Easter Flowers Announce Spring

Easter is such a fun time for flowers because spring showcases such amazing flowers that are only available locally, and for just a short time. After the cold and gray tones of winter, the colorful and soft pallets of spring colors are welcome. We love using these local flowers in our Easter flower arrangements. Pussy willow, anemones, ranunculus and tulips scream “Spring is here”!

The whole spring season and Easter in particular represents renewal and new life. As the first bulbs begin to burst from the soil, so too does the hope for warmer days and garden planting. We take nature’s lead and are inspired every day with spring’s bounty.

Easter Coloring Contest

Do you remember the good ole’ days when there used to be local coloring contests for all the holidays? I miss those days so we are reviving the coloring contest this year for Easter! Kids can use their creative magic to turn the coloring page of the Easter Basket of Beauty arrangement into a work of art. Art mediums can include crayons, markers, paint, glitter…the sky’s the limit. HAVE FUN!! The winning entries (2 age categories see below) receive a coloring gift basket and the beautiful “Basket of Beauty” flower arrangement just in time for Easter.

Download your coloring page here: easter coloring picture pdf

Rules & Guidelines:

Entry Information:

• Entry Information:
• Artist’s First & Last Name
• Age
• Name, Contact Phone Number & email for Parent

Eligibility:

There will be two age categories for entries and one winner within each age category. Ages 3-6 and ages 7-11.

Details:

Entries for the contest must be received by April 16. The winner for each category will be chosen April 18 and the parents notified by phone. Prizes will be awarded at Dandelions Flowers & Gifts with pictures taken.

Coloring Contest Entries can be snail mailed or dropped off to Dandelions Flowers & Gifts 1710 Chambers St. Eugene, OR 97402,  or scanned in and emailed to toviana@dandelionsflowers.com

Judging: 

Marketing Manager of Dandelions Flowers & Gifts reserves right to choose winners of the coloring contest. Entire Dandelions team may be recruited to help choose winner. Entries will be judged after the deadline of April 16, and winners chosen at this time.

*All entries become the property of Dandelions Flowers & Gifts and may be displayed in our store, on our website or Facebook page for public viewing. We encourage all Facebook members to participate and help with your ‘likes and comments’, but Dandelions reserves the right to choose the ultimate winner.

Winners & Prizes: 

Winners will be notified by phone. The winner of each age group will receive a fresh, floral Easter arrangement and a Coloring Gift Basket valued at $74.99. For a complete list of winners you are welcome to contact Toviana with Dandelions Flowers at toviana@dandelionsflowers.com

Mail/In-Person:

Dandelions Flowers & Gifts, LLC

1710 Chambers St.

Eugene, OR 97402

Email:

toviana@dandelionsflowers.com

Fun, Quick DIYCenterpiece Idea

This Easter afforded us a perfect DIY centerpiece scenario: what do you do when you need something for your table, but you’re in a hurry and are low on flower options? Dandelions owner Shirley Lyons found herself in this situation this weekend, and was kind enough to share how she resolved her problem.

You’d think that as florists, we are constantly taking  flowers home to make fabulous and lush centerpieces and arrangements for family functions. That does happen on occasion, but usually, and  more often than we’d like to admit,  even the florist forgets to take flowers home!! Shirley was half-way home before she realized she did exactly that! So between babysitting her two-year and twelve week old grand-kids (a juggling act of princess dolls and diapers), and preparing dinner for twelve, she needed to come up with something fast and uncomplicated. Thankfully, Shirley had daffodils growing in her yard, and with some of these and a few vases in colorful, spring tones and varying heights, she had a quick, fun, artsy centerpiece on her dining-room table!

Using what you have growing in your yard (be it flowers or some pretty greenery)  and your collection of vases is a cost-effective way to make a great impression, and get your creative juices flowing!

We love flowers because they’re inherently beautiful and really don’t need much embellishment to make a statement. Artfully placed vases and simply arranged flowers are an easy way to enhance any event.

Easter Flower Inspiration

Easter really marks the beginning of spring for those of us here in Oregon where the sun has barely shown for the last few months. These flower arrangements are perfect for lifting spirits or decorating the family table for Easter dinner. It’s a great time to take advantage of spring blossoms like anemones, ranunculus and hyacinth that go off-season soon.

    

Easter spring bulbs

Easter is very late this year (April 24!) but no so late that great spring bulbs have passed. Oregon has a wonderful spring season with a variety of bulb flowers that look as beautiful on the table as they do in the ground. My favorites include: daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, lilacs

Daffodils:

These bright pops of yellow can be seen as early as February here in Eugene, OR and are a most welcome sign that spring is on its way.  Fresh-cut daffodils release a sap that is harmful to other flowers so arrange them in their own vase.  If you want to include them with other flowers allow them to soak overnight in cool, clean water so that the daffodils have a chance to release some of this substance.

Tulips:

These graceful buds are one of my favorite because they continue to grow after cut! In a single day they can grow the length of their head!! The tulip fields pictured left are almost unreal they are so beautiful.

 

Hyacinth:

For fragrance lovers, hyacinth are a dream come true. Their little bell-like blossoms emit a most wonderful smell and their big, full blossoms fill out a vase nicely.

Ranunculus:

Although every bride wants this flower in their bridal bouquet it is really a spring bloomer. At times they look like mini peonies and at other times they resemble spray roses. Since they are available until May we are using them a lot here in the store as prom rings!