Product Feature: The Christmas Pickle

We are very happy to have gotten in our Christmas pickles from Kitras, handcrafted glass pieces that tell a story.  Here's the story of the Christmas pickle.

If you want to start a fun, quirky tradition with your family,  consider picking up a Kitras Christmas pickle.

5 Poinsettia Facts!

We were excited to get our first shipment of Poinsettias this week, so in honor of the winter season officially beginning, here are some facts about Poinsettias plants!

1. Poinsettias are native to Mexico.

A wild type poinsettia

It may be hard to picture them in the hot, dry, snow-less setting of South America, but Poinsettias were cultivated in Mexico.

2.  They have no flowers.

If you look closely at a Poinsettia's foliage, you may notice that the red 'petals' of the plant are actually just leaves!  This happens when the plant receives at least five consecutive nights with 12 hours of darkness, as well as lots of daytime sun.

3.  They have a long history.

Poinsettias were used as far back as the time of the Aztecs, where they were used to create red dye as well as a fever-reducing drug.  In the early 1900's, a man named Albert Ecke developed growing techniques that allowed the plants to thrive.  By the late 1990's Albert's family had created an empire around the Poinsettia, and its' popularity had spread to America.

4. There are several varieties.

We may think of the classic red leaves when we think about poinsettias, but several varieties have been bred, from a light pink to white to a variegated 'Jingle Bells' variety.

A Jingle Bells plant

5. They aren't as toxic as you've heard.

Claims of Poinsettias being highly toxic have spread over the years, but in actuality they cause very little damage if ingested.  Still, care should be taken so pets or small children don't accidentally eat any part of the plant.

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

Holiday Open House

This fall and winter, Hummingbird Floral and Gifts has lined up a full schedule of fun events for you to attend.  On November 30, we will be holding our Holiday Open House, one of our most popular in-store events.  Come join us for a night of fun, including:

Snacks-Tastings of our favorite food products and some new ones!

Door prizes- Mystery prizes drawn throughout the night.

Decor- Enjoy our fresh holiday decorations, including 8 Christmas trees throughout the store, each with a different theme.

Discount- Shop our entire store with a 10% discount.



Our open houses are always favorite events with our customers, so if you've never been to one, mark Thursday,  November 30 on your calendar.  Even runs from 3-8 PM  Come say hi!

-Your flower-loving friends at Hummingbird Floral and Gift

Fall Fun Event Alert!!!

If you're looking for a festive way to finish off fall and get in the mood for the holidays, consider spending the day touring beautifully decorated homes and shopping in a pop-up boutique for winter trends, all for a good cause!

The Children's Hospital Association North Oaks Guild I is happy to announce its 2017 Home for the Holidays Home Tour and Boutique, and Hummingbird Floral and Gifts is pleased to once again take part in decorating a home for the tour.

With your tax-deductible donation of $35 you will receive a ticket for this event offered on both the 17th and 18th of November from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Several homes throughout North Oaks will have received makeovers.  Our theme this year is 'Dr. Seuss meets the gnomes', so expect unusual, creative, and colorful designs to take over an already beautiful house.  Besides being incredible to look at, we have decorated with the season's hottest trends so you can get ideas for your own home makeover!

A gnome you might find at our home!

After the home tour, participants will be able to browse a pop-up boutique, where Hummingbird Floral and Gifts will be offering some of the pieces used to decorate the home and lots more!

There will be an optional buffet luncheon at the North Oaks Golf Club for $25, and reservations should be made to the club at 651-484-8585

All proceeds from the ticket sales for this event will benefit the Children's Hospital of Minnesota, an incredible organization benefiting children and families.

If you'd like to get involved with this charity, tour dazzling homes, and find some wonderful boutique items, you can buy tickets online at northoakshometour.org or stop by the shop to pick them up.

So mark your calendars for Friday, November 17 or Saturday, November 18 for a fun filled day!

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