Pugh’s Flowers Blog

Are you ready for some fun? Get creative Memphis and show us what you've got! Pugh's Flowers is  hosting our second annual Viral Video Contest this Fall. Entries can be submitted any time in September or October. By October 21st, we will gather all entires and submit them for viewing on our You Tube Channel, then the viewing/voting begins. The funnier and more creative the better! The kind of videos we are looking for are short, funny, and feature flowers in a differnt and exciting way. We got some great entries last year and you can see examples HERE. Please tell your schools that we welcome videos and think of this project as a teaching tool, and a way to get $2500 for your program. Get creative Memphis students!

Here are a few links to two new videos that we made to help our customers take good care of their flowers and plants after receiving them as gifts. It's just common sense, but you can meet two of our designers, Karen and Laura.  Hope you guys enjoy the videos!   How to make your floral arrangement last longer by Karen How to take care of your house plants by Laura

How to Find the Perfect Spot for Your Plant Wondering what plant to put where? Here's an indoor plant lighting guide to four categories of light exposure for house plants. What is a sunny (direct sun) location? Within 2 feet of a south- or southwest-facing window. Window sills flooded with sunlight. A sun room (If you have one, lucky you!) What is a bright (indirect sun) location? Within 4-5 feet of an east- or west-facing window. 3-5 feet from a window that faces south or southwest. Any place where the sun shines into a room for several hours. What is a partially shaded (low light) location? An east-facing window where the morning sun shines into the room for only a few hours. Morning sun is cooler than afternoon sun, so you don't have to worry about overheating your plant. At least 3-5 feet away from a window that faces south or southwest. Directly in front of a north-facing window gives a plant low-to-medium light intensity. What is a shady location? More than 6 feet away from a south- or southwest-facing window. Hallways, staircases, and corners of rooms. Near windows that are shaded by trees. Getting Indoor Plant Lighting Right:Not Enough Light...or Too Much? How do you know when your house plant is not getting enough light? It will tell you. Here are some things to look for: Growth is spindly, with long spaces between leaves New leaves are smaller than existing ones Lower leaves turn yellow and fall off No growth or slow growth Flowering plants fail to bloom or bloom poorly Variegated leafy plants turn a solid green New shoots reach out and grow toward the light Here are some signs that your plant is getting too much light: Brown scorched patches on leaves Leaves look faded or washed out Plant wilts at midday Leaves become dry and fall off Growing House Plants with Artificial Light If your rooms don't have enough light for your house plants, artificial indoor plant lighting may be the solution. It can supplement natural daylight -- or even replace it during the winter months when the days are shorter and the intensity of light is much lower. Artificial lights provide the sun's spectrum of wavelengths, which we identify as colors. For example, white light carries all the colors of the rainbow. Plants need the cool blue and violet hues of the spectrum for foliage, and the warm red and orange for flowering. Reading light is mostly green and yellow -- two colors that plants don't need. Fluorescent lights are efficient because they provide the type of light (the blue and red parts of the spectrum) that plants need for photosynthesis. A good setup includes a half-and-half combination of cool-white and warm-white fluorescent tubes mounted under a reflector. They should be 40 watts each. Keep foliage plants at least 12 inches below the lights and flowering plants 6-12 inches below the lights. If it's not practical to lower the light fixture, you can raise the [...]

