Commitment to Quality: Lilium’s Drive to Deliver Top Product

When you purchase flowers from Lilium, you are getting a product that is of the highest quality. From the time the flowers leave the growers until they are delivered to our customers, Lilium oversees every step in the process.

A Lilium flower begins its journey at one of our carefully selected growers. We have chosen sources world-wide based on the quality of their products, shipping practices, and the care with which they process their flowers. When you deal with a perishable product, these details are critical. Before we establish a business relationship with a grower, we test their products and procedures to make sure they meet our standards. Currently, we source from growers in California, Florida, Hawaii, Holland and Ecuador.

Variation Among Retailers

Quality varies widely among florists, and customers should be aware of differences in price versus quality. For example, Lilium offers Rio Roses from Ecuador with stems measuring 60 centimeters. “Long-stemmed” roses from online mass floral services average less than 40 centimeters.

Lilium roses versus roses from a mass merchant.

When we receive our flower shipments and deliveries each week, we give them a fresh cut and put them directly into our cooler. You may have noticed that grocery stores and mass markets will have flowers sitting out in buckets in a self-serve format. Once a flower is out of the cooler environment, it begins its decline. In addition, flower stems sitting buckets of water at room temperature grow bacteria, which speeds the deterioration process. Lilium does not carry over flowers from one week to the next. We start fresh each week with new deliveries and shipments of seasonal product.

Floral displays at a grocery store chain.

When we take an order, we make every effort to obtain all the information we need to create an arrangement that will meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. As a custom florist, we design to our clients’ specifications. We have no unsold arrangements sitting in the cooler at the end of the week, and, because we order product judiciously, the waste at week’s end is minimal.

Educating Consumers

Although our product is perishable, extending the lifespan of our products increases their value and increases customer satisfaction. Lilium believes that educating consumers about properly caring for their arrangement or plant is an important step. On every Lilium arrangement, potted orchid or plant, a care card is attached. In addition, care instructions are printed on the back of our message cards.

We also like to educate our customers about the attributes of specific flowers. When we began using Rio Roses from Ecuador, our customers were not immediately sold on these unique roses (see our January 2016 blog: We ❤️ Corazon Roses). They have sturdy heads that don’t droop, open 4″-5″ across, have more petals than any other red rose, and are long-lasting. What’s not to love? However, when the roses opened quickly, customers thought they were getting old roses. We decided that they just needed a little information so that they could fully appreciate these beautiful roses and their unique qualities. Arrangements going out that include Corazon roses also include a printed information card that lets recipients know what to expect from this Lilium favorite. We also set up a display in our studio so that customers could see firsthand the progression from bud to full bloom. Within a short time, our customers were specifically asking for Corazon roses, and now they are among our best sellers.

Lilium arrangement with care card and Rio Rose information card attached

Corazon roses day 1 — Rio Roses shown on day 1 and day 7

Lilium has been recognized as Best of the Best in our area five times and won the 2015 National Retailer Florist of the Year award. Most recently, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named Lilium a 2016 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winner recognizing the top 100 small business in the United States. We feel that we owe much of our success to our ongoing commitment to offer a quality product and top-notch customer service to our clients. Rest assured, we will continue to seek out the most beautiful flowers of the highest quality for all of our customers.

The US Chamber of Commerce named Lilium a Blue Ribbon Award winner as one of the top 100 small businesses in the US.

Mother’s Day Traditions Past and Present Honor Moms on Their Special Day

Moms have always held a special place in our hearts, long before a date was designated in their honor. Ancient Greeks and Romans held festivals to honor maternal goddesses. Early Christians began their own tradition of honoring the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, during Lent season.

In the 17th century, England expanded this practice to include all mothers, calling it Mothering Sunday. Following a special prayer service, children would bring gifts and flowers to pay tribute to their own mothers.

