The Flower Blog

"Autumn is a second Spring to me
where every leaf is a flower."

-Albert Camus

There is the most wonderful time of the year and then there is the most beautiful time of the year. Perhaps I'm biased due to the perfect September day on which I married my wonderful geek of guy. Maybe it's because my birthday falls in the exciting month of October. I've got handfuls of reasons why Fall has a special place reserved in my heart and I bet there are plenty of others out there who feel the same. One of the reasons for adoration of the season of Autumn is weddings. Who doesn't love them? The rich, warm colors from above, temps which don't melt the makeup off your face, and all the harvest glory which can be used in your wedding decor should you so choose. And then there are the flowers! Today we walk down memory lane with a snapshot of some of our favorite bouquets from Fall 2015.

As mentioned before I'm a big fan of Fall weddings because of my own. My wedding was like a fairy tale complete with leaves gently drifting down the path as I...well, it's a great story which you can read about here! Ok back to the subject; there have been so many gorgeous bouquets to choose from for our Fall Wedding snapshot there may need to be a Part 2! Without further ado, a 2015 Fall Wedding Bouquets of Gillespie Florists Snapshot.  

Weddings during this time of year have access to all kinds of flowers, colors, accessories, etc. Go with the flow of the seasonal colors of rich red, gold, orange, plum or deep burgandy. Not feeling the vibrant colors of the season? A palette of creamy white, pink, and peach can soften up the bold outdoors and add a vintage or shabby chic flair to your theme. 

A few of our brides' select flowers this season include callas of all colors; roses of red, softest pink, and ivory; bright and brilliant gerberas; delicate hydrangea; and our fall favorites: mums and daisies! The themes range from superb elegance to sweet and simple country and everything in between. 

There you have it. A fine looking collection of our favorite fall wedding bouquets. Autumn can certainly bring out quite a diverse selection of color combinations, themes, and style. There have been so many lovely weddings this image would scroll for quite a bit to see all the bountiful beauty of this season.

Planning a wedding? Need more inspiration and examples of our work?  Visit our website to see an extended collection and schedule a free consultation with our experienced and friendly wedding specialist!

Halloween is almost here! To me, it's the most wonderful time of the year...till Christmas! And what better way to celebrate a day of dressing up as your favorite super hero, TV character, or what have you than to decorate with spooky stuff, eat candy, and create scary fun bouquets? That's how we roll here at Gillespie Florists!

Know what else we love about Halloween? Trick-or-Treaters! And because we enjoy costumes, candy, Trick-or-Treaters and more, we have a special treat for you! 

Are your little Trick or Treaters anxious to get the Halloween ball rolling? You know they are going to wake up bright and early on Saturday with their costumes on and ready to seek out candy! Bring everyone over to our shop for a few treats of our own as we host a few Trick or Treat hours in our seventh year and running...

Treat or Flower!

Except it's Treat AND Flower! We send off our costumed Trick-or-Treaters in style with candy AND a free flower! Is there a more fabulous way to start the evening than with a fresh flower to go along with the impending harvest of sweet treats?

Still not sure it sounds like fun? Let me convince you with some pictures of a few of our visitors during All Hallow's Eve past! We have some really cool displays that are perfect for taking pictures! We'll take pictures for you and will be happy to email you a copy of the picture!

Trick or Treat Hours

Saturday Oct. 31st 4p-6p

Hmm...costumes, candy, carnations, pictures, a chance to practice trick or treating before the official hours begin...sounds like a great way to start Halloween!  Be sure to add our shop to your trick or treat route. We will be there with flowers and candy at the ready and excited to show off our spooky fun displays, scary bouquets, and creative costuming too!  

See you soon!

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Confession time: I wondered what the big deal was about Sweetest Day. Were card company cronies trying to get all my money and making up holidays because they can? Just another reason to go out and buy something because commerce told me to?  Before my brain got too out of hand I decided to step down from the mental soapbox and educate myself on how this confectionary concoction came to be.

IS it just another day to sell cards, candies, and flowers? Was it initially designed to be Valentine's Day: Part Deux? No it was not. The beginning of this holiday is actually very (no pun intended) sweet.  Let's see what this third Saturday of October is really all about.

