Plan ahead: Mother's Day is Coming Soon!

Believe it or not, Mother's Day is only a few weeks away: May 13!  So, what do you need to know to be ahead of the game?

1. Order Early!



Ordering fresh arrangements early will ensure your flowers make it to your loved one in time for the holiday.  You can visit us in person, call in your order by phone, or order online on our website.  If you're looking to give fresh flowers, now's the time to get your order in!  (arrangement shown above is Teleflora's Possibly Pink)

2. Order Unique!

If flowers aren't your thing, come into our store for a huge selection of artisan gifts.  We specialize in gifts under $50, so no matter your budget you'll be sure to find something your loved one will be happy to receive.

3. Order Thoughtfully!



Not quite sure what to give this Mother's Day?  Here's an easy idea: get a gift card!  We offer gift cards to the store so your mother can get the gift of a shopping trip.  Pair a gift card with a selection of locally-made Abdallah candies for a thoughtful gift your loved one that will have you both smiling!

So start planning!  We're here to make your Mother's day as stress free as possible.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts

Administrative Assistant's Day-Two Trends to Know

Administrative Assistant's Day is this Wednesday, so if you'd like to show your appreciation to the hard-working administrative assistant in your life: here are two good ideas.

Flowers:

Flowers are one of the brightest ways to show your appreciation.  We can work with any budget to deliver a beautiful arrangement to a workplace or home in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. 

Right now we're loving watch-them-grow bulb gardens--a blend of tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs that you can watch bloom!  And, you can dry the bulbs and replant them later, making them the gift that keeps on giving. 

Gift Cards:

Another great gift idea is our gift cards!  We offer gift cards in any price range so you can give the gift of a shopping trip!  Come by the store to pick one up and see what kinds of gifts we offer-anything from candles and home goods to silk flowers and gourmet spreads!

So be prepared ad show your appreciation this Administrative Assistant's Day with a trip to our shop!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts

Easter Week: What You Need To Know

Easter Sunday is coming this week, so here are some reminders and tips for you to have the best Easter ever!

1. Order early



If you'd like a centerpiece arrangement or plant for your Sunday dinner, place your order this week!  We will be closed Easter Sunday, but will be delivering all week and Saturday.

2. Easter lilies and pets



Remember that Easter lilies are one of the most toxic plants for pets.  For households with curious cats, a better option would be tulips, sunflowers, or irises, which are much less toxic. Many people don't know that we also carry a wide variety of silk flowers, and can custom-create a lovely centerpiece or wreath for your home if your pets are relentless flower hunters.

3.  New Easter decor!



Our shop has had an explosion of spring and Easter decor and gifts. Lots of new lines and brands to explore, come by and take a look around!

Here are some holidays to keep in mind as we head into spring:

Easter: April 1

Administrative professionals day-April 25

Mother's day-May 13

We look forward to all the fun we'll have in spring, and hope you'll join us.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts

Blooming Branches-Signs of Spring!

When (or should we say, if) the snow starts to melt in the next few weeks, you may start to see the first signs of spring: flowering branches.  Yes, before the bushes and garden plants start to bloom, branches are getting a bright start.  Here are some popular branches you may see in your neighborhood soon.  

Forsythia 

Forsythia is a branch that blooms with small, bright yellow flowers.  We use the tall, thin branches as statement pieces for larger arrangements.  

Apple

You may see apple trees around you neighborhood, but have you ever stopped to look a them when they're in bloom?  The soft white and pink flowers resemble a cherry blossom, and add a pastel touch to yards.

Plum

Maybe even more like a cherry blossom, plum trees also bloom with smaller, softer pink flowers.  Putting the two near each other would surely add character to a yard!

Quince

Quince shrubs are a little more exotic, but you may find some around town.  The spiny branches produce a striking red flower that would rival roses.

Pussy Willow

A Minnesota classic.  Thin branches with incredibly soft blooms, we already have some pussy willow in stock at the store, and have enjoyed using it in flower and plant arrangements.

So as you drive around town this spring, take a closer look at the bushes and trees you pass, some of them will be in full boom before you know it!  

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and gift.

Spring is coming: What you need to know

We're finally over the hump, spring is in just a few short weeks!  So, what have we got planned for the next few months?

First, Mother's Day.  It's never too early to place your orders, either by phone, in person, or visiting our website.  We also have noticed that several local proms will be the same weekend of Mother's Day, so make sure to plan ahead for the smoothest weekend!

