5 Things To Remember When Sending Flowers To the Woman You Love (or like a lot)

On occasion I deliver flowers. It's good for me to be out there and not become prey to the disconnect that can happen when you remain "in the back poking the posies". Today I had the pleasure of bringing Happy Anniversary wishes to two different women. Both were excited, along with the other ladies in the offices they were sent to. Their reaction was such that it made me wonder if the senders were aware of the the great choices each had made, or did they simply get lucky (no pun intended).
Here are some lessons you can learn from today's senders when you decide to give your love flowers.

1. Make note of their favorite flower or color
"All I know is she loves gerbera daisies. What can we do with that?" Extra points are scored when you have a little inside info. Not only will she be happy because the flowers/colors are ones she likes, but she will also know that you pay attention to her tastes.

2. When having flowers delivered, go public
Not all women share this sentiment- but most love when others see the thoughtfulness of their significant other towards them. Have the flowers delivered to her office, place of work, dorm or school, if possible. Often times they have bragged on you- this is a chance to prove her right.

3. Have a budget in mind
"Price doesn't matter." Oh yes it does. Sending flowers does only half the job if you feel lousy about how much you spent. Resentment leaks like a cracked vase and soon the whole process is a mess. Let your florist know about how much you want to spend. Other than flowers that need to be special ordered from overseas, most flowers can fit into even the smallest budget. You may only be able to get a few stems of peonies, orchids or garden roses for the price you want to spend- but if they are her favorites she will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Take note of your local florist' specials that will save you $$$$. We have a Friday Special each with week; roses, lilies, tulips, a different selection each week.

4. A quick pick me up
Sometimes a single rose in her favorite color, or a bunch of an in-season flower like tulips can make a bad day instantly better. "Just because" is a great reason to give flowers. It tells her that in the midst of your crazy day you thought of her- she was a priority.

5. SURPRISE!
Remember that flowers are wonderful but it is equally as thoughtful to surprise her with something a little unusual. This past Valentines Day, while most men were sending roses and the like, a gentleman came into Laura Jane's and saw a display piece on the counter. An old rusty well bucket with curly willow branches coming into bud. "She'll LOVE that!", he pointed behind me. "I would too!", I said. I made up a price on the not for sale item and rang it up; after all how could I resist a man who's wife had the same taste. The point is- know what will tell her you think she is amazing- even if it comes in a rusty bucket.

So maybe it's not as simple as grabbing the first thing in the flower shop cooler, but a little extra thought will pay off. And remember, we are here to help you send your best!

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose....or maybe not

Hello. My name is Laura and I am not a fan of roses.

That's a hard thing to admit as a florist, but admitting your problem is the first step to recovery, right?

And I AM in recovery. For years- rather decades, roses were simply a stock item. A flower to send on Valentines, anniversaries or other special occasions. Red, yellow, pink and white for weddings. Pretty pedestrian and ordinary; the scent of old roses in the garden was all but gone and often the blooms didn't open. "Bullets" we called them. The thorns were an added exclamation, making a run-of-the-mill flower also a pain- literally.

My rehabilitation began upon my returning to the floral industry. It began with my first trip to the wholesaler when I noticed bundles wrapped in corrugated cardboard. Odd. When I looked inside, I was amazed at the color, the fragrance and the fact that these roses were OPENING! Joy! I made note of the name Rosaprima. I immediately began ordering from this particular grower when I could- on occasion they are unavailable due to their sustainable growing practices. I am now, dare I say it, in LOVE with roses. Rosaprima roses, that is.

http://www.rosaprima.com/

Grown in the Andes Mountains, these roses are unique. Most varieties have large blooms, due to the amount of petals- twice your average rose. Their colors are amazing, but the real attraction is their longevity. Opening slowly and fully, these roses last for more than a week. I have been known to keep some in my cooler for 3 weeks for weddings for that full open look.

So, a rose is not always a rose...sometimes they are VERY special.

"I don't want carnations! They remind me of funerals."
Ah, the much maligned carnation. So many colors, yet so few fans. Believe it or not, carnations are what helped me remember the positive parts of this business. Memories of going into the cooler, seeing all the beautiful colors of carns and then putting one of those full crisp blooms to my cheek. Sounds crazy, right. But in the wee hours of a Valentines Day all-nighter, it's the simple things that get you through.

Over the last several months of Laura Jane's, I have once again fell in love with that often ignored step-sister; the carnation. Read the following and see if we can raise her from "funeral flower" status to her rightful place as a go-to flower for all occasions. Here's just 5 reasons why:

1. The colors! Oh how many beautiful colors carnations come in. From the standard red, white, pink and yellow, growers have developed thousands of colors from sand to purple to deep burgundy.

2. They last! Carnations, if treated properly will last weeks. Even in their end of life, they still bring forth color and from a galloping horse, you can barely see the fade.

3. They are cheap! OK, so my sophisticated friends will cringe at the term, but let's face it- there is no bigger bang for your buck than a beautiful carnation. At about $1-$1.50 each- a dozen is downright affordable.

4. They are a full flower! No wispiness here. Carnations are a full petal flower. They also come in several textures. From smooth edged to sawtooth, the bring a fullness that most flowers lack.

