Flowers 4 Nelson News

Valentines Day Flowers Nelson 2018

2018-01-12T07:25:50+00:00

Valentines Day is Wednesday February 14th ; Flowers 4 Nelson are delivering Valentines flowers for your convenience each day this week. Select your required date of delivery at checkout when making your order, or phone us on 03 545 2196 .

Valentines Day Flowers Nelson

2018-01-12T07:27:40+00:00

Flowers 4 Nelson are delivering flowers on Valentines Day and each day this week.

Check out our Valentines Page for some great Valentine gifts and flowers.

If you want your Valentines flowers delivered before the 14th; that is fine too.

Christmas Gifts for Nelson and Richmond area

2017-11-26T22:01:25+00:00

It's still November and already we are getting orders in for our Christmas week deliveries. It looks like we are in for a busy Christmas period this year; and It is pleasing to see that people are getting organised early. Here is the link to our Christmas page to give you some ideas of what you can order for Christmas for your friends and family. Take care, be safe and have a wonderful Christmas 2017

Nelson Florist Christmas Hours

2017-11-26T22:12:40+00:00

Flowers 4 Nelson wish everyone a happy Christmas and thank you for your support over the past year.

Flowers 4 Nelson will be closed for the statutory holidays over the Christmas period.

23rd and 24th December open and taking orders until 1pm

25th, 26th, December closed

27th, 28th 29th, 30th, December open ( until mid day only on the 30th)

31 December and 1st, 2nd, January closed

Mothers Day 2017

2017-03-07T03:46:31+00:00

This year Mother's Day (the second Sunday in May) is 13th May. Always a big week for us; a chance to show your love and appreciation to your Mum.

Flowers 4 Nelson will be well stocked with flowers for beautiful bouquets; box arrangements and the very popular potted flowering orchid plants.

We will be delivering Mothers's Day orders on Friday 12th May; Saturday 13th May; and Sunday 14th of May. You choose which day suits you best at checkout.

Flower Choices for Allergy (Hay Fever) sufferers

2017-02-20T20:36:07+00:00

Hay fever allergies can occur when pollen from flowers is spread in the air and breathed in through the human nose. Pollen is from the male part of the flower (Yes you can blame it on males); and flowers that are wind pollinated disperse their pollen into the air to search for the female part of another flower.

But many flowers are pollinated by insects, and thus do not shed pollen into the air. Also the double flowered forms of many flowers have lost their pollen producing parts in the process of making the extra petals that make them double flowers. These flowers are low allergy risk flowers, as little if any pollen is in the air from them.

If you are sending flowers to people who suffer from hay fever ask for low allergy risk flowers in the bouquet. Here are the flowers which you can request for allergy sufferers.

Roses; Hydrangea; Gladioli; Orchids; Peonies; Carnations; Iris; double forms of Chrysanthemum; Tulip

Removing pollen from Lilys

2016-12-05T23:57:25+00:00

Summer brings the flowering of Lilies in our gardens; and we often have lilies in our bouquets at home. The beautiful large flowers come in many shades, and some are highly scented.

At our florist workshop we remove the anthers from the flowers that are open before they are delivered; but mostly the flowers we send out are still in bud, and therefore we are not able to remove the anthers from the buds. The rusty orange coloured pollen will stain anything that it touches, so we recommend that you remove the anthers which contain the pollen, as soon as you can once the flower has opened. To do this simply grip the anthers and gently pull them off; they will come away easily. Place them in the rubbish bin or compost and then wash any pollen that may have come from them off your hands, so that you don't get stains on anything.

The anthers can be seen in the accompanying photo, they are the deep purplish sacs, (but many lilies have yellow anthers), the rust coloured pollen can be seen inside the anther as it opens. It is best to remove the anthers before the sacs open as the pollen will then still be contained inside.

Labour Weekend Hours

2016-10-20T00:36:16+00:00

22nd to the 24th October is Labour Weekend this year and we will be closed over that whole time; reopening again on Tuesday 25th.

We will be delivering on Saturday the 22nd October if those orders are received before 5 pm on Friday 21st October.

Flower Delivery to Motueka

2016-08-24T04:42:35+00:00

We are now delivering our flowers to Motueka township addresses using Fastway couriers. Deliveries to Motueka are Monday to Friday only, and need to go early in the morning, so it is best if you can order your flowers to go to Motueka the day before to ensure they get delivered on the day you want.

Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids In Your Home

2017-05-22T23:13:15+00:00

The beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid are Europe's number one selling indoor plant; and in New Zealand we are increasingly enjoying them in our homes also.

The orchids are easy care, requiring a little water and bright room light; but not liking direct sunlight; and a room temperature that you are comfortable in; (ie a room that is heated in winter)

The plants will flower for 2 to 3 months at a time, and come in a range of flower colours including white, yellow, apricots, and many shades of pink from light to very dark cerise. Some flowers have different colour veining or even blotches of colour on the flower petals.

During Summer the plants need watering about once a week, and need less than 1/4 of a cup of water; the roots are grown in bark as they require excellent drainage; If the day after watering the bottom of the plant pot is still sitting in water, then you may have given too much water. In this case you should empty the water out of the bottom of the pot, as the plants don't like to be sitting in water. In the water you should add a little liquid orchid plant food to keep the plant healthy; (follow the directions for the dilution rate to use on the bottle). I like to use the Yates brand 'Thrive'. In winter the plants will only need watering once every two or three weeks. Take care when watering and try not to get water on the leaves; if water stays on the leaves it can cause them to rot. If in doubt about watering remember it is better to under water than over water an orchid.

If you look you will notice that the plant is growing in a clear plastic pot which is inside a coloured outer pot; you can carefully slide up the edges of the inner plastic pot ( it is not easy; and two pairs of hands makes it easier) and it will lift out so you can check if any water is sitting in the bottom. If there is water in the bottom empty it out and reduce the amount of water you give the orchid next time.

Once the flowers have finished often the old flower stem will re-flower. If you cut the old stem off just above the wee notch (which is a bud) the bud will usually come into growth and produce a second lot of flowers. Sometimes the old flower stem just goes brown and if this happens it wont re-flower, so remove it stem completely at the base. A completely new flower stem will arise over time from a healthy plant; usually after the plant has produced a new leaf. If your plant has shown no signs of a new flower stem after 5 months then it may need to be in a brighter light position; so move it to a different spot in the house.

Every now and then carefully wipe the leaves with a cloth to remove any dust. Enjoy your orchids.

Thank you

2016-06-10T00:32:10+00:00

May was our busiest month ever; with a huge Mothers Day at the start of the month and the 5 Year Anniversary of starting the Flowers 4 Nelson business. I just want to thank you all for your support over the years and in helping us become the florists to go to for flowers in Nelson.

Mothers Day Flowers Nelson

2016-04-13T07:33:51+00:00

Mothers Day is the 2nd Sunday in May; This year that is May 8th. Flowers 4 Nelson will be delivering orders on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Mothers Day weekend; select the preferred delivery date when you make your order at the checkout page.

U K Mothers Day in New Zealand

2016-03-23T05:26:05+00:00

Flowers 4 Nelson will be delivering on Sunday 6 March for orders for UK Mums for Mothers Day. :)

Lisianthus Flowers

2016-01-14T00:15:21+00:00

Lisianthus is grown in NZ as an annual plant for the florist market. The plant is native to the Southern USA and Mexico and its common name is the prairie gentian. Eustoma grandiflorum is the correct botanical name; and the plant is in fact a memeber of the Gentian family.

The blooms of lisianthus have a delicate appearance and the colours available include creamy green, cream, white, pinks, mauve, and deep purple; with several picotee, or bicolour forms also available. There are single and double flowered forms; the doubles looking almost rose like in apperance.

Very popular cut flowers for bouquets and weddings in the summer and autumn; the lisianthus open flowers show the strongest colour when cut, whilst the buds open to progressively softer shades of the open flower colour.

This year we are growing lisianthus for the first time in our garden; our plants will be autumn blooming. The plants are a challenge to grow from seed, as the seedlings are very small and slow growing. The plants like extra lime and pottasium in the soil for best growth; and enjoy a sheltered sunny spot that is well drained in the garden. The plants grow from 30cm to 70 cm tall, but tall varieties require support as the stems are not woody.

Long lasting in the vase, the lisianthus although not the cheapest of flowers to buy are a delight to have in the house.

