World of Flowers: Montreal Florist Blog

The Flower Pot and the Grand Dame of Sherbrooke street

noreply@blogger.com (Nathalie) — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:22:00 +0000

On New Year`s eve 1912 at 11:15, the first Ritz Carlton in North America opened its doors at 1228 Sherbrooke street West in Montreal. Now, 100 years later, La Grande Dame is reopening after four years of 200 million dollar renovations.

In the past century the hotel has attracted many a celebrity, and political figure including Mary Pickford, Edward Prince of Wales, Marlene Dietrich, Charles de Gaulle, and Howard Hughes. It was the scene of the first transcontinental telephone call, as well as the wedding of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. More recently, Queen Elizabeth II, Brian Mulroney, George Bush Sr, and Celine Dion were guests there.

The Ritz Carlton has always been a high class establishement with a strict dress code for dining (even the Rolling Stones were refused entry into the dining room because of their attire!), and the best of modern comforts. To keep up with the times, the great Edwardian style hotel's expensive renovation kept the historic charm of the initial design and added contemporary amenities like high tech thermostats that record the guest's preferences, and motion activated lights. According to newswire.ca, one of the major improvements is the attention to the environment with small touches, for example, the salt water pool is entirely heated by excess heat from the kitchens!

The Flower Pot is celebrating la Grande Dame's return with a stunning mini calla lily bouquet. Just like the famous Ritz Carlton Hotel in Montreal, when it comes to classic and elegant, calla lilies fit the bill. This bouquet is made up of distinctive purple mini calla lilies that are so easy to recognize because of their unique shape. The soft curve of the flowers adds romance to a modern arrangement. Calla lilies are in season right now and come in a plethora of different colours like white, yellow, mango, pink, and purple. The Calla's lovely appearance and velvety texture make it the preferred wedding bouquet flower. Let our designers choose our best Calla lilies for your Montreal delivery.

If traditional is more your style, The Flower Pot offers a selection of beautiful roses that are, of course, perfect for any occasion.

Come by and visit your friendly Downtown Montreal florist located in Griffintown to browse through all our gift options. If you're looking for a more personalized gift, visit our website, call us at 514-938-1234, or stop by our Griffintown shop (1340 Notre-Dame Ouest) for more recommendations and to place your order.

The Flower Pot and Google join forces

noreply@blogger.com (Nathalie) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

The Flower Pot has always striven to be on top of technological advances and to make the best use of all the web tools available to small businesses so we are very proud to announce that we will be among the first businesses in Canada to make full use of Google Map's new in-store view tool.

As PC World explains, the view of our store will be available on our business profile in Google's business directory Google Places.

So today there will be a 360 degree photo shoot at our Griffintown location to showcase our wonderful products such as flowers, art work, and gifts, but especially to show off the unique interior of our store. Our stunning bare brick walls are complemented by the hardwood floors, interesting layout, and antique furniture strategically placed throughout.

Check out our promotional Youtube video or come by your local Montreal florist at 1340 Notre Dame Ouest to see for yourself, and perhaps you'll be tempted to acquire something special!

Mother's Day in T minus 3 days!

noreply@blogger.com (Nathalie) — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

It isn’t too late to find the perfect gift for your mom this Mother's Day weekend! For the past two weeks, The Flower Pot has been showcasing the wonderful options available for the occasion this Sunday, the 13th of May. Here’s a quick reminder for those late shoppers that are getting desperate.

Mother's day is a great time of the year for you and mom so The Flower Pot's designers have created a special floral arrangement that represents your unique bond. A beautiful decorative white ceramic pot is filled with creamy Cézanne roses, bright green italian ruscus, and Shamrock fuijis for a modern flavour.

Breakfast in bed and a romantic French bouquet...what could be a better gift for Mother's day this year? Pretty garden flowers like lilies, snapdragons, gerberas, daisies, and tulips are hand-tied together, European style, to make a natural, pastel-coloured spring bouquet.

A flowering plant is a wonderful symbolic gift for Mother's Day. Our orchids are grown around a hoop that creates a lovely arch of falling orchid blooms, giving the flowering orchid plant a unique and modern design.

The timeless beauty of roses is always appreciated. The Flower Pot has put together a lovely arrangement of six pink roses in a vase decorated with various greens for contrast.

Our "colorful flowers in a cube" is a compact bouquet filled with the vibrant colours of orange gerberas, roses, and spray roses: a perfect gift for today’s mom-on-the-go.

If flowers seem too cliché to you, what better Mother's day present than hand-made chocolate? A box of chocolates from Chocolats Privilège will certainly satisfy her sweet tooth.

Come by and visit your friendly Downtown Montreal florist located in Griffintown to browse through all our gift options. If you're looking for a more personalized gift, visit our website, call us at 514-938-1234, or stop by our Griffintown shop (1340 Notre-Dame Ouest) for more recommendations and to place your order.

