Exotic Flowers in Boston

(MAY 1, 2020, BOSTON, MA) – This year, Mother’s Day looks different for many of us. It may not be possible in light of COVID-19 to visit with mom or other women who have influenced your life. Such separation induces stress and loneliness but, according to several research studies, flowers may be just the antidote moms and women in general need this season.

According to a survey by Wakefield Research, 68 percent of people feel stress on a weekly basis, and 32 percent are stressed every day—numbers that are now almost certainly higher in today’s COVID-19 environment. Women, in particular, are affected, as one in four report experiencing stress multiple times a day.

Research from the University of North Florida shows that something as simple as flowers can help. The findings show that people who lived with flowers in their homes for just a few days reported a significant decrease in their levels of stress and improvements in their moods. Additional research from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, shows that the presence of flowers around senior citizens decreased depression among 81%, refreshed recent memory among 72% and encouraged outreach to loved ones among 40 percent. And research from Harvard University found that people who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings.

“Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people,” says Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab. “Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That’s powerful.”

“When you receive flowers as a gift, you know that someone is thinking of you right now, this very minute,” said Rick Canale, owner of Exotic Flowers in Boston, MA. “Flowers spark joy, something that everyone needs right now—especially mothers.”

For Mother’s Day gift ideas, visit www.exoticflowers.com  or call (617)942-4803.

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GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. We're launching #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of unity to take place on May 5, 2020, as a response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. - www.givingtuesday.org

We have joined the path set out by non-profit American Floral Endowment. They have announced the launch of a new online campaign promoting Giving Flowers on #GivingTuesdayNow. This new campaign aims to promote a day of flower giving. We’re here to help spread messages of the emotional benefits that flowers provide, such as reducing stress and improving emotional health while promoting flower buying.

• Thank you for support at this time. You are helping to keep this small business open.

We wish you much success during this most challenging time. We remain, #InThisTogether.

Say It With Flowers has been a catch phrase of the floral industry for decades. It makes sense. What better to express your emotions that to connect with flowers.

At Exotic Flowers, we are rolling out card stunning rose bouquets that also give you a hint at waht to say in case you are at a loss for words.

Rubies and Pearls Bouquet

This exciting bouquet of red and white roses in a dazzling silver cube is guaranteed to show you care. Simple, stylish. 

Card Message Recommendation: "I want to shower you with rubies and pearls." or "The jewelry store is closed but these gems are for you."

When looking for a truly unique reaction. Our sapphire blue roses are grown and dyed in Ecuador. This long-lasting rose is an ideal unique gift.

Card message recommendation: "I know you love sapphires and want you to have these."

Rainbow Roses

Each petal is individually dyed to create a kaleidoscope of color. These roses are imported from Ecuador and are not available often.

Card Message Recommendation: "You are the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow."

Walked out this morning, I don't believe what I saw
A hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone in being alone
A hundred billion castaways looking for a home

- The Police

There's no coincidence that a message in a bottle is a romantic metaphor immortalized by Van Halen and The Police.

Saying it with flowers is awesome but words matter too. Let us help write the card, they will keep that card long after the flowers are gone. Your card will become a living memory of the gorgeous flowers you sent.

Working from home? Want flowers in your house? Now you can use the same ingredients our floral designers use. We have flowers from five countries or more every day of the year.

Bang for the Buck: includes flowers like carnations and daisy poms. Hardy flowers where less money goes further for more stems. $50

Seasonal Mix: e.g., tulips in the spring or sunflowers in the summer. $75

Back Bay Blend: roses, from Ecuador, Oriental Lilies from Canada, alstromeria from Columbia or lisianthus from the Netherlands are just jew examples of what you might find in this assortment of fresh flowers; a higher-end enough to fill a vase that measures 5"X5"X10". If you're looking to replicate our work, start here. $100

Flowers in bulk sent wrapped or boxed. They will arrive with fresh flower preservative, 

*** Remember always cut each and stem and use the flower food. The cooler the area, the longer they last.

** Photo does not represent flowers that will be sent, selection varies daily**

Yes, you can send flowers to private funeral services. During the COVID-19 quarantine, services are now limited to ten people. Often you will notice an obituary or listing that mentions services are private. In efforts to maintain social distancing, these notices are posted.

Flowers connect us. They share emotions. 

At the height of quarantine, we reached out to our local funeral homes. Davis Funeral Home in Roxbury and Mattapan, Doherty  and Lawler Funeral Homes in West Roxbury, Mann and Roger Funeral Home in Jamaica Plain and Russo Funeral Home in Roslindale have been serving our community for decades. They know the importance of flowers at a funeral and how much flowers help ease grieving. We are indebted their full commitment as neighborhood institutions. 

When I was seven, my older brother brought home baseball cards. They came in packs with gum! Inside those little treasure chests, you might get Fred Lynn or Rick Burleson or the dreaded Bucky Dent. By the time I was fourteen, I had thousands of baseball cards. Like most kids, I put aside my collection for other pursuits.

