Seasonal flowers can be used to great effect in making your home look and smell wonderful.

And if you buy seasonal British flowers, you are at the start of a trend which is beginning to match the same consumer enthusiasm seen previously for buying local vegetable produce.

Firstly, it’s worth remembering which flowers are naturally from which season. Doing a little work at this stage will help you when it comes to buying your flowers.

Autumn season flowers include some well-known and loved varieties, including Rose, Orchid, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Freesia, Iris, Hydrangea and Lily, and some less well-known types including Love-Lies-Bleeding, Micklemas Daisy and Morning Glory.

Obviously, as you stride into the colder months, there’s less choice, but there is still plenty to choose from, including Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gypsophila, Holly Berries, Snowdrop and Winter Jasmines.

As Spring approaches, a full plethora of flowers start to become available, with the likes of Azalea, Daffodil, Tulip, Forsythia, Lilac, Primrose, Rhododendron and Clematis making their presence felt.

And by the summer, choice is at its peak with the usual suspects there, plus Gladioli, Delphinium, Marigold, Heather, Fuschia, Tiger Lily and, of course Sweetpea.

Okay, so within every season of the year, there is plenty of British flowers to choose from. And what’s more, try and pick varieties that are known to have strong associations with your particular part of the country

So what are the advantages? For you, the flowers grown in the correct season tend to be fresher and less expensive. They don’t have to be reared in an intensive, heated greenhouses, nor do they have to be imported from sunnier climes overseas. And by buying seasonal flowers, you are showing that you not only care about provenance and the environment, but you are also in tune with the country’s seasons.

And for the country as a general, buying seasonal flowers, much like buying seasonal vegetables, will have a beneficial impact upon the world environment. Just as it makes flowers cheaper to buy because they are not being reared in artificial hot-houses, it means that less energy will have to be used to provide the heat for them. And if they’re not coming from abroad, that’s less air miles to get them here, meaning less pollution.

And if you can try and take it one step further, by buying flowers that are grown in your own county, then that’s even better. Fewer transport miles will benefit us all.

And the disadvantages? Well, the main one, is that we live in a world where literally whatever mainstream flower you might want, you can get, whatever the season.

But as the with kindred spirits, the vegetable eaters who demand local, quality produce at the right price, so it’s now the turn of those that buy flowers.

Seasonal flowers can be used to great effect in making you home look and smell wonderful, and by purchasing vibrant, in season local flowers, which have grown without recourse to expensive artificial heat, you are certainly doing your bit.

Keep it seasonal and keep it local.

Tags: Autumn Season Flowers, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Freesia, Hydrangea and Lily, Iris, Orchid, Seasonal British Flowers, Seasonal Flowers

If you thought that all you needed for your wedding was a few button holes and bouquets, then think again.

Flowers play a vital part in the ceremony and if you want to stick to the time-honoured conventions of a flower for every participant, and to dress the church, you’re going to need some help with the planning, ordering and delivery.

You can of course mix it up a little, deciding what flowers are important for you and which ones are a must, and which can be discreetly forgotten. And, of course, you have to think about price, as dressing up everyone and everything with the right flowers, could cost you a packet.

But lets have a quick look at the complete wish list. First comes the wedding party.

The bride is obviously the most important there and she gets a bridal bouquet, as well as flowers for her hair. She’ll need a bouquet to throw as she leaves the reception and a going-away corsage.

The older bridesmaids get a bouquet each and possibly hair flowers, and there is an option of getting a different bouquet (more lavish possibly) for the maid of honour. The younger bridesmaids tend to get posies and hair flowers, and can also carry small flower baskets, or baskets with petal confetti.

The men traditionally only get buttonholes and these go to the groom and the bestman (who might have slightly different, more lavish buttonholes than the other men), and then the others in the party, including ushers, ring-bearer, pageboy, fathers, grandfathers and key groom friends.

Mothers and grandmothers usually get a corsage, and they usually receive a thankyou bouquet.

