Recent Posts

Follow Me

Exotic Flowers in Boston

Rick Canale

Recent Posts

Sonny Canale Celebrates His 65th Year as Owner at Exotic Flowers

Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Jul 12, 2022

sonny_1957-resized-600

On Tuesday, July 12th: Arnold 'Sonny' Canale will have been the owner and operator of Lombardi Florist for 65 years. An amazing testament to the talent, work ethic, and care for clients. As we tell clients every day, Sonny must be doing something right.

On July 12th, 1957 - Arnold 'Sonny' Canale purchased Lombardi Florist & Nurserymen at 599 American Legion Highway in Roslindale. Sonny had worked there for years as a designer, grower, salesman, delivery driver, and floor sweeper.

Sonny's mantra since that day has been 'never hire anyone who cannot sweep the floor.' That work ethic has remained in place at Exotic Flowers for 65 years.

Sonny remains at the top of the Exotic Flowers hierarchy. He works seven days on the property. So clients can rest easy knowing that the boss tends to every detail. 

In 65 years - he's sold more than five million roses, one million carnations, more than one million deliveries, grown thousands of poinsettias and outdoor plants, and has designed a million floral arrangements. He has operated five locations, supported dozens of charities, and employed hundreds. Three Best of Boston awards, a World Series florist, a PGA Championship florist, FTD Top 1000, Top 500, Top 250, Top 100, and Top 10. Teleflora Top 1000, 500, 250, 100 & 50. Floral Management Marketer of the Year, RedBook Circle of Excellence. The numbers are not only staggering but humbling.

Stop by the shop on July 12 and say hi or on the 13th have a piece of cake with old and current staff. Family businesses are not just charming but the backbone of a community and we're proud to be Your Florist.

609 American Legion Hwy, Roslindale, MA 02131

617-524-4455

Tags: Family Business, Roslindale Florist, Sonny Canale

Renovate Your Old Fish Tank with Plants

Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Jun 29, 2022

TERRARIUM

The fish died and they were a lot of work and now you have an empty fish tank in your garage. What should you do with that tank? You want more fish but don't want to do that again.

Give us a call. Starting at $300, we can pick up your old fish tank and breathe new life into it with a magical terrarium.

 

Tags: Plants, Terrarium, Succulents

Super Sunday Valentine's Celebration at The Shop 2/13/22

Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Feb 07, 2022

vday2-1 

Super Bowl Sunday is February 13th this year. I know who can focus on Valentine's Day when football season is still on?

Join us for fun and romance at Exotic Flowers, 609 American Legion Hwy in Roslindale on Super Sunday. The store will be open from 9 am to 3 pm.

Our 72" TV Screen will have football on all day. We will have pizza and chocolates for your enjoyment while you can purchase roses, gift baskets, teddy bears, and all things for your favorite Valentine.

Beat the rush this holiday and have some fun on Sunday. We'll see you this weekend.

 

Tags: Valentine's Flowers, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Roses, Valentines Day

A Holiday Letter To Our Clients

Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Dec 01, 2021

santa claus roslindale

" ... compared to the past, American consumption is getting both increasingly expensive and, well, decreasingly nice.” - Helaine Olen

Season's Greetings,
Dear friends,
Higher prices, staff shortages, supply shortages, traffic, and long lines at stores have added even more stress on all of us.
Our Christmas trees arrived yesterday. Our order was shorted 23% and of course, our costs increased. It seems like every order is shorted on supply and increased on price, and our staff is as lean as it has ever been. Luckily, we work smart. Decades of experience give us an edge to work smarter and keep our prices reasonable.
If you know us, onward and upward is a mission. This year, we have made a huge effort and investment in our holiday displays. You deserve a break and giving this little urban oasis back to the community is the least we can do for those who do so much for us. If you believe in magic, stop by. The explosion of color and holiday decor is sure to bring a smile to a rushed season.

with respect and gratitude,
Rick Canale

 

 

Tags: Roslindale Florist, Christmas Wreaths, Christmas Trees, Christmas

FOREVER ROSE NEW YORK Comes to Boston

Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Nov 02, 2021

FOREVER ROSE

In partnership with FOREVER ROSE NEW YORK, Exotic Flowers is excited to announce that these elegant gift boxes are in our Roslindale store.

Rose Forever creations are crafted by exceptional rose artisans, widely experienced in floral art designs. 

Every creation is the result of extensive research and attention to fine detail.

The preserved roses used at Rose Forever come from a well-cultivated rose field. Each rose is cared for until it reached its peak, and then carefully picked. From there, each rose is treated with a formula to help preserve them.

With proper care, our preserved roses will last a year or more.

