When someone passes away, many people’s first thought is to send flowers to the funeral.

But how do you get your sympathy flowers to stand out and leave a lasting impression?

It’s pretty simple if you remember to do one thing… add a personal touch to the flowers you send.

At a time of loss, our memories of that person often become more vivid. We recall things about them that can be easily expressed in a floral tribute.

As an example, the arrangement pictured above showcased a photo frame highlighting some special moments a daughter had with her father. It was her own personal tribute to him.

I put together this short video showing a few more examples of how we helped clients add a personal touch to the sympathy flowers they sent.

While some of these tributes may not suit your budget or style, keep in mind that adding a personal touch can be as simple as using a favorite flower or color.

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Sympathy flowers that leave a lasting impression is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

Alstroemeria, aka “Peruvian Lilies”, is one of the best-selling flowers in our shop. The longevity, durability and colorful varieties have made them a favorite among our customers.

Whether you receive alstroemeria as a gift or buy them for yourself, they will either come arranged, boxed, or wrapped. If your alstroemeria arrives out of water, they likely will appear to be limp.

If so, here are seven steps you should immediately follow to extend the vase life of your alstroemeria: 

1. Remove any leaves that may be under water.
2. While holding the stems under water in a sink or under running water, cut about one inch off each stem with a sharp knife or shears. DO NOT let the newly cut end dry off before transferring it into another container.
3. If buds appear to be very tight, submerging them in warm water will promote opening.
4. Water to which a floral preservative solution has been added should be used to arrange fresh cut alstroemeria in. Using it as recommended will provide additional days of vase life. Try to avoid using water from a water softener.
5. Immediately after the stems are cut, place your alstroemeria in a clean, deep vase of warm preservative solution (about 100 degrees F). Allow several hours to condition them before arranging.
6. Temperature is a key factor in the lifespan of all flowers. Display your fresh cut alstroemeria arrangements in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts.
7. Alstroemeria are thirsty flowers. It is important to check to see that the vase is full and add preservative solution as needed. If arranged in floral foam, be sure it is completely saturated and the container is full daily.

This short video shows you the initial steps outlined above about how to handle your alstroemeria upon arrival.

If your are a DIYER creating flowers for a wedding or event, the video references a couple of products, Floralife Quick Dip and Floralife Crystal Clear Flower Food, which are both excellent commercial grade products we use in the shop and highly recommend for treating all flowers prior to use.

If you follow these seven simple steps, your alstroemeria will reward you with an extended period of enjoyment!

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Alstroemeria Care – 7 Steps to Follow for Longer Vase Life is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

With prom season just around the corner, some of you may be interested in what’s trending in prom flowers this year. From everything I’ve seen, read and heard, it will again be all about the “bling”.

From new styles of beaded and jeweled bracelets to all types of unusual accents, the use of fashion flower jewelry will be front and center this year.

Here are several recent posts I’ve come across that feature some unique floral ideas using some of the new fashion flower jewelry that’s available: 

Prom Trends 2012

Its that time of year when we need to look and see the upcoming trends for 2012. See how the 2012 Fitz Design Prom Line of floral jewelry compliments the 2012 Prom Trends…

http://promflowers.blogspot.com/2011/12/prom-trends-2012.html

Prom Styles & Flowers

On your special night we want you to stand out! We achieve this by offering one of a kind designs utilizing the newest pieces of jewelry from Fitz Designs…

http://www.ladyslippercreations.com/prom-flowers-and-styles-gallery.asp

Prom Flowers 2012 – Vintage Romance

These first prom flowers of the 2012 season were made for a fabulous photo shoot we did with Baystate Parent Magazine!

