Have you ever had a knock at the door only to open it and have an impressive bouquet of flowers waiting on the other side? Or, maybe a flower arrangement sent to your office or workplace. No matter where you are, receiving flowers you weren’t expecting is always a fantastic surprise.

Once your flowers are safely inside your home you are challenged with the task of displaying them. For some this is easy but for others they may need a bit of guidance. Read on to learn how you can keep your flowers looking their best. 

Find a Vase

Your first step is going to be finding a vase or vessel large enough to hold your flowers. Make sure you find a vase big enough to safely hold all of the flowers and water without toppling over. If you have been lucky enough to receive a flower arrangement already in a vase then you don’t need to worry about this step. 

Unwrap Your Flowers

Carefully unwrap your bouquet and remove any cellophane, hessian or paper wrapping. It’s best to lay your flowers on a flat surface while doing this so that you don’t accidently lose any flowers. Generally bouquets are held together with rubber bands or twine which you can remove before adding to your vase. Keep an eye out for a sachet of flower food that your florist may have included. This is to be added to the vase water to help your flowers last longer. 

Prepare the Vase

Prepare your vase by making sure it is thoroughly clean. Soapy water can be used to give your vase a good clean but make sure you remove all soap suds before adding your flowers. Once clean, fill your vase with fresh water and add in the flower food (if you received any). 

Add Your Flowers

If you are happy with the current arrangement of your fresh flowers then you can add them straight to the freshwater. Otherwise, you can use your own creative flair to rearrange your flowers into an arrangement that you like. A florist will always use flowers and foliage to create a stunning arrangement, however, don’t feel afraid to change it up.

Display Your Flowers

For some, this can be the hardest step. Finding the right place to display your fresh flowers can be a tricky business. In the kitchen, in the lounge room, in the bedroom, where will you put them? Consider your home’s colour scheme and add the flowers to the room you think the flowers compliment best. Don’t be shy to change it up, there are no rules when it comes to displaying your flowers so try to think outside the box. Or, simply display them in the room you spend the most time so you can stop to admire them. If you’re stuck for ideas, FlowerFlow has come up with a few great ideas to display flower arrangements. 

Maintenance

Once you have arranged the flowers and put them up on display, make a note to check on your flowers every few days. Change the water as needed so that it stays nice and clear. You can also cut an inch off of the stems of your flowers to ensure they stay fresh and can suck up the water they need. Remove any brown or dead flowers or foliage to keep your arrangement looking its best. Click here to learn tips to make your flowers last longer. 

The FlowerFlow Difference

FlowerFlow is dedicated to providing fresh flowers to wholesalers and retails, ensuring that your surprise flowers are stunning every time and last as long as possible. Contact us to learn more about the flowers and foliage we can provide all year round.

Sending flowers to a sick relative or friend in hospital is a great way to show that you are thinking of them during a difficult time. Not all visits to hospital are bad though, the arrival of a new family member is always a time for celebration. With a multitude of health benefits, fresh flowers will brighten up any hospital room, regardless of the situation. 

Before you send any flowers to a hospital there are a few things you should take into consideration. 

Will the Hospital Accept Flowers

Before you send any flowers make sure you check if the hospital will accept flowers at all. Depending on what unit of the hospital your loved one is one, you may be restricted with what you can send. Burns units, ICU and Children’s wards generally do not allow fresh flowers.Your florist should have an idea of what hospitals allow fresh flowers but if in doubt, call the hospital directly. 

Think Hypoallergenic

Flower allergies are very common and can affect patients and hospital staff. When choosing flowers look for anything that would be considered hypoallergenic or that doesn’t have exposed pollen. Steer clear from flowers like Lillies that have a tendency to drop pollen. Instead try Roses, Carnations or Chrysanthemums as the pollen in these flowers are found inside the flower and at minimal risk of setting off allergies. 

Consider Bouquet Size

When choosing a flower arrangement it can be easy to think bigger is better but in a hospital setting that isn’t always the case. Big flower arrangements take up a lot of room and can get in the way of vital hospital equipment. If your friend or loved one is in a shared room their available space will be whittled down to a small set of draws making a smaller boxed arrangement or vase a better option. 

Woody Stems or Floral Foam

If your loved one is in for a long hospital stay, look for flowers with a woody stem or ask your florist to add floral foam to the arrangement. Nurses don’t prioritise changing flower water so you want to make sure that your flowers can last as long as possible. Woody stems don’t go soggy like other flower stems meaning the water can last a bit longer before needing to be changed. If that isn’t an option for you, ask your florist to use floral foam as this will hold water in without affecting the stems as quickly. 

