Green Plants, Healing, and Hospital Recovery Times

Nature’s relaxing effect on the mind has been well-documented, as well as its positive impact on overall feelings of wellbeing. However, the power of plants extends farther than many people realize. Studies show that having green plants in hospital rooms even speeds up recovery time for surgical patients and reduces the need for pharmaceutical painkillers. Outdoor healing gardens at hospitals have also made a comeback in recent years, as more and more research concludes that their benefits extend beyond simple beauty to physical and mental benefits.

Science behind the healing power of plants

Hospital environments can be stressful and unnatural to our body’s natural rhythms. Uninterrupted sleep, lack of privacy, regimented meals, and of course, feeling under the weather take their toll by causing not only physical stress, but anxiety and fear. Green plants have a naturally calming effect. In 2008, researchers at Kansas State University found that surgical patients who had plants in their recovery rooms reported greater satisfaction with their rooms, less painkiller usage, and lower blood pressure and heart rates. The plants had such a positive impact on patient perception that they reported greater happiness with the plants than any other feature in their room, even the television!

Cut flowers versus potted plants

Although cut flowers also enhance the hospital room experience, green and potted plants have the added benefit of providing air purification as well as horticultural therapy, which allows post-surgical patients to help care for plants themselves as they recover. Engagement and responsibility through live plant care takes the patient’s mind off pain or anxiety as well as motivates them to move around their rooms, not due to coercion or pressure, but due to interest and enjoyment.

Benefits of healing gardens

The power of greenery can go far beyond individual patient rooms. Studies show that even patients who have a view of greenery out their windows heal faster. Healing gardens at hospitals help adult and child patients alike find respite from the emotional fatigue, stress, and unnatural stimuli of the hospital environment. Hospital staff also report that gardens give them a restorative break and sense of wellbeing, allowing them to “recharge and refresh” before the see more patients.

The health effects of green plants are not limited to surgical patients, but can also help boost memory and learning, reduce stress, and enhance positive mood and thinking. For more information, see here.

In addition to cut flowers and bouquets, Carousel Flowers in Rochester, Minnesota, offers beautiful and lush green plant arrangements, and also leases large potted plants. Please visit Carousel Flowers’ website for more information, or give us a call at (507) 288-7800!

How to Create the Perfect Fall Bouquet

Fall is upon us here in Rochester, Minnesota. With it comes crisp cool air and beautiful fall colors. The autumn season is short and often makes us long to wrap up all the beauty and bring it indoors to enjoy all year long. Flowers are the perfect way to do just that! By choosing the right color and flower combinations, you can create a beautiful fall themed floral masterpiece. Here are several great fall flower choices to consider.

·         Asiatic Lilies – Bold and beautiful colors and hearty blooms are the mainstay of this lily variation. Choose from a variety of colors including rich reds and rust tones that are perfect for a fall bouquet. Best of all, this variety of lily is fragrance free making it a great option to pair with other flower selections.

·         Circus Rose – The Circus Rose is bold and vibrant and encapsulates the colors of autumn perfectly. It is a bi-color rose variety that is a combination of a yellow rose with red highlights on the edge of its petals. It has a large head and blooms into an amazing star shape. It is perfect for a fall centerpiece.

·         Sunflowers – Sunflowers are always a fall favorite. Cheerful and bold, they come in a variety of harvest colors, from bright yellow to orange, rust and gold tones.  Additionally, you can choose from a wide range of bloom sizes. These sunny fall flowers are a favorite choice for a fall weddings or an arrangement on a dining room sideboard.

·         Yarrow – This dainty yellow flower is the perfect accent filler for a bouquet or floral arrangement. The compact floral clusters add texture and interest to your fall arrangements.

·         Chrysanthemums – Mums are a staple of fall flowerbeds. They come in a wide array of vibrant fall colors and are beautiful as a potted plant, in a garden or a fall flower arrangement. They have compact heads and can consist of a few large blooms or several smaller flowers depending upon the variety. They start flowering in early in fall and can bloom until the first frost. They are also known as a favorite flower for the month of November.

Are you looking for a fall flower arrangement for your home? Contact the professional florists at Carousel Floral, Gift and Garden Center to find everything you need!

Four Summer-Inspired Flower Arrangements

Summer is officially here. Days are longer, the sun is brighter and hot weather brings out the best in nature.  While spring might be considered “flower season”, flowers truly thrive in summer and won’t stop blooming until the fall.  Whatever the next few months may hold, brighten your home and overall well being with colorful flowers from Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden!

