Flowering Branches = Spring

Quince are the next flowering branches to become available.  They come in white and pink and there are rare red ones that never seem to make it away from the coasts.  The quince have spiky thorns so handle carefully and they open us and hold for a decent amount of time.  Plan ahead with them so that they are open when you need them to be their prettiest.  They are here from now until about Mother's Day.  They look really beautiful with french tulips and lilies for a sleek and clean long lasting arrangement.  As with all flower arrangements, use a floral preservative and change the water regularly.  Giving a fresh cut every few days can also extend the life of all flowers and branches. 

Flowering Forsythia Branches

This time of year here in #Aspen, CO, spring is a way off for us.  We have many snow storms  ahead of us.  So when the flowering branches start to become available we embrace the little bit of the outdoors that remind us that it will be spring here once again!  The forsythis branches are the 1st to start, followed by quince and then other like cherry as the season progresses.  Give the branches some time to open if you are planning an event.  They open slowly at the beginning of their season and then faster and faster near the end of their season.  By Memorial Day they are all prett much gone.  So enjoy them between now and then.

Citrus in winter

In January, thoughts of spring being on the way start to enter my mind as we survie the uber cold days here in the Rocky Mountains in Aspen.  We take down our trees, make new year resolutions and clean out the house a bit.  Citrus scents are perfect this time of year as they symbolize fresh and clean.  I ran across this citrus wreath that is a pretty and festuve way to bring some floral citrus into your home for January.  We can create citrusy arrangements for your home as well!  Spring flowers are in in great oranges yellows and greens.  Things like acacia, mimosa , tulips, daffodils, freesia.    Join in the fun of celebrating sunny citrus in January!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching!

As you think of Valentine's Day plans in Aspen, we have you covered with the perfect gifts!  We have great bath products from Lollia for a romantic night for 2 and chocolates, truffles or smores for two, to go along with your gorgeous flowers and dinner plans!   Call early to reserve your flowers for your sweetheart!  970-920-6912, mtflower@sopris.net   It is Thursday this year and we will book up for Thursday delivery!

Fresh vs. Faux Chrsitmas Trees and Greens

As Christmas approaches every year, the debate of whether or not to have a fresh or a faux tree surfaces and we all wonder about our choices and what is best for our world.  The consensus is the best choice is a live tree that can then be planted outdoors if you can keep it alive all winter and or have space in your yard for it to grow into a healthy mature tree!  2nd is a  tree that came from a tree farm that has been sustainnably planted and harvested.  I love a great Fraser fir for it wonderful fragrance, great shape and sturdy limbs for some of my favorite ornaments.  A plastic faux tree is the last and most unfreindly for the enviorment.  Only go there is you absolutely have to! 
Once your tree is up and decorated, it is a great idea to take a picture of it.  It is always fun to change things up every year and this can be done easily and it is fun to change the theme a bit.  Even just adding a simple element and approximately 12 - 20 of them can have a dramatic impact.  Merry Christmas!

It is -17 degrees celsius here today at 6am.  I have to take my dog for a walk everyday, usually I am thrilled to be outside.  However today a little less so.  Even so, as I wander out bundled and wrapped so much that I can hardly walk, I still see the beauty in our surroundings.  The colors and textures that are out there are truly amazing and varied.  There are all  shades of greens in the evergreens, spruce and fir forests here in Aspen, CO.  The textures of the grasses, cones and branches are really truly diverse and beautiful.  I cannot believe how many shades of beige and brown there are.  And the new fallen snow is so pretty and powdered sugar like, you want to eat it.  I need to go make a winter arrangement.  So thank you Rosie for needing a walk so that I can see all of this beauty even on a -17 day here in the Rocky  Mountains !