Mother's day in T minus 6 days!

noreply@blogger.com (Nathalie) — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Breakfast in bed and a romantic French bouquet...what could be a better gift for Mother's day this year on the 13th of May? Pretty garden flowers like lilies, snapdragons, gerberas, daisies, and tulips are hand-tied together, European style, to make a natural, pastel-coloured spring bouquet. The idea of a French bouquet is to set the flowers in such a way that the bouquet can stand on its own. The flowers are organized into a spiral, creating an even, rounded top (blooms), and a wide, even bottom (stems). The added greenery and variety of the flowers give this arrangement a whimsical quality that is sure to be appreciated.

If the French bouquet sounds a little too high maintenance to you, we can suggest a floral arrangement that would be perfect for today's modern mom-on-the-go. For example, our "colorful flowers in a cube" is a compact bouquet filled with the vibrant colours of orange gerberas, roses, and spray roses.

Come by and visit your friendly Downtown Montreal florist located in Griffintown to browse through all our gift options. If you're looking for a more personalized gift, visit our website, call us at 514-938-1234, or stop by our Griffintown shop (1340 Notre-Dame Ouest) for more recommendations and to place your order.

Mother's day in T minus 13 days!

noreply@blogger.com (Nathalie) — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:34:00 +0000

A flowering plant is a wonderful symbolic gift for Mother's day on the 13th of May 2012. By following a few directions from our grower, your beautiful phalaenopsis orchid will grow back again:

Place your orchid in moderate light conditions and not in direct sunlight.

Keep the plant in temperatures between 15 C and 25 C (59F -77F).

Water every 5 to 10 days

Never let the growers pot sit in water but drain out all excess water

After all the blooms have dropped, cut out the flower spike above the plant base

Our orchids are grown around a hoop that creates a lovely arch of falling orchid blooms. The hoop technique gives the flowering orchid plant a unique and modern design. Come by and visit your friendly Downtown Montreal florist located in Griffintown to browse through all our gift options. If you're looking for a more personalized gift, visit our website, call us at 514-938-1234, or stop by our Griffintown shop (1340 Notre-Dame Ouest) for recommendations, and to place your order.

Mother's day on the horizon

noreply@blogger.com (Nathalie) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:13:00 +0000

Don't let this spring celebration creep up on you! The main event is only two weeks away so now is a good time to think of what you'll give your mother to tell her you love her.

Mother's day is a great time of the year for you and mom so The Flower Pot's designers have created a special floral arrangement that represents your unique bond. A beautiful decorative white ceramic pot is filled with creamy Cézanne roses, bright green italian ruscus, and Shamrock fuijis for a modern flavour.

If flowers seem too cliché to you, what better Mother's day present than hand-made chocolate? A box of chocolates from Chocolats Privilège will certainly satisfy her sweet tooth.

Looking for something more personal? Visit our website, call us at 514-938-1234, or stop by our Griffintown shop (1340 Notre-Dame Ouest) to browse our other gift options and place your order.

Administrative Professionals Week at The Flower Pot

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:14:00 +0000

The first edition of Secretary's week was held in 1952 in response to a shortage of skilled professionals in the workplace, and was sponsored by the National Secretaries Association. Since then technology has taken it's toll on the workplace and a secretary's task list has expanded drastically. Secretaries have come to be more commonly called Administrative Professionals, but recently a new trend has emerged, or rather an old trend has reemerged.

The International Association of Administrative Professionals published a press release stating that in the last four years, "Administrative Secretary" has become increasingly popular as a job title. No one knows why the old title is gaining popularity but IAAP suggests that the popular Mad Men TV show set in a 1960s era Manhattan office has something to do with it.

This year's edition of what is now called Administrative Professionals Week is coming up (April 23rd to April 27th 2012), and nostalgic renaming aside, secretaries or administrative professionals have always been the backbone of offices and companies around the world. In truth, we aren't sure how far their bosses would get without them!

It's time to show recognition. The Flower Pot has specially designed an artistic arrangement of cymbidium orchids with gerberas in a colorful cup that is sure to make your assistant smile. For a thoughtful gesture, send this arrangement on Friday, April 27th 2012 so that he/she can bring the gift home for the weekend.

Giving one of The Flower Pot's European water bouquets is also a perfect way to offer long lasting beauty that is easy to care for. The fresh flower bouquet will brighten your assistant's desk up to 30% longer with this convenient technique.

Just as your assistant supports you in many ways, there are many ways to show your appreciation for all the hard work that is done for you. Visit our website, stop by our store(1340 Notre Dame Ouest, Montreal), or call us (514-938-1234) so we can help you choose something special. The options are endless!

