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Easter flowers like roses, tulips, and irises are like the holiday—potent symbols of life made anew.   Send Easter flowers to that special someone. Easter is a celebration of new life and easter flowers are a perfect representation of this. Be your own Easter Bunny and brighten someone’s Easter.

Here are some top choices for Easter!

First Flowers of Easter by Proflowers

This springtime bouquet is perfect for any room. It’s variety of brightly colored tulips and iris’ give off a happy yet peaceful energy. Order this perfect bouquet and watch how smiles bloom alongside the flowers.  Price: $29.99  View Flowers

Easter Garden by FromYouFlowers.com

The beauty and freshness of Spring has been highlighted in this colorful assortment of the season’s most memorable shades. Yellow roses, lavender daisy pompon, mauve tulips, heather, mauve carnations, purple hyacinth, pittosporum and a colorful bird pick are expertly designed in a cheerful mini spring container to celebrate new beginnings.   Price: $59.99  View Flowers

30 Easter Tulips by ProFlowers

Celebrate the season with 30 yellow and purple blooms that burst open before your very eyes. To allow these beautiful flowers to last much longer, they are shipped fresh, budding, and ready to bloom.  Price  $49.97 View Flowers

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Late Summer Color, a Preview to Fall

BY JEANNE FRETT, HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH MANAGER AS PUBLISHED IN THE NEWS JOURNAL, August, 2011

Most gardeners are aware of the traditional combi- nation of asters and goldenrods for fall color in Sep- tember and October but how many realize that rep- resentatives of these two groups actually begin their color display in late summer? Instead of languishing from the summer heat and humidity, several early flowering species are gearing up for prime time, their performance often lasting a month to six weeks. Along with their companions, they link one season to the next and provide a color display that entices us to once again explore our favorite garden haunts.

The following perennial plants are ideally suited for meadow or edge-of-woods plantings where their growth habits and vigor cre- ate masses of textural interest and their flowers provide seasonal color among more verdant vegetation. Sun-loving species make perfect associates for meadow grasses and denizens of shady habi- tats mingle well with ferns.

Two white-flowered asters that bloom in August include the flat- topped white aster (Doellingeria umbellata) and the white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata).

The flat-topped white aster flowers prolifically on rigid, upright stems, often beginning as early as late July. Each 3”-8” wide, flat- topped cluster is comprised of numerous small white flower heads about 3⁄4 ” in diameter. They fade to a pleasant greenish or cream color after bloom. The 6” long, lance-shaped leaves are resistant to disease and the foliage is sufficiently handsome to remain orna- mentally attractive after the plant flowers. Flower heads attract bees, wasps, butterflies and other insects in search of nectar and pollen.

Flat-topped white asters are rhizomatous and grow well in full sun to partial shade in moist to average, slightly acidic soils. Although typically growing to 5’ tall, they can be cut back to half their height in June, to encourage branching and reduce their ultimate height.

The showy, 3⁄4” wide, white flower heads of flat- topped white aster are arranged in a broad, flat- tened cluster.

The vigorous white wood aster is a spectacular woodland groundcover that thrives in dry shade. It blooms from Au- gust to late September producing clusters of delicate, 1” wide, white, daisy-like flowers with yellow or red centers on slender 1 1⁄2’ – 2 1⁄2’ slightly zigzagged, green to black stems. Its heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges have few insect or disease problems.

White wood aster is easily grown in partial shade to shade in neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It requires mini- mal maintenance except to encourage branching by cutting back the stems in early spring.

An excellent groundcover for sunny sites is Golden Fleece autumn goldenrod, (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’). Begin- ning in late August, this carefree, long-lived, compact form of the species will delight you with 15”-18” long arching spires covered with tiny clusters of golden-yellow flowers. Its multi- branched stems arise from basal rosettes of broadly rounded foliage.

Golden Fleece autumn goldenrod performs best in full sun with average moisture but will tolerate partial shade and hot, dry sites. Non-aggressive, long-lived and carefree, it is attrac- tive to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies as well as a good cut flower.

Blooming at the same time as these early asters and golden- rod, the following species are easily grown and reliably return year after year to provide late summer color.

An ideal choice for moist to wet fertile acidic soil in full sun to partial shade is the great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica). It is an erect, 2’-3’ tall, clump-forming plant with showy termi- nal racemes of light to dark blue-violet tubular flowers with five prominent, spreading lobes. The stems, which usually remain unbranched, are covered with alternately arranged, irregularly toothed, lance-shaped leaves up to 5” long.

Great blue lobelia has a long bloom period. Flowering begins in early August and extends into fall. Flowers attract bumble- bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Plant more than one; it is enjoyable to discern the slight difference in blue flower color.

Sited properly, butterfly weed, (Asclepias tuberosa) , is a hardy, long-lived, 2’-3’ tall perennial with spectacular flat-topped clusters of typically brilliant orange flowers, but flower color can range from yellow to dark red. Flowering begins in July and extends into September. ‘Hello Yellow’ is a popular yel- low flowered form of butterfly weed. The 3”-4” leaves are lance-shaped, hairy, and arranged alternately on the stem.

Full sun and well-drained soil are keys to success with but- terfly weed, although light shade is tolerated. Rich soils that retain moisture should be avoided as the roots are subject to rot under those conditions and mulching is not advised. It has a long taproot and does not move easily so plant in a permanent location. The ornamentally attractive 4”-5” long seed pods split on one side to release numerous silky, plumed seeds. Butterfly weed is a striking plant whether planted individually or in groups with other sun-loving plants especially those that thrive in hot, dry situations. Butterflies and hummingbirds are frequent visitors and cut flowers make long lasting arrangements.

Mistflower or wild ageratum, (Conoclinium coelestinum) pro- duces showy flowers for up to six weeks, from late August through September. The terminal, flat-topped, 1”to 3” wide, soft blue-violet flower heads are comprised of tubu- lar florets and have a fuzzy appearance similar to annual ageratum. The long slender stems, 1’ to 3’ tall, hold broadly lance-shaped, opposite leaves that are coarsely toothed.

Wild ageratum has a tendency to spread by rhizomes to form solid colonies in moist soils. This can be a desirable attribute in meadows where large scale drifts are important. In more restricted spaces, prune back for bushiness and to keep it in bounds. It grows well in light shade to full sun in fertile, moist, slightly acidic soil. It attracts bees and butter- flies and makes an outstanding cut flower.

Garden displays in late August and early September need not represent an exhausted end to a long, hot growing sea- son. You can plan ahead by selecting plants that are vigor- ous, require minimal maintenance, and are well adapted to their sites. They will make a welcome transition to the joys of the garden in autumn.

About the Author JEANNE FRETT, HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH MANAGER

Jeanne has worked at Mt. Cuba Center for the past 21 years and is currently the horticultural research manager. Her responsibilities include native plant propagation and production research. Jeanne has authored several horticul- tural references including Asters in the Mid-Atlantic Region and Trilliums at Mt. Cuba Center, A Visitor’s Guide.

Fall is a big season for wedding anniversaries.  Gear up for gift giving and loving rememberances with this special Anniversary gift deals from ProFlowers – SAVE 15% on today’s order of $39.98+.

From the available delivery dates, select the 1st date you would like your 3 day gift-giving program to begin. All bouquets will be delivered to the same address and on consecutive business days. Your desired card message will be included with all 3 shipments. All 3 bouquets will be shipped with a clear glass vase, and the shipping charge will only be applied to the first bouquet! Please note that the 2nd and 3rd shipments will ship standard delivery. (Item #9298)

Iris, Tulips and Daisies: These beautiful online flowers are a perfect flower arrangement for any occasion. Send as birthday flowers, anniversary flowers or congratulations flowers. From ProFlowers.

There is a cool way to get free shipping on flowers that I’ve recently discovered.  If you search for “Flowers” on Amazon.com and then look at the left menu for “Free super save shipping” and browse the results.

Here are some amazing flower gift options you can choose from and receive free shipping – which allows you a larger budget for the actual gift.

Many families make a move during the summer time while kids are out of school.  While not every move warrants a housewarming gift, there are some occasions when they are very appropriate – such as a young couple or family buying their first home.  Housewarming gifts are also a good way for neighbors to welcome a new family that has purchased a home nearby.  If you aren’t sure what to offer, here are some very nice flower and gift ideas for new home owners.

Shop for Gift Baskets from GiftBaskets.com! Selling a house – and buying a new one – is a really big deal! Welcome new neighbors or see off the old with the Hearty Housewarming Cookie Bouquet. This delicious assortment is made from a collection of decadent buttercream cookies baked fresh and individually hand-decorated with yellow houses white Sold signs and more. The cookies are then wrapped together to form the shape of a bouquet tied with a ribbon and put into a plastic holder for easy delivery. All Corso’s cookie gifts can be personalized! Make your gift even more special by creating your own message of 20 characters or less on each line.Please note that for this item the following services are available during the checkout process:Multiple Ship-To which allows you to send gifts to several recipients with a single order.Future Delivery which lets you select a specific date for delivery so your gift arrives at the perfect time.

Tropical Flowers: Send this beautiful tropical flower bouquet to celebrate any special occasion.

Garden decorations: Spice up your garden or your love one’s garden with these Japanese bird bells. Makes a great housewarming gift. From RedEnvelope.

This beautiful, colorful wreath is a perfect gift for any housewarming present. Send your love with ProFlowers.

Stepping Stones: This heart stepping stone is a great addition to any garden. Makes a great housewarming gift or new baby gift. From RedEnvelope.

Say Happy Birthday, not with flowers or gifts, but with an actual birthday cake!  A great gift for a male or elderly family member when you can’t be there in person – sing to them over the phone or online via Skype.  This cake is offered by From You Flowers (See banner with coupon code at the top of this page)

Moist and rich, this decedent cake is simply irresistible. Dark chocolate cake with fudgy filling is topped with chocolate ganache frosting. Hand decorated, the festive candy confetti and a yellow “Happy Birthday” greeting gets any party started. Simple to serve, your cake is ready to eat once thawed.  Kosher OU/D certified

Celebrate the 4th of July with Red, White & Blue Blooms!

Offered by Pro Flowers. See the top of this page for a link to Proflowers and special offers!