Arrangement of The Month ~ March 2011

Arrangement of The Month ~ March 2011

The arrangement of the month is a new feature we are hopping to have each month.  This arrangement will be named by our Facebook Friends and will be fresh in our cooler everyday for the month.  The arrangement will always feature seasonal flowers and will even sometimes have seasonal containers, like our live pumpkin.

This month we are featuring an adorable woven basket full of fresh spring colored flowers.  It holds pink tulips, fragrant stock, blooming iris, dasies, mini carnations, alstroemeria lilies, dark purple stock, and wisps of caspia.  Such a wonderful mix of spring colors.  We LOVE it!  

The arrangement will retail at $38.99 but our facebook friends will receive 10% off if they mention facebook at the time of order.  

We are hoping you will help us name this arrangement.  You can either leave a comment on here or on facebook.  If leaving it here be sure to include your name and email so that we can contact you if you are the winner.

The winner will receive 2 tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar at the Lincoln theater on March 5th 2011.  We are proud to provide all of the fresh flowers for this production and we will be attending!  

The winner will be announced on Monday February 28th, so get your votes in now!

March 2011 Newsletter

Valentine's Day Recap 2011

Our biggest holiday is a fading memory to us now.  Valentine's Day was a wonderful success thanks to our customers, staff, and helpers.  We delivered 180 arrangements on Valentine's Day and spread smiles from Mt.Zion to Forsyth and everywhere in between. 

To read more about what goes into a successful Valentine's Day we wrote a blog post all about it.  To see what we have to offer check out our facebook album.

Spring in The Garden~

We are ready for spring to arrive here at The Secret Garden.  Spring is one of the most decorated for seasons. It is the season of new beginnings and wonderful colors and scents.  From the first bud on the tree to the tulips peaking through the ground, this season brings a promise of new life and renewed spirit.  

Did you know that we custom make silk wreaths?  We sure do, just stop and we will discuss colors, flowers, and designs with you today.  We can create something that will last for years to come.  Our designers have over 37 years of experience and have a passion for wreaths.  We also create silk pieces for mantles, tables, and more.  

This spring we are awaiting arrival of new merchandise as well.  We will be posting it to facebook as it comes in so be sure to become a fan of our page so you don't miss a thing.  We just ordered a beautiful line of cards from leanin' tree and they should be arriving in the store around March 1st.  This is very exciting for us and you will just love the designs.  

We are also planning on adding yard flags and new garden items to our assortment of gifts.  If you have not seen our gift selection it is worth the trip out to see us.  

Daffodil ~ March Birth Flower

What a fitting flower for the month of March, you will see these little flowers popping up everywhere very soon.  

Now your daffodils may not look exactly like this one, some say that there are over 200 different species of daffodils out in the world today.   You may find that your daffodils are the best growers in your garden, you would be correct.  The bulbs will outlast just about any other bulb you plant.  Don't worry if you do not see new blooms on your fresh daffodil plants, sometimes they take up to 5 years to fully come into their glory.  And depending on where you live, these beauties can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months.  

But one thing you should know about your daffodil is that they do not play nice with other flowers when cut.  We store daffodils away from the other flowers and do not use them with other flowers.    The sap in the stems will harm other flowers, guess it is there way to insure that they are center stage on your desk or table. 

Arrangement of The Month ~

We have an exciting new program that we will be unveiling this month.  It is called the Arrangement of the Month.  We will select an arrangement and have our facebook friends name it.  It will then be featured in our cooler, on our website, and available all month long.  This is something we have been thinking about for a while now and we did it in the fall with our live pumpkins.  We can't wait to see what you think.  These arrangements will be designed by our designers and feature seasonal flower.  So be sure to look for that on our facebook pageas well as our promotions blog in the coming week.

Our Favorite Time of the Year

  

Yes it's true Valentine's Day is our favorite holiday.  Why?  Because for a florist this is the holiday that sets the tone for the entire year.  Valentine's Day is a true make it or break it holiday for a florist.  Like the average retailer waits for that Black Friday, us florists wait for the Valentine's Day.  