Right, that’s the wedding party kitted out. Now, you have to think about the church and wedding reception.

The church is the perfect stage for flowers, with arrangements needed for the lych-gate, pew ends, pedestal, pulpit, font, lectern, columns, altar, chancel and window ledges. It doesn’t end there, with the registrar/ceremony table also needing flowers, as well as some of the chairs, or pews.

The wedding cars require flowers and then its onto the reception venue, with natural contenders being the entrance area, pedestals, staircases, table-centres, top-table, cake table and guest book table.

That’s an exhaustive list which covers nearly all of the flowers needed at a wedding, but, of course, you can happily choose to select some, and leave out others.

And once you’ve decided what to have, then it’s a matter of cost. With flowers, as with many things, you need not go for the most expensive stems and arrangements, but mix and match between the premium flowers and budget flowers.

It can work very much like fashion, with one expensive item of clothing, being supported by cheaper items, but the overall effect is stunning.

Use the skill of your florist, who will now know to dress arrangements and make the best use of the flowers.

And when planning your wedding, take care not to clash with seasonal demands such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, as you will have no choice then to not only pay top prices, but also risk that certain choices are not available.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Bouquets, Bridal Bouquet, Button Holes, Corsage, Flower Baskets, Flowers, Hair Flowers, Petal Confetti

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Everyone knows that buying flowers for men can be a difficult task and one loaded with unforeseen difficulties. In the past it was more common for women to receive the flowers than send them. However, that trend is recently changing and flowers have become a gender-neutral way of expressing and showing our appreciation for others.

Yet, just because it is becoming more common to send flowers to men, doesn’t mean that it has become easier. This article should help taking the stress out of selecting the perfect bouquet for a manly recipient.

The Right Occasion for the Right Man

There are several occasions where flowers are being sent to men in order to celebrate or appreciate an event in their lives. Some of the more popular times to send flowers to a man include:

• A new graduate: Graduating from a college or university should not mean another set of specialty pens for your graduate. Flowers help send the message that you are proud of your son/father/husband/friend’s accomplishment.
• A new groom: Who says that the bride should be the one to receive the flowers? There are certain times during the festivities that would be appropriate for the groom to receive flowers, like while he is dressing for the wedding.
• A new dad: Everyone knows that a new mom has gone through a tremendous amount of work during labour, and definitely deserves flowers! However, it would be extra special for a man to receive flowers to recognize his help and effort into the pregnancy as well (like running to the grocery store during those pregnancy cravings!)

Buying the Right Flowers

It may be embarrassing for those people who send flowers during a special occasion that ends up making the male recipient feel more feminine than he wants! Pink flowers and rose petals may not be the right choice. As a result, you should be aware of the different types of masculine floral arrangements that may be best suited for any occasion:

• Bouquets with foliage: These designs are green, with deep dark colours which don’t look too frilly or overly-feminine.
• Dogwoods and pussywillows: These flowers are generally considered by many florists to be the perfect type of colours and arrangements for men on all occasions.
• Asian style bouquets: These simplistic patterns are stoic and strong, much like the man you are sending it to.

All of Interflora’s world-class florists can help you make the right choices in selecting your flower for any occasion.

Helping Your Fellow Out: He May Not Know Etiquette!

Don’t expect many men to understand or know proper etiquette when receiving flowers. Try to make it easy on him as possible. For example, many men may not be prepared to receive flowers and may not have a vase in their house. As an extra gift, make sure he has a vase and understands how to take care of the flowers. Interflora allows you to send messages on your personalized card, which can indicate directions on how to best take care of his gorgeous bouquet.

Also, many men don’t realize that a ‘thank-you’ card is necessary to send to the giver of flowers. While you likely won’t want to be the one to tell him if you have sent the flowers, you should be understanding when the thank-you never arrives.

Whatever your needs may be with sending flowers to a man, let Interflora give you suggestions and help when deciding how to send flowers to a man with ease.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Flowers, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Interflora, Men, Plants

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Deciding to send flowers and remembering the date of the occasion is only half of the battle; now you must select the perfect bouquet that will convey the perfect message.

