The original colour associated with St. Patrick was blue, but over the years the colour green became more widely associated with the holiday.

Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day as early as the 17th century.

St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-level plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish so the wearing and displaying of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs became a ubiquitous feature of the day.  In the 1798 rebellion, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms to make a political statement.

The phrase “the wearing of the green”, meaning to wear a shamrock on one’s clothing, is derived from a song of the same name.

St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday celebrated throughout the world on March 17.  It is named after St. Patrick who in one of the most commonly recognized patron saints of Ireland.  It became an official feast day in the early 17th century.

St. Patrick’s feast day was being celebrated by the Irish in their homeland in the 9th and 10th centuries.  St. Patrick’s feast day was acknowledged in the early 1600s and became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903.

In the mid 1990s the Irish government began a campaign to use St. Patrick’s Day to showcase Ireland and its culture.

Looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Calgary?  Visit any Irish Pub and you will find a party happening.  Don’t forget to get flowers first for your Calgary florist.

St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the 4th century, into a wealthy Ramono-British family where his father and grandfather were deacons in the Church.  At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland to serve as a slave.  It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown.

According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity and go to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain.  Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.  It is said that in 432 AD, when he was a bishop, he was called back to Ireland by God to Christianize the Irish.

After nearly thirty years of evangelism, he died on March 17, 461 and according to tradition, was buried in Downpatrick.

On the occasion of Valentines Day when we think about flowers for a loved one, roses come to mind immediately!

The very word rose evokes images of love, romance, affection and a variety of feelings. Flowers, especially roses, can easily communicate the feeling of love when words are inadequate to express our innermost emotions. They are the perfect flower for Valentines Day!

Most women love roses! No matter the color, whether it’s a dozen, a single rose or even if they are mixed with other complimentary flowers. You just can’t go wrong when you choose roses for Valentines Day!

Here at Grower Direct we understand roses like no one else! Browse through some of our links:

Rose Gallery – Some beautiful roses waiting to be admired!

Rose Bouquets – Some of the bouquets you can purchase from Grower Direct

Rose Information – Find out what you need to know!

Have a look through our wonderful collection of flowers for this romantic occasion. We know you will find the perfect flowers for your sweetheart this Valentines Day!

Visit your Calgary flower shop today and get your Valentine’s Day flowers from Velda’s Grower Direct.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner now is the time to order flowers in Calgary for yourself, your family and friends! We have an incredible selection of beautiful Autumn flower arrangements & table centerpieces that will enhance the decor of any room or table. All of them in nature’s glorious Autumn colours.

The FTD® Bright Autumn™ Centrepiecement

The FTD® Bright Autumn™ Centerpiece spins the magic of the Fall season with each sun-kissed petal to set your gathering space aglow with blooming beauty. Two taper candles are surrounded by a gorgeous arrangement consisting of Asiatic Lilies, gerbera daisies, and roses with Peruvian Lilies, cushion poms and assorted greens to create the perfect addition to your Autumn celebration.

Give us a call at your Calgary Flower Shop for your Thanksgiving flowers.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving in Calgary?

At Velda’s, your local Calgary flower shop we are getting ready for Thanksgiving and helping many Calgary families find new ways of saying thanks to those around them.

What is Thanksgiving?

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike our friends to the south who celebrate their Thanksgiving in November and remember the  Pilgrims settling in the New World. Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest and all the hard work that went on out in the fields to get all the crops out.   In Canada, The harvest season falls earlier compared to those in the US.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient and stumbled onto Canada. He never did make it to the Orient but he was successful in establishing a settlement in North America.. In 1578, Martin and the settlers held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey and Thanksgiving in Canada was born.  The tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. Martin Frobisher was knighted and had and Frobisher Bay in Northern Canada was named in his honour.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed ‘The Order of Good Cheer’ and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

Lots of history about Thanksgiving in Canada, you can learn more at http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/canada/

Don’t forget to say Thanks and also don’t forget your flowers.

