Alien Plant Or Animal?

The commotion our Hawaii flowers stirred up was really wild.  We get them direct from the farms there and we had some  things I know never before seen in any flower shop (ha-but isn’t that the norm with us?).   We had waxy, green not red anthuriums, forest leaves as big as my bed, seriously purple orchids, and tons more.  We took pictures of us with the most;  the absolutely most, wildest thing.  Huge, fuzzy (yes furry fuzzy) fiddle heads from giant tree ferns that Lynn says can stand as tall as our building!  Can you even imagine-wow-a house fern for shade instead of a maple tree.  That is  beyond cool.

After much sniffing and investigation, I finally determined they were not a member of the animal kingdom and decided they were not going to take off out the door for chase, or attack us!  So we had fun  laughing and decided to put our picture on Facebook.

You just have to go like it right now so everyone sees them, you won’t believe it!

A Fiddle Head-A What?

 O.K. so, what is a fiddle head?  As I understood; it is a baby fern before it opens.  All ferns have them just not THIS big.   Lynn and I laughed because they were as thick as her arm and my leg.  And, they are covered in the softest fur; kinda feeling like that soft lint from our clothes dryer.  I could hardly believe it was not a new ground bunny of some far off land.  Now I get it about saving rain forests; if things like that are there they def need protecting.

We have fun at the shop every day, come by and hang out with us; you will see the coolest things we find and join in with all the fun we have.   You learn a lot of amazing stuff too.  :)

Love, love Willow  xxoo

Wow right?

Our planet has supported its inhabitants in every way possible for millions of years; without its resources we would not be here at this very moment.  From the water to the trees to the soil and the bees …..there is no other entity that is more important to our existence; it is our friend, our enjoyment, our protector, and our life giver. So many scoff and so many more ignore; but it is an indisputable fact; we cannot survive without it, and if it is injured and sickened so will we be.  Just as you would protect and care for your loved ones, so should you the planet.

What seemed to me... a cathedral in Utah

I so often wonder how humans can be so selfishly blind as to take so much from something so giving and treat it with such disrespect and unconcern.  It is used and used and given back nothing; not even a considerate thought.  I urge you to sit for a moment wherever you are and take in any scene-your home, your business, your backyard, or your bedroom.    Any object you see has been enabled because of the planet.  Whether furniture, computer, your lunch, your clothes, your pool, or the scene out the window.  None of those things are possible without the help of the planet and its resources.  Think about that, I implore you to really think about it.

Imagine the impact if on this one day we all planted a tree, or we all did not cut a tree.  Imagine if we all unplugged our cell chargers from the outlet for just one day, or if we did not let the water run as we all brushed our teeth tonight.  Imagine if the cruise ships did not dump their waste in the ocean on just that day.

 Earth Day is just a single day of your life, once a year, to stop and thank this planet for everything it has done and struggles to still give us.   Are we not taught to thank when given a gift? And aren’t we ever so grateful for help with no strings?

There are a multitude of large and small things we can do in thanks, look around you and it will become clear…crystal.

            Five Easy Earth Day Thank You’s 

Turn off your car at a drive-thru

Creatively reuse something-at least once

Lower your thermostat 5 degrees

Buy one local (or at least US) grown product at the grocery

Flip your paper in the printer

Recycle your Sunday paper

 Look out the window, promise to do better and, say “thank you”.

 A simple quote from one of histories most famous environmentalists and my favorite mentor.

“When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe.”  John Muir 1869

Seeing what John Muir saw

It is almost time for my name to go to the temporary of O’Willow!  My UK ancestry grants me I think.

I love St. Patrick’s time because we love green, we live green, and we eat green and…. Lynn makes cabbage with veggie sausages.  Yum-I asked her for the recipe to share with you.  Recipe- the vegan sausages rock!