Bunny Basket

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Easter is around the corner and children’s excitement levels are rising as the time for the famous Easter egg hunt approaches! Adults are also entitled to hidden delights in fresh spring flowers and greens. The Flower Pot’s Bunny Basket embodies everything we love about this holiday and spring season, and is a perfect gift for anyone from one to ninety-two. An adorable and delicious milk and white chocolate bunny from Chocolats Privilège peaks out from behind sunny yellow daffodils in an earth themed basket. A couple of decorative Easter eggs and curly willow branches complete the effect. Brighten up your day or someone else’s for $30 by ordering this beautiful basket online on our website www.theflowerpot.com, over the phone (514-938-1234) or at our Downtown Montreal location (1340 Notre Dame O). Happy Easter!

Spring is Here But There's Trouble in Flower paradise!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:10:00 +0000

As committed Montreal florists, we felt it to be our duty to raise awareness among our blog readers about the perils of planting flowers.
All joking aside, it’s unfortunate that the joy that Mrs Bois was able to find in planting and caring for beautiful flowers was turned into something so awful and demoralizing as a lawsuit.
Mrs Bois, The Flower Pot stands with you in these hard times.

NH Woman Sued For Planting Flowers In Her Front Yard « CBS Boston

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:36:00 +0000

We believe in making the “Flower Pot” experience as interactive and fun as possible for our customers and friends. That’s why for the first time we put together an online contest allowing the participants to choose the vase that we would sell for St-Patrick’s day this year. Our talented designer made three different “green” themed vases with gorgeous Chrysanthemums Athos surrounded by a green arrangement including Israeli Ruscus, Beargrass, or Leather fern. The response exceeded our expectations and we are proud to announce that vase #1 came out on top as the People’s Choice St-Patrick’s Day Vase. What kind of friends would we be if we didn’t have gifts for our supporters? Three lucky participants, Praem Mehta, Anne Marie Marchand, and Noémie Dieye, were chosen today to receive one of the St-Patrick’s day vases delivered to them. Stay tuned for more fun contests and polls in the next months!

List of Holidays (2012-2013)

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +0000

Holiday	2012

New Year's Day	Sun, January 01
Chinese New Year	Sun, January 23
Valentine's Day	Tue, February 14
Ash Wednesday	Wed, February 22
International Women's Day	Thu, March 08
Purim	Wed, March 07 - Thur, March 8
St. Patrick's Day	Sat, March 17
Palm Sunday	Sun, April 01
Passover	Fri, April 06 - Fri, April 13
Good Friday	Fri, April 06
Easter Sun	Sun, April 08
Easter Mon	Mon, April 09
Greek Easter	Sun, April 15
Administrative Professionals Week	Sun, April 22 - Sat, April 28
Earth Day	Sun, April 22
Mother's Day	Sun, May 13
Victoria Day	Mon, May 21
Father's Day	Sun, June 17
Fête Nationale (St. John the Baptist Day)	Mon, June 25
Canada Day	Sun, July 01
Civic Holiday (except Quebec)	Mon, August 06
Labour Day	Mon, September 3
Grandparents Day	Sun, September 09
Rosh Hashanah	Sun, September 16 - Tue, September 18
Yom Kippur	Tue, September 25 - Wed, September 26
Thanksgiving Day	Mon, October 8
Diwali	Tue, November 13
Halloween	Wed, October 31
Remembrance Day	Sun, November 11
American Thanksgiving	Thurs, November 22
Hanukkah	Sat, December 8 - Sun, December 16
Christmas	Tue, December 25
Boxing Day	Wed, December 26
Kwanzaa	Wed, December 26 – Tues, January 1, 2013
New Year's Eve	Mon, December 31

Holidays	2013

New Year's Day	Tue, January 01
Chinese New Year	Sun, February 10
Valentine's Day	Thur, February 14
Ash Wednesday	Wed, February 13
International Women's Day	Fri, March 08
Purim	Sat, February 23 - Sun, February 24
St. Patrick's Day	Sun, March 17
Palm Sunday	Sun, March 24
Passover	Mon, March 25 - Mon, April 01
Good Friday	Fri, March 29
Easter Sun	Sun, March 31
Easter Mon	Mon, April 01
Greek Easter	Sun, May 05
Administrative Professionals Week	Sun, April 21 - Sat, April 27
Earth Day	Mon, April 22
Mother's Day	Sun, May 12
Victoria Day	Mon, May 20
Father's Day	Sun, June 16
Fête Nationale (St. John the Baptist Day)	Mon, June 24
Canada Day	Mon, July 01
Civic Holiday (except Quebec)	Mon, August 05
Labour Day	Mon, September 02
Grandparents Day	Sun, September 08
Rosh Hashanah	Thur, September 05 - Fri, September 06
Yom Kippur	Fri, September 13 - Sat, September 14
Thanksgiving Day	Mon, October 14
Diwali	Sun, November 3
Halloween	Thur, October 31
Remembrance Day	Mon, November 11
American Thanksgiving	Thur, November 28
Hanukkah	Wed, November 27 - Thur, December 5
Christmas	Wed, December 25
Boxing Day	Thurs, December 26
Kwanzaa	Thu, December 26 - Wed, January 1, 2014
New Year's Eve	Tues, December 31

