Friday, 4 March 2011

Guy Guide to Flowers

Are flowers the key to a woman's heart? According to consumer research, the answer is yes. The fact is most women truly enjoy receiving flowers, be it on a special occasion or for no reason at all. In return, the men who send them are as good as guaranteed to have made a lasting impression. A gorgeous bouquet doesn't just say “I love you” or “I'm sorry” – it can say anything you want it to. Flowers are certainly romantic, but they can also give off a multitude of different vibes to suit mothers, close friends or family members. Undeniably, flowers are a pick-me-up for any female.
Let's face it; the art of giving flowers is not exactly a strong point of the male species. However, with our guy's guide to flowers, men can use these tips and advice on how to pick the perfect bouquet to send his intended message to the women in his life.

The first step is picking a recipient. Do not limit your options. Any of the leading ladies in your life would be ecstatic to receive a bouquet out of the blue. When sending flowers to a romantic partner, it is advised to keep her favourite flowers in mind. You may even choose blooms which signify important stages in your relationship – sending the flowers you had at your wedding would certainly be a thoughtful and meaningful choice.

For a platonic female friend, think bright, bold and beautiful. Wildflowers are unique and fun, and an ideal way to let someone know they're on your mind in a casual manner. When it comes to family, a flowering plant or something with subtle colours should do the trick every time.
What about design, you ask? Well, while it is always advisable to trust your florist, do not be afraid to make decisions on your own. The 3 most important aspects in floral design are type, colour and texture. For an exciting and usual bouquet, why not include several different colours of the same flowers for a rainbow effect. An arrangement of multi-coloured roses would be both stylish and pretty.

Alternatively, create a fresh bouquet of blooms of different varieties in various shades of her favourite colour. This monochromatic look is a sure winner. Your other option would be to mix both colours and types, resulting in a contemporary and adventurous look to take her breath away.

As for the message in the card that accompanies the flowers, always speak from the heart and keep it simple. Honesty always prevails and she will appreciate the sentiment.

Whatever you decide, always remember to be spontaneous. As mentioned earlier, receiving flowers for no reason at all is a sure way to brighten up the day of the people you care about. Not only will you score brownie points for surprising her, you will also have made her very happy.

As is often said, size doesn't matter. The same goes for flowers. Do not be fooled into thinking that a bigger bouquet gets a bigger reaction. A small, tasteful bouquet can make as much of a statement as a larger sized one; the trick is to pick the appropriate size for the occasion that truly expresses your sentiments.

Now you're ready to put these helpful tips into use. Send some flowers today. Then sit back, relax and watch the smiles grow on the faces of your loved ones.




10 Reasons For Having Flowers In A Home

Flowers have been a part of man's existence from time immemorial. Frescoes, paintings, sculptures, and pottery from Greek, Asian, Minoan, and Chinese origins all have flowers in them. Flowers represent spring, blessings, fertility and growth. 

Experts reveal that flowers spread peace and happiness. A study at Harvard showed that:
  • Fresh cut flowers in a home increased feelings of compassion and kindness for others.
     
  • Flowers in a home spread calm and chase away moments of anxiety, worries, and sadness.
     
  • People who live among flowers experience less negativity and have lowered hypertension and anxiety.
     
  • Flowers boost energy levels and productivity. People with flowers in a home are more enthusiastic and happy. They are willing to help others and are more active.
Studies show that flowers heal the sick and bring smiles to the faces of the aging. Flowers have appositive effect on our well being and alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. 

That is why it is important to grow flowers in a garden or small patch. If you live in a flat, have flowers in small pots or window boxes. Watch them flourish and dance with music and wind. 

Put cut flowers in vases in your kitchen, dining areas, and living areas. If you suffer from pollen allergies, get flowers that are safe for you. Flowers can last a week or longer if you change the water everyday and trim the dead leaves. 
Flowers bring a touch of spring into homes. In fact, people believe that homes with flowers have fewer fights, bouts of sickness, or unhappiness. It does not have to be enormous or expensive. Just a single stem surrounded by greens will make a difference.
Beautifully arranged flowers make the room look stylish and bring sunshine into the home and drive away the gloom. Flowers in a room brighten up the smallest room and make people, children and adults feel welcome. 

Learn all about how to arrange flowers and keep them fresh from the World Wide Web. There are articles that tell you tips like tulips and daffodils are not compatible and that tulips need more water than other flowers. So with the internet knowledge highway, you can transform your home with simple and affordable flower arrangements.



