Spring(?) Update

Looking at the weather outside its been hard to hold out hope for Summer, or any sign of Spring, but we have all sorts of ideas to help remind you warmer weather is actually on its way, bringing with it the lush sights and smells of nature in bloom.  Above is a large arrangement we made for a funeral, putting together a large ivy plant and a colorful burst of fresh cut flowers.

Here is a fresh cut arrangement we made for another funeral, a glorious splash of colorful flowers that bring to mind the rebirth that is Spring.  Cherry blossoms and forsythia branches accent the locally-grown red and yellow roses, orange tulips and orange and pink lilies.

A vase of fresh-cuts with our locally-grown Len Busch lilies, alstro and gerbera daisies.

Bright Spring colors like these are sure to chase away the Winter blues and blahs.  This arrangement has yellow freesia that has a lovely peppery aroma distinct from other floral scents.  Its paired with some Asiatic lilies and waxflower that also provide a beautiful fresh flower smell.  Then throw in some hydrangea, alstromeria and a rose for some vibrant hues.

We have a nice selection of blooming plants available in-store, and are able to order most popular green and blooming plants.  These blooming gerbera plants were sent out as centerpieces for an event, a simple idea that provided a nice pop of color and vitality to the tables.

The 4-inch blooming gerberas are really cute, and are sending up all sorts of new blooms!

Tulips have become a symbol of the beginning of spring because they are often the first plants to pop up with colorful blooms in the early months of the season.  We have plenty of them at Best Wishes this time of year, and are great in small desk arrangements as well as large splashy buffet table arrangements.

This big arrangement of tulips and two varieties of myrtle was prepared for our neighbor Doolittle's weekly standing order.

An elegant birthday bouquet with iris, roses, gerbera, alstroemeria, lily, statice and waxflower.  The branchy sweet huck adds texture and character.

This was made for a get-well-soon gift.  The orange ranunculus and yellow freesia are contrasted with the vivid pinks and purples in the spray roses, alstroemeria, waxflower and calla lily, all gathered into a bubble bowl that is the perfect size for a bedside table.

We send and receive orders through the Teleflora network, and occasionally an order comes through for one of their products where we must make substitutions in the recipe due to what is available in-store.  The above picture was what we were aiming for and below is what we came up with.

Subbing out the blue asters for some blue iris did wonders!

Lovely bi-color gerbera daisies, a very cool dark green peperomia, and an adorable little terrarium.

Dish gardens can be the perfect antidote to the current lack-of-springness in the air, since they sit on your desk at work or on your table in the living room and have the lushness of a verdant forest in some tropical (or arid) place.  They are quite easy to maintain and take care of and should last at least a year before they need to be replanted.  We're always happy to share our plant care tips with our customers, just drop in and ask!

Spring is the time for succulent dish gardens, and these easy-to-care-for creations are beautiful for the home or office.

Don't forget that next week, Wednesday the 24th is Administrative Professionals Day!  We will post specials here on our blog later this week.  Also, Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is coming up next week and we are working with them in an exciting new capacity this year so look for that announcement next week.

Valentine's Day Preview

It's February which means we're getting ready here at Best Wishes Floral for Valentine's Day!  If you're looking for something to let your wife, husband, partner, friends, and the special people in your life know you are thinking of them with love.  Whether you're looking to make a romantic gesture or just hoping to brighten their day, we've got what you need to make it happen.  Here's a peek at some of the arrows in Cupid's quiver.

Our locally grown Len Busch Roses continue to be utmost in lasting, fragrant, beautiful roses you'll find anywhere in the Midwest.  Here are a dozen long-stemmed red LBR's arranged in our traditional style with leather leaf fern, seeded eucalyptus and delicate white and purple limonium as an accent flower.  Guarding this symbol of romance and passion is one of our cute mini teddy bears, made by Ganz, which are just about the softest little guys on earth!  Available in 4 different sizes and a variety of colors.

Here's a close-up view of the limonium we like to use to accent our roses and other arrangements.

Another dozen roses, seen here in a red vase.  Remember we will gladly help you reuse and recycle your vase collection from home, just bring them in and we'll fill them for you.

Another dozen Len Busch Roses, this vibrant pink color is named Orlando, which is appropriately evocative of the tropical climes we are all longing for this time of year.

Here's a cute arrangement that would be appropriate for a host of Valentines.  Two red Len Busch Roses in a cube vase with seeded eucalyptus, green hydrangea, pink waxflower, and a little heart tucked in.  Adding the Hammond's Candy Cane Crunch dark chocolate bar makes just one more sense this gift will stimulate.  We have the Hammond's bars in 5 delicious flavors, and carry the gourmet boxes in 4, 9, and 16 pieces.  Sometimes the surest way to someone's heart is through their taste buds!

