Flowers to Gift, Flowers to Eat

I wonder if you knew that there are certain varieties of flowers that are edible too. “Calendula” which is an edible flower has been named as the Herb of the Year by the Herb Society of America. The flower petals are good in cooking and nice in salads; tangy, savory flavor.

Other delicious varieties are:
Cornflower/bachelor button, or Centaurea cyanus. Used in cooking; sweet, spicy, clove-like flavor.
Daylily, or Hemerocallis species. Used in cooking; mild onion flavor.
Hibiscus, or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Flowers and juices used in cooking; slightly acidic taste, cranberry flavor.
Jasmine, or Jasminum - grandiflorum or sambac (Arabian jasmine). Flowers are used in cooking; great in tea; delicate sweet floral flavor. Another variety called Carolina jasmine, is poisonous. So you better beware.
Lilac, or Syringa vulgaris. Flowers used in cooking; lemony, floral flavor.
Marigold, or Tagetes tenuifolia (T. signata). Spicy, herbal or lemon flavor, depending on the variety.
Nasturium, or Tropaeolum majus. The leaves, blooms and flower buds are all used in cooking; buds are used as capers; sweet, peppery flavor.

And there are many other such flowers.

However, there are a few flowers too that should be avoided like the Carolina jasmine mentioned above. These are azalea, crocus, daffodil, foxglove, oleander, rhododendron, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley, and wisteria. (The list is not complete)

Finally, we know that Flowers are not just gifts. They have more value than you thought they have.

Best Flower Deal of the day
I had a tough time finding out the best deal today.
This is however interesting and I am sure it will be useful. FTD is offering 10% off on flowers @ $19.99.
This is super low. Check it out:


FLOWER NEWS
Good Flower News: Annual Flower Festival at a Town Church in Ramsey, UK…. more>>
Reported by: Telegraph UK

Not-so Good Flower News: Gold that turned litter .. more>>
Reported by: The Daily Telegram

Flower Olympics

Now this shall come as a great news and I am really amazed at the awareness of flowers being spread around the world. This is really a joy-filled news. Well taking cue from the Western World, the east is preparing itself for a huge flower exhibition and the initiative has been taken by Kenya.

Kenya is opening up a flower exhibition for the flower vendors on 7th June. The exhibition is called “Soko la Maua”. (I wish I knew how to pronounce that except for my own sense of pronunciation).

The exhibition is expected to be useful for all flower vendors as they are sure to learn a lot from each other. Such an exhibition gains real importance and is a much awaited event, be it any industry for that matter. Of course the exchange of ideas and intellect adds more to the common wisdom.

So if you are fortunate enough to be in Kenya visit the Village Market’s Roof Top Parking in Nairobi to catch this wonderful event (ya! That’s right ‘roof top parking’.. that’s what even I am wondering!)

Best Flower Deal of the day:
Grower flowers offer Same Day Florist Arranged flowers at just $29.95!

FLOWER NEWS:

Good Flower News:
The Knot Magazine knows to get Wedding flowers less expensive.. more>>
: Reported by – CBS News
Not-so-good Flower News:
When even flowers are not spared of theft..more>>
: Reported by News OK.

Songs, Bollywood & Flowers

I was wondering how things change. And I wondered this while watching an old Bollywood song. I remember that as a child, the Bollywood songs had too much to say with flowers. Most of the songs in the 80s had flowers playing a major role i.e. flowers here, flowers there and flowers everywhere. And this was to create an ambience of love, romance and beauty around the sets.

This has been changing from the 90s when flowers almost disappeared from the movies. Its sad. And other things replaced flowers. Bollywood started to shoot around external locations (out of India) and they grabbed the attention. Slowly and gradually the songs also have become meaningless with more beats and loud music and less lyrics.

