An important work place observance is celebrated during the last week of April. On Monday through Friday, April 23-27, the dedicated work of secretaries,administrative assistants, receptionists and administrative support professionals will be recognized by bosses and co-workers. Wednesday,April 25, is particularly designated as Administrative Professionals Day.

Central Square Florist received a beautiful selection of plants directly from our grower in Florida. The shipment has restocked our shelves with lush green plants.

We received 4” Jade Crassula, Spathiphyllum, Rubber Trees, Dieffenbachia, Palm tree, Pothos, Ivy, Money Trees and asst cactus   6 “ plant selection included Aloe, Pothos, Palm Tree, asst cactus, Ivy and other asst varieties. Also featured are 8” Spathiphyllum, Pothos and Philodendrons. 10” Spathiphyllum, Corn Plant and Yucca and a selection of Porcelain Dishgardens

Central Square Florist has a fine selection of gift containers to enhance the beauty of our plants and delights in selecting just the right one to add even more beauty to your green or flowering plant.

Central Square Florist ownership and staff was recently honored by FTD for quality service for all of 2011. FTD president, Rob Apatoff, bestowed Central Square Florist a Gold Star for successfully being at or above the quality bar standards set by FTD. As a Boston FTD Florist, Central Square Florist’s staff takes pride in offering fresh quality flowers and gifts for delivery in Boston, Cambridge and the surrounding areas. For customers visiting our Cambridge location we provide excellent service 7 days a week early in the morning to late at night.

A recent customer review echoes the award:

Central Square Florist is the best!  My daughter absolutely loved the flowers you delivered to her yesterday and said they were the prettiest she had ever received.  I absolutely loved your service — the personal assistance on the phone, help in staying within my budget, willingness to delivery early in the day and prompt confirmation of delivery.  It couldn’t have been a better experience.  I’ll be back!

Many Thanks,

B A

Fresca Farms grows top quality roses that meet precise cut point, which yields longer shelf life, larger head size and increased petal count. They focus on state-of-the-art horticultural techniques while understanding the delicate balance between corporate goals and social and ecological responsibilities. At their farm, they have a true respect for the land from which they live and the employees who nurture the land and grow the product they bring to the market.  Their farm employees are provided with a safe and healthy work environment. Please feel free to contact us to find out more or to order these Roses for delivery in Boston-Cambridge

Over the Valentine’s holiday, a disturbing Proflowers ad appeared during searches for local florists that suggested that they where sold out for Valentines Day. Chez Bloom a florist in Minneapolis, MN did a search for their business using their own business name and discovered this misleading ad that appeared above their business map.This was going on all over the web.

This is a concern because Google places adds within our business listing on our google place pages.

Google also allows misleading ads to appear within it’s ppc advertising platform. Here From You Flowers pretends to be Central Square Florist. Google should reconsider allowing these ads to appear. It creates confusion and we only see this hurting Google’s reputation by tricking visitors into clicking on another ad.

One Google advertiser, named From You Flowers based in CT who also handles Pro Flowers same day delivery flower request, inserts our store name into their web site. This has caused customer confusion. I had to spend 10 minutes on the phone convincing her that this was not my web site. She had seen a similar item on their web site that she had ordered from me and was questioning the price difference. Many other florist are having the same problem with these tactics.

Lots of local florists took note of the ad scams and thankfully my friends at Avante Gardens and Everyday Flowers also blogged about it.

Flower Health Benefits & Research – Home Ecology of Flowers Study

Don’t let the cool weather get you down: Brighten your day with fresh flowers from Central Square Florist.  A behavioral research study conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, reveals that people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when fresh flowers are present in the home.
“Other research has proven that flowers make people happy when they receive them,” Etcoff says. Central Square Florist can provide flower deliver to Boston. She further says “What we didn’t know is that spending a few days with flowers in the home can affect a wide variety of feelings.”
Rebecca Cole is the author of “Flower Power” and co-host of Discovery Channel’s “Surprise by Design.” “The Harvard research is proof that if we live in places that lift our spirits, we can live happier, healthier lives,” Cole says. “Fresh flowers are the perfect everyday accessory for any budget – they add color, fragrance and style – and now we know they even increase energy and compassion.”
Study participants reported the greatest mood-boosting effects when fresh flowers were placed in common areas of the home such as the kitchen, dining room and family room. Cole’s ideas for incorporating flowers into these areas include:

Place bud vases in high traffic home areas – with even just a few flowers. Any decorative glass from the kitchen will do!
The kitchen table might be the best place for flowers, because it’s where people gather together. Stop by a florist where you’ll find a wide selection of flowers from which to choose.
For an easy, elegant table decoration, set a series of crystal vases on a fabric runner. Place fresh flowers in each of the vases and surround them with greenery.