Amaryllis

2015-10-09T08:40:16+00:00

We love our Hippies in the garden; commonly known as Amaryllis the botanical name is Hippeastrum equestre hybrids. The plant is native of areas from Mexico to Brazil and Chile.

Plants grow from very large bulbs which we grow here in pots in our green house and they start to flower in late September; we can grow them out side here as we are relatively frost free; but we tend to water and look after them better when they are in the green house; and they start to flower a bit earlier as well.

Flowers are on thick stems up to 60 cm tall and the lily like flowers come in a range of colours including white, cream, many shades of pink, red, green and orange shades. The flowers last 7 to 12 days when picked and are a sought after flower by florists in the spring and summer flowering period.

Often you will see plants in pots for sale in flower; and they have that typical Amaryllis habit of flowering before the leaves emerge from the bulb.

Bulbs should be grown in a rich compost or soil as they like plenty of food and a reasonable amount of water once the growth starts in spring. Over winter they can be left in quite dry soil. Bulbs are planted with the top 1/3 of the bulb above the soil; in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Never let the roots coming from the bulb get completely dry you are lifting them from the soil; keep them stored in moist sand or sawdust until you can plant them properly.

Freesia

2015-09-22T02:58:51+00:00

It wouldn't be spring without Freesias, and there are some lovely colours available at the moment, including purple, mauve, yellow, white , pink and reds.

The old fashioned and highly scented cream Freesia 'Burtonii' is also in full bloom in gardens at the moment. Pick a bunch from the garden and put them in a short vase of water and they will last a week or more inside your home.

Freesia are fairy easy to grow, prefering a sunny spot, but they will also do well enough in a partly shaded area; and I tend to think the stems are longer from plants grown in a bit of shade. The bulbs bein to grow in early winter and flowering outdoors begins in early September. Bulbs can be left in the soil and dont need lifting, unless they start to take up too much space, or become too crowded to produce nice strong stems.

Most of the colours have some scent to the flowers, but it is 'Burtonii' that wins the contest for most scented.

Nelson Florist Opening Hours

2016-10-08T19:24:38+00:00

Flowers 4 Nelson Florist is open from 8am Monday to Saturday inclusive.

closes 5pm Monday to Friday and closes 12 pm on Saturday

Our Flowers 4 Nelson web site is of course open all hours.

Hyacinth Flowers

2017-09-02T06:02:31+00:00

Early Spring and late winter is the time our Hyacinth flower at Flowers 4 Nelson, and we are happy to include them in our box and ceramic pot flower arrangements at this time of year.

The colours are mostly blues, pinks and white; and they all have a delightful perfume, the whites being the strongest scented.

We grow our bulbs out doors in poly trays and flower them at the normal time; but they can be grown in pots and forced to flower by altering the growing conditions and these are often available in stores early winter.

If you grow them in your garden, plant them in a well drained spot in sun or part shade. The main thing to watch out for is slugs which love to taste the flower buds; sprinkle of slug pellets around the plants should keep them at bay.

What is Florist Foam ?

2015-09-21T20:42:00+00:00

Florist foam comes in `bricks' which we cut to size as we need them; the foam is firm enough to hold its shape, but soft and easy to push flower stems into. The foam acts like a sponge and quickly soaks up water; which then is available for the flowers standing in the foam to use. Water that is used by the flowers is replaced by adding more.

At Flowers 4 Nelson our flowers are either made into bouquets or bunches to be placed in a vase of water; or into an arrangement of flowers in a box or ceramic pot/container.

In the arrangements we use wet floral foam which is placed in a plastic bowl, and then inside the box; or in the case of ceramic pots directly into the pot. The flowers stems are pushed into the florist foam which holds them in position and provides the flowers with water.

It is important to remember to add a little water to the florist foam every day or so to keep the flowers supplied with water; the amount to add varies depending on the room temperature and the flowers; but is generally about half a cup every second day. The foam should feel damp; and you can also check that there is some surplus water in the plastic bowl that holds the foam by testing with the tip of your finger in the bowl.

Check out our video on flower care for more information on looking after flowers in your home.

Narcissus Flowers

2016-03-23T05:30:21+00:00

Probably the most well-known of all the spring flowering bulbs are the Narcissus commonly called daffodils. As a cut flower they look great in a vase on their own with a few stems of foliage.

