Exotic Designs Here & There

For our honeymoon we traveled to Central America with the turn around point at Panahachel, Guatemala. My favourite city was Antigua, very authentic to its culture. We loved it so much that we ended up staying there an extra week!

We enjoyed the everyday ways of life of Antigua we frequented the busy and colourful market…it was their main “shopping mall” I connected with their florist, of course, and even though we did not speak the same language, we did have the language of flowers that bridged our gap. We shared a few tips and exchanged favourite styles of design. It’s interesting how we used the same techniques but the designs differ with cultural needs and weather. The tropical plants that we cherish here are common and inexpensive there. The Pine tree they cherish and consider “exotic”. It seems to be human nature to find things in other places exotic.

Wedding Bamboo Arrangements

I discovered this morning that my bamboo plants had new sprouts that were now ready to break away on their own. It was eight years ago today that I had the beautiful vase arranged with a dozen stems of lucky bamboo, ivy and curly willow on the receiving table at my wedding.

Ivy – commitment

Willow – joy

Water - purity and fertility

Stones – stability

3 Bamboo stems - Fu (Happiness), Lu (Wealth) and Soh (Longevity)

Our guests loved them and for a couple of years later, they would tell me that they still had our gift. I still have my vase, now down to two stalks but they are double the length and now have a baby plant. I still have one of the rectangular vases and stones so I planted the baby sprout in it ... today - our anniversary

Bamboo is fun and easy to grow. The most important care you can give your bamboo is the right amount of water and to keep the plant, rocks and vases clean. They perk up any room and you can enjoy changing the vases and giving them a fresh look every week or so.

Spring Cleaning!

It's officially Spring!!! It's time to put away the winter arrangements and decor around my home and begin "spring cleaning". Decluttering and washing brings in new refreshing energy, balance and inspiration. I practice the art of Feng Shui when I am redecorating my home and office spaces. Feng Shui is an ancient and wise approach to the way our environment affects us. The way we feel and the way we act is greatly affected the environment which surrounds us.


After studying Feng Shui at the Natural Health College in Ottawa and under William Spear and Karen Kingston in 1998, this art practice has really inspired me on a daily basis. Flowers are a big part in achieving positive energy, balance and inspiration!

http://www.youtube.com/user/MyFlowerChannel

I am sharing a video link I found the other day that you may enjoy .... come in and ask me how you may apply Feng Shui into your environment. You can find us in the Manotick Mews shopping center or check out our website www.manotickflorists.com - bring in some of that March Irish luck! 613-692-2541

Happy Spring everyone!

Happy Poinsettia Day!

Today, December 12th is the official Poinsettia Day! Why today???

Joel Robert Poinsett, botanist and first American ambassador to Mexico, first introduced the Poinsettia plant to the United States in 1825. He brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, South Carolina. Mr Poinsett died in 1851 and to honour him and the plant he made famous December 12 th was made officially National Poinsettia Day

Poinsettia plants are still a favourite gift from Manotick Florists. This year the White Poinsettia seems to be the fashionable one to receive. Each year the Poinsettia holds true to it's popularity, dressed with fashionable coloured bows or mesh, sparkles and bling. You can even find them grouped with other plants in a festive ceramic container or tiny velvet blooms with ribbon as a party corsage. Artificial large and small, copper or chartreuse - potted sprayed with purple and pinks ... to match any decor! But ... the one that we can all count on and hold traditional in our memories of Christmas is ... the red.

Happy Poinsettia Day everyone!

We are open and delivering on Sundays 12:00 Noon until 4:30!

www.manotickflorists.com 613-692-2541 Manotick Mews shopping center

Are the Poinsettia poisonous?

The Poinsettia's are now leaving the store everyday now to bring the Christmas spirit to homes of friends and families. A day doesn't go by when I am asked about their toxicity worried that their mischievous kitten or dog may decide to have a bite for lunch, or they may have a curious toddler exploring their first Christmas.

No, the Poinsettia is not poisonous ... It is a myth! According to POISINDEX the national information center for poison control centers and the American Association of Poison Control Centers, a child would have to ingest 500-600 leaves in order to exceed the experimental doses that found no toxicity. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that keeping this plant out of the reach of pets to avoid stomach upset is a good idea, however pet owners need not fear the poinsettia and banish it from their homes for fear of a fatal exposure. However, various degrees of stomach discomfort may be experienced depending on the amount consumed .

So there you have it ... not poisonous ... but not made for eating. Keep it up out of reach from the curious tasters in the house so no tummy aches are had during the festive season.

If you have any other questions about the poinsettia, come in or call us 613-691-2541. Find us in the Manotick Mews Shopping Center.

Why the Poinsettia?

Well the Poinsettias are now coming into the shop - a sure sign that the Christmas countdown has officially started! I was wondering the other day "Why the Poinsettia?" I know that it is not a Canadian flower because it hates the cold weather, so what's the story on this red flower?


