AIFD Symposium 2013 - Passion!

Waukesha Floral salutes Creative Design Manager Denise Gehrke, AIFD as she goes off to Las Vegas for the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium this weekend.  As the name describes, it's a meeting of designers and floral artists who are genuinely passionate about flowers and this industry.  They see and learn from speakers, presenters, and other designers the latest in what's trending in flowers, plants, containers and accessories.  Many designers will be testing to be certified AIFD, a process that requires knowledge, skill and creative talent.  As Denise earned her AIFD several years ago, she is attending seminars and volunteering her skills working with nationally recognized speakers and designers.  We are sure Denise will bring back a wealth of new ideas in floral design.  We just hope she stays out of the sun!  117 degrees in Vegas!!

Pinch Me!

As we approach the warmest part of the summer, it's nice to revisit some of the mixed annual flower pots Waukesha Floral has planted and review the care that will take them through the rest of the summer.

Keep up the dead-heading!  Especially on geraniums, dahlias and Gerbera daisies, removing the spent blooms is key to encouraging new buds to form.  Pinching back full-size petunias and removing old blooms is also necessary to keep the plants from getting too leggy.  Trailers such as German Ivy, Sweetpotato vine and Vincas can be cut back to keep a well-groomed look.  Coleus plants should be pinched to keep them bushy... just the tiny two center leaves can be taken off to encourage growth from the base.

Fertilzing every other week is a good idea, and we suggest using one with a high middle number, such as 10-20-10.  That middle phosphorous number will keep the blooms coming!

The Greenhouse Scene this Week

Beautiful Red Mandevilla $34.99

 Here are some pictures of what is currently growing in the Waukesha Floral greenhouses!

Mandevilla plants are full and beginning to trail already.  These are tropical vining plants that come with a trellis support and can easily be installed next to your own trellis, lamp post or any surface where they can climb.  Easily reaching up to 10' in height, they bloom prolifically in the sunshine, especially when given a shot of fertilizer (10-20-10) every couple of weeks.  Of course they do not grow in Wisconsin naturally so they need winter protection indoors.  So many people like to have a "plant screen" in the summer, and the mandevilla is a good fit!

The red orchid plant is a stunning beauty... look at all the flowers and buds unfolding!  This would make a long-blooming taste of the tropics for you!

Red Orchid Plant

Sanseveria "Bartel's Sensation"

A new Sanseveria  (Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Snake Plant) is residing in the greenhouse.  This is an indoor succulent-like plant that looks more like a natural grass with its white vertical striping.   It's so pretty I'm told the three we have are all sold!

Finally, I wanted to show you a large Ficus tree we received, with pronounced aerial roots from the top of the tree down to it's pot.  Grown in the field in Florida, these often develop roots that extend from the trunk or branches down, similar to the Banyan trees in the tropics.  These aerial roots are usually removed by us before the tree is placed in its new office or home.

Waukesha Memorial Hospital Flowers

 Waukesha Floral is pleased to partner with the Waukesha Service Club to provide fresh flowers at our local hospital's cooler.

There is a nice selection of bright and fresh floral arrangements and green plants to pick up next time you are visiting someone at Waukesha Memorial Hospital or browsing their beautiful gift shop.  The gift shop has a great variety of items for sale and some beautiful ladies' clothing and accessories.

The gift shop hours are Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with slightly shorter hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Happy Father's Day!

We pay tribute to dads who have guided us, provided for us and shown us love always.  Here's a gift idea for dad... a succulent garden that is a sturdy and reliable as he is!  Just provide plenty of light and less water than you think, and the succulents thrive.  If your dad is a bit more "rough and tumble", we have cactus gardens too!

Open Saturday 8-5!

More Floral Fashions!

Woodland Fern Dress - The Winner!

Abundant Orchids and a 15' Train of Fernery was Spectacular!

A Beautiful Dress of Birch Bodice
with Baby's Breath Princess Skirt

Loved the First Dress of Round Wood Cuts

Close Up of Spectacular Fashion!

More pictures from Fleurotica, 2013!

Road Trip to Fleurotica 2013

5th Annual Style Show to benefit
the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago

Fleurotica Fashion Show

During the year, we are fortunate to be able to expand our floral knowledge and experience with design and trade shows and classes.  On June 12, Denise and Jane went to the Museum of Modern Art in Chicago for the 5th annual benefit for the Garfield Park Conservatory, named "Fleurotica".  This runway extravaganza showcases the work of Chicago floral shops and artisans who create fashions from flowers and other botanical elements.  Approximately 30 models "strutted their sunflowers" for an enthusiastic audience of conservatory supporters.  In addition, four wonderful women were honored for their work in bringing the conservatory back from disrepair in the 1990's to the architectural and horticultural gem it is today.

More pictures of the fashion show tomorrow!

Woodland Fashion Theme

 

German Statice "mohawk" headdress!

Floral Guitar / Big Sale on Greenhouse Plants!

Here's a picture of a floral guitar that was given to the Waukesha County Historic Museum this past weekend, for the opening of the Les Paul Exhibit.  Our designer Vicki completed this masterpiece!

SALE!  SALE!  SALE!

50% Off All Annuals and Hanging Baskets, Veggie Plants and Flats

25% Off All Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets

Shop now for the best selection... at these prices, the plants will be gone quickly!

The Girl Scouts Were Here!

Girl Scouts from Randall Stem Academy with their BEAUTIFUL Floral Arrangements!  What fun we had on our tour of Waukesha Floral.  Interested in touring with your scout troop?  Call Jane at 262-542-8152 to schedule!

More GuitarTown Photos

Cabaret Table Arrangements

Flowers with Funky Sticks

 Here are just a few more pictures of yesterday's GuitarTown Gala set at the Rotunda.

Be sure to get downtown to view the fabulous new guitars and the wonderful, long-anticipated Les Paul exhibit at the Waukesha County Museum.

And don't forget!  Next door to Waukesha Floral is Prairie Home Cemetery, with its wonderful tribute to Les Paul himself.  Stop by and see us when you visit Prairie Home!

GuitarTown Flowers

GuitarTown in Waukesha Starts Today!

GuitarTown Opening Gala Setting

Waukesha will be rockin' this weekend with the opening of GuitarTown!  Ten-foot artistically decorated guitars will be revealed, the Walldogs are busy painting murals throughout town, and the Les Paul Exhibit at the Waukesha County Museum opens!  For more information about all of these happenings and more, see this link:

Guitartown Schedule of Events

Waukesha Floral was asked to decorate for tonight's GuitarTown Gala Opening Ceremony at the Rotunda building.  Keeping with the wild rock-n-roll theme, Marty assembled 9 free-form "chandeliers" for the tent, complete with neon pods, calla lilies, bamboo and "zippy" zip ties!  Electric blue, lime green and shocking pink lights complete the look.  Floral arrangements get funky with blue-dyed orchids, purple allium, bright pods and mylar pink sprays.  Thanks to Norm Bruce and Mayor Jeff Scrima for coordinating with us... we love to design for Waukesha events!

Not All Flowers Come in Vases!

Close-up of Tall Arrangement Florals