Fun Floral Facts

The flower business is a very passionate one. From the breeders to the growers to the florists and floral designers, we all love what we do. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to visit the farms that grow the beautiful flowers that bring smiles to so many faces every day.

I didn’t know what to expect on my trip to the farms in South America where 78 percent of the 4 billion cut flower stems purchased in the U.S. are grown. Our first stop was at Passion Growers in Bogota, Colombia, where the beauty of the land and the warmth of the people blew me away.

The owners of Passion—Jaime and Cheryl Peisach and Sam Ferrara—intended to create a small company, a hobby, to do what they loved and do it as best as they possibly could. The idea was simple: provide the best roses available anywhere and NEVER waiver on the highest standards—including the highest ethical standards—consequently resulting in a positive impact on customers, associates, suppliers and the community. This is how Passion Growers was born. Continue Reading…

I don’t think that there is a flower or plant that I don’t like. I am lucky to be in the flower business. I get to enjoy and experience unusual varieties that most people don’t have the opportunity to be exposed to. Each season produces its own unique little gems. While spring time is flush with bulbs and flowering branches, the fall has lots of berried branches, vibrant foliage, and fluid grasses.

Everyone is familiar with roses, but have you ever thought about using rose hips as a cut flower? Our grower friends at Sun Valley have bunches of cut rose hips available for a few weeks each year. They are grown on their farm in Willow Creek, which is all the way up at the northern tip of California. I had the pleasure of visiting with them last fall just when the rose hips were starting to be harvested. Lane DeVries, the owner of Sun Valley, has even started growing grapes and making wine at this location. Flowers and wine – two of my favorite things!

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In the past few years we’ve seen the popularity of orchids, both potted and cut, skyrocket! It’s now one of the most popular flowers that we carry at 1-800 Flowers. Orchids are simple and pure with an air of sophistication and elegance.  And because of their long shelf life as a cut flower, they’re also a very good value.

The dendrobium and the cymbidium orchids are two of the more widely recognized varieties.  Growing in popularity are the Vandas and Mokaras.  Each has its own special qualities and can be displayed and enjoyed in so many different and exciting ways!

DENDROBIUM ORCHIDS

A symbol of wisdom and beauty, the dendrobium is native to Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. On the beautiful islands of Hawaii, they’re often used to make leis, which people wear as a symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor—or as a way to greet visitors.

Making a floral lei from dendrobium orchids is extremely easy and is a wonderful and unexpected way to honor someone for a special achievement or just to let them know how special they are.  Watch my video to see just how easy it is to do.

CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS

A symbol of strength and nobility.

VANDA ORCHIDS

The Vanda is considered to be the most highly evolved of all orchids and is very highly prized for its showy, fragrant, long-lasting and intensely colorful flowers.

MOKARA ORCHIDS

The Mokara orchid is a hybrid orchid, a cross between the Arachnis, Ascocentrum and Vanda families.  Like their parents, Mokara orchids come in a variety of vibrant colors.

Stop and Smell the Roses!

June is National Rose Month. Here are a few fun trivia facts about roses and a few beautiful images of roses to brighten up your day!

• Since 1986, the rose has been the official National Floral Emblem of the United States.
• The rose is the official state flower of: the District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, New York, and North Dakota.
• George Washington was the first rose breeder in the United States.
• Roses are native plants in the United States.
• Roses are big business: 1.2 billion are sold annually.