Blog entries

Mighty ‘Mato good for Colorado

Brian Wheat — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:14:24 +0100

Describe something as stronger, faster, and able to fend off foes, and most people think of caped crusaders in brightly colored tights. Toss in a “and their tomatoes are amazing!” and you’re written off as talking to adolescent boys and Boris Vallejo fans. But one look at the performance of this year’s hot new product, and you’ll be tempted to try a Read More...

Colorful Annuals: The Flower Garden Workhorse

Brian Wheat — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:26:53 +0100

I love to talk about annuals. They’re colorful and long lasting. I like to call them the “workhorses” of the flower garden. Planted after the last frost in your geographical area, they will give you joy all season while providing shades of every color of the rainbow.

It is quite rewarding to start your seeds indoors and a great feeling of accomplishment. Visiting your favorite garden center and selecting the flowers, vegetables and herbs you'll grow for the upcoming season really tends to bring out your indoor farmer gene. We all had forefathers that were working the Earth to grow crops to feed anRead More...

The Poinsettia...the most beautiful, misunderstood holiday plant.

Brian Wheat — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:03:05 +0100

Year after year, I am told by my customers they would love to get a poinsettia, but they are poisonous, "and I have kids and pets." THIS IS A MYTH. The wonderful Christmas plant (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today, and shows NOT to be toxic to either humans or animals. Now, I know your Mom said, " she heard " they are poisonous. Sorry, Mom, a 1971 study at Ohio State University debunked the rumor that started way back in 1919 in Hawaii. The misdiRead More...

It's Time to plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Color!

Brian Wheat — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:55:49 +0100

Remember those beautiful tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus that were blooming in the spring? Believe it or not, now is the time to plant the bulbs for next spring’s bloom. You’ll be glad you planted them. When those flowers emerge in the spring from their winter slumber, it is truly magical. Let me share with you a short history on tulip bulbs, and Read More...

Thinking outside the box... the window box that is! Having fun with colorful patio pots !

Brian Wheat — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:31:18 +0100

In this day and age, there are so many of us that have downsized. Our "gardening area" has diminished to a deck, porch or small patio. The days of you coming home from work to a huge chore of back breaking weeding, dead heading, dragging the hose around and harvesting the fruits of our laRead More...

The amazing hummingbird and the plants they love !!!

Brian Wheat — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:06:37 +0100

In our world of flowers and plants, we sometimes forget just how much Mother Nature is the boss in all aspects of flora and fauna. How flowers and plants and their relationships with us and animals affect the world around us. From fruit and vegetable production to erosion control, plants and animals are the essential part of the building blocks of life on this planet.

WOW, that sounds really quite heavy, but oh, so true. We need to understand the relationsRead More...

Blooming Plants...

Brian Wheat — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:51:55 +0100

Blooming plants...when you think about them, we normally visualize a nice yellow mum in a hat basket with a cheerful bow and a card that says a sentiment appropriate for the occasion. Sweet, but lacks pizzazz. There are now a huge variety of "bloomers" that can really make that gift have a "wow" impact. Traditional flower arrangements, are an excellent gift, we ALL feel the positive impacted of flowers, the sense of happiness, how they make us smile and just feel better about everRead More...

Spring 2011 is upon us !!!

Brian Wheat — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:14:33 +0100

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 CouturRead More...

Valentine's Day, then Spring, is just around the corner.

Brian Wheat — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:51:58 +0100

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,Read More...

Happy New Year 2011 from all of us at Lafayette Florist!

Brian Wheat — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:42:27 +0100

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 cleaniRead More...

Hey there Garden Lovers.

Brian Wheat — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:14:29 +0100

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 tRead More...

Getting Ready for A Great Spring....

Brian Wheat — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:41:31 +0100

Getting Ready for A Great Spring.... Just got back from Society of American Florist's, Congressional Action Days in Washington, DC. Lori and I talked to legislators on issues that affect our family business and our industry. I hope our voices in Congress will ensure that our elected officials see how their votes make a difference to the people who got them there...we'll see.