We have been enjoying the wonderful spring flowers that have been appearing everywhere.

With the cold winter, several flowers have been quite late this year. Some have suffered a little from the varying temperatures and weather conditions, other plants and flowers have thrived.

This year, one of my particular delights, has been the beautiful violets.

I have added a new violet birthday card to the collection.

As I have been enjoying the changing seasons, I have also been working on our personalised birthday card collection.

With so many cards on the market, I wanted to provide a service where you can add your special message and name of the intended recipient on the front of the card and / or inside the card if you wish.

Some of our cards are designed around names, which we have greatly enjoyed creating. We have a basic design and then change according to names added, which means each card is slightly different.   

The reviews from customers have been wonderful, which always makes it even more worthwhile, as we spend a lot of time creating special cards.

Many have said how much their friend or family member has enjoyed having a birthday card with their name included in the design.

If you have a several birthdays coming up, we provide packs of 5 cards where each card can have a different name or message added for the total cost of £7.50 with free p&p.

We hope that you will enjoy looking through our collection and look forward to making a special card for you.

Send a card, brighten someone's day

Do you like snowdrops?

If your reply was yes, then I recommend a visit to East Lambrook Manor Gardens in Somerset.

As a part of a new series looking at various gardens to visit throughout the seasons of the year, we visited this garden while we were away on holiday last week.

East Lambrook Manor has been a garden that I have wanted to visit for a long time.

Margery Fish’s garden style is seen as a true example of English cottage gardening, with many gardeners eager to learn from her experience and plant expertise, adding to their garden designs.

In her book ‘A Flower For Every Day’ first published in 1964, Graham Rice who wrote the book’s foreword in 2000, described Margery’s gardening style as -

‘She believed that even in gardens of relatively modest size and limited resources, plants should, and could, be chosen to provide flowers and a fascinating garden prospect on every day of the year.’

(Quote from A Flower For Every Day, Author Margery Fish, Foreword by Graham Rice, year 2000,  B.T Batsford)

As our gardens get smaller, we can apply these same principles in our gardens today.

This garden holds a specialist collection of snowdrops and geraniums.

There have been three new varieties of snowdrops discovered since the year 2000 with the wonderfully named –

• Galanthus Dodo Norton in 2000,
• Galanthus Lambrook Greensleeves in 2001
• and last but not least the Galanthus Sir Henry B-C in 2006

Garden details:

Entry price – £4.50.  RHS Members – Free (February, March, September, October)

Opening times – 10 am – 5 pm

Everyday throughout February and May- 17^th July

Tuesday – Saturday throughout March – April and 20^th July – October

Please check with them before you travel

Disabled Access – It has limited disabled access as it is a small garden with small paths and has a terraced and gravel areas. The area known as the Ditch and woodland area is suitable for wheelchairs and those with limited mobility. They have a detailed disability access statement, for those wishing to know more.

There is also a unisex disabled toilet.

Plant Nursery they have a small plant shop, with a variety of plants grown in the garden.

Parking there is a free car park across a small road in front of the gardens, with some disabled spaces.

Eating facilities there is a small café that offers coffee, fruit juices and cake.

There is a wonderful pub  - The Rose and Crown which is 5 mins walk away which offers a warm, friendly service with a wonderful menu that has options for gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals.

I had  a yummy cauliflower, broccoli and cheese bake and Matt had what he calls the best steak and kidney pie he has ever had!

Review

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the garden. We were fortunate in that the weather was also lovely after a week of rain and snow. The collection of snowdrops was wonderful to see, and to be able to learn about the many different varieties made the visit even more special.

We loved the Galanthus Nivalis Blewbury Tart and the pretty Galanthus Primrose Walburg that had yellow ovary (The section at the top of the flower head).

If you want to learn more about snowdrops, then I highly recommend this garden.

It’s not a garden to see thousands of snowdrops, but one that shows these beautiful plants in the best light.  It’s not really a garden for young children as it is a small specialist garden, with small paths.

Due to the cold weather we have been having, snowdrops have been quite late this year, so there is still time to admire this beauty.

There was also a magnificent display of crocuses on the manor’s front lawn, so don’t miss this lovely display surrounding the tree.

As this is a specialist plants garden, this garden deserves a visit throughout the seasons of the year.

They are in the middle of restoring the gardens, so we are looking forward to seeing the changes over time.

We will be back for a return visit.

Garden address:

East Lambrook Manor Gardens,

South Petherton,

Somerset

TA13 5HH

Multi-map

I was recently given a flip video as a birthday present, and I will be using it to show highlights of our garden visits.

To see the video, please visit my other blog - Handmade greeting cards - A visit to East Lambrook Manor Gardens

A handmade Valentine gift

I thought I would share a handmade Valentine’s gift suggestion with you.

Flower bouquets can be very expensive for Valentine’s Day and I thought this lovely gift could be given to your loved one, handmade by you at a great price!

The above image is the finished image that I designed for one of my Valentine Greeting Cards

Here is what I did -

I bought a heart shaped oasis from eBay (size 9″), (you could buy a square one and cut a heart shape out, if a heart is not available.)

I then went to Tesco’s and bought several bunches of roses in various pink shades. (I used 40 roses in total)

Complementing colours and shades work best.

Are there particular roses, colours that your valentine likes?

I soaked the rose stems in a bucket of water with flower food added, as well as soaking the oasis in water overnight.

The following day I cut the roses and placed them in a pattern into the oasis.

Last but not least, you can buy some waterproof ribbon in a matching or complementing colour to add around the edge of the oasis.

To present your gift to your valentine, buy a gift box, place the oasis inside on some tissue paper and close. To finish add a pretty ribbon to tie around the box with a gift tag.

The cost of the oasis, roses, waterproof ribbon came to around £15.00

Finished Valentine gift as above.

The following image is our Valentine’s card for this year using the above method.

I hope you like the suggestion and that it will inspire you to give a handmade gift this year.

The above Valentine’s card is available through our website -

www.sendaflowercard.com and our BT Tradespace for £1.75 free P&P.

We can personalise the card with your message on the front and / or inside the card for free.

All images © Send a flower card – Anita Hunt

Valentine’s Day will soon be here.

As I make cards, Valentine's Day is a key date in the year of a greeting card maker, but I also realise that sensitivity is required when talking about the matters of the heart and Valentine’s Day can be the subject of a much heated debate.

It can be a day of pain for many people, for those who are single and those who have been through a divorce, or widowed for example, so I find it hard to 'advertise' my cards for this reason.

Some feel that this day is far too comercialised and that they don’t appreciate the pressure of being told they ‘must buy’ a gift to tell their loved ones how much they love them, when love should be shown everyday.

Whatever your view on Valentine’s Day, my suggestion for this valentine’s day is to perhaps visit a garden, maybe one filled with snowdrops with some friends or a loved one. (I have provided some suggestions of where to visit some glorious snowdrop displays in an earlier post) it would make a lovely day out and wonderful memories of our lovely countryside. Let’s hope the weather improves by then.

I have designed some Valentine’s cards for those who wish to buy them and hope you will like my collection.

This year I have introduced a new size of card into the collection – 19.8 x 21cm

Here are a few examples of the cards available  -

To see more of our collection please visit our online shop – Send a flower card – Valentine’s greeting cards

Thank you cards

A Christmas gift

It seems hardly possible that another year has gone by so quickly! In a blink of an eye, at the end of each year we begin to think about what we have accomplished for that year, and consider our hopes and dreams for the following year.

I am not only thinking about this last year, but also the previous 10 years as we enter 2010 in just over a week.

It's tempting to sit back and think 'if only....'for the things we had hoped to do, but just managed to slip outside our reach. It's funny how certain events that may have not gone entirely to plan, and it's natural to have some disappointments and sadness along the way, which they can sometimes have the power to completely overshadow all the good things, the fantastic memories...

The run up to Christmas can be also a funny time. If you are running your own business, it may not be possible to completely close down for Christmas week, and with the recession, it may have even more impact on how much time you are able to switch off and have a holiday. We rush around finishing the final bits that we 'MUST' get done...for the perfect Christmas or simply cannot be bothered by it all.

Yes I have had some very tough times; you know when you sit there and wonder what on earth that was about. I am still recovering from when I was bullied at school. I have lost some friends and family members, my health has had a bit of a battering, I haven't accomplished some of the things that I have hoped to do and if honest looks like I won't be able to in the future, but if I focus on these things I miss out on the great adventure called life!

