelf in your closet. They are at your complete beck and call.

3. Will not wilt: Artificial flowers are better than real ones because they will never wilt. A wilting flower is sad and depressing to look at. A flower can only be pollinated once, and after that the plant produces a chemical called ethylene that causes the flowers to wilt and die. Fake flowers have no pollen nor produce ethylene. Silk flowers can be scented to smell like real flowers.

4. Last Forever: Save you money - Artificial flowers are better than real ones because they will save you money. If you like the look of flowers in your house/apartment then your only two options are to consistently purchase real flowers to replace the old ones, which can easily add up to a hundred bucks a month, or buy silk flowers. Silk flowers not only save you money but you could always resell them on eBay or Craigslist if you no longer want them.

5. Nasal Allergies: Nasal allergies are uncomfortable, annoying and just plain miserable. Nasal allergies occur when an allergen gets into your body and your immune system goes nuts thinking it needs to kill it before it harms you. Pollen from flowers is an allergen. Thankfully silk flowers are made from plastic, rubber and silk which do not affect nasal allergies.

Quickly recapping on what has been written: firstly, you never have to water silk products. Secondly, a silk sprays never needs sunlight. Thirdly, wilting is impossible for a silk blossoms. Fourthly, silk clusters can be resold or gifted. And lastly, silk blossoms and buds will never cause an allergy attack. If you have all the time in the world to properly nurture and grow your own flowers than I envy you. But, if you like flowers and live a fast paced life I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the quality of today's silk flowers.

By Robert Diarioti

Flowers are one of the most important elements of a wedding party, the reason being their special appeal and natural beauty. Wedding is an occasion in which wedding flowers arrangements actually hold a central place. These arrangements not only provide a special beauty to the entire occasion but also provide a central theme for the whole wedding decoration.

You can either choose a wedding flower service provider to get your floral arrangements done or you can also plan your flower arrangements on your own. But while doing it yourself, you will need to be careful about the central color and theme of the party and plan accordingly.

Choosing the flowers for your wedding arrangements: First thing you will have to decide is whether to choose real flowers or silk flowers. Nothing can match the natural beauty and freshness of real flowers, but they are very expensive, perish very soon and have to be thrown out after the wedding. Contrary to that, the silk flowers can be used for your home decoration after the wedding.

If you are choosing natural flowers, then it is wise to select seasonal flowers only. They will not only be available fresh with all their natural beauty, but they will also come at affordable rates.

Choosing the color of your wedding flowers arrangements: The color of the flowers of your wedding flowers arrangements should be at par with the central theme of the rest of your wedding decoration. It should also be chosen while keeping in mind the color of the wedding dress of the couple.

If you are choosing natural flowers, then make sure to choose a color that has several kinds of flowers in the season. In this way, the flowers of the color of your choice will be abundantly available and you will not need to get the flowers dyed. But if you are choosing silk flowers, then you will need to get them dyed in any case.

Where to get the flowers for your wedding flowers arrangements: While purchasing your wedding flowers, you will need to do a little bit of market research. You should start searching for them well in advance because wedding flowers usually need to be ordered and dyed. Some places that you should look at are grocery stores, flower shops and farmers markets. You can also search over the internet and order for the flowers of your choice.

Some churches put some restrictions on the use of flower in weddings in their premises. Therefore, it is important to know what they have to say well in advance so that you can make your flowers arrangements as per the rules of the church.

After all, flowers arrangements are very important but very time consuming. So you have to start planning for them much before your actual wedding day. A well-made arrangement will be a special piece of your wedding and the memories will be treasured for several years to come. While you are walking down the aisle with your new life partner, do not forget to stop for a second and smell the flowers.

By Cheyenne Ibit

Monthly flower deliveries are becoming more promising as they developed some ways of keeping the flowers staying longer, fresher and can be delivered with efficiency. With the advanced technology of the internet, online buyers are capable of taking the orders online. Most retailers are tying up with huge online companies to channel their orders for minimal fees.

Few tips in getting monthly flowers:
Home Decoration - Decorating fresh flowers to your home can give you the feelings of warmth, freshness and lively atmosphere. It is great when you change the variety of flowers you decorate depending of what are the seasonal flowers on that point of time. You can use the arranged flowers as a centerpiece of your house and that alone could make you feel wonderful.

As a Gift - it is our human nature to love and appreciate flowers, giving flowers as a gift to our loved ones and good friends is a kind gesture especially on the special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and other more. Sending monthly flowers to your parents and grandparents is a thoughtful notion, sure enough they would be happy to receive such kind of thoughtfulness because they are appreciative of fresh flowers.

Special Someone - it is a common rule that women loves and admires flowers. There is no better approach to court someone than giving her a bunch of fresh monthly flowers. Fresh bouquet of flowers will then be appreciable to your love one if you send it as a gift to your anniversary or for just a thought of remembering her even when you are afar from her.

This would also be a great help for those couples who are working in two different far places, sending a fresh flowers will make her think that you kept on remembering and thinking of her even from wherever you might be.

Monthly flower delivery
It is a beautiful floral gift perception of relatives staying across the country to send their special ones some lovely fresh flowers that can last up to a year. There are lots of costumers of monthly flower delivery would like sending flowers on a time periods such as monthly basis, half a year or a whole year round. It is perfect way to show or to make someone feels that they are in your thoughts.

Birth Monthly Flowers
January - their birth flowers are Carnation and Snowdrop with colors of black, dark blue, or red. These flowers resemble fascination and devotion to love.
February - flowers are violet or primrose colored with violet, sky blue and yellow. This resembles modesty; faithfulness and young love.
March - flowers are daffodil or jonquil with white or sky blue colors. It resembles devotion or affection; returned or sympathy.
April - the birth flowers are daisies or sweet pea, with yellow, red or colorless colors. These will remind you of innocence; youth, purity and departure.
May - flowers are lily of the valley or hawthorn with the colors of yellow, red and green. They reminds of sweetness; humility and hope.
June - roses or honeysuckle, with the colors of light blue, white and cream. These will remind you of love and devoted affections.
July - the flowers with this month are larkspur or water lilies, their colors are green, russet and red. They resemble laughter and purity of heart.
August - flowers are gladiolas or poppy with the colors of orange, light green and red. These will remind you of strength of characters; generosity and sincerity.
September - aster or morning glory flowers with the colors of brown and deep blue. These symbolize love and affection.
October - calendula or cosmos flowers colored with white and yellow. They symbolize joy and modesty.
November - chrysanthemum colors yellow, red and dark blue. It symbolizes cheerfulness; rest; wealth and loveliness.
December - narcissus flower, colors with indigo, greenish-blue and green; that symbolize egotism; formality and good wishes.