Order Gatherers Are Sneaky

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:36:00 +0000

Soon after publishing our last post, someone commented:

"Great post. I found it very informative. Real Montreal florists."
Note: I changed the link in all examples.

Do you notice something fishy about this comment? You should. First, the comment is not a real reply to the post. Second, the anchor text in the comment is rich in competitive keywords. In other words, this comment was made for the sole purpose of creating a link to a different website. After some research, we discovered that it was an order gatherer trying to create link to his online store. All real florists should be aware of this sneaky technique.

Today, we will continue spreading the word for Florists for Change. We will show how we discovered a new Canadian order gatherer. They pose as a variety of Canadian florists. They have at least one misleading Montreal florist website (MontRoyalFlorist.ca).

Step 1: Look at their website

We began by looking at their website. We noticed that many pages were spamming keywords. For example, "Montreal Florist" appeared every few words on their 'About Us' page and almost always as anchor text. "Montreal Flower Delivery" was also splattered everywhere. Keyword spamming is not highly valued by Google, but it is valued by men and women who don't understand a fundamental principle of search engine optimization: quality content.

The second thing we noticed was that this fake florist's Twitter and Facebook accounts linked to a totally different florist located Ontario. I did not verify if this Ontario florist was real. I was just surprised by the boldness of the order gatherer's link building team.

Step 2: Check their address

After being profoundly disturbed by the front, we decided to verify their contact information. We found a local phone number but no address. Instead of an address, we saw a screenshot of a map of Montreal. In any case, some order gatherers might be tempted to display a false address. An easy way to check if an online florist is honest is to check the location on Google street view. Do you see a flower shop located at that address? If yes, can you make out the name of the store?

Step 3: Call the local phone number

The last step we took was to call their local number. It took two attempts to get an answer. We asked for the exact address of Mont-Royal Florists and were told we had the name wrong name. It was quite confusing because they claimed to be representatives of Montreal Florists. After asking if we could visit the shop, they put us on hold for 10 minutes. They finally gave us an address which was no where near the area shown on their map of Montreal. Checking on Google street did confirm that there was a florist at that location. However, this particular Montreal florist had a different name and a different visible phone number...

Florists for Change, Why?

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:14:00 +0000

Florists for Change held their second meeting this October to discuss the frustrations of the local florist community. The main problem is the way wire-services have reacted to the growing number of order gatherers online. Order gatherers deprive local flower shops of income and wire-services have ignored this problem. Wire-services provided an essential tool to florists; the ability to network with other florists around the world. In the past, if a client needed to deliver flowers to someone in an other city, he would place the order with his local florist. The order would get passed to the wire-service. Then, the wire-service would transfer the order to a flower shop in the other city.

The money flow would go something like this. The florist or order gatherer who takes the order gets 20% of the order + service charges. The wire-service receives a 7% cut and also charges a monthly fee to florists or order gatherers within their directory. The delivering florist would have to fill the 100% of the order with only 73% of the money. The system used to work fine because the number of wire-ins (received orders) and wire-outs (orders transfered) would balance out. Now, the shops perform less wire-outs because customers rely on the internet to place orders. Online, order gatherers pose a threat to the florist community, because they do not provide any service. They only gather orders and sell the information!

How Order Gatherers Trick Consumers

Montreal Roses Example

Paul would like to buy half a dozen roses for his grandmother. Paul lives in Montreal and his grandma lives in Toronto. He has three options:

Buy the roses in Montreal and drive to Toronto.
Order the flowers to be delivered through a Montreal florist.
Place the order with a florist in Toronto.

Paul doesn't want to waste a day driving. He decides to find a Toronto florist online and place his order online. After placing his order, he realizes that the Toronto florist does not have a Toronto address, but is actually in Sault Saint-Marie! He has been deceived by an order-gatherer.

Order Gatherers take advantage of the system. They optimize their websites for specific areas and gather orders. They do not even need to be florists. They must only present themselves as such to get 20% profit on any single delivery order they receive! In addition, order gatherers often do not explain to their customer that tax might be deducted from their orders on the delivering end. This is why it is always best to place orders through your local florist or to verify that the online florist is a real florist. They have the knowledge and experience required to give great customer service.

Real Florist or Order Gatherer?

