Weblog

September 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

As the final days of Summer 2010 are upon us and a new cycle of activities beckons, the calendar starts filling up with “regular” events and engagements – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year et cetera – and the “surprises” and “one-offs” such as a wedding, baby shower, special date birthday et cetera.

All these events and occasions have, of course, several things in common, not least flowers, food and photographs to capture the special moments.
Naturally, being a florist I could write about flowers and extol the virtues of fresh-cut flora to transform an event into celebration. Located, as we are, in the heart of historic Medford in a building dating back to 1866, we are also at the hub of all manner of businesses that will help you mark these calendar events.

Braddock’s is a literal institution, not only in Medford but also for miles around. It has been a tavern or hostelry since the 19 th century part and the main dining rooms are located in this almost revered building. There are weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties throughout the year and, even in the “quiet” summer months, seemingly every week.

Staying over in Medford, especially if you are attending a wedding, there is the Iris Inn, next door to Braddock’s, and is a charming bed & breakfast. No issue with a designated driver when you are staying here and making Braddock’s the center of the celebration!

Looking for a photographer to capture the moments of the wedding, anniversary or party to help you remember and cherish the occasion? May I suggest “True Story Photography”, one of the partner’s being also the owner of “Creative Genius” artists’ gallery here in the center of Medford, this time on North Main Street. Photographers of “True Story Photography” understand the crucial aspect and nuances of light and how to get the best out of their subjects, young and old.

Is your special occasion at home? Why not visit The Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe here on South Main Street, opposite Braddock’s and us. Step inside and try some of their quality USA and European cheese “to die for”: none of this processed “synthetic” yellow stuff that somehow manages to qualify for cheese can be found at The Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe. And, for your event, consider specialty cheese platters that your guests will rapidly devour.

And, as I have said before, fresh floral arrangements can transform any event, regardless of scale and budget. Medford Florist & Gift Shop handles floral requirements for weddings, bridal and baby showers, engagements, anniversaries, business functions, social gatherings and so much more. Any consultation that is required is free of charge, regardless of the requirements and whether you ultimately decide to use our services or not – do note that many florists charge for a wedding consultation – on the basis that we are here to serve and help you make the most of your special occasion.

Links to all the mentioned businesses can be found on the www.medfordflorist.com site under Calendar & Links page: please, do use them and also note the Discover Medford link to tell you more about our unique town.

Until the next blog, best wishes.

August 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

I started my last writings exclaiming about the weather and, frankly, it is not giving up. Around the 11 th of August, news from around the world had floods in China, Pakistan, Germany and Poland with thousands dead and millions homeless. Meanwhile, in Moscow and other parts of Russia, record-breaking temperatures and the lack of rain are sparking fires, causing smog and killing hundreds a day. Maybe we should be appreciative that it is not like that here in southern New Jersey! But this summer has been simply nasty and, after the record snow of winter, we are certainly experiencing interesting weather.

In England there are reports that flora is running around a 3-4 weeks behind schedule with delays in the fruit crops and harvesting…. England had a cold winter – well cold for them – 2009-2010.

At the flower markets in the New Jersey area, following on the matter of the lateness of the flora in England, regionally grown peonies are still available while these are usually finished around late June. It also seems, to me at least, that the crop of summer flowers from this area – gladioli, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, scabiosas et cetera are less profuse than usual.

So, to perk yourself up, why not order for yourself or order for a friend a fresh floral arrangement. Study after study has shown that flowers cheer like nothing else can and help give one a bounce in the morning and during the day. Why not have a look at some of our offerings on this website and then phone to discuss your intents. As I write this we have some truly gorgeous mini mango calla lilies and splendid, bright, summery, roses. But the crop keeps changing so I do recommend a phone call.

We have daily –except Sundays- local deliveries and our delivery area includes Medford, Medford Lakes, Lumberton, Mt. Laurel, Hainesport, Marlton, Shamong, Tabernacle, Southampton and Vincentown. We deliver to all hospitals, re-habilitation and care centers, funeral homes and places of worship with-in those towns and communities. Our delivery rates remain competitive and are, we believe, amongst the lowest in the area.

Until the next blog, best wishes.

August 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Phew! It might not be the hottest summer experienced in the southern New Jersey region since records began but it sure feels like it. Last June and July were un-seasonally cool and comparing the 2 summers is akin to comparing chalk and cheese. This one is hot, humid and “hellish”.

We had around a month of next to no rain in the area from mid-June to mid-July and then the heavens opened and there was localized flooding, finally starting to help revive some of the flora.

Considering all this, some tips on keeping you fresh cut flora healthy seems like a good idea. Imagine the flora piece is a pet dog or cat requiring – minimal in this instance – attention that, when loved, will reward you back.

Some simple care information that applies to all cut flora:

• The more frequently you change the water, the better for the flora;
• At least rinse the vase/container when changing the water. Better yet, give the interior a good scrub;
• Each water change, snip a little off all the stems. The more you change the water, the less you snip each time. The snip clears the stem of bacteria that accumulates in the water –hence the need to change the water- and in the unclogging of the cell structure of the stem, you help the fresh water in-take;
• A drop – two if a large vase – of household bleach helps ward off bacteria in the water. The bleach will not harm the flowers if you remain with the single or two drops;
• Place the arrangement out of direct sunlight or a direct, bright, artifical, light source; and
• Locate the flowers out of drafts – including air-conditioning and heating vents – and heat sources. Kitchens are popular rooms for placing flower pieces but do consider their positioning.

Those are the simple, general, care information for vased cut flora. Follow these steps and the flowers should love you back and cheer you up for an extra day or more.

If you need more specific flora information, e-mail or ‘phone us and we will endeavor to answer your question(s).

Remember, Medford Florist & Gift Shop delivers through much of Burlington County – an area of nearly 300 sq. miles – includes Medford and Medford Lakes, zip 08055; Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle & Vincentown, zip 08088; Mt. Holly & Westampton, zip 08060; Lumberton, zip 08048; Hainesport, zip 08036; Mount Laurel, 08054 and Marlton, zip 08054.

July 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

We’ve all been taken in by certain forms of advertising and, I note, a recent clutch of on-line advertisements by ProFlowers claiming their flowers to be “…fresh from the fields…”.

This is not true. Allow me to give a truer background to the route taken from harvest to arrival. Take, for this example, ProFlowers item, 41209, a selection of iris, which claims to be, like all their “bouquets”, “…fresh from the fields…”. The iris, grown either under cover or in a field, depending upon where they are grown – California, possibly Canada or Holland – will be harvested and gathered into bunches with, for this item, other colored iris. They will be placed into cold storage conditions and then trucked or air freighted and trucked to one of several regional distribution centers. Once your order is received at the distribution center, perhaps a few hundred miles from you, the iris bunch is taken from the cold storage and paired with a vase you ordered. The flora and vase are boxed and processed to allow for collection by the freight company that will make the delivery to you. You determine if this is “…fresh from the fields…”. ProFlowers distribute flowers basically just as everyone else does. They claim that their flowers spend less time in the delivery chain than others but, frankly, how can they know? The answer, they do not. All floral growers, wholesalers and florist work, hard, to minimize the time any flora takes to be part of a floral design.

To name a bunch of 20 stems of iris as a “bouquet” is also stretching matters. A florist arranged bouquet is one that is correctly processed and artfully arranged, perhaps accented with some foliage such as salal leaf and “bear grass” and maybe some curly willow to play off the generally straight stems and lines of iris.

Then try to work out the cost of delivery – a Monday morning delivery that is a so-called rush job to ProFlowers will possibly cost nearly double the price of the bunch – sorry, “bouquet”. Then the recipient has to process the flowers and make the arrangement himself or herself: hardly romantic or the gift you wish someone to receive where they have to extend time and effort into making the arrangement for the “bouquet” you sent them.

Alongside this article you will see a photograph a fellow florist took of a ProFlowers rose “bouquet” that they ordered prior to Valentine’s Day 2010 and then, to the right of the vase with 40cm/16” dozen roses wrapped inside, is their dozen rose arrangement for the same holiday. As for the price, the florist could not get 60/20” roses from ProFlowers for Valentine’s Day weekend but their 50cm/18” with all the delivery add-ons et cetera cost $82.98 while the florist sold his dozen, 60cm, for $84.95. Whether at Valentine’s Day, another holiday or occasion, there really is no comparison.

You may also be interested to know that the company “From You Flowers” is ProFlowers but for florist arranged designs and same-day delivery pieces (sent from a florist). ProFlowers/From You Flowers will charge you all manner of special fees – same day delivery additional charge, $2.99, for example, all of which they keep for the privilege of taking your credit card information. And they state that they have the best over-all quality….yet how can they when From You Flowers does not handle any flowers but sends to orders to florists to fill. It is all bogus.

