Dancing Poinsettias

More pictures of the dancing poinsettias from the Waukesha Christmas Parade! And Mike, our greenhouse elf! Thanks to my CMH friends for all your help.

2nd Place Float Winner!

We hope some of you saw our brightly decorated float in the Waukesha Christmas Parade this past weekend. Our gazebo was strung with hundreds of red and clear LED lights, glitter ball ornaments, poinsettias and accented with frosty and his elf friends. Our Creative Design Manager, Denise took time from her busy decorating schedule to craft a beautiful float and win 2nd Place in the parade!

This picture shows one of our delivery persons, Mike Vitale, dressed in his jolly elf costume. Watch out, he is threatening to wear this while he delivers in December!

For all of our wonderful dancing poinsettias, thank you for volunteering! By volunteering, they helped raise some donation money from Waukesha Floral for the Catholic Memorial High School Friends of the Arts. I will post more pictures of you ASAP!

Waukesha Christmas Parade this Sunday

Look for our Dancing Poinsettias in the Waukesha Christmas Parade this Sunday November 22nd!

Our jolly greenhouse elf and dancing Santa Hats are all new this year, so when they walk by, give them a big hi-d-ho!

The weatherman is predicting nice temperatures so get out for some free fun with the family.

Also, plan on stopping at our greenhouse Saturday, November 28 or Sunday the 29th and have your holiday picture taken with our beautiful poinsettias (the real plant variety). Our friends at Art's Cameras will be available from noon to 3 p.m. each day to take your free picture. They will also offer to turn your picture into a wonderful holiday card that you can mail to your friends and family. We just ask that you bring a few non-perishable items for the Waukesha Food Pantry when you come.

Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the parade!

Daisies in the Greenhouse

Last week, we were privileged to host a group of Daisy Girl Scouts for their investiture ceremony. Our greenhouse stage was the garden backdrop for this troop from Randle Elementary School to take their first steps into the world of Girl Scouts.

I hope they come back and sell us cookies!

Holly Jolly Open House Nov. 7-8

Just a reminder to all our blog readers that this weekend is Holly Jolly Open House. Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 10-4. We are featuring great design shows, free flowers and refreshments, kids activities and lots of nice sales. So after those leaves are raked, come and join us in the greenhouse!

Fall Permanent Display -Milwaukee Emergency Animal Center

It's great to decorate for the seasons, whether it's at home or in your business. These permanent arrangements of birch, foliage, pumpkins, gourds with just a touch of flowers will last for years to come. They were built to be easily set into and taken out of the planters at this emergency animal clinic, allowing for a quick change to winter, spring or summer. If you would like to change your look seasonally, give Waukesha Floral a call!

Bat Mitzvah Flowers

Here are the wall pieces Denise designed for the Bat Mitzvah this past weekend. She used a nice mix of palm fronds, ti leaves, fingerleaf philodendron, roses, gerbera daisies and orchids to provide beauty and interest to the walls in the Temple. Also pictured are the party flowers using colored cubes in the sculpted vases. I love the colors and creativity for this very joyous occasion!

Noah's Ark

It's been raining so much this week, it may be time to build an ark! Speaking of which, we have some great arks at Waukesha Floral. They're decorative and beautifully painted. Each is a little different... there's a 3-story ark, a big barn ark, a hayloft ark, a Sunday toy ark, to name a few. The real fun comes in playing with the animals! They include two elephants, two giraffes, 2 bears, 2 hippos, birds... a menagerie which is fun to arrange. And I can't forget there's a happy little Noah in each ark too. Come by and see them sometime!

Bat Mitzvah Flowers

We are designing flowers for a Bat Mitzvah at the Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha this weekend. The bright combination of hot pink Gerbera daisies, bright green hydrangea and the softer pink roses is so striking and perfect for the 13 year old girl who will celebrate! I will post some incredible wall pieces for the temple after they are completed.

Pearly White

A recent wedding featured beautiful white flowers and lots of pearls. Notice the pearls in the bride's bouquet, centered in the stephanotis florets . Reception flowers featured pearls within the vases and pearls strung on beargrass and whirled in a low bowl. Very pearly-white!

Beautiful Autumn Mums

Last night was Ladies' Night, Howl at the Moon Sale at Waukesha Floral. Thank you to all the ladies who joined us! We hope you had a howlin' good time!

Waukesha Floral is stocked with a great selection of beautiful fall mums, starting at $5.99. We also have purple asters and Fall Magic Pots, which combine some of the wonderful tall grasses with mums and million bell Petunias in the same pot. These really make a statement at your front door. Magic pots are $39.99. Stop in!

One last reminder... we have a great Fall Design Show scheduled today, Sat. Oct. 3 at 3 pm in the greenhouse. It's free and everyone is invited!

Ladies Night "Howl at the Moon Sale!!"