Consider the Budget

Thinking about how much to spend on a bouquet does not simply mean thinking about how much you can afford to spend. Although you should definitely set a maximum budget that is comfortable for you, you must also think about the amount of money that is appropriate.

Consider it this way – you are going to purchase three bouquets: one for an acquaintance who has just had a baby, one for your grandmother, and one for your partner with whom you’re celebrating your 10 year anniversary. Are you going to spend the same amount on each? Didn’t think so.

For very special occasions and those who are closest to you, it is appropriate to make a grand gesture and spend the maximum that your budget will allow. This sort of extravagance will be appreciated and make the recipient feel very special.

For “Just Because . . . ” bouquets and ones for your family, consider prioritizing beauty and sentiment over price. In these situations extravagance could make the person feel uncomfortable and the gesture can come across as being insincere. Instead, stay within your budget, but do not feel that you need to spend it all.

For friends and occasions where many bouquets are likely to be sent, such as a birthday or new addition to the family, you should focus on making your gesture stand out. Consider your budget as the range in which you are able to spend, and then choose an interesting or unique arrangement from within that range. A great idea on these occasions is to send potted flowers, bouquets with small gifts such as teddy bears or vases, or even forgo flowers all together and send balloons.

Consider Personal Taste and Circumstance

Remember that the flowers you are sending are meant to make the recipient feel special, so consider their unique taste in your selection. Have you visited the recipient’s home lately? What colours were most prominent? If they tend towards earthy tones and minimal clutter, consider a beautiful Asian inspired bouquet with orchids or a single Lilly. If they are eccentric and a little freer in their expression, why not send a bouquet with outrageous blooms such as a Bird of Paradise?

Also consider what will make the person say “Wow!” A young lady, on her 12th birthday may be amazed to receive such a grown up gift as a formal bouquet of roses. A new mother would likely appreciate a bouquet that is easy to care for and requires no special attention.

Consider Sentiment

If you are sending a bouquet to someone who you know well, then it can be very personal and thoughtful to send one that sparks a memory. Did your mother used to grow a particular flower in her garden? Does your partner favour the scent of a particular floral perfume?

The sentiment need not be directly connected with the flower itself, but can be linked to the colour of the bloom. For example, on an anniversary, send flowers that reflect the wedding colours.

The main point is this: selecting the perfect bouquet means more than selecting one that is beautiful. All bouquets are beautiful in their own right; it’s a matter of choosing the one that will be most beautiful to the recipient – and that will take some deep thinking on your part.

Non-Poisonous and Edible Flowers

There are many messages that bouquets can convey to the receiver. They can tell someone that you love them, that you are sorry, that you are proud of them, or just that you care.

Receiving a gorgeous bouquet will be the highlight of anyone’s day – particularly when the sender takes the time to think about the recipient’s unique needs. For those homes with small children and animals, it is very important to have flowers that are not harmful or poisonous.

Luckily, there are many safe flowers and plants that are non-toxic. Yet, why stop there? Why not consider sending a bouquet that is edible! In addition to enjoying the way the flowers look, your special person will also be able to enhance their food and beverages with your thoughtful gift.

A Bouquet Of Flavours Await

• Citrus Plants: Although it is unlikely that your bouquet will go to fruit, the foliage from citrus plants is very exotic to look at and tangy to the taste.

• English Daisy: This flower tastes tangy and leafy.

• Hibiscus: This flower tastes slightly acidic, and if boiled, can make a nice beverage.

• Marigold: A spicy and bitter plant, with a beautiful bloom.

• Chives: Chives that have flowered can make for a very beautiful and simple bouquet.

• Chamomile: Pretty and simple flowers, that can be boiled for tea.

• Pansy: These flowers are very mild and sweet, with a hint of tart flavour.