There are hundreds of different varieties of daffodils and their presence in the garden or in a vase at home; reminds us of the coming of the spring season. The earliest to flower; (beginning in mid-winter) are the types that have many small individual flowers grouped together on the stem. We grow here the sweetly scented `Soleil d' Or' which has bright yellow flowers with bright orange centres. Also the lovely double flowered creamy white `Earlicheer' variety which is strongly scented. Both these varieties I like to use in posies in mid to late winter.

August and September is the time the large trumpet shaped flower varieties with one flower per stem, are flowering, and there are heaps of different types of these; they either have cream or yellow petals in various shades; and different shapes and colours of the central `cups'.

We grow some double flowered varieties of daffodil where the petals instead of being a row of 6 petals; have formed into many layers of petals and the central `cup' is much reduced, so that the flower looks similar to a camellia flower. These double varieties are a bit of a curiosity and they last for a long time in the vase.

Daffodils are pretty easy to grow in the garden in a sunny spot, the leaves pop up in winter, flowering in spring and by summer the leaves have died off and you can't see where in the garden they are. Luckily they seem to bury themselves fairly deeply in the soil so that I can plant flowering annuals over the top of where they are in the summer. The best time to buy and plant daffodils in your garden is February / March.

Ornamental Kale

2015-09-21T20:54:56+00:00

Brassica provide us with many vegetables for our kitchen but did you know as florists we use Brassica in floristry?

This year we have grown from seed in Feburary a variety of ornamental kale called 'Crane Red', the `flowers' are actually the central coloured leaves in the leafy rosette of the plant; and these last for 2 weeks or more when cut for the vase. In the garden the kale are flowering for 2 to 3 months over the winter period when little other colour is in the garden. The plants are fairly easy to grow; you just have to keep the caterpillars off them at the start (March / April); and then it is generally only the outer leaves that are affected. Other colours are available being creamy white, pinkish mauve and some with variegated green and white leaves.

What do you reckon; do you like them?

David Austin Roses

2015-09-21T21:01:04+00:00

Rose breeder David Austin's has the aim in rose breeding, is to combine the fragrance and charm of form and shape of the old roses; with the repeat flowering and wide colour range of the modern roses. The resulting roses selected from crossing old and modern roses were called "English Roses"; but in New Zealand we commonly refer to them as "David Austin Roses"

As a youngster David was allotted a little patch of land on his father's farm, to encourage a love of gardening; this started his experimentation and passion for breeding roses.

(This reminds me that my interest in gardening started when having moved to `town' from a dairy farm where there was always heaps to do, I would bother my mother with "what shall I do now". She gave me a patch of ground running alongside of a hedge; and that was my first garden )

The roses generally have large flowers with many petals; it is hard not be charmed by the David Austin roses available today, they are simply gorgeous and most have heavenly scent.

The David Austin roses are lovely in bouquets; but they are seldom available and definitely need to be pre-ordered. Summer brides often request them as they for fill the casual informal look of many wedding bouquets at the moment. The prices are high for the blooms due to there scarcity, but for a special occasion they are definitely worth it; and mixed with other flowers the cost is more acceptable.

In our garden we grow the varieties `Munstead Wood' and `Graham Thomas' and we have added this season; 'Heritage' 'Brother Cafael' and 'Clare Austin'

Take a look at the David Austin Roses web site; and if you are like me, you will want a pen and paper ready to note down the names of some of the beautiful varieties you would like for your own garden.

In the Nelson area local rose growers Tasman Bay Roses are able to supply many varieties by mail order and from their nursery in Motueka.

Cyclamen

2016-11-01T06:45:34+00:00

As a flowering potted plant for the winter there can be few that beat the colourful display of the Cyclamen. The Cyclamen is a perennial plant that grows from a swollen tuberous root. Flower colours include white, pink, purple, mauve, red and some are a mixture of shades. Cyclamen begin to grow new seasons foliage in early autumn and start to flower in late autumn; the foliage is often marbled and attractive in its own right. A well looked after Cyclamen will flower for two or three months inside; and after flowering is finished the plant can be placed outside under a hedge or in the shade somewhere and left pretty much to look after its self until late summer. In late summer begin to water the plant again; and maybe re-pot it into a slightly larger pot. The new foliage will begin to appear and the cycle starts over again.