Today’s moms can thank Julia Ward Howe for visualizing Mother’s Day as we know it in the United States. In the late 1800s, Howe, an abolitionist, suffragette and writer famous for penning the Battle Hymn of the Republic, suggested a national celebration of mothers that would be dedicated to peace. She encouraged women to rise up against war in her Mothers Day Proclamation, and initiated Mothers’ Peace Day. It was Anna Jarvis, however, who took the concept to the next level. Jarvis, who had no children of her own but wanted to honor her own mother, lobbied for Mother’s Day to be named an official holiday. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in 46 countries. While many have their own unique traditions, it customary to honor mothers with flowers, cards, gifts and family meals. In Australia, carnations are worn–red or pink carnations honor a mom still living, and white is worn in memory of a mom who is deceased. Chrysanthemums are also a popular choice because Australian mothers are typically called “Mum.” Japanese children present their mothers with red carnations, which represent gentle strength. Here in the U.S., we tend to select flowers we know are mom’s favorites. The Spring season offers many blooms, including roses, tulips, hydrangea, hyacinths, lilies and orchids.

While Lilium is a custom florist, Mother’s Day is one occasion when we do design a menu from which customers can order. This insures we have an ample supply of fresh Spring florals to meet the high demand of this special day. This year, our Mother’s Day arrangements are named in honor of our favorite bedtime stories. To view Goodnight Moon, The Giving Tree, Guess How Much I love You and other 2016 Mother’s Day designs, visit our website.

Mother will love our Secret Garden arrangement of pink roses, peonies, hydrangea and berries — Secret Garden

2016 Colors of The Year Inspire Calm, Peace and Balance

Sorry, but you do not have permission to view this content.

All About That Lace

With origins dating back to the sixteenth century, lace reemerged as a fashion trend in 2014, and not only is the trend still hanging on, it looks to be gaining momentum in 2016. Once regarded as a textile for the affluent, lace is now accessible to all in a multitude of patterns and presentations. Look for lace in all facets of fashion, from head to toe, pony tail to pumps.

Lace is often associated with the bridal market, with this year’s brides choosing a variety of lace in their gowns and accessories. Bridal gown trends range from old-fashioned, high-necked designs to more contemporary dresses with lingerie inspiration. For brides wanting to add just a touch of the trend, they will find many options in headpieces, sashes, jewelry and shoes.

Lilium Makes Events Special

As a full-service florist, Lilium has customers covered for everyday occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, but we also excel in florals for special events. Corporate luncheons and dinners, holiday parties, conferences, and fundraisers are all more festive with the addition of beautiful flowers.

Sometimes a client will have a specific theme that they would like for us to incorporate. We love to get creative with themes in our floral designs. Often, there is a color pallet that will direct us in our flower and vase selections. With an inventory of hundreds of vases, and a vast selection of seasonal florals, we can create a stunning impression, whether it be rustic, contemporary, romantic, whimsical, traditional, seasonal or classically elegant.

We ❤️ Corazon Roses

Love is in the air, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. At Lilium, we are in love with the beautiful Corazon rose, and we think it is a perfect way to say, “I love you” this Valentine’s Day.

The Corazon (Spanish for “heart”) is a beautiful, true red rose with qualities that make it unique and highly desirable. The award-winning Corazon rose, from Rio Roses, is grown in Ecuador, where the climate produces superior bloom sizes and quality. They have more petals than any other red rose, and the blooms open fully, similar to a garden rose. Additionally, all of the blooms open at a consistent rate, so you will not have some buds remaining closed while others open.

Each Corazon bloom continues to open for four to five days. When fully open, it measures almost five inches across. Blooms this size need a strong support system, and Corazon roses measure up with their long sturdy stems and strong necks. With roses of lesser quality, the blooms bend and droop in a matter of days, but Corazon roses will hold their shape for up to two weeks.