First off it isn't a national holiday; it's celebrated predominantly in the Midwestern US and a few Northeastern states thrown in. In 1921 Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy-maker and philanthropist, wanted to create a day to give something or to do something nice to those less fortunate than oneself. Therefore he formed a "Sweetest Day of the Year" committee and they distributed over 20,000 boxes of candy and gifts to "newsboys, old folks, orphans, widows and the poor" in Cleveland, Ohio. The movement was very well-received however it didn't take long for it to morph into more of the common giving sweets, flowers, and cards to loved ones that it is today. We don't need a reason to treat our friends and family but it doesn't hurt to have a reminder does it? Wouldn't it be nice though, to bring back the origin and step outside our comfort zone just a bit? Someone at work going through a difficult time? Want to say "Thank you" to the cashiers you always see. You know, the ones who smile as your children barrage you with candy requests and last minute promises to be good for a treat. 

3. Sweets for the Sweet

You have the facts and I have a better appreciation for the day. It's not JUST about loved ones in your family tree. It's about extending kindness to everyone. We cannot always buy flowers, chocolates, etc but we can give out hugs, handshakes, and smiles for free. Would I like flowers? Yes, of course always. But perhaps I should get them for a friend instead of hoarding them all to myself. You may have a few empty note cards in your office drawer? (I'm talking about myself again) Wouldn't it be really thoughtful to send a few of them? Or let my USPS carrier know he does a great job and I enjoy the fact he takes time to wave at us?  It's the little things. It's the sweet reminder of the blessings we have in this life and we should remember to stop a moment and smell the roses, chocolates and maybe a freshly bathed baby along the way and then spread the joy to others.

When I think of the perfect weathered arrival of autumn I think of crisp chilly mornings, fall leaves, pumpkins, sunflowers, cornfields, candy, and mums! All the hardy mums, all the time.

Is it even legal to celebrate the return of the best season of the year (in my humble opinion) without these favored flowers? Of course it is! But why would we? Exactly! We wouldn't! And I'm sure you are way ahead of the game here and have a few decorating the patio and front porch already; whereas I'm still catching up from back to school season. I'll be decorating my house with pumpkins, spiders, and everything creepy and Halloween-y by time mums hit my front door. This will be happening about a week out from Halloween because I'm a procrastinator like that! 

Even before walking through our door you may have seen a plentitude of colorful hardy mums outside to greet you. Did you happen to pick one up? Or two or a few more? What makes mums so special? Besides their popularity in low maintenance and abundance in blooms; these hardy mums also are available in multiple colors, sizes, and are generally insect and pest-free!

Of course there are rules for cultivating these bountiful beauties! Let's break it down real quick before the first hard frost visits us so we can welcome our favorite fall flowers back next year!

1. Plant before the frost bites! 
    Here's a handy frost calculator  from Farmer's Almanac
     for estimating frost dates! Typically mums are planted between
    late August-September. The sooner the mums are in the ground to 
    establish roots the better off they'll be. They also grow best in full 
    sun but can be persuaded to flourish in half days of direct sunlight.

2. General Care 
    After planting your mums, keep a close eye on whether they need
    to be watered. Mums do best in well-drained soil with plenty of 
    water. Make sure not to let them wilt! You do not have to fertilize       this season but during the next growing season begin to your             mums as new growth begins with fertilizer. Feed at least monthly       until August.

3. Overwintering 
After the first hard frost mulch about 4 inches with shredded hardwood or straw. Spread mulch well between the branches and fill in around the entire plant. Dead blooms can be pinched off to clean it up but do not prune the brancheds until the spring. Mums have a better chance of survival with the branches intact. Once the weather warms up again move away the mulch and watch your pretty plant return to it's abundantly fall glory!

4. Dividing
If your mums are grown as perennials, they will need to be divided every couple of years. More mums? Yes, please! After the last hard frost and new growth is seen is the right time to divide the plant. Dig it up in one piece and separate outer pieces with a clean large knife or spade. Discard the original center of the plant and replant the outer portions in a freshly rejuvenated bed and voila! More hardy mums for your viewing pleasure!

There you have it! Easy care for these low maintenance fall favorite plants. Think it's too late to plant this year? Check the frost calculator, I bet there's a good chance there's still time to plant before fall gets frosty!

