Hostess Gifts

When you are invited to someone's home remember that fresh cut flowers and plants make fantastic hostess gifts. A wonderful (and inexpensive) idea is to bring a small flowering plant in a teacup. Unique teacups can be found in thriftshops, garage sales, and even online for minimal cost. Depending on the decorating style of your hostess and type of plant used, attach a small raffia bow or a colorful ribbon to the teacup handle. A small collection of plants in a wicker basket are a much appreciated gift as well. more wicker basket ideas

If you bring fresh cut flowers make sure to put them in a vase so the hostess doesn't have to run around looking for something to put the flowers in. (she has enough to do!) Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated!

Irregular Watering

Did you know that the burned brown tips on your plants are a classic symptom of irregular watering. If the soil is allowed to completely dry out between waterings, salt will build up and burn the tips of the plant. Get into a regular watering routine to keep your plants healthy! Just a reminder: when watering do not use water straight from the tap and use room temperature water.

A Winter Quote

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
~Barbara Winkler

Daisies ~ A story about life

by Candee Stark

"I love daisies too," she told him several nights after they first met. She wasn't sure why she blurted it out but it seemed the normal thing to say considering the conversation they were having. They were talking about "favorite things" the way you do when you are trying to get to know someone. Small talk that keeps the conversation flowing: "My favorite color is green, 18 is my lucky number, and my favorite food is pizza."



When she jokingly asked if he had a favorite flower he replied, "Nope, but my mom loves daisies." She brightened up immediately because daisies had long been one of her favorites and she was impressed that he knew what type of flower his mother liked the best.

They began to spend more and more time with each other until their relationship seemed like a night in August; hot and steamy. Before long wedding bells rang and the happy couple started their lives together as man and wife. He loved to bring flowers home, usually roses but occasionally he would bring home mixed flowers or carnations. He never needed a holiday or special occasion, he did it because her expression never changed, she was always genuinely surprised by his thoughtfulness.

As with many marriages, it wasn't long before their home was filled with the cries of a baby; a baby boy named after his father. Many floral arrangements were sent to the happy mother to celebrate the birth of her child, including two dozen long stemmed roses with a card that read, "Thank you for our son, I will always love you!"

The baby grew up quickly and before his parents could believe it, he was celebrating his fifth birthday. On the day of his birthday, the father pulled his son aside before his party started to have a "father~son" talk with him. The mother noticed and just smiled because she thought her husband was reminding their son to behave and be a good boy at the party.

The party was fun for everyone that attended, young and old alike. After the presents were opened, the little boy turned to his mother and said, "Mommy, I have a present for you too." He walked out of the room and returned almost instantly with a gigantic bouquet of daisies. His mother couldn't believe her eyes and she wondered how her little boy could have possibly known that she loved daisies.

It was then that she remembered the "father~son" talk earlier in the day. She turned to her husband and asked, "How did you ever remember?" He smiled and replied, "Your favorite number is 18, you love the color green and pizza is your favorite food, right?" "Right, but you have given me flowers so many times and you have never, not once given me daisies," she continued, "I just thought you had forgotten after so many years."

He just smiled and said, "The moment you told me your favorite flower, I knew our son would give you daisies on his fifth birthday." She looked confused so he continued, " I gave my mother daisies for the first time on the day I turned five too!" "The first time?" she asked. "Yup, my father pulled me aside on the day of my fifth birthday and I have given daisies to my mother every year since." Now his wife was genuinely shocked. "You have given your mother daisies every year since you have been five?" "Yes, I do it because I love her and I am happy that she is my mother," he answered. With surprise in her voice she asked, "How come you never told me that you did such a thoughtful thing for your mom?" "Simple," he said, "I didn't want to ruin your surprise!"

Hey, do you feel a draft?

Keep your plants healthy by making sure not to place them in drafty areas or cold streams of air. (air conditioner vents, drafty windows and doors etc.) Plants should also be kept away from heat sources as well.(fireplaces, heating vents, radiators, stoves etc.)

Oh no, I forgot to water my plant!

