Exotic Flowers in Boston

 

 

Country singer Faith Hill has sold over 40 million records worldwide. Faith has a huge fan base that spans many musical genres. Faith Hill is fresh off a new Super Bowl commerical showcasing the advantage sending flowers professionally designed and hand delivered by a florist.

The commercial did create come controversy, but the results of increased sales for florists and Teleflora justify the commercial as a success and more importantly that superstar Faith Hill can influence purchasing.

Exotic Flowers remains a member of the elite presidential circle at Teleflora. Through our partnership with Teleflora, Exotic Flowers locations in Boston and Roslindale along with www.exoticflowers.com is proud to ally ourselves with this icon.

The celebrity endoresement for the flower industry is long overdue. Merlin Olsen (with FTD) was a great spokesman, but certainly not the brand that influences purchasing like Faith Hill. Exotic Flowers in Boston will have a Faith Hill category online which will update seasonally with Faith Hill's selections.

 

 

 

In Boston, St Patrick's Day is really the first day of spring. Like the green shake from McDonalds, Exotic Flowers brings in our green carnations; a St Paddy's Day staple. We will have them in both our stores, as well as shamrock plants, lapel flowers and the ideal hostess gift.

 

When it’s time to celebrate the luck of the Irish, a lovely bouquet is a welcome gesture; and this one is the perfect choice for St. Patrick’s Day. With its pretty mix of white and green blooms – delivered in a unique green satin drum.

As refreshing as a Montauk breeze, this fabulously fresh bouquet of white and green flowers in a satiny green cylinder vase makes a very cool gift. Sweetly subtle, yet also exciting, it is a visual delight.

The classic arrangement includes white alstroemeria, green carnations, green roses, a white lily and white stock accented with seeded eucalyptus, variegated pittosporum and rhombus.

Oh, what a lucky day it will be for whoever is lucky enough to have this vase full of joyful and jubilant blossoms delivered to them. Perfect for St Patrick's Day, this pretty arrangement is a pot of gold !

Dazzling green roses, carnations and button spray chrysanthemums, yellow asiatic lilies and along with fresh greens fill a rectangular glass vase.

Hollywood has always appreciated flora and fauna. From lavish Oscar Night parties to the dazzling floral displays along the red carpet. Hollywood's love affair with floral design has deep roots and even carries over to some top stars portraying florists on the big screen. As we approach the Academy Awards, the staff at Exotic Flowers in Boston has picked their top six florist movies of all time.

6. I Hate Valentine's Day - the title says it all. most florists do hate Valentine's Day. It is one of the only days of the year we have to turn away business; and turning away business in this economy is never good.

5. Valentine's Day - Ashton Kutcher adopts the role as florist. Surely a little more polished than the designers at most Boston flower shops.

4. Love Happens with Jennifer Aniston - Unfortunately another less than stellar movie featuring a florist. But having a headliner like Aniston always helps keep the floral industry in the public eye.

3. The Town - although Fergie the florist does not resemble any Charlestown florist I know, Fergie's florist appears the ideal front for the crime boss.

2. Bed of Roses with Christian Slater - one of the better movies featuring a florist. Christian Slater shows where florists bring their poinsettias on Christmas eve.

1. Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. Although a florist is not the star, legendary San Francisco florist Podesta Baldocchi features prominently in the 1958 thriller.

 

Just like a pizza company who boasts free delivery, flower shops in the Boston area often mention free delivery. Keep in mind, just like the pizza that is sold for $15 delivered versus the $10 pizza plus delivery; flowers cannot be delivered free in Boston. Let the buyer beware of the florist who states 'delivery included' or 'free delivery to all Boston hospitals and funeral home,'.

It's basic arithmetic. How can a florist offer free delivery in Boston ? A driver makes an hourly wage plus benefits, gas is over $3 per gallon, a vehicle requires maintenance, excise tax, registration fees not to mention the scarcity of Boston parking and the ubiquitous Boston meter maids.

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we charge a reasonable delivery charge from $5 to $12 depending on the location. Unfortunately, Exotic Flowers still loses money every year on deliveries. A swift warning to all Boston flower clients, a florist needs to charge for delivery or she will go out of business. If an established florist claims they are not charging you for delivery, that florist is making that revenue loss up in another hidden fee. Unfortunately, that hidden fee could be a less glamorous floral arrangement.

