Hey there Garden Lovers....it has been a heck of a season !!!  Rain, cold temps, hail, dry hot winds, storms and alittle bit of everything. Our plants, lawns, veggies and flowers have certainly had to adapt to many different conditions....but that's gardening in Colorado. I believe there is going to be more of the same this summer. Dealing with all the different weather patterns and conditions is what makes us better farmers. Learning micro climates and where to plant and how to change the soil to achieve greater production is the learning curve in becoming gardeners in our environment. I would love to hear of your challenges and victories this season. Photos of what did well and what didn't. Stories of gardening in our Colorado. Maybe, old wives tales that worked and why. Join us at Facebook and tell your story.  I would also like to invite you to our 11th Annual Lafayette Peach Festival in Old Town, Aug 21st, 2010, 9am-4pm. Over 30,000 lbs. of scrumptious, fresh, freestone certified organic peaches !!! There will be great music, antiques, arts and crafts and food booths. Kids activities at the Festival Plaza and Farmer's Market. Bonfils Blood Drive and More !!! Free Admission !!!  The main stage will be located at Lafayette Florist...see you there !!! Thank you for supporting your hometown business !!! The Flower Guy.

It's late Feb and things are rockin' and growin' at the greenhouses. Lots of seeding going on and can almost hear the geraniums rooting...because they're so happy that warmer days are ahead and they will be going home with you in a few months. There are hundreds, maybe thousands by the time you read this,of tomato plants looking good. New varieties along with the old time tried and true favs. We just got in a new shipment of fresh Herbert's Herbs and everything you could need for starting your own seedlings. Also, fresh Lucky bamboo and new bonsai plants. Very cool Volcano plants and Orchids. In a few weeks, we'll have seed potatoes, onion sets, and all the cool weather starts you need. Did I mention the some Primrose and cold hardy Pansies are at the greenhouse and were asking where you've been all winter !?!  Come in and see us and look for the new feature on this site, you will see almost daily updates and photos of the florist and garden center as they occur !!! See you at the Greenhouse...Enjoy !!!! The Flower Guy

Things are happening at the greenhouses as we grow forward into our 61st year. Over 20,000 geraniums are and will be rooting, petunias around 60 varieties, flats and flats of Bacopa, Lobelia, Allysum, Gazanias and Marigolds, just to name a few. Semi truck loads of Potting Soils by Fertilome and Black Gold are arriving. Right after Valentine's Day trucks of Organic product from Fox Farms and huge quantities of pottery will arrive. Spring will be here in flash, it's time to start thinking about the garden and all its wonders for the upcoming season. Vegetables will be on the top of many gardeners list. This year we are growing over 5,000 tomatoes in different sizes. Starters in 2 1/2" pots and more mature plants in gallon pots. There will be over 25 varieties to choose from !!! This year we are growing four types of Heirloom Tomatoes. Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Yellow Pear and Black Krim. So start jotting down your wish list and we'll see you in a few months. Enjoy, The Flower Guy

Hey Gardeners....where did the year go ??? It's hard to believe that 2010 is here,it just seems like yesterday we were all worried about Y2K. That was a decade ago, really, are you kidding me???

I'm already getting in new seed packets for the upcoming spring season. Supplies will be pouring in over the next few months. New organic products, Black Gold and Fertilome soils and specialty potting mixes. I've found a new source for pottery, new styles and colors. Many new perennials, groundcovers and vines from Monrovia Nurseries. The hand selected varieties of rose bushes from Weeks and Jackson Perkins. Look for early spring classes on many topics that will help you plan, design and  enjoy your garden.We are starting to seed many plants at the greenhouse.  Geranium cuttings are coming in next week. Stop by and see us. Thanks for your support as we venture into our 61st gardening season at Lafayette Florist. See you at the garden center, The Flower Guy

Just returned from Colorado State University and spent time evaluating new and improved poinsettias. The plants were amazing. Over 75 varieties to grade on bract and leaf color, bract and leaf form, cyathia and bract size,branching, leave counts and vigor. I know all true gardeners and plant lovers alike would love to have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these Euphorbias !!! The evaluators are growers, breeders and retailers in the flower industry. Dr Steven E. Newman, Phd, AAF, was a wonderful host, as usual. He is the Grnhse Crops Extension Specialist and Professor of Floriculture at CSU. The greenhouses are located in Fort Collins on campus @ the W.D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center. Back to the plants, great new colors of cinnamon, fire, blushes and apricot. Many of the plants will make it to market in a few years, some won't. Trials are important for plant breeders, such as, Ecke, Syngenta and Dummen , to get feedback from the growers and retailers to steer the market with the best colors, performance and to help know what the savvy consumers want. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to drive north an hour and give time and input into our industry's future. We are fortunate to have CSU, Dr. Newman, John Ray and student growers like Drew to ensure the greenhouse business will not only survive, but thrive !!!

