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Of course, the entry experience begins outside the front door, where a seasonal wreath containing short stems of fresh flowers creates an inviting statement. Then as they walk in, visitors may be greeted by a bouquet of cheerful flowers placed on a credenza in the foyer. It makes no difference whether the arrangement is simple or elaborate, the message is the same: “welcome”.

Within the interior of the house, use flowers to adorn the coffee table, dining room table, or end tables. Take your favourite vase, treasured antique bowl or silver pitcher to your local florist for a custom-designed arrangement. Choose colours which complement the decorating scheme of the room. Choosing the complementary hue allows the flowers to stand out as a lovely accent to highlight the room.

For an easy, elegant dinning table decoration set a series of alternating crystal vases and candles on a fabric runner. Place fresh flowers in each of the vases and surround them with greenery. Blending with the casual atmosphere of modern home entertaining, this centerpiece is sure to dazzle guests during afternoon brunch or informal dinners. Also, individual flowers are perfect at place settings or attached to name cards.
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The family room is a central meeting place in the home. Studies show that having plants in the room encourage positive interactions and reduce negativity overall, so having flowers in the room that you share the most helps to nurture great relationships with your guests. In the summer when the fireplace isn’t being used, brighten the hearth with an abundant assortment of seasonal flowers. Continue the theme by placing a few of the same flowers on the mantle next to your family photos. 

The kitchen is also a commonly used area when guests are present in the home. Flowers add a splash of colour and make great centerpieces for your kitchen table. Old water pitchers, antique teapots, classic urns or even tattered clay pots make fascinating containers for a casually placed flower arrangement. Be careful with the kinds of flowers that you use in the kitchen though, as you do not want to overpower your guests’ senses while they are eating.

For a guest bedroom, freesias, peonies, lilac and lilies, are all deliciously fragrant choices for a bud vase on your nightstand to welcome a guest. Also to ensure a good night’s sleep, fill a vase with lavender as it has been proven to reduce stress and encourage relaxation and rest. To really spoil a special guest, have fresh rose petals available in their washroom to use during a soak in the tub.�
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Your local professional florist undoubtedly has lots of other ideas for interior decorating with Ontario flowers. Stop in for a visit today, and bring samples of colours, fabrics, and wall coverings from your rooms, so that your floral designs can be artistically customized to your living environment. The complementary flowers and colours brighten any part of the house, from the kitchen to the family room to the bedroom and make all who enter, feel more at home.

Governments are wise to promote the health benefits of vegetables. There are national campaigns, well funded by government, that press the point. So why don’t ornamental plants, that are also good for your health, attract the same attention?

On the produce side, Canada has the 5-to-10-A-Day (For Better Health) campaign, while the U.S. has the 5-A-Day For Better Health Program. Both are generously supported by government agencies, as well they should be.

• It’s well known that fruits and vegetables:
• May help reduce your risk of some types of cancer.
• Help keep your digestive system regular.
• Help keep your bones strong.
• Are generally low in calories and fat and rich in fibre, so they can help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Are full of important nutrients like vitamins A and C, folate and minerals like potassium and magnesium, as well as fibre.
• Have compounds called phytochemicals that may help protect against a variety of diseases like heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

Ornamentals are also beneficial to your health. Gardening is great exercise. Houseplants purify the air, reduce stress levels and increase worker productivity.

What do we know about ornamentals and good health? The list of studies is growing, and the evidence conclusive. With respect to houseplants and office plants, we know they:

• Produce oxygen.
• Reduce carbon dioxide levels.
• Increase relative humidity to more comfortable levels.
• Reduce levels of certain pollutants, including formaldehyde, benzene and nitrogen dioxide.
• Reduce airborne dust levels, air temperatures and background noise levels.

People respond more positively when around plants, and feel much better about themselves. Workplace productivity is enhanced. A study by Virginia Lohr and colleagues at Washington State University found that people in rooms in which plants were added had a 12 per cent faster reaction time for computer tasks, and were less stressed (systolic blood pressure readings were lowered by one to four units).

A 2008 study at Kansas State University (“Effects of Flowering and Foliage Plants in Hospital Rooms on Patients Recovering from Abdominal Surgery”) found that patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers “had significantly fewer intakes of post-operative analgesics, more positive physiological responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction about their rooms when compared with patients in the control group.”

Let’s get a game plan together and go after health promotion dollars. The case is easily made. We need to get the message out to consumers.

Improved plant sales are good for the industry, and a good fit with health promotion.

