The Perfect Gift for Dad: An African Water Lily or Venus Fly Trap?

You may think bouquets are more appropriate for Mother’s Day than Father’s Day – and you’d be right. Floral gifts are more common by far when celebrating the mothers in our life, but some dads love the idea of a plant- or backyard-related present. This year for Father’s Day, think beyond floral bouquets and plants and get a little creative to find gifts your outdoorsy dad will love. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

An African Water Lily

Does your dad love taking care of an ornamental pond in your parents’ backyard? If so, an African water lily is the perfect Father’s Day gift. Water lilies bloom with gorgeous flowers during the summer, but they also provide some much-needed shade for ponds in the form of – you guessed it – lily pads. Ponds need shade to create a sustainable ecosystem, so African water lilies are both practical and thoughtful.

A Venus Flytrap

Venus flytraps are some of the most popular carnivorous plants, and it’s easy to see why. They eat insects, look really cool and are very easy to grow, both outdoors and indoors. Plus, they’re very interesting to observe, which means if your dad is a plant lover, he’ll definitely enjoy growing one.

A Zen Desk Topper

There are a number of plants that are said to help their owners in various ways, from helping him or her relax to even bringing about good fortune. These zen-like plants are a great gift for Father’s Day, especially if your dad is looking for a way to add some life to his desk at home or in the office. Teleflora’s Money Tree will bring your father prosperity and good fortune, and our Good Luck Bamboo may even bring him some extra luck. Plus, both are very easy to take care of.

A Low-Maintenance Succulent

Succulents like jade, aloe or different types of cacti are another good way to say “Happy Father’s Day” to your dad. Typically found in hot and dry climates like deserts, these plants can last for months without being watered, so they’re a good gift for a dad who’s looking for something low maintenance. Find a cactus in a funky pot for your dad to keep on a sunny windowsill in his office.

An Arrangement in a Cool Keepsake

Many guys love flowers and gardening, so if that sounds like your father, you don’t necessarily need to avoid floral arrangements altogether. Look for a bouquet in a cool keepsake container, like Teleflora’s ’65 Ford Mustang Bouquet ( Get Teleflora promo code 20% OFF Bouquets Sitewide ) or Weber Hot Off The Grill arrangement. Your dad will love the flowers, and he’ll be able to use the awesome keepsakes for years.

A Practical Backyard Gift

Is your dad into the outdoors but not necessarily plants or flowers? If so, go for a gift that’s a bit more useful for him. Get him a new grill cover, a pressure washer he can use on the house or deck or even a hammock he can relax in over the summer.

How to Build a Raised Flower Bed in a Weekend

Raised flower beds have a lot of benefits. They help you control the soil a bit more than traditional gardens, and they make it a lot harder for pests or weeds to get into your crops. Plus, for those living in climates with a lot of moisture, raised beds can drain water a lot better than ground-level gardens. They’re also beautiful and simple to build on a weekend afternoon. If you’re interested in building your own raised flower bed, take a look at these step-by-step instructions (and get the kids involved for a fun family weekend activity!):

Pick the Perfect Spot

First step: Choosing where you want to put your raised bed. Depending on what types of flowers, vegetables or other plants you’re planning on growing, you’ll want to choose an area that gets a certain amount of sun or shade each day. If you’re planning on planting a mix, find a spot near the house that will be in the sun for several hours and in the shade for part of the day as well. Once you’ve found your spot, take some measurements to determine the dimensions of your frame.

Gather Your Materials

While you can build a raised bed using a stone or paved frame, by far the easiest material to use for the project is wood. So, using the dimensions you’ve decided upon, gather four pieces of 2-by-10 wood for the sides of your bed. You’ll also need four 16-inch 4-by-4 pieces of wood for the corner posts. Then find wood screws, a screwdriver, woodworking clamps and a level.

Start Building

Build the frame upside down by arranging the four sides and placing the 4-by-4 posts in each corner (they’ll be sticking out above the frame). Use your screwdriver to fasten the sides to each other and then to the posts. Make sure the frame is even and level throughout the process.
Image source: IdealHomeGarden.com
Mark and Clear the Ground

When your frame is finished, set it upside down on the area you chose, and mark the ground underneath. Then, set the frame aside, and use a shovel and hoe to clear the ground that you marked of sod and loosen up the soil underneath. If you want, line the ground with landscaping fabric to prevent any weeds from taking over the raised flower bed. Shop flowers at Teleflora.com. Use Teleflora Coupon Code 25 OFF Deal of the Day! Never miss such a chance. Ends soon!