Fall has settled into the Rockies. It means time to clean out those tired flower beds, plant color such as tulips, crocus and daffs for next springs splash of renewal. Planting groups of pansies over them to help protect and stand guard in the upcoming wintery days. And maybe a nice mulch to keep them warm and moist. Rose collars, tree wrap and lawn winterizer are the order of the day and stop by the florist and enjoy a stroll in the fresh flower cooler to see falls impact on the designs. The gift gallery is getting ready for the Holidays as well, never too early to start getting those Christmas gifts and decorations ready for the Most Wonderful Time of The Year !!! In the past month or so, traveling, learning and buying has been on our list of things to do. Lori and I went to SAF, Society of American Florist, conference in Phoenix. An opportunity to network, rub elbows with the top Florist and Educators in our industry. Took in many seminars to help us run our business better and open us up with new ideas and thoughts on marketing and social networking. The top Growers from around the world ship in new cut flower varieties and they are judged and awarded for their incredible contributions. Retailers and Wholesalers alike, share their stories of our industry and we grow from those experiences. Lori was voted in as Retail Council Director for SAF and I was given the honor of being inducted to AAF, The Academy of American Floriculture. I've just returned from the Fall Booking Show hosted by my friends at Gard'n Wise. A great day of golf in a driving sleet storm , then it was time to get down to work. Selecting products for all your gardening needs. Organics were the focus once again, along with time saving and ease of use products being at the forefront of customers wants and needs. From potting soil to garden tools, new and seasoned vendors show their wares with enthusiasm and hope for a great spring and summer season 2010. A chance to talk and share tales of season's past, what works, what's best for our customers and how we are going to keep our gardeners excited about our Nations #1 leisure time activity. Last, but not lest, keep your eyes out on the road to spot our newest delivery vehicle, a 2010 xB Scion. A cute little number, that truly believes in "Delivering Happiness" with its coat of sunflowers, it's sure to bring a smile to your face, Thanks for letting me blog and as always, see you at the greenhouse, Brian

Wow, the plants and new varieties I saw and critiqued at Welby's Trial Gardens was amazing. I wish you all could have seen the over 6oo new or improved annuals and perennials. It's so great to have the Hardy Boy Summer Trials so close. I voted for my favs and enjoyed the company of the top professionals in our business. I met with representatives from the leading plant breeders in the nation. Nineteen breeding companies participated. It supported the Colorado Floriculture Foundation

Here are just a few highlights of the trials. A very cool petunia for next year, keep you eyes out for 'Pretty Much Picasso", a Proven Winners unique new plant with violet purple center and a lime green edge. A new lobelia called 'Lucia" a dark blue beauty that is self cleaning. A trailing alyssum called 'Snow Princess" that will bloom ALL SUMMER without needing deadheaded !!! Did I mention it likes dryer soils with good drainage.  The combinations of hot colors or pastels blooming all together on One plant was a trend that I really am looking forward too. Some really sweet nemesia's, New Guinea's, Angelonia's and colorful Verbena's in the new Tropical Breeze series, you won't believe your eyes. Some new Osteospermum's are the hottest colors yet, from the new Cape Daisy series from Ecke . Orangy/purples with flashes of bronze and copper, hard to imagine, so next spring season, I'll prove it to you!!!

Let me close out with...stop in and see our selection of fall plants arriving  weekly from now until late Oct, Mums, Asters, Sedums and Hardy Hibiscus-with of course, fresh new crop of pansies, viola's and way cool Kales. Stop by or email me with questions, comments and suggestions you'd like to see me blog about at Brian's Blog @ www.Lafayetteflorist.com.  Happy Gardening, The Flower Guy

Brian, The Flower Guy here! It's been a crazy summer with weird temps and storms. It's time to feed the lawn with some Fertilome lawn food and stop in for some fresh outdoor plants. I've just got in some mums, asters, perennial hardy hibiscus and a nice selection of other plants like fresh pansies, rudabeckias and some fun perennials.

Also, just arrived fresh selection of herbs and green plants / blooming plants for the house. Fall seed selection will be in next week.

I'm traveling south tomorrow to Denver / Golden to trial gardens @ Welby's. I'll rate and view hundreds of new selections and varieties and write back with a report of what I saw (also a Pig Roast, lucky me). Keep in touch and drop me some questions, comments and feedback - I want to help us all become better gardeners and start conversations on gardening and all that implies.

Thanks, keep growing - The Flower Guy @ Lafayette Florist