If you come to the store, you'll notice we've got spring merchandise.  Fresh silks, exciting scents, and bright new plants are starting to fill the store.  We specialize in gifts under $50, so come on by and see what's new!

Finally, if you have an affinity for nuts, check out our new line of Indianola Pecans!  We carry several varieties, from Pralines to pecans infused with Jack Daniel's whiskey, the prefect St. Patty's Day snack!

Here's hoping warmers days are soon ahead:

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts.

Valentine's Day is TOMORROW!

Are you ready for Valentine's Day?  Only twenty-four hours to go, and we here at Hummingbird have been busy prepping flowers and putting together arrangements for the big day. 

Don't have a plan?  Don't worry.  Come on in the store for grab-and-go arrangements, loose flowers, plus tons of chocolate, candies and gifts for that special someone. 

This Valentine's, we're grateful for all of our customers.  It doesn't matter if you'e coming in for a small vase bouquet or a romantic extravaganza, we want to help you show your love for the special person in your life.

Come on in tomorrow and join the party!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts

Anthurium: the NEW Red Flower

Since the weather is seemingly unending, we wanted to bring you along to sunny Kona, Hawaii, where our shop owner Lugene visited an Anthurium grower.  Here's what she found out.

1. Anthuriums are varied

The most iconic Anthurium is the bright, shiny red bloom, but there are actually several different colors available.  Sizes also vary from tiny flowers that fit into your palm to enormous blooms as big as your head!

2. The growing process is unique

Anthuriums have a root system similar to air plants, so they grow best after being rooted in volcanic dirt.  To preserve productivity, individual plants are culled if they don't produce at least 6 blooms at once.

 

The grower also had a variety of Ginger flowers-another tropical favorite. Pictured are the classic red as well as a green 'rattlesnake' variety.

We hope visions of flowers in Hawaii will keep you warm this week.  DON'T FORGET: Valentine's Day is NEXT WEEK!!!Place your order now for the best selection of flowers and guaranteed delivery.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift.

Seeing RED!

We're gearing up for Valentine's day, which means red and pink flowers-and lots of them!  Here are some rosy flowers you may not have heard of for your loved one's bouquet or arrangement, which we'll have available at the store:

Red Ginger



Ginger is a flower that makes a statement, with a bright red bloom and broad leaves.  Definitely an exotic touch for arrangements!

Anthuriums



Anthuriums have flowers that are so vibrant they almost seem artificial.  Delightfully heart-shaped, we have potted anthurium that makes an excellent gift to that special someone.

Gerbera Daisy



If you want a softer arrangement, Gerbera daisies are perfect.  They are available in shades from baby pink to hot pink.

Cymbidium Orchid



Finally, one plant that has everyone in the store saying "wow" are the cymbidium orchids.  They truly are amazing to look at, and make perfect centerpieces for a romantic meal.

Don't forget to place your orders for Valentine's day, cal or come in today to be well prepared!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts

Snow Day!

Yesterday brought a fresh blanket of snow to the state, some of it falling as fast as three inches an hour!  So, here are some pictures we got of the front of the store, when the sun came out to make everything look like it had been dipped in powdered sugar.

Stay safe on the roads, or better yet, order your flowers by phone or on our website and avoid the ice altogether!  

Wishing you warm and cozy thoughts,

Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift.

Get geared up for Valentine's Day!

It's coming sooner than you think-Valentine's day is only 28 days away!  So what do you need to be ready?

1. Flowers

If you've never bought flowers for your loved one, Valentine's day is the perfect time to start.  It doesn't need to be elaborate (although we love to pull out all the stops sometimes), we have arrangements on our website for every budget, or call us for a one-of-a-kind designed piece.  Add-ons include locally made Abdallah candies, mylar and latex balloons, and cuddly plush animals. 

We can find someone to deliver to anywhere in the U.S, so don't hesitate to call us for long-distance relationships, we can help!

2. Gifts

Flowers are nice, but we also carry a wide variety of gifts in our shop.  Popular Valentine's items include unique jewelry, tons of home decor, and more candles than you could imagine!  You're sure to find the perfect gift for your valentine, no matter your budget.

3. Gift cards

If your valentine loves to shop for themselves, a gift card might be the perfect idea!  Customization for any amount, give the gift of a trip out to our beautiful shop, where they can find that special something.

And if you DO forget, don't worry.  We'll have plenty of fresh flowers to choose from on Valentine's day, so you can come home from work with a bouquet they'll love.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gifts

Time for Tulips!