Valentine's Day is a day of love, adoration, and an excuse for us women to break our New Years resolutions and devour entire boxes of chocolate.  We celebrate with dinners, movies, cards, boxes of chocolate, and of course flowers.

Now Florists did not invent this holiday, and contrary to popular belief Hallmark did not either.  You can read the long boring history here but for the blogs sake we will just say: It started a long time ago in a land far far away. 

With so much riding on one day it's no wonder we start our planning back in October.  Yes October, before the Christmas lights are strung and the turkey is carved, we are planning Valentine's day.  We start by sorting through book after book and idea magazines galore.  

We always have our own designer styles, we like the teleflora options but it's just not the same.  We like to have 6 - 8 signature pieces each year.  Also a variety of price points and flowers to choose from are important.  So we find the perfect containers and start growing the vision.  We decide how many of each we will make up that special day, this is done so that the pieces are unique in style so not every desk has the same thing on it at the office.  This year we decided on a piece we fell in love with at the start, it says "Key to my heart".  But what is this, Lori waited to long to get her order in and the dreaded OUT OF STOCK popped up on the screen.... NOOOOOOOOOO is heard echoing from the walls of The Secret Garden.  But a quick call, and a little prayer, and we did get the pieces we had our hearts set on.  (pun intended).  So now the fun part.  Deciding what will go into each piece and making them come to life.

We take the containers, vases, and baskets and start to envision what we want each one to say.  Our basket design is normally our "cute" piece.  This can be sent to a mom, sister, friend, co-worker, or the likes.  This piece will not have roses but beautiful red carnations.  Next, our favorite container, "Key to my Heart".  This one will have a little bit of fun, in the form of red gerbera daisies, and a little romance, with pink spray roses.  We then go through each of our other selections like that until we have our designs.  Now we just need names... but that is where you come in.  Our faithful, and oh so talented facebook friends.  This year you are choosing the names for us... see the details here.

The supply order is done the first week of January.  We keep a list from year to year of what we need on hand.  Florist tape, Oasis foam, flower foods, and so on.  This is pretty easy and it goes quick, not much stress here.

Now the not so fun part.... placing the flower order!  This HAS to be done by the 2nd week in January.  This is the only way we can sleep at night, making sure we get the flowers we need, when we need them, so they will be fresh for all of you.  So we tally up the flowers in our signature pieces, the vases of roses we plan on selling, and the call for just a little of this and a little of that.... using some fine tuned mathematical skills... we submit our orders to our favorite suppliers.  

We also make up so many of our candy bar vases, snack canisters, and balloon wraps.  We double check counts and start the making about.. well NOW.  We also stock up on boxes of chocolate, cards, balloons, and a few gotta have its.  We have a cute angel line this year that features a red heart that has a message on it.

The stress is overwhelming.  Did we order enough, did we order to much (this would be bad, goal=no flowers left over).  What will the weather be like, will it snow?  Remember the year with the blizzard.  Do we have enough drivers, should we rent another van, do we have enough help with the phones.  When will we cut off orders, will we have to turn people away.  What are the hours for Sunday?  Who is bringing the coffee.... chocolate... and food to keep our motors running!

So in a few weeks the flowers will arrive, the arrangements will be made, the phones will ring, and our drivers will race to deliver everything on time.  This my friends is why we LOVE Valentine's Day.

Why are Roses so Expensive at Valentine's Day?

This is a question we will answer over and over again this Valentine's Day:
"Why are roses so expensive??"
The simple answer we give to most is, "supply and demand, we pay more at Valentine's Day so the customer has to pay more."  In truth the answer goes far beyond that.  It starts at the grower way back in November and December and it rolls forward to Valentine's Day and even a few weeks beyond.  

True long stem roses, like we sell at The Secret Garden, take 6 to 8 weeks to grow.  This means that production of Valentine's roses starts in late November and early December down in Equador. 
Because of this they trim the November and December crops early, creating a shortage that starts in those months and prices start to rise.