Thursday, 3 March 2011

Making dry flower arrangements

Dried flower arrangements have been popular for many centuries. Well-liked all through the year, they are more common during winter months for the obvious reason that in those season fresh flowers are not available.
Flowers can be dried using various methods such as air drying, water drying, oven drying, drying in sand, drying with desiccants, and microwave drying.

A simple and beautiful dried flower arrangement

Fix your vase using floral clay on a revolving tray that is commonly used for placing foods at the center of a dining table (lazy susan). This is to help you check out the flower arrangements from all sides.
  • Force a piece of foam into the vase. Line material such as lavendar and straw may be used in order to fix the total appearance.
  • Insert the bigger focal flowers like hydrangea first, followed by average-sized flowers like dried roses. Space the flowers uniformly all through.
  • Add supplementary line material to give an emphasis to the overall shape. Fill up vacant spaces using fern and add flax for creating an appearance of completeness.

How to make a dried flower wreath

The basic materials you need for making a wreath are straw and Styrofoam, wired wooden floral picks, pliers, white glue, greening pins, and a 21 gauge wire (that is, a wire of diameter 0.0285 inches).Now your task is to join the leaves, cones, and other decorations to the base.
Cedar rosette wreaths, rabbit tobacco wreaths, and dried corn shuck wreaths are popular dried flower wreaths.
Step 1: Join a ring of 0.028 inch diameter wire to the wreath foundation. 
Step 2: Pull out the plastic wrap from the wreath foundation so that the floral picks and greening pins can go in easily. 
Step 3: With the wreath foundation as the base, start decorating from its outside edge and work toward the center. This will result in a fuller and a more natural appearance. 
Step 4: Test for completeness by keepin the wreath on a table and verifying that there is no space between the decorating material and the surface of the table. 

Pointers

  • Use fresh foliage to cover the wreath base. Then decorate the leaves with dried rose, elk grass, and dried pepper berries.
  • Having a sense of where the top of the wreath is will help you place materials uniformly

Dried Flowers

Dried flower arrangements are a wonderful addition to today´s home decor.Dried flowers, whether used in bouquets, pressed flower pictures, or potpourri, or on hats, wreaths, kissing balls, shadow boxes, hearth brooms, shaker boxes, window ornaments, door swags, or whatever, dried flowers inspire us to recreate a gentler time of beauty and elegance in our homes.


why dry flowers?



Dried flowers are popular with the flower lovers because of the following reasons-

  • Dried flowers provide distinctive indoor decoration.
  • Dried flowers and dried flower arrangements are long lasting and require little care.
  • Drying flowers and foliage expands gardening activities without elaborate equipment or previous experience.
  • Dried flowers and the process of drying flowers are inexpensive.

The inspiration to grow and use dried flowers is as close as the garden center or greenhouse. Many of the common annuals like zinnias and marigolds are readily dried which assumed significance in the world of dried flowers. Look for transplants of everlasting flowers. These flowers are the ones most often used in dried-flower crafting. These flowers almost dry themselves, they're so easy.Some of the names of everlastings(dried flowers) to look for include Strawflower, Globe Amaranth, Cockscomb (both crested and plumed), Statice, Baby´s breath, Money plant, Chinese lantern, and Bells- of-Ireland. Plus, there are three unpronounceable dried flower with Latin names but no common name: Ammobium, Helipterum, and Xeranthemum. Take them home and give them names you can live with, like Harry or Florence. The various ornamental grasses, Love-in-a-mist seed pods, Blue sage (and it's white-flowered variation), Larkspur and Yarrow also form good examples of dried flowers.
All of the above flowers and plants are air dried. Besides flowers are dried through other processes like pressing or using drying agents like sand and borax or corn meal and borax or silica gel.The drying agent process can be speeded up by using a microwave oven.All of the above flowers and plants are air dried. Besides flowers are dried through such other processes like pressing or using drying agents like sand and borax or corn meal and borax or silica gel.The drying agent process can be speed up with the microwave oven.
Flowers with flat faces like pansies, petunias, violas, and daisies are good to press and use for decorating stationery, bookmarks, or place mats or for making pictures. Simply place 3 flowers between sheets of blotting paper and put in a flower press or weight down with bricks or books. Check them after a week. Fern fronds are also good for pressing.
Potpourris are made by drying petals on screens or trays in a dehydrator, gas oven with a pilot light, or electric oven on the lowest setting. Rose petals make up the bulk of the mixture, with other flowers, herbs, spices, and citrus peels adding additional fragrance and color. To enhance the scent, add 10 drops or so of an essential oil and 3 tablespoons of ground orris root as a fixative to each quart of dried material


Wednesday, 2 March 2011

informative video:The Meaning of Flowers

flower meaning

HERE are a few meanings of flower that i discover while go through some others blogs.. enjoy it...