It is not because you see the logos of wire-services such as FTD or Teleflora that a web site represents a real florist. You should always verify the online store's phone number and address. If there is only a 800 number, you are probably dealing with an order-gatherer. There must always be a phone number with appropriate area code and a physical address. In addition, to ensure you get quality service, always call the shop and ask them questions about the flowers. Trust your instinct!

Florists for Change

The Florists for Change mission is to put pressure on the wire-services. They want wire-services to refuse order-gatherers access to their directories. If wire-services do not accept to do this, Florist for Change might have to become a new breed of wire-service.

Autumn in Montreal

noreply@blogger.com (The Flower Pot Montreal) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

You wouldn’t know it from the weather but we are already one week into fall. Don’t get me wrong I am a huge fan of the warm weather and bright sunshine but I am also a bigger fan of the fall season and all that it encompasses. The bold colors of the fall foliage against the back drop of a grey sky, the drop in temperature that calls for thick scarves and lots of warm layers, the autumn inspired flavoured coffees at the big name coffee houses, apple picking, pumpkin picking, Halloween and of course Thanksgiving, are just a few of my favourite things about this time of year.

Thanksgiving is definitely a favourite holiday among my family, whether or not the meaning of the day has been lost on us is a strong possibility but we do know we like preparing mountains and mountains of delicious food and gathering together to eat it until we’re all a little groggy from all the heavy fare. While there is no greater sight to me than piles of turkey, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, egg noodles in turkey broth, and of course the stuffing, with the exception of the occasional green vegetable and cranberry sauce, our table usually lacks in the bright beautiful colors I think of when I think of the fall. I suppose it would be simple enough to make some colourful side dishes maybe some beets or an heirloom tomato salad but really I don’t wait all year round to eat vegetables. The next best way to give our table the festive flare I’m talking about is with a gorgeous center piece. I’ve tried and failed at the Martha Stewart do-it-yourself approach to things like decorations and I leave it to the professionals now.

If you want a centerpiece that will make more of a statement than a bowl of mismatched squash and mini pumpkins, check out our ‘Autumn in Montreal’ section on the website for some beautiful fall-inspired ideas.

Best of all in honour of my love for the fall theflowerpot.com will be giving away one of our beautifully arranged “Thanksgiving Dinner” arrangements once a week for the entire month of October, valued at $45! You can sign up for our draw today by telling us your favourite thing about fall on our Facebook page and you will automatically be entered into our weekly draw. Best of luck and Happy Fall!

In Lieu of Flowers...

noreply@blogger.com (Catherine Dumont) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Many people enjoy flower photography in Montreal. This popular hobby is relaxing: one brings a tripod along, marvels at the beauty of nature, learns about new varieties, has a permanent souvenir of the often short life of blooms. One may also prefer simply looking at other people's pictures of flowers on the Internet than carrying heavy cameras and other equipment. But how about a more durable way to enjoy flowers? How about having your own fine art photo book?

At The Flower Pot, we prepare flower bouquets and flower arrangements for delivery in Montreal. We now also offer you a flower photo book created by local Montreal photographer Linda Rutenberg, "After Midnight". She has published many books about Montreal and other fascinating world destinations, using various settings and techniques such as night photography and infrared photography.

"After Midnight: Through the Seasons at the Montreal Botanical Garden" presents a series of photos taken over several years and seasons - from spring blossoms to winter silence - at night. Using this technique resulted in a truly original and instructive view of Montreal's cherished garden. The book contains more than 100 full-color photographs.

Carefully printed and edited, this stunning quality book is a perfect gift idea for any flower lover in Montreal. Valued at $49.50, it is now specially offered on The Flower Pot's website on discount for a limited time at $35. You may want to add this book on a regular flower delivery in Montreal, or send it as a gift delivery in lieu of flowers!

Late summer flowers - Gladiola

noreply@blogger.com (Catherine Dumont) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:06:00 +0000

Gladiola is the flower for the month of August. The name of this tall and narrow flower, a native of Africa, derives from the latin gladius, meaning “sword”; hence its nickname, sword lily. They are a symbol of strength of character, sincerity, and remembrance. Some people will send them to show their infatuation: “sword lilies” can pierce hearts!

It is also possible to embellish your garden with gladioli, although they prefer hot and humid regions. In Montreal, because of the cold, it is necessary to dig up the gladioli bulbs before the first frost, and store them in your home.

Not able to plant them? Send them as a late summer bouquet. This slender bloom comes in various colors, and will decorate with elegance any home or office. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of our gladiola bouquet promotion in Montreal!

Wedding Flowers Part 5: Something (out of) the Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Katie Scott) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:47:00 +0000

On a Thursday afternoon a young couple walked into the store out of the blue. They had found us online and were looking for flowers for a wedding … in two days! Usually our florists book a consultation anywhere from six months to a year in advance of the wedding date. Two days in advance? Most unusual. Were we up for it? Of course.