When potting Cyclamen make sure the tuber is no more than half buried under the soil. A peaty compost rather than heavy clay soil is preferred.

Water the Cyclamen only until the water collects in the tray under the pot and no more; if the water in the tray has not been drunk up by the plant a few hours after watering then you have given too much water and you should empty out the water from the tray. Usually watering every two or three days is enough. Cyclamen are cool temperature plants and inside your house make sure the plants are not in a hot position; they wont like being in full sun or close to a fire or heater. As the individual flowers fade, remove them from the tuber by carefully twisting and pulling the complete flower stem from the plant; also remove any yellowing leaves the same way.

An interesting fact about Cyclamen is that the stems of the fertilised seed capsules will coil and spiral like a spring which pulls the capsule down to ground level so that the seeds when ripe are released onto the soil. This is more often noticed on plants growing outside where we are not so diligent about removing the spent flowers.

There are many different species of Cyclamen originating from Europe, the Mediterranean and Middle East; many of them are much smaller than those grown as flowering pot plants. If you have an alpine garden group in your area you are likely to find some of the cute miniature species for sale at there shows.

Mothers Day Nelson Flowers

2015-09-21T21:02:23+00:00

Mothers Day is a chance for you to send one of the most important people in your world a "thank you Mum" bunch of flowers.

Flowers 4 Nelson will be busy making bouquets and boxes of flowers all weekend; and we are making deliveries both Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of May for Mothers day.

If you can't choose what to send online from our web site, give us a call 03 545 2196 and we will help you.

Calla Lily

2016-03-23T05:29:52+00:00

Calla lilies are becoming increasingly popular both in the garden and as a cut flower; as the blooms last approximately two weeks in the vase, and maybe longer on the plant; also in the garen the lovely speckled foliage is an attractive feature.

Callas flower naturally from late spring through to autumn; in the garden they enjoy an open sunny spot with good drainage. The tubers the plants grow from can be left undistrubed in the soil for years to make good size clumps. In winter the leaves die down and the tubers are dormant until spring growth starts a new season of flowers.

Calla flower colours range from white and cream to pinks, magenta, purples, yellow, orange, and one type is almost black in colour.

Brides often choose calla in their bouquets, and the blooms are sturdy and withstand the knocks and bumps they may recieve during the occasion. The simple shape of the blooms makes them suitable in modern as well as contempory bouquet styles.

Nelson ANZAC Day

2015-09-21T21:03:18+00:00

On 25 April 2015,New Zealand will commemorate the centenary of the ANZAC landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. What followed in 1915 was a bitter eight-month campaign that helped to forge our nation. to read more about the commemorations.

If your organisation or group would like to take part in the local Nelson commemorations for ANZAC Flowers 4 Nelson can make a colourful wreath of live flowers for you to lay at any of the ANZAC Day services. We can incorporate the colours of your organisation into the wreath design.

Chrysanthemum

2016-11-01T06:45:34+00:00

The Chrysanthemum flower originates from China and Japan and varieties have been grown in gardens for more than 1000 years.

The original Chrysanthemum have been developed and bred to make the varieties that we today use in floristry and our gardens. Colours in all shades of red, orange, yellow, green, mauve, and white are produced.

In floristry two main types of Chrysanthemum are the standard and the spray types.

Standard Chrysanthemum

Standards have one large flower per stem; this is achieved by the grower removing all but the central bud on the stem as the stems grow; so that only the one flower grows , and it grows much larger than it other ways would.

Spray Chrysanthemum

Spray Chrysanthemum have each stem bearing many lateral flowering stems with smaller flowers.

There are several different forms of flowers classified according to their petal arrangement; the most commonly known is the single daisy form; but also often seen are the ball shaped pompom the double anemone form and less commonly the spider and reflexed forms.

The Chrysanthemum flower is naturally triggered to start flowering by the shortening day lengths and lower temperatures of Autumn. In green houses both the temperature and the length of darkness of the night can be controlled , so that florists have Chrysanthemum available for use year round. Lucky for us this; as the Chrysanthemum is a truly useful flower and lasts 10 – 14 days or more in the vase.

