Using Flowers to Celebrate the Holiday Season

With spring a long ways off, and the ground blanketed by snow, blooming flowers may seem like a far-away dream. However, even in midwinter, using flowers in your holiday decor brings a fresh charm and beauty to more traditional, static holiday decorating. Fresh flower arrangements and floral decor also provide a wonderful way to express your creative side, at a time when friends, family, and other guests visit your home. Flower arrangements and centerpieces also make a visually-stunning gift to brighten up any home this holiday season.

Here are just a few ideas for foliage, flowers, and ornamentation to incorporate in holiday floral arrangements:

 *   Holly branches/mistletoe

 *   Red berries

 *   Evergreen branches, such as pine and fir

 *   Poinsettias--red or white

 *   Pinecones

 *   Ivy or other green vines

 *   Gold, silver, white, green, or red balls

 *   Bursts of pink, white, or red within in arrangement, such as a stunning lily

 *   Dried fruit ornaments--think luscious golden or red pears and apples, or even a pomegranate

 *   Festive bows and candles

 *   A vase in a seasonal color or theme, such as one decorated as a present, tree ornament, or this DIY candy cane vase: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2010/12/17/christmas-party-planning-candy-cane-arrangement/

 *   White floral arrangements that evoke snow or winter scenes, such as white roses, orchids, and lilies

 *   Accents of ferns and baby’s breath to create a dreamy, wintery scene

To see examples of holiday arrangements, visit Carousel Floral Gifts and Garden’s website! We have samples of our beautiful selection of winter<http://www.carouselflowers.com/rochester-florist/winter>, Christmas<http://www.carouselflowers.com/rochester-florist/christmas>, and Hanukkah<http://www.carouselflowers.com/rochester-florist/hanukkah> arrangements online.

Flowers are a timeless, colorful, and unique way to express yourself, as well as bring out some of your favorite aspects of the holiday season. Use vibrant red poinsettias to evoke thoughts of the more traditional and elegant aspects of Christmas, or evergreen branches with a spray of white flowers to highlight winter’s natural beauty. The ideas are endless--do you have a favorite holiday arrangement? Let us know!Carousel Floral Gifts and Garden has been proudly serving the Rochester, Minnesota area since 1991. Featuring our online Daily Deal, as well as free local delivery for online orders, Carousel has the flowers you need to express yourself. Please visit our website<http://www.carouselflowers.com/>, or call (507) 288-7800 for more information!

Enjoy One of Nature’s Greatest Gifts this Holiday Season

Envision this: Decadent shades of crimson and gold, cinnamon and pine. These shades encompass all that is the warmth of the up and coming holiday season. The atmosphere which you create in your home has a direct impact on the behavior of the people within it. Colors, in particular, have been shown through studies to impact moods. This is why many therapist offices will decorate in various shades of greens – A color proven to recharge, relax and bring balance to one’s psyche – While bright red sports cars cost more to insure, due to the fact that human reaction time becomes more instinctive, forceful and less analytical when they view this color.

Flowers have long been regarded as a highly effective mood enhancer, both through their vibrant colors and aromatic scents. With the holidays right around the corner, you may be starting to see grand displays of lights and decorations appearing throughout your neighborhood and may be thinking about what sort of decorations you should put in your own yard. Have you given any thought, however, to how you would like to decorate the inside of your home?

Many people wait until Spring to adorn their home with flowers because they represent new growth and vitality; however, flowers can make a stunning addition to your holiday decorations. Rich, warmly colored flowers can promote communication, energy and excitement. Colors like red possess the ability to subtly increase one’s heart rate, keeping one warmer through the chilly winter season.

Not only do the color of flowers have the subconscious power of impacting mood, but their delicate and aesthetic makeup promotes feelings of joy and appreciation. A study conducted by Rutger’s University in New Jersey found that flowers possess both an immediate impact on happiness as well as a positive long-term effect on mood. The study also found that flowers help make more intimate connections with family and friends. Perhaps this is why flowers have not only been a prominent centerpiece in art, but also an indicator of love and a gift for those who are healing.

Consider, therefore, the refined yet intense impact that a stunning arrangement of flowers could have on your home this holiday season! Warmly colored arrangements will complete your holiday ensemble, both as both a garnish and a centerpiece. A spectacular and lively addition to any theme, a variety of arrangements can be purchased through your local florist or online through websites such as http://www.carouselflowers.com. Let your home be a garden of love and gratitude this season through one of nature’s greatest gifts: the flower.

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!

Caring For Potted Plants

Potted plants are a great way to bring the beauty of the outdoors into the comfort of your own home! Unlike garden plants, potted plants last year round and need very little labor to flourish.  Not only can they bring new life to your indoor space, but houseplants can also bring much needed feng shui to your interior decor.  Are you ready to enhance your home with a potted plant?  Here are some tips for keeping your indoor houseplants thriving for years to come!


Choose The Right Plant
Consider your space.  Is your designated area full of light or shade?  Dry or moist air?  Every plant is different and has unique requirements to flourish.  If you’re looking for a plant with little upkeep, try a Cactus, English Ivy or Peace Lily.  If you have the perfect space with plenty of natural sunlight, Blooming Chrysanthemums or Pink Azaleas are the flowers for you!

Watering The Right Amount
Water and drainage is key in the success of potted plants.  While too little water will dry plants out, too much water can also be fatal.  We recommend you water plants in the morning with outdoor tap water.  Depending on your plant, the amount you need to water will vary.  A great rule of thumb is to water less often but more deeply than to water light, frequent waterings.

Plants Need Repotting 
As your houseplant grows larger, roots will likely start to outgrow the pot.  Don’t wait for your plant to overcrowd!  See if the roots are coming through the drain hole and prepare to repot in a larger pot.  If you’re not sure when to repot, check the plant every 1 to 2 years.

At Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden, we offer a number of potted plants that are already blooming.  Many of our blooming plants can be kept in their original container in the comfort of your own home or planted in an outdoor garden.  From fresh florals to decorative green plants, visit Carousel Floral Gifts & Garden today to find the perfect potted plant for your home!

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.