The weather in Southeastern Wisconsin yesterday was gorgeous, and hopefully a sign of many beautiful weekends to come. May weekends are also marked by the hoards of people flocking to local garden centers, excited to start their warm weather planters and outdoor arrangements. Memorial Day weekend in particular is often seen as the prime time for those with a green thumb to get their pots ready for the coming weeks. But is there a good timeline to follow when preparing your yard for summer? Often times it’s hard to judge, but our florists here at Belle Fiori recently came across an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel with detailed information on what Wisconsin plants to get started during the month of May. Check it out…

Wisconsin May Gardening Calendar

 By Sharon Morrisey, Special to the Journal Sentinel

May brings May flowers and everything else green and growing. Although it seems like spring has come late this year, we’re actually right on target.

No matter how warm it gets now, early May is still too soon to plant most annual flowers such as impatiens, begonias, coleus, marigolds and so on. Most perennials, on the other hand, can be planted immediately.

In Southeastern Wisconsin, find new plants at the Perennial Plant Sale of the University of Wisconsin Extension Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardeners. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 18 at State Fair Park in the Department of Natural Resources park at the southwest corner of the grounds. Proceeds benefit UW Extension’s public educational gardening programs in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties….

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

Mother’s Day is one of our favorite times here at Belle Fiori. Helping clients pick out bouquets and floral arrangements their mothers will love is always a fun task, and we love learning about our clients’ families and personalities. Stuck on what special flower to buy your mom this year? Check out some Mother’s Day recommendations from SheKnows.com, or stop in at our Milwaukee area shop where we can help you create a custom arrangement as special as your mom!

And remember this great advice…”No matter what type of flowers you buy for your mom on Mother’s Day, give them with love. Write her a personal card or note instead of store-bought verse to tell her how much you love and appreciate her.”

	ROSES Roses have long been associated with motherhood, making them a popular choice on Mother’s Day. Roses were sacred to the Greek goddess Isis, seen as the ideal mother, and they also symbolize the Virgin Mary. Pink roses signify grace, elegance and appreciation, while yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy, so both colors are perfect to give your mom.
	LILACS Mother’s Day flowers don’t end with roses. Another elegant choice is the lilac. You may have heard that lilacs symbolize new love (which is why they are popular at weddings). However, they also signify love between mother and child, making these beautiful flowers a special choice on Mother’s Day.
	IRISES The iris symbolizes affection and warmth, and some Christians associate the iris with the Virgin Mary. These gorgeous flowers come in a rainbow of colors, though white and blue irises tend to be more popular for Mother’s Day.
	ORCHIDS In China, orchids are a symbol for many children, and they also signify refinement and beauty. Every mother will love a bouquet of these exotic flowers for Mother’s Day.
	CARNATIONS According to Christian legend, pink carnations are believed to have first grown from the ground where the Virgin Mary shed tears over Jesus’ death. Because of this, many believe carnations are a symbol of a mother’s eternal love. Pink carnations, as well as red and white ones, often comprise Mother’s Day bouquets.
	TULIPS Tulips are traditionally associated with new life, charity and spring. With their grace and beauty, these flowers are always a popular option for Mother’s Day.
	LILIES Though lilies are normally considered an Easter flower, they are often used on Mother’s Day as well. Many florists add a few calla lilies or white lilies to mixed bouquets on Mother’s Day.
	OTHER FACTORS Symbolism shouldn’t be the only factor when you’re shopping for Mother’s Day flowers. Also consider your mother’s favorite color: Daffodils or sunflowers are pretty choices for moms who love yellow; blue hydrangeas, pink Gerbera daisies and red peonies are also colorful flowers that your Mom will love. Also take into account the month in which your mom was born and use this birth month guide to flowers to pick the right blooms.
	BLOOMING PLANTS Bouquets aren’t the end-all when it comes to Mother’s Day flowers. Also shop for blooming plants such as azaleas and hyacinths for Mother’s Day — they’re beautiful and easy to care for, and last longer than a traditional bouquet. Consider outdoor plants and bushes that your mom can plant in her garden as well, such as miniature roses. Mini roses are often sold as houseplants but can be transplanted outdoors for the full sunlight and healthy humidity that they need.

Source

Our recent spout of misty Milwaukee weather has reminded us of the rainy wedding day of beautiful bride, Sarah, and her adorable groom, Lane. Carefree and ready to party, this couple was prepared to celebrate their Milwaukee area nuptials, regardless of Wisconsin’s fickle weather.