Use a Professional Florist

Hospital rules and regulations are strict for a reason. The health of their staff and patients is their utmost priority. Working with a reputable florist will give you the best flower arrangement possible for the situation. They know the ins and outs of each hospital and what they will and won’t accept. They will also work with you to create a long lasting, beautiful arrangement that adds a pop of colour to your loved ones hospital room.

Work with FlowerFlow

The team at FlowerFlow are well versed in creating stunning fresh flower bouquets. With many options available we can cater for all needs – whether you are looking for an arrangement bursting with colour or something a bit more subtle, we can help!

Flowers make great additions to any table, be it a small family gathering or bigger, more formal events. With so many options available to you, you can style your table in any way that you like. 

Big statement pieces or small pops of colour, fresh flowers on your table will really take the setting to the next level. 

We have put together 5 ways that you can easily add fresh flowers into your table setting.

1. The Centrepiece
   A table centrepiece is the perfect way to add colour to a table and help bring everything together. The best part about a centrepiece is that it can be anything that you want. The freedom to make a table centrepiece anything you like means you can really get creative. For a long table you may consider a table runner kind of centrepiece that goes all the way down the table, or for small tables consider a large vase with tall sophisticated and elegant flowers. Centrepieces can also be used on small tables, say a two person table. Make your own using a vase or jar and fill it with bursting pops of colour.

2. Place Holders
   At more formal events or where there is to be a large table, you may consider place holders. Place holders essentially tell people where they will be sitting during the event. Generally this is a piece of card with the person’s name written on it. To create a unique placeholder, incorporate fresh flowers. A single bloom laid gently in front of the placeholder can be enough to make the card stand out.

3. Napkins
   Any table setting will have a napkin at each seating place. For formal occasions this is generally a cloth napkin folded either into an elegant design or just neatly folded. A fresh flower tucked into the napkin and placed either on the guests plate or next to their knife settings will help bring everything together. Using fresh flowers in this way is extremely sophisticated when using a neutral colour scheme as the flowers will really pop.

4. On Plates
   If adding a flower into your napkin doesn’t sound appealing then consider a single bloom on your guests plate. Roses look fantastic strategically placed on a china white plate. The best part about this is that guests can easily remove them from the plate when it comes time to eat and your table setting will not be disturbed.

5. On Chairs
   If your chairs are leaving a bit to be desired but you want to add a bit of flare to them, consider adding some fresh flowers. Flowers can easily be wrapped about the backs of chairs or neatly tied to latticed backing. This is an easy way to help transform tired looking chairs.

Not many hosts think to make fresh flowers the main attraction of a table setting. First thoughts tend to sway towards fancy crockery, cutlery and glassware but using fresh flowers allows you to keep your serving plates and drinkware neutral and letting the flowers add colour while still remaining elegant. For events held at home, this is a great way to change up your table setting each time you host an event without spending thousands on new crockery.

Speak to the FlowerFlow Team

If you are hosting an event and need help choosing the perfect flowers to compliment your table setting, speak to the experts at FlowerFlow. We will be able to help take your table setting to the next level. We can also provide fresh flowers to large events all year around so you can ensure your table setting will be the talk of all your guests for weeks after your event.

Selling your home is probably one of the most stressful things you will do during your lifetime. No matter how much you prepare the home before you sell it, there will always be a touch of doubt that you haven’t done enough. While that more than likely isn’t true, there may be one small touch that you hadn’t thought of.

Fresh flowers in the home during walk through inspections.

There are a number of reasons to include fresh flowers in your home while potential buyers are walking through. 