The look for the shoot was vintage romance with soft pale colors, feminine fabrics, and delicate flowers. …

http://www.sprout-flowers.com/prom-flowers-hot-styles.html

Prom Ideas 2012

My friends up at Woodlane Flowers in Woodbury, Minnesota have put together an excellent slide-show showcasing their collection of prom flowers, along with a few suggestions about flower types and dress colors. You definitely will get some great ideas here…

http://www.woodlaneflowers.com/prom_2012.aspx

Fascinatingly Fabulous Floral Prom Wear

An especially fun trend this year for those wishing to be noticed are floral fascinators. A fascinator is a fun, funky and enchanting headpiece, and a perfect complement to traditional prom flowers. If you definitely want to be on the cutting edge of floral fashion this year, check them out here…

http://www.aboutflowersblog.com/fascinatingly-fabulous-floral-prom-wear/

Pinterest – Prom Flowers

If you really want to overdose on ideas for prom flowers, be sure to check out Pinterest. You definitely will get more ideas than you will ever need here…

http://pinterest.com/search/boards/?q=prom%20flowers

Prom flowers: Would you like ribbons with that corsage?

Only a few short years ago, very few choice were available for Prom. By far the most popular was a wrist corsage with sweetheart roses, Baby’s Breath, tulle and ribbons attached to an elastic cloth band. I’m not sure if it was popular because we really liked it or that was the only choice offered. hmmm….

http://promflowers.blogspot.com/would-you-like-ribbons-with-that.html

Prom Flower Do's & Don'ts

DO come in with your date to order your prom flowers together! Not only will your flowers coordinate better, but you’ll get some input into what they’ll look like. Do you really want his mom ordering your flowers? …

http://www.sprout-flowers.com/prom-flower-dos-donts.html

Many of the floral bracelets, accessories and accents featured in these posts are from Fitz Design, who has the hottest product line for proms and weddings used today by floral professionals.

As prom season gets closer, check for updates to this post or on our Facebook page

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Prom Flowers 2012 – Bling’s Still the thing! is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

All of the Valentine flowers in this video (and more) can be found at:

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Our Valentine Flowers Collection is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

I love Halloween. It’s a great time to party. And it’s the one holiday that seems to get a lot of people’s creative juices flowing. Some of the best Halloween party ideas usually come from the least-likely sources. Take Halloween costumes, for example.

Some of the best Halloween costumes I’ve ever seen came from people who swear they don’t have a creative bone in their body!

But Halloween isn’t only a great time for creative costumes, it’s also a great time to get creative with flowers, especially if you’re throwing a party.
And there is no lack of ideas. Practically every magazine at the supermarket checkouts features inexpensive Halloween party ideas that include flowers.

For starters, the fall season gives us a lot of nature’s best items to work with. Cornstalks, gourds, and of course, pumpkins.

Pumpkins, no matter the size, are not only for carving into jack-o-lanterns, but they also make great floral containers.

Simply placing floral foam inside a hollowed-out pumpkin will allow you to arrange flowers in them easily, as well as providing a source of water for them.

Inexpensive flowers, such as carnations, are great to use in Halloween arrangements because they last so long. Mums are another great choice because they can make a big impact with only a few stems. For a higher-end look, try adding lilies. The arrangement pictured here uses orange gerbera daisies, as well as spray roses and mums. And the black cat is a great finishing touch!

A grouping of small pumpkins and gourds, accented with flowers, fall leaves, Spanish moss or ivy, makes a fun table centerpiece. If you’re looking for an elegant touch, try painting pumpkins black, gold or bronze. For the finishing touch, adding a bit of Halloween decor will complete the look and create the proper Halloween atmosphere.

If you need a few Halloween party ideas to get you started, take a look at some of these Halloween flower arrangements, as well as Halloween party decorations, and costume ideas.

And don’t forget, if you need help putting your Halloween party ideas together, your florist is only a phone call away.

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Creative Halloween Party Ideas With Flowers is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

Celebrating the 4th of July holiday with family and friends is a great American tradition that many of us will be doing this weekend. Whether it’s a backyard barbeque, pool party, or even a tailgate party at Miller Park, here’s some easy and inexpensive red, white and blue flower ideas you can use for the perfect finishing touch. 

