Robin Wood Flowers

Autumn Dahlia Wedding Bouquets

2011-09-29T17:30:00.000-04:00

Apricot and salmon colored dahlias with garden roses with a charming vintage button wrap

Sometimes in planning her autumn wedding, a bride mentions that although she loves the weather in September and October, she ‘hates’ fall colors. It always makes us smile because we know that she’s thinking of uninspired displays at the grocery store or remembering grade school window decals.

Rich purple dahlias with pink and salmon varieties

Although maple leaves and pumpkins are typical autumn icons, there’s no limit to the hues and textures of fall. As the leaves start to change, try to notice the infinite array of foliage that grows along the roadside – the bittersweet, indigo, teal, gold, and even fuchsia tones that color the plants in various stages of transition. We love the infinite variety of the season and look forward to designing with blooms that reflect that variation. Antique hydrangeas are fabulous now with new varieties arriving from Holland every week. The most beautiful, unusual, and robust dahlias are actually grown for us locally. When they bring a new batch into the shop, we’ve been known to swoon. Autumn dahlias are available in sizes ranging from an inch across to around 10 inches, and come in shapes described as ‘water lily’, ‘cactus’, ‘anemone’, and ‘peony’.

Antique hydrangeas, roses, and salmon dahlias

For a recent wedding, we were able to get locally grown dahlias in a divine shade of salmon. The bride asked for shades of coral and brown in her bouquet with a coordinating burlap/ribbon/button wrap. Sally, our designer, did a spectacular job of interpreting the bride’s vision for an unforgettable home wedding.

Just a few if the many varieties and colors of autumn dahlias

A lighter bouquet with lime green and apricot dahlias

It's All In The Details

2011-08-18T14:43:00.000-04:00

A rose bowl with exotic protea alongside garden allium, dahlias, and begonia leaves

Autumn leaves, cabbage, pears with lady apples

As we harvest flowers, buds, vines, and foliage from our own gardens to use in our arrangements at Robin Wood Flowers, we're struck by what wonderful plant materials we have in the Midwest. Even in the hottest months of the year and the extreme humidity of the Ohio valley, there are high notes to enjoy in the garden landscape. Not only are the cultivated garden flowers bursting with blooms for the picking, the shrubs, trees, and wilder parts of your yard can provide lots of wonderful texture in an arrangement. Varied edibles such as petite pears, red chili peppers, cabbage, and miniature lady apples from the table can make a delightful and unexpected appearance in arrangements too. Keep an open mind. An occasional wildflower that we see on the roadside may actually be just the right color or shape for your creation. Experiment a bit with the plant materials that you harvest to see which ones will take well to being picked and placed in a vase and which ones may wilt.

Cabbage, garden celosia, bittersweet and honeysuckle vines

Part of our philosophy at RWF is to make each arrangement with its own unique combination of materials and let the natural forms evolve the finished product. We take our inspiration from the seasons, using flowers from our local market and local farmers. Each day we personally select only the freshest, most colorful and long lasting flowers and greens. Viburnum and lilac in the spring, zinnias and sunflowers during the heat of summer, berries, fruits and vegetables, and interesting foliage in the fall and winter. We import incredible hydrangeas, delightful tulips, exotic peonies, and callas from the markets in Holland. And, we happily harvest foliage and blooms from our gardens all year long.

Succulents Come Indoors

2011-07-13T09:36:00.004-04:00

A rich "succulent garden" for the tabletop with various exotic grasses and blossoms

Escheveria, or succulents, have a bold textural quality to them with a distinct effect in flower arrangements. While some of the taller varieties have rather fragile petals, the clustered concentric petals of the low varieties are great to work with in arrangements and bouquets. At Robin Wood Flowers, we often bring in shipments from Holland that arrive as individual cut flower heads sharing a long and low box, each nestled in soft shredded tissue. Some varieties are available at local green houses as live plants and can be cut for use in arrangements. After cutting and trimming the stem as close to the flower head as possible, we hydrate them for a few hours in a low flat bowl with half an inch or so of water, making sure the center cut on the bottom of the blossom head touches the water.

