Country Cottage Inspired!

This is such a cute arrangement.  It was made by one of our designers, Sheryl, who loves to make unique and one of a kind designs. What brilliant colors and summer feel this arrangement has.  It makes me think of long walks in the country with wild flowers, birds, and bees fluttering by.  The vintage look of the birdhouse reminds me of our old 2 story farmhouse.  The summer heat could never keep us inside for long.  Our long country road was the best place to ride bikes and pick flowers for mom.  We spent our days outside then and loved every minute of it.  Long before the days of the internet and play stations kids actually enjoyed the outside!  Now I am not that old just that old fashioned :)  I can remember my dad saying "IN or OUT you are letting the flies in." or how about this one, "We are not paying to cool the outdoors".  Gotta love parents and the wisdom they instilled, I say those same things to my kids today!  So today go take a long walk in the warm summer air, as dad would say, "You think this is hot, wait till summer gets here".

This is such a lovely idea for someone who is having a party, housewarming, or just to say "Thinking of You".  

About this arrangement: This is an all wood container with whitewashed design.  This can later be used as a planter for an indoor or outdoor plant.  The picket fence area holds a fresh bouquet of flowers that include; sunflowers, carnations, mums, statice, and some delphinium.

Bromeliad Care

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Bromeliads are members of a plant family known as Bromeliaceae (bro-meh-lee-AH-say-eye).  This is one of our best selling house plants.  Bromeliads are a tropical plant that can be grown inside and out.  For our area it is best to have them as house plants or at least brought in for our harsh winters.  Bromeliads grow in many different colors, styles, and even claim the pineapple as one of their own.  The flower stalk is produced in the center of the plant and grows up as it blooms.  We have found that the stalk lasts several years, some of our clients have even claimed to have the stalk last for over 5 years on the same plant.   A small flower will bloom in the center of this colored foliage. Here are some care tips for the Bromeliads.

1. Give them adequate light.  A window with southern sunlight is ideal all year around.  Some varieties may even "burn" with direct sunlight.  Filtered or indirect sunlight is best as long as it is bright.  Different types of Bromeliads have different light needs.  Determine the type of flower and you can find the right lighting for it.

2. Water them properly. It is best to never allow the plant roots to stand in water but at the same time keep the soil evenly moist.  One way to water your bromeliad is to poor water down the center stalk, if you use this method make sure not to allow the water to pool in the stalk, this can cause rotting.  The bromeliads with a "tank" like to be watered that way best but they will absorb water from the roots as well.

3. Keep the correct temperature. For best growth these tropical plants like to have the room between 55 degrees and 85 degrees.  Most of the time the inside of your home should work just fine for that temperature range.  If the area they are in is cooler at night this will prolong the bloom life and even help enhance the color of your plant.  If your house is humid the temperature can even be a bit higher, bromeliads love the moisture in the air.

4.Fertilize the plant. Fertilizing is not required if your bromeliad is a house plant.  If you want to help stimulate growth use a water based plant fertilizer but only use about 1/2 of the recommended dose.

5. Repot the bromeliad if needed.  Most of the time repotting is required.  Bromeliads will produce a smaller version of themselves in the pot, these can be removed and potted to grow a new plant.  These plants normally take 2-3 years to bloom.

Bromeliads only bloom once in their life.  The small plant that they produce can be used to replace yours once the bloom has gone.  We do enjoy the greenery of a bromeliad almost as much as the bloom and you may as well.  If you have any questions on the care of your bromelaid don't hesitate to call us 217-875-9038.

For more plant care tips see our list of best plant care sites on the web here.

Easter Seals

Easter Seals 9th Miranda Jess Softball Challenge July 31st at the Northwest Diamonds in Decatur. This year we have added a double elimination tournament and we will still have our regular games. Double elimination cost is $100.00 per team and must be coed. Regular game cost is still only $50 and can have up to 12 playe...rs. Call Easter Seals at 429-1052 x110 for more information

For more information see: Teri Johnon Moore's Facebook Profile

Free Flower Day~

Don't miss our next free flower day!
Saturday July 17th, 2010
Will be our next free flower day.  On Saturday stop in to the store and pick up your free "sunshine bouquet".  This bouquet is FREE and we do not require a purchase.  We just want you to come in and say hello, maybe take a look around to see our new fall merchandise.  This is just our way of thanking all of our customers, fans, and friends for all of their support.

Have you ever wondered how to care for your flowers once you get them home?  Visit our Care & Handling blog for details.

Something to smile about!

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This is one of our all time favorite "just because" arrangements.  We love to suggest this when someone calls and asks for something "bright and cheery".  You can just see the sunshine in this bouquet.  Daisies are a hearty and long lasting flower so the smiles will go on and on.  
Daisies are also a mild scented flower so it works well for people with allergies or sensitivity to strong scents. 
Whatever the occasion this bouquet is certain to brighten any ones day!
~To order yours call us at 217-875-9038 or visit us online at www.secretgardendecatur.com

3/50 Project

The other day while surfing the web I came across a website called "The 3/50 Project".  My interest was peaked so I went in to take a look around.  The first line on the page was this: "What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared?"  Wow!  That got me thinking... what businesses are around that I could not live without?  Well Krekle's ... but then again it was almost dinner time.  New To You Resale shop... that is my favorite place to bargain hunt.  Tasty's ... did I mention I was hungry at this point.  Well that's my 3 but my mind kept working... Farmer's Market is a must have!  What about Pastabilities, yes still hungry.  Well heck could not live without my own shop either!  Now I'm at 6 and my mind was still racing through all the places I go.  Now I go back to reading and I see that if 1/2 of the US population spent just $50.00 a month in small businesses it would generate 42.6 BILLION, yes that's Billion with a B, in revenue.  Talk about a recession buster! 
So how can I help?  Well I can help by supporting the people that support us.  Going to local shops and restaurants more and really taking the time to thank them for being around.  We are supposed to take my daughter to see "Eclipse" soon and I think we will go downtown.  We will eat at Pastabilites and see the show at The Avon!  That will be a good start.  If we get down there earlier enough I would like to walk around some of the shops and maybe pick up a few things for the office at Haines & Essick.
How can you help?  It's simple.  Commit to spending $50.00 a month among 3 independent businesses.  That is all you have to do!  Now that is not $50.00 at each business that is $50.00 for the month.  Of course all of us small business owners would love it if you spent more but that is not what the project is about. The project is to help the community by reinvesting in the people who make that community so great.  The 3/50 project also says that for every $100.00 spent in small businesses $68.00 is returned to the community where that business is located.  This is through taxes, payroll, and more. 
So if you want an easy way to help your community the answer is simple ~ Shop Local!


If you want to find out more check out the website 3/50 Project.  Let us know what you think!

Secret Garden in the news!

This is an article by the editor of the Business Journal here in Decatur IL
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