At Medford Florist & Gift Shop we design all our arrangements specifically for the purchaser with their stated requirements foremost in our mind as we craft the floral piece. It is as simple as that.

Our local delivery area, served Mon-Sat, includes the towns of Medford, Medford Lakes, Shamong, Tabernacle, Southampton, Vincentown, Lumberton, Mt. Holly, Westampton, Hainesport, Mt. Laurel and Marlton amongst others and represented by Zip codes 08055, 08088, 08048, 08060, 08036, 08054 & 08053.

July 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Last year I wrote about the cool and wet June weather. What a difference this June has been. We should have had 15 days in the area where the temperatures have been 90F or higher, a good 5F hotter than the average June. As for the rain, apart from the storm that ripped through parts of the region on the 24 th June, there has been little precipitation to note. What a difference a year makes!

What will this mean for the 4 th July? The initial forecast looks as if the long-weekend will bring us cooler temperatures, but not much, with highs in the upper 80sF. As for the fireworks, with forecast sunny days and cloudless skies at night, this should be perfect weather to enjoy the drama and excitement of this typically American tradition. If you are planning a party, outdoor or in, do not forget flowers and plants to help introduce a joyous atmosphere to your event. Ever cheerful flowers such as sunflowers can take the sun, temperatures and invariably simply lighten up any location they are placed in. Or carnations, tried and tested to survive in all manner of conditions, a designed grouping of these can look wonderful and, unlike so many cut flowers today, all have a delicate scent. To help get the most out of your cut flowers in such weather, a few tips include:

• Ensure that there is a good water source, topped up daily and, preferably for a vase arrangement, changed each day;
• When changing the water, cut the stems of the entire flora. The more frequently you change the water, the less you need to cut off the base of the stems. If changing the water once every 3 days, cut an inch of the stems – if changing more often, less need be trimmed. Cutting the stems cleans out the cellular structure of the plant and helps the water up-take;
• Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight and as cool as possible. If using out-doors, obviously the flowers will get warm so, when bringing them inside, I recommend changing the water then and trimming the stems; and
• A drop – 2 if it is a large vase – of household bleach added to the vase before adding water will help ward off bacteria that accumulates, naturally, in the water and at the stem base.

For an outdoor party or BBQ, Medford Florist & Gift Shop also offers seasonal, annual, planted pots for “instant” decoration on the deck or patio. Why not phone us for details!

Our local delivery area includes the following Zip codes 08036, 08048, 08053, 08054, 08055, 08060 and 08088. These codes represent towns such as Marlton, Mount Laurel, Lumberton, Hainesport, Southampton, Tabernacle, Vincentown, Shamong and, of course, Medford and Medford Lakes. We deliver Monday to Saturday.

Have a happy and safe 4 th July and, do note, we will be open for limited hours on the 5 th July, a Monday.

June 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

With the approach of summer, the calendar is packed with all manner of occasions suitable for the gift of flowers.

Father’s Day is Sunday, the 20th of June, and we can create flower and plant arrangements especially for your Dad. How about a design incorporating a scaled model of a Weber BBQ grill? Now that is something different! Sunflowers are all ways bright and cheerful and dahlias are coming into season as I write this and they are a flower invariably found in dramatic, “masculine”, colors. Or what about a planter for Dad’s office desk, with a selection of choice, interior, green plants? We have a selection of ideas on our Father’s Day page or, if you don’t see anything there, why not phone us?

With schools about to close for the summer, how about thanking teacher, especially if your child is at elementary school, with a fun floral piece? We offer particularly charming and fun mugs that can be complemented with a charming floral design within them and then, afterwards, a practical and useful gift in the form of the mug. What about a truly novel design in a pastel-colored Chinese Take-out container! We also have Bloembox seed tins and “hatboxes” –although only recently added to our product range, pupils have given many to educators as a “thank you”- which you may find both unusual and delightful. Or bamboo grow-pots with heirloom lavender plant seeds.

Do you know someone that needs cheering up? Do they need to experience the simple and effective joy of fresh flowers? In this age of seemingly instant gratification, have you thought of sending flowers or a plant instead of, for example, an e-mail? Allow me to explain. The gift of flowers is gratifying, both for the recipient as well as for the sender or giver. Research carried out at Rutgers University in New Jersey reveals that the populace sees flower senders as friendlier, more likeable, joyous and emotionally intelligent people, exceeding the same traits in those who give other types of gifts. And that is not all: both sexes are considered more successful than the average person and more appreciative of things of beauty. In short, sending or giving flowers to some one, regardless of the occasion, creates a good impression of yourself: how is that for a confidence booster and pleasure for the recipient or, put another way, near-instant gratification? E-mail, by contrast, rarely creates an aura around the sender

Being located adjacent to Braddock’s on South Main Street and opposite the recently opened but popular Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe in historic Medford, we are easy to get to with ample parking. Browse around the shop where our range of products includes the widest selection of herbs (at prices usually way below the supermarket) and, most importantly, we’d be delighted to see you.

Alternatively, take advantage of our local delivery service, operative Monday to Saturday, covering Zip codes 08036, 08048, 08053, 08054, 08055, 08057, 08060 and 08088 which, in turn, covers towns such as Moorestown, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Lumberton, Hainesport, Southampton, Tabernacle, Vincentown, Shamong and, of course, Medford and Medford Lakes.

June 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

June will be busting out all over on Medford Main Street on Sunday, 6th, with the 18th annual summer festival of art, music, food and wine from Noon to 4.00pm. There should be numerous artists and musicians to listen to and to engage with. Several of south Jersey’s vintners will be offering wine sampling and selling their wares. A selection of Medford’s restaurants will be offering food tasting during the day. This event is invariably a happy time and the shops along Main Street will be open to welcome people…so please, pop in and say “Hello” at Medford Florist & Gift Shop. There is free parking at Acme and St. Mary of the Lakes School with a trolley service to bring you in to Main Street and the event. Should the weather be rainy, the rain date is the following Sunday, the 13th.

Medford Florist will have a palmist in attendance on this special day. Karen, the palmist trained and studied palmistry for several years before coming a professional in this field and has been practicing for numerous years, building up a faithful following. Karen was at Medford Florist on the 1st May reading palms and we invited her back for the 6th June based upon the popularity of her visit. For the 6th, we anticipate that Karen will be busy so we recommend making a reservation in advance for a palm reading of up to 30 minutes. To make a reservation, e-mail or phone us here at the florist.

And, if you are interested in matters metaphysical, please remember that we now have at 31 S. Main St., probably the widest and most comprehensive selection in Burlington County of rocks, essential oils, herbs, incense and much more.

One aspect of life on Main Street I have been meaning to write about recently is the opening of a fabulous cheese shop, Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe opposite us at 32A S. Main Street. It might read as a cliché but is meant as a truism: their cheeses are to die for. From around the USA, the UK and Europe, there are around 60 quality cheeses to sample and purchase. They also stock wonderful French jams, local – Tabernacle – honey and even honeycombs from Medford Lakes. And the chocolates are superb…. this is a culinary delight and strongly recommended. The Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe is serving light lunches during the summer – sit outside and just imagine you are in France – with cheese plates, panini sandwiches and even chocolate fondue: this is not your ordinary outdoor lunch! The business offers picnics complete with an array of their cheeses, breads, condiments and fruit, all presented in a fantastic picnic backpack: perfect – with some flowers from Medford Florist & Gift Shop, of course- for a romantic interlude or a quiet evening or week-end afternoon date. We have added a link to the shop’s website on our page, Calendar & Links.

Here is to hoping to see some of you at the Main Street Art, Music, Wine and Food Festival.

May 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

The proverbial dust is settling after the Mother’s Day period and we thank all those who kindly selected us with the important and worthy task of crafting an arrangement for all those Moms. Popular flowers this year were peony, stock, oriental lilies, roses, “French” tulips, gerbera daisies, iris and calla lilies. Several of these flowers – the oriental lilies being a prime example – may strike one as expensive per se but with a number of separate blooms on the quality stems we carry opening at staggered different times, a single stem, if cared for, can last for 2 weeks and be lovely to look at throughout that time.

Last May we introduced a selection of gifts from Bloem Box and, based upon their popularity, we are continuing with these charming gifts and add-ons. Wonderfully presented, sometimes with cute butterflies or even a hummingbird hovering over a silken representation of one of the 3 flowers inside, these are ideal “Thank you” or House Warming gifts. Or, as party favors, what about, from the same company, select flora seeds in a small seed tin, adorned with a silk flower on top, a snip @ $6.95 each. The mini “Hat Boxes” are available on-line from our site and, along with our seed tins, also available by visiting our store on South Main Street.