Live succulent plants potted in the shop

For a "succulent garden" that will last indoors for a month or more, we create a base layer of green moss that will provide a scant but needed source of moisture. For varied height, we use wet floral foam or rocks beneath the dampened moss and begin layering moss, succulents, and other long lasting varieties of greens, pods, and blossoms. The moss under the succulent heads should be lightly misted with water every 4-5 days to keep them happy, depending on the humidity and heat in your home or on your terrace. If you handle them gingerly, you will begin to see tiny thread-like tendrils growing from beneath the center that draw up the moisture from the moss bed.

In bouquets or arrangements in water, a sturdy cut stem such as a rose stem can be sliced at an angle and gently inserted into the bottom center of the succulent flower head. The new stem allows you to place it in an arrangement or bouquet as you would any cut flower. Our brides have used them in their bouquets as accents and as primary flowers and we think they are a lovely addition to the bridal party.

Summertime Blueberries

2011-07-05T15:12:00.013-04:00

Clusters of blueberries on the stem

Some people might think I’m crazy to sit in a traffic jam for 20 minutes, park the car in a field of tall grass, pick my own fruit (in the rain), stand in line for 45 minutes to pay for it, then drive back to the city from rural Milford. All for a few blueberries.

But these aren’t the berries you’ll find at the supermarket – most of them mushy and tasteless. Each of these is bursting with flavor, usually sweet, but sometimes tangy. And there’s something about that first day. Searching for the biggest, darkest blue berry, but loving the conversations that take place around the bushes ... berry recipes, family traditions, political commentary - some in several different languages. It’s an Easter egg hunt for foodies.

With (ahem) experience, you learn that the loveliest berries are sometimes hidden beneath the leaves and it’s really best to crouch down low and look up into the bush from many different angles. If the sun is in your eyes ... perfect. Other people will go to the shady side. It’s all about the benign competition and the annual Blueberry Cheese pie.

Rows and rows of blueberry bushes are ripe now through the middle of August at Rouster’s on State route 131 in Milford. Picking is only on Saturday mornings from 8 to Noon.

Robin Wood Flowers Spring Open House

2011-06-09T13:37:00.002-04:00

"Garden Soirée" Inspired Table Setting

Robin Wood Flowers hosted a Spring Open House for our flower friends. We had a great time creating a tented landscape of seven different "Inspired Table Settings" complete with lighting to heighten the ambiance. Camargo Rental provided the tent, stylish chairs, linens, place settings, and lighting. Elegant Fare brought delectable hors d'oeuvres and Piazza Discepoli Wine Merchants shared lovely wines with our guests. Interiors were by SPACES, and paper invitations, menu cards, and accents were provided by Designs By Dawson. It was truly a collective effort and was our largest event yet!


Garden flowers in French wire urns and aged Campo de Fiori

California style "Wedding Banquet" table with exotic plants and flowers

The "Garden Soirée" utilized verdant garden greens and typical local garden flowers. We created a table runner with over 600 Galax leaves to underscore the arrangements. An evening mood was set with a canopy of rice paper lanterns and glass "whirlie balls" with small flickering votives hung beneath birch branches. The "Wedding Banquet" table, seating an impressive 18 guests, presented a California style tablescape of Protea, Succulents, Orchid varieties, Curly Willow, and flower spheres. Rich chocolate pin tuck tablecloths and square ceramic place settings were accented by large tropical Monstera leaves.

Festive and dramatic "Latin Barbecue" with tropical flowers and leaves

Our "Latin Barbecue" table held vibrant tropical flowers of Anthurium, Cymbidium Orchids, Dendrobium Orchid sprays, Pincushion Protea, and air plants nested in Malaysian driftwood. The colors were sparked by a brilliant orange topper. Chairs were tied with dramatic Monstera leaves and Orchids for each guest. "Vintage Garden Swap" was a luncheon setting highlighting garden cuttings and local plant specimens in vintage pottery and charming wire caddies. Fiestaware, Bakelite flatware, vintage buttons accents on linens and paper goods, and heirloom seed packets echoed the primary floral color scheme.

