For more than 12 years she's been taking care of customers and supporting her co-workers.  We've watched her develop into one of Washington Floral's most successful and valued employees.  And we've seen her drive some pretty hot cars!

Now she'll be driving those hot cars in a much hotter place.  Sharon's husband has been transferred to San Antonio, Texas.  We tried to convince her that commuting from Texas would not be so bad.  After all, it's "just south of here" as she refers to it when she becomes overwhelmed.

She's not the only one who becomes overwhelmed when thinking of it either.  Everyone at Washington Floral will miss you Sharon!  We all wish you the best that Texas has to offer.  And we are looking forward to hearing your twang after you've been there for a while.

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Congratulations to Theresa from Brown's Flower Shop, winner of our corsage contest.  Theresa's clutch style corsage (#18) was a hit with a majority of the voters.  Her efforts earned her a gift box overflowing with Oasis treasures presented by our own Bill Hendrix and Bobaloo Sajor.

When asked if the clutch style corsage was their standard at Brown's she admits that they usually do more traditional corsages but that this was an opportunity to be creative.  Theresa is a veteran at Browns, having worked there for over 10 years.  But as you can see from her corsage design, she has not fallen in a rut.

Thanks to all who entered and thanks to all who voted.  The enthusiasm you showed to take part has been noted and more contests are being planned.  Stay tuned for the next Washington Floral Design Challenge!  Didn't get a chance to see all the entries?  They are still online.  Click here to view them all and be inspired.

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Gerbera Daisies are the mother of all finicky flowers.  Susceptible to botrytis and prone to bent neck these iconic blooms require special attention to process.   "If only there were a pill to solve the gerbera 's ailments" sighed the concerned florist.  Chrysal and Washington Floral to the rescue!  There IS a gerb pill.  Using this Chrysal slow release chlorine tablet combined with sanitary buckets is the one-two punch needed to guarantee gerbera longevity.

For the latest gerbera care and handling secrets click here. Thanks to SAF Floral Management for allowing us to pass along a timely article on the intricacies of gerbera care by Dr. Terrill Nell.  If we could link you to the entire Floral Management magazine we would!  Their regular care and handling articles are just one of the many reasons we rely on it each month.  For your subscription visit safnow.org.

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Tired of spiders?  Find cremones uninspiring?  We're bringing in new chrysanthemum focals that are unique and inspiring.

Our first shipment of these novelty disbuds, pictured here, arrives next week in limited quantities.  Sign up with your salesperson today to be the first to try these fun new focals.  Available in several colors and forms we are hoping these long lasting blooms will become a staple in the coolest coolers.

This farm is also putting a fun new twist on diamond limonium.  New tints in irresistable seasonal colors elevate an ordinary filler to something special.  Another valuable feature of this product is that once it is hydrated you can take it out of water and store it in your cooler.  It will keep indefinately.  Take a peek.

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I profess not to have a favorite flower only because I don't like hurting feelings.  But there is no doubt who the favorite is this time of year!

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it of you surrounded by your favorites you could win a bunch of mine!  Happy Lilac Season!

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We have a big garage at Washington Floral but not big enough for our garage sale!   So we are using the whole warehouse.

Decor buying can be tricky - you buy 10 items and only 9 of them hit the mark.  Those oddball items build up over time.  This is our chance to find them new homes and your chance to make some of our overstock items your own... at Deep Discounts.

For one week only, May 17-22nd every supply item in the place is discounted at least 10%.  Some garage sale goodies are marked down 70-80 even 90%.

Like any good garage sale it takes time to mark all the merchandise.  We will have most product marked by Sunday May 10th and you are welcome to come and preview but we can't hold items.  Come on all you bargain hunters, rain or shine we'll be wheelin and dealin.

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Think you know all there is to know about floral foam?   You soak it, slice it and poke it with the stems.  What else is there to know?  Apparently there is a lot more to know.

In fact there is enough new going on at  Smithers Oasis that they sent a representative to WFS to conduct an hour long training for our staff.  We feel compelled to pass along some of the highlights of that training to you.

• You may have noticed a new packaging on Oasis brand floral foam with the words "Oasis Powered by Floralife Technology."   This wording has created some confusion in the industry.  Oasis floral foam does NOT have Floralife preservative in it.  You still need to add floral food to the water that you soak the foam in.  It does have an ingredient that will enhance the life of foliages.  No more yellowing leaves!

• Why is DCD cleaner better than bleach?  DCD coats surfaces with a film that prevents bacteria from growing.  Bleach, on the other hand, looses its effectiveness after only a few moments.

• Coming Soon from Oasis!  U-Glu.  You've seen it holding inserts into magazines.  That long stretchy clear goo that peels off easily.  This stuff has been popular with crafters for a while.  Imagine the uses creative florists will dream up for this stuff.

• Quick Tip!  Doing 8" spheres?  Don't soak them completely..cuts down on the weight.  Chances are your stems won't be inserted all the way to the center of the ball anyway.

• Did you know that Floralife does shop audits?  Representatives occasionally travel with wholesalers to shops in the area and conduct inspections.  They will test your water, cooler temperatures, floral food dosing procedures and general floral hygene.  Cleaning your tools daily???

• Have you seen Oasis's IDEA quarterly publication?  Every page is filled with information, inspiration and ideas on how to use their products in surprising new ways.  Ask your salesperson for a copy or sign up to receive your own.

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It can't be Mother's Day without the Marthas.  More than just a pretty face, Martha Washington Geraniums offer a long lasting and hardy outdoor alternative to run of the mill bloomers.  Besides being colorful show-offs, Regals, as they are also known love our climate.  They prefer partial shade and cooler temperatures in order to perform well.

It's a sure sign of the seasons changing when we see Marthas in the plant department.  Welcome that change by planting a few in a window box near you soon!

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