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Welcome to our special Valentine's Edition of the PickOntario newsletter! We are pleased to offer all users of the PickOntario.ca website valuable information on floral care and trends as well as keeping everyone up to date on the goings-on of the Ontario cut flowers and potted plants industry.
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Say Be Mine Valentine with More than Roses
 If you didn't get your red roses ordered in time for Valentine's Day, take heart because there are lots of red floral alternatives, grown right here in Ontario, that pay romantic tribute to February 14.
You can herald your love with huge trumpets of cut red amaryllis, a flower that makes a bold statement in a tall glass vase. Or if "friends first" is your strategy, try an arrangement of giant 'designer daisy' gerberas in a variety of reds - from dark maroon to orange-red - your tribute a tonal palette of appreciation. By contrast, red tulips suggest intimacy with all the 'two lip' possibilities. Consider impressing your Valentine with a romantic flowering plant that keeps on giving: a beautiful white Phalaenopsis orchid, commonly known as "the moth orchid", because the sequential flowers look like rows of little butterflies in flight. Find out more Rose Alternatives by clicking here >> |
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Valentine's Survey
What is the best gift you have given or received for Valentine's Day?
Simply tell us the best gift you have given to or received from a loved one for Valentine's Day and you will be entered in a chance to receive beautiful Ontario-grown red roses, delivered anywhere in Ontario.Enter today!!!
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Featured Flowers: Roses
Most of the cut roses produced in Ontario, the 5th largest cut flower crop, are the sweetheart varieties, or the intermediate size roses best characterized by the trait of fully opening heads that stay open a long time. According to Greek mythology, Sweetheart roses were created from the tears of Aphrodite and the blood of her sweetheart Adonis. Industry experts claim they are the favorite flower to say "You're My Sweetheart". Obviously a Valentine's Day favorite, Ontario's sweetheart roses are available year round. The sweetheart rose is a polyantha variety, meaning literally "many-flowered. They range from spray roses, having multiple blooms per stem, to more familiar single bloom varieties. These single bloom petite roses more closely resemble their long stemmed cousins and are the kind most often used to make cut flower and vase arrangements. The stems of these flowers are green and flexible, conducting water easily making them less susceptible to air bubbles and the dreaded drooping head. With proper care sweetheart roses can last up to two weeks. Learn more about Roses >> |
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If there is anything that you would like to see included in our future mailings, don't hesitate to drop us a line and let us know.
Don't forget to check out the website, blog or forum for more information!
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Until Next Time!
Stay Fresh. |
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History of Sending Flowers
For centuries, flowers have symbolized fertility, love, marriage, and romance. The history of giving your loved one Valentine's Day flowers comes from the old-fashioned custom of sending floral bouquets to pass on non-verbal messages. Introduced in the 18th century by Charles II of Sweden, each flower had a specific meaning attached to it, making it possible to have an entire conversation using only flowers. Today, people continue to send flowers on special occasions or to express sentiments of love and admiration.
Valentine's Day is also one of the biggest holidays to send flowers. The rose is the traditional Valentine's Day flower, as it signifies romantic love, but there are many other flowers that people sent to communicate the different types of love they feel for those important people in their lives.
Learn more on the History of Valentine's Day >>
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Ontario Votes!
We'd like to hear from you. What is your favourite flower to give or receive on Valentine's Day?
Your name will be entered for a chance to win a beautiful Ontario-grown bouquet of red roses delivered anywhere in Ontario!
Final voting will be counted on March 1st. So, tell your friends and loved ones and maybe the bouquet will be sent to you!
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Featured Grower:
Westbrook Greenhouses Ltd.
Westbrook is a large, diversified, vertically integrated floral company based in the Niagara region of Ontario. A family business since 1959, the Westbrook group of companies currently services 3 major areas in the floral industry: as 1.2 million square foot greenhouse potted plant grower; as a greenhouse designer and manufacturer; and finally, as a wholesale distributor, importer and exporter of fresh floral products and related hard goods.
In the potted plant business, Westbrook is best known for its expertise in roses and Mums. In 2006, the company expanded its production to include potted orchids in a specially designed greenhouse space in Grimsby.
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