Set Up the Raised Bed

Get ready to put the frame into position by using a trowel to scoop out soil from each of the four corners for the posts to fit into. Carefully fit the frame into the holes, and use your level to ensure the frame is completely level before packing down the earth around the posts to secure it. Trim any excess landscaping fabric.

Fill With Soil and Start Planting

Once the frame is in place, you can start to fill the bed with soil! Use about a half-and-half mixture of soil and organic compost (which can be made or bought from the garden store). The soil should fill the bed, stopping about three inches below the top of the frame. After smoothing the soil and moistening it slightly, start planting your flowers, veggies, shrubs or anything else you’d like to use. When the plants are in place, spread a layer of mulch across the top of the soil and you’re finished!

Remember: Because raised flower beds drain more quickly than traditional gardens, it’s important to stay on top of watering and fertilizing your plants. If your kids helped set up the bed, have them help you water the plants or seedlings regularly – that way, you’ll all have a hand in the beautiful raised garden you created together.

Your Complete College Graduation Flower Guide

For high school and college seniors, spring is all about one thing: graduation. Seniors are saying goodbye to their schools and universities and moving onto the next stage of their lives. But before they move on, they get to celebrate their amazing academic accomplishments! Flowers have a longstanding role in graduation ceremonies, whether they're worn by graduates as they walk across the stage or presented to them after the ceremony is over. If your loved one is graduating this spring, and you aren't sure what flowers you need for the celebratory event, take a look at this guide to graduation florals:

What Flowers Should You Use?

Flowers can be used in myriad ways to celebrate the graduate in your life, but before deciding which arrangements you want to use, you first have to decide on the flowers themselves. There are a few ways to determine this: First, if the graduate has a floral preference, say they love tulips, that's always a good choice. Or, consider using flowers in the school's colors for an extra festive touch. Finally, consider some traditional graduation blooms that never go out of style. For instance, orchids, roses and carnations are all popular choices that your graduating senior is sure to love.

Corsages and Boutonnieres 

Corsages and boutonnieres were traditionally presented to graduates to wear during their walk across the stage, and though the custom has become a little less common, it's still a fun way to celebrate the big day. These arrangements – a wrist corsage for a girl and a lapel boutonniere for a boy – are usually given by the parents of the senior before the ceremony. If you live in an coastal state and the school is OK with it, you can also consider presenting your graduate with a floral lei for the ceremony!

A Graduation Gift

Whether you can make it to your favorite senior's party or you're celebrating the event from out of town, flowers make a great graduation gift. In-person friends and family members can present a beautiful bouquet after the ceremony is over, while out-of-town loved ones can have flowers hand-delivered to the graduate's house to support him or her from afar. If you're interested in sending a gift remotely, you can even gift the graduate with a plant that will last a lot longer than a bouquet. Send Teleflora's Good Luck Bamboo to bring your senior good fortune in his or her future endeavors. Graduating high school seniors can bring a plant with them to their dorm rooms and college graduates can bring one into the office to decorate their first professional desk.

Arrangements for the Celebration

Centerpieces or other florals you can use to decorate for the graduation party are the last type of arrangement you may want to consider. Find something fun and festive and place it on a table near a guest book or large card that everyone can sign. Or, if you gave the graduate a bouquet at the end of the ceremony, have a decorative vase set up already in which you can arrange the flowers as soon as you get home – or to wherever the party is taking place. 

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• Teleflora Coupon Code 25% OFF on Deal of the Day
• Teleflora Coupon Code 15% OFF on Flowers

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How to Build a Raised Flower Bed in a Weekend

Raised flower beds have a lot of benefits. They help you control the soil a bit more than traditional gardens, and they make it a lot harder for pests or weeds to get into your crops. Plus, for those living in climates with a lot of moisture, raised beds can drain water a lot better than ground-level gardens. They're also beautiful and simple to build on a weekend afternoon. If you're interested in building your own raised flower bed, take a look at these step-by-step instructions (and get the kids involved for a fun family weekend activity!):

Pick the Perfect Spot

First step: Choosing where you want to put your raised bet. Depending on what types of flowers, vegetables or other plants you're planning on growing, you'll want to choose an area that gets a certain amount of sun or shade each day. If you're planning on planting a mix, find a spot near the house that will be in the sun for several hours and in the shade for part of the day as well. Once you've found your spot, take some measurements to determine the dimensions of your frame.

