Rose Garden Florist ~ Barnegat, NJ

Poisonous Poinsettias?

rosegarden — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:10:00 GMT

December's traditional flower, the Poinsettia, gets a bad rap. Every year, countless news stories catution consumers about the toxicity of poinsettias to animals, children, adults. As a florist, and purveyor of gorgeous NJ grown poinsettias, I talk to customers each day and relay the truth - that poinsettias indeed are not any more poisonous than most household plants, that their bad reputation is merely a myth.

In fact the Society of American Florists states:

Despite years of education efforts, many consumers still mistakenly believe that the poinsettia plant is toxic to children and/or pets. This myth is often propagated by media stores during the winter holidays. Year after year SAF works very hard to dispel the long-standing myth regarding poinsettia toxicity. The poinsettia is the most widely tested plant on the market, and research has proved the plant is not toxic:

Scientific research from The Ohio State University has proved the poinsettia to be nontoxic to both humans and pets. All parts of the plants 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 from Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University found that out of 22,793 reported poinsettia exposures there was essentially no toxicity of significance of any kind. The study used data collected by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
As with any nonfood product, however, 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.

Being a conscientious business owner, and cautious about over-promising anything, I decided to test what has become an industry wide fact -

I ate a poinsettia.

Not the whole plant, just a beautiful healthy green leaf and stem. I was cautioned to remember that poinsettias are a natural latex source, and if I had an allergy to latex I would be in big trouble. Thankfully I am not allergic to latex, and I still live and breathe today after consuming the leaf.

Wth all that drippy white sap, I was sure it would be very sour, bitter, horrible tasting, a la Fear Factor. In reality, it was quite dry, lightly bitter, and not bad at all; kind of like fresh spinach (but not as yummy as baby spinach).

So I hope you can rest easy in your purchases of these stunning plants - they make wonderful hostess gifts, staff thank you's for all those who help you all year. A thoughtful plant, with its cheery colors, can brighten anyone's holiday, so stop in today - we've got plenty to go around, unless I get really really hungry!

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Tabletop trees!

rosegarden — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:10:00 GMT

On a rainy winter Sunday, a custom tabletop tree is being assembled in our little workshop. Okay, so we're not exactly Santa's elves, but we've got some pixie dust that is sprinkled all over this oversized tree for a client's daughter. Ordered every year, and driven to Staten Island from Barnegat, this tree is made in the old fashioned form of boxwood trees, with a wettable foam center, and traditional ribbons, glittered pine cones, crystal garland, glass millimeter balls, gilded leaves, and a cherubic angel topper.

Picture Perfect!

Tabletop trees are perfect for small homes, apartments, dorm rooms, nursing homes, hospital rooms, desktops in your office, or just any place that you have a small space that needs some Christmas cheer. Designs can be customized to your decor - Traditional Red & White; Burgandy & Gold; Winter White & Silver; Victorian Mauves; Country Rustic Creams & Greens.

Visit us online at www.MyRoseGardenFlorist.com, or call us for more inspriation and ideas for a special holiday gift that is sure to be remembered.

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'Tis The Season !

rosegarden — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Crispy wintry days bring nostalgic memories of family and friends, holidays past, and wishes for a peace and gratitude for all of Life's blessings this December.

Some specials that Rose Garden Florist is offering, to help send your holiday wishes across the miles...

Traditional Pomegranate evergreen wreath ~ a fresh noble fir wreath, with gorgeous wired and velvet ribbons, dried pomegranates, local NJ white pine cones and accents of cedar and balsam. Noble wreaths make a nice tidy statement on your front door, a festive and traditional accent for December. Have Williamsburg blue trim, and concerned about the clashing of red ribbons? We can cusomize the ribbons to complement your decor. (By the way, Williamsburg blue looks terrific with winter white ribbons and glistening silver or gold irridescent accents!)

Fabulous Fruit and Gourmet food baskets ~ a combination of healthy and decadent treats. This combination featured crispy herb enhanced crackers, Camembert cheese, Irish Coffee demitasse cups, Traditional dutch cocoa, Caramel filled chocolate bar and sweet minty treats. To balance the naughty with some nice, we included local NJ red delicious apples, gala apples, juicy pineapple and the choicest winter citrus fruits. Baskets can be customzied - salty, sweet, healthy, sinful - name your poison!

Christmas Present ~ Have you ever smelled a white carnation, I mean really inhaled it? The fragrance is a light clovey spicy sweetness, a perfect complemet to evergreens of winter. Our Christmas Present is a glass rectangle, wrapped with a velvet ribbon bow, filled with Balsam, boxwood and holiday greenery, delicious white carnations, white pom pom mums, star of bethlehem and festive holiday accents of glass ornaments, frosty pinecones and birch. A warm hug is sure to be on the list, after your recipient unwraps this "present".

Wintry Roses ~ We loved those sweet white carnations so much, we've used them again with our classic Christmas rose special - red and two tone red roses, white carnations, evergreens and snow white baby's breath, in our gorgeous deep red vase, with ribbon and pine cone accents. A sweet fragrant treat, for your best holiday wishes!

We've got you covered, with all your Christmas List needs! Visit us online at www.MyRoseGardenFlorist.com, or call 888-840-0944 for personal friendly service.

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August is Food for Flowers month at The Rose Garden

rosegarden — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:12:00 GMT

This month, we are working to help promote awareness of our local food pantry. Bring a donation of non-perishable food items to our store, and we'll thank you with a lovely cut flower bouquet! To date, we have been able to collect several boxes of foods, and will be handing them over to the volunteers for distribution.

Each month, the food pantry helps dozens of your friends and neighbors in Barnegat. If you know someone who needs assistance, please pass along the information - many people in our community aren't aware of this generous local resource! Barnegat Food pantry is located in the Emergency Operations Center, 686 East Bay Ave Barnegat. 609-660-0608.

Hope to see you in the store with your donation!

Rose Garden Florist

257 South Main St (route 9)

Barnegat, NJ 08005

609-607-9013

www.MyRoseGardenFlorist.com

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