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
- Mark Twain

Getting started during the fall could mean going to college, beginning a first job and/or moving out on your own. Regardless, there is always change abound in the autumn months and a great time to start making plans to send best wishes and thoughtful care packages to travelers of the brave new world of college and life.

Have a young bird leaving the nest this year? Here are a handful of care package ideas for sending throughout the year to let them know they aren't far from your mind at any time. Thoughtful, functional, and sweet; these packages are sure to be a hit!

1. Hygiene on Hiatus?

Doesn't matter whether one is going for their first apartment, long time resident hall occupant, headed out of town for a few months; this package is full of forget-me-nots which might have been overlooked. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, razors, favorite body lotion, loofah, roll-on perfume, etc. Perfect for travel and reminder that mom and dad are always looking out for their travelers. 

2. Under The Weather Watch

Oh yes there's many a "Get Well Soon" gift basket to send but what about the mornings they wake up and discover they are bedridden from a catastrophic cold? "Can't. leave. the. room. Send. for. backup. Call. my. mom." States away or just a trip down the block; You had the foresight of this occasion and helped your pride and joy during times of ailment by sending a "Sniffles" package before they needed it! Prepare for cold and flu with comforts of home in the form of cough drops, herbal tea, tissue pocket packs, a fun mug, chicken soup and more.  

3. Snack Attack!

You remember those days. Late night cram sessions for tests; finishing up art projects at 3.a.m. and the kitchen doesn't open for another 3 hours! All we need is alittle more sustanance and we can push through till dawn but don't want to leave our room. In the greatest hour of need, wouldn't it be great to have snacks on hand? Crackers, cookies, popcorn, pretzels, and the like are a prime pick for college bound people everywhere. Just think, your thoughtfulness and experience in the matter has saved the day. So go ahead and take credit for that successful test score; you helped them earn it.

4. Go Ahead, It's on Me!

First job, first apartment, first or last year at college, it's tough starting out on your own, remember? What better way to say "I love you; I empathsize with your situation" than with an all access gift card to anywhere! Need a break from countless hours studying for finals? Go to the movies! Is there a new knick knack or paint marker you want to have just because? Go get it! Relax, get that fancy flavored coffee topped off with whipped cream. Sky's the limit..or whatever amount was put on the gift card. Don't forget to dress up this thoughtful gift with candy kisses, huggable plush or in my case, a fresh set of gel pens. 

5. It's a Jolly Holiday with this Gift

Not going home for the holidays? Need extra love and attention in your new domicile or office? Send an ornament display tree at the beginning of the school year family photos attached to clips. As the year progresses add a few special holiday treats to your care packages such as spooky decor for Halloween, small ornaments and candy for Christmas; Sweetheart surprises for Valentine's Day; the possibilities are endless and you can find all sorts of gift goodies at our shop!

6. A Breath of Fresh Air, Literally

Last but not least, I'll throw in a planter as a suggestion. "A plant? That's not a package...besides, they can barely care for themselves!" True, but they will keep you company in your cubicle, apartment, dorm room, bedroom, etc. A bit of life and greenery while adding fresh clean oxygen into the dungeon of dirty socks and laundry bags on the brink of explosion. Another great green option is our terrariums, see our collection here! Stylish containers and plant design will dress up any room. Speaking of containers; there's another area where you can add a touch of creativity. Make your own; paint one up; you get the idea.

That's it, in a super-sized care-package worthy nutshell. There are so many fabulous ways we can send our love creatively. And it's not as much about what's in the package as much as it is what is in the message you are sending. The message of thoughtfulness, love, and having your young adult's back as they start out in college, the professional world, or on their own. Autumn is an exciting time of year. Let's get started with sending some love!

Want to see more gift basket ideas? Click here!

Visit our website for fantastic flowers and gifts for every occasion at gillespieflorists.com!

Get your scrunchies tightened and throw on a denim jacket! It's time for another 80's trend comeback in the shape of weddings! Babies Breath, mismatched bridesmaids dresses and balloons are along for the ride but the most notable comeback in terms of wedding flowers is the Cascading Bouquet! 