For this blog post I have sat down and contemplated on what I am proud of and what I have enjoyed the most

These past 10 years some of my highlights are (in no particular order)

·         To find my best friend, the love of my life and marry him (a dream come true)

·         To watch my husband, care about those who need his help.

·         To watch the first Snowdrops make an appearance each year

·         To sit among the beauty of the bluebell

·         To admire the colours of the wildflower meadow

·         To be excited by the changing of the seasons from autumn to winter

·         To see my sister qualify as a solicitor

·         To share many wildlife trips out with my Dad as we bird watch and compare notes on what we have seen

·         To enjoy my mums love of music as she's involved in may choirs

·         I managed to accomplish a degree

·         Start my own business

·         Write and publish my first children's novel

·         Meeting some amazing people along the way!

I have always loved nature; I loved the Enid Blyton books and have a wild imagination as I had my own adventures as a child making up my own stories at the bottom of the garden, surrounded by apple trees and wild flowers. I have always been fascinated by the delicate beauty of a flower, admiring each petal and stem, perfectly planned and put together. I love the Dorset Coast with the sheer beauty of rock formations, cliff edges and the wildlife that lives there. I love the New Forest being surrounded by towering trees that have seen many things change over time. I am very fortunate to enjoy my job as I enjoy visiting many gardens and focus on my love of flowers, and make cards which I hope will cheer someone's day.

You may have days when you wonder how you will carry on, you may have lived through disappointment, and you may be worried about how something will come together (whatever that may be). You may be concerned that you cannot afford the gift your child really wants, you may have lost your job and wonder how on earth you will pay the rent or mortgage, you or a family member or friend my be unwell, you may have lost someone dear to you.

The Christmas message is for everyone, one that is extraordinary, powerful and truly awesome about a baby in a manger, with shepherds and kings travelling miles to meet him and offer him gifts, one that is about true love and life changing.

My Christmas gift that I offer to you for 2009 is to suggest that you spend a few minutes thinking about all the good things that have happened, either this year or through the previous 10. What are your highlights? They don't need to be big, glamorous things. It could be a when you shared some time with a friend, how you did actually get through a very difficult time. Whatever your highlights might be, think about them; give this moment to you, as your Christmas gift.

The little Drummer Boy song is about a poor boy who felt he had nothing to offer the king, but played his drum…the best gift he could bring from his heart.

The poinsettias story is that a poor child wanted to offer a birthday gift to Jesus.  As he didn't have any material gifts to give, he chose some plants from the side of the road and brought them to church as his offering. Many laughed and thought this was a terrible gift, but as he offered them to Jesus, the weeds bloomed into beautiful red flowers, as he offered the gift with his heart.

The Christmas rose story is that a girl wanted to offer a gift to Jesus but had nothing to give and began to cry, an angel saw her hearts desire and blew onto some snow below her feet and a small white flower was formed.

A wonderful Christmas gift is one from the heart. This Christmas I am going to be thankful for all the blessings I have received over the years.

We would like to wish our customers, visitors and friends a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Last Christmas orders extended!

10% discount on Christmas card packs!

As we realise how expensive Christmas can be, we wanted to give our customers a special offer on our Christmas card packs of 10, 20, 24 and 25 cards (excludes special Christmas service)

From the 10th until the 16th of December we have reduced our Christmas card packs (as above) by 10% , with free p&p included as normal.

Our range includes small, medium and large cards, from Christmas Berries, the festive Robin, Snowdrops....

Our packs include mixed cards of your choice, packs of 10 identical cards and mixed chosen by us.

We can personalise the cards with your message on an insert, or we offer a fully bespoke service of turning your photos into special Christmas cards.

If you would like to take advantage of our bespoke Christmas cards, please give us as much time as possible to complete your order. Last orders taken for Christmas will be the 16th. 

We hope you will find the perfect card for you in our collection.

We have been looking for some extra quality gift item to go with our floral cards.

Recently we came across the lovely 'Pocket Garden' and 'Bee Good' range from Canova.

Pocket Garden:

The idea behind the Pocket Garden is to choose the occasion, such as happy birthday or congratulations that is associated with a given flower/plant. The Pockets come with peat free soil and seeds to grow your chosen flowers.

The range that we are stocking are the -

* Cosmos - Happy Birthday             

* Sweet william - Congratulations

* Cornflower - Many Thanks

* Lavender - Get Well Soon

* Forget-me-not - We / I will miss you

* Gerbera - Nurture me -  tell someone they are special                                                 

* Mini Sunflower - 'Let me blossom' a gift of encouragement                                                       

We think these make a wonderful gift for gardeners, those who love flowers and so on.

At £4.99 plus p&p they make a lovely gift for all occasions.

Bee Good:

We also loved the Canova's range - 'Bee Good' wonderful beeswax candles, made from 300gms of natural beeswax with a lead free wick. Once you have finished the candle, you can then use the terracotta pot to grow flowers in to thank the bees. Each candle gift comes with your chosen flower seeds.

The ranges we are stocking are -                    

* Aster                           

* Cosmos

* Sweetpea

Christmas extras, just for you!

As it draws ever nearer to Christmas, I have designed a downloadable Christmas Gift Tag template , which includes 12 tags on an A4 sheet. The download is free for you to use, for personal, non commercial use.

I have also put together a free A5 size colouring in Christmas card for children to print out onto card or paper, colour in and add any extras like glitter, to give to family and friends this Christmas.

We hope your children will enjoy using the design. :) feel free to email us any photos of their designs, and we will add to our website for all to see and admire.

If you would like to use the tag design and / or the colouring in Christmas card for children, please would you consider donating to our Anti-bullying fundraising campaign , raising money for the charity Bullying UK .

Donations can be made through our Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/areyoubeingbullied the link can also be found on our Christmas  Page with our Just Giving Widget. Thank you.

I hope you like the designs.

If you would like me to design a personal gift tag for you, I would be happy to do so, if you would be able to make a donation to the campaign.

We are hoping to raise £2,000. Please contact me if you would be interested in a downloadable designed gift tag.

The Daisy

Today we are looking at the Daisy and the summer meadow.

In the language of flowers the daisy stands for –

• Daisy – innocence, loyalty, trustworthy

It was suggested to me that I looked into the daisy today, from Martin Car Care Direct. He loves the Daisy!

Martin said -‘Daisy is my favourite summer flower, it’s a cheerful flower and I love watching my daughter sat on the lawn making chains :)'

If you ask most people what the common daisy means to them, most would associate this lovely flower with children making daisy chains and as childhood is full of innocence and wonderment, the meaning behind the daisy is very appropriate!

The common daisy is known as Bellis Perennis the family ‘Asteracea’ which includes the daisy, aster, and sunflower, which incorporate over 23,000 species! Other members of this huge family include the popular Gerbera, Dahlia, Zinnia and Chrysanthemum.

We will look at the Gerbera, Dahlia, Zinnia and Chrysanthemum later in the series.

The common daisy is also known as the 'English daisy' and the 'lawn daisy'. It's a herbaceous flower, which grows closely to the ground. Gardeners are often split down the middle in terms of what they consider the common daisy to be, many see it as a weed. I think it’s a lovely flower, it brings sunshine to a green lawn, brings variety to the summer meadow and will always be associated with childhood!

Daisy comes for the Anglo Saxon term - 'day’s eye', as the flower opens at dawn.

In Homeopathy the common daisy is often used with arnica to treat bruises and trauma. (Never self medicate, always seek professional advice)

The larger daisies are often a part of the English wildflower meadow. I love wildflower meadows! It is another seasonal sight that I cannot wait to see each year! Unfortunately this beauty is becoming rarer, but many nature charities are working hard to protect this very important part of the eco–system.

The term ‘meadow’ is non specific and covers a wide variety of grasslands.

They are essential to many forms of wildlife such as butterflies, bees, birds, insects ...

Interesting websites for further information about wildflowers and meadows

Wild flowers of the British Isle

Wildflowers UK – where you can buy wildflower seed and bulbs

Identify wildflowers  

Pictorial Meadow where you can buy seed.

Want to help preserve the beautiful wildflower meadow?

You can buy a wildlife meadow from Good Gifts in conjunction with the Tree Council

Make a daisy chain

The BBC has provided a useful fact sheet, encouraging children to make daisy chains.