5. Minis too! Don't forget her younger sister the min-carnation. All the attributes of her older full rounded sister, but in a daintier form.

So let's hear it for the carnation! Bright colors, affordable price, and looks that keepin' giving you enjoyment for twice as long as any other flower! Viva La Carn!

Cosmopolitans, roses and long-lasting cut flowers

One of the comments I love to hear most at Laura Jane's is, "Your fresh cut flowers last so long!". Let's face it, flowers cost money and you want to make sure your purchase lasts as long as possible. There are several "home remedies" that I have heard over the years claiming to prolong the life of fresh cut flowers. Some work. Some don't. And one may surprise you. First, let's talk about what we do here at the shop.

We receive most of our flowers through flower farms. They come to us, shortly after being cut. This means that you receive them early in their life cycle- but time is ticking as soon as they are cut. When our shipments arrive it is time to get busy! The flowers have not had a drink in a while and they are thirsty. We process our flowers quickly, adding bleach to the water, removing lower leaves and giving them a sharp angled cut. We then dip the stems in a solution that helps the flowers take a good long drink. After the flowers drink for 24 hrs., we place them in a specialized cooler, custom built and controlled by a device which optimizes the temperature and humidity. We recently conducted an experiment in which a container of mums lasted 5 weeks. We eventually threw them out because we needed the bucket!

Now, here's what you should do at home after bringing fresh cuts home.

1. Add a SMALL amount of bleach to the water.
Bleach kills bacteria which can build up in the water. Mostly due to the leaves. Which leads me to...

2. Remove any and all leaves that may reach the water line. We make every effort to do this as we process the flowers, but if you are purchasing cut flowers, your vase and cut will be different than our.

3. A fresh cut on all stems. A flower takes in water through its stem. If that stem becomes clogged, no water gets through. One of the best ways to add to the life of your fresh cuts is to cut the stems- when you get them and a couple of days after. Cut the stems at an angle as well. A flat stem end will sit at the bottom of the vase. One cut on an angle will have more surface area exposed, hence it will drink better.

Now for the old wives tales. Many will tell you to add the following to the water in your flowers container- Can you guess which one will help?
A penny?
Some vodka?
A bit of sugar or a dash of Sprite?
An aspirin?

Actually two of them will. A pinch of sugar or a splash of Sprite or 7-Up will help to give energy to the flower (not too much though- remember that sugar can encourage bacterial growth). The most surprising additive to me was a dash of vodka. Go figure. According to John Dole, a horticulturalist at North Carolina University,
"Vodka is often claimed to help flowers due to antimicrobial properties, but the spirit also has a different effect. When you add a few drops of vodka to the water, it delays wilting by inhibiting the flower's production of ethylene, a ripening gas that plants emit."
Gives new meaning to giving your flowers a drink, right?

Welcome to Laura Jane's Flowers....

So in the words of Julie Andrews, "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." Let's see. It started with an art show. At the time I was a 16 year old high school student who spent most of her time in the art room or the printing room. Watercolor was my current interest and my work was being featured in a small art exhibit. A local woman saw my work; mostly florals, and somehow thought- "She could work at the flower shop!" How you make that assumption, I don't know, but I am glad she did.
I began working during school at the local florist two hours each school day for school credit. Anything past that, I got paid for. YES!!!! Ironically, two years before- in another state, I had approached a relative about working in her mothers flower shop. I was told (rather bluntly) that I didn't have what it takes. After one day working with flowers- I and my boss realized, they were wrong. Designing came easy and when I graduated I became the Asst. Manager of the shop.
Over the years I have worked at over a dozen different kinds of floral/design business'. Always learning more, gaining experience by working with some of the most creative people in the country. And then a decision...I quit.
Now married and expecting our first child, Jim and I decided that being a mother was going to be a full-time vocation for me. Medical issues made this my one chance, and I wanted to give it all I had. Occasionally I did holiday work or a friend's wedding; but for the most part my floral career was over. Or so we thought. Fast forward ....uh...let's just say a looooong time.
Jim had been a successful facilities manager with the same company for 36 years. His career afforded us travel, a good salary and the ability for me to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. It was a good life. Sadly the company was sold and the business took a new direction. It was time for a change. Jim had always mentioned opening up our own business. I had always said "No"- usually with colorful metaphors accompanying. But this time it was different. Our house was paid for, our son was grown and I longed for an outlet for my creativity.
"Let's open a flower shop!" my wonderful husband suggested and in a moment of weakness, I said yes. I never thought, "Can I still do it?"- at least not until the papers were signed. Then the fear set in. Surprisingly, the first time I picked up a floral knife again, it was as if I had never left the business. It was there, the knowledge, the skills, the color sense and balance- just as if I had never left.
And so here we are. Laura Jane's Flowers & Gifts in Adairsville, GA
To say it is a wild ride would be an understatement. In addition to a full-service florist, we also have vintage furniture and repurposed decor; which means many picking trips and hours spent in auctions.  Jim handles the bookkeeping and store management; I design, do marketing and purchasing. We work side by side- which is interesting, challenging, stressful and entirely wonderful. It is truly the adventure of a life-time.
We invite you to follow along by visiting us- at the shop or virtually here as we recount our adventures.