In a similar vein we have sought out a supplier of heirloom lavender. We offer heirloom lavender plant seeds with growing medium in an eco-friendly bamboo grow pot with saucer: a lovely gift with a nice modern twist – and the plant will grow surprisingly quickly. This lavender plant grow pot is available on-line. We also have lavender seeds in a small seed tin and lavender aroma sachets as gift add-ons available as part of the checkout process on-line.

With schools about to close for the summer, how about thanking teacher, with one of the Bloem Box or lavender gifts suggestions. We also offer fun, in-expensive floral arrangements in pastel-colored Chinese Take-out containers, other whimsical designs such as a resin “cracked egg shell” pot or, why not bring in your own container and we will design with that and around your budget.

Or, as a further alternative gift for teacher, what about your own crafted potpourri made from our choice herb selection of over 100 items and we believe the largest range under 1 roof in Burlington County!

Challenging us to create just for you, charming, crafted yet effortless in appearance floral designs is something we like to think we’re up to: we haven’t been voted the Best Florist in Burlington County, New Jersey, by readers of the major local newspaper, The Burlington County Times, for not being imaginative!

Our local delivery service, operative Monday to Saturday, covers Zip codes 08036, 08048, 08053, 08054, 08055, 08057, 08060 and 08088 which, in turn, covers towns such as Moorestown, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Lumberton, Hainesport, Southampton, Tabernacle, Vincentown, Shamong and, of course, Medford and Medford Lakes.

Alternatively, being located adjacent to Braddock’s on South Main Street in historic Medford, we are relatively easy to get to and there is easy parking in. Browse around the shop where our range of products is invariably changing and, most importantly, we’d be delighted to see you.

May 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Mother’s Day in the USA approaches and, here at Medford Florist & Gift Shop, we are busy preparing for this cheerful occasion.

The unseasonably mild weather we have generally enjoyed from the latter part of March in southern New Jersey have brought flora in general forward by what must be around 7 – 10 days. The “fun and games” resulting in the closure of much of the European airspace in mid-April due to volcanic ash in the atmosphere caused a few short-term headaches in the floral industry as supplies of Dutch and Italian flowers were curtailed and took a short time re-establishing themselves in the immediate aftermath. As I write this I trust that supply will be back to the norm for the time of year come Mother’s Day on the 9 th. May.

Medford Florist & Gift Shop has ordered a wide spectrum of flowers from the ever luxurious in the form of peonies, oriental lilies and hydrangea, for example, to the utterly feminine with lisianthus, stock, gerbera and Queen Ann to the true heroes of the flower world with roses. There are roses galore with the magnificent Esperance rose with her large, plump, blooms in delicate pinks that fade to cream with hints of green; the gorgeous pink Ambience roses amongst my favorites for the occasion. We will design arrangements especially for that special lady in your life on your behalf, giving the arrangement that Medford Florist & Gift Shop touch that has us voted the Best Florist in Burlington County by the readers of the Burlington County Times newspaper. Our flowers come from around the world – Holland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Canada, California and the mid-Atlantic region, including New Jersey.

We will have potted flowering plants for both outdoors and inside to choose from. There will be patio bowls 12” and 14” in diameter, in a riot of color and suitable for sun and part-sun positioning outdoors, hanging baskets and individual flowering plants. These can be popular so order early to avoid disappointment.

We are introducing a selection of lavender gifts for this Mother’s Day. You will find for sale on our website charming lavender plant grow-boxes: these are substantial sized bamboo pots that are naturally watertight, complete with organic lavender plant seeds and soil medium. The seeds will take but a few weeks to grow into a lavender plant suitable for indoors (item PSLAV01). We have lavender gift sets on the website for sale (item FRLAV01) with aromatherapy lavender mister, bath salts, massage cream infused with lavender and an organza sachet of lavender. As part of the checkout process, there are also lavender organza sachets filled with fresh, organic, lavender for a truly heavenly scent to help relax and, at night, drift off to sleep to. For walk-in visitors or telephone orders to Medford Florist, we offer organic fresh lavender sold, by the ounce, for use in or as potpourri or as a lavender tea or even as a mouthwash.

Unlike most florists, Medford Florist & Gift Shop will be open on the Sunday, the 9 th. May and making deliveries. Many florists deliver on the Friday and Saturday: we will do that as well as the day itself. As a reminder, we do deliver to the zip codes of 08036 (Hainesport), 08048 ( Lumberton), 08053 (Marlton), 08054 ( Mount Laurel), 08055 ( Medford and Medford Lakes), 08057 (Moorestown), 08060 ( Mount Holly) and 08088 (Vincentown, Shamong, Southampton and Tabernacle). If you do live far away and wish to “see” Mom receiving the flowers, consider ordering our “Smile for the flowers” where we will take a digital picture of your Mom receiving her arrangement and which we will e-mail back to you. We will ask Mom if she is willing to have her picture taken and certain other restrictions may apply but, if you are interested you must ‘phone us and remember to ask for this when ordering as we will need certain additional details to fulfill this requirement. Our phone numbers include 609-654-8338 and 800-295-4576.

If you decide to visit us, we are adjacent to Braddock’s Tavern on South Main Street in Medford and there is usually plenty of parking on street or behind us in the municipal and other local parking lots. Here you will see the widest selection of choice herbs in Burlington County with an hundred+ to choose from at prices far usually far below those the supermarkets would charge you on a per ounce basis. Your selection runs from agrimony and allspice to white sage and wood betony with bay leaf, cumin seed, ginseng root, lemon verbena, whole nutmeg, peppermint, sandalwood and sesame seed along the way. Or, perhaps, the selection of adorable Jellycat soft toys is just what you are looking for: these are charmingly designed cuddly toys of quality, style and a cute attitude – come and see them.

When thinking of Mother’s Day, think Medford Florist & Gift Shop.

April 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

At times such as these when the economy is difficult and people, fortunate enough to be working, are giving “over 100%”, that the token of appreciation to professional assistants is often expressed so well with the gift of flowers.

Helping with the bottom line, studies show:

• Flowers and plants in the work place are conducive to a more productive and healthier environment and happier personnel;
• Harvard University studies show that 9 times out of 10, ladies remember when and why they last received flowers;
• 83% of people say they love to receive gift of flowers at any time of the year; and
• 98% of the adult populace believes that the giver of flowers is both thoughtful and sophisticated.

For the Boss, are these not reasons enough to make the giving of a professionally designed floral arrangement extremely cost effective?

And note I stated professionally designed: this is, after all, Professional Assistants week and a gift of flowers from the supermarket or even flowers that are delivered by a courier company -as I call them “flowers in a coffin”- usually call upon the recipient to process and arrange the flowers themselves – hardly the impression that you wish to give.

In this age of equality, should the Professional Assistant be a gentleman, flowers are, just as appropriate and we will certainly give any arrangement the appropriate “look & feel”.

If you are wishing to give flowers to a multiple of staff, I suggest calling Medford Florist & Gift Shop and we can discuss your requirements and budget but, please, do call soonest to avoid possible disappointment over flora availability.

We deliver six days a week with the same delivery fee for each day, regardless of whether it is a Saturday or Monday –try doing that with the on-line courier delivered orders for example! We locally and personally deliver to:

• Marlton, 08053;
• Mount Laurel, 08054;
• Medford and Medford Lakes, 08055;
• Moorestown , 08057;
• Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Vincentown, 08088;
• Lumberton , 08048;
• Mount Holly and Westampton, 08060; and
• Hainesport, 08036.

April 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Easter is almost upon us, earlier than last year, 2009, by a week, and, with the wonderful week of weather around St. Patrick’s Day, nature is in a hurry, starting to burst forth after the ravages of a (very) snowy winter. One will be mowing the lawn imminently!

For anyone out on Easter Sunday –and perhaps visiting Braddock’s with children and meeting the Easter Bunny due to arrive for the Brunch held in the Colonial Room- we shall be open that day from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

Medford Florist & Gift Shop currently has a selection of 6” bulb plant pots of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths for a super price of $6.00 each ( including sales tax) on the basis of “cash & carry” and, weather permitting these are outside for passersby through to Easter (or while inventory permits): last year these soon sold out. The same local grower of our December poinsettia plants grows these bulb plants especially for us and, we think, that they are of particularly good value. If you wish us to dress these bulb pots up as special gifts, we will have cheerful baskets and other trimmings available for purchase.