ALSTROEMERIA


Alstromeria


Alstroemeria: This hardy flower got its name from its discoverer, Baron Klas Van Alstoemer, who found its seeds in 1753. This flower is generally linked to symbol of friendship. Send bouquets containing alstroemeria to show the strength of your bond with another. 




AMARYLLIS


Amaryllis


Amaryllis: The amaryllis bulb is famous for its capability to produce flowers for up to 75 years. Amaryllis flowers represent radiant beauty. Order beautiful amaryllis for someone who is beautiful form inside and outside.




ANEMONE


Anemone


Anemone: This colorful flower belongs to the family of buttercup. The anemone is said to have sprung from the blood of the Roman god Adonis. These flowers generally represent anticipation. Help soothe someone’s nerves with this tranquil, lovely flower.


ANTHURIUM


Anthurium


Anthurium: This flower got its origin in Hawaii, these exotic flowers are the most popular and long-lasting of the all available tropical flowers. Anthuriums is the symbol for hospitality. Whenever you turn yourself as guest in someone’s home, make sure to present some anthuriums to your host.


ASTER


Aster


Aster: In ancient times, it was believed that if aster leaves were burned, the perfume would drive away evil serpents. In present century, asters are used to symbolize the element of  patience. Running behind on a client’s project? Send some asters to show that you appreciate them bearing with you.


BIRD OF PARADISE


Bird of Paradise


Bird of Paradise: This strange and wonderful flower belongs to the native to South Africa and represents the feeling of joyfulness. The Bird of Paradise is an excellent flower choice to send for any celebratory occasion.


BOUVARDIA


Bouvardia


Bouvardia: These flowers got their name from Charles Bouvard, a Parisian doctor. This flower is native to Mexico and was introduced in the UK in 1854. Bouvardia represents the sense of enthusiasm. Reward a hard-working employee with a bouquet made from the bouvardia.


CARNATION


Carnation


Carnation: Carnations, originally belong to the East; have been cultivated for the last 2,000 years. These hardy, fragrant flowers represent the feeling of pride and beauty. Send a bouquet of carnations to let someone know you are proud of them.


CHRYSANTHEMUM


Chrysanthemum


Chrysanthemum: These flowers got their origin from the Chinese gardens for over 2,000 years. Today, the chrysanthemum is acknowledged as a symbol representing sun. Chrysanthemums represent essence of fidelity. Make sure to send them to your spouse in honor of your wedding anniversary.


DAFFODIL


Daffodil


Daffodil: Generally it is a belief that when daffodils arise from the ground, it is considered a sign that winter is coming to an end and warmer weather is approaching. Daffodils represent the essence of chivalry. Present a bouquet of daffodils to handsome man at work who always holds the elevator for you.


DELPHINIUM


Delphinium


Delphinium: Delphinium got its meaning from Greek word meaning Dolphin. Delphinium symbolizes the essence and feeling of heavenly qualities. Give some to your mother for her saintliness in having put up with you during your more trying periods.


FREESIA


Freesia


Freesia: This wonderful flower is named after the German physician Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese. Freesia represents the essence of innocence and makes the perfect gift choice for the proud parents of a newborn baby.


GLADIOLUS


Gladiolus


Gladiolus: This amazing flower got its meaning from the Latin word that means sword, gladiolus represented Roman gladiators. Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character. Send a bouquet of gladiolus as a token of respect to a person whose character you admire.


HEATHER


Heather


Heather: This flower in history is widely used as roofing material, bedding, a form of fuel, in basket and rope making and as a dye. In a more esthetic realm, heather represents the element of admiration. Present a bouquet of this amazing flower to someone whose friendship you value most in life.



HYACINTH


Hyacinth


Hyacinth: As per the Greek lore, this wonderful flower was named after a boy, Hyacinth, who was killed after being hit in the head with a discus. A flower sprouted from the wound as the god Apollo held the boy. Hyacinths, originally belongs to the land of Turkey, represent constancy. Make sure to present a bouquet of hyacinths to someone special to express the constancy of your love.




want to know more visit this website: http://flowermeaning.org/



article source:http://flowermeaning.org/