Our head florist sat down with the couple, Jing Yu Wang and Peng Fei Wu, and the groom’s parents and asked some basic questions to get the ball rolling. What is the dress like? Who is in the wedding party? The dress was to be short and “poufy” and the gathering was to be small and simple: just a few close friends and relatives.

To find out more about the Jing’s taste, we offered her a book with some sample bouquets and went to look at some ideas from the wedding section of The Flower Pot’s website. While the bride liked what she saw, we were still waiting for that “a-ha moment” – the moment when she would see the flowers that just felt right. For inspiration, we decided to go behind the scenes and brought the bride back to the work area to see what flowers were in stock. In the fridge we had some beautiful miniature pink calla lilies. As soon as she saw them, Jing knew that she had found her wedding bouquet.

The natural choice for Peng’s boutonnière was a coordinating calla lily. The groom’s mother wanted a colourful corsage, so we found a Cézanne rose with bursts of red and white, along with some decorative statis, which everyone agreed was just the thing. The red then worked into the red roses chosen for the best man’s boutonnière and a cousin’s corsage. And for the maid of honour’s corsage they went with a large cymbidium orchid wristlet.

The flowers were booked that Thursday afternoon and delivered early Saturday for the ceremony. It was surely a whirlwind, but then again, we like to be kept on our toes.

Wedding Flowers Part 4: The Wedding Decorations

noreply@blogger.com (Katie Scott) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:52:00 +0000

In planning the flowers for your wedding decorations, make the task more manageable by thinking in two categories: flowers for the ceremony and flowers for the reception.

For a ceremony in a church, consider large arrangements near the altar, podium, or lectern. You may also want smaller floral arrangements or bows to decorate the pews down the aisle or the stair rails at the church’s entrance. A single rose in a vase next to the guest book is always an elegant touch.

For a Jewish wedding, the chuppah can be decorated with greenery and bows, or with elaborate floral arrangements. For an outdoor wedding, whether religious or non-denominational, the bride and groom may choose to exchange vows under a floral archway or canopy.

Some couples prefer to have the wedding reception flowers match those of the ceremony in colour and style. But it’s good to know that there is no hard-and-fast rule to follow here. For example, many couples choose white for the ceremony flowers and decide to brighten up the reception venue with more colourful arrangements.

When preparing for your consultation with the florist, there are a few questions to keep in mind:

What kind of party will the reception be? Is it a cocktail party or a formal sit-down dinner with several courses – or perhaps even both?

Where is the head table located? Is it a round table or long and rectangular?

If a meal is being served, is it buffet style or will food be served at the tables?

Will there be a dance floor? What kind of entertainment are you planning for the evening (DJ, live band, etc.)?

Knowing as much as possible about the ceremony and reception will help your florist create a plan that suits your needs and budget that may include:

centerpieces for the head table, buffet, and individual tables

freestanding arrangements near the head table, entrance, and dance floor (sometimes transported from the ceremony)

flowers at the card table

single flowers on the back of the covered chairs or napkins, for a touch of luxury

Votive candles are an inexpensive way to bring magic to any venue, but be sure to check if they are permitted by the establishment. Even a small detail – like a simple vase in the restroom – shows that you’ve really thought of everything.

Wedding Flowers Part 3: The Bridal Bouquet

noreply@blogger.com (Katie Scott) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:28:00 +0000

The bride’s bouquet is the central floral arrangement of a wedding, and for this reason you’ll spend a good deal of time researching the bouquet and discussing what you have in mind during your consultation. The bride’s flowers should complement her dress, but should also reflect her personality and sense of style, as well as the wedding’s overall theme, colours, and mood.

Several styles of bridal bouquets are continually in fashion, no matter what the season. The following bouquets each have a timeless elegance that allows the natural beauty of the flowers to shine through:

Cascade. The cascading bouquet flows downwards from the handle. This traditional arrangement is true focal point, and often includes large flowers such as orchids and roses.

Round Biedermeier. The flowers in this round arrangement are tightly clustered and often include roses. Add tulle or silk ribbons for a modern, elegant bouquet.

Hand-tied bouquet. This natural arrangement is made to look as if the flowers were freshly picked from the garden. The stems can be left visible, or covered with material to match the wedding dress. Tip: have a vase on the head table at the reception so that your flowers last the entire evening.

You may also consider a separate bouquet to toss to the bridesmaids and female guests. The toss bouquet is more affordable than the primary bouquet, and is a great option for the bride who wants to keep her bouquet as a memento.