Being a full-service florist, for the holiday there will be a selection of seasonal choice fresh-cut flowers – think tulips, iris, hyacinth in a selection of colors- and foliage such as flowering tree blossoms, along with the classic Easter Lilies for the holidays, all arranged with the artistry that each designer possesses and which has made us the reader’s choice as best florist in the county as determined by readers of the Burlington County Times newspaper.

We recently introduced a wide selection of fresh herbs, many of which are certified organic. Herbs can be used for potpourris, cooking, teas and many believe and trust in the medicinal and beneficial properties from herbs. Our selection ranges from anise seed to mugwort to rosemary and calendula tips and so much in-between. What is more, our prices are invariably much lower than what you would find at your local supermarket chain. Do remember that if consuming herbs for medicinal purposes, consult a physician and/or pharmacist to ensure that, for you, it is safe and does not inter-act with other medications you may be taking.

To help you spread some seasonal delight, we deliver locally six days a week –and on certain Sundays, such as Easter Sunday (!)- to the following towns/zip codes:

• Medford and Medford Lakes, 08055;
• Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Vincentown, 08088;
• Mount Holly & Westampton, 08060;
• Lumberton , 08048;
• Hainesport, 08036;
• Moorestown , 08057;
• Mount Laurel, 08054; and
• Marlton, 08053.

Have a wonderful spring and, should you ever have a question regarding cut flora, do not hesitate to contact us and we shall endeavor to assist.

March 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Spring approaches and the natural world “awakens”, alive and refreshed after months of dormancy and having endured a seemingly long and certainly white, winter.

As we move into the new season, Medford Florist & Gift Shop is celebrating a wide range extension here at 31 S. Main Street, Medford. We have welcomed a range of metaphysical and holistic product brought to you by Whitelight Spiritual Arts, formerly in Mount Holly.

Whitelight, here at Medford Florist & Gift Shop, have the widest selection of herbs, crystals and essential oils in Burlington County, New Jersey.

The choice of herbs is over a hundred, having a wide range of purposes including for potpourri, herbal teas, salves, soaps and so much more. Herbs include lavender, rosemary & thyme to wormwood, mugwort, cats claw and damiana.

Essential oils have been reportedly used by various cultures down through the centuries. Essential oils are versatile and used in aromatherapy, in bathing and cleansing, massage and numerous therapeutic forms such as steam inhalation. There are affirmation essential oils that some consider as aids, when handled appropriately, to reduce stress, increase awareness, aid with inner peace, offer relief from insomnia.

The use of crystals is documented throughout much of history. In ceremonies, battle, healing and farming, they have been utilized both for decoration and for the energy thought to reside within each formation. The ancient assumption was that crystals were created supernaturally, thereby containing supernatural powers. This view has held a fundamental place within the religious and daily lives of many Native American tribes, the European Druids and even in early-Christianity, as manifested in scepters, jewel-adorned goblets. Buddhism and Hinduism have and still do use crystals in their religious practices. Modern spiritual practitioners consistently use crystals for a multitude of purposes. Learn for yourself all the benefits that can be derived from working with crystals and stones.

And yet there is more…a collection of fairy figurines made from hand-sculpt designs and hand decorated. How about petrified wood carving or stone, whose metaphysical properties are good for grounding and stabilizing one’s emotions and aids in being practical. Physically, petrified wood is beneficial for the bones, backaches, skin and hair.

There is so much to see and experiment with we highly recommend that you visit us and look around, perhaps creating your own potpourri just for your home, office or even vehicle.

All the above along with or separate from the power of cut flowers as a way to cheer others and yourself up. Surveys by all manner of organizations, such as independent university studies carried out by Rutgers and Harvard in the USA, for example, show that people feel better giving, receiving and having fresh flora. Spring is a wonderful occasion for flower arrangements using all manner of fresh flora from bulbs and corns of tulips, iris, hyacinths and freesia to branches of forsythia, pussy willow and flowering fruit such as quince. Our designers can put together an arrangement for you and your recipient that reflects the essence of the season and new days ahead. A floral arrangement from a design artist is your “assembled and ready to use” gift, perfect for the joy of Spring.

We are here to help, just call us. We locally and personally deliver to the following towns and zip codes and that, of course, includes the recently added metaphysical product:

• Medford and Medford Lakes, 08055;
• Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Vincentown, 08088;
• Lumberton , 08048;
• Mount Holly and Westampton, 08060;
• Hainesport, 08036;
• Moorestown , 08057;
• Mount Laurel, 08054;
• Marlton, 08053.

March 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

I have written on the subject of sending flowers using “on-line flower companies” before but a few particular instances in February of this year, determine that I write on the matter once more.

You might have seen the Teleflora advertisement during the Super Bowl. This highlighted problems of sending some-one flowers in a box or, as I term it, “flowers in a coffin”. Flowers bought over the Internet for delivery in a courier service cardboard box seem to some a good idea with their “C’mon pricing” but that is before you see all the additional fees. You may still feel fine sending flowers like this, yet think of the recipient of your gift who, perhaps after a long day working, has to make a arrangement out of what was received before cooking dinner because, by this time, the flowers, being out of water so long, need prompt attention.

An article by Bob Sullivan of MSNBC at www.redtape.msnbc.com and his posting of the 9th of February featured the additional costs revealed invariably towards the end of the check-out process: he didn’t use the phrase “C’mon pricing” being arguably harsher in suggesting the pricing and additional charges are deceptive.

In this time of recession, please stop and think before buying from Teleflora, FTD, 1-800 Flowers or any one of the hundreds of “office florist” websites who are known simply as “order gatherers”. You pay a “Handling Fee” or “Service Fee” or even a “Shipping Fee” to them of usually $12.99 that can go as high as over $19.99 depending upon the company and the time of year. Just Flowers.com even get you twice with 2 fees while From You Flowers.com charge you additional for same day delivery. Such fees are to take your order and none of them are for delivery: florists are contractually entitled to deduct their usual delivery fee from any such orders. If you are all right spending that additional money, then why not put it directly into the product rather than the “Handling Fee”? The recipient benefits not one iota from the “Handling Fee” expenditure. And any “free delivery” claims are not so and are fraudulent. Challenge the customer service agents on various matters such as what the handling fee is for and, while doing so, consider that 1-800 Flowers, a publicly listed company, in their financial year 2009, made a gross margin of over 36% on their “Wire Orders”, which is “florist speak” for orders from ‘phone and Internet orders that they send to florists. Your “Handling Fee” is a decent chunk of that 36%. This data can be found in their Financial Report, viewed on their website – look at the bottom for Investor Relations and click on that and then look for their Annual Report. This company, in the same report, then goes on to boast that it was able to increase their profit margin on the fees that they have on the florists that fulfill the “Wire Orders” for them.

If sending roses, ask these companies not whether the roses are long-stemmed but the actual length of them. Strictly speaking in the U.S.A., a long-stemmed rose is 40cm long (15”+) while a quality, full-service, florist, when designing a dozen rose arrangements will use 60cm (23”+) long roses. The stem length is important for the rose head or bloom size. In fairness, this does depend on the species and the general rule of the longer the stem the larger the head is not always so, but it is a fair rule and applies for the majority of rose species. Visit the websites of the above-mentioned organizations/”order gatherers” and reference to a long-stem rose is often used to make one think the individual rose stem length is around 23”/60cm: I assure you, invariably they mean a 50cm (approx 19”) rose stem length and a head smaller than the 60cm rose head. For roses in a multi-floral arrangement, the stem length is usually a 40cm one. Speak with a customer service agent at any of the referenced companies above and they invariably do not know the length of a long-stem: an experiment in early February with FTD.com with 6 ‘phone calls to their agents had varying length statements of 9” to 50”. With all due respect, blame the organization, not the individual, for the lack of training to answer a fair question such as “What length are your long-stemmed roses in your product 8212 or 8218? Your website does not provide an answer.” This, I believe, speaks volumes about the marketing speak one is fed from these companies for it is but twaddle.

A florist in New York State ordered 1 dozen roses from Proflowers. 1 dozen roses and vase totaled a cost of $62+ (and that is without tax). Then the recipient had all the labor to do –un-pack the arrangement, know how to and then process flowers for maximum benefit and then arrange. Now, hasn’t your recipient got better things to do? Adjacent are 2 pictures: 1 of the Proflowers (on the left of picture) and that florist’s 1 dozen rose arrangement – oh, and incidentally, the florist used what are known as 60cm (approx 23”+) long-stemmed roses whilst Proflowers were 40cm (15”+). This image is of the invoice charges. You decided quite where the better value and splendor lies.

