10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Lilies

Lilies come in so many different shapes, sizes and varieties that the possibilities seem endless. Like the Sunflower and the Iris, Lilies have a long and interesting history, from ancient times to modern day.

They've been an important marker of religious symbolism; have a history of being misidentified; and have been purposefully grown for several millenia.

Here are ten interesting (we hope!) facts about this elegant, beautiful flowering plant:

Extra Large Lily Beauty Bouquet

1. Specific reports seem to vary, depending on the source, but it’s likely that there are over 100 species of Lilies.
2. Mistaken identity, part 1: Many flowers that are commonly known as Lilies do not actually fall under the classification. For example, what’s commonly known as a Voodo Lily is not actually a Lily at all.
3. Mistaken identity, part 2: You know the Quebec symbol, the fleur de lys? That translates to lily…but in fact, it’s a depiction of an Iris. 
4. Mistaken identity, part 3: Lilies were thought by several groups throughout history to have medicinal properties – claims that have been pretty much debunked.
5. Some types of Lilies can grow up to six feet in height.
6. Careful with your kitties! Some types of lilies are known to be very toxic to pets.
7. Lilies are thought to have been cultivated for over 3,000 years. 
8. Most lilies grow in the northern hemisphere, and until some 500 years ago, only one type grew outside of Asia. 
9. In China, particularly Shanghai, Lily Bulbs are used in the local cuisine.
10. Some of the more popular types of commercially-available Lilies include the Easter Lily, the Stargazer Lily, Calla Lilies, Tiger Lilies and Day Lilies.

Check out Bloomex's selection of Lilies here.

7 Great Gifts to Say Thanks

Endless Love Bouquet from bloomex.ca

In today’s fast-paced world, the simple act of expressing a sincere ‘thanks’ has largely been lost. But it doesn’t have to be. Although it seems like nobody has any extra time, Bloomex takes the hassle out of ordering flowers and you know that once you click, you’re in good hands.

A little gesture can go a long way, and a token of appreciation combined with a handwritten note is an easy way to make a lasting impression. So check out these seven gifts from Bloomex that make for a perfect way to say thanks.

For the friendly acquaintance….
Maybe it’s the babysitter that had to stay late, or the person that returned your lost wallet out of the good of their heart.
We recommend: Gourgeous Geberas ($24.95). This colorful bouquet brings a ray of color into any room, and its beautiful, vibrant blooms ensure that it lives up to its name.

For the boss…
Boss gave you a promotion you weren’t expecting, or gave the thumbs-up to extra vacation time? It might not be most people’s first thought, but a planter basket for their desk is a great way to score some points.

Lily Sunshine Bouquet from bloomex.ca

We recommend: Colourful Garden ($34.95). This looks great on office desks and at 10” x 6”, doesn’t take up too much room. 

For your parents…
Perhaps they’ve done something nice for you lately, or perhaps it’s just a general ‘Thanks, mom and dad.’ It’s never a bad time, is it?
We recommend: Lily Sunshine ($34.95). This bright yellow bouquet of Asiatic Lilies makes for a perfect reminder of their favourite (just kidding!) child.

For the teacher…
Whether it’s for your kids teachers around the holidays or end of school, or you’re a grad student, a bouquet for a beloved teacher is a lovely act of gratitude.
We recommend: Fruits and Chocolates ($39.95). This basket comes loaded with 4 assorted chocolate treats, a branch of grapes, 2 oranges, 3 apples, 3 pear and a nectarine. Kind of puts the old, standard, solitary apple to shame, doesn’t it?

For the colleague…
It’s always nice when a colleague at work steps up to help you out with that big project, or covers your phone when you have to step away from your desk.
We recommend: Fruit and Cheese Basket ($49.95). Practical and handy, this basket contains assorted premium cheeses, 3 apples, 4 pears, 1 branch of grapes, 3 oranges and a nectarine. Your colleague can cut back on buying snacks for work for weeks!

Summer Flower Basket from  bloomex.ca

For the 'BFF'…
An everlasting friendship should never be taken for granted; it should be celebrated. Let your best friend know that you’ll always be there for them.
We recommend: Summer Flower Basket ($109.95). This beautiful colorful basket of flowers will bring warmth into any room regardless of the weather outside. The wicker basket contains Asters, Chrysanthemums, Cosmos and Dahlias – ideal for saying “thank you for being a friend.”

For your significant other…
Our significant others become the most important people in our lives, so be sure to express your gratitude toward them, whether they’ve done something specifically nice for you lately or not. They deserve it!
We recommend: Endless Love ($84.95). This bouquet is absolutely breathtaking. Twelve long stem red roses – always an excellent choice – are accented by five White Calla Lilies and complimented by fresh greens. 

For more ideas on saying thanks, be sure to check out our “Thank You” Flowers & Gifts page on Bloomex.ca, right here!

Interview with Bloomex Wedding Consultant, Michelle Brazeau

By Alyssa Julie

Designing the perfect wedding at a low cost is a lot easier than most people believe. That’s thanks to companies such as Bloomex, which sells beautiful flowers at extremely low-costs. The company has an expert team of florists that can design the perfect arrangements for your weddings, or they can sell you a selection of beautiful flowers at a wholesale price that won’t break your budget. That’s a great option for young and crafty couples that want a beautiful wedding, but don’t have as much money to spend. Although the company has been around for 10 years, the wholesale division of the company is relatively new (only within the last year or so). Taking up the reigns is Michelle Brazeau, young-women with a background in forestry and a passion for plants of all kinds. She jumped headfirst into her career with the company and has been rising quickly through the ranks ever since. She is now the wedding and wholesale’s consultant for Canada’s largest online flower company.

Bloomex, she explains, is able to offer bulk flowers at such affordable prices because they deal directly with the growers. There is no middle- man to speak of. That means the flowers they sell are beautiful and fresh and since they are grown in Canada, they don’t take too long to reach the customer.

So whether you want to create your own beautiful arrangements, or whether you want someone to do that for you, Michelle is their to help brides and grooms-to-be understand what flowers there are available and what flowers make great matches. That’s something that can often be very surprising she says, adding, “ I was never a big fan of Carnations, but after seeing the beautiful ways they can be arranged, I’ve definitely become a fan of Carnations.” The company, she says, can also provide a striking, expertly arranged bouquet at an extremely low cost that will look beautiful with any DIY or professionally designed flower arrangements.

The one piece of advice she says needs to be emphasized, is that whether you’re interested in DIY or not, couples should take time to plan flower arrangements well in advance of the big day. Most couples, she says, change their minds a few times before coming up with the perfect arrangements, simply because there is so much to choose from. Just think; couples can choose anything from striking and colorful Hydrangeas, to Carnations or Tulips, to the timeless and elegant Calla Lily.

That said, although most brides change their mind quite a bit before the big day, there are definitely some noticeable trends. For one, brides often choose colors that will match their bridesmaid dresses. Many brides are also choosing flowers in cream colors and shades of pink, such as Fuchsia. “Really anything that’s feminine,” Brazeau explains. Matching the color of your flowers and bouquet to your bridesmaids’ dresses makes sense, because it ties all the colors together so they aren’t overwhelming.

At the end of the day, Michelle says she really loves her job and sees herself working there for some time to come. Not only does she love working with flowers; but also It’s such an important day for all of her customers and it’s a great feeling to be involved in something so monumental to their lives.