I've got the Blues

The Hydrangea ... so full, so pretty, so romantic! It fits into all styles from country, to Victorian and even into contemporary. They may be in our gardens just in the summer time but you will find them in our cooler all year round. This past several months I have noticed a trend happening with the hydrangea ... and it is Blue.

Blue and purple are a popular colour combination for the weddings this year and as the designer I had to suggest something that would complement the Brides' bouquet of blue hydrangea. There are very few true blue flowers available especially in our area which poses a problem sometimes. As I have always said "Florists are Illusionists" .... and so keeping that in mind I began my quest to design the best Bride's Maid bouquets for my first Blue and Purple wedding this year.

The loyal carnation came to my rescue! It is a "fluffy" flower and round when fully opened which is the complementary shape to the hydrangea. I didn't want the Bride's Maid bouquet to be over powering - after all - it is the Bride whom every must be looking at ;) After a conversation with one of my suppliers describing to him exactly what I envisioned the answer was to dye the white carnation. Don't get squeamish .... I know that you are thinking about the blue dyed rose ..... this carnation will be carefully watched and the dying action will come to a full stop when the soft blue of the hydrangea is matched. With careful craftsmanship he produced the most perfect blue carnation that looked stunning in the wedding party.

Loved the colours of this wedding! If you are needing this special "blue" flower, let me know with lots of time as it is a procedure to produce and needs a couple of days for the whole process.... but it's worth it.

You can see more pictures of this wedding and other arrangements using blue flowers by following us on facebook.com/manotickfloristsandgifts or on our website www.manotickflorists.com

Garden Mint Tea

It is a rainy summer Sunday ... a good day to curl up with a book and a heart warming cup of fresh mint tea!! I have a lot of it growing in my garden ... toooooo much! The first couple of summers I pulled it out, hoed it out and said a few words to it but it always grew back and twice as much. Then I turned it around - I learned how to brew fresh mint tea. I love mint tea but I never thought about brewing it own from my very own garden. So now, that pesky weed has become my best sooooothing friend - go figure!?!

Its an excellent remedy for reducing symptoms related to digestion - and it taste great going down! Try a cup next time you have an upset stomach or after a big meal when you are feeling "full".

I will suggest that if you don't already have a patch in your garden, plant some in a container - it can over take and get into your lawn. In the spring, herb gardens are available. If you received one from our shop, check it out because you may have one in your mini garden. Clip a handful of leaves and let it steep in your pot for a couple of minutes and enjoy!

Join me, Belinda, in my garden and kitchen showing you how easy it is to make a cup of fresh mint tea and how to care for your herbal container gardens in the video "Garden Mint Tea". Watch our youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ManotickFlorists

Enjoy!
613-692-2541

Manotick Florists
1160 Beaverwood Road
Manotick, Ontario

www.manotickflorists.com

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!