Click Images to enlarge

On the matter of the “guarantee” given by these companies, most state it is for 7 days but blithely ignore that fact that many cut flora have a shorter vase life: iris, for example, has an average vase life –and has done since man started cutting them and placing them in (appropriate) water- of 5.5 days. Lilac will probably not last much more than 72 hrs in water and never place it in “florist foam” for the stem structure gets clogged. Hydrangea, a temperamental flora, hates “florist foam” and, yet, all the named companies have designs that place it into florist foam and still make such “guarantees”. “Florist foam” serves many wonderful purposes but for some cut flora, it simply dramatically shortens their life. Apart from anything else, what these companies do is lie –also known as not tell the truth. They do not have to make good on the guarantee but pass the onus to the florist that delivered the arrangement originally and, for example with iris, lasted but 6 days, quite an achievement in reality. I recognize that there are “many sides” to an argument but, on the guarantee matter, go ahead, check various sources on the Internet as to life-cycle of cut flora such as the ones I have mentioned: has FTD or 1-800 Flowers the ability to change the genetic structure of flora?

There is always a reason to send flowers. If you have to order “flowers in a coffin”, then do so but caveat emptor. If you want to order through Teleflora or numerous others, do so but remember the recipient has no benefit of the “Handling Fee”. Better for you, ‘phone a florist directly or find them on the website…I would prefer it be Medford Florist & Gift Shop you contacted but a quality florist in your neighborhood contacted directly is invariably your best option.

To take advantage of our services, we deliver to nearly 300 square miles of Burlington County and include zip codes and towns of Hainesport, 08036; Lumberton, 08048; Marlton, 08053; Mt. Laurel, 08054, Medford and Medford Lakes, 08055, Moorestown, 08057, Mt. Holly and Westampton, 08060; Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Vincentown, 08088.

February 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

I trust that you received –or gave- flowers for Valentine’s Day and, if so, that the experience was memorable with the flora making for an extra special day.

If you are looking for tips on cut-flower care, please follow the following advice:

• Most cut flora is best at temperatures around 35-37F: yes, that cold! While I am not suggesting that you turn off the heating, keep the floral arrangement as cool as possible;
• If you have a garage, for example, that is cool at night but does fall below 35F, place the arrangement in this area before going to bed and retrieving it in the morning;
• Keep the flowers out of drafts;
• Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight and/or harsh lighting;
• Floral arrangements should not be placed onto items of furniture that emit heat – a fire mantel or television, for example;
• Tropical flowers –orchids being the simplest example- are best kept at temperatures at mid 50F;
• If the arrangement is one with water, please change the water after 48 hrs of receipt. When changing the water, ask someone to help. Your helper can hold the stems of the arrangement while you remove the vase or container, empty and then clean it with a teaspoon of bleach and warm to hot water and scrub, followed by a rinse. Refill the container with water and add any flower food you have, following the instructions on the packet. Alternatively, 2 drops of bleach in the vase and mixed with the water keep of the bacteria and generally work very well. Cut the flora with sharp scissors or a knife –whichever you prefer- and preferably at an angle to provide as much stem surface area as reasonable for the up-take of water by each stem. Place the arrangement your friend is still holding back in the container. This exercise should take no more than 1 minute if you have the necessary tools at hand before you start;
• You do not need to cut stems under water. Studies show that cutting flora under water before placing the stems into water does them no additional benefit and any accumulated water will hold bacteria. If you cut under water, free-flowing water is best;
• Flora, just like any other organism, has a varying life span depending upon the genus and species as well as their environment. Different breeds of roses have differing vase lives; tulips often do not last more than 5 days; dianthus/carnations can be around for 2 weeks or longer. We therefore suggest that you check your arrangement for any dead flora and remove it from the arrangement. By doing this, the health of the other flora is invariably helped; and
• Should you need advice on the care of an arrangement, please phone us on (609) 654 8338 and we’ll address your questions.

On behalf of Medford Florist & Gift Shop, I trust that the above information helps you to get the most enjoyment out of your arrangement as possible.

February 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Allow me to start this twice-monthly blog from Medford Florist & Gift Shop by writing about a cautionary tale. The US Senate in Q4 ‘09 summoned F.T.D. and 1-800 Flowers to answer allegations that they, according to several consumers and Senate committee members, have been “scamming” persons in “post transactional marketing programs” for companies Affinion, Vertrue & Webloyalty. F.T.D. and 1-800 Flowers each netted a reported US$10 million as a result of such action. United Online, the parent company for F.T.D., took in, through Classmates.com, a reported US$70 million in similar practices. Proflowers was not summoned but associates itself with Ezsver, a company apparently involved in similar practices. You may read more at CNET news who covered the Senate proceedings.

Such action by these organizations can taint the entire floral industry and others: who can really blame members of the public when treated in such a manner? At Medford Florist & Gift Shop we:

• Do not indulge in such or similar practice(s);
• Do not (re-)sell nor pass on any credit card or personal information; and
• Invariably phone anyone kind enough to place an order with us on our website in an effort to ascertain that the person placing the order is the authorized cardholder. This is an effort to ensure the validity of the credit card purchase and is a procedure we have had in place since prior to up-dated F.T.C. regulations came in force in November 2009.

We recommend that, rather than place the order online having checked out our website, for you to phone us. It may ultimately save time giving you that bit of added security.

Turning to pleasanter matters, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, falling on a Sunday. One can never be sure what the weather will do at this time of year, and, at the end of this article, I make some suggestions you may find helpful should the weather cast particularly difficult conditions over this region.

Flowers express feelings and sentiments as nothing else. Medford Florist & Gift Shop works to make your Valentine’s Day weekend an extra-special time. When faced with a dizzy array of choices, you may need professionals to summarize and narrow the selection and, with this in mind, we believe our website selection helps you focus. We understand that red and/or pink may not be the colors you and your Valentine particularly love. Apart from items featured on our site, here are some suggestions to conjure with:

• Mono-floral -an arrangement of one flower species- is popular. Almost any floral species in quantity is stunning, particularly stock flowers with a wonderful, feminine, perfume; Oriental lilies, such as Stargazer lilies, bring an air of sophistication to any room; hybrid delphinium are a statement in of themselves and there is “nothing” that exceeds the longevity of carnations which, when massed, can be so pleasing. Or what about “baby’s breathe” which, when massed by itself, is so romantic;
• Monochromatic arrangements in the recipient’s favorite color is a true way to show it is their love that counts;
• A classic, multi-floral arrangement using a choice selection from various floral species is an ageless firm favorite with the fair sex;
• Give your floral gift some edge with contemporary stylizing through dramatic color combinations and the use of an appropriate container;
• Roses are the ultimate in mono-floral arrangements at Valentine’s Day and an arrangement ordered directly with us will, we feel, be that special floral gift; or
• Phone us to discuss a unique design for your Valentine, making their day extra-special.

Do not forget temptations such as chocolates, balloons, photographic cards of flora by award-winning photographer Andy Small and even that true indulgence, fresh rose petals that we gift package especially for your valentine. These are all available when checking-out a purchase online or when ‘phoning in your order.

We ask you to consider:

• Valentine’s period is exceptionally busy for florists and advanced order placement helps, enormously;
• If you have a special request – lavender hybrid delphiniums are her favorite, for example – an order-early approach allows us to work with you to fulfill such inquiries;
• Ordering floral arrangements on-line with many national sites -often posing as local ones- usually involves supplemental fees termed “Handling” or similar and have nothing to do with the actual delivery of the flower arrangement. You are paying that site between $10-$20 for their privilege to charge your credit card. You may also run into the problem described in the opening paragraphs of this weblog;
• Several on-line sites involve courier companies making a delivery of cut flowers, often without a vase, to the recipient. You will look at an arrangement on-line but need to read the fine print to ascertain what you are ordering for the recipient: will she thank you if she has to “drop everything” and prepare and arrange flowers, something that can easily take an hour;
• Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday may involve additional handling fees for weekend delivery if you use some on-line sites, especially when a courier company makes the delivery.
• Watch for initial “teaser price” information. They might well look tempting but they are not called “teasers” for nothing when all the additional fees are revealed.

Simply written, all floral arrangements ordered with Medford Florist be it in person, over the phone or on-line with either of our websites, www.medfordflorist.com and www.medfordfloral.com, are arranged by experienced and trained designers.

Upon closing, with the uncertainty of weather and, particularly in case there is a “snow emergency”, when placing your order, the following delivery information is helpful:

To a residence

• A phone number is essential. A secondary number is helpful –if the primary number is a cell phone, what happens if the battery has died or it is switched off?