When planning the bridal bouquet, you’ll also want to consider the groom’s boutonnière. Most flowers from the bouquet will also work in the boutonnière, except any kind of lily. The goal here is to create harmony, as a common flower is one of the first things the couple will share as husband and wife.

For the bridesmaids’ flowers, you may choose a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet. If you’re opting for a different arrangement, the bridesmaids’ dresses are a good starting point for choosing colours to match or complement. But remember, the bride’s bouquet should be the largest and most elaborate. It is, after all, her special day.

Coming up ... Part 4: The Wedding Decorations

Wedding Flowers Part 2: The Consultation

noreply@blogger.com (Katie Scott) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:56:00 +0000

Once you’ve done some preliminary research about wedding flowers, you’re ready to book your first consultation with a local florist. This meeting usually happens anywhere from a year to six months before the wedding date, and you can expect the appointment to run for at least an hour. If you’re planning a summer wedding, it’s best to book your consultation well in advance since this is peak wedding season.

The initial consultation is all about establishing communication and trust between the florist and the couple. You’ll want to bring your portfolio with all your research – whether it’s saved on a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or printed out in hard copy.

Some other things to prepare for the consultation are:

• pictures and fabric samples of the wedding dress and attire of those in the wedding party;
• a breakdown of the wedding’s theme (vintage, modern, nautical, western), colour scheme, and the overall mood (romantic, formal or informal, etc.);
• complete list of who is in the wedding party (maid of honour, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, etc.) and anyone else who might require a corsage or boutonnière (mother/father of the bride, etc.)
• rough layout of the venues for the ceremony and reception and what furniture is available for the wedding flower decorations
• a breakdown of your budget for both the wedding party flowers and decorations.

Even with a budget in mind, the consultation will help you firm up the amount and establish what you can afford within that budget. Depending on the season and what’s in stock that day, you can also expect to see some flowers and sample arrangements in person during your consultation.

Coming up … Part 3: The Bridal Bouquet

Wedding Flowers Part 1: The Research

noreply@blogger.com (Erica Mah) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:45:00 +0000

Planning a wedding is a lot of work, and the flowers are just one small piece of the puzzle. One of the most exciting stages happens at the beginning: the research. This is the fun part because it entails looking at a lot (we mean a lot!) of beautiful pictures and choosing what flowers, colours, styles, and moods suit your taste and fit within the wedding's overall concept and budget. At this point one of the most important things to remember is to be open minded. Flagging what you don't like is also a good idea; if there is a flower that you don't want in sight in your bouquet or decorations, your florist will need to know.

This is a good time to start thinking about what colours you will want to incorporate into the wedding bouquets, corsages, boutonnières, and decorations. What colours are the dresses and suits of the people in the bridal party? Do you have a theme colour for the wedding? What are some complimentary colours that could highlight your theme colour? These are some questions to consider that can help guide your research.

As you look through various sources, you can also start to think about the mood you want to capture for the day. Do you want your wedding flowers to convey dramatic and energetic or elegant and romantic? Or how about casual yet sophisticated? You should also research which flowers are in season for the time of the wedding. Choosing flowers that are rare, out of season, or exotic could end up with a higher price tag or be difficult for your florist to find. Your florist can help provide this information as well.

Here is a list of sources to help you get started with your research:

your local flower store

florists' websites (most will have a bridal section)

blogs

bridal magazines

books

wedding trade shows

One way to keep track of your research is to create a portfolio. This will make it easier to visualize what flowers and arrangements you want for the wedding (and keep track of what you don't want!). These visuals will be a useful tool when the time comes to meet with the florist, as you can show them flowers and arrangements that you might not know by name.

Coming up … Part 2: The Consultation

Choosing the Right Corsage for Your Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Vicky Miller) — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:15:00 +0000

Ah, Grad season...

Soon, limousines will roll up on every neighborhood curb, ready to take giddy (or over-it) teens to their party destinations, providing neighbors with every chance to ogle the dress, the date, the shoes, the flowers...

Hold up! You don't have flowers? Corsages are "cheesy"?! Girl, flowers are essential - and I will help you pick the perfect corsage to go with your dress. Just pick out your look below and let us do the rest.

The Look: Vintage/Retro/Hippie Chic

You bought your dress at: Sally Ann, Value Village, a friperie, your mom's (or grandmother's) closet, a consignment boutique

Your date: Michael Cera

Your flowers: Eryngium (thistle flower); waxflower; caspia; seeded eucalyptus

The Look: Girly/Romantic

Your dress: Betsey Johnson, pink, ruffles, bows, tulle, sparkles, pretty!

