Amber – Page 2 – Royer's flowers and gifts Blog

Learn about our collaboration with Reading District Libraries

Posted on March 4, 2025March 4, 2025 by Amber

Books and flowers? Who doesn’t love being surrounded by either?

To celebrate Read Across America Day (March 3), we collaborated with Reading District Libraries, showcasing some of their children’s and teen books available at the Reading Public Library in downtown Reading, PA.

We paired three of our arrangements, “So Happy”, “Smiley Bowl” and “Best Friend Bouquet, Dog” with some of their books.

They have many books about flowers at the library, including nonfiction titles like “What’s Inside A Flower” to help children learn about the science of flowers as well as fun flower-related books like “Don’t Touch That Flower!”.

We photographed the books and flowers in front of the library’s iconic “reading rainbow” to highlight the vibrant colors of our flowers.

The Reading Public Library just revamped its reading corner in the children’s section, which has a fun animal theme. It was the perfect location to photograph our bouquet that features a puppy palm pal stuffed animal.

We paired the arrangement with books about dogs, of course! They had so many fun books about dogs, but we chose “I Want 100 Dogs” and “Love Tails”.

The Reading Public Library also has an expansive teen space where older kids can come hang out with friends, read, and even play Nintendo Switch. We showcased some of their teen titles as well.

The book “Flowerheart” was a great choice for obvious reasons, but “Lore Olympus”, a very popular teen book, had a cover that blended perfectly with the colors in our “So Happy” arrangement.

How Fresh Flowers can affect reading

In 2005, researchers at Rutgers University published multiple studies that showed that fresh flowers can lead to increased happiness, memory, and social networking.

They found that people who worked in rooms with fresh flowers had an easier time retaining information than those who worked in rooms without flowers.

It has also been found that certain flowers can impact focus, meaning some of them can help those who struggle to devote their attention to a book. The scent of the flowers is what triggers this reaction.

Rosemary has been found to improve cognitive function by up to 75% just because of its scent. Lavender is well-known to reduce stress, which makes it easier to concentrate on tasks like reading.

So, if you have a location you typically enjoy reading in your home, such as your living room or a dedicated home library, consider adding a fresh bouquet of flowers to help you enhance your reading experience.

Happy Reading!

Ideas for Employee Appreciation Day

Posted on March 3, 2025March 4, 2025 by Amber

Employee Appreciation Day, which is March 7 this year, is a time for companies to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their workers.

Employers showing appreciation for their staff helps them to feel valued, enhances relationships and the work environment and can even increase productivity. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to say “thank you” to those who help make your business run we suggest considering these thoughtful options:

Flowers

You can never go wrong with flowers. If you’re worried about it being too personal, don’t be. There are flowers for every occasion.

You are also able to include a message for each arrangement to indicate your message. We also offer add-ons such as “Thank You” balloons and our “Thank You Plush Flower” to help share your gratitude.

We recommend these arrangements for employee appreciation day:

Plants

Plants are especially a great gift if your employees have offices with natural light. Adding a plant to office environments has been shown to increase concentration, decrease stress levels and improve overall worker satisfaction.

These plants are perfect to enhance the office environment:

Snacks

Powering through a work day is fueled by many with coffee and snacks. Help your employees keep their energy up and give them a gift they will love by supplying the snacks.

We have many different snack options that are great for thanking employees:

Happy Flower & Candy Set – Thank You
Chocolate & Mug Gift Set (This set gives them something new to put their coffee in too!)
Snack Basket

Tea

Some people prefer to get their caffeine for the workday through tea. If your employees prefer tea, consider gifting them a box of Tea Forte tea.

Different types of teas have also been proven to reduce anxiety symptoms, which can be especially helpful in a high-stress work environment. Gifting tea to employees shows you understand the pressure they are under and care for their mental health.

A “Thank You” Figurine

Some people love to decorate their space at work to make it feel more comfortable and inviting. If you notice your employees have a lot of items on their desks, such as figurines, pictures, etc., they will probably appreciate something new to include in their workspace.

Willow Tree figures are very popular gifts with meaning. Each one corresponds to a message for the person it is being given to. Gifting one of these decorations will show your employees how much they mean to you.

We recommend these thoughtful Willow Tree figures:

It’s important to make sure your employees feel appreciated all year, but it’s nice to take a day and specifically shine a light on their hard work and dedication.

Easiest Houseplants to Care for

Posted on February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 by Amber

Not everyone has a green thumb, but everyone can be a plant parent.

There’s plenty of plants that are low maintenance and resilient – perfect for those who struggle to stay consistent in their plant care routine or have had issues with more demanding plants.

If this describes you, try one of these more easy-to-care for, but still beautiful, plants below:

Philodendron

Philodendrons don’t like to be overwatered, making them a good choice for those who sometimes forget about their plants or someone who travels a lot.

