Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Jewel-toned orchids can become part of colorful Christmas décor, by setting them in colored containers—from Victorian tins to a holly-painted tea pot. You can also placing brightly-colored metallic orb-shaped ornaments or other baubles and beads to bring out the color of the flowers and a holiday theme in a clear vase. You can use red and white round peppermint candies or ornaments that won’t fit on the tree.
For snow-white blossoms, dress them up with some Spanish moss and a scatter of tiny apples to add Christmas colors, or add sparkle with shimmery silver ornaments that recall the glisten off of icicles.
Try adding yuletide contrast to red flowers by surrounding them with sprigs of pine, or you might follow this tip: place orchids in a 6-inch terra-cotta pot painted a glossy green in a Victorian-style cast-iron tree stand.
To add a glistening effect to offset red or white orchid blooms, fill the bottom of clear glass vases with a handful of clear marbles. You can also use red or green glass to bring the Christmas spirit vividly to life.
For an easy, inexpensive, and impressive host or hostess gift, wrap a pretty specimen in thin, easy-to-mold art paper, and then tie it off with a satin bow.
The Holidays with P. Allen Smith
See fun creative ideas for Holiday gifting with orchids with celebrity gardener P. Allen Smith. He offers easy ideas for creating an elegant holiday gift using long blooming orchids for that special someone on your list. Watch P. Allen Smith's video on gifting Just Add Ice orchids for the Holidays >>
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Fri, Oct 16, 2009
Caring for orchids is actually an ancient custom, so when you take one into your home, you're connecting yourself with a long line of history. Over 35,000 different species of orchids grow around the world, and in almost every climate, so it's easy to understand how the flowers have become part of many cultures, symbolizing something different to each.
In most cultures, as you might imagine when looking at an orchid, they have been seen as symbols of beauty, royalty or love. In Europe, orchids were used as a main ingredient in love potions. Today, the pink orchid is commonly designated as the 14th wedding anniversary flower, symbolizing affection and love.
Ancient Greeks associated orchids with virility and fertility. It was believed that if the father of an unborn child ate the largest and newest orchid stems and roots, then their child would be a male. But if the mother ate small orchid roots and stems, then she would give birth to a girl.
Victorian era Europeans saw orchids as symbols of luxury and elegance, largely because they were seen as tokens of the exotic East, and weren't readily available, needing special care in hothouses.
The symmetry of the flowers to its stems and leaves has led to the orchid being a symbol of beautiful perfection. In Christian theology, the spots on orchids are believed to represent the blood of Christ, so they are often found in Easter and even Christmas arrangements.
One of the most famous orchids is the vanilla orchid, which grew wild in Mexico where the Aztecs viewed it as a symbol of strength. They are said to have drunk a mixture made of vanilla orchid flowers as a strength potion.
We just think they add a touch of exotic beauty and class to any room!
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Tue, Jun 09, 2009
The summer months bloom with fresh motivation to decorate and add color to your outdoor living area. While you're hauling a wheelbarrow topped with soil or pulling weeds and replacing them with new flowers, why not take just a few moments and a minimal amount of effort to add color and excitement to you indoor living space as well.
Do you want to create some excitement that will last for months? Simply add an admirable orchid to your dining table or living room. Better yet, get a Just Add Ice Orchid and you'll have a beautiful conversation piece to enjoy with each visitor.
Are you buying more orchids this summer? Which rooms are your orchids brightening up? Let us know about your favorite ways to decorate with orchids. You can also upload a picture to our customer photo gallery and we'll add it to our website.