One things that keeps us florists going during these cold, late-winter days are tulips coming back into season, so we wanted to teach you all about these iconic flowers.

They might not look too alike, but tulips are actually part of the lily family, and are found in 75 distinct species.  The name 'tulip' is thought to come from the word 'turban', as their tight, wrapped blooms resemble the hat.  More exotic tulips, however, bloom more loosely, and resemble their lily cousins.

An exotic fringed tulip, showing the diversity of the species.

By far the largest producer of tulips is the Netherlands, and distributes over 3 billion bulbs a year in addition to mature blooms.  Much of the tulips at our store come direct from the Netherlands, where enormous fields of neon blooms are not uncommon.

A tulips field, showing just how many tulips are grown for the flower industry.

Tulips also make nice garden additions, and can easily be grown from bulbs.  Gardeningknowhow.com has a helpful guide on sprouting bulbs, just make sure to store them in a dry place until it's time for planting.

We hope thinking about tulips will help you think warm thoughts as we inch closer to spring!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift.

Extreme cold and flowers: what you need to know

Here in Minnesota, we're enjoying below-freezing temperatures that chill to the bone.  But that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy fresh flowers!  Here are the best tips for buying flowers when the weather is frightful!

1. Make flowers your last stop.

If the flower shop is one of your stops for the day, save us for last; not only will the flowers spend less time in volatile conditions, but your car will have had ample time to warm up and keep them from freezing.

2. Bundle them up (you too!)

When temperatures are below freezing, having your arrangements and bouquets double bagged will protect them from freezing.  Make sure there's a pocket of air in the bag to act as an insulator.  And don't leave them in the cold car!  A few minutes is all it takes for them to perish.

3. Display your blooms carefully.

While an arrangement may look nice in an entryway or by a window, the cold air won't let them age well.  Place them away from vents, opening doors, or poorly-insulated windows for ideal display.  And, putting them in the fridge overnight will help preserve cut flowers for an even longer display time.

4. Don't forget about plants.

As the air temperature drops, plants can dry out just like our skin.  Make sure to check their soil more often and hydrate as needed.

5. Let us do the work instead!

If facing the great outdoors makes you shiver, give us a call and set up a delivery!  We'll do all the work and make sure your flowers make it to their destinations safely, while you cozy up with a blanket and a warm drink.

We hope you're keeping warm during this cold snap, and here's to warmer days ahead!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

Thank You for a Wonderful Year

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to be thankful.  It's been an eventful year.  Between Valentine's day, Mother's day, and Christmas, we've used thousands of red roses and countless other flowers.

Spring and Easter brought an influx of peace lilies. Our summer garden was a beautiful success, and we enjoyed looking at the flowers while we worked and communing with the fish and frogs when we went outside.

The winter season brought an avalanche of poinsettias, Christmas tree ornaments, greenery, and package after package of red roses!

It's been crazy, busy, exciting, crowded, and unforgettable, and we've loved every minute of it.

So while the last few days of the year tick away, stop by one more time for 25% off select winter merchandise.

Thank you for the most exciting year yet.  We hope for many more flower-filled days in 2018!
-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift.

Reminders for the holidays!

You might not think of fall and winter as peak flower seasons, but we're getting busier and busier as the temperature drops!  So, while we send out table pieces and holiday baskets, here are some reminders for the season so when you think fall and winter, you think flowers!

Table pieces: Family dinners are elevated from casual to chic with a centerpiece.  From a simple plant to a grand arrangement, you'll be sure to have your family saying 'wow!' with a centerpiece!

Poinsettias: Poinsettias are usually the first plant people think of when they think of winter plants, but did you know you can customize your poinsettia here at Hummingbird?  We can find you unique and rare colors, or glitz up your plant with glitter and bows.  But place your order early, poinsettias are a favorite and will go fast!

Transport: If you want to take your flowers home yourself, remember that the should not be left out of water for a long period of time, or left alone in a cold car.  Make Hummingbird your last stop of the day and your arrangement will stay vibrant for the longest period of time!

Gifts:  Our holiday gift season is in full swing!  Stop by the shop to find beautiful tree ornaments, gift ideas for everyone in your family, and decorating inspiration.

We hope you'll come visit us during one of the most exciting times of the year, and see all a flower store has to offer in the colder months!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

5 Tips for a Pro Bouquet!

We've all been there-you want to buy flowers for someone but have no idea where to start when it comes to designing.  So, here's a step by step guide to put together a bouquet like a seasoned pro (and maybe even impress our designers, too!)

