Blog

Your Guide To Selecting The Best Tree For Your Gift

Choosing the perfect tree for your gift involves considering both the recipient's preferences and the symbolic significance of the tree. Each tree carries its own meaning, so make sure that your gesture resonates with the occasion and reflects the heartfelt sentiments you wish to convey. While sticking to the traditional meanings of each tree is a nice touch, it's also thoughtful to consider the personal connection and sentimental value a particular tree might have for the person you're giving it to.

Camellia

A Camellia is a flowering evergreen tree that is known for its beautiful and often fragrant flowers. The flowers of the Camellia plant can vary in colour, including shades of white, pink, and red. The leaves are glossy and dark green. Camellias have cultural significance in various regions and are often associated with love and admiration. For an anniversary, the elegant Camellia makes a splendid choice, symbolising love and devotion.

Pōhutukawa

The Pōhutukawa is our native coastal evergreen tree. Its scientific name is Metrosideros excelsa. Often referred to as the "New Zealand Christmas tree," the Pōhutukawa is known for its vibrant crimson flowers that bloom during summer. The tree has distinctive, gnarled branches and thick, leathery leaves. Pōhutukawa's hold cultural significance in Māori mythology and is cherished for its resilience to thrive in harsh coastal conditions. In times of sympathy, Pōhutukawa offers solace with its crimson blooms, representing strength and enduring memories.

Kōwhai

The Kōwhai tree, scientifically known as Sophora, is a native tree that is famous for its bright yellow, tubular flowers. These flowers typically bloom in late winter or early spring, adding a burst of colour to the landscape in colder seasons. The Kōwhai is deciduous, meaning it sheds its leaves in winter. The tree's name is derived from the Māori word for yellow, which describes the colour of its distinctive flowers. Celebrations call for the joyful Kōwhai, adorned with golden flowers, symbolising positivity and shared happiness.

Feijoa

The Feijoa tree, also known as Acca sellowiana or pineapple guava, is a small evergreen tree. It is widely cultivated for its unique and flavourful fruits. Feijoa fruits are oval-shaped and green, with a rough, waxy skin. The flesh is aromatic and has a sweet and tangy flavour, often likened to a combination of pineapple, guava, and mint. Welcoming a newborn with a Feijoa tree is fitting, to symbolise the sweetness of new beginnings and growth.

Mānuka

The Mānuka tree, also known as Leptospermum scoparium, is a native tree to New Zealand and parts of Australia. It holds cultural, medicinal, and economic significance, especially in New Zealand. Mānuka is an evergreen shrub or small tree with aromatic leaves and white or pink flowers. The Mānuka tree is renowned for its honey-producing capabilities. Bees that gather nectar from the flowers produce honey that has gained international recognition for its potential health benefits. The essential oil extracted from Mānuka leaves is also utilised in aromatherapy and skincare products. Renowned for its healing properties, Mānuka is a thoughtful gift to convey wishes of health and wellness on any occasion.

Olive

The olive tree, scientifically known as Olea europaea, is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia and Africa. Olive trees have been cultivated for thousands of years for their valuable fruit, olives, and their oil. In many traditions, it represents peace, wisdom, and fertility. Olive branches have been used as symbols of peace in various cultures, dating back to ancient times. For moments of reflection and growth, the Olive tree serves as a meaningful gesture, representing peace and prosperity.

Lemon & Citrus Trees

Exciting news! We have launched our brand new website with brand new products. 

Whilst we look a little different, behind the scenes remains the same: our team, our customer service, free delivery, and our location on Barry's Point Road, Takapuna.

We have merged Flying Flowers to our new website too, so you can shop our beautiful flowers and send to the UK and Australia.

We hope you love our refreshed look and range. Happy Giving!

A customer rang the other day and asked for some advice on flower meanings. In particular, she was interested in something to suggest 'thank you for having us' and 'we're thinking of you'. A quick google search suggested pansy (thinking of you), fern (sincerity), dark pink roses (thankfulness) and basil (good wishes). Browsing through several different pages filled with flower meanings produced some hilarious and often contradictory definitions of what certain flowers symbolised. Many of these definitions have to be relics from Victorian times, when the language of flowers was taken very literally by both senders and receivers of posies and nose-gays. 

Our delicious Lindt bunnies are multiplying like, well, bunnies. 
Please forgive us if one happens to stowaway in your gift hamper or bouquet! 