To a work address

• The provision of the name of the business;
• A phone number for the recipient’s residence as well as their business number; and
• While we are unable to assure a delivery time, the usual work hours of the recipient are necessary, please.

If you do not provide the information requested above this may delay the delivery of your order.

Why not consider having the delivery on the 11 th or 12 th February so your Valentine has the flowers the entire weekend, making it extra-special!

Our delivery area includes:

• Mount Laurel, 08054
• Hainesport, 08036
• Mount Holly, 08060
• Lumberton, 08048
• Southampton, Tabernacle and Shamong, all 08088
• Medford and Medford Lakes, both 08055
• Marlton, 08053

On behalf of Medford Florist & Gift Shop, I wish you a happy and loving Valentine’s Day –whatever the weather!

January 15, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

January this year has, so far, performed more or less as it should and the cold, snow and winds of winter remind and strongly indicate that indoors is the place to be. Just about the only good aspect of such weather is that we need the seasonal change to allow nature to prepare for the spring and summer beyond: all flora and fauna requires this cycle for the overall benefit of each species.

While the winter may rage outside, Medford Florist & Gift Shop will be delivering spring into people’s homes and places of work throughout the season, some of which are arranged through our floral standing order program. Have you considered having a regular delivery of flowers or plants to your or a relative’s home or their office to bring cheer? As numerous studies have shown, flowers in a home and in a work environment provide a charming and pleasurable atmosphere, one that is conducive to familial harmony at home and a productive working area at the office. All this begs the question, isn’t it time you put this to the test? Join many others and sign-up for a program structured around your wishes?

We create a program built for you as described below:

• You determine the frequency – weekly, monthly or quarterly;
• You select the product price – starting from $30.00 per delivery;
• You choose the product by contacting us to discuss what you are looking for. The product can be a floral requirement arranged in a vase…or flowering plants…the options are numerous;
• We offer arrangements on these programs such as “re-cycling” the vase/containers and so saving you money. Aspects, such as these, can be discussed when contacting us;
• You can provide your own hand-written card(s) to accompany the cycle of deliveries in another personalized aspect of this program; and
• Depending upon the nature of the program, payment terms are discussed.

Many of the recipients of the flora in these individually tailored programs are elderly persons - the oldest recipient being a marvelously sprightly 100 + year-old lady of great charm – who sincerely appreciate the continuing thought a relative shows towards them. The recipients take pleasure in the regular arrival of the flora and take great care looking after them as they brighten their day-to-day routine.

These flora programs are available for our local delivery area of nearly 300 square miles, an area that includes delivery to Mount Laurel (08054), Marlton (08053), Mount Holly (08060), Hainesport (08036), Lumberton (08048), Southampton (08088), Vincentown (08088), Tabernacle (08088), Shamong (08088) and Medford and Medford Lakes (08055).

Why not give this program as a present or, perhaps, treat yourself? To establish a program, e-mail Medford Florist through our Contact Us page or phone us. We look forward to hearing from you.

PS: And, if you think about it, by timing the standing order “just so” you could save yourself money around holiday periods such as Valentine’s or Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas: something else to conjure with!

January 1, 2010

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

As a New Year’s resolution you may wish to keep a record of this article: it may well become most purposeful and constructive!

The red rose’s symbolism of love is recognized around the world and down through the ages. Just where would any paramour be without the red rose? St. Valentine’s Day might as well be changed to Red Rose Day with more red roses being given this day than in many combined months of the year. Beyond undying love, the red rose also conveys respect and the creative spirit.

The white rose is known as the Bridal Rose and associated with young love, innocence, purity, humility, truth and reverence. The giving of white roses sends out the statement “I am worthy of you.”

Blending red and white together, you get pink. The pink rose symbolizes femininity, gentility, elegance and refinement. A hue of a deeper pink represents gratitude and appreciation. A pale pink symbolizes grace, admiration and happiness.

A yellow rose, once the by-word for jealousy and, to some, cowardice, now conveys the feelings of friendship, caring and unbridled joy. To many in the 21 st. Century there is nothing to match the warmth and pleasure a bouquet of yellow roses can give and bring.

The symbol of desire and enthusiasm can only mean one rose: an orange one. If you wish to send a message of attraction and/or admiration, you could do no better than give orange roses. These roses carry the under-lying message of allure, burning passion and excitement. To several the message of the orange rose is more than enough to place the red rose in the shadows.

The lavender rose represent love at first sight. Almost mystical in nature, this is the rose for enchantment: you can imagine Lancelot presenting Guinevere a single –or is that an armful of them? - lavender rose(s) and King Arthur posing the question “How To Handle A Woman?”

Mixing rose colors together can create new symbolism. Red and yellow transfers lightness and happiness; red and white means unity unless you are in the medical profession in Europe where it, sadly, represents death.

Yet we cannot end on a sad note. A single rose, regardless of color, means nothing but “I love you”, a sentiment as timeless as a rose.

Medford Florist stocks these rose colors and more throughout the year. Now do you have it in you to truly express you feelings?

Delivering in zip codes 08055, 08054, 08053, 08060, 08048 and 08088 we cover nearly 300 square miles, 6 days a week.

As I end this blog, I need to thank those customers who continue to purchase from us, those that voted us best florist in Burlington County and those that have just started to purchase from us. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and most certainly a prosperous 2010.

December 15, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

The countdown to Christmas is most certainly upon us and, before we know it, 2010 – a new decade for some- will have dawned!

Fresh flora has had a place at the seasonal festivities of December across the centuries, dating back before Christianity. There is nothing as refreshing as the scent of freshly cut seasonal foliage such as cedar, boxwood, a wealth of different firs and many others to put one in mind Christmas and holidays past and Medford Florist & Gift Shop offer baskets and centerpieces of this foliage as inexpensive fresh gifts that, if well cared for, may last through the traditional 12 days of Christmas.

We have wonderful poinsettia: wonderful because of the over-all size of the plants and that of the colored bracts. – the true flower being the tiny, almost corn kernel size, centers of the bracts. Grown specifically for us locally, our 8” size pot plants are truly glorious and proverbial heads and shoulders over the “tired” and “bruised” excuses at supermarkets and the like. Our 8” are approx. 25” tall and 32”+ in diameter…. some have been well over 40”. The 6” poinsettia are also large and a wonderful gift, perhaps for a neighbor or colleague at work.

We can create a special Christmas centerpiece especially for you, either for your table or as a gift. From the traditional with red and white flowers in amongst the evergreens to a contemporary twist perhaps with unusual protecea or leucadendron, orchids and ilex or, maybe, roses of a non-traditional color to correspond with a color theme you have in the house for this holiday. We have been voted Best Florist in the County by readers of the major, regional, newspaper and we strive to live up to the accolade each and every day. If you have something special in mind, do let us know and we will endeavor to accomplish this for you.

Our delivery service is sure to be of help to you this season. The local delivery area serves Medford, Medford Lakes, Lumberton, Hainesport, Mount Holly, Westampton, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Marlton, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Vincentown. These towns are represented by zip codes 08036, 08043, 08053, 08054, 08055, 08057 and 08060. We also arrange for flowers and gift baskets to be sent throughout the country or even to most parts of the world.

Regardless of where you are this year, the warmest of season’s greetings to you.

December 1, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

I trust that you had a good, thankful and hearty Thanksgiving last week with family and friends. The countdown to Christmas is now certainly on.

Main Street in Medford has their annual celebration of the season with the Dickens Festival on the evening of the 5 th December, a Saturday. A wonderful occasion year after year as the social event of the calendar, the shops and restaurants open ‘til late on Main Street. The roads are closed to traffic and Santa arrives in town, taking over the gazebo from 6pm; there is the gingerbread competition at the Cabinet Gallery; carol singers, assorted other choirs and ensembles throughout the area, the town crier, most in Victorian dress. A living nativity scene is played out at Tomlinson Park at the junction of S. Main and Allen Street; street stalls and so much more. Contrary to the initial weather forecasts, last year there was a light snowfall, helping to paint the perfect holiday picture: who knows what the weather will do this year. Medford Florist will be open and we shall be offering hot chocolate refreshment to those that visit us that evening and see our store and experience some of our floral creations and our wonderful, fresh, locally-grown poinsettia. The poinsettia, especially the large 8” potted ones, are simply stunning in color, form and size, making an ideal gift for a friend, colleague or as a “thank you” this holiday.

After what has been a challenging year for all, we are offering some seasonal specials in December prior to Christmas for those that visit Medford Main Street and come in our store. On offer are deluxe, natural, fresh Christmas wreaths created using a mix of quality seasonal greenery; quality fresh seasonal foliage door swags; natural, large, pine cone garlands, 8 feet long and baskets of fresh winter greens complete with evergreen and pine scents. So come one down and see these competitively priced specials along with our gorgeous, quality, poinsettia.