Poem by William Morris

‘Love is enough: though the world be a-waning,
And the woods have no voice but the voice of complaining,
Though the skies be too dark for dim eyes to discover
The gold-cups and daisies fair blooming there under,
Though the hills be held shadows, and the sea a dark wonder,
And this day draw a veil over all deeds passed over,
Yet their hands shall not tremble, their feet shall not falter:
The void shall not weary, the fear shall not alter
These lips and these eyes of the loved and the lover.’

19^th Century Proverb 

‘When you can tread on nine daisies at once, spring has come.'

The Cosmos

In the language of flowers this flower stands for -

• I wish you peace.

I love Cosmos; they are such a delicate flower that catches the wind with their fine stems and wispy foliage.

• There are about 20 different species of this plant and are in the main an annual.
• They flower from July to September.
• You can sow from seed from March to May.
• They prefer a well drained half hardy soil.
• These little flowers are not shy when it comes to sunlight and enjoy a full sunbathe!
• Regular deadheading will provide a continuous display through their season.
• If you would like to enjoy these flowers next year, leave some flowers after they have finished flowering, instead of deadheading, so that they set seed.
• If you choose the longer length stem varieties, you may need to provide extra support to help their growth.
• Be careful not to over water or over feed these flowers.

Not only do they look great sprinkled among other flowers in your border, but are also a lovely cut flower.

These plants come from Mexico and you can see that in their detail and the conditions that they like to grow in.

The Sonata Cosmos is always a favourite and also won an RHS merit award. I love all the varieties of Cosmos, but if I had to pick one, it would be the taller varieties such as the Cosmos in my flower image collection (as above)– Purity, which is a delightful pure white with a hit of yellow at the centre.

Most gardens will have this beauty added to their mix of border and bedding plants.

Those of you who love chocolate will probably love the Cosmos atrosanguineus the chocolate cosmos! (you can’t eat it, I’m afraid!) The smell is rather yummy!

Due to the relative ease in growing them, this maybe a great flower to introduce to children and encourage them to grow some by planting seeds directly where you wish to grow them.

Butterflies enjoy the nectar of this flower, so growing them will encourage wildlife in your garden.

Where to buy cosmos seed

Chiltern Seeds

Secret Seeds

Grows on you                                                                                      

Nicky’s Nursery

We have special cosmos greeting cards and also a lovely cosmos pocket garden .

With the meaning - 'I wish you peace' makes a lovely card for a variety of occasions or simply to wish someone best wishes.

For all those searching for the perfect gift this Christmas,

Nita Joy Craft Design has a special offer on our tote bags!

Our tote bags are made from strong canvas and have had many compliments for our bags.

Until midnight 15th December our tote bags have a special offer price of £8.50! A saving of £1.50.

If you would like to choose a matching card to go with the gift, the price is £10.25! A saving of £1.50. If you would prefer a Christmas card to go with your tote bag, just let us know.

You will also receive a free keyring that we choose from our collection of flower and scenic images.

For a truly special gift this Christmas, how about adding a special photo to a tote bag!

We can add your photo at no extra cost! With P&P at £0.75 you can make a real saving this Christmas.

This Christmas we also have eco-friendly cotton gift bags, ideal to wrap your smaller gifts. We can also add a photo of yours if you wish! You could start a new tradition and use this bag each year. For a suggestion you could add a photo of the person who will be receiving their gift.

If you are looking for Christmas cards, then we have a range of Christmas cards from the traditional poinsettia to the snowdrop, not forgetting the festive holly with the song 'Deck the halls with boughs of holly'!

If you are after some special christmas cards with your photo and wording added, we can provide this service at no extra cost.

Are you a business looking for some christmas cards that can have your logo and wording added at no extra cost?

Well we strive to bring a special service with the personal touch, and we specialise in providing cards that you require. Your order can be as little as 10 cards!

Please visit our website and see our range of cards and gifts, if we can help with anything please let us know and we will do our best to help with choosing your cards and gifts this Christmas.

Last order date for Christmas is the 16th December.

Best wishes,

Anita

Send a flower card

The rose

Today we are looking at the beloved rose.

Every survey that asks the nation – what our favourite flower is, the answer is always the same – the rose.

Roses are always popular for weddings and Valentine's day.

The english country garden is not complete without one or two of these delightful flowers.

In August this year, there was a survey to find out the worlds favourite rose, impossible you would think! Well the results showed that it is indeed the David Austin rosa ‘Graham Thomas’ do you agree?

In the language of flowers the rose stands for –

• Love                                                                        
• The Yellow rose can mean  - jealousy 

The rose is a perennial flower and has over 100 different species within the family Rosaceae. Every year the collection grows, with new varieties being introduced all the time.

David Austin has over 800 varieties!

The huge variety of roses means that if you want to grow a rose, there will be a variety for you; from the shrub, floribunda, tea, climbing, patio etc…

The RHS have provided a guide to how to plant roses

To ensure greater success with growing your chosen rose, the advice is that bare root roses are the best to buy, from a reputable grower. As roses are available everywhere, including the local petrol station and high street DIY store, you can never be sure of where the roses have come from, and how long they have been there.  Buying quality roses can be costly, but this is where cutting corners doesn’t usually save in the long run.

The problems associated with roses are – rust, rose black spot and powder mildew, greenfly / aphids and ants that seem to be attracted to container roses.

Greenfly can often be got rid of by using a water spray with water and a bit of washing up liquid, sprayed directly on the leaves. You could also ladybirds into your garden to munch them up – purchase a ladybird breeding kit.

In reference to ladybirds there is currently running a UK ladybird survey, you can help them by recording any sightings.

Roses will bloom with a good feed such as a general feed or specialised rose feed, mulching, and careful watering.

It’s also best not to plant a new rose where other roses have been, particularly if they were diseased

If you love roses, then a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show is an absolute must! Hampton Court Flower show is also a great show to see this beauty.

This year I had the opportunity to visit the Hampton Court Flower show, and their special Tudor Rose Marquee was breath taking. The crowds were horrendous and trying to get close to the displays was hard, but the display of toses were gorgeous. I wouldn’t have missed it! To see a 3D video presentation of the marquee take a look at the RHS video – Tudor Rose Festival.

Not sure which rose to choose?

David Austin has helpfully provided a guide to help you choose the perfect rose for you!

Some of the best roses for cut flowers are –

National Tree week

From the 25th November until the 6th December it's National Tree week!

This great initiative is to encourage us to plant more trees, as well as taking part in a fun event.

The BBC in conjunction with Breathing Spaces, are hoping to break a World Record with the largest number of trees planted on the same day and time.

This event is called Tree O'clock, with people being invited to be a part of the world breaking event, by planting trees on Saturday 5th December between the hour of 11am and 12pm.

'It has been reported that over 267,000 people have pledged to take part in this event, spreading over something like 67 counties!' (statistics from the Tree O Meter )

The RHS are taking part with offering a wide range of young tree samplings in time for the event. So if you want one, please visit the RHS Wisley Plant Centre in Surrey.

To take part the BBC have a special website set up for this - Muck In.

Follow them on Twitter - http://twitter.com/bbctreeoclock

If you would like to join in and you don't live in the UK, then you can still join in. The BBC have provided information for international tree planters.

If you are an organisation / business / school and want to run a special event to plant more than 5 trees, the BBC have set up a partner site for further information.

There are 4 steps to complete, in order to take part -    

1 - Collect a tree - 

There are 6 different types of trees being given away from the Maple to the Mountain Ash

To find the nearest garden centre / shops that are giving away trees, the BBC have set up a special locator web page. You are allowed one free tree per family.

2 - Plant your tree -

Breathing Spaces have put together a fact sheet of how best to plant your tree

You are allowed to plant your tree in your garden. Planting trees in open spaces needs special permission from the council, or whoever owns the land. For further questions relating to this, please vist the BBC's faq sheet on where to plant a tree.

3 - Take a photo of your hard work and wonderfully planted new tree -

The photo must be taken between the time of 11am and 12 pm!

They ask that you make sure that when you take the photo of your newly planted tree that you have your camera set to the correct day and time for your photo to be date stamped, as proof of when you planted it.

