I started to plan my garden this year and decided I wanted to attract butterflies.  While talking with our Garden Center experts, I found that creating a habitat for butterflies was an important part of boosting our ecosystem.  It’s called a “Pollinator Habitat.”   It provides an environment primarily for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.  These pollinators…

With the new and fresh planting season, our thoughts turn to new explosions of color and resurrection. Marching into spring, Mother Nature delights us with bulbs’ noses emerging, buds swelling on branches and the occasional warm breeze. Oh yes, the spring flowers, they’re coming. The flower world is a lot like the fashion world. Trends…

The garden center was busy building the seed racks and unpacking thousands of small packets of seeds.  I wondered what all the fuss was about.  I asked Brian J. Wheat, CEO and CSU Master Gardener – “Why plant seeds?” Brian says there are many reasons to start a garden from seed: The joy of watching…

I just purchased a new home and wanted to add interesting touches, so I was scouring home décor magazines.  I wanted something other than candlesticks, books and empty vases that seemed to be the most popular choices.  I wanted to bring life to my surroundings. Luckily, I work at Lafayette Florist.  However, I work in…

Many folks think florists and card companies invented Valentine’s Day. Well, here is the scoop on the day of love: There are many legends on the origin of Valentine’s Day, from saints to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. The most popular one goes all the way back to 270 A.D., when Bishop Valentine performed…

Houseplants have always played an important part of health and well being. Having green plants around gives us a nice feeling, a connection with nature, a Mother Nature “warm fuzzy,” if you will. We love our plants and in return, they love us back and go beyond the call of duty by cleansing the air…

As the season of giving, family gatherings and holiday events approach, I hark back to a simpler time. As a child, I remember the cornfields of central Illinois giving up their bounty and then, lying silently as the cold wind sweeps over the frozen tundra. The trees and shrubs have all settled in for the…

My family has been in the flower business for more than 66 years, now in our fourth generation. We take pride on being good stewards of the land and its resources. Planting, growing and selling plants and flowers that not only beautify, but also benefit the environment and its creatures. By now, most of you…

Nothing says Halloween like our friend the pumpkin. From a decorative Jack-o’-Lanterns to tasty pies. Native to North American this versatile squash is used as food and recreation. For carving, pumpkin-chunkin (world record at over 4,000 ft.), pies, breads, muffins, pancakes and lattes, it sure gets around. Originating in Ireland and Scotland, carved pumpkins made…

As the days get shorter, the nights start to chill, and that summer sun that was cooking us all season, gives us a much needed break. My thoughts turn to what is happening in the lawn and garden. Patio pots are starting to lose their pizzazz; those once colorful gems are spent and faded. Vegetable…