Always Dreaming,   Willow xo

Willow and I had a big weekend last, attending the Northeast Floral Expo in Massachusetts.  A conference/show of, and for florists in the Northeastern states and beyond. complete with a buyers fair of all sort of goods and flowers.   I believe it has become the largest show in the country for florists, and we so look forward to the 3 day weekend every year.  I am forever keen to find any new earth wise products  that maybe could be converted as so; and I get double excited to meet the many other designers to compare notes on the newest trends; trade ideas, and of course professing our passion of the art to each other.  However, as the eco florist…..the only eco florist mind you; I look at things differently and likewise, I am usually treated differently.

A Green Greyhound Celebrity

From the time we arrived, Willow had the red carpet as the main celebrity of the entire floral industry in attendance.  I was really surprised and happily, shocked at how well known she is and how followed her blog Willow Says  is; and boy, she took it and ran with it!  Pets and pats were everywhere, paws were given nonstop, and the ‘thump thump’ of her tail was incessant.  She was photographed and talked about, flirted with and fawned over.  She for sure is my heartsong and I was so proud of her ‘princess’ behavior as the ‘real’ owner of the store.  J

An Erin Brokovich Green Florist

On the other hand, I was also taken aback at my own notoriety.   Inwardly, I always feel and fear, that I am the lone warrior in an unconquerable frontier; and at times I wonder if all my effort and passion of the past 10 years and still ongoing will ever matter to the 30,000 florists across the country, or are they just tolerating the ideas in a passing conversation.  And more so, do I really have a chance against the big corporations of my industry.

 Well, let me tell you, I can’t believe the people whom I’ve never met inquiring on my endeavor.  “Oh, you are the one”, “I heard about you”, “it’s wonderful what you are doing”.   What really made me happy though, were those who really and truly wanted to learn how to be a green florist!   A genuine interest with 20 questions; can you find enough US growers, what do you do about preservatives, how do you handle weddings, and on and on and on.  I can’t tell you how good it felt that I was an influence.    The interest was not only doing for the environment, but for our industry, and small businesses everywhere.  My rants are heard of, and my efforts are evidently known.  Who knew?

A Green & Recycled Centerpiece?

At the Saturday night gala, kindred designer Keith White and I (he is a FTD design coordinator-such a talented designer and cool guy) sat looking at the galaxy themed centerpieces; inside a 3 ft. cylinder vase was a silver, dryer vent, hose all curvy and wild.  We agreed “wow that is creative recycling”; until we concluded that the only place they would have found enough hoses to create all the centerpieces so quickly, would have been at Home Depot.  We concurred that it is a start, and next time maybe they would instead be from the dumpster.

Green Floral Products

On Sunday, I eventually came upon as I always do, to the dreaded….’floral foam booth”.  Always positive and hopeful for new corporate ethics and some environmentally minded changes; I enter smiling and gracious.  Unfortunately, as is also the norm, the reps demeanor quickly alters at my inquiries of “are there any new developments toward a non toxic foam; has the company started a reclamation or recycling effort yet, etc.,” and was met with a stern invitation to just leave the booth and be on my way.  I tried, and will keep on trying.

It is not the easiest doing what I am doing, to see differently and not be a lemming following the crowd.  But after a time like anything, once you do it a while- it becomes a way of life. Because it is such a change from the norm; there are many who just look at me incredulously and move on. (I label them brown) And then there are those who are sincere and agreeing, yet knowing they are mired so deep, it seems just too daunting. (I label them light green)  One such interested gentleman from a wholesale flower and hard goods company said he understood.  He believed in America, didn’t quite think much about the environment in relationship to his products, but would like if he could, to be a more sustainable business.   But I could see he just did not have the energy and drive enough to tackle it.  It’s the easier road being brown; not green.

Norman Rockwell‘s Green Picture

As Willow and I were packing up at the end, I looked across at the trucks being loaded from the show.    An Isuzu box truck had the tag line of “floral importers and distributors”;   and in the back window hung an American flag.  I stopped for a minute and thought, “isn’t that something-what’s wrong with this picture”.   An American flag in a Japanese truck filled with South American flowers and Chinese vases, idling diesel fumes.