Flowers have always been a powerful influence in human health and happiness. For centuries, flowers have been known to have certain medicinal, aromatic and even culinary qualities. Romans used lavender in their bathing rituals, for cooking and as perfume for their linens and bodies. Flowers and potted plants have long been used to maintain good health; realizing they have a calming influence on those who smell them.

Mundane housework becomes more enjoyable as the sweet smell of fresh flowers wafts through the house! Flower scents trigger a comforting zone in the brain, removing the stresses of the day allowing you to enjoy spending time with loved ones.

Sometimes the pursuit of happiness is more than our internal happiness; it is also the ability to spread happiness to others. Flowers have been an instrument in spreading happiness to others throughout the ages. A smile upon receiving flowers demonstrates extraordinary joy and gratitude.

Recent research confirms that flowers might be the perfect pick-me-up for those who do not consider themselves “morning people”. People that place a fresh bouquet of flowers in their home reported being happier and more energetic after looking at the flowers first thing in the morning. The bouquet also caused them to feel less anxious and more compassionate. They even reported a boost of energy that lasted throughout their day.

Gardening is also good for revitalizing the soul. After a long, stressful day of work, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as pruning wilting blossoms. Such immediate gratification is hard to quantify. Not only do your frustrations melt away, but the process also encourages the plant to bloom, giving you healthy plants.

Even weeds have their place. Weeding is another way to get rid of stress and allow you to feel in control; at least in your own little patch of sunshine.

Whatever way you decide to fill your life with happiness, be sure to include a lovely bouquet of Ontario flowers or potted plants to add an extra boost.

Ontario greenhouse growers produce a wide variety of flowers perfect for the ‘big day’.  Blue delphiniums, gladioli, irises, roses, chrysanthemums and snapdragons are just some of the flowers bride’s can find in season to accompany both their colour scheme and theme.  Brides should also keep in mind that by choosing local flowers they maximize the longevity of their flowers so they can be enjoyed even after the day has passed.  Also, local flowers tend to be more fragrant than imports because their scent comes from natural chemicals that they release into the air.  Some of these chemicals are lost during transportation, so the shorter the trip the longer their scent will last when you receive them. 

“Flowers are one of the most essential parts of any wedding, especially in the spring and summer,” said Dean Shoemaker, Executive Director, pickOntario. “I don’t think there is a better way to enhance the happiest day of your life than with fresh, locally grown flowers that smell like they’ve been picked that morning.”

For those brides having an outdoor ceremony or reception here is a great floral tip: to ward off unwanted insects consider adding peppermint leaves, jasmine, lavender, or marigolds to your floral arrangements.

pickOntario for the perfect flowers to help make your dream wedding come true!

About pickOntario

pickOntario is an innovative marketing communications campaign intended to raise awareness, interest and demand for Ontario-grown cut flowers and potted plants.  There are 650 greenhouse flower producers in Ontario, employing more than 10,000 people.  For more information visit: www.pickontario.ca

Mandy Babbey of XQZT received the title of Design Contest winner. She was sent on a limo tour of four greenhouses in the Niagara region and a also received a one night stay at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel. pickOntario wanted to show their appreciation to the runners up in the design contest and invited the other finalists along for the tour.

The first stop on the tour was Northend Floral. Located in St. Catharines, Northend Floral is a premium Ontario florist that focuses mainly on bedding plants. The florists on the tour were able to see the extreme amount of work that goes into planting, watering and distributing the plants. Northend showed the florists how they are effectively labeling their product with the pickOntario logo. This way, when their product goes into stores, customers are assured the highest quality, variety and value. Florists were also amazed to see the most recent trend in potted plants; coconut husk pots. These pots, made out of coconut husk, are a greener way of planting as they will biodegrade after the pots have been planted.

The next stop on the greenhouse tour was Cedarway Floral in Beamsville. Cedarway Floral specializes in cut gerbera daisies. As the florists entered the greenhouse, they were in awe at the sea of colour – rows and rows of vibrant gerbera daisies! The florists learned all about the planting process and were surprised to know that they grow from tissue samples rather than seeds. This allows for a more consistent plant. Each year, new varieties are being introduced and Cedarway wants to ensure the known quality of their plants.

Next, the florists saw how the plants were cut, packaged and put into a cooler. “My whole store should fit into this cooler!” Says Mandy Babbey of XQZT Floral Design. Mandy continued to comment, “It’s so amazing to see the high quality products that are being shipped out. Any flowers that don’t meet their high standards, are not used. As a florist, it’s good to know that there is high quality control to assure you’re getting the best flower, which will last longer and yield the best results after being handled. This is why I promote Ontario product in my store!” As the florists left Cedarway, they were each presented with a fresh cut bouquet of gerberas. “This is great!” Inta Taurins from Alma Florists comments. “People assume that since I work with flowers all day, I would never want a bouquet. They’re wrong, it makes me want and appreciate a bouquet more!