Strictly Simple Style: Last Minute Ideas for Your July 4th Celebration

Create a patriotic centerpiece for you table using red, white and blue flowers. Via My Home Ideas. Finally, use what you have. Scour the house for anything in the colors of the flag. Ribbon, candies, marshmallows, craft …

http://strictlysimplestyle.blogspot.com/2011/06/last-minute-ideas-for-your-ju

ly-4th.html

Delightfully Noted: 4th of July Inspiration: DIY Recycled Flower Vases

4th of July Inspiration: DIY Recycled Flower Vases. Hoorah! It's “officially” summer today and that means 4th of July is right around the corner. It's time to decorate with the good 'ol red, white, & blue. …

http://delightfullynoted.blogspot.com/2011/06/4th-of-july-inspiration-diy-recycled.html

4th of July Party Favors: Party Planning using Carnation Flowers with Nico De Swert | Pottery Barn

www.potterybarn.com Find out how to turn your 4th of July decorations into party favors with just a few simple steps. Pottery Barn Style Expert Nico De Swert shows us some easy and affordable party planning tips using carnation flowers. Here’s what y…

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Red, White and Blue Flowers – Decorating Inspiration for the 4th of July is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

Many people who call our shop ask for our advice about what flowers are appropriate to send for a particular occasion, like a birthday or anniversary. The best advice we can give is based on what our customers have purchased in the past.

Looking back, here’s some of our customers favorite floral bouquets purchased in April in the past few years… 

1. 24 Red Roses – A classic bouquet of two dozen long-stemmed red roses
2. 18 Mixed Roses – A brightly-colored bouquet of assorted roses.
3. Fragrant Stargazer Lilies – A bouquet of stunning and fragrant stargazer lilies
4. Gerbera Daisies – A bouquet of gerbera daisies in a variety of bright colors.
5. 12 Mixed Roses – A bouquet of 12 roses in assorted colors.

April is typically the beginning of the wedding season, and many of our customers who celebrated wedding anniversaries in April chose to send roses. It did surprise me that many customers opted to purchase 18-24 roses. Guess the state of the economy doesn’t matter when it comes to love! Or maybe it’s simply because our customers recognize a great value when they see one.

You can check out more of our customer favorite flower choices by visiting ==>> Send Flowers: Best Sellers

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Our customers favorite floral bouquets for April is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog

The popularity of gerbera daisies among flower lovers has steadily risen over the last several years, so much in fact, that many growers have had to increase their production of this colorful flower in order to meet the demand.

Sending a bright, colorful gerbera daisy bouquet is a thoughtful and trendy way to celebrate any occasion.

Because of their big, bold flowers, that come in a rainbow of colors, they have also become a very popular wedding flower, especially with DIY brides, who are able to buy wholesale gerbera daisies at very reasonable prices.

Whether you are buying gerbera daisies for yourself or sending them as a gift, here a 7 steps you should follow to ensure your gerberas will last as long as possible. 

1. Remove the protective plastic cups (if used) from the flower.
2. While holding the stems under water in a sink or under running water, cut about one inch off each stem with a sharp knife or shears. DO NOT let the newly cut end dry off before transferring them to your arrangement or other container.
3. Water, to which a good floral preservative has been added, is the best solution in which to arrange fresh cut gerbera daisies. Using floral preservative as recommended will provide additional days of vase life. Avoid using water from a water softener.
4. Immediately after the stems are cut, place your gerbera daisies in a deep vase of warm preservative solution (about 100 degrees F). If possible, leave them in a cool, dark room or refrigerator to hydrate or ‘condition’ for 2 or 3 hours before arranging.
5. Temperature is key to the longevity of gerbera daisies. Display your fresh cut gerbera daisy arrangements in a cool area out of direct sunlight and drafts.
6. Gerbera daisies are thirsty flowers. It is important to check to see that the vase is full and add preservative solution often. Be sure any floral foam materials used are completely saturated and the container is full daily.
7. Gerbera stems are highly susceptible to bacteria blockage. This may cause the head to droop over. Use clean water and replenish preservatives every 1 to 2 days.

[These care instructions are actually printed right on the top of the box they arrive in.]

The video below includes a few of the “secrets” that professionals florists use when processing, re-hydrating, and handling damaged gerbera daisies.

Following the steps outlined above and in the video will help you to be able to extend the enjoyment and value of your gerbera daisy purchase.

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Gerbera Daisies – Care and Handling Tips is a post from: Milwaukee Florist Greenfield Flower Shop's Blog