It's UK Father's Day this Sunday, June 15. If you have a dad in the UK, don't forget to send him a little love. Browse hampers for the UK here, and flowers for the UK here. Don't forget our free delivery! Orders must be received by Wednesday 11 June.

Alstroemeria . . . what's that?
A question we are asked frequently by customers who call to order flowers.
Alstroemeria is a plant native to south america, and now successfully cultivated world-wide.
Also known as the Peruvian Lily, alstroemeria produces small lily-like blossoms in a huge variety of colours, with the petals usually featuring stripes or spots. Quite possibly one of the most under-rated and under-valued flowers around, alstroemeria is a favourite of florists due to its delicate, pretty blossoms, and its extraordinary longevity!

Facts about Alstoemeria:

• In the language of flowers, Alstoemeria symbolises prosperity and good fortune
• Hybrids commonly grown today result from crosses between species from Chile (winter-growing) with species from Brazil (summer-growing). This strategy has resulted in plants that flower year-round.
• named after the Swedish baron Clas Alströmer (1736 – 1794)
• blossoms are fragrance-free
• Alstroemeria stops producing blossoms if it gets too hot (soil temp exceeds 22c)
• Alstroemeria come in almost all colours, except for blue.

Send a bouquet of gorgeous alstroemeria to someone special (or yourself!) here

It seem's we've barely had a breather from the double whammy that was Easter and Anzac Day, and already another event is upon us: Mother's Day! This year it falls on Sunday 11 May, and we've prepared a number of exciting new gifts for deserving mums. Check them out here.
If you're keen to design your own gift hamper for mum, you can always create your own hamper.  We have a variety of items that are perfect to send, such as candles, gourmet food products and luxurious pamper products. These items are also ideal to send along with a gorgeous fresh bouquet. 

We first saw a picture of these adorable little Easter Chick buns on Pinterest.
Detirmined to learn more, we eventually found the original image and recipe from a blog that's published in Bulgarian. 

Google Translate helped us get an idea of the recipe:

Basic dough:

• 330g flour (sifted)
• 50g sugar
• 30-40 g soft butter (room temp)
• 15-20 g fresh yeast
• 125ml warm milk
• pinch of salt

Glaze:

• egg yolk with a few drops of milk

Eyeballs:

•  nuts, pepper, raisins, cloves etc.

Knead the dough and leave covered for half an hour. Shape dough into individual 70g balls. Form into bird shapes as directed in the video. Place on a tray lined with baking paper and brush each roll with glaze. Bake at 200-220 ° C until golden. 

Want to win our adorable Bucket of Bunnies gift hamper for Easter? Simply Like us on Facebook, and tell us your favourite Easter tradition in the comments section of the competition post. The best answer as judged by About Giving will be selected on April 16, and the gorgeous gift hamper will be sent out to the winner just in time for Easter!
For full Terms & Conditions, please click here. 

All customers have the option of including a message with their gift hamper or bouquet. These messages are printed on the reverse of the address card, which is then attached to the gift hamper or bouquet (when sent locally in Auckland) or to the exterior of the box (when sent nationally). See our images below for an idea of what your gift card will look like. 
Customers frequently ask for advice when it comes to the gift card message, especially if their gift hamper or bouquet is being sent to acknowledge a difficult event such as a bereavement or illness.
We believe it is always a good idea to keep your message short, sweet and simple. Your aim is to let the recipient know they're in your thoughts, and the gift is generally there to try and ease the burden of the situation, or provide a small relief from the difficulty of the event. 

Here's an example:

Dear (recipient),

Sending our deepest sympathy for your loss.
You are in our thoughts during this difficult time.

With love,
(your name)

Tips:

• it's often a good idea to include your full name on the card. Under the circumstances of a bereavement, your recipient will likely be receiving a number of letters, messages, phone calls and gift baskets or bouquets. This doesn't make your gesture any less personal or thoughtful, but including a full name might prevent your recipient getting confused during a difficult time. 
• Phrases such as 'chin-up', 'keep smiling' or 'look on the bright side' may be perceived as a little insensitive on occasions such as beareavements, illness or personal upsets. You might not want to sound too serious or emotional, but simply letting the recipient know you're thinking of them with love during a difficult time is usually the perfect sentiment. 
• Including a kind comment or personal anecdote about the deceased in your message is a nice touch. For example: We will miss Michael greatly, and will fondly remember lovely summer sailing trips, and Michael's superb fishing skills and delightful company.