4 - Send your photo to the BBC Breathing Spaces team by email -

The details of where to email your photo is on their special web page - Tree O Clock

To make a pledge that you will join in this event, please visit the BBC's website - National Tree Week

This would be a great event to take part in, either on your own, as part of a family, or community group.

Lets hope for better weather!

So get those wellies on, and start digging!  The tree needs you!

Freesias

Today we are looking at the lovely freesia.

This blog is dedicated to a friend of mine, who requested that I look into this beautiful flower :)

This flower is also my mum’s favourite. Whenever there is a celebration or she isn’t feeling well, the freesia is at the top of my families list to give to her. She loves the colours and the delicate scent. I have to agree with her.

In the language of flowers the freesia stands for –

• Friendship
• Trust

The freesia was named after the German, Dr Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese.

They belong to the Iridaceae family

There are about 14 different Freesia Species, with 12 being native to South Africa.

To grow them successfully, the ideal planting time is between August and December, for flowering the following March – April for approximately a month.

Freesias bulbs are called corms. You can also grow them from seed. If you choose to grow freesias from seed,  it is best to soak the seeds in warm water for a day before planting.

When you plant corms you need to leave the tip of the bulb just above the soil level. At first they need to be kept cool and moist and gradually increase the heat a month after planting them, allowing also for extra light and air.

The RHS suggest that giving these delicate flowers a fertilizer of tomato feed will help them grow. They also suggest that you plant the corms every two weeks until December to have continuous flowering.

This flower is very popular in bouquets, bringing added height due to the length of their strong stems with their gorgeous scent. Brides  often choose them for their wedding, for the flower’s array of colours such as yellow, lilacs, white, reds pinks …which complement other flowers such as the rose, orchid and calla lily.

Sarah Raven says that there are about 50 different aromatic compounds in the scent of the freesia.

If you particularly enjoy the freesia’s scent, then choose the reds, yellows, and whites, as they have a stronger scent.

If you buy freesias as cut flowers, they will last longer if you keep them away from fruit and vegetables, as they don’t cope well with the gases they produce. They are also thirsty flowers, so keep an eye on the water level in their vase. As they are a delicate flower, try and display them in a draft free area with an even temperature, which is not too cold or too hot.

The freesia would be a perfect gift for a friend to say thank you for their friendship, to wish them a speedy recovery from an illness, or as a gift to celebrate a special day.

Here are some suggestions of where to buy the freesia as a corm and cut flower-

• Freesia.co.uk - (for cut flowers and corms)
• Thomas and Morgan (for corms_
• Freesias by post (for cut flowers)
• Just Freesias  (for cut flowers)

Due to their amazing smell, you can find the gorgeous freesia scent in a range of perfumes, soaps , candles  … something for every taste.

A truly lovely flower! It has the elegance, beauty and scent!

The Flowering Cherry Blossom Tree - also known as Sukura in Japan.

Today we will be looking at the flowering cherry tree blossom.

This tree typically flowers in April-May.

Tree blossom is just stunning! I love  the beauty of cherry and apple tree blossom.

In the language of flowers the cherry blossom stands for

• Spiritual beauty
• Beauty

There are over 200 varieties of cherry trees growing in Asia, North America and Europe.

The cherry tree belongs to the rosaceae family.

In Japan the cherry tree blossom is associated with good fortune and a symbol of love. It is also the unofficial flower for Japan. They hold special cherry tree parties (Hanami) when they are in flower. They also have a special cherry tree festival with tea ceremonies and so on.

Cherry trees flower at different times from January – March in Japan. Nago for example has some 20,000 flowering cherry trees in their park! Here is a guide to cherry tree viewing.

In America, Washing DC, they have a national cherry tree festival. 

This is to celebrate spring and to honour the cherry tree gifts that were given to them from Japan in 1912.

I have hade the privilege of visiting Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire, which holds the national collection of cherry trees.

If you have a small garden, there are smaller varieties of the flowering cherry trees, growing to around 2 meters in height.

The Prunus Triloba a double flowering almond cherry tree has beautiful flowers

I also love the Prunus Shizuka - fragrant cloud Japanese flowering cherry tree

Not only are the flowers beautiful, but some varieties have wonderful autumn colour like the bark pictured below.

To choose a suitable place to plant your flowering cherry tree, consider an area that receives a lot of sunshine, fairly protected and that has well drained, deep soil. It's advisable not to plant a tree, where there was previously a tree with a disease. Take into account the expected height of growth of your tree, before you plant it. Some cherry trees require a pollinator, so check the details before you buy one.

The RHS have a guide to show you how to prune your trees.

The Cherry tree is susceptible to black fly, here’s some advice from the RHS.

The RHS have a Cherry Tree Fund as part of their ‘remember a loved one’ fund

Suggestions of where to buy and see cherry trees

The Ornamental Tree Nursery has some nice small trees

Trees online has some lovely varieties

Mail Order Trees

Exbury Gardens in Hampshire

Hiller Gardens in Hampshire

Hergest Croft Garden in Herefordshire has a wonderful collection

Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall

Dudmaston Estate in Shropshire

 Many woodland gardens will have this pretty tree in their collection and can often be found growing in church yards.

Daffodil

As we go through the seasons of the year, today we are looking at the Daffodil.

Daffodils are also known as the flower for birthday’s in March, so would be a great idea for a gift.

In the language of flowers the daffodil stands for –

• Regard
• Respect

I think this flower would be most appropriate for use in business as well as for a personal message.

With business we all strive to be respected in our given profession and we also want to show respect to our customers /clients.

It could also be a great gift to give someone as a thank you.

Various cultures and religions have various associated meanings with this flower –

• The Greeks have a rather sad mythology associated with this flower, involving a punishment from God for our human failures, such as the story of Adonis. There was also a man named Narcissus who thought of himself better than anyone else. He died staring into his own reflection in a pool of water. A flower grew where he died and was named the narcissus.
• Psychologists use the term ‘narcissist’ to describe those who are obsessed with themselves, excluding all others.
• The Egyptians used the daffodil bulb skins as part of their burial ceremony.
• Christians associate the daffodil with re birth and resurrection; the daffodil is used as a symbol of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We use the daffodil as a part of our Easter card collection for this reason.
• On ‘Mothering Sunday’ or ‘Mother’s Day’ – it’s traditional to give your mum daffodils. The tradition goes back to when those who were in service (maids and servants), were allowed the day off from work to visit their families. As a gift to their mums they would pick wildflowers, including the daffodil. In church services, it’s common for Mums to be given daffodils as part of the service celebrating this day.
• The Daffodil is the emblem for Wales – also worn with pride on St David’s day (Welsh - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant) St David is the patron saint of Wales and the celebration takes place on the 1st of March.
• William Wordsworth in 1804 wrote a poem called Daffodils. To hear Jeremy Irons read it beautifully -  Daffodils
• The Marie Curie Cancer Charity has the daffodil as their emblem.

Here is some information about the lovely daffodil

• The Latin name for the daffodil is narcissus.  
• There are thousands of different types of daffodil.
• Due to the huge number of varieties, they have been divided into 13 specific groups to help narrow them down to particular styles, shape, growing conditions and so on…
• Plant them from September onwards to flower in the following spring.
• Need help with growing daffodils? -  Then The RHS have provided a helpful guide - Daffodils
• Daffodil Bulbs are a tasty treat to snails and slugs, and squirrels have been known to dig them up. They are also prone to diseases such as bulb rot.
• You can grow them indoors as well as outdoors. The indoor varieties brighten up your living space and often have a wonderful smell.
• Advice from Gardener’s world suggest that the best varieties to grow indoors are - 

Crocus

In the language of flowers the Crocus stands for cheerfulness!

I think this has a wonderful meaning; can you not help but smile when you see their stunning display? I can’t.

I was looking for some new areas to find the crocus treat this year. Matt (my husband) came back one day from work and took me for a surprise trip to Kinson in Bournemouth. I must admit, I wondered why Kinson was the place to be that particular day, but I was told to shut my eyes as we came to a gradual stop in the car. All of a sudden he said ‘open your eyes’ and there before me was a purely blissful sight to see. It was like a sweetshop for crocuses, in shades of lilac, blue, yellow and white.  These beautiful flowers were planted in their hundreds around a couple of trees in a urban area. I don’t know if they were planted by the council gardeners, or if a gardener planted it as a surprise for their neighbours, for whatever reason it was gorgeous and I can’t wait to return to that very spot next year.

