LOCALLY GROWN....Tulips

Locally Grown....Orange "Monarch", Fuschia "Graffiti", and double cream "Verona" varieties are perfect with just their natural foliage.....

The United Flower Growers Co-Op Auction.....6am this morning. Tulips grown by local Fraser Valley Greenhouses are lined up for bidding.

"Isle de France" locally grown lipstick red Tulips....

TULIPS...
Have a vase life of 5-7 days when purchased fresh from a reputable florist.

Grow about 1-2 cm per day, in stem length and petal size.

Like fresh lukewarm water, changed every 2-3 days.

Are LOCALLY available in a myriad of colours at a good price until late May/early June (availabilitydepending on weather)

LOCALLY GROWN....The Orchids of Winter

One trend I have noticed in the flower industry over the last few years is an increase in interest & demand from my clients for environmentally and ethically friendly flowers...

Over the next year I will be profiling the best of our LOCALLY GROWN flowers.

Buying locally grown flowers is one way to support local business, guarantee safe workplace standards and decrease fuel usage!

Locally Grown Chartreuse Cymbidium Orchid

In Metro Vancouver I have easy access to the The United Flower Growers Co-op. (UFGC) where I can buy flowers from a consortium of local Fraser Valley greenhouses & farms in a "Dutch Clock" style Flower Auction. These Auctions are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays starting at 6am.

Locally Grown Pink Cymbidium Orchid


Locally Grown Brown Cymbidium Orchid

Locally Grown White Cymbidium Orchid
These Orchids are fairly pricy at $3.50 per bloom ($35-50 per stem) but pay off in the long run due to their amazing vase life of 3-4 weeks.

These and several other varieties are grown at a local Delta BC greenhouse and are available now & over the next 1-2 months.

Next Blog.....Tulips!!!

Happy New Year....Re-Opening January 6th!

How to work THE CARNATION...

Sculpt & display on fabulous white glass bottles

(seriously...it's fabulous)

Wishing all of my clients & friends a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

I have been busy, enjoying the holidays & also repainting the store, packing away Christmas, & embracing the whole concept of Spring!!! (Okay, I know Spring is a while away, but a girl has to have a dream or two)

The store looks so fresh & fabulous... I can't wait to go to the Auction tomorrow to buy Tulips, Anemones, Daffodils, Freesia, Daisies, Roses & whatever else looks fabulous in Winter Whites & Spring Brights...yellows, pinks, oranges, chartreuse, purples, and reds!

My favourite Celery Green Cymbidium Orchids, and fabulous Cymbidiums in Pinks & Yellows are coming tomorrow....and the Thai Orchids arrived today.....all in anticipation of opening up again tomorrow...

The holidays are always fabulous but....

It's great to be back!

(Now if only the snow would melt it would just make life a whole lot easier!)

Lola in her new Toque

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Baby, it's cold outside!

For the many friends of Lola who have been missing her this week....this is just not Chihuahua weather! With highs of -7c, a windchill factor of -18c and a carpet of snow....instead of coming to work, Lola has been hunkering down at home in her faux mink blanket with her lavender heating pad...

Meanwhile, back at the store, we are making these fabulous white Snowdon Mum arrangements embellished with chartreuse baubles & ribbon for only $35!

We also have Paperwhite Narcissus, Amaryllis, Myrtle Topiaries and a great assortment of flowers & flowering plants to gift to others or....for yourself! because of the weather conditions we will be closed tomorrow (Sunday) but will be open Monday & Tuesday 8-530 and Wednesday (Christmas Eve) until 1pm.

These are a few of my favourite things....

Some of my favourite ideas for Holiday gifting & decorating.....

White Hyacinth in 15cm ceramic pot $24.99

SORRY!!!! As of Sat. Dec 20th.....due to overwhelming demand we are sold out of white Hyacinth...we have some pink available now and will restock white & blue on Monday Dec. 21st if available....

Hyacinth Bulbs are locally available starting in December and continuing throughout the Spring. Their sweet scent is a reminder that winter doesn't last forever.... Hyacinthus is available in white, blues, & pinks & lasts about 2-3 weeks in the home or office. It should be purchased when still tight in bud so you can enjoy watching it grow and bloom. You can increase the life span for weeks by keeping the bulbs cool...put them outside at night or while you are at work during the day....but no colder than +3c

Cypress Tree in white glass vase with Maribou cuff $55.00

This variety of locally grown Cypress is suitable for indoors or outdoors. A fantastic way of bringing the beauty of Winter inside the house with a fresh chartreuse colour and a lemon scent. The trees themselves are 50cm tall and available planted in a variety of vessels. (The sample shown above is 65cm total height) Try grouping on mantels,credenzas or buffet tables...These are also available in a larger 75cm height and are fabulous outside in pots or in my own case, in a paisley shaped hedge in my front yard!

Red Carnations arranged with shiny red baubles: Starting at $34.99
Oh the glory of the Carnation when it is used tastefully!!!
For so long the Carnation has been used in ways that have resulted in a "tacky & cheap" image...but at this time of year the bright red & pure snow white of these old fashioned blooms are fabulous. Used in a modern way...massed and shaped into Snowballs or tight arrangements and embellished with baubles they are really quite magnificent! With a vase life of up to 14 days they are also a great value (see above!)

White Branches & clear baubles in white glass vase with Maribou cuff: $60-$200
(as shown $100)
A very modern & clean way of bringing Winter inside....white painted branches are graceful and magical feeling. The perfect touch for a sleek white modern interior, especially if you have spot lighting!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Fabulous glass ornaments...

and Christmas Crackers with really GOOD stuff inside...

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC SELECTION OF DECORATIONS & GIFTS AVAILABLE!!!

20% OFF all Lupicia Loose Teas, Teabags, and gift sets (including Tea Honey!)

The most Fantastic blends of Green & Black Teas....and we are the only store in Canada to carry this line from Japan. I found these last year in Waikiki & fell in love with them!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

WINTER WHITES...

White Roses, Snowdon Mums, & Pearl Baubles

Centrepieces for the super sleek all white modern home.

WINTER WHITES WITH TEXTURAL GREENS...

For the more traditional White Christmas

White Roses, Snowdon Mums, Jade Green Trachellium, Green Hypericum Berries, Pearl Baubles, Cedar and Pine Boughs...
Fresh Centrepieces & Arrangements starting at $60.00