 I thought about that parking lot picture all the way home as I drove ironically, through Normal Rockwell country, and it convinced me that I can never give up.  It is a difficult and ongoing task I took on for sure, but I am tenacious.   I just need to fight a little harder and rant a lot louder in the hope that someday everyone will see the real picture, like we saw in the parking lot.

Think as green as you can, no matter the shade.

Our new Tussie Mussie..green for St. Pat's and green for the environment

Lynn

However, for over 100 years the tales have wagged around the terrible threats against this beautiful and sniffable plant.  This has been one of those so common myths that even a survey of florists found they thought it to be true! Even my friends at the dog park whisper that I should be careful and not even swish by them; my goodness can you imagine that when the shop is brimming with them!  First let me inform you that the bitter taste and sap of the poinsettia does nothing to entice us for a second helping.  Not palatable to anyone I know.

But can you guess how many leaves me, my friends both human and not would have to eat to become ill?

Two of my new friends.. double fun

The Big Poinsettia Dinner

So how much would we have to eat?  Over 500 leaves to get ill.  That equates to 10 to 25 plants depending on the size!  Geez, that is one heck of a feast and feat for something not tasty.   And actually, this can be said of nearly any plant in the shop, with the exception of only a few.   Like pansies…I love pansies they are yummy.

Study on top of test has been performed so, since some of you may doubt a greyhound ‘diva florist’, no matter my  ancestry and learning; I have listed the studies below for you.  So decorate away with these beautiful plants, because me and my friends are a bit more educated than we think you credit us for-a bad taste is a bad taste no matter the creature.

Health centers, veterinary groups, and horticultural organizations surveyed concluded that these pretty plants are not toxic and pose no health threat to children or pets.

Here is the info provided by the Society of American Florists….

>Ohio State University tested various parts of the poinsettia (unfortunately on rats-I protest animal testing but they lived!) and found no toxicity even at large doses.

>The Society of American Florists says no other consumer plant has been tested more than a poinsettia

>The ASPCA Animal Poison Center in Urbana, ILL says it regards poinsettias as having such a  low toxicity that  it doesn’t even recommend decontaminating animals who have eaten them.  There can be gastrointestinal distress but only from eating something alien to our system.

>The AVMA, American Veterinary Medicine Assoc. does not include poinsettias on its list of plants as a threat to animals.

                            As always, be happy and p.s.…bring home a poinsettia.

Hugs & Leans, Willow

Montezuma is said to have adored them and surrounded himself with glorious poinsettia gardens; revering but never touching them. He thought them to be divine gifts from the Gods, as metaphors of beautiful feelings.  How profound; as we are just learning the power of fresh flowers in our daily lives; amazing the ancient ones are so far behind us,yet also so far ahead of us.

 They also carry the Mexican legend of a miraculous bouquet of weeds blossoming into a poinsettia at the hand of a poor child approaching the altar of Jesus at Christmas;  they were since known as “Flower of the Holy Night” la flor de la noche buena.   With the history, the legend, the color, and the National date; it is no wonder they became the gift of our modern day.

Poinsettias Coming To America

In 1851 Congress officially established  December 12 as National Poinsettia Day to honor the passing of Mr. Joel  Poinsett;  yes there really was a Mr. Poinsett born in Charleston, SC in 1779. Oddly, December 12^th is also the day of the celebrated plant in Mexico.   Among his many accomplishments were congressman, the 15^th Secretary of War, and US Minister to Mexico; but it seemed gardening was his passion and now surprisingly, that which he is known for today .  While in Mexico, visiting a local church on an 1825 Christmas Day, Mr. Poinsett visited a local church nativity scene adorned with them.  Enamored, he brought back a few seedlings for his hothouses on his SC plantation and so it began.