After a bit of web surfing this is what I found... The legend of the poinsettia started several centuries ago in Mexico when a little girl named Pepita had no gift to present to the Christ child on Christmas Eve. Her cousin Pedro told her that she should give a humble gift so she gathered a bouquet of weed flowers that she found along the road. As she approached the altar with her gift of flowers a miracle happened - the weeds blossomed into brilliant flowers. Then they were called Flores de Noche Buena - Flowers of the Holy Night. Now they are called poinsettias.

So that is why we use the Poinsettia as a symbol of humble gift giving. Now I will be giving a Poinsettia as a perfect hostess gift, to my neighbours & friends. Perhaps you know someone that you would like to give "a little something" to show your appreciation this season.

Make shopping easier by shopping on line www.manotickflorists.com then have it delivered by our professional floral delivery service. What a great holiday surprise!

Chocolate & Purses mmmmm good!

Women s day on Saturday day was so much fun! We had everyone tasting our Sweet Shop Truffles mmmmm! Who doesn t like decadent chocolate.

We had tasters of HTRIO Tea-it-Up and Great Greens - such healthy drinks to balance the chocolate intake :) Everyone was surprised how great something healthy could be.

Everyone left with a bag of rose petals to enjoy....

Purses and Scarves never stay in Manotick Florists for very long so if you see one you like, you better get it now. You may see it accessorized on your best friend s outfit or even one of the staff!!!

Accessorizing an outfit can change it s mood so quickly and what an easy way to inexpensively create a whole new outfit with that shirt or sweater from last winter :) Going out for the evening but do not have the time to change .... change it up for the evening by adding a elegant scarf or necklace. Now, quick, change your purse and gloves to match and voilà you are ready for the evening!

Ahhh, it is fun being a woman, fun to eat chocolate, eat healthy and accessorize!

Enjoy, mmmmmmmmmmm!

Thanksgiving at the Shop

It is always a great weekend at the shop Thanksgiving weekend. The parking lot was full and the Mews was full of families with smiles and chuckles with all the activities going on. Everyone loves the horse and wagon ride and the little ones being held up by a parent to pet the nose of the horse for the first time brings out a chuckle.

Bails of hay, pumpkins and scarecrows decorate the Mews and the town. In the shop buckets of fall flowers over flow the cooler to corners around the shop. Golden yellows, oranges, rusts and reds! The traditional cornucopia always wins in popularity.

Best of all, though, are the “Happy Thanksgiving” wishes from the customers as they leave the store with their bundle of flowers. I give thanks for all those wishes and smiles!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Golden Solidago Flower

Our cooler in the Manotick Florists’ store front has officially taken a change of colour – from pastel and refreshing tropical to the golden yellows, rusts and reds of the Autumn season. One of our most popular flowers that adds that “golden touch” to any arrangement is the Salidago. Quite often I get the comment “I see that flower in the farmers’ field” or “I’m allergic to that flower.”

The Salidago A.K.A. Solidaster, yes, is a member of the Golden Rod, aster, family and, no, it will not give you hay fever. The florists’ Salidago is grown in green houses and has lost it’s pollen, and besides it is pollenized by the bees!


So enjoy the golden touch that this long-lasting and well loved flower gives you in your fall arrangements. See some of the arrangements that we are doing this season on our websites at www.manotickflorists.com www.manotickflowers.com or ask our Designers to customize a special arrangement for your fall Events.

Call us at 613-692-2541 or come in to choose your fall flowers - we are in the Manotick Mews Shopping Center!

Your Special Thoughts & Caring Message Delivered by Floral Design!

Easter Tradition

Chocolate Easter Bunnies and Easter egg hunts are a tradition in my family but the weekend would not be complete without the fragrance of the beautiful white trumpet flower Lilium longiflorum – affectionately known as the “Easter Lilly”.

Originally a native of Japan it now symbolizes purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life – the spirit of Easter. As you walk into the shop the fragrance instantly pulls you towards them in their baskets adorning a spring coloured bow.

A magical moment happened in the shop the other day. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw my Granddaughter, Isabella, sauntered about the shop front, stopping in front of the Easter Lilies. Their fragrance caught her attention as she leaned over and took a long “sniff” in the trumpet bloom and gave a little chuckle. The tradition of the Easter Lilly continues into the next generation.

The Lilium plant loves lots of light and moist soil, let the soil become dry before the next watering. Be careful not to over water or let it stand in water too long as it can be prone to rot if too wet. When the bloom is finished, cut it off and let the plant go through its cycle until it dyes down. If you are an outdoor gardener you may want to plant it outside in your garden to enjoy again.

I’m bringing home my lilies tomorrow and sending a few to a couple of friends. Will an Easter Lilly join in your Easter Weekend activities?