"Garden Swap" with vintage pottery, garden cuttings, and Angel Vine topiary

Flower filled teacups, muffins and jam with lavish garden flowers

The "Birthday Bash" was a big splash of color with a fuchsia cloth, multicolored napkins, and a colorful bud vase at each place. Contemporary centerpieces were clusters of monochromatic blossoms in dark ceramic. The birthday cake was a tier of color on color flowers topped with candles. A sweet "Blue and White Shower" with fresh greens and yellows accented the blue and white scheme. Flower filled teacups and large, traditional garden roses, cabbages, hydrangeas and anemones lent a more lavish Victorian look to a charming table.

Vibrant "Birthday Bash" with contemporary monochromatic clusters of flowers

Spring Wedding Flowers

2011-05-18T12:14:00.000-04:00

Spring flowers have a way of being soft and at the same time bright. One of the things we love so much about the flowers, greenery, vines, and berries of the spring as well as the autumn is the array of textures in the flower forms and leaves. This bouquet is a light breeze of white lilac, blue muscari, gentle lavender sweet peas and scilla, delicate ladies mantle, and gorgeous pink peonies.

Lavender is the color of choice for many brides this year. Whether in a mixed bouquet of color or paired with whites and greens, lavender flowers are a striking complement to any color combination. In this April wedding bouquet, lavender and royal purple anemones with rich, dark eyes in the center contrast with slender miniature purple callas. Sweet peas, muscari, and lavender lilacs add different hues, and delightful checked fritillaria with arching leaves are nestled among them.

A sweet bud vase holds a casual gathering of lilacs, lavenders, and soft pinks with a just-picked garden style.

Fantasy Flowers From Brazil

2011-04-07T15:32:00.000-04:00

Spray rose bouquet with a Pantams bow

Another "find" from Market, these fantasy floral creations from Brazil are made from skeletonized leaves and assembled into blossoms. You might have come across such leaves while strolling through a meadow, but they are fragile and best left on the vine to enjoy.

Delicate tracery of complex veins

In nature, insects and larvae consume the chlorophyll flesh of the leaf revealing the complex vein structure. Today, craftsmen gather deciduous leaves and skeletonize them through a process of cooking, washing, drying, and then dyeing to create the "vegetal fabric" for the Pantams.

It is said that craftsmen developed the process of skeletonizing centuries ago during the Ming dynasty. During the Victorian era there was a resurgence of interest in all things natural. This process was again employed for the leaves used in "Phantom Bouquets". The unique bouquets are reported to have been made to impress the English nobility.

Fantasy blue "rose" with multicolored petals

We think they are enchanting by themselves, tied to a vase, or attached to a bouquet as a memento to keep long after the fresh flowers have faded.

Fantasy Hellebore blossoms

Woodland Flowers For Early Spring Wedding Bouquet

2011-03-16T10:16:00.000-04:00

March Wedding Bouquet With Elegant And Unusual Spring Flowers

Last weekend we had the pleasure of bringing some of the more unusual specimens of the earliest spring perennials into the shop. These woodland beauties have a simple elegance in their presentation, adding shape, texture, and color to this bouquet.

Black Hellebore Grows In Woodland Gardens

The deep purple Hellebores are striking with bright green stamens crowning the center of the "black" purple petals, which are actually sepals. These are long lasting blooms that really do like our cool Midwestern springs.

Checked Fritillaria, From The Latin Meaning Dice-box

Charming Fritillaria in their characteristic checked dress have slender arching leaves that add a note of grace to the bouquet. The bulb flowers have bell shaped, nodding heads. With their cup-like form and checked markings they add distinction to the floral gathering.

The purple Astrantia in our bridal bouquet is such a pretty specimen that we wanted to share it. This is also an early spring bloomer in the garden and flowers continue into early summer.