Other Flowers to Consider

For those gardeners looking for a more adventurous gardening experience, considering trying all these different types of edible flowers:

• Sunflowers: The more common usage for sunflowers are their seeds, however, their leafs are slightly bitter. If you lightly steam the petals, the bitterness will go away.
• Coriander: This flower is pungent and is a prime ingredient in salsa. It tastes soapy and adds flavour to your ethnic dish.
• Honeysuckle: The petals are very tasty, but be sure that the bouquet does not contain any berries which are toxic.
• Jasmine: This plant has a delicate, sweet flavour and can be used for teas.
• Borage: This plant tastes like a cucumber

More Common Than You May Think

There are many common flowers that are completely edible and you may not even know it:

• Carnation: These common flowers may add spicy, peppery, clove-like flavours to your meal.
• Rose: A rose petal may produce sweet aromatic flavours. Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals.
• Thyme: Added to any meal, thyme tastes like lemon and adds a nice light scent.

Not only will this selection of edible flowers and foliage allow you to create interesting and unexpected bouquets, they will also ensure that your gift can be safely enjoyed by the whole family.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Bouquets, Edible Flowers, Edible plants, Flowers, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Interflora, Plants

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There are some people in the world, for whom flowers are source of misery rather than joy. For those who suffer from allergies, a bouquet of flowers can say “sneezing, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose”, rather than the well-wish that was intended. If you know that someone has an allergy or even if you are unsure, you don’t necessarily have to forgo the bouquet, just select one that is allergy-friendly.

Flowers in the Hospital

There is currently not a national policy regarding flowers in the hospital, but the once welcomed blooms do not receive a warm reception in every ward. If you are sending or bringing flowers to someone who is in the hospital, consider the possibility that their ward may have a strict “no flower” policy in place. To ensure that you, and the one in the hospital, are not disappointed, call ahead and confirm.

Even if the destination hospital is flower-friendly, you should still be as considerate as possible in your selection. Remember, those hospitals that ban the flowers do so for good reason – many people are allergic to flowers or find strong scents overpowering. There is also the problem that a bed-ridden patient will rely on their nurse to care for and water the bouquet, something that a busy care-taker does not have time for.

Here are some ways to make your bouquet as hospital-considerate as possible:

• Select an allergy friendly bloom without a strong scent (keep reading for ideas)
• Choose a bouquet that is made of hardy foliage and flowers, which require minimal care.
• Opt for smaller and more compact arrangements rather than large and grand ones that may require more space than is available.

Flowers for Allergy Sufferers

Although some hypo-allergenic hybrids are emerging on the market, they are difficult find and often very expensive. Plus, the simple truth remains – if you are allergic to flowers, then you are allergic to flowers.

The solution is to select from those blooms that have very large and heavy pollens. Although these pollens would create adverse reactions in sufferers, should they be ingested, the large and heavy size makes ingestion unlikely. Basically, if it can’t get into the nose, eyes, and mouth it won’t create an allergic reaction.

Here are some flowers that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in the sufferer:

• Azaleas
• Boxwood
• Cherry
• Dogwood
• Yucca
• Sunflowers
• Daisies
• Petunias
• Daffodils
• Hydrangeas
• Snapdragons

Consider Non-Flowering Bouquets

An arrangement does not have to contain flowers to be beautiful. There are many creative bouquets that are comprised solely of branches and foliage, with decorative items such as berries, ornaments, and feathers added for appeal. In addition to being allergy-friendly, these arrangements are also easy to care for and tend last much longer than flower bouquets.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Allergy, Bouquets, Flowers, Flowers in Hospital, Gift, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Hay Fever, Interflora, Plants, Pollen

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Pressed flowers are a very popular component of many crafts including homemade paper and specialty picture frames. Pressing is also the most common and familiar method of preserving beautiful blooms.

Selecting the Flowers

Many flowers and other plant materials will respond very well to pressing. Leaves and other foliage that lay flat are popular items to press, as are flat blooms. Round or tubular blooms, such as roses, are not usually pressed whole, but the petals are pressed individually instead. Some of the best results for pressed flowers can be achieved with violets and pansies.

