Butte, NE Florists

Butte Flower Shop News

Flower farm Detroit Abloom fosters connection between nature and community - Model D

Manistique in Jefferson Chalmers, the flower farm and sanctuary garden on a recent summer day is in full bloom, with purple, red, and yellow flowers dotting the lush green landscape. Bumblebees and butterflies of all kinds dart from plant to plant. Benches and trellises sit in pockets between bushes of tall flowers. A rustic outdoor kitchen is starting to take shape — it has a firepit but is missing a sink and countertop at the moment. An 800-square-foot pond for local fish and vegetation is in the midst of construction; when completed, it will have two waterfalls and overflow into a stream underneath a bridge (a water feature is an essential part of a sanctuary garden, says director Tom Milano).  The pond, along with several other planned capital improvement projects, is a part of Detroit Abloom’s mission to evolve the farm into an outdoor wellness center, and the farm is looking to raise $120,000 to turn “Detroit Abloom into the paradise it was meant to be,” Milano says. Milano’s journey to becoming a farmer started in 1972, when Milano — who was 22 at the time — chose to leave his home in Long Island, New York, to travel the world in a search for a deeper understanding of the world around him.  “I was two weeks away from becoming a high school biology teacher, and something told me not to get plugged into the system, so to speak, because I was really concerned about the world and all this racial disharmony and the destruction of the environment,” Milano says. “So, I got a 10-spe... https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/detroit-abloom-flourishes.aspx

The Flower Bucket in Yarmouth County nurtures joy with flowers - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Bella and Ellie also helped their mother plant the field and the greenhouse.“They know how to cut flowers, how to plant, how to water seedlings, take them out of a tray with a butter knife and pop them into the ground. They’re very helpful and thank goodness because I needed some help this year,” says Fordham.The Flower Bucket is a family business, with Fordham’s husband, Darcy DeSutter, helping with tractor jobs and the spreading of compost. Neighbours help with their tiller attachment.The couple, formerly from British Columbia, have lived in Yarmouth County for seven years. Fordham’s love and enjoyment for making bouquets has grown steadily over that time.Creating bouquets with wild flowers and seedheads is one of Lisa Fordham’s passions. This bouquet features wildflowers and material collected oceanside.Lisa Fordham Photo - ContributedThree years ago she read The Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein. Fordham was inspired by the fact that someone was making a living from a flower farm and says she was hooked.“I started really loving arranging the flowers and creating designs. I’m not a florist but I just practiced and practiced. I started growing things that are good for cut flower production. Some flowers are better than others, they have longer vase lives than others.”She likes letting flowers do what they naturally want to do in a vase, instead of trying to control them. She says her mother was like that too. Fordham is also in her element when it comes to arranging material that’s in season locally.“If it’s in bloom and it looks beautiful and it’s going to last in a vase, then I’ll cut it. I’ll cut anything!” she laughs.“I drive around with snippers in my car (for wild material or cultivated, and cut with permission.) You never know what you’re going to see.”Each morning she visits the flowers on their property, cutting those that have reached perfection. These are placed in buckets of water for the day’s arrangements.She custom designs each bouquet according to the price point supplied by each customer, sometimes including plants like basil and mint for their fragrance.Last Christmas season she held a highly successful wreath making workshop. It’s something she plans on doing in other seasons, when she has time.“Everyone made their own and every creation was beautiful and original. There was Christmas music playing, hot cider, it was so much fun.”Fordham says this is The Flower Bucket’s first serious year as a business.She’s learning to accept failures along with success, when it comes to growing specific flowers.“I’m so new to all this and learni... https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/business/local-business/the-flower-bucket-in-yarmouth-county-nurtures-joy-with-flowers-482841/

A vision of beauty in Ridgeland: Wildflowers, whimsical sculptures and community spirit - Clarion Ledger

