World of Flowers: Montreal Florist Blog

2010-04-22T00:53:00.000-04:00

Cymbidium Orchids for Administrative Professionals

2010-04-13T14:21:00.006-04:00

Orchids have been the flower of choice to honor administrative professionals for over 20 years at The Flower Pot. Why? Simply put - for their unparalleled elegance. Other flowers positively pale in comparison next to this exotic, sweet-scented beauty. They are a luxury flower perfectly suited for spoiling deserving colleagues.
Cymbidiums, like other species of orchids, are found growing naturally in China, and Japan through the Himalayas, South East Asia to Australia. They are the oldest cultivated variety of orchid, and there is evidence that they were grown in China 2500 years ago in records from 500 BC at the time of Confucius.
Fast forward to just before WWII, and you would find England as the world leader in the growing and hybridizing of orchids from the jungle. War broke, and threatened the destruction of these priceless species. The intrepid (and wealthy) Samuel B. Mosher, president of Signal Oil in California, purchased and imported many of the plants to his greenhouse in Santa Barbara. He began hybridizing the cymbidiums, creating the path to the modern-day varieties we now know.
Treat all your assistants this week to the luxurious, highly sought-after cymbidium orchid, nestled in a coffee mug in our 2010 Administrative Professionals arrangement.

My Favourite Things about Easter

2010-03-27T19:02:00.008-04:00

Bunny-shaped chocolates and daffodils around every corner can only mean one thing ... it’s Easter time! Here are my top five favourite things about this spring holiday:

#5. Easter egg hunts. Sadly, I haven’t done one in years, but I still have fond memories of finding chocolate eggs around the house the following winter because they were so well hidden.

#4. Egg “fights.” Hard boil some eggs, then pass one around to everyone at the table. Tap the tip of your egg against your neighbour’s egg. The strongest egg (i.e., the one that doesn’t crack) wins!

#3. Tulips. By far my favourite flower, tulips are such a beautiful sign that spring has sprung. They’re also a great host gift for Easter dinner.

#2. Chocolate. It always seems a bit morbid to gnaw off a cute bunny’s head, but I admit that the mounds of Easter chocolate are a huge highlight of the holiday.

#1. Easter dinner. My family traditions include the above-mentioned egg fights, loads of home-cooked food, and creative centerpieces for the table.

There’s much more that I love about this holiday, but those are the highlights. What are your family traditions and favourite things for this time of year?

Mug Making at the Store

2010-03-27T14:41:00.003-04:00

With spring just around the corner, everyone in Montreal is starting to come out of hibernation. Take a stroll down to Griffintown on the next sunny afternoon to visit our shop on Notre-Dame Ouest. We have some unbelievable in-store offers, like the “Give a Hug and a Mug”^© promotion.

Mug making is a great way to spend an afternoon with family and friends. At just $9.95 per mug, it’s also an affordable (and creative!) idea for a first date. We’ll supply you with all the craft tools your heart could desire, then transfer your original creation onto a coffee cup.

While you’re in the neighbourhood, explore the cafes and shops of Griffintown. Your mug will be waiting for you by the end of the day, ready to be filled with coffee the very next morning!

Celebrating International Women's Day in 2010

2010-02-24T11:59:00.007-05:00

This year, the theme for International Women's Day as designated by the UN is "Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all". I can't think of a better theme for the first Women's Day of the new decade. Some of you may wonder why such an occasion is still observed. Think of it as a civil awareness/human rights day. While women may not face the same struggles as we did 100 years ago, it continues to be vitally important to bring awareness to the issues modern women face today, and gender discrimination still endured by both women and men (International Men's Day takes place on November 19th).
However, in many countries the day has lost its political meaning, and become something like a mashup of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. Less history, more ladies' appreciation. In Italy, Brazil, and much of Eastern Europe, it is traditional to give flowers or chocolates to one's mother, sister, wife, girlfriend or colleagues.
So we say: celebrate the women in your life! Let them know on this day, that they are appreciated for all the hard work they put into their careers, their families, their friendships and passions. Show it with flowers!

