The Significance of an Easter Lily and other Blooms

The Significance Of Easter Lilies And Other Blooms

Early springtime sunshine often brings with it the glorious fragrance and beauty of nature blossoming upon the world. For centuries, we have associated certain types of flowers with specific meanings and values. We often use flowers as a way to express a particular sentiment of emotion. Easter Lilies and other spring flowers carry with them a significant meaning. Most often, the meaning associated with each flower is embedded in the history, legends, and characteristic qualities of the particular bloom.

Easter Lily

The magnificent white lily known as the Easter Lily has long stood as a symbol of purity, hope, innocence and peace. Also called the Bermuda lily, the Trumpet lily, and Jacob’s Tears, the Easter lily is a biblical flower commonly associated with the resurrection of Christ.

In Christian tradition, the Easter lily signifies rebirth and a new beginning. It is said that beautiful white lilies sprang up in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus wept in the last hours before he was betrayed by Judas. Another legend claims that the white lilies grew from the repentant tears shed by Eve upon her departure from Paradise.

The lily is mentioned frequently throughout the bible and serves today as a beautiful reminder of the significance of the Easter season. Easter lilies grace homes and churches each spring as a symbol of purity, joy, hope and life.

The Crocus

This isn't found as a cut flower typically, but I had to mention it as it such a magnificent symbol of spring in Edmonton. Often the first flower to appear each spring, written documentation of the crocus dates back as far as 1500 years before Christ. Highly valued in ancient times for its medicinal and herbal properties, the crocus was widely used in a number of ancient festivals and celebrations as a symbol of love and youthful joy.

Legends circling this early spring flower include that of a young and noble shepherd boy named Crocus who fell deeply in love with a sprightly nymph by the name of Smilax. According to this legend, the Gods were so deeply touched by Crocus’ love that they granted him immortal life in the form of a flower.

Another legend tells of the Roman Physician, Valentinus, who was jailed and sentenced to death for practicing Christianity. The blind daughter of the jailer was a patient of the physician. Just before being executed on February 14, 250AD, Valentinus handed the girl a note. Knowing of the healing properties of the flower, Valentinus wrapped a bright yellow Crocus in the message. When the girl opened the note, her sight was restored and she red the words, “From your Valentine”

Daffodil

The daffodil is also commonly referred to as the narcissus. It serves as the symbolic flower for the American Cancer Society, representing hope, bravery and new beginnings. As one of the early flowers of spring, the daffodil beautifully withstands the strong winds and storms of the season. Its sturdy and strong stem holds up through the harsh winds of spring, supporting the bright and vibrant petals of the flower.

According to ancient legend, the daffodil, or narcissus, also can serve as a symbol of unrequited love, vanity and egotism. Greek Mythology tells of a love-stricken wood nymph named Echo who fell hopelessly in love with a young man by the name of Narcissus. The young man was so self-consumed with his own beauty and vanity that he carelessly tossed aside Echo’s attentions. The Gods were angered by Narcissus’ actions and placed a curse upon him causing the young man to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. As he stayed beside his reflection, yearning for his unrequited love, he slowly was turned into a beautiful flower, destined to stare at his reflection forever.

Tulips

Tulips are seen as a symbol of perfect love, imagination, and wistfulness. Various colors of tulips often carry various meanings. Red tulips are often seen as representing perfect and irresistible love. Yellow tulips signify hopeless love, white tulips symbolize forgiveness, and purple tulips denote royalty and nobility.

Turkish legend tells of a young prince by the name of Farhad who fell desperately in love with the beautiful maiden, Shirin. When Farhad received word that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he rode his horse over the edge of a cliff. Legend claims that a red tulip grew from each droplet of blood. 

The tulip is also the flower of the 11th wedding anniversary. The velvety dark center of the flower is said to symbolize the heart of a passionate lover. In addition to its many other meanings, the tulip also represents grace and elegance.

Iris

The beautiful and elegant iris serves as a symbol of wisdom, faith, and valor. It is said that the flower received its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Iris relayed messages from the eye of Heaven to the earth. She also carried the duty of leading the souls of women to the Elysian Fields when they died. Men often planted a single iris on the graves of their beloved as a symbol of their respect. 

The iris is also often used by French and English royalty as a symbol of God’s blessing upon the throne. Legend claims that an angel awarded Clovis, king of the Franks, with a golden iris upon his conversion to Christianity. The flower became a symbol of purity, light, and perfection.

Flowers in the Workplace

The Effects Of Flowers In The Workplace

During  Administrative Professionals Week Wednesday is typically the day most bosses, presidents, and CEOs send flowers to express their deep respect and gratitude to the support staff in their office.  Administrative staff in corporate offices, small businesses, and large companies keeps things running behind the scenes with little recognition throughout the year.  Demonstrate your appreciation and respect for the support staff in your office with beautifully fragrant fresh cut flowers.

A simple bouquet of fragrant blooms can lift the spirits and boost the morale of your office staff.  Studies have indicated that flowers in the workplace can significantly increase productivity and creative performance.  Build a strong professional relationship with the administrative staff in your company or corporation by taking the time to recognize all they do with a beautiful “thank you” floral arrangement.


History of Administrative Professionals WeekThe first Secretary’s Day was celebrated in 1952 when a man by the name of Harry F. Klemfuss recognized the value of the secretaries in his company.  He endeavored to honor the importance of these professionals and encourage more women to become secretaries.  Since that time, the role of support staff has greatly evolved as more men have entered the field and secretarial duties have expanded to include a myriad of work responsibilities.  The term “Administrative Professionals Week” was adopted to encompass the wide variety of support staff included in this important observation of business professionals.


Make it PersonalTake the time to show your respect by personalizing the flower arrangements you send to your administrative staff.  Is your staff cheerful, bright, and always ready with a smile?  If so, you might consider fun and fanciful floral arrangements of fresh daisies, sunflowers, or daffodils.  The quiet and reserved administrative staff will take delight in fragrant bouquets of orchids, roses, or carnations.  Flowers and plants make for one of the best desk lights available on the market today and an extra touch of personalization will go a long way in showing your administrative staff that you have taken the time to recognize their unique personalities and characteristic values.


Research Findings on Flowers in the WorkplaceA recent study conducted by researchers at the Texas A&M University indicates that flowers placed within the workplace greatly increases productivity, creative thinking, and overall job performance.  The Impact of Flowers and Plants on Workplace Productivity Study was an eight-month long research project in which both men and women were placed in various work environments.  The work atmospheres consisted of a workplace with abstract sculptures, a setting with plants and flowers, and another environment with absolutely no decorative qualities whatsoever.

The study revealed that men exposed to a work environment that included flowers and plants exhibited a 15% increase in generating powerful ideas.  Women placed within a similar setting produced greater problem solving skills and creativity.  In general, the study reveals that the presence of flowers within the work environment can greatly increase innovative thinking and productivity among workers.  This increase in work efficiency and general job performance can have a significant effect on the success of a business.


Getting Down to Business It is a significant gesture of appreciation to have beautiful floral bouquets delivered to your support staff during Administrative Professional’s Week.  Why limit the fragrant aroma and joy of fresh cut flowers to only one day out of the year though?  Beautiful flower arrangements placed within a business don’t just have a positive influence on employees; they often bear an effect on the mood of customers as well.  A friendly and relaxing environment created by the delicate sights and scents of nature can create a positive and profitable workplace environment.

Flowers in the Kitchen Trends

Home/About Flowers/Flower Designs 

Flowers For The Kitchen

There are a lot of new interior kitchen trends today. Open floor plans, creative seating areas and huge islands. The number one new trend is bringing nature into the kitchen and there is no better way to do that than with fresh cut flowers.

It doesn’t matter if you have a kitchen that is relaxing, stylish, functional, elegant or just family orientated, you can accent it with flowers to help inspire that atmosphere. There are not any rules really, but here are some guidelines to help you get on your way!

Try Classic or strong colors and containers.

• If you would like to be bold with color, choose 2 colours at a time. For example; Yellow and Orange flowers look amazing together. Another thing to remember is that with flowers, Green is a neutral and white is considered a colour. 
• If you prefer a simple look, select a variety of flowers but all in one colour. A monochromatic colour scheme is a great way to get that modern beauty into your kitchen.

Dabble in both dramatic and everyday designs.

• When you are arranging with a variety of flowers, think about scale and texture. By mixing large headed flowers, such as sunflowers, hydrangeas and peonies, with smaller blooms such as carnations or asters, you will create a lot of interest in your arrangement. Try to add some fun texture to it such as bells of Ireland, delphinium, Lisianthus or Globe Thistle. 
• Monobotanical flowers, all one variety is a great way to get a simple and elegant look. Use roses, tulips, gerbera daisies, carnations, even babies breath on its own is wonderful. If you are looking for a more dramatic look but love the monobotanical idea, place the flowers in something different! Remember, if it holds water, it will hold flowers. Try things like a jug, coffee tin or a wine carafe. 
• Another option is to mix everyday flowers like daisies or carnations with the show off flowers such as peonies and hydrangeas. If you do this though, keep the colour palette simple. That way the flowers shine!

Some other ideas for flowers in the kitchen are:

• Cut the flowers short and place flowers in an everyday kitchen item such as jelly jars, wine glasses, tea tins or what ever matches your style.
• Choose citrus coloured flowers for a sunny feeling. Place a bud vase holding a few stems of yellow and orange blossoms in a bowl filled with oranges. Or take a large vase of the citrus flowers and put lemons and limes in the vase.
• Line up 3 decorative bottles in the middle of your kitchen table or along the back of your sink and add a bold flower in each one such as a Gerbera Daisy or Cymbidium Orchid. For added drama, use a vine or grass and connect the vases. This will surely inspire a conversation when guests drop by!

It doesn’t matter what your style is, bringing flowers into your home will brighten up a room. Place the flowers on the counter top where clutter usually finds its way to congregate, this will inspire neatness and even prevent future messes from sitting there.

The kitchen is where we spend the majority of our time and the most important thing about flowers is to enjoy them everyday! Besides, it’s the most convenient room to add water!!!

Award winning designer, Heather de Kok, AAF AIFD PFCI has a passion for all things flowers. Come to 3811 – 99 street, 780-988-8588 or go to her website www.heatherdekok.com to learn more.

Flowers Of The Month

Many individuals are aware of their birth stone. However, each month also has at least one flower that has a specific meaning for individuals born during that month.
January
The carnation is one of January's flowers. The color of the carnation is said to determine the meaning of the individual flower. White carnations are associated with purity, love, and luck. Pink carnations are a symbol of femininity and motherly love. Striped or purple carnations are rarely associated with the birth flowers because purple is linked to impulsive behavior and striped carnations are linked to regret.

The snowdrop is the less common alternate January birth flower. Interestingly, a substance in the snowdrop is used in Alzheimer's treatments.

February
Enduring faith and wisdom are represented by the iris for those born in February. Irises also come in a variety of colors, but less emphasis is placed on individual meaning for each color.

Violets are popular flowers, partly due to the heart-shaped petals. These plants have many uses, including use as decorations and as food additives.

The primrose, another February flower, grows expansively across open ground and blooms earlier than many of the spring blooming plants.

March
Daffodils are an ideal birth flower due to their association with beginnings. In some cultures, the additional meaning of rebirth also adds to the daffodil's symbolism.

The alternate birth flower for March, the jonquil, is a variation of the daffodil that has been cultivated to have certain visual differences.

April
The daisy, more than many other flowers, is associated with childhood and innocence. The different colors represent various meanings, such as playfulness and cheer.

The sweet pea, April’s alternate birth flower, is a resilient climbing plant that begins to bloom during the month of April.

May
Lilies are associated with many of the aspects of a newborn child, including virtue and sweetness. The white Madonna lily has been associated with the story of the Virgin Mary.

The meaning of the hawthorn, another May birth flower, is attributed to the flower's natural uses. Animals and insects feed on various parts of the flower, which reflects sustenance. Substances derived from the plant have been used to treat illnesses related to the heart, reflecting good health and endurance.

June
The ever popular rose is one of the June birth flowers. The different colors all possess different meaning, including red for love and white for purity.

Another June flower, honeysuckle, is also associated with love.

July
Larkspur lacks the seriousness of many birth symbols. It is associated with lightness and playfulness.

The water lily, another July flower, possesses a seed that can remain viable for up to 2,000 years.

August
The beautiful gladiola symbolizes infatuation. The additional meanings of strength and integrity are also associated with this bold flower, which derives its name from the Latin word for "sword."

The poppy, a resilient flower that is also an August birth flower, stands for fertility, eternal life, and lasting beauty. These flowers are a favorite for everyday occurrences and memorials.

September
Strength of body, mind, and spirit are linked to the aster. Some cultures have also used the aster to recognize a fallen soldier's bravery.

The morning glory, which blooms in the morning and dies before the next day begins, symbolizes affection.

October
Like morning glories, marigolds also symbolize affection. Due to the flower’s association with the Virgin Mary, grace and elegance are also portrayed by the morning glory.

Cosmos is a flower linked to harmony, possibly due to the ease of growing the plant and integrating the flower into a garden.

November
November only has one flower. The flower for November is the chrysanthemum. The flower has been connected to the sun and happiness. Upon blooming, the petals unfold in an orderly fashion, leading some cultures to associate the flower with perfection.

December
A plant associated with December, as well as with winter in general, is the poinsettia. The poinsettia symbolizes cheer and joy.

Narcissus, another December birth flower, is associated with sweetness and self-esteem.

Holly, a holiday and winter flower, symbolizes happiness in the home and protection from evil spirits.

Award winning designer, Heather de Kok, AAF AIFD PFCI has a passion for all things flowers. Come to 3811 – 99 street, 780-988-8588 or go to her website www.heatherdekok.com to learn more.

What happened?!

Well...I never thought it would happen to me but it did. I've lost the passion for the flower business. So..I'm taking time off to help reconnect with myself. Find my passion for life again. Yes. I'm happily married. Yes. I'm blessed to have the best 4 kids who I adore and who adore me. My personal life is wonderful but my business life has been a frustration. People have changed, the industry has changed. I'm left wondering what is the point. I've been off for 3 weeks and have loved spending time with my kids. I am attending AIFD national symposium as I gave my word I would be on stage. Perhaps it will help rejuvenate my love for the flower business. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE flowers. Its the business that I'm no longer enchanted with.  I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends and getting inspired by the talent there. Perhaps I will find out others have been where I am now and have moved past that feeling and love going into work. Time will tell.

Memo to Bosses - Thank your Employees!

Did you remember that Administrative Professionals week is just around the corner!? This is the time to recognize your staff for helping the company become successful through a lot of team work. One gift that says thank you so well is the gift of flowers. Research has proven that the gift of flowers for employees will lift an employees mood, create lasting memories, boost production and creativity.

I can't even make this stuff up! The research was conducted by A&M Texas University. They found so many benefits to having flowers in the work place while they were conducting the survey. Here is a link to the research which really is worth reading.

Click here to learn more

Adminstrative week is April 23-27 with the official day being on April 25, 2012

I for one believe in saying thank you to your staff. I do it through out the year as I honestly do appreciate everyone of my staff. They won't know how much you appreciate them if you don't tell them. And so, I will take this opportunity to say thank you to Roselle, Sany, Denise and Brena for making my store the place to buy your flowers! Couldn't do it with out you!

A few years ago, I did a florist design show at a local wholesale house here in my home city of Edmonton Alberta Canada. It was pretty well attended by a lot of florists in the area. I brought one of my employees, Roselle, to help me execute a bunch of ideas that I had. It was a fall and Christmas show. Basically, we make things and show florist different ideas and techniques. Well, for a few years I had been designing what I called at the time the Dr. Suess Tree. (wasn't thinking of copy rights at the time but have changed it to the Who Tree since) I designed the tree to help me use non traditional Christmas colours that were in my cooler at Christmas time that I didn't want to throw away. The funniest thing happened, it became a super popular seller! Not one to hide things, I decided to share this idea with the crowd at the show and they went forth and either used the idea or not. So, a few years later now, I was reading the local paper this weekend and low and behold.....a flower shop here is featured with a half page article about this tree! They describe how it is the most popular seller for them and how they make many versions of this amazing and whimsical tree! I was flabbergasted. You cannot imagine my excitement that someone took my idea and ran with it!! It is so great that this happened! I am truly honoured at this. It made me smile and goes to show you that ideas are meant to be shared for the good of the industry! If people are excited about flowers than we all win!

Roselle helping me with the tree at the design show!

This is this years design!
The Beary Nice Christmas Tree!