Now florists start to plan how many roses they want to have on hand and start sending orders into their suppliers.  The suppliers tell their suppliers, and those suppliers tell the growers.  The growers look at the crop growing and set a price based on the demand for the product.  Because roses are perishable and cannot be kept on hand for long periods of time it makes the supply harder to maintain.  

You also have to factor in the growing conditions for the roses, the days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler.  This puts more energy into caring for the roses and making sure they are ready for the final cut before the big day arrives.





Now we get into the fun world of transportation.  The large supply of roses has to be moved into the parts of the world that demand the roses.  This requires more trucks, more drivers, and of course more gas.  Then when they arrive at the wholesalers it requires more people to process the flowers, sort the roses for delivery to the florists, and transport them to the locations.  As a florist we need to have more people on staff to handle the demand as well.  More people to answer the phone, design the arrangements, and of course deliver them to you.


You add all of this together and it's the perfect storm for increased prices.


But do not fret.  You can send your love beautiful flowers on Valentine's Day without breaking the bank.  Ask your florist for a mixed bouquet, add just a few roses to it if you like.  Maybe look for designs that feature spray roses, then you can have a larger amount of "roses" without the higher cost.  You may also want to go with her favorite color or flower and have your florist create a beautiful bouquet that is one of a kind.  


If you do decide to go with roses, get the most for your money by providing the proper care after the roses arrive.  This will insure that you are enjoying the roses for days to come after the holiday. 


We hope that this little article will help explain those higher prices you are bound to pay this Valentine's Day.  Remember to order your roses early, we recommend at least a week in advance.  This will guarantee fresh roses delivered to the one you love on that special day!

What's in a Name?

Every Valentine's Day we come up with our own unique arrangements.  The Teleflora ones are nice but when we create our own we have our customers in mind and tailor them to fit our style.  We create a limited number of each arrangement and we sell out every year.  This year we have decided to let our facebook friends pick the names of our arrangements. 


Here is how it will work:

• Every day we will post a new picture and description on Facebook and ask for names.  You have until the next picture is posted to get your name pick in. 
• On Monday January 31st we will post the pictures along with the winning names. Each winning name will win a prize from our prize pool.  This could be a free arrangement, a plant, a gift, or a gift certificate. 
• We will notify the winner of the prize they have won and when they can come and claim it.  

This years theme is "Love Songs".  Each arrangement will have a title of a love song for it's name.  We can't wait to see what you all come up with.  


Thank you in advance for all of your ideas, input, and help in making this Valentine's Day we will all remember.


Visit our Facebook page to submit your names.  Remember you have until we post the next arrangement to get your names in.  After that the contest for that one is closed. 

First Arrangement: 
This arrangement features 3 gerbera daisies, pink spray roses, and a beautiful mix of greens.  The heart container is ceramic and has a cute little pink heart and key.  It reads: "Key to my heart".  This piece was one of the first ones we picked for the holiday.  We were so lucky to get them in, after fighting back orders and out of stock they finally arrived.  We hope you like our first selection and good luck naming it!  

Second Arrangement ~
This arrangement features 2 white Asiatic lilies, red spray roses, red mini carnations, and white with pink alstromeria lilies.  The lush greens poke through and around the arrangement.  The red cube is perfect for a "keepsake".  You can bring it in to have it filled again or use it for storing items on a desk or by the bed.  Head on over to our facebook page to see what our readers have selected for this arrangement so far.

3rd Arrangement~


This arrangement features red carnations, mini red carnations, white with pink alstromeria, and purple statice.  This is the perfect gift for a friend, co-worker, mom, sister, aunt, and so on.  Or for the guy who is not to that "love" zone yet.  To submit your name hurry over to our Facebook page before time runs out!

 This is the final arrangement for our Valentine's day selection.  It features beautiful stargazer lilies, three red roses, white spray roses, and alstromeria lilies.  It comes in a cute silver design dish.  We call this our design piece because of it's class and style.  It will be a hit this holiday we are sure of that!