By Adriana A Noton

When providing support to a family at their loved one's funeral, people will often give flowers. Flowers have always been an important component of a funeral. They show respect and honor to the life of the departed and give comfort to the family. When choosing flowers to give at a funeral, you have to make sure they are the appropriate type of flowers for such a somber occasion. You want to make sure the flowers are not too overwhelming and that they are appropriate for the particular atmosphere. When choosing flowers for a funeral, it is important to know what types of flowers are fitting for such an emotional event. Below are a number of different types of flowers that are suitable to give at a funeral:

Chrysanthemum: In many countries, Chrysanthemums are considered one of the most traditional types of funeral flowers. These flowers are available in a number of different colors such as tan, yellow, white, pink, and burgundy. They are popular flowers used for funeral wreaths. White, yellow, and pink Chrysanthemums are usually used as a base flower for sympathy flower arrangements and wreaths.

Rose: The Rose is another popular funeral flower as they convey beauty, love, simplicity, and elegance. The rose represents strong feelings and true love. They are often used to lie across a coffin during the funeral. The red rose is the most popular flower for a funeral; however white roses are also used.

Blue Flowers: The color blue is often seen at a funeral. Blue flowers are a popular flower selection for such an occasion. Such flowers include: Blue delphiniums, Blue Rose, Iris, and Hydrangea. The Iris is a blue flower that is available all year long. It symbolizes hope and faithfulness. Blue flowers are often contrasted with white flowers. Many people will often dye a white flower blue for a funeral.

Carnations: The Carnation is another traditional funeral flower. They are popular because they last a long time. White and red carnations are popular choices. Red carnations symbolize strong sentiment and White carnations symbolize truth. They look striking when mixed with other flowers.

Lilies: The Lily is another popular funeral choice. There are a number of different types of Lily that can be given that includes Longiflorum Lilies, Oriental Lilies, and Calla Lilies. The size of these different types of lilies will vary and the colors include: yellow, white, pink, and orange.

Creating a mix of flowers in a distinct yet subtle display that includes colors that blend well together makes for a respectful and elegant funeral flower arrangement. Soft pinks, pastels, blue, and purples enhance the occasion and helps make the funeral more meaningful. Floral baskets, vases, and table arrangements are often given at a funeral. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They can be sent to either a church, the funeral home, or to the family's home. Funerals honor the life and memory of a loved one. Including flowers in the ceremony provides comfort during such an emotional time.

By Jane A Morris

Mulberry flowers are an excellent choice for your wedding flowers. The quality of this flower is beyond words. The paper is handmade using a specific procedure that takes a few days to complete and is rather difficult to do. The paper is made from the bark of the mulberry tree, it is stripped, the knots and creases are beaten out of it, it is soaked in soda ash and laid out to dry and all of this is done by hand! This procedure in return allows advanced flower makers to create flowers for a mulberry flower wedding.

In this article we will look at the different types of flowers, bouquets, centerpieces and decorations you can have for a mulberry paper flower wedding. We assure you the flowers are divine and you will not be disappointed in the quality of these flowers. You nor your guests will be able to tell that they are not real flowers and you may even have several inquires as to where you got them!

There are several benefits aside from the sheer beauty of these mulberry flowers and the cost. Let us look at a few below:

o Flower Selection - A common issue many brides face while selecting the flowers for their bridal bouquet and the bouquets for the female bridal party is the often limited amount of flowers available for the season they wish to get married in and seeing how many brides plan their wedding a year in advance this can create a problem. A good and very common example of this scenario is a bride that loves peonies which is a winter flower and the wedding is in the summer! By using mulberry flowers the bride does not have to even worry about that little detail because she can have peonies made or any other flower her heart desires! With paper flowers the bride can literately have the flowers she wants!

o Color Selection - With bouquets made out of real flowers your color selection is also very limited. You get the color(s) that the flower grows in. If the brides favorite color is indigo and she wants a bridal bouquet or centerpieces for the tables made out of indigo colored flowers she may have a problem, using real flowers. With these flowers indigo is possible as is several other unusual colors. Using mulberry flowers for themed weddings also has several advantages. As you can imagine finding a real black rose for a Goth or Halloween themed wedding would be impossible. However if you use these paper flowers you can not only have black roses but orange ones too!

A mulberry flower wedding will allow the bride and groom to have the wedding of their dreams whether it is a simple traditional church wedding followed by a nice reception at the country club or a couple who opts to celebrate their love of Halloween or any other theme incorporated into their special day. Using these paper flowers will allow the couple to do just that!

Jane Morris
To find the best source for mulberry paper flowers for your wedding or if you prefer to make your own paper flowers you can buy our books on how to make paper flowers and the crepe paper for making them on our website at: http://www.paperflowerweddings.com

By Tim Petrosyan

For those who live in the Southern California area and are looking to surprise someone with a nice gift, Los Angeles Flowers & Online Flower Delivery should definitely be considered. There are so many florists in the area for you to purchase from. Prices are generally fairly reasonable as well. The option of online flower delivery allows you to make sure that your flowers arrive when you want them to and can take a lot of the guesswork out of sending flowers.

Some of the below information is what you can expect when you purchase flowers online, as well as some basic information. These are some good ideas to consider in order to make sure you pick fresh flowers and that they arrive on time. It can also help you to get some good prices on the flowers that you are looking to order.

As you can imagine, there are at least hundreds of florists that are available with services in the Los Angeles region. They are capable of doing floral arrangements for every holiday and occasion imaginable. When you are not sure what type of flowers you should send, it is a good idea to check out the florist website and see what they have available pre-arranged.If you have an idea of what you want, then discuss it with the florist themselves. They will usually be welcome to make an arrangement custom for you.