1. Aesthetics
   It’s no surprise that flowers add a lot of appeal to any home. Fresh flowers are stunning to look at and add a touch of class and elegance to any property you are trying to sell. A fresh vase strategically placed in the kitchen, bathroom, hallway or by the front entrance will help to grab the attention of visitors coming for inspections, creating a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Don’t forget, as a seller, you want to create an environment where a buyer can see themselves living. 
2. Feel
   As we have mentioned in previous articles, fresh flowers have the power to transform a person’s emotions and help unlock creativity, relieve anxiousness and stress to create a calm feeling. This still applies when trying to sell your house. Pairing flowers with the feel of the house will make all the difference. For example, if you are trying to sell a modern property, then invest in a stunning flower arrangement that looks polished and refined. Alternately, if you home has more of a country theme, you may try something a little more rustic that helps play up the country home feel. You will be surprised how much of an impact a flower arrangement can make during these times. 
3. Smell
   Ok, this one is a bit of a given but we all know how amazing fresh flowers can smell. You may have heard some of the tricks that real estate agents use to make a house smell nice while walk throughs are happening. Some of these include, baking a cake, lighting strong scented candles and plug in wall sprays. While these are all great ways to make a house smell nice, to some it can be overpowering and too much. Remember that not everyone loves a strong scent so fresh flowers placed around the house are a great alternative. Flowers will help make your home smell nice and fresh without overpowering potential buyers.  
4. Surrounds
   What about the outside of your home? You don’t have to have a large backyard to benefit from some foliage outside. While this doesn’t have to be anything over the top, a splash of green colour will help draw the eye and make the area more appealing. Around the front entrance of the home consider neutrals such as roses, lilies and jasmine, all of which has been proven to increase curb appeal. Just remember not to overdo it. Less is best unless you want to give off jungle vibes!

If you are selling your home make sure you contact the team at Flower Flow to help you choose the best flower arrangements to help increase your homes appeal. Our team will work with you to create stunning pieces that will last for more than one open home and help show your home at its all time best.

Fresh flowers are a great addition to any office. No matter the size, an office will thrive with the addition of colourful flowers to brighten up the working space. Not only will your workspace look brighter but employees with benefit from fresh flowers as well.

There are a number of benefits that employees get from having fresh flowers in the workplace. These include improved concentration, creativity and overall mental health. There are, however, a few things to consider before you jump in and choose your fresh flowers.

1. Where Will the Flowers be Displayed
   Before you think about what flowers you want, you need to think about where you will display your fresh flowers. This is a big factor in the decision process as you want the flowers to fit into the space, not stick out like a sore thumb. If you are looking for a boardroom table arrangement then consider smaller bouquets or longer runner style arrangements that still allow for easy conversation. Alternately, if you are looking for an arrangement that will sit in your entrance way then you may want to look for a taller more vibrant display.

2. How Long Do You Want The Flowers
   Longevity is another key point that you need to think about. If your flower arrangement is only being used for an event or celebration date then you can take advantage of pretty much any flower available from your florist. However, if you are looking for a longer-lasting display, speak to your florist about options available for longer-lasting blooms. Carnations and Chrysanthemums are a great addition to any long-lasting fresh flower arrangement.

3. Colour Scheme
   Does your office or workplace have a colour scheme? Consider this as part of your flower arrangement. Your fresh blooms can work harmoniously with surrounding settings and complement your working area. Looking for something more subtle? No worries! Working with a reputable florist will ensure that your colour scheme is as subtle or as vibrant as you like.

4. Consider Employees
   Hang on, how can flowers affect employees? For some people fresh flowers are beautiful to look at, for others fresh flowers can be an allergy nightmare. Consider your employees before you invest in office blooms. If you do have any employees that suffer from allergies and you still want to invest in a stunning flower arrangement then speak to your florist. They will be able to advise what blooms are hypoallergenic.

5. Care and Maintenance
   Before your new blooms arrive in your office make sure you appoint an employee to care and look after the fresh flowers. While it’s easy to set and forget, fresh flowers need a little bit of TLC to keep them looking their best. Freshwater and removal of any old foliage will ensure your blooms are kept looking their best for as long as possible. You can learn more about looking after fresh flowers here.

6. Speak to Your Florist
   If you have been tasked with organising the office flowers but aren’t sure what you need then speak to your local fresh flower supplier. They have the knowledge and expertise to help you put together a stunning flower arrangement that everyone in your workplace will love!
   

To learn more about fresh flowers for your office or workplace event then speak to the team at FlowerFlow today!

These days there is a lot of focus on recycling and upcycling our old items in order to become more environmentally friendly and “green”. Generally, when you think of upcycling you would think of furniture and other household knick-knacks that can be reused, but what about your flowers?

Just like many other items you can upcycle your old flowers. Wondering how you can do it? Read on.

Flower Pressing
Flower pressing is something that you probably have done as a kid one rainy day to keep yourself occupied for a few minutes, but, flower pressing is coming back in a big way. Pressing flowers is a great way to keep flowers that you have an attachment to eg, wedding flowers, anniversary flowers or even birthday flowers.

All you need to press your flowers is either a wooden flower press or a big heavy book. Put the flowers that you want to press under your book or in your flower press and leave for around 3 weeks. This will flatten the flower and dry it out, leaving you with a perfect sentimental keepsake.