They can handle regular indoor temperatures as long as they aren’t placed near vents. Philodendrons prefer medium to bright indirect light, but certain types can handle low light. For other care, it is suggested to fertilize Philodendrons during the spring and summer and to prune them as needed.

We currently offer many different types of Philodendrons including Stenolobrum Narrow, Golden Girl, Paraiso Verde, Prismacolor Philodendron – Ruby RipCurl and “Fozzie” Philodendron Nangaritense Fuzzy.

Dracaena

Dracaenas are very resilient.. They can handle different light conditions, varying amounts of water, within reason, and don’t require fertilizer. They can also be placed outside during the warmer months because of their tolerance.

They are a perfect starter plant for those new to owning houseplants.

Royer’s currently has a couple Dracaena plants available, including Dracaena Hawaiian and Janet Craig Dracaena Compacta Care.

Cactus

Cacti are made to survive in the desert, so chances are they will be fine in whatever environment your home or office offers. Because of their ability to store water, they can handle going a very long time without water in case you forget.

They only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry, so it’s actually somewhat beneficial if you forget about them. As long as they have bright, direct light they should thrive.

We currently offer two different types of cacti: Cactus Spineless and Cactus Cereus Jamacaru

Succulents

Succulents only need water when the soil has completely dried out. They will also alert you that they have been overwatered, if that is your concern, by their leaves turning yellow.

They are also easy to rescue. If you happen to overwater them they can be transferred out of the over-saturated soil and pot, placed in the sun to dry and then placed back in a clean pot with less soggy soil.

As long as a succulent has good drainage, they should be able to thrive.

We have a wide collection of succulents with varying fun containers to add brightness to your space.

Air Plant

Air plants don’t have any soil, which makes them easier to care for for beginners. Most air plants just need to soak in distilled water for 20 to 40 minutes every week or every other week.

Air plants thrive in bright to medium indirect light. Be sure not to expose them to direct light as it can burn their leaves.

Air plants are also unique because they can be displayed in many different ways since they aren’t confined to a pot. We have a Tillandsia air plant that hangs in the middle of a metal circle, making for a sleek and modern living decoration.

Terrariums

Although not a singular plant, terrariums are possibly the easiest way to add greenery to your home or office. The contained ecosystem is self-sustaining. They require no watering or fertilizing for up to a year.

Terrariums are fool-proof and perfect for someone who has little time to care for a plant but appreciates their beauty and health benefits.

We currently offer the Greene Mountain Terrarium, which is perfect for new plant parents.

Begonia

Caring for begonias requires consistency, but not perfection. As long as you give them water, ensure their environment doesn’t have extreme temperatures and expose them to bright, indirect light they will thrive.

Begonias are mostly able to handle drought-like conditions; the top two inches of soil actually need to dry out before it gets watered.

We currently offer the Begonia Criss Cross plant for those looking to test their skills.

Sansevieria

Commonly called snake plants, Sansevierias are unique, but simple to care for plants. Sansevierias store water, so they don’t require lots of watering. They can go weeks without watering; be sure not to water them until the soil is completely dry. Snake plants prefer indirect light, but are able to adapt to most conditions.

We have a variety of Sansevieria plants for those who want to add the plant to their collection.

Royer’s Flowers Hosts Valentine’s Day Media Event

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Amber

We hosted our Valentine’s Day Media Event on February 7, giving local news stations a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at Royer’s Flowers and Gifts preparation process for the big holiday.

Geoff Royer, Vice President of Production and Product Development, was in attendance to talk about how we prepare to serve thousands of Central Pennsylvania customers for Valentine’s Day.

“The trick to it is staying organized and being ahead,” said Geoff Royer, Royer’s Flowers and Gifts Vice President of Production and Product Development.

We will be delivering about 10,000 flower arrangements on Feb. 14 and 5,000 on Feb. 13. We will also serve thousands of more people at our 16 locations.

It is a full-team effort to ensure everything goes smoothly for Valentine’s Day. Our dedicated staff is working around the clock to ensure that everything is ready for the big day.

“Giving flowers and being involved in people’s emotions is always something that we’ve taken very seriously,” said Geoff Royer, Royer’s Flowers and Gifts Vice President of Production and Product Development. “We consider it an honor to be a part of that; that people are choosing us to help convey their emotions.”

All locations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14.

We can’t wait to help you make it a special Valentine’s Day for your loved one(s)!

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Men

Posted on February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 by Amber

Many think of Valentine’s Day as a day for men to do romantic gestures for the women in their lives, but they deserve to be celebrated too.

To help you find the perfect gift for your significant other, we’ve compiled a Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Men:

Flowers

Men like flowers too. Just because it’s traditional for men to buy women flowers, many also appreciate a vase of fresh flowers. If you’re looking for something “less feminine” try these options –

Plants

Is your man a plant dad? Give him a new plant for his collection. These Valentine’s-themed plants are perfect gifts that will last well beyond the holiday when taken care of properly.