Process

Pressing flowers can be completed without the need for special equipment or materials, which does lend to the task’s popularity and ease. In its simplest form, pressing requires only that the blooms be placed between the pages of a heavy book. Extra weight can be added, by placing additional books on top. For enhanced results, and to protect the pages of your books, you can line the pages with wax paper first.

Many flower enthusiasts now use a special device called a plant press, which provides even pressure from all directions and tends to result in better preserved flowers. A plant press can be purchased, or made at home. To make a simple plant press, you should have two pieces of sanded wood with several vices to squeeze them tightly.

After Care

Pressed flowers are usually very fragile as the result of being pressed so thin. Although this thinness makes them a perfect addition to glass frames and homemade paper, it also makes them unsuitable for regular handling.

Other Methods of Preserving Flowers

Have you considered drying your flowers with the “Water Drying” Method? It sounds like an oxymoron, but water drying can actually be very successful when the process is completed on the right flowers. If you have received hydrangeas, yarrow, bells-of-Ireland, or celosia recently, try this simple way to preserve them:

Place the flowers, on the stem, in a vase with a couple inches of water. Now, simply enjoy your beautiful blooms and allow the water to evaporate. In a few days, you will have beautifully dried flowers.

For even better results, place the vase and flowers in a dry, warm, and dark location. The dryness and warmth of the location will help ensure that the water will evaporate at an even rate, while the darkness will prevent the flowers’ petals and leaves from fading.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Drying Flowers, Edible Flowers, Flowers, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Interflora, Pressed Flowers

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If you have received a particularly beautiful or meaningful bouquet recently, you may wish that the blooms and the memories could last forever. Flowers can be kept well past wilting, using a simple drying technique.

Dried flowers can be displayed simply in a pretty arrangement and vase, or you can become more creative with your preserved petals. For example, dried flower wreaths and other decorations can be a beautiful addition to your home.

Getting Started

Before you can start drying flowers you need to locate a few simple items and a good spot in your home. Flowers will dry best when hung in a warm, dry, and dark location. The location must be warm and dark to preserve the petals’ colour, while the dry air is essential to ensure that flower dries rather than wilts.

You also need to purchase either a drying screen or some soft, but strong thread for hanging.

Selecting the Flowers

Almost any flower can be dried, but some provide better results than others. The flowers that provide the best results include baby’s breath, cattails, celosias, goldenrods, heather, and pussy willows.

If you are looking for flowers that will retain their colour, understand that yellow and blue petals will dry truest to their original hue, while pink and red ones will fade. White flowers can be dried true, but this requires very particular conditions, and the non-professional drier is likely to end up with darkened or yellowed petals.

It is also important that you not wait too long before beginning the drying process. You can certainly enjoy your living blooms for a time, but be sure to start preserving them well before the end of their life span. Flowers that are starting to wilt, or have fully opened are likely to be crumbly and fragile after drying.

Process

If you have chosen to hang your flowers to dry, you have the option of tying the stems in bunches or individually. Tying them in bunches saves time and is particularly useful when space is limited. However, stems that have been dried in this manner can become entangled with each other, making them difficult to separate without damaging the flowers. Bundled flowers can also become warped as they press against each other. If you have the space and patience, you will end up with better results by tying each stem up individually.

Aftercare

A dried flower requires little additional care, but there are some things you can do to keep them looking beautiful longer. First, store your dried flowers in a place where they are unlikely to be damaged by force or faded by direct sunlight. You can also deter the collection of dust by spraying your flowers with a light coating of hairspray.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Bouquets, Drying Flowers, Drying Techinques, Flowers, Interflora, Pressed Flowers

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Sending and receiving flowers is not as simple of an exchange as you may think. In fact, there is etiquette for all situations in which flowers are involved.

Romantic Situations

Giving Flowers

Flowers are the most perfect and most simple way to express sentiment during a romantic situation. The only thing that you need to consider is what the receiver will appreciate the most. What is their favourite flower, or favourite colour?

