australianflowers

2006-09-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

Why do you wear button holes and corsages at Weddings

If you want a uniform look to your wedding and to provide a symbol of unity between the two families, why not co-ordinate your corsages with the gents' button holes? You could choose a white rose as this would compliment most people's clothing.

Who should wear button holes and corsages at a wedding

Having nice button hole (or boutonniere) can really make a difference to the male's suit at wedding. It adds the finishing touch that provides a sense of style and completeness to the whole wedding party.

You really only need a small flower for your button hole, and there are many elegant ways to give them an attractive look. Little add on's, such as the creative use of greenery, wire and berrys can make a huge difference. People really do notice original design features.

Choosing Your Wedding Button Hole

The colour of your Button Hole can be chosen to either contrast or complement the colour of the groom's outfit. For instance a black morning suit with a burgundy cravat could be complemented by a burgundy boutonniere made from a tulip, calla lily or rose.

Alternatively, you could arrange for buttonholes to be made that mirror the flowers in the bride's bouquet.

For guys who 'don't like flowers' you can tone things down by using smaller blooms or substituting them with greenery and berries or even herbs.

How to Wear Your Button Hole

The button hole should be worn on the outside of the buttonhole of the left lapel: Not in the button hole.

It is usually secured by placing a pearl-headed pin from the back of the lapel. The pin will then be invisible from the front. If you have a gold or decorative pin you may want to show it off and then you could pin the boutonniere from the front.

Is it Wedding Buttonholes or Wedding Boutonnieres?

In Australia we use the term Button Hole. However, wedding boutonnieres is the common term used in the US for a gentleman's flower or flowers worn on the lapel. In the UK the term wedding buttonholes is more common and UK florists regard a buttonhole as being based around a single dominant flower, whereas a boutonniere is a group of small flowers such as stephanotis.

On this website we use the terms interchangeably.

Let's Hear it For the Boy!

Weddings are generally focused on how special the bride looks. Wedding Button Holes are an inexpensive way to ensure that the groom looks and feels special too. Go for it!

Stylish Wedding Corsages

Wedding corsages are created from a single or small group of flowers and are worn by the female members of the wedding party. A corsage is similar to a male Button Hole but is larger and usually has prettier accessories surrounding the main flower such as baby's breath.

Who Wears Wedding Corsages?

The mothers of the bride and groom normally wear corsages. It is also a good idea to include the grandmothers as well. Check with them what their outfits are going to be so that appropriate flowers can be chosen for the corsage.

Singapore orchids and roses make good corsages as they are quite hardy and will last all day out of water.

Attaching and Wearing Wedding Corsages

Corsages are attached in the same way a male button hole is, with a pearl headed pin. The pin is pushed through from the back of the garment, through the corsage, and back through the garment.

Recently corsage magnets have become available. These are for delicate fabrics where you wouldn't want to put a pin through. A small magnet is incorporated at the back of the corsage design and a thin metallic disc is placed on the back of the garment that secures it in place. If you require a magnet, please give us plenty of notice.

Wrist Corsages

Wrist corsages can look very stylish with a short sleeve dress. It is best to create them from circular focal flowers such as orchids or roses. Flowers such as calla lilies will not work as well.

Wrist corsages have the advantage over a bouquet that both of your hands are free.

Other Types of Wedding Corsages

Sometimes we are asked to make a handbag corsage because the guest wants to protect their clothes. These are created in a similar way to a normal corsage. It is best attached to a rigid part of the handbag, either the handle or the main part of the bag itself.