For more on International Women' Day visit the UN WomenWatch website here.

Valentine's Day 2010: Sunday, February 14th

2010-01-27T14:55:00.012-05:00

Valentine's Day: holy celebration for a Roman martyr? Invented by medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer? A good time to be shot with an arrow by a man-child in a diaper? Who cares?! We love Valentine's day simply because it's a great excuse to tell somebody you love them. Nothing feels greater than that.

We speak many languages at The Flower Pot, so if you're having some fluency issues in Love, we can help you out. If you're a classic, you'll love our dozen red roses in a box. If your sweetie has a sweet tooth, our handmade chocolates are your solution. Is she a cuddler? The choice is obvious.

Not on the above list? You must be creative! Our Rose Kiss special allows you to put your own message on our high-quality coffee mug - up to 15 words. Nestled inside is an arrangement with a single red rose. Pack this personalized punch for only $29.95. Send it to her workplace for ultimate impact the week before V-Day: she can display the flowers, and later be reminded of your love every time she takes a sip of coffee or tea. But beware: colleagues may become jealous!

Holiday 2009 Decorating Ideas

2009-11-25T12:39:00.007-05:00

The holidays have crept up on us once again! Many of you, like us, have holiday decorating on your minds. Here are my top 5 tips for 2009!

1. White/Silver: white-hot color trends lend a very winter-wonderland look. Add white and silver accents to your tree and table. Glitter is always in. For a beautifully-scented white display, try our Christmas Lilies.

2. Natural/Woodsy: This trend was hot for fall, and continues through the holiday season. Achieve the look by using natural elements, such as pine, cedar or spruce greens, pinecones, and branches. You can find some here in our Christmas Flowers. Be creative! Go outside and see what you can find.

3. Classic (with a twist): Update the traditional color scheme by using lime green instead of forest, or fuschia instead of red. You can never go wrong with the Christmas classics - including Poinsettias. Try a poinsettia in cream or pink. We've got both.

4. Stick to a theme: To give your décor a pro touch, stick to a few colors only. Jewel-tones make great accent colors.

5. Fresh flower garlands: Freshen up your mainstay garlands by inserting fresh flowers. This is very easy to do - pick your flowers, cut, and insert into plastic water tubes. Tie into garlands.

What have you got planned? Your ideas and suggestions? Tell us in the comments!

A Perfect Fall Wedding in Montreal

2009-11-13T10:00:00.003-05:00

Most of us know that June is the most popular month for weddings. But Fall is becoming an increasingly popular time to get hitched. Just ask our most recent bride - the gorgeous Vladimira, at left. Vladimira found us online, and took a chance - she came in to see us and gave us a shot. Her needs were simple - a bridal bouquet and a cake topper, made with elegant red and Cézanne roses. Gorgeous!

For the uninitiated, planning a wedding yourself can seem the most daunting of tasks. Whether you choose to go simple and sweet or big and extravagant - we can help you. It's as simple as picking up the phone and setting up a consultation, or just popping in to see us - even if you have no idea where to begin (or no idea what you want either)!

For some inspiration other than Vladimira's round-style bouquet, visit these links. In addition to custom designs, we offer a cascading-style bouquet, an elegant calla lily bouquet, and the ultimate in an orchids-only bouquet. If you have no idea where to start, our Design Your Wedding section will give you lots of food for thought. Happy planning!

October in Montreal

2009-09-29T10:30:00.005-04:00

In case you missed it, Summer has come and gone. I hope you all enjoyed those two warm weeks of it - the rain seems all too familiar now as we shiver our way into October. But while the heat dissipates outdoors, things are warming up indoors as the holiday season approaches. We have so much to look forward to - including quality time with our families, pumpkin pie, scarves in fashion again, cozy fires, and the amazing selection of freshly harvested fruit, vegetables and flowers.