Ridgeland, Richardson said. “It shows how important beautification is to a city,” she said.A plus for bees, birds and butterfliesThe wildflower field in Ridgeland came about three years ago after Keep Mississippi Beautiful, working with the Mississippi State Extension Service and other partners, established the Wildflower Trails of Mississippi beautification project. Wildflowers not only add beauty but also support bees, birds and butterflies.“We were thrilled that Ridgeland wanted to continue the wildflower field,” said Sarah Kountouris, executive director of Keep Mississippi Beautiful. “One reason is that it’s beautiful. When people see beautiful things it’s an invitation to visit. It says, ‘Come in and see our city.’"Colony Bistro & Wine Bar: Opening a culmination of 13-year dream for ownerAnd, it helps the tourism dollar. “With COVID-19 we need everything we can to have a brighter perspective on life in general. Beautification is one way to do that.”Wildflowers have a casual, natural look, but their success requires more work than simply tossing out seeds.“Prepping the ground is crucial for successful blooming,” Kountouris said. “If the ground is not prepared correctly, you’ll compete with weeds.”Tim Taylor, assistant superintendent with the Ridgeland Recreation and Parks Department, upped the game at the wildflower meadow this spring by giving it a park-like feel and adding reasons to visit and lake a look.Harry Day of Madison, a member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, created eight statues that are placed amid the mix of wildflowers that include Baby's Breath, Lance Leaved Coreopsis, Tall Blue Cornflower, Black-eyed Susan, Sulfur Cosmos, Indian Blanket and Clasping Coneflower.Unique sculptures highlight outdoor activitiesThe sculptures showcase activities such as tennis playing, Frisbee throwing, biking, cheerleading, kite flying, dog walking and fishing, all of which are possible in Ridgeland. Donations made the sculptures possible, said Richardson, who has been contacted by the city’s Challenger League Baseball about adding a sculpture to commemorate it.To ensure the landscaping project would have success, 23 loads of dirt were hauled in to improve the soil at the field before the wildflower seeds provided by Keep Mississippi Beautiful were sown and other plants were added. Love Irrigation, a Ridgeland business, installed at a reduced cost an irrigation system at the field that is owned by the Mississippi Department of Transportation.Berms were built, 30 small trees planted and a walking trail cut in.Keep Ridgeland Beautiful committee members donated perennials from their own yards as well as their time to plant them.Committee members faithfully meet on Tuesday mornings to pull up weeds and handle other maintenance tasks at the wildflower field. (Committee members include Rachel Bradley, Rachel Collier, Ginger Cocke, Claire Jackson, Lea Anne Stacey, Phyllis Parker, Polly Hammett and Richardson. Barbara Hunter recently rolled off the committee.)More: New $10M Ridgeland City Hall, including Veterans Memory Park, expected by year's end“We like to pu... https://www.clarionledger.com/story/magnolia/upside/2020/08/12/ridgeland-mississippi-wildflower-fields/5525016002/

Welcome Mat: Ferndale florist hits the road with mobile flower cart - The Detroit News

Do your part to help pollinatorsNational Pollinator Week ended June 28, and if there was ever a time to support our pollinators, now is it. Pollinators -- such as bees, butterflies and birds -- move pollen from flowers of the same species, leading to fertilization and later seed and fruit production for plants. According to the Pollinator Partnership, roughly 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce the goods on which we depend. But as pollinators' habitat disappears, threatening their existence, we need to help. One way to help butterflies is to plant native plants, such as milkweed for monarch butterflies. Ten milkweed species are native to Michigan – the most widespread of which are common milkweed, butterfly milkweed and swamp milkweed. If you'd like to plant milkweed in your own yard, Barson's Greenhouse, 6414 Merrimen in Westland, carries milkweed. To learn more about pollinators, click here. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2020/07/02/mobile-flower-cart-ferndale/5351054002/

Mill Pond Garden recommends hydrangeas for Cape Region - CapeGazette.com

Incrediball, likes full to part sun, has huge round white flowers totally covering the shrub, grows to six feet, is super hardy with flower buds surviving the worst area winters, and attracts butterflies and other pollinators. This hydrangea is native to North America. All of the arborescens type need a steel stake set close to the middle of the shrub to secure ends of a sturdy string looping out to support the canes, to keep them from flopping open, an ugly look. This is the only flopping hydrangea that is worth the effort of staking, and well worth it, for its spectacular bloom. Another beauty of the Incrediball is its very white canes in winter, which shine with the sun upon them.Hydrangea paniculata likes full or at least seven hours of sun, has pointy white flowers that often turn pink for a while, is fragrant, attracts pollinators, and has two excellent garden cultivars including Limelight which grows to 10 feet tall and bears white flowers from midsummer to fall, and Vanilla Strawberry, up to seven feet tall, which bears large clusters of white flowers that fade to strawberry pink from midsummer to autumn.Hydrangea quercifolia, the oak leaf hydrangea, likes part shade to sun but blooms heaviest in full sun. The best cultivar is one of the smaller sizes, Ruby Slippers, up to six feet tall, with abundant pointy white flowers, attracting lots of pollinators. The flowers turn pink then deeper red in fall, with beautiful maroon fall foliage. The oak leaf hydrangeas all have nicely exfoliating bark with great winter interest. https://www.capegazette.com/article/mill-pond-garden-recommends-hydrangeas-cape-region/203567

Society of American Florists Past President Mel Schwanke Dies at 92 - Greenhouse Grower

Florists and a recipient of the SAF Floriculture Hall of Fame Honor, passed away at his home in Fremont, NE, on Dec. 17, 2018, at the age of 92.Schwanke served as the executive director of the Nebraska Florist Society for more than 50 years and was also the Executive Director of NeMoKan — the Nebraska Missouri and Kansas Florist Association Convention, held annually for many years. He served on numerous committees, including the Retail Florists Council for SAF, and helped to create the American Floral Endowment for research and education in the flower industry.AdvertisementMel and Joey, his surviving wife of 70 years, were known throughout the floral industry for many years for their passion and dedication. They were also known as the famous matching couple, having dressed in coordinating outfits at industry events and everyday in Joey’s family business, Greens Greenhouses Inc.Schwanke served as a Marine in World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service. He is survived by his wife Joey, and children Jo Heinz, Cindy McKown, and J Schwanke, along with four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ludvigsens Funeral Home in Fremont, NE, is in charge of the services. Visitation will be Thursday Dec. 20.Brian Sparks is senior editor of Green... https://www.greenhousegrower.com/management/saf-past-president-mel-schwanke-dies-at-92/