Using online flower delivery can really give you an accurate description of the arrival of your flowers. Some florists allow you to track the delivery of your flowers online as well. There are also options that will email you once your flowers have been delivered. Taking care of the delivery online allows you to be very specific about the delivery and even add on other gift packages through the website.

The prices for Los Angeles Flowers & Online Flower Delivery are fairly reasonable. You can usually get a beautiful arrangement for a reasonable amount of money. However, if you are ordering flowers from the more upper class side of Los Angeles, you can expect your price range to rise a little. Prices may also vary depending on how far the florist has to drive to deliver the flowers.

Prices can also vary based on the type of flowers that you purchase. Seasonal flowers are sometimes more expensive than flowers that are available year round. You can also expect that if you are looking to have flowers delivered on a holiday or directly before, it will likely cost you a little more money than otherwise. However, there is no replacement for the smile on someone's face when they are surprised with flowers on a holiday.

If you are considering purchasing some flowers, do some browsing online to find out which florists are the best in your area. Also consider asking your friends or neighbors what florist they would recommend from their own experiences. It is important to pick a florist that always has the freshest flowers so that your purchase remains fresh even after delivery.

Make these considerations when you are going to purchase flowers online and you will have the best outcome. Flowers are a great symbol of your compassion for other people. Choosing the best flowers will make your gift memorable even after the flowers have gone.

By Daya Sugden

After 10 years of anniversaries, the usual heart-shaped box of chocolates has become, well, expected. While, the default red roses are becoming more than a little predictable. So, how can you surprise, delight and amaze your wife on her 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th or 15th wedding anniversary? Well, funnily enough, by invoking an old custom. One of giving a different flower on each anniversary.

Yes, sadly chaps, if you have been giving red roses diligently and dutifully on every anniversary thus far, you have been doing it all wrong. Not to worry, 10 years or more of mistakes will soon be forgotten once you are steered onto the right track. That is the purpose of this article! So, read on to learn what flower you should give on your next anniversary year and learn a little of the reasons and mythology behind giving that flower.

Morning Glory - flower for the 11th wedding anniversary
After the 10th year milestone, the flower for the 11th year has a special message for all married couples - take each day, one at a time. That's right. Morning Glory, the flower for the 11th anniversary year, is not only one of the loveliest flowers it also has one of the shortest life-spans. These pretty flowers, in white, red, blue, purple and yellow, have been aptly named as the Morning Glory blooms in the morning, soaks in the sunshine and dies by the afternoon. In Chinese folklore, the flower has a special significance. The flower is symbolic of a single day each year in which the star-crossed Chinese lovers, Chien Niu and Chih Neu, are allowed to meet.

Peony - flower for the 12th wedding anniversary
Peony is a symbol of good fortune and a happy marriage. The Greeks named the flower after Paeon, the physician of the Olympian gods. Available in vivid shades of red to white or yellow, a peony in full bloom is the ultimate signature of romance and prosperity.

The flower was held in high esteem by Chinese royalty due to its close resemblance to the shimmering moon, itself a highly revered celestial body in Chinese mythology. Chinese folklore believed that the flower was created by the moon goddess herself to reflect her iridescent glimmer during the night. In Japan, peony symbolises 'hands full of cash'.

Hollyhock - flower for the 13th wedding anniversary
The hollyhock symbolises fertility and abundance. Extremely in demand as ornamental garden plants, hollyhocks come in various colours - vivid mauve, pink or yellow and make for a gorgeous eclectic bouquet. Hollyhocks derive their name from an old English saying which means 'Holy Flower' and have even been discovered in Stone Age burial sites.

These flowers also flowered during ancient Roman times and were commonly used as ornamental add-ons to Roman gardens. Records show that the ancient Greeks used the Althaea species of hollyhock as sacrificial offerings to Apollo during their harvest celebrations.

Dahlia - flower for the 14th wedding anniversary
Among the most spectacular of garden flowers, dahlia symbolises dignity and elegance - much like a marriage that has remained weathered all the storms with dignity and strength for 14 years. Empress Josephine cultivated dahlias in her garden Malmaison - the first place outside their native Mexico. Dahlias captured the imagination of the French to such an extent that a full bloom dahlia could be exchanged for a diamond!

Named after the 18th century Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, this striking flower is available in different shapes, sizes and colours. Did you know that the ancient Aztecs used the flower to treat epilepsy?

Rose - flower for the 15th wedding anniversary
Few flowers have captured the collective imagination of the world down the centuries as the rose. Considered the classical flower of romance, rose is one of the earliest flowers known to mankind. It is a symbol of love, hope and passion and the flower of lovers. According to Roman mythology, rose was the favourite flower of the goddess of love and romance, Venus. For Greeks, the rose was the flower of their goddess of love, Aphrodite. Roses come in varying colours, each of which has its own symbolism. A yellow rose denotes friendship and joy; white denotes purity and reverence; orange stands for enthusiasm and desire; red symbolises passion and love. No guesses for which colour rose your wife deserves!

Daya is an experienced journalist who works in the gift retailing industry. She writes for a leading women's gift retailer, for their gift giving advice website. You can find their range of anniversary gifts for women here: http://www.pressies4princesses.co.uk/gift-Anniversary1.shtml. Daya also contributes to another website tackling the subject of anniversaries and anniversary gifts specifically. Find more advice about anniversary flowers from her here: http://www.4-anniversary-gifts.co.uk/flowers-by-anniversary-year/.

By Daya Sugden

Flowers are among the loveliest components of any celebrations - adding colour and a gentle fragrance with their mere presence. And, yes, these gorgeous petalled beauties also speak the silent, but eloquent language of love and romance!

Wedding anniversaries are red-letter days in a couple's life, where each spouse desires to give a memorable gift to their partner. And even if the wallet does not always permit an extravagant gift, often just a single bloom conveys everything. Whether as a massive bouquet or standing tall in solitary splendour, flowers have been to anniversaries what romance is to love!

But, if you thought that anniversary flowers meant only red roses, think again.

A flower for each anniversary year

Did you know that each wedding anniversary year comes with its very own signature flower? So, while pansy is the flower for the first year, fuchsia is the flower for the 3rd year.

Here is a peek into which flower is appropriate for each anniversary year - from the 1st wedding anniversary to your 5th. Learn more about each year's corresponding flower and its significance - and floor her with your knowledge!