Here is some information about the crocus

Crocus – plural Crocuses or Croci is a perennial flowering plant

They grow in Europe, North Africa, Asia.

There are more than 100 species!

There are three types of Crocus – Early spring, late spring and autumn flowering

Early spring flowering Crocus flowers from February and March.

Late spring flowering Crocus flowers from March to April (these tend to be Dutch Crocuses.) This variety tends to be larger than the early spring and autumn varieties.

Autumn Flowering Crocus called the Colchicum is also referred to as Meadow Saffron, but don’t try adding this to your cooking as it is poisonous, just admire their beauty. These flower from September through to November and quite easy to grow.

There is a wonderful display of colours found in the Crocus family. Like the Snowdrop and Bluebell they are beautiful singly, but are also amazing in large numbers grouped together.

Crocuses are wonderful planted under and around trees, lawns, borders and in containers. When you visit the garden centre around spring time, you will often see lovely displays of this lovely flower grouped together with other spring bulbs such as daffodils.

You may have also spotted in various shops gift sets including this pretty flower; you can grow them inside for a little colour too – this could be an idea for a Christmas gift!

If you want to create a natural look when planting your crocuses, gardeners often advise that you drop them carefully onto the area you wish to plant them, and plant the bulbs where they land for a less formal look.

The good news is that the Crocus doesn’t usually fall foul to disease, but they are a tasty treat for squirrels and rabbits! If squirrels and / or rabbits are nibbling your crocus bulbs, try planting the bulbs deeper in the soil.

If you want to know what the weather will be like, you can usually spot the signs displayed by your flowers. On a bright sunny day you will see the crocus shining brightly for all to see. When it is a wet dull day, they tend to close their bowl shaped petals.

To see some lovely samples of crocuses that you can buy, then please visit  - Rare Plants

Where to see the Crocus?

• Most towns will have an area for the popular crocus, so ask around and see if someone can share their favourite places to go.
• As with snowdrops, old church grounds are often a good place to see Crocuses
• Broadleigh Gardens in Somerset
• The Garden House in Devon
• Kew Gardens in Surrey. (Have a look and see their amazing crocus carpet)
• Any of the RHS Gardens are a good place to visit. Wisley again has the national collection, and is a must visit garden!
• National Trust Gardens such as Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire

Why not help raise money for the Breakthrough Cancer Charity, by participating in, or organising a crocus walk next year? For more details please see Crocus walk

Where is your favourite place to admire crocuses?

 If you love crocuses we have a crocus greeting card and crocus totebag in our online shop.

Snowdrops

One of my favourite flowers is the snowdrop, associated with the month of January.  It used to be that snowdrops grew in early January – March, but it’s not uncommon to spot them pre Christmas. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I get, as I look forward to seeing this beauty.

My birthday is in February and I often request a visit to see the snowdrops, alongside a trip to a lovely English tearoom of course!

In the language of flowers the snowdrop stands for –

* A friend in adversity

* Hope

Snowdrops are also a good flower for condolence and thank you cards.

Want to know more about this fantastic flower?

• Snowdrops are known as Galanthus
• There are more than 100 species – you have to get up close and personal with these lovely flowers to spot the difference.
• Snowdrops grow best in dappled sunlight/shade under trees or shrubs, particularly deciduous.
• They can be grown in containers, so if you live in a flat with a little balcony or small patio there is no need to miss out on this beauty.
• They prefer a well drained soil.
• Even though they flower at the beginning of the year, it’s important to care for them through the warmer months, making sure they don’t dry out.
• You can buy snowdrops as bulbs or ‘in the green.’ I have tried both and have to say we have been more successful planting snowdrops in the green. The term ‘in the green’ is snowdrops just after flowering.
• Over time snowdrops will spread naturally.

Gardens to visit to see the splendour of the snowdrop

Check the following websites for special snowdrop days.

• Aberglasney  in Llangathen Wales
• Brandy Mount House in Hampshire – they hold the national collection.
• Cambro Estate  in Fife Scotland – largest snowdrop collection in Scotland
• Colesbourne Park in Cheltenham
• East Lambrook Gardens in Somerset
• Finlaystone Country Estate   - in Renfrewshire Scotland
• Heale House  in Wiltshire – (they have a nice café too)
• Hodstock Priory Garden in Nottinghamshire
• RHS Gardens  –  Wisley  holds the national collection,
•  Stourton Gardens in Wilshire
• The National Trust – Kingston Lacey in Dorset
• Welford Park in Berkshire
• Check out old church grounds – they are a perfect habitat for them

Fancy adding the glorious snowdrop to your garden or patio?

Here are some nurseries –

• Ashwood Nurseries   in South Staffordshire. On the 7^th of February they have a special snowdrop day!

• Orchard Nurseries 

• J Parker 

• Maynell Cottage Plants

Flower cards and gifts

Nita Joy Craft Design – have snowdrop cards  and gifts  available.       

The Snowdrop greeting cards can be with or without words, and can also have your special message included at no extra cost.

We also have a tote bag and small cotton gift bag with snowdrops.

Our calendar  includes the lovely snowdrop for the month of January,

Our plum leaves notebook has a photo of snowdrops added to the cover.

As it is approaching Christmas I thought we could look at the poinsettia

In the language of flowers the poinsettia stands for –

 - Wishing you every happiness and cheer

This flower is very appropriate for Christmas.

The poinsettia is everywhere at Christmas time, they certainly brighten up the place and look very festive. Some consider buying a poinsettia is as important as the traditional Christmas tree.

The story told is that a poor child wanted to offer a birthday gift to Jesus.  As he didn’t have any material gifts to give, he chose some plants from the side of the road and brought them to church as his offering. Many laughed and thought this was a terrible gift, but as he offered them to Jesus, the weeds bloomed into beautiful red flowers, as he offered the gift with his heart.

Here are some interesting facts about the Poinsettia

* They come in many shades and colours with over 100 varieties.

* They can be tricky to grow as they need just the right amount of sunlight, heat and water.

* If they are given the care that they need, you can have them flower each year.

* When they are in bloom they have brightly coloured bracts – for example - red, pink, plum, white and so on … on the 

   top of each stem.

* The flowers are the tiny yellow buds that are found in the centre of the bracts.

* For advice on how to cultivate and grow your poinsettia successfully, the RHS have provided a detailed guide -   Poinsettias

* You can buy poinsettias from gardening centre’s to supermarkets.

* On my research I came across this amazing photo on the internet of a tree of Poinsettias! Have a look at  Hearst Castle

  in California

* The story behind the poinsettia is that it was found by Joel Poinsett - the first US Ambassador to Mexico.

* This plant is native to the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America

* The botanical name of this plant is the Euphorbia Pulcherrima

* This plant has several names, from the Christmas Star to the Winter Rose.

* There is an incorrect myth that Poinsettias are poisonous, but the sap can cause irritation.

* In America there is a National Poinsettia Day on the 12^th December – that marks the death of Joel Poinsett.

* Did you know there is a cocktail called the ‘Poinsettia cocktail?’ This drink is made from  dry sparkling white wine,

   vodka and cranberry juice.

* Want to make some poinsettia decorations? Have a look at this wonderful crepe paper poinsettia   

Nurseries :

* Daleside Nurseries LTD in Harrogate Yorkshire - have a selection of 12 varieties

* Summerfield Nurseries   in Canterbury Kent.

  They even have special poinsettia walk days at the end of November – early December, where you can walk amongst 

  thousands of these plants and have refreshments.

* Barnsfold Nurseries  (For wholesale trade only)  have a photo gallery of some of the varieties of Poinsettias available.

Cards and Gifts:

* We have Poinsettia greeting card packs and small poinsettia cotton gift bags for Christmas.

If you want to wish someone every happiness and cheer this Christmas, then you can't go wrong with a Poinsettia

We will soon be coming to a close on our mini series - A flower for a business.

Throughout the series, we have looked at the aims and objectives of each business, so that we are able to choose the most appropriate flower meaning for them.