Take a look at the beauty of these two songs. They are simply heart-capturing. Flowers, as were common in those times, had much to add to the song:

A song was even shot where the two lovers are singing of their dream to build a sweet home in a distant "flower town". Check this one too:

The Best Online Flowers Deal of the day:
Teleflora (which happens to take my heart away with each promotion has come up with a very nicely designed product for Father's day. I couldnt help but share this with you. I will call it the best deal based upon the design which overshadows all other things. Take a look.
Give Dad a lift with Teleflora's exclusive '48 Ford Pickup Bouquet now 10% off

Flower News
Good Flower News: Celebrating Connecticut State Flower more>>
: Reported by Courant

Not-so Good flower News: Moving her flower shop again more>>
: Reported by The Tribune

Announcing Best Online Flower Deals & Gift Deals Daily

I am planning to start a Deal section on this Blog apart from the latest News Section. This deal section would essentially comprise of a single best deal that really enchanted me. Of course, this shall be the best flowers deal available online. I plan to research more and more on the Online Flowers segment and offer you with lots of opportunities to buy flowers online and strike a best deal.

So here its is today, The Best Online Flowers Deal of the day: courtesy Online Florists.

Send the best selling Fields of Europe today. Only $34.99-Same Day Delivery available

This one is at 1800flowers.com and is an arrangement of bright fresh lilies, alstroemeria, mini Gerbera daisies and more beautifully recreates the style found in European flower markets.

Contains following features:
 Gorgeous gathering of lilies, alstroemeria, mini Gerberas, button poms, solidago and more
 Artistically designed in a classic glass vase; measures 8"H
 Components may vary (to be noted)
 Large arrangement measures approximately 18"H x 14"D
 Medium measures approximately 18"H x 13"D

Best Gifts Deal of the day: courtesy Online Gift Ideas

Shop Sears 3-Sale Sale Friday 6/13 – Sunday 6/15 & find great savings up to 50% off Gifts for Dad
Since Friday is just a day away, I am sure you wouldn’t have liked to miss this.

Flower News
Good Flower News: Read about the Garden of California’s ‘Martha Stewart’
: Reported by Los Angeles Times

Not-so Good Flower News: Talk about Plastic flowers – the ‘tacky-some’. Read here
: Reported by Leighton Buzzard UK

Flowers Lessons – I

Ever wondered what a Flower actually is?
“the part of a seed plant that normally bears reproductive organs” Period.

It was amusing for me that Flowers to which we relate for Love, Purity, Sensuality, Friendship and all sort of good things will ever have any relation to Reproduction! But that’s true, a flower is nothing but a reproductive organ of the plant.

However, flowers are lovely and these reproductive organs form a very beautiful gift (ah! That’s coarse. Isn’t it?) But then that’s the truth.

Anyhow, I write today a lesson on understanding flowers starting from very basic steps. Do I have to talk about why are flowers needed? Its clear from the definition above. However, the human explanation would much vary from the scientific one. Flowers are basically needed in our lives to inculcate freshness in the garden, as ornamental objects in our homes and as a gift to present someone. A souvenir from a lover.

Apart from the parts of the flowers – Petals, Sepals, Stigma & Stamen, Petals are the most popular and widely known and used term. Petals are the leafy kinds that surround the actual reproductive parts of the flower.

Now the most popular of the flowers is Rose. Check this out:

It’s the definition of beauty.

Other flowers worth mentioning here are:
Lily


















Carnations

Gerbera Daisies

These are some of the flowers that are looked for while making flower arrangements. Each flower is a beauty in itself and has many species where the arrangements of Petals or sepals may differ giving these varieties myriad shapes and forms and adding beauty to their beautiful nature.

Cala Lilies are mind blowing. See for yourself:

And yes how can I forget the Tulips, they are simply the best flowers that you will ever find.

Apart from these basic flowers, there is whole huge range for Tropical Flowers which you may not find easily. However much in demand. I shall talk about Tropical Flowers in subsequent posts. But prior to that there is more deeper look at these basic varieties on the seasonality and more beautiful varieties.

It will be interesting if some you could just share pictures of these basic varieties with me and I shall be glad to post them in my next write-up.

FLOWER NEWS
Good Flower News: A story about a Japanese Flower Grower more>>
Reported by: The Chronicle Herald, Canada

Not So Good Flower News: Read about the Largest Agricultural theft in San Hose more>>
Reported by: Mercury News