As I have gotten older, I found those cards again. My mom did not throw them out. These cards bring me back in time. Each one is a little time capsule. As I try to refine my collection and make it more manageable, I still collect a few players like my friend Ted Lepcio and my childhood favorite, Carlton Fisk.

My wife Suzie collects many things too. She has a collection of antique buttons from her grandmother and antique books from her mom. She has collects hand blown glass vases. We visit the Delaware shore every summer. In Lewes, Suzie visits a boutique which sells hand blown glass vases. Each year bring a new color.

These vases are showcased in our home. With tulip season in full bloom, she carefully picks one off the shelf to frame the tulips. Each time she pulls down a vase, we are reminded of that vacation. 

Collections have a way of grounding us and calming us down. They connect to other times and other places. Like Suzie's vases, my baseball cards each have a moment. 

Your assistant has been busting their ass from home since being quarantined. Show them you care and appreciate all their hard work. Administrative Professionals Week also known Secretaries Week is April 20th through April 24th. So many assistants are now working from home. Flowers and plants are a much better gift than Charmin. 

Your assistant is now trying to keep your professional life together with Zoom, conference calls and webinars. They are also trying to keep their personal lives together too. They're home schooling, learning Google Classroom, cooking meals and trying to keep your schedule relevant. Do you know how hard it is coordinate your schedule from a home office?

Did you know that flowers in the home relieve stress? Rutgers University and Harvard University both offer studies to prove that flowers relieve stress and improve mood.

We have two great gift items to show your respect and gratitude on this Secretary's Day. 

The State of Massachusetts considers gardening an essential business to live during the COVID-19 quarantine.

Serene Retreat

This beautiful gift is a garden of delights. Perfectly at home inside a home or office, it's a great gift for all reasons and seasons. The planter is not only easy to care for but helps purify the air quality of your home. We know it is getting stuffy in everyone's home right now. 

Another favorite for us this Admin's week is our new Day After Bouquet. 

A beacon of hope for brighter days ahead, this bouquet will brighten the mood in their homes and let them know how much your appreciate their hard work and all they do for you.

We have been a family owned and operated business since my mother's parents immigrated from Ponza, Italy in the early 1900's. We have remained in the same location as Russo's Florist at 609 American Legion Highway in Roslindale. My grandfather began by planting pansies to sell to those going to the local cemeteries. 

What you may not know was Lombardi, the Florist was across the street at 599 American Legion Highway on the opposite corner. My father worked for Syl Lombardi as a kid and bought Lombardi's in 1957. In 1959, he married my mother Marie and merged the two florists into one location at 609 American Legion. Lombardi was and remains one of the busiest florists in Boston. He kept the Lombardi name and 63 years later, my parents still work at the shop every day. (ed. note; Olympia Flowers was the busiest florist at the time and remains in the same family today,).

Recently, a client, friend and former employee was given the above receipt. It shows a list of transactions from 1953. A brides bouquet for $15, a maid of honor for $6, a corsage for $5 (clients still ask for that price today!) and a center piece for $3.

While the prices may amaze all of us, what might amaze you more is clients still come in asking for bouquets for $15-$20. So when we're quick to say 'it's not 1953,' we're not kidding.

One of the greenhouses mentioned on that receipt is still standing and in operation. Right now it is filled with geraniums and ready to bring beauty into your homes. 

Family owned, operated and still going.

Rick Canale, Your 3rd generation Boston Florist

The days of quarantine have taken their toll on us all. Thankfully, we remain healthy and safe and are practicing every safety precaution. There is a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. We have been in the same location in Roslindale for 90 years and plan to be in the same spot when this is all over. 

Flowers remain the biggest part of what we do and our biggest responsibility to you. Sending flowers to a loved one shows how much you are thinking of them when you cannot be there. Today we are introducing two bouquets that can be preordered today and available in many areas for delivery now.

Introducing The Day After Bouquet

Much like our designer's choice arrangement, this arrangement arrives in a vase with the freshest seasonal flowers available. Expect a lush and inspiring bouquet of flowers. Available in all sizes; modest at $60; medium at $75 and large at $100. There is a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. Send this arrangement to ones you cannot visit but want to show you care.

 The Can't Get Next To You Bouquet 

Inspired by my favorite Temptations Song:

 I

Can turn the gray sky blue
I can make it rain, whenever I want it to, oh I
I can build a castle from a single grain of sand
I can make a ship sail, on dry land tell 'em yeah
But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue
'Cause I can't get next to you

What better At Home Favorite to support your Social Distance relationships.

We're trying to make as much lemonade as we can during this trying time. Your cards, letters, emails and social messages of support mean the world to us. Thank you.

Looking so forward to The Day After.

-Rick

For the first time in more than forty years, Exotic Flowers in Roslindale will be closed for more than forty eight hours. I am working from home to keep you updated on our plans and any future orders we may have. We cannot offer local delivery at this time. If you have an order to any area that is still delivering flowers, we will take great care of you. Please email me at rick@exoticflowers.com with any questions.

Stay safe. Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Flatten the curve.