Peonies are HOT HOT HOT

Peonies are one of the most popular flowers for weddings today.
The Peony has been a popular flowers as far back as the 12 century in China and Japan.
The plant has been used as medical treatments for bad dreams to pain relief.
Even today research goes on in the medicinal uses of Peonies.



It has been said that peony plants were often included as part of a dowry settlement amongst the wealthy elite of Chinese society during the Tang Dynasty.

Mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the Peony thus causing this magnificent flower to be given the meaning of Shame or Bashfulness in the Language of Flowers. It was named after Paeon, a physician to the gods, who obtained the plant on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and punishes those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years. Once established, however, it produces splendid blooms each year for decades (Taken from The Language of Flowers, edited by Sheila Pickles, 1990).

How to order Flowers anywhere and Get what you Want

Today more and more people are using the internet to order their flowers. There is a right and wrong way. First of all the wrong way is simple. Don't pick and click. You never know if you are at an actual florists website. This is what happens. First the florist you thought you were contacting is actually something called an Order Gatherer, OG for short. The OG collects orders and sends them to a local florist. They don't really care what florist it might be nor the quality of florist it might be. The OG first of all takes a percentage of your order right off the bat. Now they are giving the receiving florist less money to fill the order. At the receiving florist they are going to take the deliver charge out of the money they were given by the OG. Now you may have spent $60.00 on the flowers you ordered, but now you are down to less than $40.00 for the receiving florist to create that $60.00 arrangement you thought you ordered. If the OG does this all day and takes 500 orders they made close to $6000.00 just for taking the orders and doing nothing but forwarding them to a receiving florist. OG go and buy domain names and phone numbers all over the country. We florist have been fighting these guys for years. They even take adds out in the Yellow Pages making it look as though they are a local florist you are calling. You may be calling a phone bank in any state or any country for that matter. We florists end up doing all the work and making less of a profit and working harder just to make ends meet. In all this is putting many flower shops out of business.

We florists have done away with our floral wire flower sending services because it is better for us to help our customers to get what they want from a local reputable florist. Many florist just call a florist of our choice and order direct from a local florist where we give them a credit card so they get 100% of the order and you get 100% of the value. Many florist may charge a nominal fee of $2.00 to $5.00 to handle this service for you. I know for me it may take several calls to local florists until I find exactly what my customer is looking for.

To make things even easier I suggest that the customer Google's florist with the zip code (Example: Florist 33609) to find a local florist and call directly and see what they have to offer. Many times you will find that they may have a special that day. Maybe something you might not of thought of sending, but being on special you get a better value. If there is something in particular you are looking for such as an orchid plant and the florist you are calling may not carry orchid plants. Ask them if they know of or would recommend another florist in the town that might specialize in orchids. You'll be surprised when they take the time to help you out. We get calls for certain items which we don't carry, but we know of other businesses in the area that carry these items. I'm never afraid to direct a customer to another florist or business if I can't help them. Statistics show that the customer you helped will nine chances out of ten call you first when they are in need of flowers in my town the next time.

Another thing to do when ordering is to make some suggestions of flowers you would like, but allow them to create something called a designers choice arrangement. You will be quite surprised at what your friend or loved one will get. Designers are just that. They are professionals trained in the floral field and if you allow them to use their creativity you will be overwhelmed by getting something unique. You may want to specify you want a vase or possibly a decorative container, or even tell them to put the money into the flowers and not the container.

Long story short. PICK UP THE PHONE!!!!! Today we rely way to much on the pick and click websites. Just because you picked a particular arrangement it's not always what you get. Look at the fine print that says "Substitutions may be made depending on flower availability." Call the florist and get more, along with a personal touch.

The Lady Bug of Tampa

From the conception of Apple Blossoms Floral Designs here in Tampa we wanted to find a signature for all our arrangements. One day I stumbled across these lovely Lady Bugs. I wasn't sure if anyone would notice, but they have. Here is a note we received this week from one of our recipients of our flowers.

Hi Scott!
We spoke once a few months ago when I ordered flowers for a local friend.