Tip 1: Have a theme.

A one or two word theme will help narrow down your flower choices.  For example, a 'celebration' theme will usually include brighter colors and interesting shapes, while a 'traditional anniversary' will use classic flowers like red roses. 

Tip 2: Know your colors.

One fun way to put together a bouquet is by having a main color.  You could use oranges and reds for a fall theme, or soft purples and pinks to celebrate a birth.  TIP: Some colors aren't widespread in flowers.  Blue is very rare in natural flowers, so to get a blue bouquet you may end up with artificially painted blooms.

Tip 3: Have one favorite.

Designers can come up with bouquets without needing a single flower suggestion from you, but if you know someone's favorite flower (or least favorite!), it will help shape the design.  Also helpful: knowing any allergies someone might have to things like stargazer lilies, which have a scent.

Tip 4: Know your height.

If you're purchasing a bouquet for someone, make sure they have a vase that will fit the flowers you're buying.  Tall flowers may need to be cut to fit a shorter vase.

Tip 5: Be open to interpretation. 

Designers love creating unique bouquets.  A few guidelines help, but giving them creative freedom will allow them to put together a brand new design that likely has never been seen before!  Give us an idea of what you're looking for, then let us loose in the cooler for a great bouquet!

So there you go, five tips to putting together the perfect bouquet!  What's the best bouquet you've ever received?  Let us know in a comment below.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift.

What's in season?

With dozens of different flower varieties, each with their own growing schedule, it can be hard to know what flowers are in season.  So, we want to help you out with a master list of common flowers and when they are in season.

Usually available year-round (sometimes things like hurricanes or bad weather an delay deliveries):

-Roses
-Mums
-Daisies
-Larksburg
-Snapdragon
-Carnations
-Lilies
-Alstromaria
-Spray roses

Available during the spring:

-Tulips
-Peonies
-Daffodils

Available during the summer:

-Sunflowers
-Hydrangeas
-Peony
-Daisy
-Most common garden-type flowers

Available during the fall:

-Sunflowers
-Mums
-Broomcorn
-Feathergrass
-Red eye roses

Available during the winter
-Most berries
-Eucalyptus
-Seasonal greens

So now you know which flowers are in season!  Stop on by all year and see the unique flowers we have in stock!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

Meet our supplier: Doug

We at Hummingbird love our suppliers, so we wanted to introduce them to you and show off all the amazing blooms they bring us.

Meet Doug, one of our local suppliers.

Doug with Lugene of Hummingbird Floral

Doug grows out of Prarie Garden Farm in Starbuck, Minnesota.  His farm not only features flowers, but handmade pottery and even a herd of sheep.  Some of the unique and hard to find flowers he grows during the season include:

Celosia (Cockscomb)


An eye catching shape in neon pink, including cockscomb in your arrangement will be sure to have guests asking "What kind of flower is that?"

Rose Lily


Rose lilies are truly a cut above the more common sold at most flower shops.  Several layers of petals give this flower its name, giving them even more volume than a standard lily.

Queen Anne's lace


Queen Anne's lace is a delicate flower that can be used in place of or in addition to babies breath.

Tuberose 


Tuberose have a mild, Jasmine-like scent and a small, bright white flower that's perfect for small bouquets.

Lisianthus



Lisianthus have a longer stem with round blooms to add height to your arrangement.

Zinnia



Zinnias come in several bright colors that add a pop of color to any bouquet.

We at Hummingbird love buying from local, small businesses like Doug.  It's always a pleasure to see the amazing flowers he brings to us.  If you'd like to see more of Doug and his flowers, visit his website here or come on by the store to see which of his high-quality stems we have in stock.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

The ultimate orchid care guide

Orchids have long been known as difficult houseplants.  They've been described as delicate, picky, and require far too much work for the average houseplant owner.  But these ideas are simply not true.

In Victorian England, only the wealthy could afford to import exotic plants and flowers for their homes and greenhouses.  Importers traveled the world and brought back strange plants that fetched high prices in high societies.  Charles Darwin and other naturalists cataloged some of the 30,000 varieties of orchid and noted each of the species differences.  