Romance her with Flowers.... Let us help! One of the most classic and romantic ways to show love, affection, appreciation, or just plain ole Hey, I Like you is with flowers! I'm sure you've seen this before. Guy likes girl, Guy asks girl out, Guy brings flowers for girl on date, Girl and guy fall madly in love. Flowers are absolutely appropriate on a first date. They are also appropriate on several other occasions as well, such as birthdays and anniversaries. However to really make an impact with flowers here are a few special hints just for you guys..... 1. Be Spontaneous! You don't have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers. You don't need one! In fact, flowers given for no reason at all other than "thinking of you today" mean so much more to the recipient simply because they are unexpected. If your loved one is having a bad day, there is no better way to make it better! 2. Don't overlook anyone! Flowers are great for girlfriends and wives, but there are many special women in your life I'm sure that would love a gift of flowers. Bouquets can express a whole wide range of feelings, from romantic to friendly and everything in between. Your wife will appreciate flowers but so will your mother, sister, daughter, and friends. 3. Try Something New. Women are interested in a wide variety of flowers and colors. So, when giving roses, consider pink, peach, yellow, white, or assorted colors to catch her attention. And, remember, most women appreciate a beautiful assortment of fresh flowers, as well as roses. Consider a mixed bouquet of all kinds of different flowers and switch it up a little every time you get one for her. You can have roses added to any arrangement. They look great with just about everything. Also pay attention to which flowers she seems to like the best and incorporate her favorites into every bouquet. That says you know what she likes and she will appreciate you noticing.  4. Recycle vases. Giving flowers regularly can get pricey. Here are ways you can give flowers often but save money as well. Recycle vases. Here at Pugh's we LOVE recycling. You can bring in any vase and we will make up a fresh arrangement for you in it and you save money not buying another vase. You can also save money on the flowers themselves. Certain flowers are less expensive than others and you can make a lovely bouquet by just incorporating some of these with other more expensive flowers. The best way to know is to stop in and let us help you. We can suggest flowers and put something together to fit your budget. 5. Flowers are never boring. No matter how many times you receive flowers it is always exiting to receive them. Plus, because of their infinite diversity and unique appeal, flowers never lose their uniqueness. Each new floral arrangement is a fresh and individual declaration of appreciation, [...]

From Wikipedia: Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.[1][2][3]   Background During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain.[4][5] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day later, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail: The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[6] Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.[7] There is no question that July 4, 1776 is the date that the Congress approved the final official document, having voted to declare independence two days earlier.[8] Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had also signed it on that day. However, most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.[9][10][11][12][13] In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third president in a row who died on this memorable day. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, [...]

The Summer Rose Sale starts June 1st and runs through August 31st. Pugh's Flowers is happy to pass along great savings to our customers for the summer months. Summer is a great time to surprise someone with red roses and it's the perfect time to save in the process. Wholesale prices on red roses go down in the summer months and Pugh's believes in giving their customers the benefit of the price reductions.

A wedding would just not be the same without flowers. Every bride wants her wedding to be memorable and her choice of flowers or arrangements should reflect her specific taste and personality. Her flowers should create a theme to make her wedding day special and provide the finishing touch to this very special day. Understand that there are no right or wrong choices when selecting flowers for your wedding. It is your own personal choice, as your own preferences are the most important part, as well as having a basic understanding of what works well for the theme you've chosen and your budget. You can also expect a good florist to provide you with helpful advice, so be prepared to ask plenty of questions and to run ideas past your florist once you reach that stage.  Remember that less is more. Flowers are the splash of color, the ornamentation on top of many other already beautiful parts of a wedding. Good positioning and use of inexpensive foliage can create the sense that you have more floral arrangements than you actually do. Start by looking through bridal magazines, books, and even gardening books that focus on flowers. If you don't already have an idea of the types of flowers you'd like to have, simply looking at beautifully photographed flowers can be a lovely way to start getting an idea of what you like. Even consider taking a tour of a local Botanical Garden or a greenhouse where flowers are on display, to get a real feel for how the flowers appear. . Determine your budget. Before you get too excited, do the sums. Some floral arrangements might not be realistic once you have budgeted for everything else, so it's a good idea to know how much you have to spend on flowers before getting your hopes up. When you visit the florist, you can discuss the extent of your budget and work from there. It's a good idea to keep some flowers on your "must-have" list and some on your "wish-list", so that if you do have to pare down, the wish-list flowers can go first without depleting the flowers that you must have. See the "Tips" below for an indication of essential flowers versus nice-but-not-necessary ones, if the budget can't stretch that far. Be prepared to be more creative if you're on a budget. Don't hedge around the cost with your florist. Be honest if you can't afford much; it'll help your florist look for cheaper but just as lovely alternatives early on. Use expensive flowers sparingly, such as for the bridal bouquet only. Centerpieces soon add up. Consider finding less elaborate centerpieces to reduce the costs if your budget is tight. Feel free to mix and match flower types and to raid the garden as well. All flowers are beautiful, whether they're cheap or expensive; the important thing is freshness and a price you can afford. Use fragrant flowers to give the impression that there are more flowers; stronger [...]