Pansy - flower for the 1st wedding anniversary

The first year is a delicate year and small wonder that the equally delicate pansy is the flower for this year. Pansy signifies reminiscences of the times shared together. Interestingly, the name 'pansy' has been derived from the French word 'pensie', which means 'thought' or 'remembrance'. Pansy was believed to be a cure for love problems since its petals were heart-shaped and was said to be one of the ingredients in a Celtic love potion.

Cosmos - flower for the 2nd wedding anniversary

The name 'cosmos' is derived from the Greek word for 'harmony' or 'ordered universe'. The cosmos is a lovely flower and stunning in its simplicity. The flower comes in vivid hues of red, white, pink and purple. An interesting story lies behind how it got its present-day name. It was the Spanish priests who first grew the cosmos flower in their gardens in Mexico. Since the evenly-placed petals of the lovely flower reminded them of the Greek word for a balanced universe, they called the flower 'cosmos'.

Fuchsia - flower for the 3rd wedding anniversary

Highly decorative and shaped like giant 'eardrops', this beautiful pinkish-purple flower was named after the 16th century German physician and botanist, Loenhart Fuchs. Fuchsia is native to Malaysia and the Southeast Asian countries and came to England in the 18th century. Fuchsia is actually a flowering shrub, easily identified by its bell-like flowers which usually have two-coloured petals. Fuchsia symbolises good taste.

Geranium - flower for the 4th wedding anniversary

An English gardener, John Tradescant, is credited with introducing the geranium flower to England in 1631 when he bought seeds from Rene Morin in Paris to England. The 4th anniversary flower is also called 'cranesbill' due to the shape of its seed which resembles a crane's bill. Geraniums symbolise a peaceful mind. Fanciful stories surround this 4th anniversary year flower. While white geraniums warded off snakes, the flower was used by the American Indians for medicinal purposes.

Daisy - flower for the 5th wedding anniversary

Daisy is the symbol of innocence, purity and loyal love and is the quintessential spring flower. It was the petals of the daisy flower that sealed the love fate of Victorian as they chanted 'he loves me, he loves me not' while plucking the petals. Daisies also signify undying passion and love for that special someone. The flower is also strongly associated with rekindling old feelings and emotions.

So, the first five anniversaries covered and not a single red rose in sight! Following this custom is almost certainly going to make you appear much more original than when defaulting to giving roses every year. And, because it is all decided for you, it means one less tricky decision next wedding anniversary!

Daya is an experienced writer who works in the gift industry, writing about gift giving etiquette. Her advice and suggestions for choosing anniversary gifts and flowers are published here: http://www.4-anniversary-gifts.co.uk/flowers-by-anniversary-year/. She also writes advice articles for a major UK women's gift retailer. At http://www.pressies4princesses.co.uk/gift-Anniversary1.shtml you can find their large selection of anniversary gifts for her.

By Roxana Rednic

Black flowers are the most unusual and unique flowers you can find. They are mysterious and they always bring a touch of fantasy into a bouquet. The following article will help you understand the meanings of the these flowers and by the end of this page you will know when, how and on which occasion you should use them!

An unconventional color, black represents darkness, the unknown. It is a misunderstood color, one that in fact proves the absence of all the other colors. Mysterious and sexy, black is associated with death in some cultures. However, black also represents the passive energy, symbolized by Yin. Black is a color of mourning, primarily, of bad experiences and evil. What is interesting is that black is both positive and negative. It may be seen as the color of rebellion and anger, but it may be also associated with elegant and chic occasion: a black tie event will always be put on a higher level. Also, black has a special effect on all the other bright colors: it makes them stand out!

Black Flower Meaning

Black flowers are mysterious. They are the flowers you use for funeral arrangements and farewell departures. They are elegant, chic and with a deep meaning hidden in their dark blooms.

Although truly black flowers do not exist, they are obtained by dyeing or genetic modification. The natural flower that you may find in a natural habitat may be in fact deep purple or deep red, burgundy or maroon in color.

They are a symbol of death, departure, sadness and saying "goodbye", but you also should be aware of the fact that these flowers are a symbol of depth, power and exquisite elegance, so if you have a black tie event and you don't know what flowers to use, you may want to shock a little with some chic black flower arrangements!

Black Flowers in Arrangements

Black flowers are used in funeral arrangements. They are seen as dark flowers that express sorrow and grief. However, they are seldom used alone in an arrangement. They are always combined with white flowers or pale pink, peachy orange flowers.

Nowadays, due to their unconventional strength and power are used for all kinds of events, even weddings, as they are quite eccentric and peculiarly odd, but beautiful in the mean time.

Now, if you are wondering how you can best combine the flowers so that your arrangement is the best anyone has ever seen, here are a few tips:

    * Combine these flowers with bright colors. No matter if they are represented by other flowers or decorations, black will make them stand out beautifully! Choose flowers with a rich bloom and mainly deep purple, such as black lilies or black calla lilies.
    * You may also use dark shades of purple and burgundy red for a more dark bouquet! Black roses can be used with deep purple and burgundy red roses for a tonal black flower bouquet.
    * For Halloween, remember that black goes magnificent with orange, so use these two colors in any door decoration or pumpkin hat! Black lilies and tiger lilies are most suitable for Halloween arrangements.

Black Flowers for Weddings

Black flowers are for avant-garde brides! If you use them in your wedding arrangements, you will definitely make a strong impression on your guests, not to mention your in-laws!

Black calla lilies and black roses are the most used for this particular occasion. They are often combined with yellow or white flowers and thus, become even more elegant.

Black tulips with their turban, masculine shape or black carnations, with their fringed edges make also a good choice for brides or bridesmaids bouquets, since they offer distinctive contours.

A black flower wedding will have assorted centerpieces arrangements that will individualize each table in a unique manner. They will never be used alone, as you don't want your very special day to become a morbid event.

For centerpieces and other wedding arrangements, it's best to use black orchids or flowers with big blooms, such as black lilies.

By Roxana Rednic

Brown flowers are warm flowers that are associated with nature. The following article will let you know what are the meanings of the brown color, what these flowers represent and how they are used in arrangements.