The modern tradition of Thanksgiving as we know it was imported from the United States by the American Loyalists. However, hundreds of years earlier, the harvest feast was fêted by First Nations and Native Americans alike. Like millions of Canadians, you too may be celebrating Thanksgiving on October 12th, 2009. What better way to get into the spirit than to display nature's bounty in your own home? We have a section dedicated to all the seasonal goodies we have to offer here. For a beautiful and delicious gift suggestion, try our Apple & Flower basket. Bundle up, Montreal!

FlowerTalk

2009-08-07T15:27:00.002-04:00

The language of flowers has evolved over the centuries, and varies by culture. It was most popular in the Victorian era (1837-1901), when flowers were used as a means of communication. Every bloom speaks its own message, and a bouquet can be created around a central color, scent, or meaning.
The exotic orchid, for example, is a symbol of seduction and fertility. White orchids express a pure love, whereas pink orchids are meant to seduce. Gerberas and daisies are innocent and questioning: he loves me, he loves me not? Calla lilies signify a great beauty. Gladiolus are the patron flower for the month of August, and sunflowers indicate respect.
Red roses are the classic expression of passionate, true love. Pink roses emphasize joy, happiness and tenderness. Yellow roses denote friendship. Many other flowers express passion, such as chrysanthemums and irises. Azaleas symbolize the joy of love.

Don’t hesitate to share your feelings with someone through a bouquet. We have a large selection of flowers to help you express yourself – as loudly or as subtly as you want!

Are you there Helios? It's me, Montreal...

2009-07-30T12:19:00.002-04:00

According to ancient Greek mythology, Helios the sun god was banished into the sky by his uncles, the Titans, where he became the sun. The nymph Clytia, victim of unrequited love, was so heartbroken by his rejection that she sat, unmoving, for nine days facing the Helios. Turned brown and gold by the sun’s rays, she transformed into a sunflower, thus turning her face to follow the sun’s course each day.
For all you other sun worshippers that may be asking themselves if we’ll ever see it this summer, The Flower Pot has exactly what you’re looking for! Inject some sunshine into a special someone’s home by giving them one of our striking bouquets of happy yellow sunflowers. If you prefer a smaller flower, try our gorgeous gerberas in warm hues. These seasonal flowers are sure to warm the heart of a loved one on any occasion. Send them with our new HFM (Happy Face Messenger) and a personalized card. Brighten someone’s day: send them a bouquet of magnificent seasonal sunflowers!

FAB Flamingos!

2009-07-23T16:52:00.006-04:00

Have you ever tried poking a real live flamingo into the ground? Let me tell you, it's not easy. But, I have some good news - here at The Flower Pot, our flirty flock is fab, fake and ready to fill up your yard!
We've been steadily working all summer on our Flamingogramme packages to give our customers maximum options for all possible budgets. Starting at just $39 for a do-it-yourself flamingo rental, all the way up to $199 for the most spectacular, all-inclusive flamingo lawn display - we've got something for everyone.
Try adding our new HFM (Happy Face Messenger) to send your message along with the birds (after all, they can't talk). Or, add a custom-made sign if you want passersby to say "She turned HOW old?" And, if you love your flamingo display as much as Dan (above) did, why not have us take a picture of the setup? We'll print it on a mug, and deliver it to you when we whisk the display away at the end of the day. Visit our flamingo section to see everything available to you today!

It's Summer! Bring out those indoor plants!

2009-07-10T15:11:00.002-04:00

Finally done your Montreal move? Lucky enough to have snagged a balcony or even a deck? Green it up! While potted geraniums and hanging baskets of fuschias or bacopas scream classic summer, nothing is stopping you from letting your indoor plants breathe some fresh air. Actually, there are lots of varieties of flowering plants and green plants that will flourish outdoors, and beautify your patio table or balcony.

To add a touch of green to your outdoor space, try something with decorative foliage such as the Aralia, the Dracaena, a Schefflera or even a Euphorbia cactus, the latter being particularly good for very sunny areas, and resistant to drying out (not that dry, hot, sunny weather has been a problem this year). For a touch of color, try a flowering Azalea, Kalanchoe, or Bromeliad.

Send your indoor plants on an outdoor vacation during the summer! They've got you covered in any season!

A Few Reasons to Send Flowers

2009-07-03T11:32:00.002-04:00

Everybody knows when they are "supposed" to send flowers - Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. But with so many gift options available to you - is there still a reason to send flowers? We may be biased here but our answer is a resounding yes. Georgianne Vinicombe of Monday Morning Flower & Balloon Co. gets it right: "'Why send flowers?' you may wonder. Flowers create memories. They attack all the senses at once. Color, fragrance and sentiment on a card."
Flowers can create, augment and express emotions. We send or receive them in emotional moments. These moments call for extra beauty - and the beauty of nature is universal. When you add a card to this - the combination of blooms and heartfelt words can be very powerful.
From a more lighthearted perspective, flowers create smiles and uplift moods. A recent study at a prestigious university hospital has confirmed that participants in the study reported feeling happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the morning!
There is no better way to send your feelings to somebody - or to send an instant mood boost!

Plant Q&A with Vicky: Bromeliads

2009-06-11T10:16:00.005-04:00

Q: What on Earth is a bromeliad?

A: The bromeliads are a family of flowering, exotic plants. There are close to 2500 (!) species, mainly found in the tropical Americas. They can include epiphytes, lithophytes, and terrestrial species.

Q: Um, what’s an epiphyte? Or a lithophyte?

A: An epiphyte is a type of plant that attaches to and grows on another plant. Lithophytes grow off of rocks. Terrestrial plants grow in soil.

Q: Okay, good to know. Have I even seen a bromeliad in my life before?

A: Sure – if you’ve ever seen a pineapple, you’ve seen a bromeliad.

Q: Pineapples are delicious. What else is awesome about bromeliads?

A: How about the fact that they probably evolved near the end of the Cretaceous period (right before Jurassic) over 65 million years ago? It is entirely possible that some bromeliads were dinosaur food. Not to mention food to the ancient Incan, Aztec, and Mayan people. Cool!

For more on these amazing, ancient species, visit the Wiki page.

Or, have one of your own by visiting our bromeliad page.

What to do for Father's day 2009?

2009-06-11T10:13:00.002-04:00

If your dad is anything like mine, finding a perfect gift is always a challenge – whether for Winter holidays, his birthday, or Father’s Day. He already has everything he really needs, and after all these years, it’s easy to run out of ideas. But is a florist really the right place to find the perfect gift for Father’s Day?

Well… yes! At The Flower Pot, we have so much more than just flowers. Check out these links to help you along in your gift quest.

-Is your Dad a bit of a gourmet? He’ll find lots of goodies in our gourmet baskets.

-Has he got a sweet tooth? He will love our hand-made Privilège chocolates. Even better when they come with a bottle of Domaine Pinnacle ice cider!

-Maybe he’s got a green thumb (this is a common affliction in dads). We have all kinds of green plants and mini gardens-in-a-basket.

-And, for the ultimate personalized gift: custom photo-mugs or t-shirts.

So, no excuses to give a(nother) tie this year. Surprise him this year with a truly unique gift.

For other ideas, visit our Father's day section, or pick up the phone and call us!

Red Alert - Mother's Day this Sunday!!

2009-05-05T09:43:00.005-04:00

As one of the resident bloggers/computer nerds here at The Flower Pot, part of my job is to make sure all our readers and clients are reminded of all the different occasions in their lives. Reminders for birthdays, anniversaries... you name it, we'll remember for you. And to be honest, sometimes I find myself getting "over" some occasions after enough exposure to them. I was seeing shamrocks when I closed my eyes in March...

But Mother's Day is different. There's no gimmick to this one - just an official day to appreciate your Mom (which we should all be doing every day, anyway). I admit, I know nothing about what it's like to be a mom - but I know from others who are mothers that this is one tough responsibility. Not to mention one that you take on for the rest of your life. On an individual basis, I think we are all guilty of occasionally taking our Moms for granted. On a larger scale, I think it would be hard to refute that motherhood is undervalued in our success- and money-oriented modern society. As if giving birth isn't hard enough already, modern moms find themselves with major decisions to make about how they should or shouldn't raise their children. In this age, it's about "having it all" - a husband, kids, a career, beautiful home - talk about pressure!