Beautiful Poinsettias

The Gift and Care

As a holiday symbol, it is the perfect gift to anyone or business.  A good plant will last well into February, and continue on for another season with a little, proper care.   A tall, show plant is perfect as a business gift or home décor piece.  While a bowl or basket of miniature plants suits a table or counter perfectly.  While in bloom, they do not require direct sun, and only ask for a weekly watering.  They are of a tropical mind so a misting is most welcome to their leaves; not required to live; but will be happier

 The Fears According to Willow

Check Willows blog post where she separates the myths & danger rumors to the facts.  Poinsettia fears are just not true and she assures you with her all knowing wisdom and research as only she can.  Smile

Happy Happy and Merry Merry

Lynn

How perfect this owl and not impressed with the beautiful berries

Everyone loves what has been named bittersweet for autumn decorating.  Surprisingly, it is not the original bittersweet botanically; but yet a Solanum genus of Nightshade was first designated as such; which is not a cousin, relative, or even lookalike.    Through the centuries names get coined or interpreted and now to us what we know as bittersweet is just bittersweet, botanically incorrect or not.

 Next to pumpkins and maple trees, there is no match for the display it puts on a front door, or beautiful country table.  It rambles, it diverts, and it goes around and out west.  It is a free spirited thing that has no rhyme or reason, which is what I adore about it the best.  I work with what shape it gives me with no two designs the same-love it.  As Willow and I walked this morning, the woods seemed ablaze from the vibrant yellow and orange berries….everywhere we looked.   Alongside us, around us, hanging from the trees, and shooting out to grab our feet.  As we stood looking, I wondered if we stayed too long if we too would be wound up in this voracious vine.  For ever so long, it seemed a difficult quest every year to locate nice bittersweet for the store; and now here we stood with it about to attach itself to us.

Why All The Bittersweet

 So today, there are 2 vines we commonly refer to as bittersweet, and to a wanderer’s eye, barely different.  Our American bittersweet indigenous to North America is Celastrus Scandens and then we have the Oriental bittersweet invader of Celastrus Orbiculata, introduced from the Orient in the mid 1800’s as an ornamental and for erosion control. Hmm, as usual when you upset an ecosystem it never seems to come to a good end; I think we should have left it where it was. It is a foreign strangler, incredibly invasive and a real menace taking over in 25 states as far west as Montana.

Our Bittersweet

 We have nearly picked & decorated ourselves out of ours to where the NY State DEC named it a protected plant.  They have listed it as “”exploited and vulnerable”;  including it on their list to be officially, designated as rare.  Every plant has a specific purpose on the planet, none are useless and just weeds as many say.  Long ago before decoration; Native Americans knew to use it medicinally, for color pigment, and its vines for rope and weaving baskets.   So, if you are so lucky as to have our bittersweet; please try to encourage it to grow and protect it because we are losing it to a rival import.  If you would like to have your own American bittersweet seeds and plants; they can be purchased at various nurseries and seed houses across the country.

Is it American or Not

Like us humans the plants are basically the same yet different.  Ours has a larger berry of course; isn’t everything bigger, better, and louder in America?  :)   However, unless you have a branch of each side by side it is difficult to go by berry alone.  The best things to look for are just 2 characteristics.  Ours has an elliptical leaf with berry clusters at the tips of the branches.  While our invaders have a bit rounder leaf with berry clusters all over the vine; wherever the leaves are attached.  Yes, what you mostly see everywhere and probably on your door right now is the invader; this bittersweet gang is trying to take over our turf and a woods war is on.  The oriental is tougher than ours; it smothers trees and crowds our low growth plants; and displacing our own through competition and hybridization.   You can always tell a gratefully freed, tree that spent its life encased with it by the scars the vines left.

Let’s Level the Field

The plant world is not much different from ours, as we are part of the same kingdom.  So being we all love bittersweet for decorating, lets level the playing field some.  One positive; many bird species eat the berries, as do other pollinators.   Whether you gather or purchase your bittersweet, first try to discern if it is American or Oriental.   If Oriental , which most is; decorate and craft carefully as any berries or cut stems can and will winter over and root in the Spring.  For this reason, and especially when the decorations are taken down; don’t add them to a compost pile or roadside where the seeds can germinate or the vines can root.  Spent vines and wreaths should be cut up and placed in a box or bag to dry –along with their dried berries.  In the spring they can then be disposed of with your normal trash.

 Plants are far from mindless, they are opportunists and survivalists. So decorate away because Autumn without bittersweet is like Winter without holly; just keeping in mind that every action has a reaction, even with the wily bittersweet.