To show our customers how beautiful and long-lasting these roses are, we created a display in our shop. Customers can see the progression from bud to full bloom, and appreciate the lasting beauty of these spectacular roses. Here are our Corazons on day 1 and again on day 7:

We are so crazy about the Corazon rose, we entered Rio Roses’ “How Do You Say Corazon?” video contest and won first place! Take a look at our winning entry on Rio Roses’ How Do You Say Corazon? You Tube post.

One of our most popular Valentine’s Day selections is a dozen (or two or three) Corazon roses arranged in a vase, with their lush, dark green foliage providing the perfect setting for the rich red blooms. We also love to use them in combination with other seasonal favorites in our fresh arrangements.

Look for Corazon rose arrangements on our 2018 Valentine’s Day menu. We know you will fall in love with them too.

New York arrangement from the 2018 Valentine’s Day menu

The Bride’s Guide to Planning Wedding Florals

He popped the question, and you responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes!” The whirlwind of wedding planning is underway. We know it can be overwhelming, and we are here to help.

Once your date is set and a venue secured, contact Lilium to set up your complimentary bridal consultation. It is important that the date and venue are set, as the season and location will impact the selection of flowers available and the overall design of your wedding florals. Allow 30-45 minutes for your consultation with our experienced wedding coordinator. She will take a few moments to get to know you, to get a sense of your personality and style, before delving into the details.

Have lots of ideas? Bring them! Bring photos, notes and inspiration. Have no ideas? That’s okay too! We can make suggestions that will spark your creativity. If you know the following, you are well on your way:

Pay It Forward

Some call it “paying it forward.” Others refer to it as performing “random acts of kindness.” Whatever term you use, the act is manifested when you feel so blessed that you want someone else to get that same feeling. When your heart is overflowing, you want to share the love. As we wrap up a season focused on being thankful, and turn our thoughts toward the joy of the Christmas season, it seems a fitting time to exercise a bit of goodwill toward others.

Often, the feel-good stories don’t get much attention. The deed is done quietly, unassumingly, with no desire for recognition. Have you had someone in front of you at a drive-through window pay for your order? Or had your restaurant check paid by another diner? There is no way to return the favor, you just accept it graciously. Hopefully, it inspires you to repeat the gesture for another lucky recipient, or to come up with your own unique way to bless someone.

Lilium Floral Design Picks Up National Award

In October, Lilium owners Ron and Lisa Pritchett, along with head designer, Taylor Pritchett, traveled to Miami, FL to accept the 2015 Retail Florist of the Year award. Lisa accepted the honor before an audience of 800 attendees at the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supply Association (WF&FSA) annual conference.

In an annual contest sponsored by WF&FSA and Florists’ Review magazine, Lilium, nominated by Miami grower Equiflor Corporation, was selected from hundreds of nominees from across the US and Canada.

Nominees were judged for:

Visual merchandising/Store Design and Image
Advertising, Marketing and Promotions
Weddings and Events
Flower variety and quality
Customer Service
Employee benefits and training
Business Achievement
Floral industry and community involvement

Lisa Pritchett accepts the award and speaks to conference attendees.

Thank you to all of our loyal customers for your continued support. While we were extremely honored to receive this recognition, we promise not to rest on our laurels. Lilium will continue to strive to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations with innovation, creative inspiration and top-notch customer service.

If you’d like to know more about Lilium’s story, please read the article that appeared the June issue of Florists’ Review magazine.

Fall in Love With Autumn Weddings

For generations, newly engaged couples turned the calendar to June for scheduling their big day. Today, however, with more couples seeking outdoor venues, autumn has risen to the top as the busiest wedding season in Texas. The summer heat at last gives way to cooler days, and nature puts on a show, with colors and textures unique to the season.

Fall provides a pallet of rich and vibrant hues in every shade of orange, red, gold, green, berry and brown. Several flower varieties are only available in the late summer/early fall months, so take advantage of these limited-time options. Some of our favorites include showy dahlias, cosmos, cornflowers and scabiosa.