Gather Your Materials

While you can build a raised bed using a stone or paved frame, by far the easiest material to use for the project is wood. So, using the dimensions you've decided upon, gather four pieces of 2-by-10 wood for the sides of your bed. You'll also need four 16-inch 4-by-4 pieces of wood for the corner posts. Then find wood screws, a screwdriver, woodworking clamps and a level.

Start Building

Build the frame upside down by arranging the four sides and placing the 4-by-4 posts in each corner (they'll be sticking out above the frame). Use your screwdriver to fasten the sides to each other and then to the posts. Make sure the frame is even and level throughout the process.

Mark and Clear the Ground

When your frame is finished, set it upside down on the area you chose, and mark the ground underneath. Then, set the frame aside, and use a shovel and hoe to clear the ground that you marked of sod and loosen up the soil underneath. If you want, line the ground with landscaping fabric to prevent any weeds from taking over the raised flower bed. 

Set Up the Raised Bed

Get ready to put the frame into position by using a trowel to scoop out soil from each of the four corners for the posts to fit into. Carefully fit the frame into the holes, and use your level to ensure the frame is completely level before packing down the earth around the posts to secure it. Trim any excess landscaping fabric. 

Fill With Soil and Start Planting

Once the frame is in place, you can start to fill the bed with soil! Use about a half-and-half mixture of soil and organic compost (which can be made or bought from the garden store). The soil should fill the bed, stopping about three inches below the top of the frame. After smoothing the soil and moistening it slightly, start planting your flowers, veggies, shrubs or anything else you'd like to use. When the plants are in place, spread a layer of mulch across the top of the soil and you're finished!

 Remember: 

• Because raised flower beds drain more quickly than traditional gardens, it's important to stay on top of watering and fertilizing your plants. If your kids helped set up the bed, have them help you water the plants or seedlings regularly – that way, you'll all have a hand in the beautiful raised garden you created together.
• Use Teleflora Coupon Code May 2015 for 25% OFF Deal of the Day! Never miss such a chance! Valid until May 31.2015!

Source: Teleflora.com Blog

How to Use Fresh Flowers in Office Settings

Nothing brightens up a drab office like flowers. Not only can plants enhance the ambience in the office, but they can also help reduce stress and reduce air pollutants. Studies have even shown that flowers and plants can increase worker productivity, since they provide a comfortable, warm environment. Here are some ways to use fresh flowers in office settings:

First off, the best plants for an office are those that require little care. Although the greenery might serve as a bright spot that stands out from the desks and computers, you have enough work to do without remembering to water twice a day. Be sure the flowers can be left over the weekend, in case employees don't want to bring them home. It's also best to stay away from scented flowers. The same way wearing perfume or cologne to work might trigger fragrance-based allergies or be unpleasant to nearby co-workers, scented flowers spell trouble. Lastly, forget about the plants that need a lot of sun – withering flowers are not going brighten anyone's mood.

Greeter

Give a warm welcome to your clients and customers with flowers. Teleflora's Peaceful Zen Garden would be great to put at the entrance to greet customers or clients with positive first impression. The low-maintenance succulents are featured in a brown bamboo container and accented by river rocks and natural river canes of bamboo.
Shop for succulents

Window View
Place any plants that require a little extra TLC along the windowsill or on a table by the outdoor light. With live plants complementing street views or skylines, the flowers can make employees feel like they are outside.

Desk Pick-Me-Up

Place a flower pot on your desk next to the computer to provide a refresher from staring at the screen all day. The Regal Orchids arrangement has been known to attract compliments. Displayed in a gorgeous white planter, three miniature phalaenopsis orchid plants shine white, lavender and green amid a bed of zen river rocks. The vibrant colors can lift your mood and make you feel more relaxed – oftentimes a much-need change of pace from the demanding schedule of day-to-day work.

Hanging Plants

Some companies hang the plants from the ceiling. If your office has limited space and reasonably low ceiling, these plants can help you save room and still get the best of the flower world.

