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!

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.

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.  

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.