Pugh’s Flowers Blog

Well if you live in Memphis you know Poplar Ave. and how busy that one road is. One of the Pugh's Flowers locations is right on Poplar, at Brookfield which is right by the I-240 junction. Due to a city road expansion project Poplar is getting wider, right out in front of our store. You surely have seen all the mess while they have been working on it and you most likely wanted to pull your hair out. Power, cable and phone systems have been cut off and on for a month now but I think we are on our last mile of this construction marathon. Thanks for your patience and please come and see us soon!

3 Dozen Red Roses is one of our new Luxury Collection series. Check it out.

Well after visiting the beautiful landscapes of Northern California I am inspired by the many wildflowers growing with ease in the dry climate of California. Hiking the coastal ranges makes it easy to see many fantastic blooms that seemingly sprout up without effort. I know there are literally thousands of wildflower varieties and some are very rare. The great Smoky Mountains also offer a lot of wildflower varieties and are a lot closer to Memphis.Pictured above are wildflowers growing close to Etna, California.Here is another picture from the Northern California trip. I visited a Lavender field which is located at the base of Mt. Shasta, on the lava flow side. It was very beautiful and I brought back some hand-picked lavender. This picture is courtesy of Jen Howell, see more pics on her blog.

Here is the next post with of our weekly vintage postcard collection. There are so many to choose from but this one's dated 1905 and was made by Buckbee Rockford Seed Farms to show off the American Beauty Rose. Red rose arrangements are now on sale at Pugh's Flowers in Memphis, Tennessee. Pugh's is Memphis' premiere florist with over 30 years of experience in the flower business. Delivery is available to a large part of Memphis and it's surrounding area. Arlington, Millington, West Memphis, Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, Collierville, Bartlett, and Germantown are all within Pugh's Flowers delivery footprint.

Here is our brand new "Celebrate Memphis" basket including a Memphis Magazine, Corky's BBQ Sauce, Rendezvous seasonings, Memphis Music CD, Brim's Snacks, Map/Tourist Guide and Graceland Events Calendar. Order Here.

This week's postcard is from 1911. It is embossed as so many from that time period were and has gold imprinting as well. This is a fantastic historical example dated from when our country only had 15 states, notice only 15 stars on the flag. This card also has references to the civil war with it's soldiers gear and badge. Happy Birthday America!

The Hawaiian Lei History Hawaii and the flower lei are practically synonymous. The lei is the perfect symbol to represent the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and the spirit of aloha shared throughout Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Kauai, Molokai, Niihau, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii. Most people have seen a flower lei – either during a visit or on TV. If you haven’t had the privilege of wearing one, you simply must make a point to celebrate your next visit to the islands with one of many beautiful flower lei types. Fragrant leis, like the pikake lei, present a treat for the senses as well as a genuine feeling of welcome.Orchid, pikake, plumeria, ohia lehua and maile leis are just a few of the many varieties fashioned in Hawaii. Although most recognizable leis are made from fresh flowers, a lei can be strung from feathers, foliage, shells, seeds, dried flowers, candy, or many other materials. A flower lei is usually crafted using a steel needle and string, but may also utilize strategic braiding, knotting and threading techniques. A lei is an extra special gift, as it carries not only a blessing and tangible beauty, but also represents the giving of time, as each one is hand-woven with care. Leis may be worn around the neck or the brim of a hat (lei papale). Some leis are very intricately designed with patterns of alternating flowers strung delicately to create a lei that will last for days with refrigeration.The lei of today are different from the lei of ancient Hawaii. With the number of indigenous flowers and plants dwindling, lei makers must use readily available materials. When one receives a lei made from a rare flower or a flower that grows in remote areas, it is considered a high honor. Some leis, as in the ones created for the towering statute of King Kamehameha at Aliiolani Hale on Oahu, are several feet in length and may take hours or even days to complete. Lei Etiquette A lei is bestowed on another for many reasons – it can symbolize love, friendship, welcoming, affection, parting, a wish for safety, congratulations, graduation, union of marriage, health, birth, transition in death and many other messages of peace. There is no age restriction to be a lei recipient. Today, a kiss on the cheek may also accompany the giving of lei, although this practice was not customary in ancient Hawaii. To place a lei correctly, it should fall equally on the chest and back, as opposed to being hung straight down from the neck. Whatever the occasion, birthday, wedding, anniversary, or other, a lei is a common part of any celebration in Hawaii. During high school or college graduation days in the islands, family and friends present the graduate with many lei, and often the proud student can barely see over the numerous neck garlands! Local tradition says that a lei recipient should not remove a lei while in the presence of the lei giver. Lei [...]

Here is the third postcard in my original vintage collection. This card features the Calla Lily, one of the more elegant flowers. Even back in 1912 Calla Lilies were appreciated as elegant and artsy. To send the calla lily in Memphis, call Pugh's Flowers a few days in advance to make sure we can get the freshest ones available.

Red Love, Beauty, Courage and Respect, Romantic Love, Congratulations, "I Love You", "Job Well Done", Sincere Love, Respect, Courage & Passion Same day delivery! Red (Dark) Unconscious beauty Red (Single) "I Love You" Deep Burgundy Unconscious Beauty White Purity, Innocence, Silence, Secrecy, Reverence, Humility, Youthfulness, "I am worthy of you", Heavenly White (Bridal) Happy love Pink Appreciation, "Thank you", Grace, Perfect Happiness, Admiration, Gentleness, "Please Believe Me" Dark Pink Appreciation, Gratitude, "Thank You" Light Pink Admiration, Sympathy, Gentleness, Grace, Gladness, Joy, Sweetness Yellow Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome Back, Remember Me, Jealousy, "I care" Yellow with Red Tip Friendship, Falling in Love Orange Desire, Enthusiasm Red and White Given together, these signify unity Red and Yellow Jovial and Happy Feelings Peach Appreciation, Closing the deal, Let's get together, Sincerity, Gratitude Pale Peach Modesty Coral Desire Lavender Love at first sight, Enchantment Orange Enthusiasm, Desire, Fascination Black * Death, Farewell Blue * The unattainable, the impossible Single in any color Simplicity, Gratitude Red Rosebud Symbolic of purity and loveliness White Rosebud Symbolic of girlhood Thornless Rose "Love at first sight" Week three's flower is the rose. The rose is probably the most widely used flower to help people express their feelings. It's beautiful, sturdy, long lasting and has great history. They are fairly easy to grow at home. There are so many varieties that it's hard to list or even find out about them all. Memphis is a great climate for growing the climbing rose and they are hearty and thriving this time of the year. Got any great new ideas for rose uses? Email them to debbie@pughs.com and I will post them here.

This postcard is dated 1910 and was sent to my great grandmother from a friend. Flowers were widely used back at the turn of the century to express feelings. Flowers today are still as widely used to help make people feel better. More postcards to come next week.