Although the sun was nowhere to be found, this bride came prepared with rainboots and a worry-free attitude about her big day. Rain clouds definitely did not put a damper on this couple’s wedding bliss, and our florists here at Belle Fiori were glad the couple had chosen beautifully bright colors for their arrangements to add some pop to the overcast day. Sarah’s selections of red, purple, and fuschia created a bright and elegant atmosphere at both the ceremony and reception, and the silver color of her bridesmaid’s dresses was accented through use of dusty miller as greenery. Manzanita trees with hanging votives and flowers also created a unique and modern atmosphere at the Wisconsin Club throughout the reception. Sarah and Lane also elected to add variation amongst the tables by including smaller and more compact wedding centerpieces as well, creating the perfect amount of aesthetic interest throughout their tablescapes.

Check out some images from Sarah and Lane’s big day, and be sure to consider Belle Fiori as your wedding florist-we’d love to work with you!

Photographer:    Woodnote Photography

Ceremony Venue:     Fox Point Lutheran Church

Reception Venue:     Wisconsin Club

One of our favorite springtime blooms here at Belle Fiori is the Orchid. Represented by several varieties and colors, this beautiful little flower can make a great gift, houseplant, or office decoration by adding a bright spot to any space. Often times, these little potted beauties are even sold locally in grocery stores or at boutique businesses.

Check out some helpful information on how to maintain orchids, and read further to find out some fun facts about orchid symbolism!

How To Take Care Of An Orchid Plant

Taking care of an orchid plant is sometimes thought of as difficult. Some may feel that they can not grow these flowers in their home. This is a common misconception as they are very easy to grow.

By following a few simple tips, any plant will grow and bloom better. These tips are ideal for those new to caring for orchids at home. They may also be used by those who are more experienced with plants.

An Orchid Plant Requires Special Care

The orchid plant is one that does require some special care at home. Without it, the blooms may fade, or may refuse to reappear on plants. This makes it important to pay close attention to plant conditions.

Special care does not mean that this plant is harder to care for. It simply means that a few key things must always be looked after. These things include soil moisture, as well as available humidity.

By monitoring these things, it is possible to grow orchids easily. With experience, it is possible to grow them in an office at work. This creates an opportunity to get much needed color while at work.

Learn The Top Orchid Plant Care Tips For Home

One of the most important tips for orchid care is to watch the light. Too much or too little sunlight can cause the plant to wither or die. The lighting should also be adjusted depending on the growing cycle.

During peak growing cycle, diffused sunlight is crucial to growth. Indoors, this typically means an east facing window when possible. This will provide ample light while protecting plants from the sun.

Direct sunlight should never be allowed to touch leaves or petals. Too much direct sun can cause petals to wilt or brown and fall off. The leaves may likewise scorch or begin to die after too much sun.

Good moisture is another one of the top orchid plant care tips. This includes both soil moisture as well as the humidity for plants. These factors can be controlled through one of several methods.

To control humidity, a small pebble tray is typically added to pots. This tray is placed underneath the pot and filled with small pebbles. Water is then added to the halfway point to create more humidity.

Whenever the water levels look low, more water should be added. This water is in addition to the necessary watering the orchids need. A light misting from a sprayer is often sufficient for moist soil.

Keep An Orchid Alive And Blooming Longer

After giving the orchids sun and water, they will begin to grow. Many may come with blooms already in place, such as the phalaenopsis. This common blooming houseplant is typically sold already blooming.

To keep blooms flourishing, a fertilizer should be added regularly. Special fertilizers have been designed to keep orchids healthy. These should be added about every week when it is flowering.

A regular fertilizer schedule will encourage stronger blooming. Caution should be taken to avoid over-fertilizing plants, however. Too much fertilizer can lead to wilting, scorching or rotting.

The Symbolism and Meaning Behind Orchids

If you are an orchid lover, you’ll be glad to learn that these exotic flowers are a symbol of love, beauty, and innocence in most cultures around the world. Here’s more on the symbolism of the orchid flower …

Fertility
Orchids have long been associated with fertility and virility. In ancient Greece, it was believed that consuming the root tubers could determine the sex of the unborn fetus. If the father of the unborn child ate large tubers of the plant, his wife was likely to give birth to a boy. On the other hand, if the expecting mother ate small orchid tubers, she was most likely to give birth to a baby girl. Due to this widespread belief, orchids became popular gifts for expecting couples. In ancient China, orchids were said to represent many children.