Inside at Medford Florist & Gift Shop, find holiday cheer with:

• Flowers that are, at all times, cheerful, up-lifting and something to smile about, whether you receive them or work with them;
• Plants for the season such as poinsettia or amaryllis can keep on “giving and giving” if a little care is taken;
• A selection of gifts from award winning Rosanna’s Imports, designer’s of cups, saucers, mugs all wonderfully presented in well designed and crafted gift packages;
• Numerous other gifts from candles to mouth-blown glass vases and vessels;
• Adorable and attitudinal soft toys from “Jelly Cats”, an increasingly popular yet slightly niche range that is English designed; and
• Choice gift baskets, which include fruit, gourmet or a mixture of the 2. The fruit and gourmet selection various based upon the season but, for December may include, depending upon the price, cheeses, salmon, pate, meats, crackers, chocolates et cetera.

There is usually adequate parking in the Medford (village) municipal parking lots adjacent to Main Street and the atmosphere in town is so much more seasonal and generally “happier” than in a strip mall and North and South Main Street have some great shops in “Heathers” and “For The Senses” for charming furnishings to quality antique perfume bottles: both are perfect treasure troves for gifts for ladies. There is the ever-popular “Bright Side of Life” for clothing and accessories from the line “Life is Good”. And, if you wish to take a break during your shopping, there is Braddock’s, Mulberry Tea House, Ted’s on Main and Bain’s to help you through the day.

If rushed or looking for a gift or token of “Thinking of You”, why not delve deeper into our websites, www.medfordflorist.com and www.medfordfloral.com and browse around. As I have written before, flowers and flora in general are a fabulous panacea for virtually any occasion and for either sex.

As a full service florist we can deliver for you, a tremendous advantage at this time of year, you have to admit! As a quick point of reference, our local deliveries cover approx. 300 square miles and include:

• Marlton - Zip code 08053
• Mount Laurel - Zip code 08054
• Moorestown - Zip code 08057
• Hainesport - Zip code 08036
• Mount Holly - Zip code 08060
• Westampton - Zip code 08060
• Lumberton - Zip code 08048
• Vincentown - Zip code 08088
• Southampton - Zip code 08088
• Tabernacle - Zip code 08088
• Shamong - Zip code 08088

We are also able to arrange deliveries to most parts of the USA, North America and more or less anywhere Santa goes if you want to beat him to it!

November 15, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Memories of November include fallen leaves, the closing in of the days, the colder nights –and days- and, when it rains, that autumnal scent in the air that tells one Thanksgiving is just around the corner – the 26th of November this year. As with many things in life, Thanksgiving seems to arrive quicker than ever as one pauses to think where the last 12 months went?

At Medford Florist & Gift Shop we have placed our order requirements for fresh-cut flowers for the Thanksgiving table and household decorations. The selection of flora conjures up the colors of the season: rich burgundy and dramatic “burnt orange” to robust cinnamon; popular bronze and copper, all manner of shades of yellow, contrasting hints of purple and the splendid hues of deep pinks are featured in our color palette.

We have retained in our repertoire the popular bronzed ceramic centerpiece bowl from Teleflora decorated with spray roses, leucadendron, chrysanthemum, and asters, completed with a pair of color coordinating taper candles. Traditional or contemporary, this piece is at home on your table. Afterwards, use the pedestal bowl for wrapped candy or other foods: this is a practical piece for the home or in a home office and, if sending as a gift, an excellent choice.

If you were looking for a more traditional piece, such as a cornucopia, or a truly contemporary item, or maybe a centerpiece for a cozy table or where the entire, extended, family is gathered around, we can create something that would stand proud, along with the turkey. We have a selection of ideas on our website for you to consider or phone us and discuss your requirements in detail.

Should you be visiting family or friends for Thanksgiving and looking for a perfect way to express your thanks for the invitation to the host and hostess, why not arrange to have a centerpiece delivered to them by us? Or, play it safe in case they have made arrangements for a centerpiece all ready, order a floral arrangement for elsewhere in their house for this all-important day? One helpful aspect of ordering flowers from a florist is the option of having your arrangement delivered in advance of your arrival will give you strong “brownie points” for your fore-thought and manners! After the Thanksgiving repast and your return home, why not show thanks to the hostess and host by sending them a floral piece? As I have written before and as countless surveys have shown, ladies truly appreciate the receipt of flowers and invariably re-call such acts, often well into the future. Further, as books on etiquette advise, the height of manners is to thank the hostess for her hospitality and, apart from a hand-written letter, the sending of flowers is a charming act.

Items featured on our website are available to order “24/7” or, why not, phone Medford Florist & Gift Shop during the day and we’d be sure to discuss with you your personal requirements. One thing we do ask though is that the more notice of your requirements you give us, the more we can assist by working to make sure that a specific flower, color or piece is still available.

When it comes to delivery to help you this Thanksgiving, we can arrange to send flowers, far and wide while our local delivery area serves Medford, Medford Lakes, Lumberton, Hainesport, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, Marlton, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Vincentown. These towns are represented by zip codes 08036, 08043, 08053, 08054, 08055, 08057 and 08060.

Regardless of where you are this year, we trust that you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

November 1, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

As the days grow shorter, the temperatures fall and we prepare for the arrival of winter, the thoughts of spring and summer dance in the minds of those preparing for their wedding.

Every bride has different dreams and wishes but one thing is certain, a late-spring wedding is the ideal, certainly in the Mid Atlantic region. For many, this means preparations for the nuptials are made in the several months proceeding.

Choosing your floral requirements is a particularly personal matter for the bride and, often, the groom. The flowers help set the atmosphere and adding the finishing touch to the bridal party, ceremony and reception. Some feel that the flowers should be chosen early whilst others wait to the last few weeks. Here are some tips I would suggest an engaged couple may wish to consider when choosing flowers for their wedding, all in an effort to obtain the best look and feel for as economical a price as possible:

• Best time for flora is when it is in season. The color, shape and form is often healthier and more vibrant;
• Seasonal flora is usually more abundant and prices for such items lower;
• Roses tend to be less expensive in July – October but there are exceptions – roses in autumnal colors for example. The reason for this is the pure economics of supply and demand;
• Roses in February are expensive as are other popular “Valentine’s” flora;
• Weddings around the main floral holidays – “Mother’s Day” for example - are often more expensive because of the higher price from wholesalers and growers of flowers due to the economics of supply and demand. Labor is another factor and qualified, trained, staff are often difficult to have in sufficient quantity to work on “Mother’s Day” flowers and wedding work;
• Having floral arrangements “multi-task” can work wonders for the budget. Floral arrangements for the ceremony may serve a further purpose at the reception or subsequent event;
• Ask your florist for less expensive alternative flowers from the ones you think you would like. Depending upon the flower, there could be all manner of equally talented under-studies available at lower prices; and
• Certain designs and arrangements involve costly containers, forms and may require more labor than other concepts. Ask the florist for suggestions and if there are alternatives for, you never know, a centerpiece designed in one manner may cost considerably more than a similar one by changing a few elements.

Other ideas and suggestions exist and will depend upon the wishes of the bride and groom-to-be. The time to do this is when you are meeting with the florist in a consultation. Medford Florist & Gift Shop offer no-charge consultations but we do ask that you allow approximately 90 minutes, depending upon the scale of the wedding, and that you phone and make an appointment first so that we can arrange a mutually convenient time so that we can devote our time discussing your wedding dreams. When making the appointment also allows the opportunity for us to gather general information about the wedding, favorite colors, any theme, location et cetera and so give us the chance to ponder and do some provisional research in an effort to provide you with a most constructive consultation.

You may wish to browse the sub-sections of our Wedding category on this website by looking under the section in the category marked “Wedding Gallery” for a taste of flowers from a few recent weddings.

We have been delighted to work with brides and grooms that have held their weddings from “next door” at Braddock’s in Medford to locations in Princeton and down by the Jersey shore/coast. The wedding may involve but a few or be do several hundred; it could involve work at multiple locations such as the bride’s house, a place of worship for the ceremony and at the reception location or it may be all at one, be it one of the many popular local function rooms/premises or in your backyard. Our experience has trained us to be prepared and understand the wishes of the marrying couple on this, their day.

October 15, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

Convenience is something we all crave for. We think of large shopping locations as palaces or areas of great convenience and shopping on-line is the 21 st. century ultimate convenience. Yet, stop to ponder: are they all that they seem, especially in this “interesting” economic climate?