Another idea for wearing a corsage is to create one for a hat. These can be easily attached using a pin or magnets depending on the material from which the hat is made.

see designs of wedding buttons and corsages

Benefits of Silk Flowers over Fresh Flowers

2006-09-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

Silk flowers allow you to have beautiful arrangements in your home with an allergy free environment
They last for a very long time (until you want to re-decorate)
You can make it match perfectly to your décor by choosing the right colours rather than what's in season
If you're a bride, you can keep your flowers forever without have to pay to have them preserved
If you're have artificial wedding flowers, you don't have to be running around on the day organising where your flowers are, plus you can pay them off much earlier.
For a wedding bouquet, you can have your favourite flowers even if they are out of season.
For photos of some silk arrangements see blossoms

What type of flowers are available in Australia

2006-09-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

Australia produces an extensive range of traditional and exotic flowers and foliage throughout the country. Traditionally, native Australian flowers are not used regularly in floral designs, because many produce their flowers along the stem instead of the ends of stems, where florists prefer them to be. However, they are popular with tourists to Australia, and their leaves come in a large variety of colours, including blue, which are not common in other countries.

Australia’s Native Flowers
For thousands of years Australia was isolated from all other cultures and thus plants were able to develop independently to suit the harsh natural conditions. Our wide range of environments has produced a unique and diverse range flora and it has been estimated there are about 20,000 to 25,000 different plants native to Australia.

Ordering Flowers in Australia
To order flowers within Australia for local delivery or overseas deliveries please contact www.blossoms.com.au

Following is lists of all navitve Australian Flowers nominating when they are available for purchase.

Banksia - Flowers all year, colours range from red to orange to brown.
Eucalyptus (gum trees) - Mainly leaves are used in arrangements rather than the gum nuts. They have a crisp scent and are evergreen.
Waxflower - Flowers from June to January, colours vary from purple, red, pink, white and cream. Has a sweet scent.
Kangaroo Paw - Flowers from July to January, colours vary from red/green, orange, yellow to black/green.
Boronia - Flowers August to November, colours are pink, red, brown or cream. Distinctive sweet scent.
Eriostemon - Flowers all year, colours are pink or white. Has aromatic foliage.
Waratah - Flowers September to November. Main colour is red, however pink and white are sometimes available.
Wattle (Acacia) - Flowers September to January in yellow.
Flannel Flower - Flowers September to February in white only.
Boab - Flowers October through December with fruit from January to April. Large fragrant white flowers.
Callistemons (bottle brush) - Flowers all year, colours are red, yellow, green and white.
Grevilleas - Flowers in, red, white, yellow, orange and pink.
Melaleuca (paperbark) - Flowers in red, green, white, pink, yellow and mauve
Saltbush Flowers October to January in yellow
Sturt’s Desert Pea - Blooms after heavy rain. Petals are always red.
Thryptomene -
Tree Ferns - No flowers however its green all year

Many people mistakenly think protea’s and Lucadendon’s are Australian natives, however, even they grow well in Australia, they are originally from South Africa. They grow well here and are easily available.

Australia also has most other flowers grown in hot-houses or by other means, including tropicals from Asia: Heliconia, Bird of Paradise, Singapore Orchids, Vanda Orchids.

As well as: roses, tulips, daffodills, hyacinth, lilies, gerberas, lissanthus, carnations, chrysanthemums, frangipanis (although they don't last long as they are a tree), cherry blossoms, baby's breath, easter daisy, aster, astromeria,campanula's, bamboos, magnolias are all available.