So - given that your Mom works hard at her full-time, unsalaried job; has made huge sacrifices; has fed you, loved you, and shaped you into the person you are; and loves you unconditionally - I cannot think of any person more deserving of their own day to be recognized for their contributions. Don't just wish her a Happy Mother's Day - tell her you love her, and appreciate her. Recognize the hard work she's put in over many years to raise you and your brothers and/or sisters. Sending her flowers is a great start - sending them with a beautiful, heartfelt message is even better. We can include even the longest of messages on our free, custom-made enclosure cards!

Sunday, May 10th, 2009 is the big day, so get to it and let us help you show your Mom some love!

Stephen Harper’s Birthday Surprise

2009-05-03T18:27:00.001-04:00

They’re pink, they’re plastic, and on April 30th they greeted the prime minister on his 50th birthday. In the wee hours of the morning, Stephen Harper’s staff had 50 pink flamingos installed on the front lawn of 24 Sussex Drive, along with a sign reading "Happy 50th birthday, Prime Minister!" Now that’s what we call a birthday surprise!

Here at The Flower Pot, we’ve been helping Montrealers create flamingo birthday surprises for years. Our 50 Flamingos – Full Service is just what the prime minister’s staff ordered – 50 pink flamingos on the front lawn with a billboard to display your birthday greeting. Check out our Pink Flamingos category for more one-of-a-kind ways to celebrate a Montreal birthday.

Admins - it's your week to be appreciated!

2009-04-17T14:25:00.003-04:00

According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), there are more than 475, 000 administrative professionals currently employed in Canada alone. They tell us on their website here that Administrative Professionals Week is one of the largest workplace observances - and they should know! The holiday was created in 1952 by one Mr. Harry F. Klemfuss, in conjunction with the National Secretaries Association - which has evolved over its 67 years into the IAAP.

Administrative assistants are some hard-working folks! Those of you who work with one, work as one, or just know one are (maybe painfully!) aware of this fact. They absolutely deserve a week to have their constant efforts and support recognized by the people around them. It's easy to take good colleagues for granted - in my opinion, that is just the way our brains work. When there's a problem, you'll know. But when everything runs smoothly, we forget it's doing just that for a reason!

So, a big shout-out and THANK YOU to the Admin Army out there, working long hours and being the backbones of their workplaces! Show them your gratitude, too! Check out our page with products specially created for your office gems, HERE.

Administrative Professionals Week runs from April 20th-24th inclusive, with Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 22nd.

Spring has Sprung!! Easter and Passover 2009 are here!

2009-04-02T11:02:00.006-04:00

Hi everyone! So... it's SPRING!! I felt like it would never get here. Is it just me, or has it been a particularly long Montreal winter? It takes a strong person to brave these winters, but the silver lining is that when the nice weather finally arrives, it is truly worth celebrating on so many levels.

I wanted to talk a bit about spring flowers - how to continue to care for them if you receive a potted plant. Tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyancinths & Easter lilies - all of these flowers have bulbs. While potted, they prefer bright light and some sun. Keep the soil moderately moist, and remember that they will last longer in cooler temperatures. To reap the beautiful benefits of these flowers for seasons to come, let the flowers dry and die naturally in their pots. Store the bulbs in a dry, dark place until the fall - at which point you can plant them in your garden. I will follow up closer to bulb-planting time with some pointers on how and when to plant your bulbs to get the best results. Keep posted!

Bulb plants make such a great Easter or Passover gifts, because with a little of that above-mentioned TLC they can really last. And you might spark a passion for gardening within your recipient. You can see our Easter page HERE, complete with chocolate bunnies - and Passover HERE.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful holiday, quality time spent with your family and beautiful weather - from all of us at The Flower Pot.

Custom Mugs: preparing your photos

2009-03-25T10:07:00.002-04:00

Preparing your photos for a mug is an easy task that will allow your mug to look sharper and to have a larger image.