Today we will be looking at the business Essex Emergency

The aims and objectives of this business are –

• To provide a high level of service, which is friendly and informative
• To offer facilities for the disabled.
• To offer an outstanding one stop body and mechanical work shop
• To provide a full service with an extensive Bodyshop, Electrical, Mechanical, Metal Work Shop as well as catering for M.O.T’s
• To provide 24 hr recovery service within a 25 mile radius for all emergency vehicles.
• To provide an essential service to the -

-          Global- G4S ambulance service,

-          East of England ambulance NHS vehicles,
Jonnacc ambulance service,

-          Motorbility patient transfer service + ambulance service,

-          Sunrise p.t.s vehicles,

-          Jaguar + Landrover,

-          Sytners BMW,

-          Newham Parks constabulary,
Count on Us Vehicles,

-          Highway maintenance vehicles,

-          PDS Courier service, Godfrey Davies,

-          Lex, LloydsTSB

-          And other organisations

The flower that I have chosen for this business is the Peony

In the language of flowers the Peony stands for –

-          Health

-          Hope you feel better soon

-          Healthier

As Essex Emergency seeks to repair and restore a wide range of vehicles, I thought that the Peony was a good choice for this business.

Here is some information about the Peony

-          Peonies flower from  May to June.

-          They are native to southern Europe, Asia and Western North America.

-          There are three types of Peonies – Herbaceous, Woody - Tree and hybrids (intersectional).

-          There are about 38 - 50 species with over 320 different varieties.

-          There are single and double flower varieties.

-          Peonies tend to like a full sunny position, but some will grow in the shadier areas of your garden.

-          The best time to buy and plant Peonies, are between the months of October to March.

-          You pronounce Peony as Pee-oh-nee.

-          The name Peony comes from the Greek mythical character – Paeon, who was a student of Aesculapius, a Greek God of medicine and healing.

-          In China the Peony is a prized flower, often seen as a symbol of wealth and distinction.

-          Peonies are often found in Chinese paintings  and silk scarf art.

-          There is a Chinese opera called the‘Peony Pavilion’ which is a moving love story.

-          Peonies are used in Chinese medicine. It is believed to be able to treat liver complaints.

-          Gardener’s world has compiled a video to show you how to care for your Peony.

Specialist Peony Nurseries –

-          Binny Plants   based in West Lothian

-          Kelways Plants Ltd based in Somerset. They have the most amazing Peony Valley  that’s available to visit in June (check their website for further details)

-          Peony Passions based in Ireland

Gift suggestions -

-          I love the RHS Botanical Range and in particular their RHS Bronnley Peony

-          A gift basket arrangement of Peonies

-       A beautiful silk scarf with Peony decoration

-       Peony bracelet

-       Peony Necklace

We also have a Peony gift card that you can personalise with your special message.

If you know someone who is unwell, a Peony arrangement would be a lovely gift to send; as not only are they beautiful, but with the meaning Health / Hope you feel better soon, your message say’s it all.

A flower for the business Raspberry doodles    

The aims and objectives of the business are -

·         To produce quality art using Watercolours, Acrylics, Mixed Media, Textiles and Digital Arts.

·         To combine techniques and approaches to her art, giving the freedom of expression that it allows.

·         To create wonderful portraits of animals

·         To show the beauty and colours of Scotland in her work

As Pamela is a natural artist, bringing a particular joy to animal portraiture and the beauty of Scotland into her work, I have chosen the flower Magnolia

In the language of flowers the magnolia stands for –

·         Love of nature

Magnolias are a stunning flower. Crowds of people visit gardens that specialise in this beauty each spring.

Here is some information about this flower -

·         BBC Gardening says that the magnolia is known as the ‘aristocrat of the plant world.’ I love this quote and have to agree with them, there is something high class about this plant and is a favourite in many gardens throughout the world.

·         The Magnolia is available in many sizes from tiny delicate flowers to the very large ‘showy’ flowers.

·         There are 12 genera and about 230 species.

·         They tend to flower from March to April, but some flower in September.

·         The Magnolia family includes trees and shrubs - the evergreen, semi-green and deciduous.

·         Unlike other flowers, the magnolia doesn’t really have petals, but are composed of a structure called tepals.

·         They are native to the Asian and Northern America countries.

·         Fossilised specimens have been found from over 20 million years ago!

·         Thompson and Morgan have produced a guide to how to grow a Magnolia from seed

·         The problems associated with the magnolia, are damage to the buds from squirrels, and frost. The RHS have provided a guide to how you can look after your plant through the winter .

Gardens to visit to see the glorious magnolia

·         RHS Rosemoor is a wooded garden nestled in the county of Devon, they have a lovely collection.

·         Exbury Gardens  in Hampshire is a real ‘must visit’ in the spring.

·         Hiller Gardens in Hampshire – A real tree lovers paradise

·         The Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh

·         Caerhays Estate in Cornwall

As a Christmas gift idea, why not send a beautiful magnolia?

• Tree’s Direct has a lovely selection of trees for gifts.
• Eden Project
• Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery  

To complete the gift we have a magnolia card available. 

I hope you are enjoying our series of a flower for a business.

Today we will be looking at the business Studying Online.

The aims and objectives of Studying Online are –

* To provide professional online English lessons and courses to speakers of other languages.

* To create a course tailored to your English language needs

* To help with everyday English skills, to improve accuracy, fluency and pronunciation

* To help you prepare for exams, entry to college or university

* To help prepare you for the citizenship test

The flower that I have chosen for this business is the Lily

In the language for flowers the lily stands for -

·          Eloquence,

·          Fluency,

·          Articulacy,

The lily is known for its grace, elegancy and beauty.

Here is some interesting information about this flower.

• The lily has about 100 different varieties, from the lily of the valley to the Alliums.
• To see a wide selection of the family of lilies, please visit  BBC Gardener’s World - lily
• You can find them growing in Europe, North America and Asia.
• The growing season of the lily is from early summer through to autumn.
• The lily plays an important part in history, as a symbol in the Christian faith for purity and innocence linked with the Virgin Mary.
• From Greek mythology the lily was said to be associated with the flower of Hera.
• In Roman mythology Venus was so jealous of this flower’s beauty that she caused the flower to have a pistil grow within the flower.
• To the Egyptians the lily represented southern Egypt.
• Lilies are popular in poems, and plays, to see some quotes visit -  The world of Quotes – how many have you heard before?
• The RHS have provided a guide to growing lilies in containers
• Lilies are a favourite food of slugs and lily beetles and sometimes the bulb can be affected by mould.

I cannot talk about the lily without mentioning my favourite series of paintings by Monet; his ‘The Waterlily Pond’ is one of his most famous works, and I just love the detail that he includes in this piece. For all of Monet’s paintings with this beautiful flower please visit Claude Monet Complete works – the water lily.

A favourite garden for me to visit is Bennetts Water Garden in Weymouth. It is a beautiful garden to visit to see the water lily. They even have a replica bridge from Monet’s painting.

The RHS Wisley has one of the best national collections of water lilies, which is well worth a visit.

William Blake wrote a poem about the lily

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

Here is a poem I wrote about the Lily

Lily O Lily,

Your beauty portrays such innocence and purity.

Taking part in nature’s spectacular display,

Delighting the artist’s eye.

The moonlight touches your petals with such delicacy,

Protected by your strength and grace.

May your elegance always remain, shining brightly for all to see.

Continuing our series - a flower for a business, we are looking at Pimlico flats .

The aims and objectives of this business are –

Today we are looking at a flower for the business My Kitchen Store

The aims and objectives of this business are –

-          To help you give your kitchen a fresh new look; from the traditional to contemporary, sleek designed kitchen fittings, appliances and accessories.

-          They seek to provide everything you could need, from hinges to glass splashbacks.

-          If your budget doesn’t stretch to a whole new kitchen makeover, they provide many accessories to give a boost to your new look.

-          Because they like to provide an excellent service, you can be assured of the highest care taken with your order, providing regular special offers.

The plant / flower that I have chosen for this business is the seasonal Holly and Fuchsia.

In the language of flowers the Holly and the Fuchsia stands for –

    Holly - 

    Domestic happiness, 

  Fuchsia –

  Taste

Two important aspects of a new kitchen!

Here is my recipe for kitchen design success.

(1) First prepare the scene. 

Consider which ingredients you want to add.

-          Review your budget.

-          What do you want to change about your kitchen?

-          Do your kitchen appliances need updating?

-          Is space a consideration?

-          Consider who uses the kitchen – do you have children?

-          Do you consider your kitchen to be the centre of your home?

-          Do you enjoy cooking and love having the latest new kitchen accessory and gadget?

-          Are you seeking a fresh new look in keeping with a contemporary style?

