. we mA Alive With Possibilities Mother’s Day Bouquets (NAPSA)—Each year, millions of Americans purchase bouquets of flowers for Mother’s Day—making it one of the top blossom-buying days of the year. Andfor assistance in choosing’ these petal-perfect gifts, consumers can consult a handy floral adviser online—onethat’s literally bloom- ing with ideas and possibilities. Those in search of fresh-cut flower knowledge can boost their bloom IQ by logging on to a popular flower-education resource. Visitors can research flower varieties— perhaps to find Mom’s favorite—in the flower encycloped, discover flower design recipes and even ask questions of the Flower Doctor. “Everyone loves flowers, even if they don’t know the names of the various varieties,” says the Flower Doctor, Bridget Behe, Ph.D. “Once you learn about flowers, you grow to apprecte and love them even more.” Favorite Flower Varieties 1. Roses—These timeless, beautiful flowers come in many shapes, sizes and colors, including three popular types: sweetheart, spray and hybrid tea. 2. Gerbera Daisies—This cheerful blossom—available in over 160 colors—is like a burst of sunshine in any bouquet. 3. Lilies—Available in white, cream, yellows, reds, pinks and bi-colors, these fragrant flowers are a popular addition to dramatic bouquets. 4, Alstroemer—With multiple blooms per stem, this longlasting flower can make a bold statement with only a few stems. . Carnations—As one of the longest-lasting fresh-cut flowers, There are many possibilities when creating a Mother’s Day bouquet, and an online resource can help consumers choose. carnations are a proven favorite for bouquets. Picking Out Petals When selecting flowers from a retail florist or flower market, look for stems with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open. Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age. Here are a few other flower-selectingtips: Smell the water. It should smell fresh and clean. Look at the stems. They should be clean and notslimy. Forgo any flowers that may have breakagein the stems. To learn more, you can visit www.flowerpossibilities.com and check out the flower reference guide, which has an encycloped, information on varieties of flowers and a section about the care and handling of cut flowers. In addition, the flower recipes section is filled with creative ideas to get you started making a gift or bouquet.