 Click to watch 

Thanks Bob,

Lynn

 As a new, diva florist 4 years ago, I never laid my eyes on anything with a name like eucalyptus; in fact, I had no clue if it meant an animal friend, a yummy treat, or a vet trip.  It began one day as there was much commotion by Lynn; she was yipping and yaying at someone carrying in buckets & buckets of the oddest looking things I ever saw; so I just had to investigate.    As you know, we canines investigate with our nose and I had no idea what I was in for!  Well let me tell you- it was quite memorable; they were so soft but ever so strong smelly and I wasn’t impressed.  Why would anyone want it in a flower shop?  But with Lynn’s infectious energy I knew it must be something special so I gave it chance.

How To Love Eucalyptus

It’s wasn’t easy for me to like it but as time went by; I learned this plant is a favorite because of that smelly scent.  I even kind of grew to like it for my room now and again as it rids any and all possible odors like my abc bones (already been chewed)  or my so undignified scent when I come in from the rain.  I will also admit that I find it really easy to arrange because it drapes over a vase just perfect; and it fills in the occasional empty spaces in my designing perfectly too.

And of course… the wreaths are really cool because they hang away from your nose farther; canine easy to make-unless

you are like my grandmamma-who likes ready made by us….then we do that too.  I like the mini wreaths-they make quicker than Lynn’s big ones and less sticky time.

If you want to venture into aromatherapy, there’s nothing easier to start with.   It keeps its scent for years if you just want to dry it, or you can steep (like soak) it in oil for a real potent scent.   Lynn ties a little bunch to our showerhead which seems to open its scent gates big time with the steam.  I hear so many people in the store sneezing with allergies-ugh.  This is the best remedy for that.  Try it, bet you’ll love it.

Nothing Better Than Local Grown Eucalyptus

As a eucalyptus connoisseur now, I too anxiously watch for those incoming buckets every year.  The local grown eucalyptus has big round leaves and so soft you can mash it with one paw.   Its stronger smelling and lasts for weeks.   In the winter we get it from Cally (CA), and it is nice but not as paw friendly being stiffer and much smaller leaves.  Except….for the ‘willow’ leaf variety which of course is my winter favorite.

All in all, the quality is the best-the grower brings treats, and it is the longest lasting air freshener.   I’m telling you it is the best.

The Best Eucalyptus Deal in the World!

The buckets (and my farm treats) only come to the store from August to about Thanksgiving so it is a seasonal excitement that you just have to experience with me.  Leaning on the grower last week, I am thrilled to say he and I have come to an agreement I wanted to benefit both you my friends and my greyt friends.  Guess what? Every week from now until Nov. 5^th you can have a big, freshly cut, growers bunch for only $12. dollars.  Do you know how big a bunch that is?   Like almost 30 stems!  Wow, this is enough for one super large vase or bucket, 5 smaller vases, or about 10 little bitty’s and one for your best friends area.   The greatest buy!

And want to know the best part?  $2. dollars of every bunch sold will go for treats to my friends waiting at the greyhound rescue!  Love, love it.     He is so nice to do this as these big bunches usually sell for $20. dollars.   He loves racing-so I hit his soft spot I think when I said “race cars not dogs”  hehe I’m a flirt.   So please help me make a big splash for my other friends; this will be so yummy for their long waits at the adoption kennel.  You can stop by any day, sometimes we sell out so you should maybe order your bunches for pickup on Friday or Saturday at the shop.  If you know someone who is sinus stuffy, maybe has an odd smelling place, or with

abc bones laying around….call me-we’ll deliver them a bunch or 2 with a big ribbon.   I looove our nice ribbons-they don’t itch.   My very own, promotion- I like being a diva florist.  Yay!

  Belief-it’s what gets you there….  love & leans,  Willow

My flirt mode

Video Dog racing kennels at the track  

And don’t forget!  Go to my flower arrangement  because…….

My Basket

Yay- for every one ordered 20 % goes to Grey2KUSA

Visit the site-for me.  :)