Central Square Florist carries Carnations in red, white, pink and novelty colors. Their favorite novelty color is the Florigene Carnation that is grown in shades of purple. Ask us to include long lasting Florigene carnations when sending flowers to Boston. Carnations are 2 to 3 inches wide on 1 to 2 foot stems. Miniature carnation varieties feature several small flowers on one stem. Mini carnations are a customer favorite for in store purchase. They are attractive considering their inexpensive price and longevity. Carnations date back to the Greeks and Romans 2,000 years ago. Today, they are still the third most popular flower right behind Roses and Chrysanthemum.

When selecting carnations, choose those with clear strong color and firm petals that show no browning or rolling of the edges. Stems and leaves should be firm and a lovely grey green color and free of discoloration and lesions. Re-cut the stem with a sharp knife, removing any leaves below the water level. Place in a cool area in a clean vase or bucket with at least 3 – 4 inches of water to which an accurately measured amount of flower food has been added (follow package directions) until ready to use.

Ring in 2012 with a new found appreciation for a very traditional but awesomely versatile carnation. Not only will you enjoy their long lasting simple beauty, but also your budget will appreciate the relief. Visit Central Square Florist to see the wide selection of carnations available.

                                                        Mod About You

You can be assured when sending poinsettia plants to Boston or purchasing plants in our Cambridge location that they are not Toxic as the poinsettia is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today, proving the myth about the popular holiday plant to be false:

• Scientific research from The Ohio State University has proved the poinsettia to be non-toxic. All parts of the plant were tested, including the leaves and sap.
• According to POISINDEX, the national information center for poison control centers, a child would have to ingest 500-600 leaves in order to exceed the experimental doses that found no toxicity.
• A study by Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University found that out of 22,793 reported poinsettia exposures there was essentially no toxicity significance of any kind. The study used national data collected by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
• Click here to read “Festive medical myths” posted on BMJ.com (British Medical Journal).
• Click here to read “Scientists Shed Light On Festive Medical Myths” posted on NPR. Click here for a PDF.

Poinsettia and Pets

As with any non-food product, the poinsettia is not meant to be eaten and can cause varying degrees of discomfort; therefore, the plant should be kept out of the reach of young children and curious pets.

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that the poinsettia could be “irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing vomiting, but generally over-rated in toxicity.”
• The American Veterinary Medicine Association of America (AVMA) states: “While poinsettia is not deadly as popular legend would have it, it could still cause an upset stomach if consumed.”
• The Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory advises pet owners: “Wash sap off the animal to prevent further ingestion. Call a veterinarian if the eyes are affected, or if signs do not resolve in a few minutes.”
• According to BMJ (British Medical Journal), one study, “looking at poinsettia ingestion by rats, could not find a toxic amount of poinsettia, even at amounts that would be the equivalent of 500-600 poinsettia leaves or nearly a kilogram of sap.”

Poinsettia and Latex Allergies

According to the American Latex Allergy Association, only about 1 percent to 6 percent of the general population is allergic to latex, and “… one would have to have significant contact with the poinsettia plant’s latex directly to have an allergic reaction … only a small drop of latex that can be immediately wiped off of the skin is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.”

This holiday season let Central Square Florist send flowers to Boston and its surrounding areas. Make your holiday table sparkle with a cheerful Christmas centerpiece. Central Square Florist artists will design each centerpiece to be the focal point of your dining room table creating an elegant, holiday ambience to delight you and your guests.

All who gather will enjoy the stylish sophistication of your glamorous, fragrant, seasonal floral display, replete with evergreens, pinecones and candles.

Holiday colors of red, crimson, green, gold, silver, pink and white will resemble beautiful, sparkling jewels. Central Square florist can personally design a beautiful, custom piece made to your liking.

A centerpiece gift you have delivered from Central Square Florist to friends, family and corporate client to adorn their tables will be greatly appreciated during this festive season!

But the fragrant flower bouquet displayed in your home is delightful! There may be a winter wonderland outside, but lovely flowers are blooming inside.

The chrysanthemum is the November birthday flower, symbolizing cheerfulness and optimism. Central Square Florist carries an exciting assortment of these favorites to provide pleasure in our colder climate. Team your “mums” with gorgeous gerber and sassy sunflowers for a bright, vivid bouquet this season. Other beautiful flowers, carefully selected by Central Square Florist, include roses, lilies and hypericum to brighten any November day. Our experienced floral designers enjoy creating autumn arrangements with a vibrant mélange of color.

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 24^th. Show that you are thankful for that someone in your life by sending Thanksgiving flowers! Central Square Florist can create and send a flower arrangement to the person of your choice that will truly show how much you cherish them.

Visit our shop right in Central Square, call us at 617-354-7553, or browse our website to send fabulous fall flowers to Cambridge.