If you receive as a gift a Chrysanthemum potted plant; keep it inside and well watered while it is flowering and you should have it looking great for a month or more. Once it has finished flowering cut the stems right back to just above ground level and let the new growth from the ground level begin, before removing the plant from the pot and planting it in your garden. Be aware that the plant in the garden will grow to about a meter high, even though it was much shorter in the pot.

First Dance for Wedding Couples in Nelson

2015-09-21T21:04:48+00:00

Couples getting married in Nelson are increasingly turning to local business Quick Step to Dance to give them the confidence and skills to make “the first dance” on their wedding night a great success.

Dance instructor Paul meets with the couple and they discuss the music that the couple wish to dance to. Paul will then choreograph a routine especially for them.

Six private lessons follow during which the couple receive one on one tuition in order for them to learn the steps of their personalised routine.

This is a great service and makes “the first dance” something that is classy and memorable on the wedding night.

For more information go to www.quicksteptodance.co.nz or telephone 03 545 2231

Celosia

2015-09-21T21:05:28+00:00

You have most likely seen flower bouquets and arrangements in late summmer and autumn with vivid bright red and orange flowers; which look most unusual.

These are Celosia argentea, the flowers have a velvety or feathery appearance, and there are two main types.

The feathery type remind me of our native toi toi flowers, but they are much smaller in size than toi toi. These are the Plumosa group.

The other type are commonly called 'brains' as the form of the flower is cauliflower or brain like. These are the Cristata group.

This year we have grown both types in our gardens, and have enjoyed using them to make bright bouquets and arrangements for our customers.

Colours are bright and mostly in the red and orange to yellow tonings. The plants are annuals and originate in tropical areas of Africa and Asia.

If you search in early summer, you can find seedlings of dwarf types in local nurseries ( they don't seem to grow the tall ones) ; they are quite easy to grow in a fertile soil in a sunny warm spot in the garden. We bought in seed of the tall varieties that we need for floristry.

Mothers Day UK

2015-09-21T21:05:55+00:00

Mother's Day in the UK is March 15th this year; and with nine to ten percent of Nelson cities population having been born in the UK or Ireland; we always get orders for flower deliveries for UK Mother's Day to Mums living in Nelson NZ.

Pineapple Lily

2016-03-23T05:33:27+00:00

Late January and Feburary are the flowering time for the pineapple lily in our gardens. So named because although not a true lily it is in the lily family and because the tops of the flowers have a green tuft of foliage which resembles the fruit of the pineapple's green tuft of foliage.

Botanically the genus is called Eucomis and the plant grows from large fleshy bulbs, which are completely dormant over winter.

The Eucomis are native to Africa, and grow well in New Zealand in areas that dont get hard frosts in winter.

The tall spikes of flowers grow to about a meter tall usually, and the flower colours are creamy green with a deep mauve spot in the centre. Seed pods after flowering are shades of green and attractive in their own right.

The flowers are long lasting on the plant; and when cut for floristry last 2 weeks or more in the vase. we love them here at Flowers 4 Nelson and grow several large clumps in our gardens. We also have a smaller growing variety with pinkish flowers and mauve purple foilage.

Bridal Flowers Quotes

2015-09-21T21:07:08+00:00

Interesting for brides and everyone really to see the florist side of pricing flowers; a lot of work goes into making wedding flowers just the dream flowers that have always been wanted. maybe a bit over stated in some areas, but it gives you a look at the "other" perspective.

Why centre pieces can't cost $20 per table

Penny A Bunch

2016-11-01T06:45:34+00:00

Passing down through the generations on my Mum’s side of my family is a lovely framed print of what we have always called the Penny A Bunch Painting.

From my earliest memories I recall the print hanging on the living room wall of my Grandparents home in Palmerston North.

With the passing of my parents it was a lovely surprise to find I am now custodian of the family print.

This print is around 114years old, and  by the British artist G E Hicks. It   Depicts a pretty girl with blue eyes selling her violets; and is signed by GE Hicks 99.

Painted in Launceston Tasmania, Hicks met this child on a casual trip and was enchanted with her…and asked to paint her.

Paeony Rose time in New Zealand

2016-03-23T05:34:26+00:00

Beautiful in the garden and in the vase Paeony roses are many peoples favourite flower.

The modern day Paeonies have been breed from the Chinese species, and are available in a range of shades of pink, white, and red.

The ball shaped buds, open to huge frothy blooms of colour, that most of us can not resist. Some of the varieties have scented flowers.

The early Paeony varieties start flowering in late October and the last varieties flower until mid December.

Peonies are a popular choice by brides for their wedding flowers.

The Paeony is a good plant to grow in the garden in areas with cold winters, which it needs to grow and flower well; most of the South Island and the central North Island areas are ideal.

Button Hole and Corsage - How to wear.

2015-09-21T21:08:56+00:00

Button Hole

Most men the first time they will wear a button hole is at their wedding; and if they are left to their own devises on wedding day without help of the fairer sex, they may have a few problems working out how to attach the button hole to the jacket. I thought it would be useful to give some direction here.

The button hole will usually have one to several flowers and some foliage all taped together to make a button hole with a single stem. The button hole is pinned to the left lapel of the jacket ( over the heart); it does not poke through a button hole on the jacket. Florists supply pearl headed pins with your button hole so that you can secure them to your jacket lapel.

Hold your button hole in place on your jacket lapel with the stem facing down; then from the back of the lapel poke the pin through so that it appears at the front of the lapel; direct the pin over the button hole stem at a position just under the flower, and then back into the lapel on the other side so that it holds the button hole firmly onto the jacket. Try to make the point of the pin finish up resting into the bulk of the fabric or slightly to the outside, certainly not poking into your skin.

It is a good idea if you are pinning it on your-self to do it with the jacket off.

Lady's Button hole

Ladies can also wear a button hole; the design is slightly different with a ladies’ button hole being made of a group of several smaller flowers with a ribbon bow underneath them. They are generally also pinned onto the left side just below the shoulder.

Corsage

More traditionally the ladies wear a wedding corsage which is an arrangement of small flowers, which has a slightly curved back so that it sits just above the breast on the left side of the dress or gown. The main stem of the corsage points downward and the corsage should be on an angle pointing slightly away from the face of the wearer.

Your florist should supply two pins with each corsage for attachment. The corsage is pinned from one side of the main corsage stem, across the top of the stem and back into the dress on the other side, before the point is directed back out of the fabric to end with the point of the pin sitting just to the outside. Pinning through a bra strap can give more solid support if the dress fabric is light. The second pin should be used to secure the corsage in a similar fashion at the top, pinning across the stem just below the flower heads at the top. Make sure the corsage is sitting firmly in place.

Corsages can also be made to be worn on the wrist, they are usually of a slightly rounder shape than shoulder corsages, and are attached to a decorative elastic based wrist band.

Shoulder corsages can pinned or tied to hand bags instead of being pinned to the dress; just let your florist know if they are to be tied on so that the florist can attach some tie ribbon for attachment.

New vase from Vietnam trip

2016-03-23T05:35:15+00:00

I loved the look of this bamboo and lacquer vase from a town in Northern Vietnam and just had to have it for our corporate work. This week I got the first opportunity to use the vase; and here share the result with you. A lovely feature of the vase is that the reverse side is a very different pattern in the same colours. The vase was made in a factory that employes workers with disability; to give them a chance at a meaningful product life.

Flowers in the arrangement are green standard Chrysanthemum, red Telopea (waratah) pink Hippeastrum, and red Alstromeria.

Bromelaids

2015-09-21T21:10:10+00:00

We have beautiful bromelaid plants available, which make ideal gifts for Fathers Day, or any time of the year.

Long lasting and easy to care for we stock Guzmania species which have large arching rosettes of foliage with in the centre large brightly coloured leaf bracts in colours of red, orange and yellows.

We also stock Vriesea, which are bromelaids that have smaller rosettes and a striking shield shaped spikes of flowers from the centre in vivid colours of red, orange and yellows.

Bromelaids are very easy to care for and only need a little water every week or so, the plants should be watered by adding water to the centre of the plant where all the foliage meets. The plants enjoy a warm brightly lit position, but not in full sun. They can tolerate our low winter temperatures, but not frost.

Bromelaids will flower for about four months, and once the flower is finished the plant will produce baby plants from around the base of the plant; these babies can be grown on to produce new flowering plants.

Flower Food / Preservsative

2015-09-21T21:10:40+00:00

The purpose of adding flower food to the vase water of cut flowers is threefold.