Brown is considered to be an orderly color, symbolizing nature and earth. A simple color, brown offers solidity and although it is considered dull and sometimes seen as a color representing laziness, brown is "down to earth", an organic color. A stable color, brown is the color of the tree and its roots. Brown is also known to be the color of workers' clothes. Brown is a friendly color and a sweet one too, stimulating appetite.

Brown Flower Meaning

Brown flowers are associated with masculinity. As they are not so delicate in color, they go really well with the male type. Somber and serious, the primary symbol of this flower is that of practicality and finance.

Brown Flowers in Arrangements

Brown flowers are warm flowers and when used in arrangements, they tend to bring out the beauty in other flowers. Usually are used in funeral arrangements, as they are a little bit dark and sad. However, they can be seen in centerpieces arrangements, on different occasions, such as business lunches and black tie events.

They may be combined with the following shades of color:
    * For Halloween arrangements, mix them with yellow and orange flowers. The warmth obtained will be really nice and set alongside carved pumpkins, they shall look great!
    * They may also be mixed with white flowers. A very elegant result, chic and tasteful, especially when it comes to brown roses!
    * If mixed with lots of greenery, brown flowers will have an earthy appeal, filled with nature and organic material. Mix brown roses with green gerberas, for instance.
    * Brown flowers may also be mixed with red flowers. These arrangements will look very passionate and fervent.
    * Avoid mixing brown with blue flowers. They are both dark colors that bring sadness and not a deep, meaningful one, but a depressing kind.
    * Purple flowers are not a very joyful choice, either, but it can be seen around. The brown flowers will fade out and leave all the attention to the purple ones.
    * Beige or cream, ivory, buttery milk flowers are an excellent choice for flower arrangements! They are unique and blissful, romantic and pleasant to see, perfect for any wedding!

Brown Flowers for Weddings

When using brown in weddings, be careful not to keep them in their simple form, always mix them with other colors. Mix them with white, pink, orange or yellow flowers. Use bright colors to loosen them up.

If you are having an autumn themed wedding, mix them with yellow or orange for corsages and boutonnieres as well for the table centerpieces.

For a delicate touch, mix these flowers with lavishing pink flowers! Or, even better go with ivory flowers, they are the most elegant and unique combination you can find!

Now if you really want to, keep your wedding arrangements simple, but add greenery to your flowers and other white or ivory decorations such as silk ribbons and pearls! For this type of bouquet, stick to brown roses, regardless of their shade of brown: chocolate, beige or café au lait.

By Roxana Rednic

Pink flowers represent sweetness. They are gentle and sweet flowers, that make you smile instantly. This article will offer you information on what are the main meanings of the color, of what pink flowers represent and how they are used in arrangements.

Pink represents the universal color of love. A sweet color, which has a very feminine touch and that is why it is often associated with femininity. Everything that is sweet has this color: strawberry ice cream, cotton candy, Barbie dolls, bubble gum. The color is also used, worldwide, as the pink ribbon is the symbol of the Fight Against Breast Cancer. It stands for other feelings like calmness, joy, happiness. When darker, the color is vibrant and psychedelic, when lighter it is warm and gentle.

Pink Flower Meaning

Pink flowers represent love, beauty, strength. They are romantic and stand for grace, gentility and happiness, youth, innocence and joy. They are graceful flowers, sweet and chic. Pink flowers have that poetic romance that you encounter in the writings of late poets. Marvelous and delightful, pink flowers stand for care and love. A perfect way to say "Thank You", ideal to say you care.

Pink Flowers in Arrangements

Pink flowers in arrangements are delightful. Not too much, nor too less, they are just right for any kind of arrangement. Used for weddings, sweet-sixteen's, funeral arrangements, birthdays, Mother's Day. Sweet and innocent, pink flowers are the best!

So, if you want to mix them up in gorgeous arrangements and still have them stand out, here are a few tips on how to do that:

    * Go with white for a natural mixture of sweet candy and sugar toss. Pink flowers and white ones go heavenly together, especially when you mix white and pink roses or white and pink tulips.
    * Purple can be another choice. A very happy arrangement will come to life, but remember to use pale pink with dark purple or lavender with hot pink, just to bring out a little contrast. A nice tonal combination can be obtained by mixing deep purple with light pink carnations.
    * It may also be mixed with orange - a dazzling effect, very eye popping. Fashionable, too and very hip. The best flowers for this combination are by far the orange and pink gerberas.
    * For a more serious arrangement, mix these flowers with greenery. This combination can be both joyful and serious, depending on the occasion. For a delightful arrangement or bouquet, mix hot pink calla lilies with bright green small gerbera daisies.
    * Now if you really want to shock, mix bright pink with yellow flowers! You certainly shall be mesmerized!
    * Blue can also be a choice, but be careful: choose only light blue flowers, just like with purple, as if you mix hot pink with dark blue, you may form a little flower fiasco. For a natural, yet delightful arrangement, mix blue with pink hydrangeas. They have a very rich bloom and they are both instantly available in your garden, just by changing the soil in which you grow either of them.

Pink Flowers for Weddings

These flowers are an excellent choice for wedding decorations. They are pure and sweet, delicate and tender, just like a bride should be. A pink hand-tied bouquet may be the best - you can use pink roses, pink calla lilies, pink lilies, pink carnations, pink tulips, pink orchids, pink carnations or pink gerbera daisies. No matter what kind of flower you choose, as long as it is pink it will look spectacular, very elegant and stylish.

So, if you decide to have a pink flower wedding, here is some advice for you:

    * Do not hesitate to choose hot pink for your arrangements! You can tone them down with some cream or white flowers, and the effect will be fantastic! Think about using American Beauty pink roses or bright pink orchids.
    * If you decide to have a pink and white bouquet, make it pink with white on the side and for the bridesmaids, make the bouquets white with pink on the side!
    * Pink tulips are a wonderful choice for your wedding arrangements. They are freshly looking and they have a royal background, you cannot go wrong with tulips!
    * Pink roses are a classical choice - tender, romantic, they will surely brighten your tables and look great in boutonnieres and corsages!
    * Surely, there can be no tropical wedding without tropical or exotic flowers. If your color theme is pink, pink hibiscus and pink orchids will be the perfect choice, both for your centerpieces and bouquets.
    * For a "Flower Power" wedding, your absolute choices are the pink daisies and the pink gerberas. The former will gracefully go in your bouquets and buttoniers, while the latter will make magnificent centerpieces.
    * The ultimate flowers for pink wedding centerpieces and arrangements are definitely the pink lilies, especially Stargazer lilies. Royal and strongly fragrant, they will delight all your senses equally, making your special day an unforgettable one.