There will be times that you will forget to water your plants.(hopefully not many!) One scenario might be when you left for an extended weekend and when you got back you noticed that your plant didn't look well, the soil was bone dry and the rootball was actually pulling away from the side of the pot. Instead of watering your plant in the traditional manner, soak the entire pot in a bucket or sink full of water. Allow it to soak for a few minutes, drain the water, and leave the pot in the sink until the pot dries and water isn't pouring out of the drainage hole. Return to your regular watering routine as your plant needs it.

Buy Flowers For Yourself!

"A flowerless room is a soulless room, to my way of thinking:
but even one solitary little vase of a living flower may redeem it. " Vita Sackville-West

Brighten up your surroundings this winter.....treat yourself to flowers! For all of your flower delivery needs please visit us at:
easy-flower-delivery.com

Gardening Catalogs~Start Planning for Spring!

Wow, my post for yesterday must have motivated the mailman because my Dutch Garden Catalog arrived in the mail today. The pictures are amazing and it makes me want to order a ton of stuff! I have flipped through the catalog several times already today and one of my favorites so far is called "Flamingo Begonias". This is what the catalog has to say about them:

"Beautiful as a flock of tropical birds, these cascading begonias are covered with delicate blooms in a host of elegant colors. There's a surprise every day as new flowers burst forth from their buds and flutter into life. Long stems bear gorgeous flowers for months on end. Magnificent blooms and beautiful foliage will transform your porch or patio into a beauty spot."

These flowers are recommended for hanging baskets, windowboxes, and pots. I think I will order some for a hanging basket for my front porch. As you can tell from my post yesterday, gardening catalogs; with their brilliant pictures, are a great way to plan for spring!

Note:
I found out that it can take up to three months for the tubers to bloom, so it is recommended that tubers are planted indoors at least a month before the last frost date. I need to order soon!

Winter Gardening

Ok, the title might be a tad bit misleading. I am not suggesting that you actually garden during the winter but you should be using this time to plan your upcoming garden. As you look out at your yard and garden area during the cold months of winter, let your thoughts run wild and you will be amazed at what images you can conjure up. You might even want to try some of your new found ideas this spring!

1. Pour through garden catalogs, flip the pages and fold down the corner anytime you find something you like. Go back to it often until you decide what new plants and flowers you would like to try this spring.

2. Purchase some gardening books or magazines. Look at what other people are trying in their gardens and see if their ideas inspire you to try something new.

3. Look out your windows and try to visualize how you would like your yard and garden to look like. Study the sun....notice the shady spots.

4. Make a list of what is important to you, in other words, what do you want from your yard and garden? Do you want to create a patio area for entertaining, a vegetable garden so you grow all of your own vegetables, a quiet area for relaxing, or maybe an area that will attract wildlife. Anything is possible but it is important to recognize what you want before you actually start any gardening project. Ultimately, knowing what you want will save time and money!

5. Take lots of notes and draw any ideas you might come up with.(even those ideas that wake you up in the middle of the night!)

6. Of course, visit online nurseries to see what they have to offer. Many sites offer suggestions and interesting gardening articles as well.

Before you know it spring will be here; you will have a shovel in your hand and you will have a plan! Happy Gardening!

Wicker Baskets

Wicker baskets are an inexpensive but stylish way to display a small group of plants or flowers in your home.

Rose Color Meanings

(c)2005 www.flowers-and-garden.com

Red roses may traditionally be the symbol of love and beauty, but what if your relationship is just starting out, or you've given her red roses every holiday and now you want something different? Let your rose color choice define your relationship! If she's your friend, send her yellow. If you're flirting with him, pink's the color you need! Select a rose in the color of your true feelings and watch your Valentine's eyes light up with delight!

Red Rose True love?
Red's the classic way to say, "I Love You!"

Pink Rose Just flirting?
Send pink which also stands for grace and beauty and watch them blush!

White Rose New relationship?
White's your choice for the couple just starting out!

Yellow Rose Best friends?
Nothing beats yellow as a symbol of friendship hope and joy!

Orange or Coral Rose Heart's Desire?
If your palms are sweaty and your heart is pounding, select orange or coral roses, the color of desire!

Red and White Roses (together) Together forever?
Present a bouquet of white and red roses that symbolize unity and you're saying, "We'll never be apart!"