The meaning of flowers:
All flowers have a meaning:
Acacia (Wattle) - Secret love
Agapantha - Love letters
Aloe - Grief
Alstromeria - Wealth, prosperity, fortune
Ambrosia - Love returned
Amaryllis – Pride, timidity
Anemone - Forsaken
Angelica - Inspiration
Aster - Variety
Azalea - Take care of yourself for me, fragile passion
Baby's Breath - Everlasting love
Begonia - Beware
Bells Of Ireland - Good luck
Bird Of Paradise - Magnificence
Bittersweet - Truth
Bluebell - Humility, constancy
Buttercup - Cheerfulness
Cactus - Endurance, warmth
Camellia - Admiration, perfection, good luck gift to a man
Carnation (in general) Fascination, health and energy
Carnation (pink) - I'll never forget you
Carnation (red) - My heart aches for you, admiration
Carnation (solid color) -Yes
Carnation (striped)- No, refusal, sorry I can't be with you
Carnation (yellow) - Rejection, disdain
Chrysanthemum - cheerfulness, you are a wonderful friend
Crocus - Cheerfulness
Cyclamen - Resignation, goodbye
Clover - Good luck
Daffodil - Respect
Daisy - Innocence
Dandelion - Wishes come true
Feverfew - Protection
Forget-me-not - True love, memories
Freesia - Innocence
Fuscia - Taste
Gardenia - You're lovely, secret love
Geranium - Preference
Gladioli - Strength of Character, first love
Heather - Admiration, protection
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Honeysuckle - Generous, devoted affection, bonded love
Hyacinth - Games and sports, dedicated to Apollo
Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding, frigidity, heartlessness
Iris - Wisdom, faith
Jasmine - Amiability, attracts wealth
Jonquil - Love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, desire for a return of affection
Larkspur - Fickleness
Lavender - Devotion
Lemon verbena - Attracts opposite sex
Lilac - youthful
Lily - Keeps unwanted visitors away
Lily (calla) - Magnificent beauty
Lily (orange) - Hatred
Lily (tiger) - Wealth, pride
Lily (white) - Virginity, purity, honesty
Lily (yellow) - I'm walking on air
Lily of the valley – sweetness, return to happiness, humility
Magnolia - Sweetness, dignity, love of nature
Marigold - Comforts the heart
Myrtle - Love, Hebrew emblem of marriage
Narcissus - Egotism, formality; stay as sweet as you are
Nasturtium - Conquest, victory in battle, maternal love, patriotism
Oleander - Caution, beware
Orange Blossom - Brings wisdom
Orange Mock - Deceit
Orchid - Love, beauty, refinement, beautiful lady
Pansy - Thoughts, love
Peony - Aphrodisiac, bashfulness
Petunia - Resentment, anger, your presence soothes me
Poppy - Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination
Primrose - I can't live without you, early youth
Ranuncula - You radiate with charm
Rose (general)(Red) - Love, I love you
Rose( white) - Eternal Love, innocence, secrecy and silence
Rose(pink) - happiness, please believe me
Rose(Yellow) - Friendship, jealousy, try to care
Rose (orange) - Fascination
Rose (peach) - Desire
Rose(Black) - Death
Rose(red and white) – Together, unity
Snapdragon - Deception, gracious lady, presumption
Spiderflower - Elope with me
Statice - Sympathy, remembrance
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage, desire to travel
Stock - Lasting beauty
Sunflower - Loyalty, wishes
Sweetpea - Goodbye, departure, blissful pleasure, thank you for a lovely time
Tulip - Fame, charity, perfect lover
Violet – Modesty, calms tempers, induces sleep
Viscaria - Will you dance with me?
Water Lily - Purity of heart
Zinnia - Thoughts of absent friends

Do you really put sugar in your flower water

2006-09-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

I'm a florist in Australia and many of my customers ask: how do I care for my flowers, should I put bleach in the water, or sugar in the water?

The answer is most flowers really just prefer fresh clean water. Yes, you can put a bit of bleach in the water, but minimal, just to keep the water clean so bacteria cannot start to grow. Gerbera's and stock react well to having a little bit of bleach in their water, but roses and lilies prefer fresh water.

Regarding putting sugar in the water, yes you can, but this will bring the flowers on to age more quickly, or open their petals sooner. In our florist shop blossoms we would use some sugar in the water if we wanted particular blooms open for a wedding or for a photo shoot. Often it can take up to a week to get oriental lilies to open fully, by using sugar you can reduce that time by 2 - 3 days.

This will ensure the bridal bouquet will look its best for the bride on her wedding day. Many brides often worry about whether their flowers are going to look good, whether they will suit the dress or the style of the ceremony. There are alot of things to consider when you're choosing your bridal bouquet, so if you need help, check out our website or come into our florist store for personal advice on wedding flowers.