April Showers!

It goes without saying that without April showers, our gardens might wind up a little lackluster.  So far April hasn't been to bad weather wise, and if you look closely some of those spring blooms are popping up. It won't be too long before the city is full of colorful blooms.  Lets not get ahead of ourselves though, it's still April and many people have been asking us what the the flower of the month is.  It's the Daisy. Although it might not be the most expensive or the most exotic flower it's still a classic that is loved by many worldwide. They are said to be the symbol of innocence as well as to be void of guilt or sin. Some also attach the symbolism of truth to daisies. It can be said that when they are passed on to someone they stand for the transfer of secrets from the giver to the receiver.  We all know the old trick of pulling petals one by one and saying "he loves me, he loves me not" Each petal can be said to capture the language of love. Did you also know that daisies are edible and are often used in salads. It's interesting to know that one of the most simple flowers can be associated with so many different ideas.  So next time you see a daisy growing wild, or at the flower shop, remember that sometimes simple doesn't always have to mean plain or boring. 

Peonies

One of the most sought after flowers in a wedding bouquet is the Peony.  Every year, brides come in with beautiful pictures of bouquets that they have found online or in magazines.  In many instances, those bouquets showcase this beautiful and lush flower. In some cases as the focal point of a mixed hand tied bouquet, or even on there own as a loose collection of garden blooms. Unfortunately what is unknown to most brides is that the peony is only available for a very short time span, sometimes only a few weeks between May and June in Canada.  Since so many flowers are available year round, it's hard to believe that the peony isn't.  The reason for limited availability is because peonies, unlike most flowers, do not grow well in greenhouses.  They need to be grown outdoors, leaving them at the mercy of fluctuating weather conditions. If there are perfect weather conditions the yields are high and the prices stay relatively normal, however, if the weather doesn't co-operate then there are fewer to be had and the cost is driven upwards.  There is also no way of knowing ahead of time what will happen.  So if peonies are on your list of must have flowers for your wedding day May is the best time to set your date and it's probably best to discuss substitution options, as you never know what the weather will bring.