Delicate Astrantia Has A Sweet Aroma

Spring Tulips and Black Pussy Willow

2011-03-03T16:52:00.001-05:00

Parrot Tulips with Garden Roses and Black Pussy Willow

Aptly Named - The Rococo Parrot Tulip

At this time of year we have a riot of tulips in the shop. The varieties we bring in from Holland are amazing in their colorful dress. The French tulips are sleek and elegant blossoms on two foot long stems, with an almost serene quality to them. Parrot tulips are fun and frilly with petals that are lightly stroked with contrasting colors. Some are quite painterly in their effect.
Others sport petals that are curled or feathered, and often they're rather large blooms. Tulips will grow after they have been cut--up to an inch each day--so changing the water often and a snip off the stem will keep them happy for days.

Black Pussy Willow

Another of our perennial favorites are the various pussy willow stems we bring into the shop in the spring. Not surprisingly, the different varieties have their own special qualities. Some have quite large, soft silvery buds while others have tiny knobs in deep crimson red with just a peep of a silver bud. This week we have the exotic looking black pussy willow which is striking paired with red and yellow blooms.

Wedding Flowers In Winter

2011-02-16T22:04:00.000-05:00

Brilliant red ranunculus surrounded by spring blossoms

In deep winter it is refreshing to create wedding flowers in a preview of Holland spring bulb blossoms and rich jewel tones. Purple star hyacinth and deep crimson tulips are accompanied by chartreuse green mini dendrobium orchids, periwinkle hydrangea and hot pink spray roses. The feature flower of this bouquet is the splendid red ranunculus with a mass of concentric green petals in the center.

The orchids made another appearance in small glass squares scattered throughout the reception, and again in the centerpieces. The entire collection was lovely in the elegant and historic Bell Event Center in Over The Rhine.

Valentine Flowers - Matters Of The Heart

2011-02-11T08:47:00.002-05:00

Fresh Flower Heart

Robin Wood Flowers

Robin Wood Flowers and Valentine's Day. Passion pink, deep amethyst, gentle lavender, bright fuschia . . . we're busy with flower shipments from Holland bursting with gorgeous blooms in all shades and hues of pink, red, and purple. Each time we put together a new portfolio collection we try to add something with a different twist. For Valentine's Day our designers were inspired to make a fresh Valentine flower heart.

As we cruise the shop floor to pluck blossoms for arrangements, the colors and varieties are something to behold. Even the names are inspiring. Amaryllis Desire. Rose Baby Ranunculus. China Pink and Purple Star Hyacinth. Diana Ross, Aphrodite, Flaming Coquette, White Dream Tulips. It's like a walk in the garden. Stop in and enjoy the landscape!

Valentine Flowers Garden Roses

Spring Bulbs In Snowfall

2011-01-24T08:03:00.006-05:00

Robin Wood Flowers In The Snow

So far, January has been well . . . January. 6 inches of snow, temperatures in the single digits, clouds, and cold feet.

Hyacinth With Pussy Willow In Bloom

Amaryllis "Desire"

Spring, though, has blossomed in the greenhouses of Holland so we’re surrounded by April here in the shop. Nothing like the smell of a hyacinth when it’s cold and gray outside. In fact, all of the bulb plants are bursting with color – daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, tiny muscari and enormous amaryllis are in their glory now.

Sentiments of Sympathy

2011-01-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

Elegance In Whites

Since Christmas, we have had so many calls for sympathy flowers. We are frequently asked about ideas for messages on enclosure cards. Some are always appropriate – ‘with deepest sympathy’ or ‘we’re thinking of you and send our love.’ Recently, though, one client provided this sentiment which we found to be memorable:

“A life well lived does not end any more than music ends. It echoes through time with whispers of beauty and grace.”

We’re not sure if this is a noted quotation or just a passing thought, but it made a lasting impression on us.