Were cascading bouquets ever out of trend? Well, yes and no, historically speaking. This gorgeous shape of overflowing florals replaced the petite posey bouquet around 1910. After a couple of decades of being the go-to bouquet among brides everywhere the style had evolved into a grand event itself. The showering bouquet had become so exaggerated in size it overwhelmed the bride and overflowed with yards of ribbons for 'Lovers' knots' where more blooms and foliage were inserted. The 1930's and war time brought about a complete overhaul in wedding style. Instead of romantic and frilly, there was smart and simple suits. The elaborate design of the showering bouquet was replaced with corsages.

Was this the end of the showering bouquet? Indeed not! They re-emerged as "Princess" in honor of the late Princess Diana and her large, multi-trail bouquet. Later in the 80's a smaller shower bouquet returned and with it new shapes such as teardrop; crescent; trail; and the most contemporary; cascading. 

Waterfall-shaped dimensions, width across the top similar to the width below which gives a more natural flowing look. Their long, elegant lines often more flattering and complement both elaborate and vintage gowns exquisitely.

In days of yore the cascading bouquets, chock full of expensive flowers, added up to a very hefty price. One of the modern twists on this design has your pocketbook in mind. The trend is texture, greenery and foliage are our friends! Added bonus, the size of the bouquet can range from grandiose to rustic and quaint. As with most floral designs in this present day; the world is your oyster when it comes to having a dream wedding come true complete with a trendy cascading bouquet. Be it on a budget or celebrating your lottery win with the wedding of the century; the fine designers of Gillespie Florists can help you out. Just give us a call, schedule a complimentary consultation with our wedding specialist and check our wedding collection (such as these samples below) online!

Roses are red, lavender, pale pink, 
peach and even blue; 
which one, do tell, is the perfect 
wedding rose for you?

Indeed, which rose is the perfect rose for your big day? Over 150 species exist in the world and granted far less to choose from at the florist but still! How to narrow down the choices? There is always the option to hop on Pinterest and spend hours upon hours checking out what others have researched...possibly pin over 100 great ideas for your wedding while you're at it. OR perhaps we could save a bit of time, call a local florist and and set up an appointment. If you're searching in in the Indianapolis area; you'll want to dial 317.273.1100 and ask for our (er) their wedding specialist.

What roses are trending for weddings at Gillespie Florists? Which ones are our go-to ones? We're here to fill you in right now and narrow down the choices! Let's start with Tiffany.

1. Tiffany

Hailing from Ecuador, we use the barely kissed peach of Tiffany. This rose is very pale peach with the slightest hint of pink.  The color is solid through the bloom although each bloom may vary from pale to alittle brighter peach. The rose shape stays tight and does not open into a wide bloom. Added bonus: the stems have almost no thorns and leaves are simple to remove. 

Tiffany is a prime choice for popular trend of nude-fashion weddings (read more about this trend here!)

2. David Austin Juliet

Indicative a soft blush; the color of soft peach is one of demureness, innocence, and reserve. The David Austin Garden Rose is an excellent example of these attributes.

Grown in Ecuador as well, this rose is the perfect pale peach and blooms into a lovely garden rose shape. Soft, romantic petals give an air of ethereal beauty. 

Please note: Handle with Care! The stems are delicate and outer petals tear easily. The vase life is a bit shorter than Tiffany but still one of our favorite roses for their color and shape.

3. Mondial White

Elegant white roses go hand in hand with weddings as they symbolize marriage, new beginnings, and spirituality.

A very popular choice for white roses among florists is the Mondial White. This rose, although labeled "white" has the creamiest color in its numerous petals. The exquisite shape and texture of the petals coupled with long stems and large blooming head make Mondial White a preferred rose for large arrangements and centerpieces.

4. O'Hara Pink Garden Rose

Soft pink roses symbolize joy, gentleness and grace. This particular garden rose grown in France has 4 hearts in the center is the very definition of grace and gentleness.

The O'Hara Pink is very fragrant and opens to a full bloom of delicate, ruffled petals. It's creamy pink color is a perfect bridal pink.  With a long vase life and intricate texture; these aromatic garden roses will work wonders in a bridal bouquet, centerpiece, and more. 

5. Ocean Song 

Was it love at first sight? Enchantment? Lavender roses symbolize the magic of true love.