Citizen of the Year: Catlins fantastic florist - Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

J.C. Penney in Danville, where she met her husband, Tim, then a manager trainee.She and Tim married in May 1987. That October, Tim's job with the department store took them to Iowa and then Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Minnesota. In Nebraska, Welsh — who continued to work as a florist out west — directed community theater, served on the Miss Nebraska Pageant board of directors and directed the pageant for three years. In Wyoming, she was involved with the Cheyenne Frontier Days, billed as the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration.In 2004, the couple and their young son, Tanner, moved back to Catlin to be near family. A couple of years later, Welsh opened Floral-n-Flair, a flower shop and event-planning business, in the same downtown building she started out in. She and business partner Kay Smoot also own and operate a gift boutique called Pauline's Attic.Welsh was working one evening when Stutsman popped in."Who got it, and how are we going to decorate?" she asked, thinking he'd stopped by to discuss the Citizen of the Year banquet at the Methodist Church, which she decorates.She was floored by his answer."It still hasn't sunk in," she said, the day before the banquet.While honored, Welsh was quick to acknowledge her "crew," including local high school students and residents who help her set up for community events, weddings and parties — and family. Tanner, who turns 21 this month, has autism, and Tim is his full-time caregiver and still finds time to help out at work."I wouldn't be able to do any of this without him," she said."It's always been a team effort," she continued, adding she learned that from her dad who helped out in many ways at the shop and home before he passed away a couple of years ago.Welsh recalled sitting at the family table years ago after her brother became a 1,000-yard rusher on his high school football team."My dad pointed to his picture on the front of the sports page and said, 'He wouldn't have done that without his line that blocked for him.' I've always remembered that. You can't do it alone. You have to surround yourself with good people and work as a team."... http://www.news-gazette.com/noelle-mcgee/2018-11-01/citizen-the-year-catlins-fantastic-florist.html

Four Floral Businesses To Receive The Century Award In Palm Springs

The 2018 Century Award honorees are: City Line Florist in Trumbull, Connecticut; Gould's Flowers in Lockport, New York; Janousek Florist & Greenhouse, Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska; and Lake Forest Flowers in Lake Forest, Illinois. "Each year when we gather at the SAF convention, we interact with business owners who have determination, vision and grit," said SAF Awards Committee Chairman Marvin Miller, Ph.D., AAF, of the Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois. "But to sustain that for 100 years or more is truly an impressive feat." City Line Florist Trumbull, Connecticut City Line Florist has been owned and operated by the Roehrich/Palazzo family since 1918. When Charles Roehrich returned home from World War I, he already had a family history in the floral industry; his grandfather had grown plants in greenhouses in Stratford, Connecticut, in the late 1800s. Charles borrowed a horse and wagon and sold flowering plants and cut flowers at the entrance of St. Michaels cemetery in Stratford, eventually opening up a storefront in Bridgeport, which sat on the city line of Stratford, leading to the name, City Line Florist. In 1975, Charles' son Bob and his grandchildren, Susan and Carl, decided to move to a new location in Trumbull, where they turned an old horse barn into a charming new florist shop. Bob received the Connecticut Florist of the Year Award in 2005. City Line, located in a quaint New England town of 30,000 people,  has been voted "Best Florist in Fairfield County" for several consecutive years and won the 2018 Small Busi... http://www.perishablenews.com/index.php?article=0069973

Blooming business - Hays Daily News

When it comes to customer service, Sherfick is dedicated to going the extra mile — literally. She has traveled to meet with people all across Kansas and even Nebraska for consultations.“I tell them, ‘I’ll come to you. You have enough to deal with,’ and they love that and I don’t mind it at all,” Sherfick said.Rebekah Lee, Hays, found out the lengths Sherfick will go to for her clients. Lee originally had planned to put together the flowers for her October wedding herself, but decided to contact Sherfick three weeks before the wedding for last-minute help.“I found her through Facebook, actually, and she went above and beyond,” Lee said. “She met me two days after I messaged her to get an idea of what I wanted, and she met me three other times before the wedding. She’s amazing. She did it so quickly, and I loved them.”January is a slower month for the Unique Bouquet, but Sherfick is working on bouquets and boutonnieres with a combination of sunflowers and roses for Tiffany Antholz’s wedding that will be in Bird City on Feb. 3.“It’s been fantastic,” Antholz said of working with Sherfick. “She’s very personable. I was really nervous to begin with because I don’t like a lot of attention on myself, and she just makes it so nice. She’s just really down-to-earth and just wants to make you happy.”While Sherfick enjoys the design aspect of creating floral pieces, the real reward for her is the joy it brings to the brides.“When they see it and their eyes light up and they smile, it sometimes bring tears to my eyes because I’m so happy for them.”Those wanting to contact Sherfick can call or text her at (785) 743-8149, email her at theuniquebouquet@yahoo.com or through her website theuniquebouquet.com. http://www.hdnews.net/news/20180113/blooming-business