I'd like to introduce a new, up and coming, horticultural brand called, "Hort Couture". A unique collection of annuals, tropical's, succulents, grasses, herbs and vegetables. They're fashionable, sophisticated and easy to grow. A high fashion  series of plants that gives you a WOW and NOW excitement in the garden. Hort Couture has partnered with breeders, propagators, growers, independent retailers to bring you this never seen before group of plants. There is quite a buzz in our industry and we look forward to sharing it with you, our dedicated Lafayette Florist gardeners !!! There's Calibrachoas, Verbenas and Coleus. Herbs of Basil and eight new varieties of Tomatoes. Our Hort Couture plants will begin arriving in mid to late April, see you at the greenhouse, The Flower Guy

Below is New, up and coming, horticultural brand called, "Hort Couture"

A wonderful time when love is in the air and flowers are sent to the ones we care about. Flowers=Happiness !!!  Not only at holidays, but year around. Almost every month there is a day on the calendar which flowers are part of a celebration, a birthday, an anniversary, a  new birth, or even a tribute to a family member or friend that has passed on. Flowers touch our lives...throughout our lives. I fondly remember my youth, growing up in Central Illinois on the farm, all the flowers, the smell of fresh cut grass, iris and day lilies, blooming fruit trees, rhubarb patches, grape vines, Frisbees lost in the monster junipers, hedge-apple rows and my Mother's flower/vegetable garden. Weeding the strawberry patch and remember sights and smells of the harvesting and "canning" the fruits of her labor with paraffin and glass Ball jars in the kitchen. We had fresh veggies year around, how lucky we were and didn't realize it.  I now, as a young 50 year old, never knew how much those memories would mean to me. To this day, my family back home, is still stunned and shocked that I turned out to be, "The Flower Guy". I reminisce about how I walked beans, detassled corn and bucked hay, my connections to the plant world were being rooted and cultivated...and I never even knew it. I do remember though, I enjoyed the smell of the carnation pinned to my football jersey during pep rallies,  the fragrance and style of the rose boutonniere on the lapel of a yellow tux at prom and how excited the girls would get when they carried  their nosegays of fresh flowers at dances and Homecoming. Later in life, as a Sergeant in the Air Force, at my own wedding, how beautiful my bride looked as flowers invaded and adorned the Church and Reception.  I couldn't have imagined anything that spectacular.  I think we all have fond memories of flowers. How they have played a role in our lives. At this time of Valentine's Day and Spring, I'd love to hear your stories, memories and thoughts about your flowers and how they inspired and impacted your life. Drop in on Face Book to our page and share...it is very therapeutic...it was for me, thanks for listening and going on my journey down flower road. The Flower Guy

This year we will celebrate our 62ND year of flowers and gardening in Boulder County. I'd like to personally thank all of you for your support and loyalty to our family business and tell you how much your continued support means to us. The flower shop is already looking springy with new product arriving weekly. We are cleaning, pruning and sprucing up the garden center with fresh green plants and bloomers. Craig, our head grower, is getting in seed to start your tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables that will be ready, when you're ready, to get outside in the early spring. You are probably getting gardening catalogs and checking things out on the Web to make this years flower and vegetables gardens, not only beautiful, but bountiful !!!  I've got on board with Welby Gardens to bring you a fabulous new line of upscale and unusual and unique plants that will be available in our Garden Center called, "Horte Coutre". I'm always traveling and scouting out new plants and product to make your gardening experience, not only fun, but new and fresh with color, texture and style. We love that we are able to partner with you on our recycle program and cause gardening. One last note...I've designed a new fun product that combines my art and flowers called, " WALLFLOWER " , please stop in and tell me what you think !!!  Mid April , we'll have an educational weekend of classes, start jotting down your questions and concerns and we'll be there to give you solutions and answers !!! See you soon, The Flower Guy !!!

Hey there Garden Lovers....it has been a heck of a season !!!  Rain, cold temps, hail, dry hot winds, storms and alittle bit of everything. Our plants, lawns, veggies and flowers have certainly had to adapt to many different conditions....but that's gardening in Colorado. I believe there is going to be more of the same this summer. Dealing with all the different weather patterns and conditions is what makes us better farmers. Learning micro climates and where to plant and how to change the soil to achieve greater production is the learning curve in becoming gardeners in our environment. I would love to hear of your challenges and victories this season. Photos of what did well and what didn't. Stories of gardening in our Colorado. Maybe, old wives tales that worked and why. Join us at Facebook and tell your story.  I would also like to invite you to our 11th Annual Lafayette Peach Festival in Old Town, Aug 21st, 2010, 9am-4pm. Over 30,000 lbs. of scrumptious, fresh, freestone certified organic peaches !!! There will be great music, antiques, arts and crafts and food booths. Kids activities at the Festival Plaza and Farmer's Market. Bonfils Blood Drive and More !!! Free Admission !!!  The main stage will be located at Lafayette Florist...see you there !!! Thank you for supporting your hometown business !!! The Flower Guy.

