Seasonal Flowers – Winter Flowers of South Africa

Submitted by Lulie Swanepoel
Whether you find yourself in the cold, wet Cape region with howling winds and driving rain, or in the sunny but icy Highveld, winter often creates the impression of a grey, barren time where all that is alive seeks to hide from the cold. In contrast to this, vibrant colourful flowers seem out of place and are usually not top-of-mind during these seemingly inhospitable months.

During the winter months

There are, however, a vast variety of winter flowers that thrive during these months and are, very possibly, the exact medicine needed to fight the blues when the skies are dull and the chilly wind cuts right to the bone. What about the special occasions that may arise during these months such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays or simply lovely romantic gestures that can only be expressed with a bunch of gorgeous flowers?

The best part is that you do not need to weather the cold to bring a spot of warm colour into your home or office. Thanks to the existence of online flower stores, a splash or colour and floral indulgence is just a click or two away.

The options are wide and you’ll be surprised to find that there are flowers to get you through winter for literally any occasion. For the more reserved and stately there are lovely lavender and dahlias – timeless classics that never go out of fashion.

If the occasion calls for something more stately, nothing says it better than stylish and elegant irises and gladioli, or, of course, the striking and sculptured strelitzia. Naturally, these remarkable flowers need not only be the basis of a so-called serious flower arrangement. You can find many fresh and innovative ways to present these beauties at your leading online florist.

The hyacinth is also a very versatile flower that can be dressed up or down, so to speak. This flower would add splendour as part of a formal arrangement or can form the focal point of a simple arrangement that makes a graceful statement.

Flowers are definitely not meant to be enjoyed only on certain occasions. This could not be truer during these harsh winter months, when a splash of colour could brighten up even the most melancholy winter afternoon. For these days a great investment would be in chirpy anemones, the famous (but never tired) daisies and joyful rununculus.

More warm, vibrant colours that would put that extra spring in your step and a smile on your face can be found in the ultra-colourful selections of calendula, the bright cheer of daffodils and, of course, in the simple beauty of fragile Iceland poppies.

Unexpected delights

Winter also offers a few unexpected and unconventional delights. Many aloes flower during this period. Although they are relatively common in South Africa, you might not be able to readily get your hands on these flowers, but if you do, they will certainly make a statement when used in a flower arrangement.

With such a wide choice of beauty, no winter’s day will ever have to be dull again. Brace yourself against the cold by wrapping that blanket a bit tighter around your shoulders and chase the blues away with a few simple clicks when you buy flowers online. Without leaving the comfort of your couch you can invite a bit of cheer and sunshine into your environment.
Author Bio
Interflora is a professional online florist based in South Africa with a reputable flower and gift delivery service. Their flower catalogue includes an extensive range of beautiful winter flowers.

How To Choose Floral Containers For Your Flower Arrangement

Submitted by Liztiany Zakaria
Flowers can add a touch of beauty, peacefulness, and elegance to almost any room or any occasion.

While flowers are very beautiful, most of the time you are going to need some type of floral container for your flowers.
If you want your flower arrangement to look its’ best, then it is very important that you pick out the right container for your arrangement.
Of course there are quite a few things that have to be taken into consideration when picking out floral containers for a specific flower arrangement.

Where Will the Arrangement Be Located?

One of the first things that you need to consider is where your flower arrangement is going to be located at.

Will it be an elegant table arrangement in your dining room for a dinner party, a whimsical bouquet in your country style bathroom, or even an arrangement that is out on your back patio.
The location of your arrangement is going to definitely have an impact on the type of floral container that you consider.
For instance, if you are going to have a fairly large arrangement for outdoors, an urn may be a great choice.

Or, for the elegant dinner party, an elegant vase will be a great choice.

Consider the Size

The size is also another important consideration when choosing the perfect container for your flowers.
A larger arrangement is going to look out of place in a small vase. Large arrangements are usually best for large bowls, baskets or urns.
Smaller arrangements usually go best in small vases or whimsical metal containers.

Considering Color is Crucial

When choosing floral containers for your flower arrangements, considering the color of the flowers is also crucial.

You want to pick out a container that compliments the color of your flowers, and you want the flowers to compliment the container as well.
Often for very vibrant arrangements that are full of many colors, a simple container, such as a basket or a clear glass vase is a great choice.
Monochromatic arrangements often will look good in a vibrant ceramic vase of contrasting or complimentary colors.

If you are considering of using a metal container, you will want to be sure that the colors of the arrangement go well with the shiny metal as well.

Creativity Counts

In some cases, you may want to pick out some floral containers that will allow you to get creative.

In this instance, using terra cotta pots or grape vines is a great idea. With terra cotta pots you can actually make your own designs by stenciling and coloring the pots.
Grape vines also allow you to get creative, making wreath flower arrangements or other types of hanging flower arrangements.

If you like to let your creative side run wild, then these are great containers to use.
Matching a beautiful flower arrangement with the right flower container is almost an art; however, it is relatively easy to do.