Drying Flowers
Drying flowers is a really simple way to preserve your beautiful blooms. Simple to do, drying your flowers will make them last for ages and add a rustic look and feel to the area you present them. Use a rubber band or piece of string to tie the stems of your flowers together then hang them upside down in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Over the coming weeks, you will notice the flowers dry up and the colours of your blooms change. Dried flowers can last years so make sure to put them on display for everyone to enjoy.

Homemade Potpourri
If you love potpourri then why not make your own with your favourite blooms. Using your already dried flowers add them to an old jam or mason jar and add in any extra herbs you like. Essential oil can also be included to help make your potpourri smell stronger. Put the lid on your jar and leave for a few weeks. The longer you leave your potpourri the stronger your potpourri jar will smell.

Body Scrubs
Fancy yet simple homemade body scrubs are extremely popular. If you are looking to dry some of your flowers out then you can use them to incorporate into your own DIY body scrub. Roses and rose petals are mainly used in body scrubs but you can use any flower of choice. All you need is coconut oil, sugar, essential oil of your choice (optional) and your dried flowers. Using dried flowers pretties up the scrub and makes a fantastic gift with a feminine touch.

Add To Your Bath
If you love to indulge in a bath every now and then, rose petals are a great addition. Not only do they help add hydration to the skin but they look amazing floating on top of the water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the water or a bath oil of your choice to add calming smells and extra hydration to the bath.

Speak to Us Today

FlowerFlow love to help you put together visually stunning fresh flower arrangements for any occasion. Speak to our team today to see how we can help you.

Times are changing and flowers are no longer seen as a gift just for women. With so many fresh flower choices available these days, there is always something for everyone. Masculine flowers are a great way to show someone that you care without them feeling like they have received a gift meant for someone else.

White Lilies
White lilies are a great flower choice for a man as the colour is very neutral. White lilies can easily fit into a masculine home or office setting without seeming too out of place. There are also numerous benefits to having fresh flowers in your home or office, such as adding a calm touch to the room and helping to improve concentration when focusing on difficult tasks.

Gerberas
These flowers are said to bring cheerfulness to the receiver. So, if this is the idea you are after then why not consider an arrangement containing gerberas. Consider more masculine colours such as deep reds, whites and oranges. Steer clear of pastel colours as these tend to feel more feminine.

Peace Lily
While this isn’t something that you could put into a bouquet, a Peace Lily plant is a great start for any man who isn’t used to receiving fresh flowers. The Peace Lily plant is full of green foliage with hints of white from the flower itself. A subtle piece which can be brought into any room or office. Acting as an air purifier, this plant would perfectly suit an office space to help with focus, concentration and creativity.

Bird of Paradise
More of a statement piece, bird of paradise is perfect to send to a man. It is often said that men look for statement pieces over what looks pretty and nice so, the bird of paradise makes for a perfect choice. 

Roses
While roses are often given as a romantic gesture, roses are perfect for men too. Simple yet elegant, you can’t go wrong with an arrangement of roses. As previously mentioned, stick to more masculine and neutral colours such as whites, oranges, deep reds and even purples. 

Flowers and Their Meanings
Flowers are chosen for a number of different reasons however you can’t go wrong when choosing your fresh flowers based on their colour meaning. Read our previous blog on fresh flowers and their meanings to learn more about what flower clours suit your needs.

Still Not Sure?
Speak to the experts at FlowerFlow today, we can help you create a stunning yet masculine flower arrangement for any occasion, for any man.

Like many of us who suffer from seasonal allergies and hayfever, coming in contact with fresh flowers can be a recipe for disaster. Runny eyes and nose, constant sneezing and itchy eyes are just some of the symptoms that come with allergies. While extremely uncomfortable and annoying, allergy symptoms aren’t a great look if you are attending a special event such as a wedding, event fundraiser, birthday celebration or even a funeral. So, are there any flowers that are actually hypoallergenic?

Yes! Even if you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, there are fresh blooms that you can enjoy without fear of a reaction. 

Why Do You Suffer From Allergies

Basically put, some flowers rely on the wind to help their pollen travel in order for the plant or flower to reproduce. These plants are monoecious which means either male or female. If you suffer from allergies then dioecious plants are your new best friend. These are plants that do not rely on the wind for reproduction and pollination and in turn do not cause allergic reactions. 

Roses

You can’t go wrong with a bouquet of roses.These stunning flowers are very low on pollen which makes them a great choice for allergen sufferers. A versatile bloom which can be used in a number of ways from simple thank you flowers to wedding bouquets and table centre pieces. Roses can hold their own in any floral arrangement. Best of all, you will be spoilt for colour choice as roses come in hundreds of colours options. 

