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 Weddings. A Year in the making 2009.

Silk Bridal Bouquets

Just because you are planning on using silk flowers for your wedding doesn't mean they have to look fake. Today with a wide range of materials being used in creating permanent botanicals you will find an array of qualities and textures that will even fool the most decimating of flower snob. From plastic Calla Lilies to the real touch Star Gazer Lilies. You can hardly tell the difference and even when you touch the flowers you will be fooled. Knowing the botanical correctness of a flower is very important in selecting the correct flower. The range of price per stem can be more than the real to a lot less when it comes to specialty flowers such as Stephanontis and Lily of the Valley which are many times a fraction of the price of the fresh variety. With many years of working with both fresh and silk flowers I take special care in finding flowers that are as close to natural as possible when I create a silk bridal bouquet. Being botanically correct is very much a passion for me when it comes to bridal bouquets. We have found a niche in our area for silk bridal bouquets. We are located in one of Florida's port cities where there are many brides planning a wedding on a cruise ship or Caribbean Island. In all cases they are unable to take their fresh bridal bouquets off the ship for photographs due to agricultural regulations. When using silk or permanent botanical bouquets this allows them to not only be able to use them for the ceremony, but take them on to an island for photographs and they are a great keepsake to remind them of their special wedding day.

We use some artificial flowers for centerpieces that we submerge flowers such as Cymbidium Orchids and Calla Lilies that for the most part it's very hard to detect whether they are real or not. The only thing you have to be careful with is some silk flowers will bleed or disolve when submerged, so testing is very important to assure the flowers will hold up to being submerged for several hours.

For more information about our silk bouquets contact us at www.appleblossomstampa.com or contact us directly at 813-985-6409.

Scott Darhower
Apple Blossoms Floral Designs
Tampa, FL

Tampa Florist Transforms University

For the past 4 years Tampa Florist, Apple Blossoms Floral Designs & Gifts has transformed Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida into a Christmas Wonderland. From the more than 40 thousand twinkling lights to the miles of garland surrounding the beautiful gardens transforms this beautiful campus into a place that takes you back to your childhood. Scott Darhower the owner of Apple Blossoms Floral Designs & Gifts located in Tampa Florida begins collecting his crew in September to create this wonderland. It takes more than 450 man hours to complete the transformation. Each garland, wreath, tree, and ornament is lovingly placed. We start the first week of November wrapping more than 30, 10-30 foot palm trees and 14 Legustrum trees with clear LED lights. Scott's mother even comes from Pennsylvania to help. Scott has been transforming homes and businesses for more than 20 years with his own unique style and traditions. If you are in the Lakeland area from November 20th to January 5th you need to visit Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd. to truly experience the Splendor of the Seasons.

Visit us at http://www.appleblossomstampa.com for more on our Christmas Decorating.

Tampa Florist, Beach Wedding and a Wedding at the Sandpearl, Clearwater

Bridal Bouqets

These are some of the bouquets from over the past few months.

Creating a Floral Pineapple for a Buffet Table

Wedding on Honeymoon Island, FL

Bradenton Beach, FL Wedding Stephanie & David

Creating a Flowers Shop

Cone Wedding June 6, 2009

A Fairy Tail Wedding in Tampa

Tampa Florist Growing Despite Economic Woes.

South Tampa Florist Growing Despite Economic Woes.

We're just about to celebrate our first anniversary! I must say it is a time for celebration. We have done quite well opening a flower shop despite the economic situation. After getting over my fears I decided to take the leap. I must say it has been almost the best thing I have ever done. We base our success on customer service, quality of product, and variety. Taking the time to not only help a customer, but making them feel at home. Turning a customer into a friend is the way to go. Every potential individual entering the store is greeted with a big welcome. We spend time with each individual not only selling them items, but selling Apple Blossoms as well. Educating them as to why to purchase a particular item or flower to suit their needs. We take the time to find out a bit about our customer and hopefully find them exactly what they are looking for at a reasonable price and of the best quality. We offer 1/2 priced cash and carry custom European Wrapped floral bouquets. This comes in real handy for the guy who is in the doghouse. When they find out they can spend 20 dollars and get 40 dollars in flowers they then stop back time and again for even that I Love You Bouquet. As a TAMPA FLORIST we enjoy taking care of all of our customer and clients needs as well as carrying more than just carnations and roses. Evey one is always pleasantly surprised by the variety of flowers and the prices.

Of course keeping our overhead low is a key as well. We hire freelance designers when we need them, and take good care of them when they work for us. It's funny they almost fight to come back. In this industry origination can make or break a business. I pride myself in being very organized especially when it comes to getting 3 weddings out on a weekend to 3 different counties. You have to send the right people to the right places. Being efficient and organized really helps out the bottom line. I must say it's a blessing along with a great knowledge of what I do that keeps the shop growing everyday.

After Wedding Reception this Past Weekend 9/6/2008

Dining Room Centerpieces

Cocktail Table Centerpieces

Entry Arrangement

Table on Lani.

White Bromeliads.

Cocktail Table Arrangement again.