Delivering flowers in Boston is a challenge. From crowded loading docks to post 9/11 security; traffic james and bad addresses; the life of a Boston flower delivery person can be stressful. The job is also quite rewarding. Recipients of flowers are often quite happy to see you. Drivers are often flagged by passers by with "for me ? you shouldn't have." You never know. Those flowers could be for you. If not, ask an Exotic Flowers driver for a business card.

 

   

Surprisingly, lots of Bostonians use flowers and plants to celebrate one of the biggest party days of the year. Super Bowl Sunday is known for big tv's, guacamole, buffalo wings and beer. But at Exotic Flowers, we ramp up for Super Bowl Sunday too. From black and yellow balloons (or green and yellow) to spectacular floral arrangements created for your hosts.

Arrangements can also be created with miniature football helmets, football action figures as well helium filled football balloons. Keep in mind, we also have a liquor license in Boston and can get your favorite fan a case of Sam Adams in time for kick-off. Gift baskets featuring snacks, drinks and football gifts are also a great gift to send to any Super Bowl Party.

Our staff at Exotic Flowers in Boston does not suggest you gamble, but keep in mind what better way to wager the game than bet a dozen roses versus one of our gift baskets on the outcome of the game.

Or if you make yourself an unwelcome guest, be sure to call us on Monday and we can deliver the perfect apology flowers to your hostess.

Our Prediction: Packers 24 Steelers 13

 

As a fixture in the Boston area, Exotic Flowers and Lombardi Florist have a major responsibility to our neighbors. On a daily basis, the Exotic Flowers floral designers create memorial and sympathy tributes. Funeral flowers represent over thirty percent of our daily orders. We send flowers to all the local funeral homes on a daily basis; including J.B. Johnson on Warren Street in Roxbury, Davis Funeral Home on Walnut Ave in Roxbury and on CUmmins Hwy in Mattapan, Lawler and Gormley Funeral Homes in West Roxbury.

Flowers are often the last gift one can send to the deceased. We suggest a lasting tribute. Flowers make an enormous difference at a funeral. Flowers are clinically proven to help ease the grieving process. 

" It is never easy comforting a relative, friend or associate who has lost a loved one. People are often uncertain as to the best way to show their sympathy. Adding to this uncertainty are changing trends in how Americans commemorate the death of a loved one. Services are simpler and shorter. Viewing periods are now typically limited to one day, if they occur at all. A greater number of cremations have resulted in shorter or no memorial services.

Flowers have traditionally been sent to the funeral home for display during the viewing and service. However, this does not mean that there should be no show of sympathy if no service is held. Grief therapists agree that the rituals surrounding death are an aid in the grieving process. In instances where there is no service, experts recommend sending condolences to the bereaved person or family's home. " - www.aboutflowers.com

With over one hundred years in sales and floral design experience, Exotic Flowers in Boston implores its neighbors not to chance it with their sympathy orders. Funerals are a lasting memory and the staff at Exotic Flowers is the most experienced in dealing with many cultures and clients at this most difficult time.

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. Known also as Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year celebrates traditions and customs. Some traditions include buying presents, clothing, decorating, feasting and cleaning. Families clean their homes in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Red is prevalent. Wealth, prosperity, health and happiness are thematic. Parents often give their children money in a red envelope on New Years Day to help begin the year with luck.

Floral decorations, all available at Exotic Flowers in Boston, for the holiday could include orchid plants, bonsai trees, floral arrangements and lucky bamboo. According to Feng Shui principles, Lucky Bamboo is an excellent way to attract positive 'chi' energy. For centuries, Asian culture has considered it symbolic of luck and good fortune. Different stem collections are said to symbolize different elements of positive chi. Three stems attract happiness; five bring wealth; seven promote good health for all; and the tower of twenty one represents a very powerful blessing for all.

February 3rd, 2011 marks the year of the Rabbit. A rabbit year is often a quiet respite in response to the previous wild year of the tiger. Be sure to visit Chau Chow City in Boston or Golden Temple in Brookline. These venues offer a great porthole into Chinese culture and offer great food as well.

