Great Pumpkin Returned to Manotick Florists

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I look outside my front window this sunny November first and I see the orange pumpkins sitting on the door steps that blend into the fall gardens and front-step decorations. Last night they were mystically changed into “Jack-O-Lanterns” glowing into the dark with their flickering candles within. Once made to scare away the spirits that come to haunt us on Hollow’s Eve they have now become fun and interesting sculptures - an art-making activity for young and old.

The pumpkin, when not being an icon for Halloween, has also become a symbolic item in Thanks Giving celebrations. Pumpkin pie for Thanks Giving desert is a favourite in our home! Pumpkin pie scented candles sitting at our cash counter encouraged conversations and it triggered sweet memories. Pumpkins filled with flowers made beautiful decorations on tables and foyers – they were fun to make as well!

Did you see the white pumpkins?! They looked so elegant filled with roses on the dinning room table. And the cute little gourd pumpkins … just fill a basket, bowl or vase filled with these cuties and voila, you now have an instant gourd arrangement. I loved these little guys hollowed out for a t-light to accent my tables.

So “Thank You” pumpkins for all that you do for helping us celebrate Halloween and Thanks Giving – your beauty, your wonderful aroma therapy, your sweet & spicy taste and your playful artwork

Now as the Great Pumpkin returns to the patch for another year, I look forward to the new winter season approaching and all the creative ideas that we design with Mother Nature, her fruits, pinecones and berries. Come into see us at Manotick Florists & Gifts in the Manotick Shopping Center and see what we are creating today. We will be posting some of our own creations on the websites too so keep an eye on us there. www.manotickflorists.com & www.manotickflowers.com

Want to give a love one or friend a beautiful gift but can’t be there yourself? Well, we have our own delivery van that deliver a custom designed floral gift and card to that someone special for you. International delivery service can be done through our FTD and Teleflora florists associates that are just a phone call away. 1-888-279-7845

While you are visiting our website don’t forget to register as one of our VIP members to be eligible for Free Flowers and special savings everyday.

August Memories – Manotick Florists Gladiolus

August is a month that keeps me on my toes. There are so many different celebrations and activities to attend in Ottawa that only happen in August. I remember as a kid August was camp month – a holiday away from home with my summer friends that you only saw once a year with great excitement - swimming, canoeing and campfires!

I remember writing letters to home – no computers or text messages back then and sometimes you returned home before the letters got there. I would always write a special letter to my Grandma Ballard as it was her birthday August 15^th. Several years later I discovered that she saved all my letters I sent her along with a hand drawn picture or a special pressed flower or leaf that I found.

Whenever I see a Gladiola flower memories of my Grandma come into mind. Gladiola is the flower of August. Her parents named her after this wonderful flower – Gladys. The meaning of the Gladiola flower is “strength of character”.

The Gladiola “little sword” is a tall stalk flower with multiple blooms that come in every colour but blue. They grow hardy in your garden from bulbs and can fill your garden with a rainbow of colour. Their peak blooming time in our Ottawa gardens is August. They are abundant and less expensive here in our shop cooler. Gladiolus are available to us here at the flower shop all year round as we have suppliers who grow them in southern Ontario greenhouses or import them from central and southern countries in the winter months.

Another big August memory for me is August of 2003 – my honeymoon - four wonderful weeks traveling with our backpacks to Guatemala in Central America. There they have the perfect growing climate for their lush plants and flowers. One of the very abundant flowers that donned many home and restaurant entrances was the Gladiola. The flowers in the markets were amazing with their colours and were so inexpensive, you could easily come home with an armful!

Sometimes customers come in asking us to make a summer arrangement or bouquet but request us not to use any gladiolus as it reminds them of a funeral. How sad. Yes, they are used in funeral arrangements but just as often as many other flowers. Their beautiful colours and tall strong stocks and leaves give such strength and height to a beautiful tribute arrangement to a loved one.

The Gladiola can also be a contemporary flower when arranged in a sleek glass vase. It can be a traditional country garden flower when arranged in a basket along with a collection of daisies and roses. Such a versatile flower.

Have you ever heard of a Glamilia? This is what I call a man-made flower but oh so pretty! Very carefully you place one Glad bloom into another and continue to stack them to one big beautiful bloom. It’s tricky to do and takes time and patience.

So, if you want to bring home a bold and beautiful bouquet of August’s Gladious come in to see us at Manotick Florists in the Mews of Manotick, 1160 Beaverwood Ave. or call us at 613-692-2541

Want to give a love one or friend a beautiful gift but can’t be there yourself? Well, we have our own delivery van that deliver a custom designed floral gift and card to that someone special for you.

International delivery service can be done through our FTD and Teleflora florists associates that are just a phone call away.

View our selection of gifts & services on our websites www.manotickflorists.com & www.manotickflowers.com

While you are visiting our website don’t forget to register as one of our VIP members to be eligible for Free Flowers and special savings!

Manotick Florists - When to Book Your Wedding Flower Consultation

Can you imagine a wedding without flowers?? They create a stunning touch to your very special celebration. Floral arrangements add romance and intimacy and if the colours are chosen correctly, they can complement and accentuate the radiance of the Bride.

The most common question presented to us at Manotick Florists is “When should I order my wedding flowers?” The best time is as soon as you have chosen your Wedding Dress and Bride’s Maids’ dresses. Before you decide on a Florist you would like to work with there are many things to prepare. First, create a “picture” of your wedding. Create a visual aid for the Florist to work with. If you are unable to do this before you meet, be able to describe to her what it is that you are imagining for your wedding as closely as possible. Where is your Ceremony going to take place? Inside? Outside? Which Church? Is it a big Church or small? Which Reception Hall?

Call us at Manotick Florists to start your wedding planning. Book your free consultation with our wedding specialist to begin planning your bridal flowers and wedding reception decorating. Call 888-279-2845 or visit our website for more info at www.manotickflorists.com