Winter Ilex Berry With Fantail Pussy Willow

2010-12-14T14:22:00.000-05:00

We have often wished for the temperate climate of California with the bounty of gorgeous local flowers that seem to proliferate everywhere you look. Then again, we have certain times of the year that we are ecstatic over the wonderful flora we can find right here in the Midwest. December is one of those months where our cups--or vases--runneth over with intriguing specimens like fantail pussy willow and robust branches of winter ilex berries, otherwise known as holly berry. Our local growers deliver these right to our door and we love the way they spark every arrangement where they make an appearance.

Fantail pussy willows are dry and look lovely for as long as you might care to have them around. Ilex berries prefer cool temperatures and will last for weeks if they're watered from time to time and not overheated. Nestled in evergeens, magnolia leaves, and pinecones, the berries just sing!

When the season is over, set the berries in your yard as a gift to the birds who love them almost as much as we do.

Holiday Tables

2010-12-03T14:16:00.002-05:00

Holiday table with red Amaryllis, dried Lotus pods, Magnolia leaves and green Trachillium

Garnier Thiebault linen napkins

Intimate dinner parties, family gatherings, a feast with friends, and grand celebrations fill the season. We wanted to share a few of our holiday inspired tables with you. Incredible scarlet amaryllis are bold and elegant in a simple basket collared by Lotus pods and Trachillium. Large Magnolia leaves scale up any arrangement with rich green leathery leaves lined with soft amber undersides. Hand written place cards are nested in a miniature mossy terrarium and votive candles glow surrounded by pieces of sea glass.

Vintage table with centerpiece of Eucharis lilies, Ornithoglium, and Amaryllis in Milk Glass

For a more casual inventive table, vintage containers from you grandmother's cupboard make delightful vessels for fresh flowers and vintage ornaments. We used white Ornithoglium, Eucharis lilies from Holland, red Amaryllis, and sprays of evergreen in a Milk Glass compote. Then we set it atop a pie crust-edged Milk Glass cake plate.

Vintage Bakelite flatware with contemporary Eigen Arts chargers

Bakelite flatware with contemporary Eigen Arts ceramic chargers topped by red and white decal plates make charming place settings. A 1950's Army Navy linen cloth is accented by a homemade red cloth with fat rick rack trim. Browse in the family cupboards of china and linens, then have a little fun with it!

An Evening With Friends RWF Open House Event

2010-10-25T22:39:00.013-04:00

2009 Harvest Table Place Setting

We are excited to be holding our Open House Event 2010 on Wednesday, November 3rd and Thursday, November 4th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

It is an evening of beautiful flowers, inspired table settings, seasonal decor, unique gifts and floral demonstrations. Bring a friend and be our guests for wine and hors d'oeuvres. Stroll through our shop and visit the studio of SPACES ~ Interiors, Architecture, Construction.

2009 Harvest Table Centerpiece

Please visit our Web site at http://robinwoodflowers.com or call 513-531-5590 to make reservations. While the evening is free and open to all, we do have a limited amount of space and so must request reservations. Valet Parking.

2009 Holiday Table

We look forward to sharing the evening with you!

Vintage Pottery at Robin Wood Flowers

2010-10-01T10:21:00.003-04:00

Browsing through local flea markets, tag sales, and an occasional antique shop turns up some of the loveliest vintage pottery in subtle hues and glazes. We are especially fond of these ceramics for creating flower arrangements, each an original fresh creation. When the blossoms have faded, a very special piece of vintage pottery becomes part of our customer's collections.

Subtle vintage blue and green pottery

Warm and sunny yellow vintage pottery with McCoy dish

Vintage McCoy blue pottery with soft fall blossoms

At our shop we gather our latest discoveries and happily share them with our clients. While many of our pieces hail from regional potters such as McCoy, Weller, Roseville, and more, we collect anything that strikes our fancy. Many of our pieces are marked and date from the 1920's and later and are in excellent condition.

