Last Minute Wedding Flowers

Something strange is going on here. In the last week we booked three weddings that will happen within two weeks. One will happen within 5 days of the bride coming into the shop. And, all three weddings were pretty good sized weddings, with bridal bouquets, centerpieces for the reception, flowers on an arch, etc.

In the past, brides have usually come into Visser's at the last minute because of some type of emergency--you know "My aunt was going to do the flowers to save money, but now she can't do it" or something like that. Now, it seems like a trend is developing to not bother with the flowers until the last minute.

Let me say this, Visser's Florist is happy to take your last minute wedding orders. However, it is better to plan a little in advance to insure that the flowers, vases, candles will all be available on that short notice. Give us a little time so that we can work with you to make this your most special day.

Remember, when you look back at your wedding day flowers will represent one of the most important parts of your memories, and your pictures. Isn't that worth a little planning?

The beautiful Azalea

As many of you know, Visser's Florist & Greenhouses has lots and lots of azaleas. In fact, they are one of our best selling blooming plants. A recent article by David Robson in the Southern.com provides a great overview of the care of the plants. Here are some of the highlights:

• Don't confuse florist azaleas with outdoor azaleas. The kind that comes from a florist will do fine on a patio, but should not be planted out in the yard.


• Place them where they will get plenty of light but where they will be cool. Keep them out of direct sunlight. The like a little humidity so mist them once in a while.


• Keep them damp by watering them a little every day or every other day--just a little. Don't keep them drenched in water. Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage.


• If the leaves turn yellow, the soil is too alkaline, or that the plant is too warm and dry. Talk to your local plant expert, like Linda Latouche, greenhouse manager at Visser's.

After the blooms die, don't discard the plant. Properly taken care of, the blooms will come back year after year.

So, what are you waiting for? They don't cost much, and the reward of having such a beautiful plant in your house is truly wonderful.

Flower buying advice the whole year

One of the biggest holidays of the year will occur in just a few days, but guys just don't seem to have a clue about the power of flowers at times other than Valentine's Day writes Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp in the Indy Star.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that when women are given flowers they respond with smiles and it gives them a sense of well-being. Unfortunately, most men don’t get it since they only make about 20% of most flower purchases. However, according to SAF, (The Society of American Florists), that number goes up to over 60% on Valentine’s Day.

The point is that most men don’t know or don’t appreciate the value of buying women flowers year-round. The same goes for women. Men who receive flowers tend to open up and become more social. What better reason to visit your local florist.

Finally, if you’re one of those flower-challenged people and need some help visit www.savedbythebud.com for demonstrations, advice and a lot of good knowledge.

Flowers and Stress

A Harvard University study has found that living with Flowers Strengthens Feelings of Compassion, Decreases Anxiety and Worry. I always knew they did even more than make my wife happy. The study wanted to know if having flowers at home could alter people's moods. Can the effects carry over into our daily lives? This study says yes.

The main findings of the study are as follows.

• Flowers feed compassion.
• Flowers relieve anxieties, worries and the blues at home and make you feel less negative.
• People can feel the power of flowers: Participants most frequently placed the flowers in their kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms, where they spend a lot of time at home.
• Living with flowers can provide a boost of energy, happiness and enthusiasm at work.

Do yourself a favor. Stop by and grab a bunch of fresh cut flowers on the way home and see for yourself. CNN also reported on this study. See for yourself.

Socially Conscious Flowers - Helping Others

Talk about a win-win situation! Buy your sweety some Valentine's Day flowers and help displaced Colombian families through the school of floriculture.

Here's the story. Colombia supplies hundreds of millions of dollars of flowers to the U.S. every year. Now, 70% of the growers have banded together to form a group called Asocolflores to help people displaced by the crushing violence in Colombia.

"As an industry, we are committed to any programs that will help to support the people of our country," said Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores. "The School of Floriculture gives Colombian families the unique opportunity to earn back their independence and dignity. And flower purchasers help to support this initiative by simply buying and enjoying beautiful flowers."

The School of Floriculture promotes the creation of jobs and allows participants to earn an income and start a new life. Beneficiaries begin the training process and join Asocolflores member companies as apprentices receiving a salary while they train in flower production techniques. After one year, apprentices may choose to accept a permanent job in the company.

With an investment of US $1.8 million, the School of Floriculture has benefited more than 1,631 families to date. In addition to funding and assistance from Asocolflores and member farms, the program counts on financial and technical support from the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and financial resources from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Your flower purchases this Valentine's Day will help support this cause. Not only will your sweety be happy but you can do something good for the world.

Too Many Wedding Roses?

Ok, our youngest son Dennis is getting married. Obviously we (Visser's Florist) are doing the flowers. Just as obvious is that fact that we are "donating" the flowers and the efforts of our 9 person design team.

I told him to come up with some nice centerpieces. This is what he came up with--140 cream colored roses, with jewels and accents in the vase. I am showing the picture with Dennis in it so you can get the scale. These things are huge!

So now what? His bride to be absolutely loves the centerpieces. Am I stuck?