I received my third maybe fourth floral arrangement from Apple Blossoms last week... It is over the top...as always! However I have to tell you... I was so disappointed because there was no ladybug...anywhere.
A few days after I received the flowers my little granddaughter, Madison came over and asked... “Mimi are these ladybug flowers?” I had to say “No sweetie...this one doesn’t have a lady bug” only to hear her disappointed “ahhh”. An hour or so later I heard a cry of glee from my front room...I ran in to see what was going on...
you can never tell with a 4 year old ... and she excitedly exclaimed... “I found her! I found her”. I am thinking ...what in the world? as she shouts... “THE LADYBUG THE LADYBUG! SHE IS RIGHT THERE!”
Needless to say it was a moment in time... Thank you for not only creating amazing floral designs but for
also creating a magical moment for a beautiful 4 year old and her Mimi. :)

I don’t have any idea how I missed it but I am glad I did.

Blessings to you and your team!

Tampa Florist Breaks the Barriers

As a Tampa Florist we refuse to conform to the pick and click florist market. This has proved to be a dynamic adventure for us as a Local Tampa Florist. I decided to not conform to the public and the internet, but become a true Tampa Florist. Anyone can paint by number, but we don't. Stepping outside the box is what has made our mark. No matter where you look on the internet for florists you will find the basic website. Our website is something more. We never create the same design twice. Our customers and clients have connected with us and found something more. We do our best to provide just that. Our Tampa Florist brings you creative side and something more than just your average flowers. Growing a business such as this was a decision we made from the time the doors opened in April of 2008. We could have provided clients and customers with the same ole flowers they can get from any Tampa Flower Shop, but we saw a future in being a Unique Tampa Flower Shop. We look forward to a growing trend of Flower Shops and being your Favorite Local Tampa Flower Shop.

Going Green with Local Grown Flowes in Tampa

We love our local growers. As a Tampa Florist I have been doing my best to work with local growers for my orchids and exotic flowers. I can't always be guaranteed the exact color I want for all my Tampa Weddings or Events, but I can be assured of some of the freshest and most beautiful flowers you can come by. As a Tampa Wedding Florist and a Tampa Florist along with a Tampa Gardener myself I enjoy sharing flowers with my customers and clients that are locally grown. Currently Vanda Orchids are just coming in season. These are one of the most amazing flowers you have ever seen, and the color is just breath taking. We take great pride in working with local growers to help build local business and keep the economy growing. These people are of the fabric that keeps our local economies growing and giving back. With our motto of "Designs for a Lifetime...One Seed at a Time." we enjoy building the local economy and building lasting friendships with clients and customers just as Johny Appleseed spread his growing of Apple Trees across the land. Read more about Johny at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Appleseed then you might even understand a little more about me.

Tampa Florist Floral Arrangemet Samples

Enjoy some samples of our designs. Every design is created individually.

Tampa Wedding Winter/Spring 2010 from Apple Blossoms Floral Designs

From January to mid March. Just some of our weddings around the Tampa Bay area. It has been our pleasure to provide Tampa Brides with Wedding Flowers and Services. We look forward to many more.

Bridal Bouquets of the Week

Tampa Mothers Day Flowers

Mothers Day 2010 is upon us and you want to send your Mom Flowers. Today we are bombarded by commercials from FTD, Teleflora, 1-800 Flowers, FiftyFlowers.com, and more. Yes, it's convenient to just click a button and order from the web. Here are a couple of questions you might ask yourself. The first question I ask is "Am I going to actually get what you see?" Probably not. "Am I going to get 100% value?" There again Probably not.

This is what happens when you place your order with one of these large corporate flower services. First take a percentage just for accepting the order and processing it. Then the order is forwarded to a florist that accepts orders from the service. (Who knows who the florist is or the quality of flowers they carry.) The florist then takes money for delivery out of the the order first. Now what is left is what you are going to get.

Take for instance you spend $50.00. First the wire service is going to take $5.00 or more just for handling the order for you. Now you have a $45.00 order going to a florist. First the florist is going to take a delivery charge out of the amount they have accepted. This could be as high as $15.00. Now they have a $30.00 arrangement to work with. Out of this $30.00 the florist has to figure in labor to make the arrangement. This could be as much as $6.00 on this order. Now you are looking at $24.00 to fill the order which includes a vase, flowers, greenery, and any accessories the arrangement comes with such as ribbon. Now was the $50.00 arrangement you ordered anything like the picture you saw on the internet? Most likely not.