To see the winning names head on over to our facebook page and see what we have choosen.  To purchase any of these arrangements be sure to visit our website.  


Have a very Happy Valentine's Day from your friends at The Secret Garden.

Arranging a Half Dozen Roses in 10 Easy Steps

Here is a short step by step guide to arranging 1/2 dozen roses in a vase.  This is just in time for Valentine's Day.  We sell roses in paper and boxes for the man on the go.  This will help you arrange them like a pro when they get into your home. 

What you will need:

6 Long Stem Rose

1 Bunch of Babies Breath

6-8 Pieces of leather leaf

2-3 stems of salal leaf

Glass vase

Flower Food Packet

Florist Tape (optional)

 

1. Add your flower food to the water according to package directions.

2. You can grid the vase if you would like.  This will help keep the roses in place when you arrange them.

3. Remove any petals that may be bruised or spotted. This will make your roses more attractive in your arrangement.  

It also can liven up roses that are starting to loose that fresh picked look.  You can do this days after the arrangement is made to spruce it up a little.

 

4. Trim your leather leaf at the bottom and remove any leaves that may fall into the water.  The leather leaf should measure 6" to 8" from tip to rim of vase.

5.  Take your Salal stems and place them in the vase.  For best results separate them into 3 pieces.  Add them in like the numbers on the clock at 3,6, & 9.

For an 8" vase your rose should measure about 20" long.  Trim your rose at an angle so that the water can travel up the stem easily. 

Trim your best looking rose for the center of your vase.

6.  Add your first rose to the center of your vase. 

7.  Cut the other 5 roses about 2" - 3" shorter then your main flower.  Remember to cut these at an angle as well. 

8.  Add your remaining roses like you are filling in a clock.  The best positions are 2, 5, 7, 9. 12.  This will help create a nice shape for your arrangement. 

Facing your roses outward from the center of the vase will create a fuller look to your arrangement.  Every flower head has a natural "forward", use this to help you position your flowers.

9.  Insert your longest piece of babies breath into the center of your vase.  Trim it if needed so that the tallest blooms are about 1/2 was up the bloom of your tallest rose.

You can tuck the babies breath between the roses to add color and shape to your arrangement.  

10.  Take any remaining pieces of babies breath and fill in the places in your arrangement that need color and texture. 

Your arrangement is now complete.  Remember to change the water and trim your roses to prolong the life.  For more rose care tips check out our article here. 

If you like you can add a bow for a more finished look.  We hope that you have enjoyed our step by step and invite you to come back often for more great tips and tricks.

Watch this on YouTube

Get to know your customers day ~ January 2011

Today is "Get to Know Your Customers Day".  We feel that in the floral business that is every day for us.  When someone calls and asks for a birthday arrangement we have to get to know the sender and the receiver.  It could be something as simple as, "she loves pink", or something as detailed as, "we have been together for 50 years and she is the love of my life".  All of these details are an important part of picking the perfect gift for someone.  


So today we ask your help in getting to know you.  We want to know more about what our customers, or potential customers, like and dislike.  Honestly without you we would not have a reason to open our doors each morning.  Please take a couple of minutes to answer the following questions in the comment section below.  We will draw a name from those that respond and you will receive a gift certificate for $25.00!


1.  What do you consider most when choosing a florist?  This could be price, location, reputation, coupons, or anything of the sort.


2.  Have you seen or heard any advertisements for The Secret Garden in the last 30 days?  If so do you remember where?  Please indicate where.


3.  What one product, or service, would you like to see offered by us that would set us apart from the rest?


4.  If we offered an email, or phone reminder service for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays would you be interested?


5.  When, and for what occasion(s), did you order flowers for in the past year?

6.  What type of things would you like us to write about in blogs?  Examples: Decorating with flowers, more flower care information, how to order flowers, more pictures of our work, and so on.

Thank you in advance for filling out our short survey.  We look forward to helping you with your next flower purchase.