It's late Feb and things are rockin' and growin' at the greenhouses. Lots of seeding going on and can almost hear the geraniums rooting...because they're so happy that warmer days are ahead and they will be going home with you in a few months. There are hundreds, maybe thousands by the time you read this,of tomato plants looking good. New varieties along with the old time tried and true favs. We just got in a new shipment of fresh Herbert's Herbs and everything you could need for starting your own seedlings. Also, fresh Lucky bamboo and new bonsai plants. Very cool Volcano plants and Orchids. In a few weeks, we'll have seed potatoes, onion sets, and all the cool weather starts you need. Did I mention the some Primrose and cold hardy Pansies are at the greenhouse and were asking where you've been all winter !?!  Come in and see us and look for the new feature on this site, you will see almost daily updates and photos of the florist and garden center as they occur !!! See you at the Greenhouse...Enjoy !!!! The Flower Guy

Things are happening at the greenhouses as we grow forward into our 61st year. Over 20,000 geraniums are and will be rooting, petunias around 60 varieties, flats and flats of Bacopa, Lobelia, Allysum, Gazanias and Marigolds, just to name a few. Semi truck loads of Potting Soils by Fertilome and Black Gold are arriving. Right after Valentine's Day trucks of Organic product from Fox Farms and huge quantities of pottery will arrive. Spring will be here in flash, it's time to start thinking about the garden and all its wonders for the upcoming season. Vegetables will be on the top of many gardeners list. This year we are growing over 5,000 tomatoes in different sizes. Starters in 2 1/2" pots and more mature plants in gallon pots. There will be over 25 varieties to choose from !!! This year we are growing four types of Heirloom Tomatoes. Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Yellow Pear and Black Krim. So start jotting down your wish list and we'll see you in a few months. Enjoy, The Flower Guy

Hey Gardeners....where did the year go ??? It's hard to believe that 2010 is here,it just seems like yesterday we were all worried about Y2K. That was a decade ago, really, are you kidding me???

I'm already getting in new seed packets for the upcoming spring season. Supplies will be pouring in over the next few months. New organic products, Black Gold and Fertilome soils and specialty potting mixes. I've found a new source for pottery, new styles and colors. Many new perennials, groundcovers and vines from Monrovia Nurseries. The hand selected varieties of rose bushes from Weeks and Jackson Perkins. Look for early spring classes on many topics that will help you plan, design and  enjoy your garden.We are starting to seed many plants at the greenhouse.  Geranium cuttings are coming in next week. Stop by and see us. Thanks for your support as we venture into our 61st gardening season at Lafayette Florist. See you at the garden center, The Flower Guy

Just returned from Colorado State University and spent time evaluating new and improved poinsettias. The plants were amazing. Over 75 varieties to grade on bract and leaf color, bract and leaf form, cyathia and bract size,branching, leave counts and vigor. I know all true gardeners and plant lovers alike would love to have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these Euphorbias !!! The evaluators are growers, breeders and retailers in the flower industry. Dr Steven E. Newman, Phd, AAF, was a wonderful host, as usual. He is the Grnhse Crops Extension Specialist and Professor of Floriculture at CSU. The greenhouses are located in Fort Collins on campus @ the W.D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center. Back to the plants, great new colors of cinnamon, fire, blushes and apricot. Many of the plants will make it to market in a few years, some won't. Trials are important for plant breeders, such as, Ecke, Syngenta and Dummen , to get feedback from the growers and retailers to steer the market with the best colors, performance and to help know what the savvy consumers want. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to drive north an hour and give time and input into our industry's future. We are fortunate to have CSU, Dr. Newman, John Ray and student growers like Drew to ensure the greenhouse business will not only survive, but thrive !!!

Fall has settled into the Rockies. It means time to clean out those tired flower beds, plant color such as tulips, crocus and daffs for next springs splash of renewal. Planting groups of pansies over them to help protect and stand guard in the upcoming wintery days. And maybe a nice mulch to keep them warm and moist. Rose collars, tree wrap and lawn winterizer are the order of the day and stop by the florist and enjoy a stroll in the fresh flower cooler to see falls impact on the designs. The gift gallery is getting ready for the Holidays as well, never too early to start getting those Christmas gifts and decorations ready for the Most Wonderful Time of The Year !!! In the past month or so, traveling, learning and buying has been on our list of things to do. Lori and I went to SAF, Society of American Florist, conference in Phoenix. An opportunity to network, rub elbows with the top Florist and Educators in our industry. Took in many seminars to help us run our business better and open us up with new ideas and thoughts on marketing and social networking. The top Growers from around the world ship in new cut flower varieties and they are judged and awarded for their incredible contributions. Retailers and Wholesalers alike, share their stories of our industry and we grow from those experiences. Lori was voted in as Retail Council Director for SAF and I was given the honor of being inducted to AAF, The Academy of American Floriculture. I've just returned from the Fall Booking Show hosted by my friends at Gard'n Wise. A great day of golf in a driving sleet storm , then it was time to get down to work. Selecting products for all your gardening needs. Organics were the focus once again, along with time saving and ease of use products being at the forefront of customers wants and needs. From potting soil to garden tools, new and seasoned vendors show their wares with enthusiasm and hope for a great spring and summer season 2010. A chance to talk and share tales of season's past, what works, what's best for our customers and how we are going to keep our gardeners excited about our Nations #1 leisure time activity. Last, but not lest, keep your eyes out on the road to spot our newest delivery vehicle, a 2010 xB Scion. A cute little number, that truly believes in "Delivering Happiness" with its coat of sunflowers, it's sure to bring a smile to your face, Thanks for letting me blog and as always, see you at the greenhouse, Brian