"Extreme" Roses!

You're not dreaming! These roses really ARE taller than she is! These 'extreme' roses are a stunning 72" long with a bud that is 3" long and almost as wide. (By contrast, the 'average' long-stemmed rose is 28" long with a 1 1/2' bud.)

Native to Ecuador, these gorgeous blooms benefit by the prolonged sunlight and cool nights they experience at their home of 9,600 feet. There is nothing else like them in the world.

Hence their eye-popping price: $250 per dozen plus $60 shipping. Or, if 12 isn't enough, you can upgrade to TWO dozen for 'only' $449.95. Of course, you'll also have to spring for that great brushed aluminum container to hold them. These just won't fit in grandma's little glass vase!

The demand for these roses has been astounding. In fact, they are now on back order until sometime in March. Pity!

But, even if your Valentine bouquet is
more along these lines,
isn't it really just as beautiful?

Those Darn Carns!

I can hear some of you grumbling right now. "Oh no! Not carnations!" But hold on. I can change your mind. I too, may have been guilty of being a carnation snob in the past, but this being a new year, I've reformed! Read on:

Maybe it would help if we stopped referring to them as carnations; we'll use their Latin name, Dianthus. Right away they sound more elegant, don't they?

Martha Stewart is a big fan of Dianthus. This lovely white bridal bouquet is nothing but, yet is perfectly elegant, set off by the beautiful black ribbon. And how about this great heart? Again, nothing but carn...er, Dianthus!



When massed together in monochromatic bunches, dianthus can be chic and refined. (Not to mention relatively inexpensive!)


Florigene, an Australian company considered to be the world's first molecular breeder, has introduced a beautiful line of Dianthus in striking shades of purple, called the Moonseries. From lightest lilac to deep royal purple, these flowers will absolutely dispel your idea of carnations as cheap and common. They are a far cry from those sad grocery store carnations, spray painted or dipped in garish colors. Florigene initially attempted to create the world's first blue rose, which led to the isolation of the blue gene. They then succeeded in implanting this gene into Dianthus and the beautiful Moonseries was born.

The carnation signifies fascination, and is January's birthflower. Lucky you, January babies!

Coco's Camellias

Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, arguably the most well-known and best-remembered fashion designer, had an ongoing love affair with the lovely camellia. It was the first flower given to her by her English lover, Arthur 'Boy' Capel, who later went on to finance her first Paris boutique.

Chanel felt that the camellia represented radiance and purity, and was often seen wearing a camellia brooch. In time, the camellia came to represent the Chanel look and became her trademark, being interpreted on virtually every conceivable item of clothing: shoes, jewelry, hats, sunglasses, and the often-imitated Chanel 2.5 bag.

Coco was inspired by her surroundings,whether in the wild: fly-fishing as she often did with her famous admirers; or in the structured surroundings of Paris, especially in the Place Vendome, where she maintained a suite at the Ritz. Overlooking the hexagonal
open space, she was inspired to use that shape for the stopper of her Chanel No. 5 perfume. (So named because it was the fifth scent presented to her and the one she loved the most).

Coco's motto: "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!"


Be fabulous in your own way!



Interesting Side Note on this Inaugural Day: the American Society of Florists estimates that 250,000 flowers will be used in Inaugural Events!

How Green is Bloomers?

Did you know that Bloomers has always been Green? A quick look:

Bloomers uses the new "SmartForTwo" car for floral deliveries. Have you seen it around town? At 42 miles to the gallon, it's ideal for deliveries and when filled with flowers, is quite a sight on the road!




Bloomers uses recycled bags for your purchase, and tissue for your flowers, called "Green Way", and both made in the USA!



Bloomers carries the Envirosax tote...lots of great patterns and colors, and great for grocery shopping, as they roll up to fit into your purse. No more forgetting your tote bags in the car! They're also great for travel ( I stash one in each of my suitcases, so there's always one available.). Perfect for the beach: made of nylon and won't allow the sand to creep in. And there are even designs for the kids, so they can be environmentally conscious, as well as stylish, too!
Spent flowers and cuttings from floral arrangements made here at Bloomers are added to my home compost pile-they will help grow some of the flowers you'll find here later in the summer!


I tote supplies to and from the shop in my favorite bag from
British designer Anya Hindmarch. Have you seen them? These limited-edition bags caused quite a frenzy when they were introduced.


Are you thinking green?

January is National Hot Tea Month!

Did you know that January is National Hot Tea Month? No? Neither did I, until recently. So I thought it would be a good time to read the tea leaves, so to speak, and see why tea is worthy of such a designation.

All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, a warm-weather evergreen. How the fresh leaves of the tea plant are processed and their level of contact with oxygen determine what type of tea you are left with. Green tea is not oxidized at all—the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. Black tea is allowed to oxidize for two to four hours. Oolong tea falls somewhere between green and black teas, with the leaves being only partially oxidized. Theanine, an ingredient found naturally in tea, has been shown to boost the immune system. A cup of tea contains an average of 20-25 mg. of theanine, helping your body fight off infection-a good idea in cold and flu season! Contrary to popular belief, herbal teas do not derive from Camellia sinensis, but instead are an infusion of leaves, roots, bark, seeds or flowers of other plants. They lack many of the unique characteristics of tea and are not linked with the research on the potential health benefits of traditional teas.

Drinking tea needn't be a boring routine. At Bloomers, you'll find "Blooming Tea", a small bundle of tea leaves bound together which, once steeped, unfurls into a beautiful bloom in your clear teapot. (We have those, too!). If you are a solitary tea drinker, consider the pretty Tea-for-One, an ingenious little teapot that rests on it's own teacup. Both of these help make staying healthy a little easier!To Your Health!