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.

Weddings and Weddings

We offer a variety of options for weddings, from bouquets and personal flowers to decorations and centerpieces; we love working with brides and their loved ones who help them plan their special day, and we make sure to make each couple unique and special.  At Best Wishes, you'll receive personalized care for every detail of your event, and we are happy to work in any budget.

Fresh greens and tulle make a simple pew decoration.

Gerbera daisies in sunny tones bring bright colors to the ceremonial white.

Personal flowers, individually wrapped and labeled and designed to match the entire wedding.

This is a bridal bouquet from a different wedding, very unique tropical flowers made a splashy look.

Working delicate white feathers into the mix of tropical bird of paradise, orchid stems, white anthurium, and white fuji mums, accented with succulents, eucalyptus and green hanging amaranthus.

Matching bouquets for the maids of honor.

August Update

Flowers and chocolate anyone?  We're going to have some very exciting updates here soon, but here's a quick sample of what's we've been cranking out.  Above is a delicious summer treat: sunflower, orange lilies, oregonia, ti leaf, bear grass and oh yeah, CANDY!  Hammond's chocolates are absolutely delicious and we've got them!

I'm certain this cute get-well-soon gift did its job.  How can you not feel better looking at these beautiful blooms?  There's sunflower, pink gerbera, orange lily, purple alstroemeria, a bit of green hydrangea and some Queen Anne's lace.

This bubble bowl was just huge in person, and had beauty going all around!

This dish garden was put together for a longtime customer who needed a get-well-soon present.  She wanted succulents because they require less care than most plants.  I was quite disappointed we had to sell it because I wanted it in my home!  Well, I guess I'll just have to make more.

This rather unique item is actually the most clever way to return your neighbor's things you borrowed and forgot to return.  A regular customer was cleaning out their cupboard and was horrified to find an electric skillet they had borrowed months before.  Returning it filled with flowers remedied the guilt and potential hard feelings, and also made for one of the stranger things we've put and arrangement in!  Frank even incorporated the cord and control box into the design!

A few simple, elegant boutonnieres with alstroemeria, leucadendron, yarrow, hydrangea and eucalyptus.

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!