A shopping mall or cluster of large chain stores has much going for it, especially choice. The drawbacks though are significant, particularly in the Holiday season. How easy is it to park? In fact, how much has it cost you to get there and then park? You then walk “miles” –perhaps an actual one or more- and spend time queuing with your purchase(s), should you find something: hardly convenient, is it? And the crowds with the associated “background” noise and, no doubt, a steady build-up of frustration and general tiredness. If you happened to buy flowers during your slog through the hallowed halls of retail, have the flowers you purchased a water tube to each stem to provide essential sustenance. Did they survive the ordeal back to the car? Did you?

Real convenience is shopping on-line: log on from home at 3pm or 3am and place an order. But, when it comes to flowers, what are you actually paying? If you went to one of those order gatherers, those that promote their “1-800” number and claim to be in what seems every other town in the nation, you will, invariably, be stuck with a an average $14 or higher handling fee. Often they claim the fee for a florist-designed arrangement is for delivery, a statement that may make a politician’s advertisement accurate in comparison. In the flower delivery industry, any party claiming a florist delivers the flowers for them free is not acting honestly: what the “1-800” businesses charge as a service and/or handling fee is what they keep plus a portion of what they advertise as the cost of the flowers. How convenient (and truthful) are those additional fees?

You could visit a local supermarket in the Mid-Atlantic region and, undoubtedly, stumble across their flower department. An up-market supermarket group in the Mid-Atlantic region does have imaginative arrangements for sale in their supermarkets, which incidentally have been sitting out since they were made sometimes 72 hours or longer ago. However, ask for a customized arrangement, you have to provide a minimum of 3 weeks notice and delivery costs between $17.00 and $25.00: supermarkets are clearly not really structured to make personal deliveries! All this means that at this chain, should you want to send your Boss an arrangements for Bosses Day -the 16 th October- you will have need to make this plan around the 24 th of September!

Then there is the supermarket group in the Delaware – New York region that assures one that shopping with them is just “rite”. They have attractively priced flowers that, you guessed it, have been out in the open air for “24/7” making one wonder how long will they survive once you have done your round of chores and labored with the day and arranged them yourself? Alternatively, visit their website, provide around 7 days notice depending upon when you would like it delivered and pay a FedEx delivery fee of $13.50: now, when did you last see a FedEx delivery person bring you anything but a box with their contents? Hardly the way to deliver flowers is it. And then you can “drop everything” and prepare the flowers and make the arrangement – inconvenience in a box is more like it?

Oh, and the above 2 supermarket chains –and numerous other websites make the claim “Fresh from the fields to your home/office/et cetera”. Stop and think how ridiculous is that: 99.99% of all flora in any retail environment has, once cut or picked, to be processed to allow it to travel from the “field” to the retail location. This also includes airfreight, often through customs, and then truck haulage and, for the larger organizations, to a distribution center and storage and then out to the individual location. Claims of fresh from the field or direct from the field are not allowed in Europe, for example, as they are not the truth. Somehow, here in the USA, people making such claims get away with such falsehoods.

Shopping for flowers from 1-800 websites, supermarkets (and their sites) is not, after all, truly convenient, often laced with numerous add-ons and hardly fresh.

For real convenience, pick-up the phone and call (609) 654 8338 or 1-800-295-4576: it costs you nothing to make the call. We will not necessarily ask you for 24 hours notice for your arrangement or even 7 or 21 days; we will not deliver using a delivery company that usually handles documents or make parcel deliveries to offices; there is no handling fee –which is what 1-800s or “order gatherers” charge- for local delivery: a delivery fee as high as those supermarkets charge.

For tried and tested, real convenience, call Medford Florist & Gift Shop. If you stop by, order a custom arrangement and wish to wait a few minutes while we make this up for you, we’ll even offer you a cup of freshly made, just for you, hot cocoa with –or without- added flavors and tempting whipped cream!

And remember, Bosses Day on the 16 th October –with the economy looking akin to a F5 hurricane blew through; you may need to soften up the boss as much as possible!

Our local delivery area covers zip codes including 08002, 08003, 08034, 08036, 08043, 08048, 08053, 08054, 08055, 08060 & 08088. This covers Cherry Hill, Hainesport, Voorhees, Lumberton, Marlton, Mt. Laurel, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mt. Holly, Westampton, Southampton, Shamong, Tabernacle and Vincentown.

October 1, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

I have written in the past how various university and academic studies have highlighted the role flora plays in mental stimulation and well-being. At the approach of Rosh Hashanah on the 19th of September I had the privilege to have a conversation with a lady who was receiving a floral arrangement from her children. This remarkable lady, a survivor of the Holocaust, said something most interesting as we talked about various matters. To her, considering such circumstances, absolute essentials in life are flowers and music for, after the maelstrom that was World War II, flowers are the oxygen of life, feeding & nourishing her soul.

After that, it is almost a case of “back to the mundane”…. Main Street in Medford will be having the annual Scarecrow competition on the 10 th of October. Details for entries and participation are available from the Historic Medford Village Association website, www.hmva.org. Meanwhile, on the same day, there is the Apple Festival at Kirby’s Mill, just north of Route 70 here in Medford and the Medford Historical Society organizes this event. If the weather is a typical southern New Jersey early Fall day, it should be dry and pleasant so come on down that morning.

Autumn is a favorite time of year for many with the usually temperate weather and the miraculous colors of the season. “Mums” and daisies are particularly popular in this season for, as cut flowers, they are available in all manner of yellows, “bronze”, orange, red and rust-like shades of brown. There are roses, gerbera daisies and lilies, all in dazzling autumnal hues and “accent flora” such as hypericum, Japanese asters, leucadendron, alstroemeria, all finished with design touches of, perhaps, wheat, millet, barley, preserved foliage and/or gourds. Although the seasonal colors are truly wonderful, sometimes it is the “contrasting” color through the use of purple statice, for example, or the “limey” green found in “green spider Mums” or Bells-of-Ireland that make the arrangement splendid with the vibrancy of the colors, differing texture and form of the flora working in unison.

Being a full-service florist, we do deliver and our local delivery area includes:

• Medford and Medford Lakes, Zip 08055;
• Mount Laurel , Zip 08054;
• Marlton, Zip 08053;
• Moorestown , Zip 08057;
• Cherry Hill , Zips 08002, 08003 & 08034;
• Hainesport, Zip 08036;
• Mt. Holly, Zip 08060;
• Lumberton , Zip 08048; and
• Vincentown, Southampton, Shamong & Tabernacle, all Zip 08088.

Have a good October and, remember, fresh flowers work wonders for the spirit.

September 15, 2009

Posted By Simon Iredale, Owner

You know flowers are a wonderful gift…for yourself? Yes, that’s right, for you!

A good many people view shopping as a perfect tonic or “Pick you up” yet in these uncertain economic times, you might decide that what usually stimulates you is just a touch extravagant and, yet, you need something to help you face the world.

The Swiss and Dutch, not to mention large swathes of the people in Europe, gift and buy for themselves many more cut flowers than people in the US. The Dutch, often seen as a frugal national group, spend more than double on flora than the average American. They clearly know what research keeps re-enforcing and florists have known for years: flowers cheer both the giver and the recipient. Further, the general public views people who give flowers as a noticeable cut above the rest of the populace. Now, I am not suggesting that being both the giver and receiver in this instance you will have “double” the benefits, but it all certainly points to you feeling better.

Should you be looking for flowers, contact a local florist. If you do not know your local florist, look on the Internet through your favorite search engine or in the phone book. Please though be careful and do not use the floral “order gatherers” who merely take your order and charge you a handling fee for it –sometimes as high as $20.00- before passing it off to a randomly chosen florist. When looking on-line, check that the florist/company gives a specific street address –our address is 31 S. Main St., Medford, NJ 08055- for many “order gatherers” provide a so-called address by giving simply the desired town’s name. If in doubt, phone the florist/company and ask them where they are and, if you know the area in question, ask the person where they are in relation to “x”.

When phoning do feel free to discuss your requirements and ideas as to what to gift or, if after receiving flowers, you may have care questions and we’ll endeavor to answer these for you. Our ‘phone number in Medford is (609) 654 8338.

For deliveries 6 days a week, our local delivery area includes Medford and Medford Lakes, zip 08055; Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle & Vincentown, zip 08088; Mt. Holly & Westampton, zip 08060; Lumberton, zip 08048; Hainesport, zip 08036; Mount Laurel, 08054 and Marlton, zip 08054.

PS: Remember to visit our “Special Offers” page for information on our “Go Green” offers and our weekly specials.