Chocolate

Who doesn’t love chocolate? We have plenty of options for the sweet tooth in your life.

These are just a few of the options we have in store and online to treat your guy for Valentine’s Day.

If you choose to order flowers to surprise your significant other, we have a special offer this year! Have the flowers delivered between Feb. 8-13 and your recipient will receive a coupon for a free dozen roses that is redeemable in-store from March 1-31, 2025.

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Women

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Amber

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! If you’re still looking for that perfect gift for your special lady we’re here to help.

Women, just like everyone, want to feel special, seen and loved every day of the year, but February 14 is a perfect time to remind them how much they mean to you. We have an array of gifts to say, “I love you”.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Women:

Flowers

Flowers are the traditional Valentine’s gift for a reason. They are an easy, yet meaningful way to show you care. And your significant other will think of you every time they look at them. We have a full selection of Valentine’s Day arrangements to choose from which can be found on our website, Royers.com , but a couple bouquets to consider are:

Chocolate

If your significant other has a sweet tooth, we have plenty of chocolate options to satisfy their cravings.

A Stuffed Animal

Treat your significant other to a cuddly, soft stuffed animal that they can squeeze when you’re not around.

A Valentines-themed Plant

Is she a plant mom? Add to her personal plant jungle with a new Valentine’s-themed plant.

A sweet gift bag full of goodies

Give them a little bit of everything. Our gift bag includes a bag of Asher’s chocolate covered pretzels, a 10” white stuffed bear and a red heart balloon. We take care of the packaging with red tissue paper and red shred too.

And guys, don’t forget the card! We have a selection of special Valentine’s Day cards in-store only. You can also have a message sent when you place a flower order in-store, online or over the phone.

How to make your flowers last longer

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Amber

We at Royer’s Flowers and Gifts work very hard to bring you the freshest flowers possible. We are diligent in our selection of only the highest quality flowers, work directly with the growers, and go to great lengths to ensure they are handled with expert care once they arrive.

However, there are some steps you can take at home to ensure that our flowers last as long as possible.

Tip #1 – Buy from a local shop that only sources the best quality flowers

If you get your flowers from us this step is already covered. But no matter where you are buying your flowers, it is important that you know where their flowers are from, how they transport them and how they care for the flowers once they receive them.

Don’t be afraid to ask. A good florist will be able to answer these questions for you without hesitation.

Buying flowers from a local florist is important because of the amount of care that is taken in the selection of flowers. While many floral retailers ship their flowers using ocean containers and ships, Royer’s uses air shipping to speed up the time between the flowers being cut and arriving at your doorstep.

Tip #2 – Remove low leaves

If you are purchasing a handheld bouquet, there are extra steps that need to be taken when placing the flowers in a vase to ensure flower longevity.

First, remove leaves that will be submerged in water when placed in the vase. This can lead to mold. Be careful to not remove the leaves that will be above the water line however.

Tip #3 – Choose the right vase

Don’t just pull the random vase out from under your kitchen sink and plop the flowers in. That’s a recipe for failure.

First, make sure that the vase fits your flowers. Ask yourself, will the flowers be able to stand up straight and not tip over? Will all of the leaves be underwater (remember, that’s not good)?

If the vase will fit the flowers, then make sure you clean it if it’s dusty or hasn’t been rinsed since it held its last bouquet. Make sure there is no soap residue left behind before filling the vase with water.

Tip #4 – Use the flower food

Don’t forget about the packet of flower food your florist should have given you when you purchased the flowers.

Read the instructions on the back of the packet carefully as the ratio of water to food is very important and the amount of food you should use will be different for every vase. Mix the food with the water before adding the bouquet.

Tip #5 – Cut your stems

Before placing your flowers in the vase, cut the stems at an angle. This will help with water uptake.

Tip #6 – Keep the water clean

For best results, don’t ignore your flower care after initially setting them up. As you’re admiring them, check that the water is clean. Make sure it’s not cloudy or full of debris. If you notice this, change the water immediately. The quick extra step will extend your flower’s life.

If you follow these tips, your beautiful flowers can last up to two weeks.

Flowers and Coffee – What’s Not to Love?

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Amber

Tuscan Winter, Small & Hot Mocha Hazelnut Latte
Happy Hydrangea Bowl, Lavender & Lavender Mint Fog
Softly Spoken, Pink & Raspberry Italian Cream Soda
Peach Blossom & Iced Cookie Butter Latte
Peach Blossom & Iced Cookie Butter Latte
Simply Said, clear & Americana with Coconut

We recently collaborated with our Lebanon location’s neighbor, The Clay House Cafe, to highlight some of our arrangements and a selection of their drinks from their current menu.