Mother's Day 2012 is Sunday, May 13th. Pugh's Flowers has listened to their customers and responded with an all lily arrangement. Lilies are hot this year so Pugh's paired up a beautiful vase of fragrant lilies with another goodie Mothers love, chocoloate! Treat her to something she will love and appreciate and let Pugh's deliver it in one of their famous and useful no-spill boxes.  Whether your mom is in Memphis or far away, Pugh's can get her taken care of this year.

Overview A corsage originally referred to the bodice of a woman's dress. Since a bouquet of flowers was often worn in the center of the bodice, the flowers took on the name "corsage." Our modern sense of the corsage comes from the French "bouquet de corsage," meaning "a bouquet of the bodice." Although the placement of the flowers might have changed, the name stuck and is still used to refer to any small bouquet of flowers worn on the body. Types Corsages are made from a small bunch of flowers or a single bloom. The corsage was originally worn at the waist or the bodice of a dress. Later, it became common to pin flowers to the shoulder or on a handbag. Corsages today may even be tied around a wrist, neck, ankle or worn in the hair. Origins The wearing of a corsage at weddings dates to the time of the ancient Greeks, who believed that the fragrances of flowers and herbs warded off evil spirits. Not only the bride but other females at the wedding held flower bouquets or attached them to their clothing. Wedding Corsages It is common to give a corsage to the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom. Smaller corsages may also be given to godmothers or other females who are important to the participants. A corsage is traditionally worn on the left, since it is closest to the heart. Corsages for Dances In the 20th century, it became common for escorts to present their dates with corsages, particularly for formal dances and proms. As women's dresses have changed to styles with spaghetti straps or no straps, it has become more common for women to wear the flowers on the wrist. Mother's Day Corsages Anna Jarvis spearheaded the development of an annual Mother's Day celebration in 1907. Since her mother's favorite flower was the carnation, it has become traditional to wear a carnation corsage on that day. According to FlowershopNetwork.com, florists promoted and made popular the custom of wearing a red carnation if one's mother was living, and a white carnation if one's mother had passed away.

A pure and beautiful harbinger of spring -- and a deeply religious symbol during the holidays -- Easter lilies are a special type of potted white lily. The Latin name for them is Lilium longiflorum. Most lilies bloom in the summer and even with special care it is difficult to get them to flower at Easter. The white trumpet lily naturally blooms early which makes them the perfect choice for Easter flowers. Since they were introduced to the United States early in the 1900's, they have come to be the traditional flower used for decorations in homes and churches during the holiday season. NOTE: Like most lilies, your Easter lily is not pet friendly! If you have an animal companion that likes to eat plants, keep these out of reach ... Easter lily history & folklore Many legends have grown around the lily through history. Some believe that the lily flower came from Eve's tears when she and Adam were banished from the Garden of Eden. Another tale tells of the "white-robed apostles of hope" that sprang from the ground when Christ's tears fell during His Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Another story says that as Christ walked the earth all of the flowers bowed before Him - except the proud lily. After the Crucifixion, the lily bowed its head in sorrow and shame and grows that way still. The lily's large trumpet-shaped white flowers stand for purity, virtue and innocence and are often associated with the Virgin Mary. Early blooming Easter Lilies are a spectacular symbol of hope and the rebirth that comes with spring. What better symbol could you choose to show the spiritual essence of Easter?