By Tim Petrosyan

The Los Angeles florist relies heavily on the Los Angeles flower market because it is the center where all local growers and wholesale importers take their flowers.

Some of the Los Angeles retailers deal directly with the farms, and some of the farms who deal with large retailers in Los Angeles do not even bother bringing their products to the Los Angeles flower market. Lots of the Los Angeles flowers arrive from all over the world. It is actually cheaper to buy some flowers from Holland then it is to buy from Santa Clara California.

A Los Angeles florist is very educated about fresh flowers and they know how fresh their flowers should be. They also know where they were grown and how they were cared for. Most retailers cannot afford to clean feed and care for fresh flowers the way a Los Angeles florist does. How does this effect you? Well it depends on how long you want to enjoy your flowers.

A Los Angeles Florist talks about the happy and sad feelings, flowers bring to people. This is what she told me. "We express our happiest and saddest feelings with flowers. Has anyone had a wedding without flowers? Can there be a memorable birthday without birthday flowers? Have you seen a funeral without flowers? We connect on an emotional level with flowers the same way we connect on an emotional level to music."

"After a performance we shower the performer with flowers. Get well flowers make someone feel special. With flowers you can express your feelings and emotions. To let them know that you really do care and convey your best wishes to them."

Happy floral arrangements are for Birthdays, Anniversaries, a new baby being born. Happy flowers are also for holidays like Valentine's Day, Christmas and Hanukkah. There are lots a great reasons to buy Happy flower Arrangements.

Floral arrangements for sad times help the people who have lost someone. When you go to a funeral one of the ways you can show your deep sympathy for the family's lost is to express your love with flowers.

There are studies that prove how fresh flowers can change someone's mood and emotional state. Next time you give flowers to someone pay attention to how a smile forms on their face and how their mood changes. Flowers touch our soul and they put us in a better mood. I know when I walk into a room with lots of flowers I automatically feel like I am in a better mood.

Flowers represent all that is beautiful, gentle, passionate and pure. They are great for any occasion however, the best response one gets from flowers is when they are unexpected. A home or a business with fresh cut flowers brings warmth and comfort to that home or office. Think about whom in your family or friends could use some flowers in their life.

Don't have the mindset that flowers are a waste of money because they don't last very long. The people that you share flowers with will never forget the happy feelings you gave them when they first saw their floral arrangement. It would also be a good idea to take a picture of them with their floral arrangement, so when they see that picture of themselves with their floral arrangement they can relive those happy feelings that got when they first saw their floral arrangement.

By Niraj Desai

Whether you are sending a happy birthday, anniversary or merry Christmas greeting, sending flowers can be a very personal way to say how much you care. Add a personal note and you have the perfect gift. There are many sources you could go to in order to find the perfect flowers of the occasion. Here are 10 reasons to send flowers online instead of from a physical store location.

1. Convenient - When selecting flowers from a florist, you need to set a day aside to visit the site, find the perfect bouquet and send it out. The timing must be just right, so you find the bouquet and it can be sent right away before the flowers get old. Ranking at the top of the list of reasons to send flowers online is the convenience. Place your order and select a date you want the flowers delivered right from your personal computer at home. Nothing is more convenient than that.

2. Simple - When you place your order for flowers online, the entire cumbersome process of ordering in person disappears. It takes a mere ten minutes and you can scroll through dozens of flower arrangements. Place your order immediately and be done.

3. Fast - If you had to drive to the florist, browse their selection, stand in line, make your purchase and get back home, you could spend hours just getting the order made. Online, you can have your flowers delivered to the recipient in that amount of time without stepping foot outside your door. When it comes to last-minute gift delivery, sending flowers online ranks at the top of the list of possible solutions.

4. Cheap - The deals you can secure online are much better than in the store. Brick-and-mortar stores must pay rent on the building, pay employees and maintain the building. These costs end up increasing the price of flowers. Online orders often come straight from the greenhouses or gardens the flowers are grown, meaning they have less of an appearance to maintain. The savings are directed straight to you.

5. Long Distance - If you want to order flowers for someone across the stare or even on the other side of the country, you have more reasons to send flowers online. You can place an order from a distributor in their area so their flowers arrive sooner, intact, and you pay no shipping. This is one of the top reasons to send flowers online and get a personal gift to someone long distance.

6. Quality Assurance - Some people may hesitate initially at the idea of purchasing flowers online because they do not have a chance to see the flowers in person. Any reliable online florist will have pictures you can scrutinize. What you see is exactly what you get. If there is a problem with the quality, you can arrange a possible refund through the website. It is reliable to book flower delivery this way, another of the reasons to send flowers online.

7. Updated Delivery Status - Are you worried your flowers never made it? It can be awkward to ask your friend or family member if they loved their flowers when they never received any. You can keep track of the delivery status of your flowers online to ensure their proper delivery.

8. Many Delivery Options - Select the precise date and time you want your flowers delivered to their recipients. Surprise them and brighten their day at work by delivering their flowers there. Maybe instead you want the flowers waiting for them on their doorstep when they get home. Whatever way you think is best, timing is the key when it comes to successful flower delivery. This gives you another reason to send flowers online.

9. Customer Reviews - When you shop for flowers at a florist, you have no idea how their service actually is. Online, there should be a section for customer reviews so you can base your decision to work with that company on their past performance. This is perfect to increase the chances of complete satisfaction with your order.

10. Customize your Order - Floral shops have only a certain amount of room in their shop to store and maintain flowers to be sent out immediately. If you are ordering ahead of time, you might be alright with customizing your order with the shop. If, however, you need the flowers to be sent immediately-even on the same day-you will have a limited selection. Online, the possibilities are endless. This is one of the top reasons to send flowers online.

To find best quality flowers online, please visit agiftidea.com/flowers.

By Wendell Harvey

Wedding flower decorations like all other tasks are important to complete your wedding day. Of course there are many flowers to choose from which can present a problem if you don't know what flowers to choose.

The easiest way to solve the problem is answer two questions before you begin your search.