3 Really Romantic Summer Bouquets

What else puts romance in the summer air like a gorgeous bouquet of flowers? Celebrate the gift of love and love of floral gifts with a fresh bloom. Whether you're enjoying an anniversary, birthday or just a warm summer night, you can dazzle your special someone with these stunning bulbs:

1. Teleflora's Turn Up the Pink Bouquet

Bubbling with perky pink gerberas, full orange roses, carnations and matsumoto asters, this bouquet is as colorful as a Van Gogh painting. And did you know that each color of a rose offers a distinct meaning? Orange roses conjure images of fire and glowing sunsets, so you can tell your special someone "I love you" with passion. Gerberas, meanwhile, belong to the same family as sunflowers, and are generally associated with cheerfulness. If you didn't even enough of the color pink, the bouquet is delivered in Teleflora's pink glass cube.


2. Sunny Day Pitcher of Sunflowers

Who needs a pocket full of sunshine when you have a pitcher? Brighten your love's mood and room with a Sunny Day Pitcher of Sunflowers, bursting with large yellow sunflowers in a matching ceramic pitcher. In fact, sunflowers have long been a symbol of beauty, only complemented by their resemblance to the life-giving sun. These bright bulbs are perfect for a birthday or other celebration coming up in the summer months. So, if you're looking to sweeten the deal, this dazzling display is sure to impress.

3. Full of Love Bouquet

The Full of Love Bouquet boasts titillating tulips and lush roses. There are also carnations and waxflowers, accented with fresh pitta negra and pittosporum. To carry on with the meaning of roses, pink ones represent gratitude. After all, saying "I love you" is just another way to say "thank you for all you have given me." Presented in a glass vase, this bouquet's name tells it all.

Shopping tip: Save 15% OFF on Flowers from Telefloral.com. click here

AUTHOR:

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell and

published by Teleflora.

6 Ways to Celebrate a Soldier on Armed Forces Day

Each year on the third Saturday of May, we take the time to honor the service of our military men and women for Armed Forces Day. The holiday was implemented in 1949 by President Harry S. Truman in order to celebrate members of every section of the military, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. This year, Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday May 16, so if you have friends or family members who served in the military (or who are still serving), it’s the perfect day to show them how much their service means to you. Not sure how to honor military men and women this year? Take a look at these six ideas:

1. Bake a Special Treat

For any soldiers or veterans in your family or group of friends, one of the best ways to honor their service on Armed Forces Day is to simply spend some time together. So, invite them over for dinner or a backyard barbecue! If you want, show them you appreciate their service by baking a cake or a batch of cupcakes. You can decorate the baked goods with red, white and blue frosting or with a logo or design that represents their branch of the military. If you know anyone who is still serving overseas or out of state, these cupcakes also make for a great care package.

2. Honor With Flowers

If you’ve ever lost a friend or family member while he or she was serving in the military, you likely honor his or her memory every day in different ways. On Armed Forces Day, decorate his or her grave with a bouquet of yellow roses. Do whatever feels right to you to honor your beloved soldier, whether it’s writing a letter and leaving it at the grave, sharing memories with the friends or family members who came with you or simply holding a moment of silence.

3. Send a Thoughtful Card

The post office no longer allows people to send cards or care packages addressed to “Any Service Member,” but there are still tons of ways you can send a gift, card or letter, even if you don’t personally know any of the soldiers who are serving. Sponsor a care package using programs like Operation USO Care Package or Operation Troop Aid. Or, send letters or help grant veterans’ wishes with the help of the A Million Thanks Organization.

4. Volunteer

Military men and women serve the country, so to honor them, you can help serve your community. Spending time with veterans in retirement communities is a great way to honor Armed Forces Day, but you can also take part in any volunteer opportunity that helps other people or animals.

5. Find a Parade

Many communities have parades or other celebrations for Armed Forces Day in May, so do a quick search online to see if you can find one in your city or town. Also, there are often air shows happening during the month of May, and they’re a fun and exciting way to celebrate the U.S. military! Use the parade or air show as an opportunity to explain to your children why you’re celebrating and who you’re honoring on this holiday.

6. Decorate Your Porch

Finally, one of the easiest ways to show support for the troops in general is by decorating your front porch. Hang an American flag where it can be seen by passers by, and plant red, white and blue flowers (including roses, hydrangeas, carnations, chrysanthemums and daisies) in planters on your porch or front steps. These simple steps will show your support for the men and women serving the country. Use Teleflora Coupon Code for 25% OFF Deal of the Day! Never miss such a chance! Valid until May 31.2015!

Source: teleflora.com/blog