Lilies

If roses aren’t quite up your alley then why not indulge in abeautiful Lily arrangement.There are some members of the Lily family that produce low pollen so are great for allergies. The best part about Lilies is the pollen pods can easily be removed. All you need is a tissue and soft touch to gently pull the pods off of their stalk. Like roses, Lilies come in lots of different colours, from vibrant yellows to deep blush reds and pinks. 

Carnations

Add a pop of colour and texture to your bouquet with Carnations. Ruffled and crimped petals really help bring floral arrangements together and that extra bit of elegance. Available in bright or pastel colours, you will be able to find a Carnation that perfectly suits your design vision.

Hydrangeas

Add volume and sophistication to your arrangement. Hydrangeas are perfect for allergy sufferers. Low on pollen but high on colour and vibrancy, you will love how full and voluminous Hydrangeas can look. Experiment with purples and blues to really make your bouquet of flowers pop and stand out from the rest.

Tulips

Tulips are one of those flowers that can stand by itself. Stunning on their own or part of a floral arrangement, Tulips are absolutely fantastic for eliminating allergy symptoms. Create a Tulip bouquet and add in a host of different colours. Experiment with whites, yellows, oranges, dusty pinks and purples. Tulips make the perfect bouquet of flowers for a friend or loved one. 

Learn More

Want to learn more about hypoallergenic flowers? Or, have a big event coming up and want to make sure that your flowers are allergen free?Contact the team at Flower Flow today to discuss your needs and see how we can help make your special event that bit more special.

If you have ever been a hospital patient or have been to visit someone in hospital you will know that the rooms are generally pretty bare and boring. There are a number of reasons to send someone flowers during their hospital stay, but there are a few things to consider first.

Before we dive into the nitty gritty, let’s point out the reasons why fresh flowers are great for hospital patients.

1. They brighten up the room
   This point may seem pretty straight forward but fresh flowers are a great way to brighten up a hospital room. Patients often find themselves staring at the walls with nothing to do during their time in hospital. A bouquet of flowers will help give the patient something to focus on that will add a bit of colour to their day.
2. A patient will feel special
   If you are ill enough to have to go into hospital then it’s understandable that any hospital patient will feel a bit down and sad. Sending a bunch of flowers to a friend or loved one is a great way to let them know that you are thinking of them during their time in hospital. While no one likes having to stay in hospital, there are some people that find hospital a very overwhelming place so knowing that someone is thinking of them and taken the time to send flowers can help take the edge off.
3. It gives you a reason to visit
   Hospital days can feel very long between doctor and nurse visits. Fresh flowers give you a great excuse to pop in for a visit. The patient will be happy to see a face they recognise while helping to break the day up. Delivering the flowers yourself will also mean you get the see the result that your flowers have.

What to consider

While these are three great reasons to give your friend or loved one a mood and room brightening bunch of fresh flowers, there are a few things you need to consider before picking the flowers for your arrangement.

1. Check what part of the hospital the patient is in
   All hospitals accept flowers, right? Wrong! Flowers are generally accepted on general wards however it is important to check first. Emergency, Intensive Care, Burns and some Natal wards do not allow flowers. This is because they can pose a risk to anyone who has a high chance of contracting infection. For this reason, many hospitals will refuse all sorts of fresh flowers.
2. Think about flower choice
   Many people have pollen allergies. While your patient may not have any pollen allergies, other patients, nurses or doctors on the ward might. Stick to flowers that don’t have any obvious pollen exposure. Safe flowers include roses, carnations and chrysanthemums. This is because the pollen is deep inside the flower and not exposed like other flowers such as Lilies.
3. Don’t choose a big arrangement
   While it may seem tempting to buy the biggest bouquet that you can afford, a small to medium size arrangement is best. Don’t forget that hospital rooms are bare for a reason, too much “stuff” in the room can get in the way of nurses and doctors performing their jobs. So, smaller arrangements are preferred.
4. Provide a vase or boxed arrangement
   Not all hospitals will have a vase or glass that flowers can go in. If you have the option to choose a vase or boxed arrangement then that is your best bet to ensure your flowers are able to be displayed in your loved ones hospital room.

Speak to Your Florist

Next time you are looking for a bouquet of flowers to send to a hospital then speak to your local florist. They will have a good idea of what hospitals accept flowers and if so, what rules surround acceptable flowers. Before you know it your loved one will have a bright hospital room that they won’t might spending a bit of time in.