Soft vintage whites in Milk Glass and Ironstone

We will be posting images of our collections from time to time and we'll add a bit of historical background as we add images. For our first posting enjoy our current vintage pottery collections with a few of our favorite floral inspirations.

Wedding Bouquets In Dahlias

2010-09-08T12:27:00.003-04:00

We were so taken by the beauty and rich color of these early autumn Dahlias that we wanted to share them with you. Last weekend we had a garden bride with a vision of merlot Dahlias, clear blue Nigella, purple Astrantia and velvety Scabiosa nestled with blue Hydrangea.

For the maid's bouquet, we added antique "You and Me" green Hydrangea. Both bouquets held a collar of Hosta leaves with a chartreuse green ribbon wrap. Yoko Ono Mums made into hanging flower balls for the trellises by the groom's family created a charming backdrop for the wedding.

Stepping into fall with fiery orange Dahlias, deep Callas, and sweet strawberry-like globe Amaranth Gomphrena balls, our French Park bride presented a brilliant statement of color.

The maids carried simple and elegant persimmon orange Calla bouquets collared with green Hypericum berries. Set against a sunny, bright blue sky, the combination of colors was a spark of inspiration.

Summer Farm Flowers

2010-08-24T13:51:00.002-04:00

Deep summer with the pitch of cicadas in the hot sunshine and a brilliant parade of farm flowers. . .

The flowers brought to us each week from our friend and farm gardener extraordinaire-- Tammi Stanley--are bigger, brighter, and more robust than any we can find elsewhere.

Each Tuesday the week's pickings arrive at our door fresh from Mockingbird Hill Farm near Williamsburg, Ohio. Imagine the hubbub as we all gather round to pull our favorites from her buckets, one bloom more beautiful than the next. Check back as we share more of summer's best and early offerings from autumn.

Antique Carnation

2010-06-16T09:15:00.000-04:00

At Robin Wood Flowers we have been known to say to customers that we do not use inexpensive "filler" flowers such as carnations--unless of course a customer requests it. Well, we're rethinking the carnation since we have found a unique variety from Holland that has enchanted us.

Our new favorite dianthus, called Antiqua Carnation, is lovely tucked into arrangements. It almost masquerades as a hydrangea with soft variations in hue and tone and a ruffled array of petals. If you take a moment to sniff this blossom you will find it has a light, spicy scent. Look for this variety making appearances in our arrangements this summer.

Spring Hydrangea

2010-05-26T09:36:00.000-04:00

Spring hydrangeas are blooming in our gardens. Last year we took home potted plants from the shop that we had used for cuttings and put them in the ground. After wintering in the garden it's looking like a robust harvest of blooms. Not all potted hydrangea plants will thrive and flower in the garden, but the varieties we have at the shop adapt happily. Should you decide to plant some in your own garden, remember to leave the stems long as the buds will grow on old wood each year.

Each week we get a shipment of hydrangeas from Holland surprising us with yet another stunning variety. With more than 50 varieties from which to choose it's a tough decision when we place our order. The spring varieties are vivid and refreshing. Check back in September to see a gallery of the more subtle antique hydrangeas.

Joli Jewelry Florals

2010-05-20T11:36:00.003-04:00

Happy finds from our travels to the Atlanta market that can be had through the internet--Joli jewelry by artist Judy Lyons. The studio is in Park Slope, Brooklyn where her line is designed and assembled by hand. http://www.jolijewelry.com

Judy creates limited edition wearable pieces of art from vintage beads, charms, buttons and other surprises. She has a wonderful sense of color and style, mixing vintage and contemporary elements for truly unique jewelry along with an occasional dish or two. We love the many floral notes in these little treasures.

This little fish pond dish uses 1930's art deco glass for leaves, vintage plastic from the 50's and 60's for the flowers, etc. and the fish is carved from bone. Each piece comes with a note about the origins of the various elements.

Her collection is currently being sold in boutiques and specialty stores throughout the US, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Spain, Italy, France, Holland & South Korea. You can find a select few pieces through the internet.