Ocean Song from Ecuador emulates the moment with large whimsical blooms. These roses have a moderate opening speed and petals perfectly touched with just the right amount of creamy lavender with an antique flair. Ocean Song blends well with other colors. The soft lavender is striking and consistent throughout the petals. Showcase them as the main color or with white for an extremely eye-catching look.

Congratulations! You made it through our top five choices for roses in weddings! It's difficult to narrow down favorites when there are a plethera of options. However, through experience, time and trends these gorgeous blooms top the charts in our books. Interested in using roses for your wedding? Need help trimming down the vast selection of flowers to fit into your budget? Give us a call and schedule an appointment with our wedding specialist!

Need ideas and inspiration? Check out our wedding collection here!

Schedule a complimentary consultation with our Wedding Specialist!

Look at these blooms! Aren't they lovely? Intricate? Natural? The arrangements in the picture are very natural looking! However they happen to be permanent botanicals; otherwise known as silk flowers.

Growing up I've always known them as silks; why change the name? Because time and technology have given us materials in abundance to create blooms and foliage to look more detailed, gorgeous, and so life-like you may think you've walked into Madame Tussauds. Fortunately, permanent botanicals are very accessible so you don't have to leave town to find natural looking flowers to create a masterpiece for the living room and office. 

Now that I've given you the "how" to obtaining quality permanent botanicals; let us look at why we should consider having them. Here is my quick rundown:

1. Availability: 
Silk flowers are always in season; in a multitude of colors. Get what you want when you want it.

2. Long term Savings:
Permanent Botanicals are built to last, last, and last some more. Extend the life on your silk arrangements by keeping them away from the full sun and dust them occasionaly to maintain a healthy and natural glow. 

3. Low Maintenance:
Faux flowers are not maintenance free but instead of checking for dead leaves, changing out water, clipping back branches, etc; you'll dust it down every once in a great while and admire their fresh colors.

4.  Allergy Free:
Having guests over? No worries about permanent botanicals causing allergic reactions to pollen or scent! However, you CAN choose to scent the arrangements if desired.

5.  Re-Use
 Re-use, recycle, upcycle; one of my favorite aspects of having permanent botanicals is they are almost indestructable and if I'm ready for a different vase or look; I can use what I have and add more!  

There are quite a few more reasons permanent botanicals are favored among the world of flowers but these are my personal top five. Have I convinced you to add faux flowers to your world? Unsure of jumping into the land of faux natural beauty just yet? Give it time...it will happen when you least expect it. Take a peek at our lovely collection of permanent botanicals the next time you visit us. Our fine quality silk arrangements are works of art with the fine detail and luxurious color on each petal and leaf.  A guaranteed perfect touch of natural beauty to any living area and office space.

Need to send a bouquet? Check out our Best Sellers Collection!

Look at these blooms! Aren't they lovely? Intricate? Natural? The arrangements in the picture are very natural looking! However they happen to be permanent botanicals; otherwise known as silk flowers.

Growing up I've always known them as silks; why change the name? Because time and technology have given us materials in abundance to create blooms and foliage to look more detailed, gorgeous, and so life-like you may think you've walked into Madame Tussauds. Fortunately, permanent botanicals are very accessible so you don't have to leave town to find natural looking flowers to create a masterpiece for the living room and office. 

Speaking of places to find these "faux natural" beauties; we are having a sale on ours at Gillespie Florists! From 40% off take out silk arrangements, cemetary silks, and you can even choose to have them delivered at 20% off! Sounds like a fabulous deal to add some three-dimensional still life to your home. Now that I've given you the "how" to obtaining quality permanent botanicals; let us look at why we should consider having them. Here is my quick rundown:

1. Availability:
Silk flowers are always in season; in a multitude of colors. Get what you want when you want it.

2. Long term Savings:
Permanent Botanicals are built to last, last, and last some more. Extend the life on your silk arrangements by keeping them away from the full sun and dust them occasionaly to maintain a healthy and natural glow. 

3. Low Maintenance:
Faux flowers are not maintenance free but instead of checking for dead leaves, changing out water, clipping back branches, etc; you'll dust it down every once in a great while and admire their fresh colors.

4.  Allergy Free:
Having guests over? No worries about permanent botanicals causing allergic reactions to pollen or scent! However, you CAN choose to scent the arrangements if desired.