Firstly as the flowers have been removed from the growing plant, they can no longer access the food supply of the plant they were growing on provided them. So adding sugar to the water provides the food energy for the flower to expand and remain healthy.

Making sure the water solution is of the correct pH or acidity is important as low pH water (pH=3.5) travels faster in the flower stems, thereby preventing or reducing wilting of the flowers. Adding vinegar to the solution provides us with the correct pH for the flowers.

Thirdly, when we add sugar to the water, that also can provide nutrients for bacteria to grow in the water, which we don't want happening as that makes the water green and smelly. By adding bleach to the water we prevent the growth of bacteria.

When you receive a bouquet of flowers from Flowers 4 Nelson we provide you with a sachet of flower food / preservative which you add to the water in your vase. Every 2nd or 3rd day you should completely change the vase water, with fresh water; and you will need to add flower food / preservative to this. The following recipe will give you the means to make this your self at home.

To make your own flower preservative. (This recipe simulates what the flower food sachets that usually come with bunches of flowers provides.)

To 1 litre of water add

¼ teaspoon bleach ( careful not to splash it on your clothes)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar

stir in a container to dissolve and mix before adding to your vase.

Flowers Bouquet Wrapping

2015-09-21T21:11:08+00:00

Bouquets of flowers are wrapped in coloured papers and fabrics, to enhance the look of the completed bouquet; as well as to help protect the flowers during delivery.

The choice of the wrap can contrast with the flower colours to make them stand out more. It can also complement the flower colours and blend in with the colours and shades of the flowers for a more subtle look.

When you receive a bouquet of flowers we suggest you leave the paper wrap around the bouquet, and with this in mind we don't swamp the bouquet with paper (as we have seen elsewhere), we wrap so that the flowers can be easily seen within the wrap; and the flowers remain the stars of the bouquet.

Cymbidium Orchids

2015-09-21T21:11:33+00:00

In New Zealand we are lucky as florists to have a good supply of New Zealand grown cymbidium orchid flowers over the winter / spring months for use in our floral displays. I really enjoyed making the lovely large display recently for one of our customers.

Cymbidium Orchids have a tropical look to them, but grow very well in New Zealand conditions as potted plants which can be bought indoors over winter when the flowering occurs; Cymbidium species come from the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal, running through China and Japan, Indochina down through Malaysia to Australia. The hybrids of today like a cool growing area with dappled sunlight during the heat of the day. An ideal position would be under a tree with access to the wind and the rain and part-shade over the summer and autumn months.

The flowers last for two to three weeks when picked, and make a stunning addition to any floral arrangement. The individual flowers with a bit of foliage added make excellent button holes.

Flower colour ranges from deep burgundy, dark and light pink, green, yellows, bronze, and white; with many having a splash of different colours on the lip petal.

Roses Time for Pruning

2015-09-21T21:11:53+00:00

Three years ago I had a garden with 4 roses. Yesterday as I went about pruning the roses in my garden I counted 20. Now how did that happen?

It is amazing to find how easy it is to collect plants that you like isn't it?

I have chosen roses that have a good scent; and this years additions (only 2) the rose grower told me when I went to collect the plants a few weeks ago; were about the most scented roses in his nursery. They are 'Munstead Wood' a David Austin type deep burgundy red; and 'Compasion' a peachy pink .

Campanula 'Betty Mae`

2017-04-17T02:14:42+00:00

Now for a good story…from many years ago when I had a nursery in Wakefield Nelson growing plants; I raised from seed some low growing Campanula plants. One looked to have different foliage and growth from the rest and when it flowered, the flowers were also a different shape and form. It was a beautiful little plant so I selected the plant to propagate and named it after my Mum: Campanula `Betty Mae`.

As I moved house subsequently I would move the plant or progeny from it to my new home. Then in 2004 I moved to Brisbane, and rented my present home for 7 years. On my return to the property the plants I had here had died, and as far as I knew the plant was lost forever.
Today out of the blue I got a phone call from a nurseryman in Christchurch, wanting information about the plant, as he had been given a slip of it from a lady in Nelson who had gotten some from me all those years ago.
He still has the plant and is propagating it, and has promised to bring a plant up to me some time.

Imagine how happy I am!!!
Wow I thought it was lost forever; and all I had is a photo of it.
One of the great things about gardening and flowers is the sharing, and how many memories that can bring.