Tulips Tulips Tulips

2010-05-11T16:30:00.001-04:00

A recent trip to Holland to see the magnificent tulips and flowers markets in Amsterdam has renewed our love of tulips. The incredible varieties propagated currently are simply amazing. While our admiration for the sheer beauty of tulips has grown, so has our appreciation of what it takes to bring a fine tulip variety to market so that we can share them with you.

At Robin Wood Flowers, we have found that the varieties we import from Holland hold beautifully in arrangements for at least 4-5 days, unlike those you might pick from your garden.

Behold just a few of our favorites!

Here Kitty Kitty

2010-04-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

Now is the time of the year when we love to add pussy willow branches to many of our floral arrangements and because we also have a good source of locally grown plants, we are blessed with some beautiful specimens. One woman recently stopped in with huge arm loads of the funky looking contorted pussy willow variety which was quickly snatched up for some fun, contemporary arrangements.

Pussy Willows get their quaint name from the buds, called catkins, which is a take on the dutch word for kitten (pussy)...they do remind me of a soft kitten tail! Also, historically pussy willow branches were carried by some East European peoples on Palm Sunday instead of palms because of the scarcity of palm leaves in the northern regions of Europe. Even here in North America, native Indians used the willow species to make medicinal brew since the plants secrete a substance similar to some of our over the counter analgesics. Don't try this at home!

We are not the only ones who find pussy willow desirable. A couple of weeks ago, while on the hunt for migrating waterfowl at a lovely wildlife preserve, I was pleasantly surprised to find a whole grove of these charming bushes. These particular willows are the native American Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) and like their willow tree cousins are a moisture loving plant. Sure enough they were flourishing amongst the cattails and duckweed in a marshy area of Spring Valley Wild life area, just north of Waynesville http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/20055/Default.aspx.

The ones here are the "plain janes" of the family, but provide a host of benefits for many wild life. Besides providing an early pollen source for our native bees and being a host plant for numerous butterfly larvae; the buds are quite tasty to several bird species such as Goldfinch, Grouse and Cardinals. The shrubs themselves provide nesting sites for our avian friends as well.

Soon the furry catkins will pollinate, the stems will sprout leaves and we will no longer be quite as enamored with these fun harbingers of spring, but until then, here kitty kitty...

Field notes from the "B-Lister"

Eco Minded Brides Repurpose Wedding Flowers

2010-04-07T12:23:00.004-04:00

Wedding Flowers at the Hall of Mirrors

Occasionally, brides will ask us what happens to the flowers after the reception ends. Since hardly anyone needs more vases in storage, renting the glassware for centerpieces saves both money and space in the basement. We usually pick up what's left of the decorations on Monday and frequently, toss the flowers or take a few home for the kitchen table.

Now there's a better solution. It's called ReBloom and is the brainchild of recently retired, Marilyn Aardema. Marilyn visits the reception site on Sunday, gathers up the flowers in buckets, and takes them home to re-arrange in donated vases. By Monday, they are happily adorning the bedsides of patients at Mercy Fairfield Hospital.

We love this solution and encourage newlyweds and their families to think about sharing the beauty. We are also happy to be a depository of unwanted vases that we can share with Marilyn. Another pleasant thought--since Rebloom is a not-for-profit organization donating flowers and time, you may be able to take a tax deduction for your flowers. Check with your accountant for information.

Flower Find--Designer Daniel Ost

2010-03-24T13:28:00.000-04:00

In our expanding blog we are posting some of our favorite "Finds" to share with our friends. Publishing has taken on a whole new meaning with the internet, but our first find can happily be viewed both online and in print. We love the sensibilities of Belgian designer and sculptor, Daniel Ost, http://www.danielost.be/ .

Ost's books are readily available if you are a fan of pulling a book onto your lap and leafing through pages of inspiring floral images.

First Local Flowers!

