Sending Flowers to the Hosptial

Sending flowers to a loved one who is in the hospital is a great way to show them you care, and brighten up their stay! Here are some guidelines to make your floral decision easier:

{1} Intensive Care: People that are in intensive care, transplant units, or have any sensitivity issue usually cannot receive fresh flowers due to health and safety concerns. However, they can be delivered once the patient is moved to a regular room. 

{2} Vases: We recommend using glass vases when sending flowers to the hospital so that people can easily see when the water is getting low, and keep the flowers fresh for longer!

{3} Dish Gardens: Plants and dish gardens may be a better choice for someone who is in the hospital for a longer stay.

{4} Regulations: There are “Hippa” Regulations that prevent florists and other third parties from obtaining the home address of patients if they are discharged. 

{5} Shorter Stays: Hospital stays are generally shorter these days, so when choosing flowers, think of a low profile vase that can easily be transported home!

 

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Fall Gardens

Fall is right around the corner.  Get ready for changing leaves, pumpkins galore, and gardening fun.  Robin will take us on a trip with some of her best vegetable gardening tips and fun facts:

{1} Break on through to the other side: There is a wondrous, dark side to gardening…root plants and tubers! Below my blooming Zinnias, Sunflowers and out of control tomatoes are colorful treasures all tucked away in the darkness. In Rochester, we can grow root plants like radishes, turnips, onions and garlic. 

{2} Sleep with one eye open: Potatoes win for easiest tuber. Even the kids like harvesting the potatoes. Every flipped pitchfork reveals a surprise quantity and assorted sizes of these veggies.

{3} Ground control to major Tom: In 1995 the potato was the first veggie grown in space!

{4} Just beet it, beet it!: On to my favorite, the beet. The ruffly foliage is streaked with raspberry veins and serves as a great garnish,salad green or cooked down like spinach. In our modern varieties they are usually round, happy little power houses of vitamins and minerals. Ruby red, but can be yellow, white or striped, the beet has been used medicinally since before they “walked like an Egyptian”.

{5} Care for some carrots?: Pooh’s friend, Rabbit, showed he had a brain and not “fluff” when guarding his carrots with such anxiety. Carrots are easy to plant and require little care. They are very rewarding and put the watered down, store bought carrots to shame. They have a sometimes sweet to bitter, full taste and you can harvest at your own leisure depending on size you want. The larger the carrot the more bitter. Carrots are also easy to store for use later in the season.

{6} Can you dig it: With a rototiller or good shovel, the soil can be turned enough to make harvesting your underground treasures much easier and allows for easy hand weeding to avoid damaging the roots and tubers. There are many varieties of roots not even mentioned so find what works for your home.

Robin wants to remind you that gardening is your thing…do whatcha wanna do!

Best Teacher Contest

It’s almost back to school time!  This means we want you to nominate the teacher who has made a difference in your education.  So while your busy finishing up summer reading, getting back to school supplies, and enjoying the last bit of summer, take a moment to recognize that special teacher in your life.

Simply post on our Facebook page wall by Sunday August 31 to place your entry.  Include the teachers name, school, and what made them special as a teacher.  Rockcastle staff will select the best teachers for Rochester & Canandaigua, and will send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to them the first week of school.  We can’t wait to hear all about your favorite teachers!

 

Fall Weddings

Having a fall wedding?  Maybe you’re just looking for some inspiration for your big day?  Why not “fall in love” with these beautiful ideas fit for an autumn affair!

{1} Plum: Plum is showing up everywhere this year for fall.  Pair this muted tone with metallics, a traditional fall orange, or a bold cobalt blue.  Each of these color combinations can create the prefect fall look for you!​

 

{2} Candle Light: Candles will be important to add warmth to your fall wedding. They can be used to accent floral centerpieces, or be used as the main detail, floating in a vase with branches or fall bloom. 

{3} Natural Add-Ons: Adding pheasant feathers, branches, or even tiny pumpkins and gourds are great additions to stunning fall wedding bouquets.  It will be the unique touch your guests haven’t seen before.

{4} Installations: Whether you are saying “I Do” under a beautiful archway of branches and autumn leaves, or have a stunning floral arrangement on the place card table, installations are a great way to achieve the perfect fall feel on your big day.

{5} Fall Head Wreath: A major trend for weddings this season is the floral head wreaths. Add a fall flair by using traditional fall colors, and add in metallics or natural elements to fit your theme.

 

Simba, This Years Cutest Pet

Congratulations to Simba, this year’s cutest pet!  With 311 likes, 37 share, and  11 comments, we are so happy that this cute kitten was also supported by G.R.A.S.P.  What a great tie in!  Here’s a little more about Simba from owners Rachel and Adam:

• Name: Simba
• Age: 2
• How long have you had your pet? 2 years. We adopted Simba from GRASP after they rescued him from a sewer. After we got Simba he became very ill and was rushed to the animal emergency. His vet bills were over $1,000.00 but GRASP paid the ENTIRE bill! Simba is now happy and healthy, only thanks to their donation! We chose the picture we did because this was right after Simba was released from the animal hospital. He was happy and playful. We would not have been able to keep Simba without GRASP! We are forever grateful.
• What is your pet’s favorite activity? Snuggling and sleeping on our pillows
• What is your pet’s favorite toy? Scratching post
• Where is your pet’s favorite place to visit? Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Sundays
• Does your pet have a favorite treat?  Cheezy middles. By: Temptations Treats

With 285 likes, 44 comments, and 40 shares, we also award Ella Bleu the “Rockcastle Fave”.  Congrats!