Today, anybody can keep an orchid.  The most popular varieties include:

Moth Orchid

  

Cattleya Orchid

 Paphiopedilum Orchid

So how do you keep this beautiful flowering plant happy?  This care guide will focus on the moth orchid, as it is our most popular sold at Hummingbird.  Other varieties may have different care needs, let us know which orchid you want a care guide for next in a comment below and we'll help you out!

Moth Orchid care: 

Temperature : Keep your orchid away from direct sunlight or drafts.  An interior room away from doors or large windows is best.

Watering: Always feel your orchid's substrate for dampness, the dirt shouldn't be overly wet or dry and crumbling.  Water with cool water whenever your orchid feels dry.  Orchids also appreciate a misting every week or so with a fine spray.

Fertilizing: To ensure the health of your orchid plant, fertilizing is recommended.  Use a fertilizer marked for use in orchids or houseplants and follow the fertilization guidelines.

Regrowth:  When all the flowers have dropped from your orchid plant, cut the stems down, leaving 2-3" of stem above soil.  Continue watering every 10 days or whenever the soil feels dry, and the plant will begin to regrow.  If the stems droop or lean, tie them to a support branch placed in the soil so the flowers will grow outwards rather than down.

What do you think?  How have you had success with the intimidating orchid?  Let us know in a comment below.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

4 Flowers you can EAT?!

Among the most unique trends in desserts this year comes edible flowers.  That's right: real, live flowers you can use to decorate cakes, cookies, and any other desserts you can think of.

flowers can turn a cake from dull to dazzling

So which flowers can be used to create a memorable dessert that will have all your friends talking?  

Dandelions: Dandelions have been used as a food item ever since the Great Depression, when savvy families would gather them by the bucketful.  Every part of the dandelion is edible, from the root to the petals.  Their petals make a nice, sprinkle-like addition to the tops of cupcakes or cookies.

Use flower petals with sprinkles to create the ultimate topping

Carnations: Carnation petals, when removed from the white base (which is bitter) are sweet and soft.  And with red, white, pink, and orange colors to choose from, they're perfect for pressing into the frosting of cakes.

Roses: Roses have a wide variety of flavors, from citrus to mint to spice.  Serve small spray rose petals on top of ice cream or large standard rose petals in salads.  Again, remove the bitter white petal base for the best flavors.

You can even serve ice cream inside flowers for a sweet suprise

Violets: Vivid violet petals can be crystallized to add to summer iced drinks for a sweet kick.

Disclaimer: Always do research before eating flowers.  Never eat flowers that have not been gathered specifically for consumption.  Use flowers sparingly in food.  

We used What's Cooking America's guide to edible flowers.  Good Housekeeping  has an article about sourcing safe edible flowers.

What do YOU think?  Have you ever tried edible flowers?  Let us know your experiences with them in a comment below!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

The secret to buying the freshest flowers

If you talk to any designer here at Hummingbird, they'll tell you that the most important step in making sure your flowers stay fresh for the longest time is by maintaining the cold cycle.  Some of our flowers come from as far away as Holland and South America, so keeping them in optimal condition as they are transported is crucial to extending their lives. But what is the cold cycle, and why is it so important?

A typical display cooler for arrangements

The cold cycle is what floral designers like to call the process of keeping cut flowers at low temperatures from the time that they are harvested to when they are purchased.  Cold temperatures (from 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit) keep the cells in a flower sluggish and slows them from using up their stores of nutrients, which prevents decay for as long as possible.

The cycle begins when the flowers are cut from the areas where they are grown.  After they're bundled together and packaged to be shipped, they're placed in cooled waiting areas, where the cycle begins.

The flowers are taken to the airport in refrigerated trucks and put on a temperature controlled plane (near the back, where it's coldest), and sent to their various destinations.

When flowers arrive at the wholesaler, they remain at optimal temperatures until they're bought by floral stores like ours and again put on a cooled truck to be taken to their final stop in the cold chain: our coolers.

Our Cooler

A good floral store will never leave flowers out at room temperature for long periods of time.  Floral designers use temperature change to their advantage.  Flowers that have tight petals that need to open (like daisies or lilies) are exposed to warmer air to open up so they can be used right away.  Flowers that don't need to be used for a few days are kept in their packaging and left on shelves in the cooler to stay fresh.

So, the cold cycle is integral to making sure flowers stay as fresh as possible.  From the fields they are grown in to your home, Hummingbird Floral uses the cold cycle to make sure you're getting the best flowers you can.

What do you think?  How long do your flowers usually last?  Do you have a secret tip to make them last longer.  Share it with us in a comment below.

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird