Spring Forth and Grow Something

May18

Though the cooling weather feels kind of deceptive some days…

We had a summer week that reminds us that Spring is not only in the air, but it is actually here!

We are excited here at Bell Flowers and plans are underway for beautification of our building.

Tis the season for planting and we have a fantastic crew! With a tremendous list of shrubs, bushes and flowering blooms to choose from such as Wave petunias, Knockout rose bushes and Russian Sage Aka salvia.

The list just goes on and on. Big plans for your garden? Let us know what you’ll be planting in the comments section below.

Spring Forth, release the gardener in you and grow something!

This Mother’s Day…

May8

This Mothers Day…

Show Mom you care,

Beautiful plants and flowers can take her anywhere,

Birds, anthirium, tropical delight,

Colorful visions expose her island sight!

For the gardener in her  ~

Hydrangeas, azaleas, mini rose bushes and such…

Helping her plant is a very nice touch.

A blooming planter garden

Or plant with berries she can eat

Can bring her serenity

Perhaps, a blueberry treat.

Musical music  boxes with planters inside

With beautiful butterflies and birds you don’t want to hide…

An added BONUS, your PICTURE inside!

Roses are in abundance

Many colors to choose from

A dozen with accents

Will please any MUM!

Whatever you do, I’m sure Mom will appreciate,

But be assured plants and flowers will make it look great!

Stop And Smell The Roses – By Rosemary

Mar29

You’ve heard the phrase “Stop and smell the Roses..” Well, here at Bell Flowers we have a variety of colors and they each speak for themselves- large blooms, soft fragrances etc. Some are left with long stems, some are used in more modern styled arrangements and cut short.

A beautiful arrangement that went out just recently was designed in a gorgeous red cube with 18 red roses cut short to accommodate the container,  purple statice and pittosporium.. absolutely breathtaking!

You can also have them arranged loosely in a taller cylinder or square vase with few greens and no filler to give a freshly picked look to adorn a coffee or sofa table. (Just be sure to follow directions as to how you should cut your roses so that they last the maxium amount of time).

One of my favorite… The Attache rose (a variety of pink), has one of the softest, most unique fragrances that I’ve ever encountered in a rose. I would recommend accenting a beautiful spring bouquet with them or having them arranged by the dozen with stargazer lilies for maximum fragrance, pink waxflower for a softer fragrance, or simply add a tropical green and allow them to bask in the simplicity of their own beauty.

Attache Roses

However you prefer to see a rose… STOP and take the time to really see and know them, they are an incredible spirit lifter!

Cherry and Apple Blossoms

Mar27

Every year we cut thousands of Yoshino cherry blossom branches to use in our designs. This year we decided to let the cherry grow, and we harvested Apple blossom branches. The apple blossoms are absolutely beautiful, and very similar to the cherry branches that we harvested last year! Their blooms have great strength when holding onto the stem, allowing them to last longer in our designs.

Apple Blossom Blooms

If you missed the blossoms down on the National Mall, give us a call and order a vase of your own!

Think Flowers… Think Bell

Philadelphia Flower Show 2012

Mar5

The Bell Flowers customer service department and design team took a day trip to Philadelphia yesterday to check out the opening day at the Philadelphia International Flower Show, and it was amazing!! The theme of this years show was Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.

When you walk into the show this wave greets you. Decorated with white orchids and white anthurium.

One of the large floral displays that captured the theme perfectly.

Another large floral display. Orchids, anthurium and fern curls are just a few of the flowers included.

Millions of flowers, tons of orchids, and plants as far as the eye could see!

Beautiful birds of paradise

Some of the great designs

So many colors, shapes, textures and designs, it was so inspiring. The design team already had lots of new ideas, and it was only lunch time.

Check out this cool mini green roof

Lots of beautiful plants in the bulb garden

These bonsai range in age from 20 years to 45 years old. Some have been in training longer than I've been alive!

Just a sampling of the numerous orchids that were on display

There were also numerous plants, both blooming and green plants lined the aisles of the huge convention center.

