In 2003, SAF partnered with an internationally recognized research team at Texas A&M University to learn how flowers and plants in the workplace impact productivity and problem solving. The exciting results of this groundbreaking study:
Problem-solving skills, idea generation and creative performance improve substantially in workplace environments that include flowers and plants.
Specifically, both men and women who work in environments with flowers and plants demonstrate more innovative thinking as compared to environments with sculpture or no decorative objects.
Men who participated in the study generated 30 percent more ideas when working in environments with flowers and plants than ones without.
While men generate a greater abundance of ideas, the research shows that women generate more creative, flexible solutions to problems in workplace environments with flowers and plants.
As a result, flowers and plants prove to be natural additions to any work environment.
“The research shows that flowers and plants can be important in the most meaningful way to businesses in the modern economy,” says Roger Ulrich, Ph.D., behavioral scientist and the study’s lead researcher. “Productivity, in the form of innovation and creative problem solving, can mean the difference between mild and great success.”
Background
Researcher Bio
Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D., the lead researcher on the study, is a behavioral scientist and director of the Center for Health Systems and Design at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
Methodology
Researchers at Texas A&M University recruited 101 participants to take part in SAF’s Impact of Flowers & Plants on Workplace Productivity Study. During the four-month scientific study, participants took part in emotional, creativity and attentional demand protocols, in conditions that were carefully controlled, yet were similar to those in many office workplaces. Subjects were asked to take a series of tests in one of three environmental office conditions, selected at random: with fresh flowers and plants; with abstract sculpture; or with no greenery or sculpture at all. Throughout each session, subjects self-rated their moods four times, executed two creativity tasks and completed one attentional demand test. Researchers measured the number of ideas participants generated, their ideas’ originality and flexibility, and other responses, using data extracted from the tests, which included Torrance Tests of the Creative Thinking and Profile of Mood States.
Flowers & Seniors StudyEveryday, America’s aging population – 40 million and rising – faces the challenges of growing older, including depression, memory loss and social withdrawal. As a concerned nation, we are continually exploring new means to ease daily-life anxieties. Recently, researchers at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, released the results of a six-month behavioral study on the health effects of flowers on senior citizens. The study demonstrates that flowers ease depression, inspire social networking and refresh memory as we age.
“The results are significant because as our nation grows older and life becomes more stressful, we look for easy and natural ways to enhance our lives – and the lives of our aging parents,” said Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, professor of psychology and director of the Human Development Lab at Rutgers. “Now, one simple answer is right under our noses.”
This research follows a study conducted in 2000, which links flowers to greater happiness and life satisfaction in women. In 2001, Rutgers set out to explore the effects flowers would have on senior citizens, who experience different living situations and greater life changes.
Prevention in a Bud, Not a Bottle
More than 100 seniors participated in the Rutgers research study, in which some received flowers and others did not. The results shed new light on how nature’s support systems help seniors cope with the challenges of aging. The results are as follows:
Flowers Decrease Depression. Study participants showed a significant increase in happiness and positive moods when flowers were present.
Flowers Refresh Recent Memory. Seniors performed higher on everyday memory tasks and experienced enriched personal memories in the presence of flowers.
Flowers Encourage Companionship. Seniors who received flowers re-engaged with members of their communities and enlarged their social contacts to include more neighbors, religious support and even medical personnel.
“Instinct tells us that flowers lift our spirits, but, their effects on seniors are especially profound, if not surprising,” said Haviland-Jones.
New Evidence Sprouts Up
Specifically, 81 percent of seniors who participated in the study reported a reduction in depression following the receipt of flowers. Forty percent of seniors reported broadening their social contacts beyond their normal social circle of family and close friends. And, 72 percent of the seniors who received flowers scored very high on memory tests in comparison with seniors who did not receive flowers.
“Happier people live longer, healthier lives and are more open to change,” said Haviland-Jones. “Our research shows that a small dose of nature, like flowers, can do a world of wonder for our well-being as we age.”
Rutgers: Flower Givers Perceived as Successful and Caring
Happy birthday, congratulations, thank you, I love you, thinking of you. Each day, millions of gifts are exchanged by people who want to send thoughtful regards to deserving friends and loved ones. According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us.
Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab, explored what the gifts we choose say about who we are and whether they affect how we are perceived. The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people. More specific findings include:
Both men and women who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous people;
Men and women come across as more emotionally intelligent; they give the impression they can effectively express their feelings and take time to understand the feelings of others;
and Female floral gifters are viewed as more appreciative of beauty and nature.
“Our findings show that you can influence and change what people think of you in a significant way through the gifts you give,” says Haviland-Jones. “That news is particularly important to those interested in enhancing friendships and romances, even business relationships.”
Discovering the scientific power of flowers is not new to Haviland-Jones. Previous Rutgers University research conducted by her team found that flowers create instant delight and happiness, and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Specifically, upon receiving a gift of flowers, the female study participants responded with true smiles and reported positive moods that lasted for days. The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family and
friends.
“Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people,” says Haviland-Jones. “Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That’s powerful.”