Multi-Color Roses Apple of your eye?
When you love them in so many different ways, there's nothing like a rainbow of roses to show how much you care!

Find the right flowers and gifts

Brown Tips on Leaves~The Best Way To Cut Your Plant Back

Yesterday I noticed the tips of one of my plants were brown and dried up. I looked online and found out when cutting off the brown parts, it is advisable to leave a thin layer of the brown and not cut into the live part of the plant. If you cut too far back it could cause more drying and further damage of your plant. To help keep your plant healthy and attractive looking, make sure to remove dried leaves and faded flowers on a regular basis.

Recipe for Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh

Fresh flowers are a wonderful addition to your home any time of the year but particularly in the winter. The vivid hues will brighten even the dreariest of days!

To keep your flowers fresh add a few drops of bleach to rid water of bacteria, 2 aspirins, and a teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Make sure to change the water every few days.

Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul

I am a huge fan of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books but I think I have found my favorite: "Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, 101 Stories to Sow Seeds of Love, Hope and Laughter". This book brings forth the inner spirit of the gardener in all of us. If you aren’t already a gardener, this book will surely give you the gentle nudge you need to become one.

Each story seemed better than the next and I had trouble deciding which one was my favorite. I laughed, cried and smiled as I read how nature, flowers, and gardening have such a powerful impact on so many people’s lives. If you love all things green…..this is the book for you!

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #10

Indoor Gardening Tip #10~

We all need room to grow and plants do too! When you notice that roots are coming out of the drainage hole or seem thick and/ or matted, it is time to repot your plant.

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #9

Indoor Gardening Tip #9~
When growing plants indoors in containers, do not use soil from the garden as it does not yield good results. Outdoor soil can contain insects, weeds, and disease-causing organisms that can actually harm other healthy plants already living indoors. Additionally, outdoor soils become compacted when put into small containers. This will lead to problems with the plant's roots and might also impede drainage.

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #8

Indoor Gardening Tip #8~

Your indoor plants need to be "fed" often because vital nutrients are flushed out of the soil each time you water. You can opt to use a slow release fertilizer that is added to the soil or you can use a liquid fertilizer that is added in small amounts when you water your plant. Don't fertilize in winter, instead, fertilize regularly during growing and flowering stages. (March-October)

Helpful Hint:
If you find it hard to remember when you last fertilized, write yourself a quick reminder on your calendar for when to do it next. This isn't an exact science but your plants will tell you if you are fertilizing too much by having burned or dried leaves....fertilize less frequently if you notice this.

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #7

Indoor Gardening Tip~#7
Keep the care tag for each plant you buy. This way you will remember the name of the plant and what type of individual care it needs to stay healthy. I have made this mistake many, many times thinking I would remember how to take care of the plant and after a few months I couldn't even remember the name of the plant!

Helpful Hint:
Buy yourself a small spiral notebook and tape your care tags inside. Also include: purchase date, fertilizer dates, and the dates that you have repotted. Your plants will thrive because of it!

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #6

Indoor Gardening Tip #6~

As with humans, most house plants do well in a daytime temperature range of 65-75 and ten degrees lower at night. Pay attention to your plant, if it isn't looking well a change in temperature might be all it needs to get back on the right track.

Helpful Hint: Don't overheat your house~your plants will thank you!

Gardening Proverbs~

A person born to be a flower pot will not go beyond the porch.
~Mexican Proverb

Every garden may have some weeds.
~English Proverb

The garden is the poor man's apothecary.
~German Proverb

Indoor Gardening Tip for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #5

Indoor Gardening Tip #5~
Plants improve the quality of household air but remember plants can suffer if kept in air that is always smoky, stagnate or overly dry. Do yourself and your plants a favor by opening the windows and allowing fresh air to come into the house at least several times a week.

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #4

Indoor Gardening Tip #4

Give your plants a bath! Just like children, plants need to be hosed down to rid them of dirt, dust, and grime. It is highly recommended to bath your kids daily but your plants only need it occasionally!

Place your plant in your kitchen sink or bathtub and use the spray attachment to gently rinse it off. Use lukewarm water and allow your plant to air dry before returning it to its regular location.

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #3

Indoor gardening tip #3

Use room temperature water when watering your indoor plants. Soak thoroughly but make sure plants aren't allowed to sit in water as this can cause the roots to rot, proper drainage will alleviate this. Different plants have different watering needs but you can use this jingle to help you remember the basics.....

~Too dry, plant will die
Water fills pot, roots will rot!~
Candee Stark

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~Tip #2

"I have no plants in my house. They won't live for me.
Some of them don't even wait to die, they commit suicide"
- Jerry Seinfeld

Indoor Gardening Tip #2 for Jerry~
Pay attention to the lighting requirements for your indoor plants. If your plant isn't getting enough light it will appear "thin and leggy" looking. You can alleviate this problem by only buying plants appropriate for the light already in your home, or by providing an additional light source(artificial lighting)for your plants. Buying plants that need medium to low light are a "safe bet" for most homes.

Think before you buy!

Helpful Hint:
Indoor plants can be placed outside during the warm summer months.

What's New for Spring Planting?

Red Charm Peony
from Dutch Gardens

Red Charm Peony

• extreme hardy


• fragrant cut flowers


• full sun to part shade


• easy to grow perennial flower


• flower garden favorite, thriving with little care

Peonies are long-lived, perennial flowers that produce large flowers in the spring.
Colors include black, coral, cream, crimson, pink, purple, rose, scarlet, white, and yellow. By planting early, mid-season, and late flowering cultivars, you can have peonies flowering for 6 to 8 weeks. Garden peonies are herbaceous perennials (height 20 to 36 inches) grouped into five types according to flower shape: single, semidouble, double, Japanese, and anemone. More on Peonies

Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld~ Tip #1

"I have no plants in my house. They won't live for me.
Some of them don't even wait to die, they commit suicide"
- Jerry Seinfeld

Indoor Gardening Tip #1 for Jerry~
Plants will "reach" toward a light source, so rotate your plant occasionally to promote straight growth.

Take a Second Look at the Benefits of Double Potting

Double potting is just what the name implies.....two pots, one that the plant grows in and another pot that is more decorative in function. Simply bring your plant home from the store and slip it directly into the larger container. If the plant sits too low place something sturdy underneath it to bring it to the desired level. If you don't like any of the grow pot to show, decorative moss can be added to the top.

Using the double potting methods has many advantages to include:

~easy to change plants to change the look
~no mess to clean up after repotting when you first bring a plant home from the store
~decorative pot can be easily changed
~less shock for the plant
~Have you ever found the perfect container only to find it doesn't have drain holes? Double potting solves that problem....the grow pot has the holes, the outer pot is purely decorative.
~baskets can be used as "double pots"...make sure to line with heavy plastic

Repotting~When is the right time?

Your plants will outgrow their original containers and need to be repotted at some point in time. If roots appear to be matted near the surface of the soil or roots are sticking out of the drainage hole, it is definitely time for repotting. Repotting gives the plants a chance to "stretch out" and grow larger. Plants typically do not need to be repotted more than once in a single year, usually every few years is enough to do the trick.

Turn your container upside down and gently slide your plant out. Trim large roots and try to untangle roots as best as possible. Place plant into a larger container and refill with new potting soil. Water well and add a slow-release plant fertilizer.

Flower Picture of the week

Primrose with wild Tulips

Gardening Proverbs

A flower cannot blossom without sunshine nor a garden without love
~Chinese Proverb

As is the gardener, so is the garden.
~German Proverb

You must not throw stones into your neighbor's garden.
~French Proverb

Terra Cotta Pots

Did you know he word terra cotta means baked earth in Italian?

In colder climates terra cotta pots can crack during the winter due to water within the soil freezing and expanding~store them inside until spring.

How to find the right containers for your house plants

Pots and containers:
Drainage...drainage...drainage! When picking a container/pot for your house plants, make sure it will drain properly. I know what you are probably thinking...many pots are sold without drainage holes! If you find one that you are absolutely in love with drill a hole in the bottom of the container, otherwise your plant will almost certainly die. Without a drainage hole, water collects in the pot and causes damage to the roots.