Boston has a reputation for having some flower snobs. These snobs do not care for the most tradtional of all flowers, the carnation. People often ask if we use carnations at Exotic Flowers in Boston ? Yes, Exotic Flowers sells carnations. However, we only use carnations upon request. You might be surprised, but people do ask for carnations. Clients may not ask often, but the carnation has seen a resurgence in popularity in the past few years.

The traditional red, white and pink carnations remain passe, but new varieties like lime green, deep purple and lilac are popular and affordable. This arrangement, 'Roman Holiday' is one of our features for Valentines Day and the arrangement highlights the colors of the holiday and showcases the trendy purple carnation.

The carnation remains affordable, usually $12-$15 per dozen. At Exotic Flowers headquarters, we carry about 600 stems on hand daily. Clients often arrive looking for a long lasting, inexpensive flower. Carnations are also versatile, fragrant and durable.

The carnation remains the flower of the month for January. Its scientific name, Dianthus Caryophyllus, is derived from the Greek-“dios” and “anthos”,  translation being “The Flowers of God”.  Carnations have been around for about two thousand years. 

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we pride ourselves as florists, neighbors and businessmen. An old time rep used to say 'you should love a third of your merchandise, a third of your merchandise should be your best sellers, and a third should be things you wouldn't be caught dead with.' We really do not care for red carnations, but we are businessmen and aim to meet all the floral needs of our Boston flower buyers.

2010 has been a year of many honors and accomplishments at Exotic Flowers. Sonny Canale celebrated his 52nd year at the helm of Exotic Flowers and Lombardi Florist. We delivered over 10,000 gifts to our clients and provided jobs for more than twenty local residents.

2010 was also a year of personal accomplishment for me as well. I was invited to judge the Floral Management Marketer of the Year competition and the Outstanding Varieties Competition at the Society of American Florists (SAF) Convention. I was also asked to participate in a panel on social media at the SAF convention as well. These invitations are considered some of the highest honors in the floral industry. My exposure and contributions in these fields have also led to more invitations.

My colleagues had recently asked me to help lead the newly formed Massachusetts Professional Florists Association; to serve as a member of the SAF members committee and to serve again on a social media panel at the SAF Growth Solutions Conference in 2011.

Below is my letter of response to these invites.

" I have thought long and hard about your proposal. I am honored, flattered and grateful.
Your invitation has paid me the highest honor - the respect of my
peers... and more importantly those who I aspire to. Having grown up in the flower business, I have always known how hard it is to make a career of this business. I do my best to give back to an industry that has given me and my family so much.
Of course, everything comes back to family. At this time, I must
respectfully decline your invitation. I do not feel I can give the
commitment SAF deserves. Please know, I do not feel this is a
permanent answer. I will continue to do everything I can for the
growth of our business as a whole.

Respectfully yours,

RickCanale"

 

• #5 - Maintain and nurture our relationship with technology. In January, 2011 Exotic Flowers will be in your pocket. Our floralApp will go live for both your Android or iPhone. You will be able to order flowers from your cell phone with a just a few button pushes and be able to pay with your Paypal account. Exotic Flowers in Boston knows how busy you are and  wishes to make ordering flowers hastle free.

    

• Resolution #4 - Wine and Roses at Exotic Flowers in Roslindale. For over 20 years, Exotic Flowers has held a package store license in Roslindale for our gift baskets. Finally we are going to bring our wine selection to the front of the store so our clients can not only buy their roses on the way home, but their wine too. We also deliver wine, champagne and spirits in the entire Boston area.

New Years Resolution #3 - invest a higher precentage of our marketing budget in packaging. In 2011, we have chosen not to renew our Yellow pages ad. We are using these funds to reinvest in monogramed bags, cellophane and interior and exterior signage.

New Years Resolution #2 - 'Fish where the fish are.' You will no longer see Exotic Flowers trying to sell popsicles to eskimos. You will see a concerted effort by our staff to remind flower buyers of the importance of flowers for speical events like Easter, Passover, Secretaries Day and Thanksgiving.

New Years Resolution #1. Find more ways to send Yes to our customers. We will no longer be afraid to price for our services. If you have a special request, we will do our best to say yes and offer your fair price for your request.