5.  Re-Use
 Re-use, recycle, upcycle; one of my favorite aspects of having permanent botanicals is they are almost indestructable and if I'm ready for a different vase or look; I can use what I have and add more!  

There are quite a few more reasons permanent botanicals are favored among the world of flowers but these are my personal top five. Have I convinced you to add faux flowers to your world? Yes? Then stop by our shop by July 11th to take advantage of our silk sale! Unsure of jumping into the land of faux natural beauty just yet? Give it time...it will happen when you least expect it. Take a peek at our lovely collection of permanent botanicals the next time you visit us. Our fine quality silk arrangements are works of art with the fine detail and luxurious color on each petal and leaf.  A guaranteed perfect touch of natural beauty to any living area and office space.

Congratulations! Have you recently received a bouquet from us? Or perchance the thought occurred "Are there actions I can take to extend the life on flowers I get?"

Those questions are what happened to me, friends. How is it I don't automatically have the knowledge on how to make bouquets last longer? Shouldn't it be in my genetic coding? Maybe, but it isn't. Therefore today we're going to list the ways we can make our flowers, specifically roses, last longer after receiving them. 

1. Clean Container

Let's say you receive some loose flowers, sunshine bouquet, etc and you're supplying the vase. If you are like me; there may be a variety of containers collecting a bit of dust under the sink. Get the vase of your choice and clean it with hot, soapy water and then rinse it out. This will remove bacteria and help keep the water clear. *Also a step which should be repeated when switching out the water every day or so.*

Did you receive a flowers already arranged in a container? Fantastic! They are already on their way to a delightful stay at your home. Move onto the next step!

2: Cut Stems

Whether they be loosely wrapped or already vased; the best way to keep blooms fresh is to cut the stems. If flowers are being placed in a container for the first time, cut off about 1/2"-3/4" of the stem at a 45° angle.  Look at that, using geometry in practical life. Cutting at an angle allows the flower maximum chance to take up water. Using a sharp knife or scissor blades will help as well. The cut should be crisp and clean, leaving the tissue undamaged.

For those of you who received a bouquet in a vase to begin with; cut the stems every few days.

3: Water and Preservatives

It is very important to keep the water clean and clear! So completely switch out the water in your container every 2-3 days. If you're concerned about losing the design; tie twine around the stems to keep the shape the bouquet when removing it from the vase.  Is the arrangement to big easily remove? Carefully tip the container and drain all the water out.

We send our artfully designed bouquets and loose wrapped flowers homewith FloralLife packets. Add flower food when switching out the water according to the directions. Don't have any flower preservatives on hand? Use a mixture of sprite and water to keep your bouquet happy!
*Special Note: zinnias, sunflowers, and glads aren't big fans of flower food.*

Fill the container halfway with sprite, and the rest with tap water. Make sure use to regular Sprite or 7-Up as the flowers need sugar. They also need an acidifier and citric acid. The Sprite and water mixture will provide you with citric acid and sugar but lacks an acidifier, which you need to help control the bacteria in the container. The only solution to the quicker bacteria build-up is to switch out the water every other day. Don't forget to cut the stems at an angle before returning to their container!

3: Display in Cool Space

 "Oh, this bouquet is so gorgeous; so beautiful; I must put it by the window for all the world to see!"  

Don't do it! To maximize the life of your bouquet; keep it out of direct sunlight and heat. Also steer clear of setting your bouquet next to ripening veggies and fruits like apples and bananas. They release an odorless invisible gas called ethylene which induces flowers to drop their petals and become a fruit.

This rule is more difficult for me because I really enjoy my bouquets the most in the kitchen whilst sipping coffee or preparing meals. 

4: Check Flowers Daily

"How exactly are these care instructions different than any other flower arrangement?"

5: Enjoy

Let's see, cut stems at an angle; change water frequently; flower food; remove discolored petals and fall foliage; clean vase and containers; and daily check on your bouquet! 

Yep, that about sums it up! Sounds like pretty simple steps to keeping a bouquet looking fresh and beautiful like the day it was given to you. What is left to do but to appreciate these gorgeous blooms? Enjoy!

June is National Rose Month; click here to see our rose collection!

What are our favorite bouquets for this month? Click here to find out!