Here's an order that went out today and is a perfect example of a bright, cheery mix of fresh cut flowers that we specialize in putting together here at Best Wishes.  The yellow and red Len Busch Roses are the rich center to the arrangement that includes yellow alstroemeria, hot pink spray roses, lavender stock, magnenta dianthus, bupleurum, and limonium.

Birds of paradise and purple cymbidium orchids provide a beautiful tropical style in this arrangement.  

We have a selection of orchid plants in stock right now, as well, and they are a great gift anytime of year.  The white phalenopsis is blooming beautifully, and the miniature plants are about the cutest things.  We are happy to share our expertise in caring for all of our live plants and fresh cut flowers anytime!

Details of those orchid blooms.

This red kalanchoe plant is beautifully vibrant and would be perfect to liven up anyone's office, desk, or home and remind them that Spring is on its way.

Our bulb gardens are just getting started, maximizing the time you'll enjoy them this spring.  The larger ones include iris, daffodil, tulips and hyacinth, and the small sized ones will bloom with iris and daffodils.  They're quite easy to take care of, just keep them moist and let them have a bit of sun.  Keeping them in cooler temperatures will extend the blooming time as well.

Here's a fun dish garden that will add a pop of spring freshness to any space (provided its above freezing).  A spathiphyllum paired with a few other green plants and some silk blooms so that there will always be some color to gaze at.

A bit larger version of the dish garden above, with some purple passion included.

This large silk flower arrangement is not only impossible to kill and will last forever, those yellow forsythia stems actually light up!  Add a natural glow to your living room or bedroom you can enjoy year-round.  Suggested card message: "You light up my life."

Our super soft plush animals are lining the shelves, ready to add a cuddle to your gift.

Whatever the occasion that will be candle-lit on Valentines (a bath, a movie on the couch) these crystal-encrusted votive-holders will make it 100% more elegant.

We will be here and ready to help you for extended hours next week, Monday - Thursday, 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. so be sure to give us a call make your Valentine's Day special!

Mother's Day Is Here!

The excitement is palpable, the air is thick with anticipation, the shop is stuffed to the brim with flowers... it's about to be MOTHERS' DAY!!  We all have mothers in our lives, and many people know many moms:  wives, daughters, grandmothers, and friends who deserve a bit of recognition for the hard work and love they give to their families.  We are just so excited to help you make her day special because really, what's better than fresh flowers and a hug?

This arrangement above, and the two at the top are examples of fun, springy fresh flowers that Mom will adore.  A colorful and fragrant mix of lilies, gerbera and pom daisies, iris, roses, tulips, alstroemeria, spider mums, stock, and waxflower bring spring into the home.  Don't know what everything is called?  Don't worry, we love to help!

Super cute daisy basket on the left or simple yet colorful tulip bunch tied with a bow on the right?  Flip a coin, you can't go wrong here.

Our designer Remy loves to make these topiary-like creations;  alstroemeria bunched and tied in raffia and decked at the base with greens and that awesome magenta heather.

One lucky mom out there is getting this huge arrangement of 2 dozen roses!  Very special.  Let's hope its not one for each kid!

Don't worry, this isn't an arrangement, its how we're keeping these incredible orchid stems to use in your order.  Phew!

Let's talk plants.  Sometimes people like to go for blooming plants because they last as long as you take care of them.  With our advice and pro tips, that will be easy!  Above are 4" and 6" azaleas that are looking just awesome!

In the center here is 6" kalanchoe in a bright magenta hue, and in front are these really cool double gloxinia I picked up today.  Most of these plants are going to have different bloom color and basket style options in stock, and we're always happy to swap things around to get just what you're looking for.

Adorned with colorful twigs and butterflies, these blooming gerbera plants are a great choice.

Or put the same gerbera plant in a euro garden basket with other green plants, and we have another great look.  There's a few more plant baskets to check out in the shop right now, so don't miss out!

A cactus garden can sometimes have a kitschy connotation, but we've been making super fun and unique succulent gardens with a much more elegant feel.  This one is getting sent out to a hospital on delivery this week, but there's more where that came from!   Succulents are great plants for less experienced caretakers, since they're used to surviving a massive drought (oops I forgot to water) or the blazing sun.

More succulent gardens, these two make a fun pair.

Ok, wow, I tried to get a photo of these massive orchid plants we have in the shop right now, and they completely outgrew my photo staging area.  This maroon colored intergenerational orchid in the front is nearly four feet tall!  We just started to carry orchid potting mix and bloom booster as well, so we'll get you on the track to orchid professional in no time.

These ready-to-go hanging planters with a variety of blooming plants are perfect for decorating mom's patio.  

Don't forget that as well as fresh flowers and plants, we have all sorts of gifts for mom and year-round.  From cards and candles, to decor, teddy bears, chocolate, silk flowers, and lights to this cool hanging succulent garden made with faux plants that even the most inept gardener couldn't kill, we have just what you're looking for.  Happy Mother's Day, see you soon!