-          Or

-          A more traditional warm scene?

New Season? New Colour?

-          If you are going for a complete kitchen makeover, you will need to choose a colour of paint, tiles and / or wallpaper to complete the look.

-          To help you decide, our favourite colours can often be linked to various seasons of the year.

As we looking at a flower for a business, lets look at colours associated with seasonal flowers  -

-          Spring – referred to as a season of new growth, fresh colours.

-          The flowers of this season are the delicate white and green of the snowdrop, yellow of the aconites, lilac of the crocus and blue of the bluebell

-          Summer – colours for this season tend to be warm and vibrant

-          The flowers of this season can be a beautiful mix of blues, oranges, yellows and reds of the summer meadow 

-          Autumn – rich and luxurious.

-          Natures spectacular show of fiery reds and golden browns of the maples, beech, and oak, chrysanthemum,

-          Winter – colours of a frosty morning, white as ice, pinks and blues.

-          The flowers of the season are the Pansy, Christmas Rose, Cyclamen

(2) Secondly you need to get the correct temperature for your design 

After deciding what look you are after, style and colour, now it’s time to consider the heating and lighting.

My Kitchen Store can help you with this decision.

Have a look at their –

Heating range –

-           Designer radiators and Glass fronted radiators 

Lighting accessories –

-          Is energy saving important to you? My Kitchen store has HD LED light sets which currently have a 10% discount.

They also provide lighting to create the right mood –

-          Colour-Changing LED Light Set  which is a featured product in their online shop.

(3) Add ingredients

Prepare a blank canvas for your new kitchen; whether you are going for a complete makeover or accessorising. 

If DIY isn’t your thing, then My Kitchen Store provides a useful directory of tradesmen for your kitchen fitting needs

If you are looking for a bargain then don’t miss out on their kitchen special offers page

As you seek to add ingredients to your recipe, make sure you add various flavourings to create the right taste for you.

If you love flowers My Kitchen Store has a lovely Flower style pewter handle  and for children they have a lovely flower coat hook.

To complete a contemporary or traditional floral look, you could add a few stencilled designs or a wall sticker -

-          Henry Donovan Stencils are a lovely range,

-          Spray Paint Stencil have 7 free downloadable designs to make your own stencils.  

-          Nouvelle images has a wide range of wall stickers.

How about adding a personalised blind to finish the look?

Many companies can now add your photo image. Blinds supermarket and Creatively different blinds have a range of various photo images that you can use, or you can send them one.

Personalised tiles -

Jill Campion – Custom hand made tiles, has a wonderful selection. You can also have some tiles made to your order specifications.

Tableware -

You may want to consider updating your tableware – I love the Wedgewood Sarah’s Garden and the Portmeirion Botanical garden set.

As you mix your ingredients together, season with a touch of fuchsia for taste, a sprinkle of Holly for domestic happiness and mix carefully.

(4) As with a good roast... take time to rest, and sit back, before you enjoy the feast.

When your kitchen makeover recipe comes to a close, take time to finish your kitchen to the highest standard, so that your care and attention to detail will not only make your kitchen look better, but will also last longer.

For wonderful kitchen fittings, appliances, accessories why not make a visit to My Kitchen Store, you will not be disappointed.

A flower for the business - Epiphany Training Ltd

Their aims and objectives are to –

-          Transform how you work by coaching and training you and your staff to use your software technology

-          They strive to help you use your computer more efficiently to help you save time in your business to focus on other important matters

The flower that I have chosen for this business is the Anemone

In the language of flowers, the anemone stands for-

-          Expectation

-          Prospect

-          Anticipation of change

Epiphany Training work with you to make the software changes you require; to help make your business more efficient, so you can expect a positive change in how you run your business.

I have to say that Anemone’s are one of my favourite flowers. I love the detail and colours. 

All about the lovely Anemone –

- You may be surprised to know there are about 150 different species with a wide range of colours.

- Varieties include spring, Mediterranean and the larger anemones (as included in flower image) that flower in late summer – early autumn

- As the Japanese varieties grow in September they are often related to birthdays in this month.

- There are two types of garden anemone – single and double, belonging to the Buttercup family.

- They are loved by cottage gardeners, as this delicate plant looks lovely in  cottage garden borders.

- They like a variety of soil conditions, some varieties prefer a shady area in the garden.

- The name anemone comes for the Greek word anemos which means 'wind' – wind flower, which means that the wind will blow open the delicate new petals and the dead ones away.

- They are a perennial herb

- The woodland Anemone is a true beauty, providing soft carpets of delicate flowers for us to enjoy, it is one of our earliest spring flowers that grow just before the tree cover is too dense.

Some specialist nurseries

Avondale Nurseries specialise in this flower, have a look at their website to see the various anemones that are available.

Long Acre plants based in Somerset but has an online shop

Love Anemones? – Here are some gift suggestions

The V&A Museum shop have a lovely collection of jewellery and home ware inspired by the anemone

Franz Porcelain - stunning home wares and jewellery collection. There is a beautiful anemone vase in the hand painted collection

RHS Anemone collection – note blocks, notebook, weekly planner ...

Anemone Greeting card  by Nita Joy Craft Design            

As you can see the Anemone is a lovely flower, the meaning behind this flower makes it extra special.

For my next blog, I am continuing the series about the language of flowers, particularly focusing on a flower for a business.

Today we are looking at the business - CV Services 4U

The aims and objectives of this business are to provide a -

• Reliable, personal service
• Knowledgeable, friendly, first class service
• Affordable and professional portfolio of products and services incorporating, CV preparation, Cover letters, a Free CV review service, CV Templates, and more.
• A professional service with a satisfaction guaranteed!
  
  They state -
• “We believe all clients deserve products & services that lead them onto continued growth within their chosen career path, our aim is to provide lifelong career development success".

Through reading CV Services 4U information, recommendations, blogs and so on, they not only provide a professional service, but also genuinely want to help people to reach their desired path to career success.

The flower that I have chosen for them is the Christmas rose (Helleborus Niger)

In the language of flowers, the Christmas rose stands for –

·         Relieve my anxiety

·         Reassurance

·         Restore confidence

These are all the things that people need when they have been made redundant for example.

Some interesting facts and details about this lovely flower:-

• The Christmas rose flowers in the winter months, a gorgeous display can be seen around Christmas through to early March
• The Christmas rose (as the name suggests) is linked with Christmas and is considered a true Christmas flower.
• The Christmas rose and the Poinsettia share a similar theme of a suitable offering at Christmas; the Christmas rose’s story is that a girl wanted to offer a gift to Jesus but had nothing to give and began to cry, an angel saw her hearts desire and blew onto some snow below her feet and a small white flower was formed.
• This plant is a woodland, evergreen perennial, growing 12 – 15 inches tall.
• They need to be fed well, protected from wind, craving a little attention.
• Even though they are called Christmas rose, they are not related to the rose family
• The RHS has provided a guide of how to grow and cultivate the wonderful Hellebore
• For more information on the wondrous Hellebore please visit the Hellebore org.

Gardens/Nurseries to visit to see the amazing hellebore –

• Ashwood Nurseries in Staffordshire specialise in this flower, winning many horticultural accolades since 1993.
• Cotton Manor in Northamptonshire
• RHS Wisley in Surrey
• Bosvigo House in Cornwall

The aims of CV Services 4U is to help their client move on in their career path, by looking at what they have to offer in terms of their talents, qualifications and experience. They work to provide them with the confidence of a professional CV for their next employment.

I can think of no other flower that meets this businesses aims as much as the glorious Christmas rose; being out of work can be one of the most stressful things you go through – reassurance, restoring confidence and relieving anxiety.

National Anti-bullying week

                                           16^th-20^th November 2009   

Stay Safe in Cyberspace  

Today my blog is about the other love in my life! Not only am I known as Anita or Nita to my friends and family, Nita Joy Craft Design, but also I have an alter ego – a pigeon of all things.

Yes, before you think I have totally lost it! There is a good reason that sometimes I am known as Percy the Pigeon! Percy needs help with typing on twitter, his website and facebook page as he is a little bird and his beak often gets sore from all the typing.

Percy the Pigeon is a pigeon on a mission! He has the important task of spreading his message –

‘If you are being bullied, please tell someone.’

