Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with flowers

Does anyone know of a good florist in Washington, DC that will deliver on Sunday?

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:56:45 -0800

Does anyone know of a good florist in Washington, DC that will deliver on Sunday? My girlfriend has been away and gets back on Sunday evening. I won't be able to see her then, but I'd like to have flowers waiting for her (getting them into her apartment has been taken care of). Delivery would be made around Adams Morgan, and I'd love to be able to go to the florist and write the card myself (for my convenience, a florist downtown or Metro-accessible would be even better).

Related questions: 1-800-Flowers will do this, but I'm forced into the computer-printed note. Does anyone have any experience with using 1-800-Flowers in DC? Do they work with a decent florist?

Wildflowers near Los Angeles?

klangklangston — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:59:45 -0800

Wildflowers day trips from Los Angeles? Girlfriend and I want to see wildflowers in the wild. We live in LA, and would prefer to be able to do this on a single day (she's got some furlough time coming up).

Where are the best? What did you like about them? What's can't miss? What specific dates should we shoot for? What's the best season to see which flowers?

I know very little about the plants in Southern California, mostly because I grew up in the Midwest.

And personal experience is very much appreciated—I've found a fair passel of vague pages on the internet (some Parks Service, some not) that don't really have the "Go here the third week of February" specificity that I'd like, being a total newb and all.

Picking the right flowers

John Smallberries — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:41:15 -0800

My recently widowed stepmother just returned home after a long hospital stay for cancer treatment; the prognosis looks good, thankfully. I want to send her flowers for her birthday, but I know more about quantum physics than I do about flowers, and I was a liberal arts major, if you follow my meaning. I don't know of any floral preferences on her behalf, and can't really ask now. So... are there any specific types that are more appropriate than others?

Best flowers when someone is seriously ill?

GarotaDaCidade — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:24:45 -0800

What types of flowers or arrangements are appropriate for the family of someone in the ICU? My friend's father is in the ICU with sudden grave complications of another illness. The doctors have warned the family that they may lose him.

A group of us are pooling money to send flowers, and I am in charge of doing the flower selecting and sending. What colors and types of flowers would be good to have in the arrangement? E.g., white lillies aren't called for in this case, right?

Direct links to flower arrangements I can purchase on the internet would be fantastic. Also, recommendations/warnings about certain online florist companies would also be appreciated.

I want grass without the fuss

reenum — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:31:31 -0800

I'm thinking of replacing my lawn with artificial grass or some other thing that doesn't require constant upkeep. I'd like to hear your experiences with such horticultural matters. I hate mowing my lawn. Always have and always will.

So, I'm thinking of having Astroturf or some other artificial grass installed. I've also been researching ground covering, which appears to be the growing of ivy or some other plant that will cover the sod, but not require mowing.

Has anyone here replaced their grass lawn with either of these alternatives. Anything I need to watch out for? How often do I need to replace artificial grass or ground covering?

All opinions and suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Help us identify this plant!

pghjezebel — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:52:46 -0800

IdentifyPlantFilter: A new plant has sprung up in my Mother's rock garden this year. She loves it, but had no idea what it is! Can you help us identify it? IdentifyPlantFilter: A new plant has sprung up in my Mother's rock garden this year. She loves it, but had no idea what it is! Can you help us identify it?

Characteristics:
Perennial
Tall
Silver somewhat fuzzy leaves
Spreads (in clumps) easily
Pink Flowers

I've upload a few photos of it over here on Flickr.

Fabulous flower folk, please help!

taz — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:32:42 -0800

A flower question in three parts: 1) what are these flowers: a1; a2; b1; b2? (I included versions w/my hand to show scale, since I have a lot of trouble figuring that with most internet pix) 2) what are other potted flowering plants that will do as well as these in my climate/situation? 3) Help me help myself? Suggestions for plant/flower identification sites. Much Longer: I end up spending quite a bit of time and effort, and a lot more money than I'd like, trying to find potted plants and flowers that will survive our sun-drenched courtyard situation (southern Greece) - especially flowers. Our plants get plenty of water (I water every day during the hottest part of the year), but the sheer intensity of heat and amount of direct sun exposure means that many (way too many, really) don't survive.

The photos of the two flowering plants above do survive, and thrive; the second does well in full exposure, and the first (climbing, vine-y one -- my favorite!) does well in a sort of half-and-half position: strong sun for part of the day, but some shade; with either too much sun, or too much shade, it doesn't flower. But I don't know what they are called, so I can't get more information about them, or find similar flowering plants. I had the idea that the first one might be a primrose, but the photos I've seen of primroses show very different leaves.

Aside from these, I have some of what I think of as "desert flowers" - succulents, that can stand our sun and heat, but most other flowering plants just don't make it. Even the old reliable geranium can't take the heat (actually, the exposure, I guess; I see flowering geraniums elsewhere in our neighborhood, but they get more shade than we have). Chrysanthemums can survive and continue to flower, but not thrive in the summer; they always end up looking sickly. Likewise, petunias, even if they are in the areas that receive the most shade (which isn't a whole lot, compared to what most people probably have). Even bougainvillea don't do that well (which they should, really), maybe because they get too much water... I haven't quite figured that out.

Non-flowering and thriving plants include ficus trees, yucca plants, Australian "bottle brush" plants, and something else I don't know the name of, but which are very common almost everywhere.

All our plants are in pots; they get plenty of water... and way too much sun.

What are these happy flowering plants we have? What plants (especially flowering ones) should we get? What site(s) can I can use to identify flowers/plants when I don't know what they are?

Smells like Teen Spirit

asockpuppet — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:44:16 -0800

How/when did floral, citrus, pine, and mint become associated with cleanliness?

Hydrangea help, please.

Chele66 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:16:17 -0800

Why does my hydrangea not fully blooming? Please tell me how to attach a picture to show you, if possible.

The plant only has about 5 or 6 blooms, the rest of them have just made a very small, flower like bloom, not the big, beautiful ones typically seen. Does it just take time, as my plant is only in it's second or third year planted. It has gotten bigger, but the blooms just aren't progressing.

Can anyone help?

I want to know more about bindweed/morning glory than how to kill it.

epersonae — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:24:59 -0800

Resources for information about field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis, perennial morning glory) other than how to kill it? I've become obsessed with bindweed, originally because it's overrun my backyard. (Olympia WA USA) I want to write an essay about it, probably for my website or for my neighborhood association newsletter.

I can find lots of information about its growing habits and how to (try to) eradicate it. (My working title is "Worst. Weed. Ever.")

What I've become curious about is its history: why in god's name did anybody bring it to the New World? where is it originally from? does it have any special significance in other cultures? etc.

I've used the Google, Wikipedia, and the friendly reference desk at my local library, so far to no avail. (I do have a couple of books on invasive plants on hold, and the librarian suggested that I follow the footnotes or bibliography.) Can anyone help find more resources?

Help me beautify my front yard.

desjardins — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:32:52 -0800

I'm a totally novice gardener. What should I plant in my flowerpots? I live in the Chicago suburbs. We have four flowerpots (each about 1' square) on the north side of the house that are mostly in sun, and a 3' x 6' area on the ground next to the house that is almost always shaded. This area has wormwood and snapdragons that come back every year.

Desires:

Widely available and inexpensive
Not much work beyond watering
Can stand up to violent thunderstorms
Not particularly attractive/tasty/poisonous to dogs/cats
Would be nice if they were attractive to butterflies, but not necessary
If it helps with the whole bee situation, so much the better
Does not matter if they come back next year, because we'll have moved by then

I would like to not put a ton of thought into this - I'd like a "grocery list" that I can take to the store, plant 'em and be done with it.

Extra special Mother's day

charmston — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:44:06 -0800

I have an amazing, incredible mother. Really, she's awesome. This will be the first mother's day that I have the fiscal resources to show her, rather than just tell her, how much I love her. I'll be getting her flowers, that much is sure. In addition to that, I'd like to do something meaningful. My (boring) idea was make a donation to a cause in her honor. But you have more creative, but still meaningful ideas, right? :)

Help with flower Garden?

fozzie33 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:32:51 -0800

I am planting my flower garden this weekend, and looking for suggestions. It gets no sun in the morning, and FULL sun from about 11am/12pm until sunset. I live in DC Area. I would like to find some stuff that is low maintainence. Any help would be great?

What are these tiny purple flowers carried on the wind?

Orb — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:02:30 -0800

We've had high winds the last few days, and these tiny purple flowers have been drifting into my yard from parts unknown. I am obsessed with finding out what they are! Each little "flowerette" is about the size of a dime or smaller, and they almost always seem to be in clumps of three flowers. None of them have had any leaves attached. If they have a scent, it's too subtle for my nose to pick up.

I have been looking around my neighborhood as I come and go every day, but I haven't seen anything blooming with flowers like these, but then, I can't see into most of the back yards. With the high winds we have been having, and how small and light these flowers are, they could be coming from blocks away. I watched some in my yard get picked up by the wind and vanish down the road, so they may even be leap-frogging yard-to-yard from who knows where.

They are so pretty though, and I want to have one of whatever it is!

Oh, and I live in Central Texas, if that helps.

to: you@youremail.com subject: a gift for you

grumblebee — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:08:11 -0800

If you want to send someone a classy thank you gift, e.g. wine, chocolates or flowers, what are the best options if all you have in terms of contact info is the person's email address? I don't want to send a gift certificate. I don't want to ask for a street address, because that will be a give away.

I want something along of lines of "Grumblebee has sent you some _____ wine. Click here to redeem." Then they enter their street address and the wine is sent to them.

Recipients are in the U.S., as am I.

What is this flower?

anifinder — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:30:50 -0800

FlowerFilter: Can you identify this flower? These flowers bloom in the late winter and spring months in my father's yard (in southern Louisiana), and he is curious to know exactly what they are.

He thinks they are some kind of wildflower or weed, though neither one of us know very much about plant life.

Some internet searches suggest it could be False Garlic, but my eye is not really trained enough to make a definitive confirmation.

Thanks for your help!

Floral Identification

emmykm — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:40:24 -0800

Please help me ID these flowers I know that the pinky-orange thing to the right of the daisy thing is a rose, but that's all I've got. Thank you!

Looking for cheap flowers in Toronto

kate blank — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:06:53 -0800

In New York, you can get a dozen roses for about $4 at any corner deli. I'm looking for the Toronto equivalent. I really miss having cheap flowers on every corner so I'm looking for the Toronto equivalent of the super-cheap (but perfectly pretty and healthy) flowers at the corner deli. I love to keep flowers around the house -- nothing absurdly fancy, nothing pricey, just tulips or roses or the like.

If you live in Toronto, where you do buy your regular every day flowers? Supermarkets tend to be pricey and while I used to love getting flowers from the fruit & veg stands when I lived off Roncevalles, I've since moved and don't have any fruit & veg stands near by. Is there a third alternative I'm missing or do I just need to find a new fruit & veg stand?

I work at King & Strachan and live off Lakeshore near Humber, so suggestions tailored to those two areas specifically would be awesome -- but if you've got suggestions outside those areas that's fine too.

Florist in St. Louis

rglass — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:14:23 -0800

Wedding florist needed! Who would you recommend (or not recommend) in St. Louis? I'd like to know about really good experiences and really bad ones too.

funeral flowers etiquette?

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:07:08 -0800

I've never sent flowers for a funeral before and am at a loss as to what to do. Bonus points for Modesto, CA florist recommendations. My aunt passed away and the viewing/funeral are on Thursday/Friday this week. I have a couple of questions:
- my dad has asked me to send flowers on behalf of my brothers and myself. I have no idea what's appropriate to send or how much to spend. Wreath? Spray on an easel? Bouquet? And, I was thinking around $100 - $150. Too much? too little?
- since the viewing and funeral are at the same location, it takes away the uncertainty of where to send the flowers... but I assume I should send them so that the flowers are there before the viewing starts?
- our families weren't close; I probably hadn't seen her for ~15 years, and her husband and kids for even longer (~20-25 years). I'm at a loss of what to say.
- I've heard it's always better to go with a local florist than, say, FTD. if you can, please recommend a florist in Modesto, CA. I searched a bit online, but the reviews seem to be bogus/planted.
Thanks in advance.

Great NYC florist?

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:22:43 -0800

Can you recommend a great florist in NYC who delivers? Extra points for unusual or exotic bouquets. Online ordering preferred but not essential. I'd like to avoid the big places like 1800 Flowers, due to a couple of bad experiences in the past. Anonymous because the intended recipient is a MeFite and I'd like it to be a surprise.

Spotty flowers!!

artychoke — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:59:25 -0800

How do you deal with brown spots on roses? I'm posting for my mom and sister who are non-professionally doing my cousin's wedding flowers for tonight. Some of the flowers have brown spots - is there any way to deal with this? Cut the rose petals with scissors? Google is yielding nothing but, "Don't use flowers with brown spots."

Ordering Flowers Long Distance

klpage — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:41:41 -0800

I need to send flowers to a family in Surrey, British Columbia, and I'd like a recommendation for a local company that can be depended on to do a good job with a bit of style - i.e., different from the standard FTD/800-FLOWERS arrangements. Google turned up a company called Kyla's - are they likely to be what I'm looking for?

Sending flowers to afar

remi — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:11:49 -0800

How I can send flowers to Japan from Canada? I'm at a loss here, so I asked some of my friends and since the MetaFilter community helped me many times already, I thought I'll also ask here.

My girlfriend's birthday is coming up soon and I would like to send her flowers. The problem is I'm in Canada and she's in Japan.

I found a few flower shops in the town where she lives, but then I ask myself how I can order them, if they will deliver them, and if they will accept a Canadian credit card over the phone. (I didn't get a good read at their Web sites yet.)

Is there anyone who has ever done such a thing before? Any advice would be great. Thank you all in advance!

Help me enthusiastically welcome my man home!

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:41:47 -0800

I always like it when men pick women up from the airport holding a bouquet of flowers for them, and I'd like to do something similar for my boyfriend... but get him something a little more masculine. Help? My boyfriend is coming back home after a long trip and I'm picking him up at the airport. I am really excited to see him. I think it is very sweet when men pick women up from the airport holding a bouquet of flowers for them, and I'd like to do something similar for him, but I'd like the gift to be more masculine than flowers. I'd still like it to be a representation of my love for him, and something that is somewhat easy to see from a short distance.

Any suggestions?