I'm not trying to knock the Big Wire Services which have been around for many years and are entitled to making money as well, but what I am trying to say is if you Google a local florist with zip code of where you want to send your flowers you are going to save money and get more for your dollar (example Google search: florist 33609). Here's the catch. Due to deceptive practices of what we in the industry call Order Gathers you may not be sending flowers to your local florist by just going to their website and ordering over the internet. Even by calling them you may not be getting an actual local florist, but getting a call center in New Jersey when you wanted a Tampa Florist. As a Tampa Florist myself even when I'm personally sending flowers I search for a florist in the area I want to send flowers and believe it or not I pick up the phone and call them directly. I want to speak to a human that can tell me what they have to offer for my specific floral needs. Second I want to know I'm getting what I am paying for and get what I want. Depending on where you are sending flowers the prices can range greatly. For instance ordering Mothers Day Flowers from a Tampa Florist pricing structures are different than a New York City Florist. You will most likely have to spend more money when ordering in a major city than from a Tampa Florist.

Now that you have found a florist call them directly. Ask them if they are running any in house specials. You may be surprised what you will get for $50.00 when you call directly. For instance. We buy from local growers and suppliers in our area when we can and when flowers are in season in our area. Take Cymbidium Orchid stems that can cost as high as as $80.00 per stem. We offer for anywhere from $10.00 - 30.00 per stem, but only during the season and colors are limited to what is supplied by our local grower and not all colors are available. On the other hand we get some great unusual colors and varieties no one else has. What a savings and what a surprise to the person receiving the flowers. Depending on region prices are going to vary greatly.

I guess what I am saying is "Easy isn't always better." Take the time to pick up the phone and call your Local Florist for your Mothers Day Flowers and you will be quite surprised in what you will find. When Sending Flowers in Tampa contact us at http://www.appleblossomstampa.com. Buy Flowers Local!

Tampa Florist Expands to Wedding Center

Apple Blossoms Floral Designs located at 3727 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa just signed the papers for their expansion. Apple Blossoms Floral Designs opened for business April 28, 2008 and it's been a couple of years of tremendous growth. We have grown out of our space commented owners Scott Darhower and Rahn Stare. We are growing faster than we ever imagined. Looking to provide brides in the Tampa Bay area with a one stop shop is something we are working hard to achieve. The new space located at 3625 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa will host an array of professionals in the wedding industry. From Tampa Wedding and Event Planners to Photographers, Custom Bridal Gowns, Cakes and much much more. Plans are to open the first week of June 2010. It's going to be a great place for everyone involved. We'll keep Tampa Brides informed about Apple Blossoms Wedding Center. You can also visit us at http://www.appleblossomstampa.com or http://www.appleblossomsweddingcentertampa.com for all the latest details.

Tracey's Wedding at Saddlebrook Country Club and Resort

A Beautiful Day at Saddlebrook Golf and Country Club in Tampa for a wedding. Tracey could not have asked for more. The bride carried a cascading bouquet of Tibet Roses, Vendela Roses, Hypericum Berries, Gravilia, and Stephanotis. While here Maid of Honor carried a combination of Amnesia Roses, Trechillium, White Spray Roses, Green Dendrobium Orchids, Bupleurum, and Stephanotis.

The Ceremony was held on the North Patio under a wooden pergola adorned with organza fabric with a back drop of suspended orchid blooms. A combination of tropical foliage and exotic Orchids both imported and locally grown created a bright and vibrant setting fit for a Hawaiian Princess.

She decided to have a wine and cheese gathering just before the ceremony where tables were adorned with hydrangea and fuchsia Dendrobium Orchids were the featured table arrangements. These were moved to to the cocktail hour in combination with low bowls of green Cymbidium Orchid blooms.

After the Cocktail Hour the guests were lead into the reception where tables were graced with hand tied bouquets in Square Vases that rested on the side of the vase. A combination of Yellow Calla Lilies, Green Hydrangea, Fuchsia Dendrobium Orchids, Fuchsia Stock, Trechellium, Amnesia Roses, and Ti Leaves were in place. The alter arrangements were moved behind the head table to create a backdrop while the swags one either side of the pergola were used as the focal centerpiece of the head table. The cake by Alessi Bakery in Tampa was quite elegant crowned with Green Hydrangea, Green Cymbidium Orchids, Fuchsia Dendrobium Orchids and Yellow Calla Lilies.