What is DPI?
DPI means dots per inch. It is the number of individual dots that is displayed within the span of one inch. In order to put a photo on a mug, you need to have a DPI of 300.

How do I know what my picture's DPI is?
Nearly all pictures taken directly from a digital camera or scanner have a DPI of 300, or are large enough to shrink into a photo with 300 DPI.

How big should my picture file size be?
Your picture should ideally be over 250KB (jpg). Most cameras will give you files over 1,000KB (1MB), and this is perfect for sending directly to us.

Can I use a picture from a website?
Images from webpages are optimized to be a low size so the webpage loads faster. These pictures will turn out blurry when put on a mug.

A picture submitted from a website turns out
small when put on a mug

The same photo, but submitted directly
from the digital camera or scanner

As a rule of thumb, if you always submit photos directly from your digital camera or scanner, they will turn out nicely on your mug. Make sure you not using a program that automatically resizes the images!

You can order custom mugs from us here

The Aftermath...

2009-03-23T21:13:00.003-04:00

Hello flower enthusiasts! I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend - and those of you who joined some of our staff out at the parade yesterday are recovering nicely! It was a great time - beautiful day, and so much fun! I've posted a collage of a small sampling of pictures captured by Mr. T (yes, that's what we call him!). More will be posted on the site in the coming days.

To be honest - I'm a little tired of the color green right now, and I'm already looking ahead to the springy pastels in store for us, with Easter being right around the corner. Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays, because it signals summer being right around the bend - and, of course, all the chocolate.

I consider myself lucky to live in such a gorgeous, vibrant city so full of exciting people, times and events. I'm excited to keep you all updated on the celebrations. That's one of the reasons why the Flower Pot is so amazing - we're here to join in the celebrations of every season, and help you make them that much more special! See you all soon...

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal

2009-03-18T22:36:00.007-04:00

Did you know that the St. Patrick's day parade here in Montreal has run every year consecutively since 1824? Even if you're not Irish, it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement! Here at the Flower Pot we're picking out our green outfits already... and hoping the mild weather continues!

This year will let us catch a glimpse of the VW we've hand-decorated that will drive in the parade - but we're particularly charged to see all of you enthusiastic Montrealers in your crazy getups! Herbert Teichmann will be armed with his camera snapping pics of some of your costumes, so make sure to get inventive! You can see his pictures from last year, in our St. Patrick's day section, posted here.

For all of you opting to stay plugged in at home or at work, I will be twittering live updates throughout the parade! Scroll down to the bottom of this page to follow us on twitter, or click here.

See you all this weekend!

Indulgently Affordable for Valentine's

2009-01-25T15:21:00.002-05:00

Indulge in something affordable this Montreal Valentine’s Day with the Passion d’Amour gift box. At The Flower Pot, we know that indulgence and romance – the two best ingredients for a wonderful Valentine’s Day – can come at an affordable price. That’s why our team has been working hard to offer Montreal Valentine’s gifts for any budget.

This irresistibly romantic Valentine’s Day gift box includes a fresh cut red rose, handmade Montreal chocolates, and a bottle of Domaine Pinnacle ice cider. Suggest that it’s a gift to share by doubling the chocolates and ice cider. Now the rest of the romance is up to you ...

Playing Cupid for Valentine's Day

2009-01-18T15:11:00.006-05:00

Every year on February 14, over 110 million Valentine's Day roses and 1 billion cards are exchanged around the globe. There’s something comforting about this tradition; no matter what’s going on in the world, we can all take this one day of the year to celebrate the people we love.

At The Flower Pot, we believe that there is the perfect Valentine's gift for everyone and that each one should be as unique as its recipient. That’s why we offer romantic gifts for any budget, ranging from $15 to $210, with a free Valentine's Day card including your custom message.

Just in time for February 14 is our newest rose arrangement, 3 Roses in Terracotta. It’s one of our most affordable Valentine's gifts, and includes three fresh roses and Santini pompons in a decorative pot. We’ll deliver your gift to any home or office in the Montreal area – it’s our way of playing cupid on this most romantic day of the year.