The first question is what time of the year is your wedding taking place? There are certain flowers that are not available during every season of the year like the Calla Lily and the Aster to name a couple that are available during spring and summer time. Roses and Carnations are available all year round.

The second question is how much money will you spend on wedding flower decorations? Keep in mind a wedding will typically last 4 to 6 hours and flowers can sometimes go unnoticed. So if you wanted to cut costs, your flower budget is a good place to start.

Gardenias are popular and beautiful and smell beautiful but there are many choices you can make. The most popular flower brides look for to accent their wedding is the lily of the valley.

The problem with choosing the lily is you can only get them seasonally, mostly during the months of April and May. With seasonal factors in the mix you will have to research flowers to find what you like; which can be an easy task with the internet at your fingertips.

You could use artificial lilies of the valley if your wedding takes place during the off season; only if you choose to do so. The lily is usually chosen because of it's strong fragrance.

Gardenias smell great and can also be another option for your wedding as well. You will know which to choose when the time is right. Chances are, you already have a favorite flower that you want for your wedding.

We got our wedding flower decorations from someone we knew who owned a flower shop. We met with her several times and of course she gave us a great price. The wedding flowers we chose were gardenias.

People choose flowers based on all kinds of traditions. It has been said the lily of the valley signifies a "return to happiness" and is used a lot in bridal arrangements.

Traditionally associated with May 1st, especially in France to give the ones you love a little bouquet of lilies of the valley. It was said to bring good luck and to celebrate that fact that spring was coming.

Lilies of the valley can be very expensive because they are seasonal. So, keep that in mind as you plan your wedding. This is where your research will come in handy. You will be able to find the flowers you like based on the history of the flower, the fragrance of the flower, the season of the flower and of course the cost of the flower.

Here is a technique not known to many to help you save when shopping for flowers. Most people head down to the local flower shop when shopping for wedding flowers and grab the first deal that someone gives them.

You are not always getting a good deal on wedding flower decorations when you may think you are. When you are ready to purchase flowers for your wedding here are two tips to help you save:

1. Get flowers that are always in season and you will pay less for them. 2. Visit your local (usually down town flower district) for flowers.

You should be able to buy them in bulk from the flower district. Go right to the wholesale source before the flowers hit the store and the prices are hiked up.

In conclusion, you should be able to get your wedding flowers at a lower cost if you make sure they are in season and check your local downtown flower district for a good deal.

You will know what to choose when the time is right. Chances are, you already have a favorite flower and now you just need to go make the deal.

After you get your flowers from wherever you choose, use strategies to spread them around sparingly and you might be able to get away with buying only one batch for the entire ceremony. Maybe the church can use fewer flowers so the reception area will get more and vise versa.

If you use them sparingly enough you might be able to throw a couple of extras on top of your wedding cake and save the cost of a wedding cake topper. You do have options when it comes to wedding flower decorations [http://bridalhallmark.com/Bridalhallmark/Wedding-Flowers-Decor.html].

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

My name is Wendell and I'm a writer for Bridalhallmark.com. I live in Southern California. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! For True Wedding Couple Stories and Money Saving Wedding Tips stop by: http://www.bridalhallmark.com

By Connor R Sullivan

Finding flowers to suit your needs has never been as easy as it is now. Not only can you buy flowers from your local flower shop but you can also purchase flowers from numerous online stores that you come across these days on the Internet. The online flower market is gigantic thereby, offering a wide range of flowers for buyers. You can choose from an entire assortment of fresh flowers from the online market. It is quite simple to buy flowers without even stepping out of your home. The flower delivery service offered by most online florists is also efficient. However, some popular events increase the demand for these florists and it is during these times that buyers like us need to be patient and plan ahead for the deliveries we wish to get done.

Birthdays are perhaps the most popular events when people deliver flowers to their friends, family and associates. It does not matter if you are staying miles apart from that special person to whom you want to send your birthday wishes. You can simply book a bunch of flowers online and get it delivered to your dear one. You can even surprise a family member by getting a bouquet delivered to him or her. How about sending a basketful of flowers on the lover
s birthday as soon as the clock strikes midnight? Here is an interesting fact. Each zodiac sign has its lucky flower. You could send a bunch of ones lucky flowers on his or her birthday, depending on his or her zodiac sign.

Valentine's Day is that special day when lovers express their deepest love for their partners. What better way than to say it with flowers! First try and find out the favourite flower of your lover or beloved and then go on to buy those flowers and take your partner by surprise. You could even think of gifting artificial flowers like silk flowers so that the love of your life can retain those flowers for the rest of his or her life.

A wedding is incomplete without flowers. Not only are flowers used to decorate the wedding venue or used in the form of the bouquet carried by the bride, they are also given as gifts to the newly married couple. You will often find artificial flowers used for decoration purposes. You could follow a colour scheme for the entire wedding and use the flower decorations to enhance the scheme. White or cream flowers could be accessorized with coloured ribbons and streamers. When it comes to buying the bouquet for the wedding, you will be spoilt for choice.

Flowers are used for an event as sombre as a funeral, too. You can convey your condolences to the bereaved by sending flowers to them. However, not all flowers are appropriate for the occasion. White roses, hybrid black flowers or light pink carnations are suitable for funerals. It is nice gesture to even send flowers that used to be the favourite flower of the demised, if you know it.

Besides the above mentioned occasions, there are other reasons for sending flowers to like the birth of a baby, a new job or an anniversary. You may even consider sending flowers without the excuse of an event. It could be something as simple as saying you care for someone.

By Darcy Wallace

One of my favorite parts of a wedding is the flowers. I love seeing the arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres and the centerpieces. Although that is one of my favorite things to see at a wedding, it also proves to be one of the hardest items you have to decide on and put together for the wedding. Whether you go with fresh flowers or silk flowers they both have there advantages and there disadvantages.

Fresh Flowers: Good news first! One of the best things about having fresh flowers for your wedding is that they photograph beautifully, they have a richness that is captured by the camera and they are breath taking beautiful. Most fresh flowers smell wonderful. The scent of fresh flowers is a very welcoming scent for all of your guests to enjoy as they walk in to either your ceremony or reception. This is only good news to the brides who do not want to keep their bouquets. If you use fresh flowers they will not last so you will not be able to keep your bouquets, unless you preserve them which can be very costly.

