Tuesday, January 30, 2018

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

Image result for 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

Image result for anthurium

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

Image result for pink gerbera

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

Cymbidium Orchid

Image result for 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


Tuesday, January 23, 2018

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.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

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

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

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.

Image result for tulips
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.

Image result for netherlands tulips
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.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

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