Here are a few summer-inspired color trends and flower arrangements that will make a great addition to your window sill, patio or garden:

Lovely Lavender
Lavender flowers bring a sense of passion, romance and beauty to any space.  This bouquet overflows with purple hues from lavender roses, alstroemeria, asters, stock and other flowers.  Lovely Lavender is the perfect birthday present or romantic surprise for the special person in your life.

Radiant Rainbow
You can now have a rainbow in your own home with a Radiant Rainbow Bouquet from Carousel Floral!  This bouquet boasts a colorful selection of daisies, alstroemeria, carnations and more to represent every shade of the rainbow. Not only will it brighten your home but it will uplift your mood!

Happy Thoughts
The Happy Thoughts bouquet immediately illuminates any room or office!  This bundle of pink and purple daisies creates a symphony of tones that sing summer.  If you want to set the mood for a special summer night, set the Happy Thoughts bouquet on the patio and grab a bottle of wine!

Enchanted Fields
Light, vibrant and summery, this bouquet is a beautiful field of wildflowers, alstroemeria, daisies, asters and more.  Inspired by the countryside, this is the perfect bouquet to show someone you care.

From spending the holiday weekend with friends to a romantic dinner with your significant other, don’t forget to impress with a beautiful bouquet from Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden!  We feature an impressive selection of flower collections, bouquets and plants in a range of colors.  From romantic lavender to happy yellow, you will find a complete list of arrangements on our website.  Don’t forget, we provide FREE DELIVERY for local orders! Give us a call at (507) 288-7800 with any questions.

Flowers for Prom

We’re just a few short weeks out from prom season! Prom is a magical night and is often described as the culmination of the American teenage experience. It’s known for its sometimes elaborate themes, as well as formal evening attire. The young men wear suits or tuxedos and boutonnieres, while the young ladies wear ball gowns and corsages. For a formal dance, it goes without saying that there will be tuxes, dresses, jewelry and fancy hairstyles. But what about the flowers? Let’s look a little into the history of boutonnieres and corsages.

Corsages have been part of formal wear for centuries. Derived from the French term "bouquet

Prom Corsages

de corsage," which translates to bouquet of the bodice, because originally corsages were worn as a cluster of flowers on the bodice of a gown. In ancient times, corsages were commonly worn to weddings as it was believed that the flowers and herbs placed in the corsage would ward off evil spirits. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the corsage was moved to the wrist and given as a gift to the promgoer by her date.

Boutonnière is the French word for “buttonhole.” Once upon a time, boutonnieres were worn frequently by men as part of their usual attire. According to GentlemansGazette.com, boutonnieres became popular as lapel adornments in the early 19th century. The fashions of this time period started to include coats that folded over at the top, revealing the inside of the buttonhole. Gentlemen would push the stem of a flower through the buttonhole and feed it into a loop at the back of the lapel which would hold it in place. Today, boutonnieres are usually only worn for special occasions, such as weddings or formal dances like homecoming and prom.

To make prom night even more magical, get your flowers from Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden! Our expert designers will handcraft a stunning corsage or boutonniere that will be the perfect complement to your prom attire. And a bonus tip for the young men out there: Make sure you ask your date what color she plans on wearing so that we can make a corsage that will beautifully complement or match her gown!

Seed Starting in Your Home

Spring is in the air!  The sun is warmer, the days are longer, the air is fresher and the ground is alive with the beginnings of new growth.  We live in a society where products are at our fingertips almost immediately.  All it takes is a drive to the local supermarket and we can pickup any food our stomach desires.  While most people are happy with this process, growing your own food is a more rewarding experience.  Even if you weren’t born with a green thumb, cultivating your inner farmer can easily be done all year round.

Did you know it’s possible to start your own plants from seeds indoors?  Seed starting is a method

used for those who want to start a sprout inside away from the cold and later move them outdoors to avoid shock.  If you’re thinking about seed starting before the warm weather arrives, follow these easy tips:

·         Keep your plants near a sunny window.  A south-facing window should give your container sufficient lighting.

·         Start seeds four to eight weeks before the plant-out date.  This will provide enough warmth and light for them to start growing before you move them outdoors.

·         Choose a container with drainage holes in the bottom.  Something as simple as a yogurt container with holes punched in the bottom will work. 

·         Start seedlings in containers that will hold 3 to 4 ounces of moist seed-starting mix.  Don’t use soil from your backyard but instead use a fertilizer-rich soil.

·         Water the seedlings carefully everyday and make sure they are not too wet and not too dry. 

·         Keep plants indoors until the last frost date in your area has passed and your soil has warmed. 

When the weather has warmed up and the soil is ready for your seedlings, get planting!  Serving the Rochester area since 1991, Carousel Flowers offers a large arrangement of blooming flowers delivered at the peak of their beauty and guaranteed to be in good health.  Plant our flowers in your outdoor garden and they can be enjoyed for years to come! 

For a full list of our flowers and plants, visit www.carouselflowers.com.

Enhance Your Home and Health With Indoor Plants

Something that never goes out of style is enhancing your interior design with the use of plants.  If

your home is not filled with beautiful plants, you are missing out on a number of physical and mental health benefits.  Not only do plants add beauty to your home, but studies show they have the potential to reduce stress, improve health, and enhance your mood.

At Carousel Floral Gifts and Garden, we believe there are a number of health benefits to having plants in your home.  Take a look at just some of the ways plants will improve your quality of life:

Better Breathing

It’s no surprise that increasing the amount of plants in your home will enhance your breathing.  Plants

continually undergo the process of photosynthesis, which absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.  With the right plant, you can bring fresh air to any space day or night. 

Improved Health

From adding a few plants to your home and office, you can benefit from improved health!  Plants release moisture to the air that decreases the onset of dry skin, sore throats, coughs, headaches and even high blood pressure.  Studies have also shown that adding plants to hospital rooms can improve the recovery rates of ill patients.

Cleaner Air

Your home is likely suffering from indoor pollutants like carbon monoxide, lead particles, mold or smoke.  A simple solution to air pollutants is the addition of indoor plants.  Plants are a great way to rid the air of pollutants and replace them with clean oxygen.

Increased Happiness

It may sound silly, but plants can improve your overall state of mind.  The added oxygen of plants is shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.  Plants are also shown to improve your mood, self-esteem and optimism!

If you’re interested in enhancing your home with plants, we recommend placing at least one potted plant or floral in each room.  At Carousel Floral Gifts and Garden, our inventory features a variety of flowers, orchid plants, blooming plants and green plants.  We are happy to provide custom arrangements and baskets that will bring life to any home!

To order your floral arrangement from Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden, visit our website or give us a call at 507-288-7800.

Spring Wedding Florals

The start of peak wedding season is almost here! Spring weddings are the quintessential

Wedding Floral

matrimonial event - new life and warmth returns to the cold weather states, everything is in bloom and newly lush and green; even the air smells cleaner in the spring. Bridesmaids are clad in pretty pastels and brides wear fairytale gowns while carrying bouquets of soft pinks and creams.

Spring flowers are arguably the prettiest - fun but traditional, and always ultra-romantic. If you’re a bride looking to follow this year’s hottest trend in florals, the 2016 spring season projects wedding flowers to look a little wilder. Bouquets and centerpieces will use funkier blooms in more than one color (expect lots of green!), accented with interesting details like vines or fiddlehead ferns.

Are you more of a traditional bride looking to keep things timeless? These spring flowers are six popular choices that never go out of style:

●       Peony - An all-time favorite for brides, pink peonies are gorgeous and romantic. They have that perfect, delicious mix of softness and texture, and easily complement many wedding palettes. Here’s your fairytale bloom!

●       Rose - This flower is universal. It works in any season. It works in weddings. It works on Valentine’s Day. It works on your anniversary. This is one hard-working bloom! For spring weddings, you can keep your roses romantic by ordering yours in beautiful blush and cream shades. Accent with some strategically-placed green leaves, a bit of baby’s breath, and voila! You have the perfect springtime bouquet and centerpieces.

●       Lilac - weddings aside, is there any flower that reminds you more of spring than lilacs? One whiff of this sweet-smelling flower can whoosh you right back into your childhood. Want a vintage or nostalgic feeling for your spring wedding? Use lilacs in your ceremony and reception florals and treat your guests to a walk down memory lane.

●       Hydrangea - A favorite for centerpieces, this bountiful bloom gives you lots of volume for less (cost, that is)!

●       Tulip - Another classic springtime flower, associated more often with windmills than with weddings. Be a bride who breaks the mold and use these in your bouquet or centerpieces!

●       Gerbera Daisy - This is a great option for those fun-loving, shabby-chic brides. Having your reception in an old barn with burlap table runners and drinks served in mason jars? These are the flowers for you!

Welcome to Carousel!

Whatever flowers you choose for your spring wedding, make sure you choose Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden to do your arrangements! We’ve been proudly serving the Rochester area for 25 years and are the ideal choice for weddings, Valentine’s Day, or any occasion.

Help Your Holiday Plants Survive Winter

Poinsettias, Peace Lily Plants, Orchids… chances are, you will be giving or receiving a holiday plant during the Christmas season.  Indoor plants can be a great way to accent your home with color and life.  While indoor plants should last year-round, this isn’t always the case.  Low temperatures, shorter days and dry air are all challenges that take a toll on indoor greens and flowers. 

To provide the right conditions for your indoor plant to thrive in, follow these tips:

Water – Believe it or not, indoor plants need less water during the cold winter months because they experience a slower rate of growth.  Because they don’t require as much water, it is extremely important to look at the plant directions and water accordingly.

Humidity – In order to let your plant thrive in the dry winter weather, place your plants by a humidifier.  You can also place your plants in the kitchen or bathroom and they will accumulate moisture from showers and boiling water.  If these options are not feasible, you can easily place a tray of water next to a plant to soak up. 

Temperature – Winter means cold drafts and heaters blazing.  To keep your plants alive, keep them away from drafty spots, frosty windows, or sources of heat.

Sunlight – The weather might be cold but your indoor plants still need sunlight.  Relocate your home plants to a window spot that remains sunny the majority of the day.  Just be careful that they are not too close to a frosty window! 

To keep your plants vibrant this season, ask for instructions from the team at Carousel Floral Gifts & Gardens!  We offer a full selection of green plants, festive flowers, decorative bushes and gift baskets for your convenience.  With free delivery, we are the perfect choice for your holiday floral needs!

For more information, please visit our website or call (507) 288-7800.  

Decorate For The Holidays With Help From Carousel

Thanksgiving is edging closer and that means Christmas decorations will soon be up across the

homes of America.  Tis’ the season to decorate your home inside and out with festive garnishes.  Spruce up your home the right way by incorporating creative floral arrangements and assortments into your decorations!  From a garland of evergreens to a decorative centerpiece, every room in your home can use a touch of Christmas with simple decorating ideas.  Instead of aimlessly decorating your home, follow these ideas from Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden for decorating your home with fresh flowers and plants. 

Centerpiece Ideas:  Our decorative centerpieces perfectly express the holiday season and make a cheerful addition to any home!  From fiery red to cheerful yellow, there’s a flower color for every season.  At Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden, we will deliver a beautiful bouquet of festive flowers that will impress all of your guests this holiday season!

Pine Wreaths:  When you want to embellish your home, try a decorative wreath from Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden.  Our stunning wreaths made of pine are the perfect addition to a front door.  Try adding embellishments to your wreath including decorative ornaments, glitter, or fake snow!

Roping:  Want to deck the halls in a fun, creative way?  Invite greenery inside your home with garland draped around the house in doorways and windowsills.  Carousel Floral Gifts & Gardens offers plenty of decorative items for the holidays including roping!

Whether your need a decorative item for your home or a memorable gift, take a look at our Christmas inventory!  Our selection includes Orchid Simplicity, Fruit Basket, Height of Elegance, Rosy Rapture, Fruits and Treats, Bountiful Holiday Gift Basket, Sweet Notions and more.

At Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden, we offer superior floral arrangements and assortments to the Rochester, Minnesota area.  Because we are a family-owned and operated business, you can always expect to be treated with exceptional service and products.  Take advantage of our free delivery on all local orders!  To learn more about all of our holiday floral and plant arrangements, contact the team at Carousel by calling (507) 288-7800 or visit www.carouselflowers.com.

Who Are We?

Since 1991, Carousel Floral, Gift & Garden Center has been providing the greater Rochester,

Minnesota area with superior floral arrangements and assortments.  Jack Hawkins, Founder and lifetime employee, has established Carousel Floral, Gift & Garden as a business with incredible customer service, quality products, and excellent value.  When you choose us, you can expect to be treated more like a family member rather than just “another customer”.

When you need an appropriate gift for a funeral, family gathering, holiday, or special occasion, Carousel Floral, Gift & Garden Center can help.  We offer a variety of fresh flower arrangements specified to your needs.  With hundreds of choices available, the possibilities are endless.  Our specialty services include sympathy and funeral arrangements, Mylar balloons, plant leasing and more.  Looking for something out of the ordinary?  Let us create a delightful gift basket full of fruits, goodies, flowers and charming one-of-a-kind gifts.

Carousel Floral, Gift & Garden Center’s convenient delivery service is available during all open hours and ensures you will receive the professional floral delivery you deserve.  We are proud to serve all Rochester Hospitals and are happy to locate Mayo Clinic patients and employees for you.

Co-owner and General Manager Mike Zander and his staff of floral professionals are ready to help you with all of your needs!  Along with the freshest, most beautiful flowers in the area, our floral designers can help you choose the right arrangement for any occasion.  Our deep-rooted passion for flowers and our dedication to service makes Carousel Floral, Gift & Garden Center your go-to shop. 

To learn more about Carousel Floral, Gift & Garden Center, call 507-288-7800 and let our professionals answer all of your questions.  You can also visit our website to browse through our hundreds of floral arrangements.