Rows of blooming plants included tulips, hyacinth, and daffodils.

There was even an entire vegetable garden!!

Looking for something different

Feb20

Chad and I stopped by McCallum Sauber Wholesale the other day to check out what’s new. We found many beautiful flowers but the Japanese Cornel Dogwood caught my eye. Brian told us it was grown on the Eastern Shore. I had to do alittle research online to  get more info. I found this informative web site. http://agriculture.tennessee.edu/news/PlantofMonth/2009/0903-POM.htm

We’ll be using  more of this.

Cornel Dogwood

Post by Cathy

Still trying to decide?

Feb11

February 14th is fast approaching, a special “love you sweetheart” kind of day…Lots of gift giving, time sharing and planning to create a special day for those dearest to us…

Flowers are and have always been such an intricate part of this special day, so it’s only fitting to choose very creative designs. A dozen roses – absolutely beautiful… In a crystal vase – Amazing…

     

Tulips for the lover of spring can appear to blossom from hearts or accent other beautiful flowers. There are so many options and very creative ways to make your very own signature arrangements!

Another very trendy option with a lasting effect are plants – Blooming plants, green plants, planter gardens. They can be transformed to suit whatever you have in mind and there are so many choices. Fragrant gardenias, miniature rose bushes, beautiful orchids, primrose, africian violets, just to name a few. you can make any moment a magical moment simply by looking within!

Let Bell Flowers help make this Valentine’s Day a very special one for you and your very special one!

Continuing the Tradition of Excellence

Feb7

Here at Bell Flowers, we strive for perfection in every aspect of our business. From the cleaning of roses as soon as they enter the building, to the moment the design is delivered to the lucky recipient, we are constantly checking our loose flowers, plants and bouquets.

Along with the multiple tests we perform on different flowers and plants to make sure we’re carrying only the best of the best. We are always employing the latest care and handling techniques to ensure the products we offer provide optimum enjoyment and lasting qualities for the recipient.

I use the Consumers’ Checkbook when I want to check out a local business, and I suggest you do the same. It’s a great resource for reviews and ratings on tons of different local businesses. I just got an email about florists today, and of course had to see where Bell Flowers ranked. We again ranked at the top of the list for florists in Silver Spring, and are happy to be continuing our tradition of excellence.

Valentine’s Day Surprise

Feb5
Last week some of our design team came up with designs that they would love to have delivered from their Valentine. Which one would you like to receive? Vote at the bottom of the post, and see which is the most popular!

#1 Fragrance - Roses, stargazer lilies, stock and dendro orchids

#2 - Tropical oasis planter - Designed with lush ferns, a bright bromeliad, anthurium and an orchid. Sure to last long after Valentine's Day is over.

#3 - Soft, petally, luscious centerpiece with sherbet colors makes any dinner more romantic

#4 - This tropical design will remind them of warmer weather

#5 - A citrus lime vase designed with fresh garden flowers with an accent of red roses

Let our design studio create the perfect gift for your special Valentine!

Clean the air

Jan30

Our plant department is expanding…

We’ve begun to make our own planter gardens, and they are magnificent. Instead of purchasing pre-made planter gardens from local wholesalers, we’re making our own. This gives us more control over quality and allows us to create custom planters in various sizes.

African violets, peace lilies, palms, orchids (large and mini), ferns and ivy are just a few of the different indoor plants you will find in our planters. Looking for something to plant outside? You’ll have to wait until the weather gets a little warmer.

Planter gardens are more than just a thoughtful gift, a NASA study has shown that plants filter the air inside your home or office.

Do you know an orchid lover? Send them a surprise orchid planter that will last for months. After all the flowers bloom, they can watch it re-bloom!

Have you heard of succulents? Not something you eat, but a type of plant. They’re a very easy to care for plant that requires very little watering (closely related to cacti). They retain so much water that they become swollen. Their roots are so close to the top of the soil, they get water from the slightest rain or a heavy dew.

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#6 Succulent planter

#7 Succulent Planter