2010-03-17T07:13:00.011-04:00

Nothing makes us happier than seeing the big plastic buckets being carried through our front door. Yesterday we received our second delivery of huge, local anemones. Our friend Tammie Stanley grows them in her 'hoop' houses near Williamsburg and they are like nothing we see on the wholesale market. She also brought us some extraordinary grape hyacinths. We met Tammie at her stall at Findley Market http://www.findlaymarket.org/ and her niece, Emily, helps us with all sorts of shop chores after school.

Anemones are called 'wind flowers' because long ago it was thought the spring winds made them bloom. They come in such gorgeous colors and we love the detail of each petal. Later in the season, Tammie brings us the most amazing lisianthus. Stay tuned!

2010-01-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

In these grey, cold days of January, we have the time to notice the smallest details of the horticultural world. The other day, I spied a small bunch of poppies at the market looking limp and lifeless in the bottom of a box. Who knows where poppies are growing at this time of the year, but all they needed was a quick snip and an inch or two of water. And so the show begins … amazing from a distance, but astounding through a micro lens.

Holly Berries

2009-12-03T16:05:00.003-05:00

There are some things that are just wonderful about winter. Not a lot of things but deciduous holly is one. These ilex berries are locally grown and are absolutely amazing! You may find these turning up in various holiday arrangements that you give or receive. You're also welcome to come into the shop and grab a bunch or two for your own vases. We have local red twig dogwood and red pussywillow as well. Throw them all in a vase together with some magnolia and evergreens and you'll have a sensational bouquet all through December.

An Evening with Friends

2009-10-23T15:07:00.002-04:00

OK, it may seem a little early but at the flower shop, we have to plan ahead. As the weather gets colder, we tend to refocus our attention from the garden to the hearth. So this year, we are planning two evenings of festive holiday decorating ideas on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10th and 11th. We'll have wine, desserts, and lots of ideas for incredible table settings, wreaths, hostess gifts and of course, gorgeous winter flowers. Come and pick our brains. It's free .. but since our shop is small, we are limiting the guest list to 50 people each night. So get some friends together and make a reservation by calling 531-5590 or send us an e mail through our web site. We'd love to have you join us.

Local Flowers

2009-08-06T11:59:00.002-04:00

We are finding the most beautiful zinnias, lisianthus, ageratum and verbena from local growers and Findlay Market. Maybe it's all the rain we've been having in Cincinnati, but the colors have never been more glorious. August feels positively extravagant this year.

2009-07-23T15:14:00.001-04:00

The huge blooms of hydrangea macrophylla or bigleaf hydrangea are arriving weekly into the shop from Holland. We love opening the boxes to see which dramatic colors have shown up THIS week with names like Vendetta Blue and Magical Amethyst.
Hydrangeas love water .. in the garden they can be very thirsty and in the vase, they prefer to be recut every other day. If you should ever have a problem with premature wilting, snip the stem and submerge the entire flower in HOT water. This will generally revive the bloom and give it another few days.

Welcome to our new web site!

2009-07-20T13:30:00.001-04:00

We're finally ready to launch our new and improved website with lots of help from J2 Creative and our own Amy Harten. Although it was pretty nice before, the new site has an expanded portfolio section to give you even more flower ideas. Our bridal section has also grown to show lots of featured weddings in various settings.

We will do our very best to keep up to date with the blog too - showing you the cool stuff as we unpack it. This is the best time of year for flowers and we buy from all over: local growers for zinnias and sunflowers, as well as unbelievable hydrangeas from Holland, orchids from Thailand, and funky stuff from California.

No photograph, however, can match the scent, color, and sheer magic of fresh flowers, so come visit us any time you like. We'd love to see you.

Dahlias!

2009-06-25T13:31:00.004-04:00

For our first blog entry, we are featuring the dahlia, a wonderful, wildly colorful flower that will be available at Robin Wood Flowers throughout the summer.

The Aztecs gathered and cultivated dahlias for food, ceremony, decoration ... and the long woody stem of one variety was used for small pipes. These colorful blooms can be as small as 2" in diameter - up to the size of 12 " dinner plates.