Preserved roses are fresh real roses that have been through solutions composed of only natural oils and color pigmentation to give them their magnificent wide of colors.

The roses cannot be taken out of their environment. Each preserved rose are placed within the box carefully, removing the roses might damage the arrangement greatly.

 

 

 

Tags: Blue Roses, Ecuadorean Roses, Roses, Valentine's Roses

Sonny Canale Celebrates 64th Year As Owner Operator of Exotic Flowers

Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Jul 12, 2021

sonny_1957-resized-600

On Monday, July 12th: Arnold 'Sonny' Canale will have been the owner and operator of Lombardi Florist for 64 years. An amazing testament to the talent, work ethic, and care for clients. As we tell clients every day, Sonny must be doing something right.

On July 12th, 1957 - Arnold 'Sonny' Canale purchased Lombardi Florist & Nurserymen at 599 American Legion Highway in Roslindale. Sonny had worked there for years as a designer, grower, salesman, delivery driver, and floor sweeper.

Sonny's mantra since that day has been 'never hire anyone who cannot sweep the floor.' That work ethic has remained in place at Exotic Flowers for 64 years.

Sonny remains at the top of the Exotic Flowers hierarchy. He works seven days on the property. So clients can rest easy knowing that the boss tends to every detail. 

In 64 years - he's sold more than five million roses, one million carnations, more than one million deliveries, grown thousands of poinsettias and outdoor plants, and has designed a million floral arrangements. He has operated five locations, supported dozens of charities, and employed hundreds. Three Best of Boston awards, a World Series florist, a PGA Championship florist, FTD Top 1000, Top 500, Top 250, Top 100, and Top 10. Teleflora Top 50. Floral Management Marketer of the Year, RedBook Circle of Excellence. The numbers are not only staggering but humbling.

Stop by the shop on July 12 and say hi. 

609 American Legion Hwy, Roslindale, MA 02131

617-942-4803

 

Tags: Roslindale Florist, Lombardi Florist, Sonny Canale

Behind The Florist Counter - The Orchid Thief

Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Mar 02, 2021

blue_orchid

Sometimes we hear people's darkest secrets. Sometimes they make us laugh. A recent store visit below:

Behind the floral counter:

Customer(C): I need a plant for my boss.

ExoticFlowers(EF): we have great orchids right here.

C: are they easy to care for?

EF: yes, she'll have no problem.

C: well, I'll be caring for it. I am going to show it to her in our zoom meeting & keep it.

EF:

 
Thinking face

Tags: Boston Florist, Orchid Plants, Florist

Behind the Florist Counter - the iPhone Story

Posted by Rick Canale on Thu, Feb 18, 2021

Sometimes we hear people's darkest secrets. Sometimes they make us laugh. A recent phone call below:

EF: Her phone #?
 
Him: She doesn't have a phone.
 
EF: She doesn't have a phone?
 
Him: We got into a fight and I disconnected everything.
 
EF(lol): Maybe you should send her a phone instead of roses.
 
200ROSES-1-1-1

When the driver got there, the recipient could be heard swearing about the sender as she brought the flowers into the house.

Tags: Boston Florist, Florist

Why Do We Send Gold Roses on New Years

Posted by Rick Canale on Wed, Dec 30, 2020

gold roses

Italians eat lentils on New Year's Eve for wealth and prosperity because the flat legumes were once believed to resemble Roman coins. 

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we import thousands of roses from Ecuador every week. This year, our friends in Ecuador gifted us with metallic gold roses. In a year of depression and loss, this rose not only lifted our spirits but has been our talisman. The roses are magical. Our sales have been steady as we have endured the retail effects of the pandemic.

Stop into our Roslindale location for a dozen or order them online for delivery in the Boston area. 

A little good fortune goes a long way. 

Tags: Roses, January, New Years, gold, gold roses

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees In Roslindale

Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Dec 07, 2020

boston_christmas_trees-resized-600

You've all read about the Christmas Tree shortage this year. This is very true. Tree demand is at all time high and supplies are low.

Please come early. 

A few things to share:

we start with 400 Christmas Trees at our shop in Roslindale. You can view 75 standing on the lot from all angles. No hidden bad spots.

Our trees come from Canada. We carry both Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir.

Trees prices range from $60-$150.

We will give your Christmas tree a fresh cut, wrap it and tie it onto your car.

No hidden fees. No reservations needed. We close early but are here 7 days.

This is our 90th Christmas. Thank you. We appreciate you.

 

Tags: Symbols of Christmas, Christmas Trees, Christmas

Subscribe via E-mail

Contact Us for All Your Floral Needs