If you are a bride who is budget conscious and would like to stay under your budget and do not mind a few extra steps then there is another option for you! Buy your flowers in bulk. This is a way to save you a lot of money, however remember when your flowers arrive; they are only good for about 48-56 hours, if refrigerated correctly. To refrigerate properly, fresh flowers cannot be in the same refrigerator as food especially fruit and they cannot touch the sides of the refrigerator walls, so you must cover them. You can use a trash bag to cover the petals. You want to cover them with something very light so they can still breathe, but that will also provide enough coverage so that the blooms do not have direct contact with the walls. And don't forget them in water. They have to be kept in fresh water with flower food. Although this may sound painful to deal with, it's really not as bad as it sounds. When you order in bulk they provide flower food. All you need is enough vases or good size buckets to hold all the flowers, not to mention a clean refrigerator or two. For those of you who want to save your bouquet of fresh flowers, there is a way. Fresh flower preservation is becoming quite a hit, however it can be expensive, but from the reviews I have read, extremely worth it. Read up on it by searching on the Internet, search on Flower Preservation.

Silk Flowers: Starting with our good news again, silk flowers are less to maintain. Less maintenance is an awesome benefit for the easy-going brides who do not really have to have real flowers. Also for those who just do not want the hassle, for those who are allergic to fresh flowers or for the ones who want to keep they're bouquet without paying for the pricey preservation job. Another wonderful plus for our brides and bridesmaids who are allergic to fresh flowers, silk flowers do not have any scent at all which means no one has to deal with red eyes, hives, or any allergic reactions that could happen. Some florists do work with silk flowers, and silk are easier to work with, most of the time. Talk to your florist and get her advice on which she prefers, look at her sample pictures because those will provide wonderful examples of what she is capable of doing for you and it also helps you get a better idea of her style so we can avoid any surprises the day of the wedding.

On the down side, silk flowers do not photograph quite as nice as fresh, however they come close if you use higher end silk flowers. If you choose to go with silk flowers do yourself a favor and purchase higher end silk flowers and then put the bouquets together yourself. It is not hard at all and it will save you money in the end. This is also a fun way to get your bridesmaids and lady family members together for some "girl time". Putting flowers together is so much more fun in good company. With a few friends to help you'll be done with the arrangements in no time.

Darcy Wallace is a writer for WeddingsAreFun.com and has many years of experience as a wedding consultant. The Weddings Are Fun online store specializes in elegant bridal accessories. This article on Wedding Flower Tips For Brides is one of many services offered to bridal couples. Other services include wedding candles and bridal apparel, wedding favors, invitations and trusted personalized service which are available at Weddings Are Fun.

By Craig Wallin

If you enjoy gardening, and want to turn your gardening hobby into extra income, think about growing flowers for profit. Flowers are among the most profitable plants, producing one of the highest returns of any specialty crop. You can get started with very little - just enough for seeds and supplies, and most new flower growers make money in the first year.

Many flower growers have found the Saturday farmer's market to be the best place to get top dollar for their flowers. One grower sells her cut flowers, like lilies, cosmos, statice, zinnias, snapdragons and daisies, and finds the demand so great she sells out before noon. She thinks flowers are the perfect seasonal crop because they are easy to grow, produce quickly and supply an income all season long.

Some flower growers like to specialize in cut flowers that have larger showy blossoms, such as hydrangeas and sunflowers, that can bring as much as $5 for a single stem. It's not uncommon for a grower to sell over a thousand stems in a single day at the farmer's market. As one grower said,"For those who love being in the garden and watching their flowers grow, there is nothing quite like this business."

Because flowers can be grown in a tiny backyard or on a larger acreage, it's an ideal part-time business for those in need of a flexible schedule, such as stay-at-home moms, retirees or anyone who has another job.

Dried flowers, also called "everlastings" because they last so long when dried, are a perfect flower crop for a backyard flower grower. If you are growing for profit, everlastings can be even better than cut flowers as you can make as much as $8 per square foot. Most everlastings, such as celosia, statice and straw flowers, are very easy to grow and easy to air dry. Growers find the best markets for dried flowers are craft shops, antique shops and selling dried flower arrangements to flower shops and restaurants.

An antique shop owner had dozens of cut glass vases that just would not sell. She added a small bouquet of dried flowers to each vase, and sold them all for four times the price within a month! Most restaurants can't afford to put fresh cut flowers on tables every day, but find that dried flowers brighten up the table just as well, and can be replaced once a month. Dried flower growers will often re-do the bouquets at several restaurants every month. Another popular dried flower, gypsophilia, or baby's breath, is widely used as a filler in floral arrangements. Most retail florists prefer to buy from local growers whenever possible.

Perhaps the best "niche" flower business is subscription sales. One California flower grower has perfected it, and now just works one day a week on her unique niche. Every flower is pre-sold, and her unique business takes in around a half-million dollars every year. She says there is room for a similar floral subscription business in almost every town, large or small.

She delivers fresh-cut flower bouquets to offices and homes in her community on Mondays. Just like a paper route, customers buy a subscription by the month, paying from $15 to $150 each week, depending on how many bouquets they order. One of her regular customers says, "Flowers cheer the office up. They are colorful, alive, and you don't have to dust them!"

Woody ornamentals are another flower grower's niche. "Woodies" are trees and shrubs that grow back each year after cutting, and are popular with florists, who use them to fill out bouquets. Woodies can be everyday plants, like forsythia and lilac, or uncommon varieties like corkscrew willow.

Since they are perennials, once you've planted them, they require little work other than cutting the branches at harvest time. Woodies have become such profitable plants, some growers are choosing to specialize in popular varieties, such as curly willow, red osier dogwood, golden ninebark and holly. A bonus with woodies is the extended season, which can extend cutting time from February through November.

Whether you live in Alabama or North Dakota, growing flowers can provide a good income to anyone who loves to garden and can spare a few hours each week. It's also a clean, green business that can be good for the planet

Craig Wallin is the author of over ten books about home-based businesses, including Growing Flowers for Profit, and the editor of Extra Income Bulletin, a resource about honest, home-based businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more about starting an flower growing business, go to: http://extraincomebulletin.com