 
Flowers by Occasion Types of Flowers Gift Baskets Plants Welcome to FlowerStore.com!
We offer an incredibly large selection of beautiful flowers. If you're looking for flowers, plants, or gift baskets, you've come to the right place. You'll find well over 250 exciting items to choose from at FlowerStore.com, and our checkout process is quick, safe, and secure. We are the flower experts. We work closely with local florists to bring you a variety of unique choices, at prices that fit most every budget. You don't have to travel from store to store looking for what you need. You're certain to find great products, great value, and great service at FlowerStore.com. And your gift will arrive on time, bringing your warm wishes right to your loved one's door. We are here to answer your calls from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, Saturday and Sunday. Just call 1-800-461-6836 or click here to contact us. We strive to answer your email within 24 hours. Enjoy safe, secure shopping. FlowerStore.com uses a safe and secure online ordering system that protects your privacy every step of the way. Plus, FlowerStore.com is thawte SSL Certified, meaning we offer secure communications by encrypting all your data. We work hard to provide you with a great shopping experience at FlowerStore.com, and we're confident you'll find the perfect gift. We're even more confident that your friends or loved ones will enjoy it, and will think fondly of you for your thoughtfulness. Thanks for shopping with us!
   
 Founded in 1927, Fleurop-Interflora is the largest floral company in the world, connecting approximately 58,000 UK, North American and International retail florists, offering an international floral delivery network in over 150 countries. For over 77 years, the brands Fleurop and Interflora together with the trademark "Mercury" has been recognized for the finest quality in floral products and excellence in customer service. The foundations of Fleurop and its world-wide distribution system were established in 1927. In 1946, Florist Transworld Delivery (FTD), Interflora British Group and Fleurop-Interflora joined forces to form a new Organisation with the goal to distribute flowers around the globe. Today, Fleurop-Interflora processes over 25 million orders each year. The Fleurop-Interflora Organisation is linked to the most advanced telecommunications technology. Looking back to 1910 it was the telegraph that actually made flower ordering possible and today it is the computer aided information processing and the New Medias as e.g. Internet that are the driving forces behind Fleurop-Interflora's fast development. Technical improvements finally made it possible to replace the slogan 'flowers around the world' by 'flowers within hours worldwide'. Put us to the test: order your flower surprise via Internet or through one of our Fleurop-Interflora flower shops and we shall deliver your flower greetings on schedule to the recipient's address, fresh, fast and with a personal touch, by one of Fleurop-Interflora affiliated florists. We welcome you as one of our customers and thank you for the trust you have placed in our company.
For nearly a century, Dutch Gardens has been supplying Holland's finest bulbs and plants to beautify gardens throughout the U.S. Our history in Holland, however, goes back many more generations. Our gardening experts come from families who have long been leading Dutch horticulturists.
The Dutch Gardens Difference
What makes Dutch Gardens bulbs best: quality, variety, value and service.
Meet a Grower
Meet some of the people who grow our Dutch Gardens bulbs.
Where Our Bulbs are Grown
Holland is the world's oldest and largest producer of flower bulbs. Most Dutch Gardens bulbs are grown along the northwest coast of Holland in the bulb-growing area known as the Northern Sand District.
The Basics: Dahlias
Learn To Grow This Easy-Care Summer Flower
There are shrinking violets and then there are dahlias, which are nothing if not flamboyant. Their flowers can range from dinnerplate size to petite pompoms. Native to the Andes of South America, this daisy-family plant is a tender perennial in most areas of the country, but is hardy outdoors in USDA zones 8 to 10. In zone 7, they can survive winters with a thick layer of protective mulch.
Choosing Dahlias
Horticulturists have divided dahlias into 10 classifications, with numerous subcategories and fine distinctions. Because there are so many varieties, choosing dahlias is much more difficult than growing them. However, you can put dahlias into three broad groups: large, medium and small:
Large dahlias range from about 3 to 4 feet tall. The most well-known dahlias in this size range are Dinnerplate Dahlias, known for their 10- to 12-inch-diameter double flowers. These are best grown in the back of perennial borders with other large perennials. They put on a stunning late-summer and early-fall show, but will require some kind of support to withstand summer winds and rain.
Medium dahlias, also known as Border Dahlias, are compact 1- to 2-foot-tall plants. These dahlias look great in the front of a perennial bed mixed with other late-blooming perennials, such as phlox and asters. In addition, all Border Dahlias can be grown in containers. For something different, consider Cactus-Flowered Dahlias, such as those in the Cactus Dahlia Mixture, which have distinctive rolled petals.
Small dahlias are perfect for windowboxes. These 10- to 20-inch plants bloom for a long time and remain fairly compact. You can also use them at the edge of a border or in pots and planters.
Planting
Dahlias grow and flower best in a well drained, sunny site. They like warm weather and will not tolerate frost, so don't rush to plant them outdoors. Plant your dahlias in beds about the same time as you'd plant corn—when the soil has warmed. Most dahlias will begin flowering by midsummer.
If you live in a cold climate and want to get an early start, you can start your dahlia tubers in 1-gallon pots about two to three weeks before your last expected frost date. Once they've sprouted, place the pots under grow lights or in front of a sunny window (a south-facing window is best). After danger of frost has passed, transplant them gently into their garden location.
To plant all but the diminutive-sized dahlia types, dig a 6- to 12-inch-deep hole and amend the soil with compost. If the soil drains poorly, mix in some fine gravel. Backfill the hole with native soil and plant the tubers 2 to 4 inches deep, and about 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Growth begins in 14 to 20 days.
Tall varieties, such as dinnerplate dahlias, will need support or staking to keep the heavy blooms from falling over. A simple wood stake is fine, but you can also use tomato cages, which are quickly covered by lush foliage. Just make sure to put the stakes or cages in place before the plants get large. To create a bushier plant, pinch off the top growth of the dahlia shoots above the third set of leaves while plants are still young. Shorter varieties are naturally bushier and won't need pinching.
Summer & Fall Care
Fertilize dahlias monthly with a water-soluble, organic fertilizer that's formulated for flowers. Avoid using a high-nitrogen fertilizer, or you'll get lots of green growth with little flowering. Mulch with straw or shredded bark to keep weeds to a minimum and retain moisture. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Cut blossoms for indoor flower arrangements and remove old blossoms to encourage more branching and flower production.
In fall, after the first frost has blackened the foliage, cut off all but 2 to 4 inches of top growth, and carefully dig tubers without damaging them. Allow tubers to dry for a few days in a frost-free location, out of direct sunlight. Once dried, remove any excess soil, leaving 1 to 2 inches of stem. Store each clump of tubers upside down in a ventilated box or basket. Fill the box with slightly moistened sand, peat moss or vermiculite and place it in a cool, dry location with temperatures that remain between 45 and 55 degrees F. Check tubers periodically through winter for rotting and drying out. If the tubers appear shriveled, mist them lightly with water. If any start to rot, trim the rotted portion of the clump so it won't spread. The tubers are fragile, so be careful when handling them.
 
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