M.J. Ryan, award-winning author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series and The Giving Heart, uses cutting-edge science to bring out the best in people. In her books, she teaches individuals how gratitude and generosity can result in greater happiness, health and feelings of human connectivity.
“Gift recipients experience compelling connections with givers, and the positive link is particularly evident in the exchange of flowers,” says Ryan. “In my everyday work with individuals, CEOs and leadership teams at some of the world’s top global companies, I see the powerful implications of gratitude and appreciation.”
According to Ryan, a simple call to the florist can make a big impact beyond conventional gifting occasions. Some of her favorite, unexpected gifting opportunities include surprise recognition for a job well done; an “I miss you” gift for an out-of-town family member; and an advance “thanks for hosting us” gesture before visiting a friend’s house.
“A successful person is not necessarily someone with a lot of money and material goods, but rather someone who is in tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts,” says Ryan. “I can think of no other item besides flowers that evokes such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver and the recipient.”
This past weekend, Academy Florist in Portage Place was involved in this year’s Pineridge Hollow Home Tours where they added fresh floral touches to the various displays in the homes.
A dining room table graced with flowers and candles can turn an ordinary dinner party into warm, friendly and wonderful occasion! And let's not forget about romantic possibilites!
There's nothing like a dining table graced with soft glowing candlelight and flowers. Here red carnations with cedar, pine and fir are set inside teacups for a festive dining experience.
This was not only a great event to pick up some great ideas and tips for Christmas but also a fundraiser for an orphange in Bolivia. Melanie Bernadsky had a lot of fun designing and decorating with fresh flowers and fragrant holiday greens and loved the fact that it was for a great cause.
We are so proud of our staff who started out as employees helping in the stores part time after school and have now blossomed into true floral artists.
It’s very normal for a florist shop to need that extra hand to help with the everyday chores of the upkeep in the store. High School and University students are great for this as they are wanting to earn extra money but don’t want fulltime hours. Not always students but sometimes house wives or people who love flowers and would like to become designers apply for a job to pursue thier dreams.
These staff often do the work we don’t always have time for, such as cutting and processing the flowers when they come in fresh several times a week, watering plants, keeping the place clean, and eventually serving customers. When all is done and there is extra time (which happens less than more), they get to actually work with the flowers and try their hand at design. A very eager student will actually work fast and very efficiently in order to have that extra time. More often than not, these are the ones that love flowers and have a natural artististic flair.
As they create their seniors and managers will comment, criticize and encourage. Every now and then we run into a person who without a doubt has great talent. They are encouraged to use their talent and are coached to become true floral designers. The results can be very amazing. This is very encouraging to us as we mould our teams to be all that they can be, not omly in the shop but also as an individual.
Whats the best way for a man to make a lasting impression on a woman? According to recent consumer research shows that the solution to making a lasting and memorable impression is right under his nose flowers. The study showed that 92% of women are able to remember the last time they received flowers. As well, 89% said that receiving flowers makes them feel special.
Author and TV co-host Rebecca Cole of Discovery Channels Surprise By Design says, If the way to a mans heart is through his stomach, then the pathway to a womans heart is through her other senses. Flowers are a sensual gift that can express any emotion so simply with just a little knowledge and a phone call to the florist.”
Research shows that 96% of women like to receive flowers when theyre not expecting them. Guys should know that they dont have to wait for a special occasion to give flowers, Cole says. Make an occasion by sending flowers to the woman in your life, just because. Theyll never forget it.
The Spathiphyllum plant is a great house plant! Because winter is just around the corner, it is a good time to think about indoor plants. The Spathiphyllum plant, also known as the Peace Lily, produces a white bloom known as a Spathe and has lush, dark green leaves. They come in various sizes, however, the most common ones we carry come in 6″ and 8″ pots. The Spathiphyllum plant prefers low light and the soil should be moist. If your plant does become dry, a good drink of water will make it perk back up again. A room temperature of 65-70 degrees is ideal. Be sure to avoid drafts, both hot or cold. The Spathiphyllum plant cleans indoor air of many environmental contaminants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and other pollutants. The Spathiphyllum is native to South America and South East Asia.
The Spathiphyllum is an ideal plant to gives as a gift. It is a very low maintenance plant. It is a suitable choice for almost any occasion such as Birthdays, Get Wells, Offices as well as an expression of Sympathy. And, of course, a great plant to buy for your own home.
In 2003, SAF partnered with an internationally recognized research team at Texas A&M University to learn how flowers and plants in the workplace impact productivity and problem solving. The exciting results of this groundbreaking study:
“The research shows that flowers and plants can be important in the most meaningful way to businesses in the modern economy,” says Roger Ulrich, Ph.D., behavioral scientist and the study’s lead researcher. “Productivity, in the form of innovation and creative problem solving, can mean the difference between mild and great success.”
Uncategorized | admin March 4, 2010 | 
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Rutgers: Flowers Boost Seniors’ Well Being
Happy birthday, congratulations, thank you, I love you, thinking of you. Each day, millions of gifts are exchanged by people who want to send thoughtful regards to deserving friends and loved ones. According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us.
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