October ushers in lots of fun at Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, and this year is no exception! We're holding our first ladies night event that is sure to be the talk of the town! Join us for a candle lit evening and enjoy yourself with all your girlfriends. Maybe you need to relax and can catch a free chair massage by Massage by Karissa. Indulge on our delectable chocolate buffet by Waukesha' own Sweet Perfections Bakery. Sip a glass of wine or maybe a soft drink as you stoll our amazing collection of fall home decor that is sure to give your home a warm glow. Our award winning staff will present a floral design show in the greenhouse highlighting all the wonderful ways to use candlelight for the upcoming season. This design show is a must see and will only be offered at this event. Make sure to enter for some great raffle items and everyone gets a gift bag just for coming!
So save the date! Friday, October 2nd, 6:00-8:30 pm. Bring your friends and have a wonderful night out. All we ask is that you RSVP to us by 09/27 to jane@waukeshafloral.com and let us know how many will attend.
We look forward to seeing you and having a "Howling " good time!

Hello Autumn!

It's Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of the summer season. Here's a picture of a lovely centerpiece Waukesha Floral designed last weekend for a wedding at The Country Springs Hotel. The centerpieces used cattails, feathers, moss, river rock and water (with a few bobbers added in here and there just for fun) to convey the couple's love of the outdoors and fishing.

It's always fun to see how unique each bride and groom is and all the fun and different flowers that can be used to enhance each wedding.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend! Jane

Grande Gerberas!

Recently we had the opportunity to design a wedding at the Polish Center of Wisconsin. This is a beautiful banquet facility, located in a park- like setting in Franklin. The theme of the day was gerbera daisies. The bride was wonderful to work with and Denise Gehrke, AIFD, made sure to exceed her expectations.

Denise suggested the table decorations first. She did a mix of two complimentary styles to add interest. The first was a glass bowl that we planted rye grass seed into. It grows to a lush lawn in a spring green color. Added to this were fresh pink gerbera daisies that looked as though they had just sprung from the ground. The other tables had the same glass bowl filled with California Crystals, a gelatin type material that looks like crushed ice. A loose topiary of gerberas was then placed in each.

We also used yards of tulle and lights to accent the two-tiered head table. Added to this was Misty Sheer ribbon to carry the bright pink color theme. The crowning touch for the banquet hall was the tulle canopy over the dance floor. 8' stanchions at the four corners of the dance floor held draped tulle netting. The center chandelier was draped with more netting and featured an orb of gerberas, stock, lizianthus and other flowers, pulling the whole room together! Talk about a show stopper! Everyone loved it and the scent was incredible.

Creativity comes in many styles, and it is our pleasure to make each bride's ideas come to life!
Until next time,
Marty Loppnow
Vice President
Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc.
www.waukeshafloral.com

Wisconsin State Fair
Come see Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse's display in the Horticulture and Cultural building from August 6-16th. We are set up in the first cart as you enter the building. There are also beautiful quilts, artwork, handicrafts, bakery, preserves and much more to see. Enjoy the fair!

"Tinkerbell" Father/Daughter Dance

In May, Waukesha Floral was asked to decorate The Legend at Brandybrook for their annual Father/Daughter dinner and dance. This year's theme was "Tinkerbell", with the modern fairytale featuring fairies that possess magical powers.

Mom's Day!

This week is Mother's Day and that means one thing at the flower shop. BUSY! Lots and lots of orders for moms of all types. It's fun to see the variety of expressions people send to tell mom they love her. The ones that are the best though are from the little children. Dad brings them in and they get to "shop" for themselves! Sometimes they have a hand drawn picture or card to add. Sometimes it's a painted flower pot from school that needs a plant. Whatever they decide, it's always precious.
Moms love flowers. Know that we've got you covered with beautiful, fresh cut flowers, hanging baskets and container gardens for the patio, and lots of green plants and gift ideas. Call or stop in today, and we'll help YOU express your love for Mom!
Until next time,
Marty Loppnow
Vice President
Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc.
Planteriors of Wisconsin
319 S. Prairie Avenue
Waukesha, Wi 53186
800-825-8152
262-542-6035 fax
www.waukeshafloral.com

Watch me on Milwaukee's own Morning Blend on Today's TMJ4

Container gardening will be the topic of our segment on the Morning Blend show on NBC's Milwaukee affiliate Today's TMJ4. I'm going to show interesting combinations for pots for your deck or patio. I'll discuss picking the right plants for sun and shade and give a few tips to keep your containers looking great throughout the summer months. Join us on this Thursday, April 30th. at 9:00a.m. on Today's TMJ4, to pick up some new ideas for a beautiful summertime patio!
Until next time,
Marty Loppnow
Vice President
Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc.
319 S. Prairie Avenue
Waukesha, Wi 53186
262-542-8152
800-825-8152
www.waukeshafloral.com

Blooming Bear

Here's a unique funeral tribute we designed in the flower shop. We like to add personal touches to our sympathy work, such as pictures, gardening tools, fishing or hunting items or any hobby that brings back happy memories. This bear was made of carnations and pompon mums.

Earth Day!

Does Earth Day have a scent? If it does, I think I've just found it! To me the smell of fresh soil and newly mown grass is what I imagine Earth Day to smell like. If you can't find that outside in your own yard yet, you should stop by for a free smell at Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse. Stroll the greenhouses where you'll get that first fresh whiff of springtime soil. While you're there you might as well look at all the cool new plants that are planted in all those pots. If you would rather smell the fresh mown lawn, we can help you out there too. We have vibrant wheat grass potted in clear glass bowls, so that you can see all the healthy white roots. It's fun to have a patch of lawn on the coffee table just to get you through until it's time to mow. Speaking of time to mow, Jane just cut the wheat grass and the scent is incredible!
So if you need a quick Earth Day fix, know that we've got you covered!
Until next time, Go Green!
Marty Loppnow
Vice President
Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc.
Planteriors of Wisconsin
319 S. Prairie Avenue
Waukesha, Wi 53186
800-825-8152
www.waukeshafloral.com

Milwaukee Art Museum Art in Bloom Award

Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc. is proud to announce that Denise Gehrke has won the top honor at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Art in Bloom show held April 2-5, 2009. This is an annual event during which the Milwaukee Art Museum Collection galleries feature art-inspired floral displays created by top floral designers from around Wisconsin. Denise’s winning design featured 6’ Heliconia blooms from Hawaii that mimicked the Northwood III sculpture by Kenneth D. Snelson of polished stainless steel tubes suspended by wire cables that seem to float in mid-air.

Denise is a member of the American Institute of Floral Design, the Wisconsin/Upper Michigan Florists Association, and has been with Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse for six years as Creative Design Manager.

Catholic Memorial High School Auction

Thanks to Melinda and everyone who attended the CMH Auction in March. They chose some beautiful tulip arrangements to grace their tables that evening!

Friendly Creepy Crawlers!

Last night we hosted a bunch of creepy crawlers in the greenhouse! No I'm not talking about my brother's friends, well a few were, but beneficial insects for healthy plants. You may be saying, "I thought all insects were bad!", but it's not true. These insects help control the undesirables that prey on your beautiful begonias and perky petunias.

Here's the whole story. Back in the '70's, a group of scientists discovered that you could use harmless insects to erradicate the harmful ones. By doing a controlled release of these beneficials, you can break the life cycle of harmful insects. The reasoning behind this idea was to find an alternative to harmful pesticides. Let Mother Nature do the dirty work instead!

The Commercial Flower Growers of Wisconsin held their spring meeting in our greenhouse and learned from the pros how the program works. Sixty people took the info back to their growing operations and will look at ways to implement it on their crops. Less insecticides= Green living!

So the next time you see that spider spinning her web, just think, she's a beneficial, and don't reach for the RAID!

Marty Loppnow

Vice re

On St. Patrick's Day, isn't it nice to see some green flowers, like the beautiful orchids in this bridal bouquet? It also contains heather, ivy and miniature pink roses. Green flowers are so popular now! Have a great St. Patty's Day!

Spring has Arrived!

The temps are moving in a positive direction and that can only mean one thing. Spring is finally here! One sure sign of spring here at Waukesha Floral is the arrival of the first tiny seedlings that will become your beautiful gardens this year. Tom and crew are furiously planting all the latest Proven Winner annuals and hanging baskets. All winter Tom studies the latest and greatest that are tested for our Wisconsin summers. One key tip that he gave me was to Fertilize, Fertilize, Fertilize! Our summers in this zone are kind of short and therefore you need to feed to get the best results. A low dose of fertilizer can be added each time you water and will give you spectacular results. Being that these plants have a short life span in the yard, May-September, the added fertilizer will only make them produce faster. Tom suggests using a fertilizer with a high middle number to promote flowers and fruit, such as a 5-10-5, or maybe 10-20-10. The middle number stands for phosphorus for fruit and flower. The first number is nitrogen for healthy leaves and lots of green growth, and the third number is for potassium. It is used by the plant to promote rooting. All three together balance each other to give the plant the best of all worlds.
So stop by and stick your head into the back greenhouse and enjoy your first smell of fresh soil and growing things! Until next time, enjoy the temps!
Marty Loppnow
Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse
Planteriors of Wisconsin
319 S. Prairie Avenue
Waukesha, Wi 53186
262-542-8152
262-542-6035 fax
800-825-8152
www.waukeshafloral.com

Garden Layout for Spring Planting

Welcome to our blog. We are busy getting our production greenhouse filled with the plant plugs that will grow into stunning annuals and perennials.

This is the time of year to start planning your garden layout. Be sure to plan for enough space between the plants so they will have room to grow. This well configured layout will not only benefit your plant growth but it will help to make your purchasing more efficient!

Spring is just around the corner (hard to believe for us northerners)!