With their flowers in hand, the florists continued in their limo to the next greenhouse-Creekside in Jordan Station. Creekside is another premium grower specializing in potted plants and hanging baskets. Florists were amazed to see the high technology that is used in this Ontario greenhouse. Hanging baskets are hung on chains rotating around the greenhouse being watered based upon their weight. “I’ve never seen anything like this!” Mandy remarks. “I didn’t know this type of high-tech process is used in Ontario.” At Cedarway, similar to many Ontario growers, product is shipped out daily in order to provide you with the freshest product.

Fabiola Prins, who organized the tour and led the florists around, finished up the excursion at her greenhouse-Prins Grow in Jordan Station. Prins Grow offers 8 different colors of Statice from March through November and then focus on Amaryllis from November to February. Although much of their stock was cleared out from Mother’s Day, the florists were still amazed at the lovely statice that remained. They learned how to know when they are ready and how statice is cut. Next they walked into where the amaryllis is starting to grow. The florists were surprised to see that the amaryllis were very tall and almost at hip height. 

The limo tour to Niagara greenhouses provided a unique opportunity for Ontario florists. It is not often that the florists are able to see the production side of floriculture. For those florists on the tour, they were able to see the many different varieties that are available in Ontario.

The Green Living Show is Toronto’s largest “green” consumer show dedicated to educating the public about easy and workable solutions for leading an eco friendly lifestyle. pickOntario couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to further inform flower lovers on the huge environmental benefits of buying local flowers.

To promote a “greener” way of gardening, pickOntario staff handed out small potted plants (pink polka dot plant) that were in a pot made out of coconut husk. This meant the plant could be planted directly in the garden and the pot would simply decompose. Consumers were thrilled to learn that Ontario growers are thinking green!

One of the highlights at the show was Toronto’s Mayor David Miller and Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone stopping by the pickOntario booth. pickOntario staff presented the Mayor and Deputy Mayor each with a pink polka dot plant. They were both very impressed to find out that the plants were in a biodegradable pot.

Frank Ferragine from Frankie’s Flowers lighted up the main stage on Sunday with a lesson on good bugs and bad bugs in your garden. Frank talked about eco friendly ways to get rid of the bugs that destroy your plants and ways to keep the bugs that help your gardens flourish.

Consumers, through shows like Green Living, are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of buying local. pickOntario was thrilled by surveys done at The Green Living Show that report over 90% of consumers will pick Ontario grown cut flowers and potted plants. When you pickOntario, you are ensured freshness, quality, variety and as many at Green Living learned, you are choosing to live green!

pickOntario teams up with Oak Farms on their deliveries to show the emotional benefits of receiving flowers!

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  Toronto, ON (April 30, 2010) – With Mother’s Day approaching on May 9th many sons and daughters will be looking for that perfect gift for their mom. What better way to thank your mom and show her how much she’s loved than with an arrangement of fresh-cut flowers.

  Mother’s Day is the single largest floral holiday in Canada and for many retailers’ Mother’s Day can represent up to 20% of their annual floral sales in a one week period.

  “Mother’s Day is one of the floral and greenhouse industries busiest times of year,” said Dean Shoemaker, Executive Director, pickOntario.  “Flowers are a great gift and are one of the most commonly used methods of expressing love for moms, grandmothers and yes even your mother-in-laws.”

 Don’t know what flowers to choose for your mom?  pickOntario recommends some popular choices: gerbera daisies, daffodils, alstroemeria, tulips, freesia, chrysanthemums, iris, lilies and foliage plants.

 To ensure moms enjoy their bouquets longer, pickOntario is encouraging everyone to buy locally grown flowers since they are fresh, of the highest quality and available in a wide variety of types and colours.

 For those moms who enjoy gardening, potted bedding plants are a great idea as they are a continuous reminder of the people in their life who love them. You can find Ontario-grown bedding plants such as geraniums, hydrangeas, begonias or miniature roses at your local garden centres.

 About pickOntario
pickOntario is an innovative marketing communications campaign intended to raise awareness, interest and demand for Ontario-grown cut flowers and potted plants.  There are 350 greenhouse flower producers in Ontario, employing more than 10,000 people.  For more information visit: www.pickontario.ca