Perfection and Beauty
Because of their symmetry, and the straight lines on their petals, orchids represent beauty in symmetry, and are considered epitomes of rare beauty. In Victorian England, these lovely flowers were likened to a beautiful woman. Interestingly, even a woman’s attire during the era had a striking resemblance to the flower. The people of ancient China considered these flowers as ‘Lan Hua’, or the epitome of human perfection.

Love
Orchids are considered symbols of love because of the fact that the plants grow easily, and bloom under most conditions. During the Victorian era, it was a custom to gift exotic and rare flowers to show love and affection. It was even believed that rarer the flower you chose as a gift, deeper was your love. In parts of Europe, orchids were used as a key ingredient in love potions.

Luxury and Opulence
Well, it seems that the people of England during the Victorian era did attach a lot of significance to the orchid flowers, as they were also considered symbols of luxury. This was probably because these were rare flowers found only in the Tropics, and so only the rich could afford them. In ancient Japan, the flowers were treasured by the royalty, and were considered symbols of wealth.

Colors

•A blue orchid is rare and hence, symbolizes rarity. Blue orchids also stand for spirituality and meditation.

•A white orchid stands for innocence, beauty, and elegance. You can gift one to a person dear to you.

•A pink orchid represents joy, happiness, and innocence. It is also the gift for the 14th and 28th wedding anniversary.

•A yellow orchid stands for friendship and new beginnings. You can gift one to your special friend.

•A lavender orchid is a symbol of grace, elegance, and feminine beauty. You can gift one to your mother.

•A purple orchid symbolizes royalty, admiration, and respect. You can gift one to someone you look up to.

Source: Buzzle.com

Source: Ava’s Flowers

Floral arrangements really are the perfect gift for any occasion. There have even been studies done on the correlation between the presence of plants and positive mood. But do you ever wonder what variety of flowers are appropriate to extend as gifts for specific occasions? It’s a common question, and one our florists here at Belle Fiori often hear from our Milwaukee area clients. While we believe any type of flower can brighten someone’s day, we’re always happy to direct our clients towards what we feel will be the best arrangement for any particular event or occasion. The main advice we give our clients however, is to think about the recipient and go with your gut when choosing an arrangement. Have a sister who’s a little quirky? Why not assemble a bouquet made up of a variety of eclectic blooms? A grandmother who just loves the brightness of the color yellow? We’ll create her a beautiful arrangement of timeless and elegant yellow roses. It truly is our privilege to work with you to create something your loved ones will enjoy.

Still don’t trust your gut? Check out these suggestions on occasion appropriate florals…

Wedding-Seasonal flowers would be the best option. Pale, delicate flowers may work better in the spring while dark, rich coloured flowers would work for fall.

Anniversary-Surprise is the key here. Again, seasonal flowers are the best bet. As for gifting flowers to friends and relatives on the occasion of their anniversary, try something that fits in with their personalities. Whatever it is, make sure to add a personal touch to the flowers.

Birthday-Anything bright and colorful would be appropriate. Using the birthday person’s favorite flower is always a good idea!

Christmas-Popular Christmas flowers include the Christmas cactus with its green leaves and pink or red flowers, holly with green leaves and red berries and poinsettia plants with green leaves and red or white flowers, Christmas Amaryllis & more.

Easter-White Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily), white Roses, white standard Carnations, and lime green Euphorbia robbiae.

Thanksgiving-Chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies, roses, carnations, alstroemeria, lilies, wheat, solidago, monte casino, marigolds.

Halloween-A combination of the traditional jack-o-lantern with trendy flower bouquets.

Valentine’s Day-Valentine’s Day Roses- Various shades of red, bright whites and yellow.

Father’s Day-A bunch of blooming roses or some sturdy and long-lasting tropical flowers

Mother’s Day-Carnations, Scented narcissi, lily of the valley (Convallaria) and all Mother’s Day Flowers other than Carnations.

New Baby-Brightly colored flowers are a perfect way to introduce the new born to our world. Try sending some of the most jovial flower gift and lively bouquets to give a warm welcome to the little one.

Sympathy-Gladiolas, White Carnations and White Daisies.

Get Well-Bright cheery flowers, usually dark red or yellow with innovative vases or healthy gourmet basket.

Housewarming-Simple beauty never goes out of style. Just a bunch of fresh flowers in a vase filled with water as an add on to any other gift would look elegant.

Graduation-Bunch of lilies of different colors. A combination of red, yellow and blue would look spectacular.

Reference – The Flower Expert

So here’s the plan. We’re just going to keep talking about springtime flowers until the temperatures rise and something actually begins to grow! Because even though we have yet to see anything green popping up around the Milwaukee area, Belle Fiori is confident that colors will be presenting themselves soon. Easter, gardening, and hopefully warmer weather are all in our future and we are more than ready to see displays of crocuses, daffodils, and tulips throughout our homes and gardens. As three of our favorite springtime signatures, these flowers all look exceptional when grown separately or in clusters around the yard. Their bright colors, varying heights, and wonderful fragrances make them the perfect choices for many Wisconsin homes. Check out a little bit of information on each from GardenGuides.com, and get those shovels ready…spring is on its way!

Spring Blooming Flower Bulbs

Spring is a time of renewal and emergence. It is when the earth opens and the lovely spring bulbs begin shooting up through the surface with their bright and bold colors. There are many types of spring bulbs to plant around the landscape. With each bulb blooming at specific times of spring, you can have flowers and colors throughout the season. Have fun watching the tiny blooms shoot up for their spring arrival.

Crocus

One of the first spring bulbs to sprout through winters layer is the crocus. This small and delicate lavender flower has a scarlet-colored stigma, which are dried and made into a common spice called saffron. Crocus is a spring bloomer that spreads each year around the yard to create small patches of their blooms. They look lovely nestled within a perennial garden or along a front flower bed to help fill in the hard-to-reach areas of the bed.

Daffodils

With their teacup-shaped bloom, the daffodil is a must when you plant your spring bulbs. There are many shades and heights of daffodils, including the miniature daffodil that grows as little as 3 inches. Some daffodils have frilled edging in shades of peach and pink, while others have more than one bloom on each stem. Daffodils look best when they are scattered throughout the space, rather than perfectly arranged. An informal way to plant daffodils, suggested by the University of Vermont Extension, is to throw the bulbs over the shoulder and plant them where they happen to land within the garden or yard. Daffodils are larger bulbs which should be placed 4 to 6 inches apart.

Tulips

Tulips are a classic spring bulb, which grow in a wide range of colors. They have between two to six leaves and a straight green stem. The interesting colors include variegated tulips that have more than one color swirled together or others with petals fringed in white. Tulip bulbs are equally elegant when grown in a symmetrical arrangement, or massed in a bed of all one color. When they are planted along the side of the home or out building, a line of tulips instantly adds a bright burst of color and texture to the space. Tulips also look stunning lining a front walkway or garden path. Have fun mixing the colors together to create your own bulb designs within your landscape.

Read more: Spring Blooming Flower Bulbs | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/91483-spring-blooming-flower-bulbs.html#ixzz2ONeC6CO2

Last year, we enjoyed March temperatures that rose well into the seventies. This year, we spent our St. Patrick’s Day amidst flurries and green beverages whose ice could’ve kept cold if left outdoors. Charming as it is, these brisk and often sunless days of our Wisconsin winter, here at Belle Fiori, we definitely have spring on the brain.

We yearn for the days when we can spend time in the garden, enjoying colors other than the brown, monochromatic schemes we’ve become accustomed to. So today we ask that you daydream along with us, and remember the beautiful blooms we hope to see sprouting soon. Because at least reading about a sunny little daffodil can raise our spirits, right?

Either way, seeing daffodils blooming along the railroad tracks on my way to work in the morning is one of my favorite mood-boosting triggers, and I’m counting the days until those little yellow buds peak their heads out of snowless grounds…

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
NARCISSUS / DAFFODIL 

“Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the “Lent Lily.” Lore connecting the daffodil to not only a sign of winter’s end but a lucky emblem of future prosperity is found throughout the world. In Wales, it’s said if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your next 12 months will be filled with wealth, and Chinese legend has it that if a daffodil bulb is forced to bloom during the New Year, it will bring good luck to your home.

The March birth flower and the 10th wedding anniversary flower, a gift of daffodils is said to ensure happiness. But always remember to present daffodils in a bunch – the same legends that associate this cheerful flower with good fortune warn us that when given as a single bloom, a daffodil can foretell misfortune.”

-Telefora

Interested in growing or maintaining your own Daffodils? Here are some helpful tips!

•Give your Tete-a-Tete daffodils 1 inch of water weekly if it hasn’t rained. Begin watering when the leaves appear above ground in the spring. Continue the weekly watering until 3 weeks after they finish flowering. Stop watering at this point. Never overwater because the bulbs will rot in the ground.

•Fertilize when the daffodils begin to bloom with a fertilizer low in nitrogen such as 8-24-24, 2-6-12 or 1-2-2. Follow the label instructions for mixing and applying the fertilizer. Mix bonemeal with the fertilizer at 2 cups per 100 square feet of garden space for the final fertilization in the fall just after they finish blooming. Rake the fertilizer and bonemeal into the soil and water well.

•Pick the dead blooms off the plants, or deadhead, regularly during blooming to keep them from setting seed.

•Cut the foliage to 1 inch above ground 6 to 8 weeks after the end of blooming to prepare the Tete-a-Tete daffodils for winter. Mulch with 2 inches of straw or dried leaves for the winter. Remove an inch of the mulch in early spring. Alternatively, dig up the bulbs, rinse off the dirt, cut off the leaves and place them in a mesh bag or old nylon stocking and hang them in a cool, well-ventilated area until fall.

•Replant the Tete-a-Tete daffodil bulbs in late fall 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart in well-drained soil in full to part sun.

•Divide Tete-a-Tete daffodils every 5 to 10 years to eliminate overcrowding. At 6 to 8 weeks after blooming stops, loosen the soil around the plant with a trowel, being careful not to slice into the bulbs. Grasp the plant at the base of the leaves and gently pull the bulbs out of the ground. If they don’t come out easily, use the trowel to loosen the dirt. Once the bulbs are out, carefully pull the bulb mass apart and set half of it back into the original spot. Cover with soil and pat firmly. Replant the other half of the bulb mass immediately or hang them to dry for the summer.

We love when clients here at Belle Fiori think of us beyond their wedding day. It is truly flattering to be thought of and appreciated beyond the realm of any one day or event. So, when we received an email earlier this week from one of our former brides, Jessica, we were filled with warm thoughts of her special day. Simple, elegant, and fun, Jessica and her groom Matt were the kind of couple we didn’t want to let go of, and one we’re so happy has kept in touch.

Jessica was excited to let us know that her wedding was chosen as a feature for ‘Wed In Milwaukee,’ a wedding blog powered by OnMilwaukee.com and a great resource for couples looking to plan local celebrations. Check out the featured blog below, and congratulations again to Jessica and Matt. We hope to hear from you again soon!

Jessica & Matthew’s Milwaukee Wedding 

“At first glance, Jessica and Matthew’s cold-weather wedding was a traditional and romantic affair. But up close, guests realized the classic navy blue color scheme contained an entertaining twist.“Matt is a huge Yankees baseball fan, and it was fun to integrate the navy and white pinstripes subtly into our décor,” says Jessica, who’s accompanied him to many Yankees games during their travels.

The Milwaukee couple chose details that were very personal for the bride, too, most notably the reception locale. Members of her family belong to the University Club of Milwaukee, and they’ve shared many happy memories there. “The view of Lake Michigan is also truly amazing from the U-Club windows,” she says.

With the help of a handmade memento-bedecked card box, glowing candles, navy uplighting and lush floral arrangements, there was plenty to admire indoors, too. At dinner, family and friends also discovered that each table was named for a famous Yankee, and was decorated with a photo of Jessica and Matthew at a game. The revelry continued long into the night, thanks to a dance band and a baseball-themed late-night snack: Chicago-style hot dogs and Cracker Jack—“a huge hit with our guests!” says Jessica.

Looking back on the day, Matthew and Jessica say they have much to smile about: a touching ceremony and an evening of fun with everyone who holds a special place in their hearts. “We were both really excited the entire day and just had a good time!””

Church: North Shore Congregational Church; Officiant: Rev. Sue LeFeber; Reception site: University Club of Milwaukee; Band: North Coast Orchestra;Gown: Augusta Jones from Zita Bridal; Bride’s shoes: Vince Camuto; Bride’s hair:Freya; Bride’s makeup: Blush Beauty Boutique; Bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Sungfrom Miss Ruby Boutique; Bridesmaid shoes: Enzo Angiolini; Suits: Jos. A. Bank; Ties: Michael Kors; Rings: Tiffany & Co.; Bride’s other jewelry and accessories:Zita Bridal, Etsy.com and the bride’s mother; Florist: Belle Fiori; Baker: Brookfield Wedding Cakes; Stationer: Robin’s Paperie Photography: Emily Johnson Photography

-Wed in Milwaukee

For a direct link to this featured blog, and to see more images, click here.