Happy Thanksgiving

Velda and the your Calgary Florist team at Velda’s Grower Direct.

Come by Velda’s Grower Direct this Calgary Father’s Day for some wonderful ways to say “Thanks Dad”.  It doesn’t matter if your Dad is here in Calgary or somewhere else in Canada, Velda’s can take care of you and your needs during this Father’s Day weekend.  Come by our location on 17th Ave SW (International Ave) or give a shout on the phone 403.569.2023.  My staff and I would be honour to help you say thanks to your Father this weekend.

Mention you read about these gift ideas online on our Calgary florist blog and save 10% off all of your purchases this Father’s Day.  Expires June 20, 2010.

Father’s Day Golf Gift Bag

This wonderful Father’s Day gift bag includes: a golfer’s cooler bag, a utility belt bag (holds pop can, cell phone, etc.), a Max golf tool, 3 new state-of-the-art golf balls, a non-slip thermal tumbler, a pocket knife with a compass & light, a Flexi-Lite with laser pointer and a sunglass clip.

Ideal for the Calgary Father who likes to believe he is one of the best golfers in our city.  An excellent gift for your golfing Dad this Father’s Day.

Price: $59.99

The FTD® Florist Designed Gourmet Gift Basket

Still can’t decide which gourmet gift to send? Let your Calgary florist design something special using their best gourmet gift ideas. This item will be arranged in a basket, and reflect the amount you have spent.

Price: $41.99 & up

A unique or a one of a kind celebration leaves us asking for more.  It is something not seen, heard or experienced before.  Celebrating Mother’s Day in a unique way is easy to do.

A Memorable Mother’s Day Outing

A fun outing is just the key to a unique Mother’s Day festivity.  Think of some exotic yet approachable place that can be the venue for your excursion.  A trip to the zoo, picnic in a park, nature hike, visit to a museum, botanical gardens or amusement park are all possibilities that can create lasting memories.

Journey to a Mother’s Heart

Giving Mother’s Day gifts is a common trend.  Make it a journey!  Turn the process into a treasure hunt for mom.  Lead her towards her gift with clues that take her from one location to the next.  She’ll cherish the memories and the gift.

Throw a Mother’s Day Party

Bring in Mother’s Day in a grand way.  Organize a surprise celebration that includes all the people who are special to your mother.  The food, fun music and games should be centred around her.  Remember to take lots of pictures!

Reunion of Mothers’ on Mother’s Day

Bring together all the mothers in your family including grandmothers, mothers-in-law, aunts, sisters, cousins and women who have been like mothers to you.  Showcase the talents of each and compile them in a scrapbook for lasting memories.

Don’t forget about your flowers!

Mother’s Day for Calgary mothers is May 9.  Have you picked out your Mother’s Day Flowers yet?   Now is the perfect time to get your on order from your local Calgary Flower Shop.  Velda’s offers Calgary Flower delivery with all orders.  Book now, call Velda’s Grower Direct at 403.569.2023.

Flowers are the most popular Mother’s Day gift.  The most popular flowers are:

1. Mixed bouquets
2. Carnations
3. Daffodils
4. Roses
5. Tulips
6. Freesia
7. Potted chrysanthemums
8. Irises
9. Lillies
10. Green Plants

Mother’s Day for Calgary mothers is May 9.  Have you picked out your Mother’s Day Flowers yet?   Now is the perfect time to get your on order from your local Calgary Flower Shop.  Velda’s offers Calgary Flower delivery with all orders.  Book now, call Velda’s Grower Direct at 403.569.2023.

The idea of Mother’s Day caught on very quickly with the public.  On May 8, 1914, United States President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation that designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.  Mother’s Day in Canada is also always celebrated on the second Sunday in May.  This year it is May 9th, are you ready?

Mother’s Day for Calgary mothers is May 9.  Have you picked out your Mother’s Day Flowers yet?   Now is the perfect time to get your on order from your local Calgary Flower Shop.  Velda’s offers Calgary Flower delivery with all orders.  Book now, call Velda’sGrower Direct at 403.569.2023.