They gave us a list of some of their current drinks from coffee to cream sodas and we chose flower arrangements we believed paired well with them. Because we believe everyone’s morning should start with sipping a cup of locally brewed coffee while admiring a beautiful flower arrangement.

Our pairings were as follows:

Tuscan Winter, Small & Hot Mocha Hazelnut Latte

We chose Tuscan Winter to pair with this drink because the warm yellow glow from the sunflower and the orange vase was connotative to mocha and hazelnut to us. The flowers and the coffee are both perfect to warm you up from winter blues.

Happy Hydrangea Bowl, Lavender & Lavender Mint Fog

Soft, purple tones were the theme here. The stark purple of our hydrangeas paired perfectly with the lavender in this drink. The mini green hydrangeas evoke ideas of mint and freshness, complimentary to the mint elements in this drink.

Softly Spoken, Pink & Raspberry Italian Cream Soda

Our Softly Spoken, Pink arrangement was a perfect match to the colors of The Clay House’s Raspberry Italian Cream Soda. The reddish-pink tint of the drink itself matched our pink roses and the white foam on top replicated the white mini calla lilies and the hydrangea.

Peach Blossom & Iced Cookie Butter Latte

If you taste the Iced Cookie Butter Latte, the pairing makes complete sense. The sweetness emulates the feeling the roses and mini carnations bring to the arrangement. The color of both the drink and the arrangement are evocative of a golden-hour glow as well.

Farmhouse Sunset, Small & Maple Freddo with Cold Foam (Shaken Espresso)

This drink gets swirled around to create its flavor with each element serving a purpose. Our Farmhouse Sunset features many flowers including roses, a green hydrangea, charmelia alstroemeria, a carnation and statie. Each of these flowers are different, vibrant colors, but together they create a beautiful bouquet, much like the drink.

Simply Said, clear & Americana with Coconut

Sometimes simple is best. This Americana’s star of the show is Coconut with the other elements complimenting the flavor. In Simply Said, clear the daisy poms and baby’s breath are a calming white, giving the carnation a chance to shine.

Why the Collaboration?

Royer’s Flowers and Gifts had humble beginnings in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. We began when Hannah Royer started growing African violets on her windowsill. Flash forward over 80 years later, and Royer’s has 16 locations across Central Pennsylvania. Royer’s continues to serve the community, including Lebanon, as a fourth-generation family-owned small business.

Supporting other small businesses and our community is an important part of our history and who we are today.

The Clay House Cafe opened in Lebanon, just 3 minutes away from Royer’s Flowers, in September 2024. Since then they have been serving our Lebanon community with coffee and kindness.

It’s been beautiful to watch our community grow.

We want to encourage everyone, whether their community is in Central Pennsylvania like us or somewhere else, to support local businesses. They are the backbone of this community.

We send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has ever purchased from us or shared one of our posts on social media. Keep #supportinglocal

How to Care for Cut Tulips

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Amber

Tulips are back in our stores for the season, and we want to make sure that after you take them home, they last as long as possible.

We only offer the highest quality tulips available and care for them diligently while they are in our stores. However, to ensure their longevity there are some steps you can take at home.

Understanding tulips

It is important to know that tulips are different from other cut flowers. Tulips continue to grow even after being cut. Their stems grow upwards, and their flowers grow towards light sources.

Because they are active, they will droop. This does not mean they are dying or unhealthy; they are simply “moving”.

Royer’s also specifically sources tulips with larger heads, which increases the chance of the “drooping” effect while they are growing but is a higher quality flower.

They can easily be recut and shortened if they become too unruly.

It should also be noted that tulips do not require flower food like many other fresh flowers.

Tips to make tulips last longer

Cut them

As with most fresh flowers, it is recommended that you cut some of the stem off from the bottom. For tulips, cut a ½ inch off from the bottom at an angle.

This is done to increase the flowers’ ability to uptake water, which ensures they don’t wilt or get shocked.

Water

Even though tulips don’t need flower food, they do require a lot of water. Be sure to check the amount of water in the vase daily. It is important that at least the bottom of tulips stems are always covered. Remember, the tulips are still technically growing.

For best practices, give your tulips fresh water everyday or continue adding water as the levels decrease.

Environment

Tulips like to be cool. Keep them in a room that won’t get a lot of heat. To help them maintain their ideal temperature, drop ice cubes into their water.

Be sure to place them somewhere away from direct light, radiators, lamps, TV’s, electronics and other items that could cause them to overheat.

New Houseplants to start the year right

Posted on January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by Amber

This one is for the plant parents.

A new year means it’s time for new plants, because you haven’t added a new one to your collection since last year. Far too long.

To start 2025 off the right way, we’ve expanded our houseplant offerings with new plants from Proven Winners. We are offering 9 new and unique plants: