flower blog

Thanks to a fortuitously timed vacation in Manhattan, I've got some pretty pix to share. Aah, Fifth Avenue, ... Read More

Working with flowers everyday means you’re full of ideas re: giving gifts. When a friend or relative says, “What can I get my friend for her anniversary?” or “What can I get my daughter for her birthday?” you’ve got suggestions galore.

Yesterday, for instance, I recommended that my mom try our Enchanted Evening bouquet (shown here) for her best friend from high school’s 58th wedding anniversary. She needed it to arrive yesterday afternoon and flowers were the perfect solution.

This morning, I got this email from my mom: “Barb just called & she said the bouquet was the most beautiful she has ever seen. Lovely arrangement on the bottom that reflected up through the whole vase … she couldn’t imagine WHO would be sending them flowers even if it was their anniversary. I think, for sure, they loved it.”

With that in mind, we’re launching this new feature on the blog: Our favorite celebrities and the bouquets we’d send to celebrate their birthdays.

Salma Hayek, Sept. 2, 1968, turns 41

Orchid Embers remind us of Salma Hayek’s vibrant beauty and uncommon talent.

Evan Rachel Wood, Sept. 7, 1987, turns 22

Since we love her 1920s-obsessed character Sophie-Anne in “True Blood,” we picked Perfect White Lilies because they conjure an Art Deco vibe.

Hugh Grant, Sept. 9, 1960, turns 49

Floral Fantasia’s notice-me-now colors are bold enough for any man.

Jennifer Hudson, Sept. 12, 1981, turns 28

Too cute! A Gift For You is a sure-fire way to make any birthday more memorable.

Lauren Bacall, Sept. 16, 1924, turns 85

Blossoms of Joy, deluxe: Just right for any Virgo, especially one who epitomizes the sign’s grace and stamina.

Sophia Loren, Sept. 20, 1934, turns 75

For a style icon who retains her youthful energy, Strikingly Chic offers refined color and rich texture.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Sept. 27, 1972, turns 37

We think Zen Artistry would appeal to the star’s clean but edgy sense of chic.

That's right. It's easy: Just post a comment on any blog post for the month of August.

You'll then be entered in a random drawing to win a free bouquet of flowers. You can keep 'em for yourself or surprise and delight someone you love, someone who makes you smile or someone you'd like to get to know better. The choice is yours but first you need to enter. So comment away and keep your fingers crossed. Good luck!

Surprise! Men like flowers, too. But you probably know that, especially if you've ever sent a Be Happy bouquet. Full of roses, daisies and mums tucked into a cheerful yellow mug, it's hard to look at and not break into a smile.

 

In Portland, Ore., Adventist Medical Center volunteer Helen Scheidman gives a "Make Someone Smile" plant to Robert Losch, a recent pacemaker recipient, being cared for by his nurse Kiri Restvedt R.N.

Just ask Marlis Tjaden of Trinette's Floral in Portland, Ore., trinettesfloral.com and past president of Teleflora's Oregon-SW Washington unit. Marlis and her team delighted hospital patients last week and provided a solid dose of good cheer.

As recipient Robert Losch put it: “You've made my day – in so many beautiful ways. I am at the right place at the right time."

Local florists choose where they will donate flowers. For Marlis, the hospital was a natural. "My four children were born at Adventist Medical Center," she said. "It's a joy to be able to give back to an organization that provides hope and healing for thousands of patients each year."

It's such a good feeling to give! That's something our florists know well from their involvement in our nationwide Make Someone Smile Week, which started in 2000.

In Cincinnati, unit president Michael Brown AIFD, of Nina's Florist ninasflorist.com, participated for the first time. Michael and his team delivered about 100 bouquets between two facilities: Mercy Franciscan at West Park in Cincinnati and Sterling House Senior Living in Springdale.

Turns out that one of the residents at Mercy Franciscan, Julia Arts, just happens to be the mother of another flower fan, Donna Nelson, manager of industry relations at Teleflora in Los Angeles.


Florist Michael Brown shares a smile with Julia Arts, who turns 87 this Sunday. Julia's daughter, Donna, works for Teleflora in Los Angeles. This was Michael's first time participating in Make Someone Smile Week.

Julia will be 87 this Sunday, Aug. 2. Says her daughter Donna: "She called me within the hour after receiving her flowers and was so delighted that she was part of the big project that her daughter was so involved with. She commented on the very nice young man that delivered them to her and couldn’t say enough about how wonderful it was that he had chosen West Park!"