With that said, be creative and have fun! Be thrifty by finding fun and unusual containers at garage sales, thrift shops, and even your grandma’s attic! Painted tin cans, baskets, teacups, antique ice buckets, wooden boxes, and even a plastic beach bucket can all be used to create fantastic indoor plant displays. Consider the setting in which the plant will be displayed and let your imagination run wild!

Tips for success:
~If needed, line container with heavy plastic to prevent leaks
~protect table surface with plant coaster
~realize that indoor plants are an important part of your decor, so take the time to pick the right container.....bold, whimsical, elegant, rustic...you decide!

Cure for the wintertime blues~How to grow an indoor herb garden

Do you have the wintertime blues? If so, harness the sunshine from your windowsill and grow your own indoor herb garden. The herbs will remind you of summer but you will be able to cook all of your favorite winter recipes: soups, stews, and pasta dishes. I promise you will enjoy this "cabin fever" cure!

The best way to start your herbs is from seeds as they are very easy to get going and they grow fairly quickly. If you are anything like me and are impatient for results, this is the right hobby for you!

Use regular potting soil, mixed with perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. When planting the seeds, follow the directions on the individual seed packages. Each pot/container should only have one type of herb in it. After the seeds are planted, moisten each pot and place the pot in a sunny location. Keep the soil moist (not soggy!) until the seeds sprout. This will happen fairly quickly but wait about 3 weeks before you start to use your herbs.

Once the herbs are established (about 6 inches tall) you can snip the herbs as often as you want, in fact, this will promote further growth. Add them to your favorite recipes and enjoy your new hobby!

Tips for success:
1. Before deciding which herbs to grow, look through your recipe books to determine which herbs you use most often in your cooking.
2. Indoor herbs need about 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
3. Herbs require good drainage and should be watered thoroughly
4. Herbs need to be feed lightly every 1-2 weeks with an organic liquid fertilizer.

Get rid of those ugly stains on your terra-cotta pots!

Have you ever noticed that many of your terra-cotta pots end up covered with a white ugly looking stain? This white residue is actually caused by minerals from water and soil that have seeped through the porous surface of your pots. Don't worry, the solution to your problem is very easy.

Wash your pots with a stiff scrub brush, soap and water. After the dirt and grim have been removed, rinse, and allow it to air dry. Then wipe the pot down with regular household vinegar. After it dries again, re-apply the vinegar if the residue is extra-stubborn.

You can prevent future discoloration by coating the outside of the pot with a thin layer of mineral oil.

Haiku~The Long Winter

Cold winter morning
Thinking of flowers blooming
Springtime will soon dawn
~Candee Stark~

Flower Picture of the Day

Watering container plants...how much and how often?

Several ideas for watering indoor container plants include:

~Save the water that eggs or vegetables were boiled in and use it to water indoor plants.(cool first) This water is mineral-rich and will boost plant growth.

~Collect rainwater or snow to water indoor plants-allow water to warm up to room temperature before watering. Collected water is softer than tap water and it has the added bonus of being free! (saves on water bills)

~All plants need water to survive, how much depends on the type of plant, the size of the plant, and what time of year it is. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. Water the plant thoroughly until it comes out of the bottom of the pot. Empty the dish so the plant does not sit in water. "Soggy sneakers" can kill a plant as quickly if not faster than not enough water!
I know it might sound obvious but big plants need more water than smaller ones do. Some large plants might need to be watered daily as a smaller plant might only need to be watered once a week. When watering, use water that is room temperature and do not use water that has been softened as it contains too much sodium and can damage your plants.

Learn more about Indoor Gardening

Indoor Plants-time to freshen them up!

Repotting is a necessary task for healthy plant growth but it is also advisable to periodically "freshen" the soil. Occasionally remove 1-2 inches of potting soil from the top of the pot and replace it with new potting soil. Water well and add a slow release fertilizer~your plants will thank you for it!

Happy New Year!

We would like to wish you a prosperous and happy new year! Please visit us throughout the year for all of your gardening and flower delivery needs! Visit Flowers & Garden

Happy Gardening!
Candee & Pierre