Your date: Robert Pattinson

Your flowers: Delicate spray roses or tea roses in any shade of pink; frilly mini carnations; pittosporum

The Look: 50s Bombshell

Your dress: Body-conscious, plunging neckline, bejeweled, worthy of Marilyn herself

Your date: Zac Efron

Your flowers: Single red rose, for maximum drama; feminine freesias for an intoxicating scent

The Look: High-Fashion

Your dress: Couture, expensive, breathtaking, absolutely one-of-a-kind, dramatic

Your date: Ed Westwick

Your flowers: Elegant calla lilies; cymbidium orchids; or a single white rose

March Madness & Social Surplus

noreply@blogger.com (Vicky Miller) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:45:00 +0000

Petal people, lovers of leaves, and horticulture hounds... Rejoice! Or at least read on. I've put together some factoids for you this afternoon... Short and sweet, just how you like them.

-Tuesday March 8th, is the 100th International Women's Day. For more information on this day of recognition, click here. To send flowers to your own international woman, click here!

-Also on March 8th: Mardi Gras. I don't know about you, but I'll be eating pancakes for dinner. Check out our For The Birds arrangement, just goofy enough for the occasion.

-Next up: St. Patrick's Day! This is a big one in Montreal, owing to our vibrant Irish community, and unparalleled parade day. The streets have run green with beer since 1824. The parade will be held on March 20th. This year for the occasion, we're stocking the Lucky Clover - Oxalis Plant. Read more about it or order here.

-Did you know how social we are? I'm always working online to connect with our friends, customers, and other florists. So I'm going to link blast you and invite you to see what we're doing online.

Here we are on:

Facebook
Twitter
Yelp!
LinkedIn
Foursquare
Gowalla
Google Places
Brownbook

If I've missed any, be sure to let me know. See you online, trolls & winners alike!

Top 5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Montreal

noreply@blogger.com (Vicky Miller) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Just like a relationship, Valentine's Day plans can sometimes get stale over time. Roses presented over dinner, while always appreciated, are just sometimes expected. In case you're out of ideas, here are 5 suggestions. Pick the one best suited to you & your sweetie's personalities.

Passionate - A Visit to the Botanical Gardens
Don't understand why flowers are so evocative of passion and love? Go take your babe to check out all the exotic, sexy orchids at the Montreal Jardin Botanique. As an added bonus, it's (quite literally) steamy in there. When you get home, surprise her with a Phalaenopsis orchid from The Flower Pot, as a tangible reminder of your romantic day together.

Romantic - Calèche Ride in the Vieux-Port
What could be more classically romantic than a calèche ride during wintertime for Cinderella and her Prince? Explore the disarmingly beautiful architecture of the Old Port together in a horse-drawn carriage. Don't forget to warm up in a resto or café together when it's over, and top it off by presenting her with a classic Boxed Dozen Roses.

Outdoorsy - Explore the Morgan Arboretum
You might look goofy (but still adorable) when you bundle up in your full winter gear. See your breath and all of nature's winter bounties at the beautiful Morgan Arboretum in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. Don't forget to pack a lunch, a thermos of something hot, and some seed to feed the chickadees, who will sit on your outstretched hand.

Fun-Loving - Skating at Beaver Lake
Parc Mont-Royal has an outdoor skating rink with over 2500 square meters of ice, smiles and bruises at your disposal. Hold your love's frigid hand as you go around, and feel free to laugh at your girlfriend's terrible skills. Pack our Atwater Market Snacks for authentic Montreal snacking, and make sure to have a bouquet of tulips waiting for her at home, lest she still be mad at you for laughing at her (she will be).

Hardworking - A Day In
Okay, some of us work 40 hours a week, or maybe we just don't feel like leaving the house during one of the year's coldest months. Staying at home doesn't have to be mundane. Build a giant nest on your living room floor in front of the TV with blankets and pillows. Scatter rose petals and have a chilled bottle of Ice Wine and some chocolates on hand. Then, watch your favourite movies, or just talk for hours.

Happy Valentine's Day, Lovers!!

January Tidbits

noreply@blogger.com (Vicky Miller) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:47:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Hopefully you're all busy getting back into the swing of things after the holidays! Trimming waistlines, organizing closets, back to school, creating traffic in the morning again (blast!). Montreal is back to business. At The Flower Pot, we're busy preparing for Valentine's Day already with three weeks to the big day. Taking all our busy schedules to heart, here's a mixed-bag of news bytes.

-Our new and improved wedding sections are up on our website! If you are getting married in summer 2011, check out our new products here and here.

-Pantone's 2011 colour of the year is Honeysuckle Pink. We'll be seeing a lot of pink this year. If you want to be at the forefront of the trend, ask us how you can incorporate the color into any flower arrangement.

-Ready for spring? Head to Chicago - their annual Spring Flower Show is set to debut tomorrow, January 22nd.

Don't forget to get in the groove for Valentine's Day! It's time to think about ordering some roses for your honey. Visit our Valentine's Day section for ideas and inspiration here.