Just keep your eyes on the size and color of the arrangement, consider where you want it to go, and then let your creative side have free reign.
No doubt you will pick out lovely complimentary floral containers that will make your arrangements look beautiful in any room.
Liztiany Zakaria is a flower arranging hobbyist who does flower arrangements at leisure to decorate her home. She also contributes flower arrangement ideas for special occassion gifts at her website http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com

Wedding Reception Table Centrepieces

Submitted by Karen Lincoln
For more advice on planning a wedding or a wedding reception then visit our website For A Wedding.

a pretty flower arrangement for my grandmas 90th birthday!

Submitted by Hamstertabbygirll
the morning sun was shinning on the dineaing room table were i had the flower arrangement.my grandma was 90 years old!

Tips for Making Floral Arrangements for the Table to be Perfect

Submitted by Jennifer Walter

Learn how to alter wedding dress as well as tips on getting the right wedding flower photos from Jennifer Walter, the owner of most successful resource site on wedding tips and photography at http://weddingflowerspictures.com

Any ideas how I can decorate the reception table the flower colors are Pink, Lime Green with Orange Accents?

Submitted by angel_eye
We are having a destination wedding and have planned a local reception here in NY. We are having a champagne buffet brunch at a very nice restaurant along the Hudson River. The restaurant is very plain and neutral so I that is why I went so bold with the flower colors. Since I can’t really decorate the restaurant what else can I put on the tables to tie in with the flower colors. The arrangements are really tall and slendor. Looking forward to your great suggestions….Thank You.

Ways of Arranging Flowers for Flower Delivery

Submitted by Bethany Isabell
There are different ways of presenting flowers. They include the traditional bunch or a bouquet that we have been making and giving for ages. But, these days one gets to see so many different types of flower arrangements that one is totally confused regarding which type of floral arrangement to go for while ordering flower delivery.

Flower delivery companies now arrange flowers in so many different ways and styles that add value to the natural beauty and colour of the flowers. These arrangements are not only suitable for gifting purposes, but can also be used to decorate one’s home.

The Bouquet is one of the most popular and commonly used forms of flower delivery. It is just a seemingly random arrangement of either a single flower or a variety of flowers. It can be used at both formal and casual occasions, i.e., for gifting a close friend as well as for greeting a government dignitary.

The Bunch is the easiest form of delivering flowers, again quite popular. In fact, even before the bouquet came along, people presented flowers to each other in bunches. Though it is a very crude form of putting flowers together, but it has a touch of informality and warmth to it. You can add on to its charm by tying it up with decorative lace and ribbons.

The third most popular form of arranging flowers is in the form of a Wreath. This is considered one of the most ominous and unpleasant forms of flower delivery, since it is used mainly for funeral ceremonies or while paying tributes to anyone who has passed away. It is the only form of flower arrangement that signifies solemnity and grief, though some people use Wreaths as decorative items as well.

These are a few ways in which flowers can be arranged for flower delivery. These are easy to make and not even too heavy on the pocket. In fact anyone can put together a bunch, bouquet or a wreath even at home, if he has a few flowers with him.
Bethani Isabell is an expert author in the domain of various types of online gifts such as champagne gifts, flower delivery etc. She has an amazing charisma in her write-ups as she possess the capability of presenting the beautiful and ‘emotional’ aspect of gift items. This appeals to people from every section of the society.

Looking for centerpiece ideas – pictures and sites much appreciated?

Submitted by teacherjen2004
My fiance and I agreed on wedding colors, light blue with chocolate for an accent color. I want to have my bridesmaids carry bouquets of light pink sweet peas (they are wearing light blue and I think it’ll look nice together, plus his nickname for me is Sweet Pea and it’ll be a cute touch). For the church and reception flowers, I want to include the sweet peas, of course, but also pull in the blue with something like blue hydrangeas or another flower that is delicate and will compliment the sweet peas.

Now, the trouble is that I want something really simple for the reception centerpieces, but which will still look elegant and will allow our guests to see each other across our round tables. Anybody have any ideas for flowers, arrangements, and so on? Websites and pictures would be really helpful, as I’ll be meeting with our florist soon to discuss options.

Table Centerpiece Ideas

Coming up with those perfect table centerpiece ideas for your wedding can be very difficult sometimes.

Homemade Centerpiece Ideas : Making Table Centerpieces


A good table centerpiece at a party or wedding can pull the theme together and start conversation. Craft a handmade centerpiece from party supplies in this free video on centerpiece ideas.

Expert:…

“magic” Levitating Flowers For Table Display: Learn How To Make A Cool Centerpiece!

Florists’ Review publisher and talented floral designer Talmage McLaurin, AIFD, teaches how to create a display of callas (or similar flowers) that appear to hover in midair inside their vases. A f…

Ideas for Inexpensive Centerpieces for Weddings: Wedding Flower …

Use robust herbs in place of flowers; rosemary, thyme and sage will last throughout the day and work well for a green and white theme or added to a flower arrangement. Use a colorful plant like a red gerbera in the center of the table; …

Originally posted here:
Ideas for Inexpensive Centerpieces for Weddings: Wedding Flower