My Children’s novel ‘Matty-boy & The Secret Pigeon Racket’ was launched in April this year and this is our first involvement in National Anti-bullying week. We work to help raise the profile of bullying charities and raising funds for Bullying UK, as well as encouraging discussion in families, schools and communities about this important, but sensitive subject.

I have always known that if we can work together we can make a difference and Percy is no different! He positively encourages people to be involved and spread his message in whatever way they can.

Percy has several online nests as he likes to call them, through various online forums, his website, blogs.... As the National Anti-bullying weeks message is ‘Stay safe in cyberspace’ he is looking for friends to offer a home on their blogs and websites, displaying his ‘stay safe in cyberspace’ widget or ‘I support Percy’s anti-bullying campaign’ widget, so that more people are aware of what he stands for.

For this National Anti-bullying week

• We give advice on how to stay safe online – Stay safe in cyberspace 
• Suggestions for parents and carers if you suspect your child is being bullied.
• Our Children’s novel for 8-12 year olds ‘Matty-boy & The Secret Pigeon Racket,’ has a special offer running until the 21^st November! The price has been reduced to £8 plus p&p.
• We are running a special competition to win a fab pack of Matty-boy and Percy goodies – for more details please visit our website – www.areyoubeingbullied.com
• We have special Percy t-shirts, printed by the lovely Pauline from www.teesonline.co.uk Pauline is running a special offer for BT Tradespacer’s this week only. Buy – ‘I support Percy’s anti-bullying campaign’ t-shirt in white and have your website added on the back for no extra charge! For more details please visit her blog - National Anti-bullying Week  from every t-shirt purchase a donation of £2.99 is given to Bullying UK.
• Balloon Baboon   Julie is selling special Percy balloons this week! A donation of £1.00 will be made to our fundraising campaign for the charity Bullying UK from every purchase.

 Here are a few suggestions of how you can be involved –

·      Adding Percy’s widget/s to your website or blog

·      Mentioning Percy’s message on twitter, facebook or other online forums

·         Telling your friends, family and work colleagues

·         Making a donation to our fundraising campaign for the charity Bullying UK  through our Just Giving Page , we are aiming to raise over £2,000 for them.

·         If you are a parent, ask your child’s school what their anti-bullying policy is and work with the school to make sure that it is effective.

·         As it’s National Anti-bullying week, this is the ideal opportunity to talk to your children about bullying; make sure they know that if they are ever bullied that they can come and talk about it with you, and that they are aware of the help that is available to them through various charities.

·         Make a Bullying UK Poster – http://www.bullying.co.uk/index.php/make-a-poster.html

·         We are looking for help with PR, could you spare a few hours to help spread Percy’s message?

The most important aspect of Anti-bullying week is to talk about the sensitive subject of bullying, as it’s still very much a taboo subject. Many charities (some of which are included on our where to go for help page) are always in need of funds to provide the support that is so desperately needed, and volunteers to help with their work.

Thank you for your support, we have really valued the support from BT Tradespace  and tradespacers!

A group of BT Tradespacers  have been involved in a blogging competition throughout November, which I am really enjoying. I like the structure it gives me; to have the opportunity to think about relevant subjects to comment on each day. I am also thoroughly enjoying reading all the other blogs written by those taking part.

There are some great prizes that have been offered as part of the competition and I wanted to be able to take part. My prize is very small in comparison with the others, but I hoped a poppy tote bag would be useful.

There has been much humour in the competition, with the usual banter and it became a bit competitive to win the bag. 

Sarah Arrow from Arrow Light Haulage suggested and co-ordinated the November blogging competition and also wrote a fab post called 'The most coveted bag in the online world'.  Sarah mentioned there were no waiting lists yet for the eco-friendly tote bag, this made me laugh and straight away I went off into dream land imagining this very scenario! Could it be that one day Nita Joy Craft Design would have queue's waiting for the latest item, like the latest Next sale? With customers staying up all night and sleeping in tents for the first one .... (I am not sure my landlord would like that.)

Well, the detail of how to enter the 'win a poppy tote bag competition', was to write a creative blog post mentioning the word poppy on 11/11/09. I had the tricky job of judging which entry would win the tote bag.

The entries were all very different and personal.

Here are the entries for you to read :-

• Arrow Light Haulage - The blog with the poppy in it
• Curved Vision -  Remembrance Day Poppy Service Speaking
• Clear as Crystal Web Design - We shall remember them
• My Kitchenstore - Poppies: In Remembrance
• PPJ Banners 'N' Qualitee Shirts - Remembrance Day
• Studying Online - Haiku

After great deliberation I have chosen -

 Elaine Sturgess  'My Kitchenstore' Blog entry - Poppies: In Remembrance

Please visit her blog to read her entry. It's full of imagery and emotion that the sight of a poppy can bring. Everytime I see poppies they will always be forever linked to what those amazing men and women did and are doing for our country, so that we may remain free.

Many thanks to all who took part, I really enjoyed reading your entries.

(If you would like to buy a Poppy Tote Bag, £1.00 will be donated from each purchase to the Royal British Legion)

We will remember them

Today’s flower for a business, we will be looking at - Curved Vision

Curved vision’s business objectives are -

• They aim to help with your presentations.
• To help you to communicate your message in a professional way.
• They work with you to reach your goal.
• They will give you training on public speaking and presentation skills.

The flower that I have chosen for this business is the Iris

In the language of flowers the Iris stands for –

• Message
• Communication
• Getting your idea across

The above Iris is called - 'Media Luz'   and the variety is a Spuria Iris - Stiff upright stems with delicate butterfly-like flowers. This flower is ideal as a cut flower

Here are some interesting facts about this stunning flower:-

• There are over 200 species of Irises.
• The name ‘Iris’ comes from the Greek Goddess of the rainbow, (as there are many colours).
• Irises are closely related to the lily and amaryllis family
• Irises grow throughout the northern hemisphere.
• Some Irises grow in desert conditions and others prefer damp growing conditions.
• There are so many varieties that you can have various irises flowering from November to June.
• In order to grow this flower successfully, it is recommended to divide the clumps. The RHS have provided advice on how to do this in order to keep your Irises healthy – Iris advice.

There are many gardens throughout the UK that include this wondrous plant. For the ‘wow’ factor The Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Flower Show always have this flower incorporated somewhere in the designed gardens and within the floral pavilion, giving you ideas of how you can include irises into your garden design. RHS Wisley also has a lovely collection.

Irises have always been an inspiration to painters, for example Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Iris’ and a favourite of mine - Claude Monet - Irises in Claude Monet Garden

A sample of specialist nurseries to buy Irises -

• Clare Austin Hardy Plants to see the many varieties please visit their Iris plant catalogue
• Iris in Sissinghurst
• Seagate irises – You can also visit their show garden displaying over 50 varieties May-June.
• Woottens of Wenhaston – A plantsman’s Nursery. They specialise in the bearded Iris.

For more detail on the Iris and the many varieties, the British Iris Society is the website to visit alongside the above specialist nurseries.

Please wear a poppy this remembrance day, as we remember those who lost their lives for us.

This year we have a special tote bag with a red poppy for remembrance day

£1.00 will be donated to the Royal British legion from every poppy tote bag purchase. We also have a greeting card  to go with it if you wish to purchase a gift set. If you would like this option, please choose from the list in our gift shop.

Win  Tote Bag competition

If you have a website on BT Tradespace there is a blogging challenge running throughout November.

On the 11th of November we are running a competition to win a poppy tote bag. All you have to do to have a chance of winning is by writing a creative blog, mentioning the word poppy in your blog post.

For Sarah Arrow's blog (Same day couriers ) about the competition please visit - 'The most coveted bag in the online world'

How to enter:

As Tradespace is updating, if you would like to take part in this competion, please leave a comment with your details and link to your blog post, so I can read your entry.

You can add a link until 11.59pm on the 11th Novmber 2009.

I will announce the winner on this blog and my BT Tradespace in a few days time.

Today we will be looking at an appropriate flower for Clear as crystal Web Wesign.

Clear as Crystal’s objectives are -

 - To understand what your business is about in order to develop a website for your business and client needs 
 - They work to provide the perfect package for you
 - They provide a ‘clear as crystal’ professional service.

The flower I have chosen for Clear as Crystal web design is the wisteria

In the language of Flowers the Wisteria means -

• Steadfastness
• commitment
• promise
• assurance

The Wisteria is a beautiful plant, providin