For added points with your date, consider bringing flowers for other females in the house such as your date’s mother, sister, roommate, or daughter. The second bouquet need not be as fancy, but the simple gesture will be much appreciated.

Receiving Flowers

If you are recipient of flowers on a romantic occasion, you should place the flowers into a vase with water and not worry too much about arranging or clipping them until the next day. If you and the giver are to be leaving right away, consider bringing one of the smaller blooms with you – as a token of how much you appreciated the gesture.

Flowers to the Host

Giving Flowers

Bringing flowers with you to a dinner party or on a visit is a nice way to thank your host for their efforts. Remember though, this gesture is meant to show your thanks, not create more work. You can make your bouquet all the more welcome by selecting one that is already enclosed in its own vase, or, you may elect to send the flowers the next day as a thank you.

Receiving Flowers

It is common for guests to bring flowers, particularly when it is their first time in your home. You can make things easier on yourself by understanding what you should do, and what you need not do, when receiving flowers as a host gift.

You need only keep a vase on hand for such occasions and thank the person warmly for their gesture. Place the flowers in the vase with water and don’t worry about snipping the ends or perfecting the arrangement until you have the time to do so properly, your guest understands that you are otherwise occupied with their arrival. If you already have a flower arrangement for the dinner table, then place their bouquet in another location of prominence, such as at the home’s entrance, and ensure that the card (if there was one) is with it.

Funerals

The beauty of flowers can be an uplifting thing during a time of sorrow, and there are many ways that you can use flowers to do something for the grieving family.

Flowers to the Deceased’s Home

If you choose to send flowers to the deceased’s home, you should ensure that every effort is made to disrupt the grieving family as little as possible. For example, use a service that you know and trust, so that a signature will not be required on delivery. Better yet, send your flowers with someone who will be visiting the family in person.

Flowers to the Funeral

Many funeral locations will not receive outside flowers. If you would like to send yours to the funeral location directly, call first (call the location, not the family) and ask about their policy. If flowers are permitted, you can also take the time to ask what the family has planned in terms of flower arrangements to ensure that yours compliment the theme.

Flowers to an Individual

Flowers do not have to be sent to the deceased person’s home or the funeral site. Remember that the flowers are meant to be a source of comfort for those who are grieving. If you know a family member particularly well, consider sending flowers to them directly – particularly if they are a child or sibling of the deceased.

When Not to Send Flowers

Many families will now include an “in lieu of flowers” request, where they will direct people to the deceased favourite charity or a foundation that touched their lives. This is not an overt request for a donation, but rather a suggestion that if you were intending on sending flowers, you could consider donating the money rather than spending it on blooms. Whether you choose to donate or not, the families “in lieu of flowers” request should be honoured by not sending bouquets.

It is also becoming very common for families to plan funerals with almost as much thought to detail as they do for weddings – and this includes flower arrangements. This is another situation in which families will ask that guests do not send flowers, and their wishes should be respected.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Edible Flowers, Edible plants, Flower Etiquette, Flowers, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Interflora

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People send flowers to each other on so many occasions during life; beautiful blooms can give a message of hope, congratulations, well wishes, condolences, and, of course, apology.

Usually, the selection of flowers is dependent upon the recipients’ taste – their favourite colour, petal, or form. Yet, did you know that each flower has been engraved with its own special meaning, based on a legacy of symbolism?

Here are some of the most common messages that flowers are meant to communicate, and which flower says it best.

Best Wishes

The Acacia means friendship, while the flowering almond means hope. If someone is embarking on a new journey in their life – a change of career, new leg of their education or relocation – you can send them a bouquet with French Willow as a sign of bravery, or a Hollyhock as a symbol of ambition. And in any bouquet of well wishes, Sweet Basil is a welcome addition. Not only is this an interesting foliage, Sweet Basil is says ‘good wishes’.

Love

Although the long stemmed red rose is the traditional sign of love and unity, on your next anniversary, think about trying some variation with another bloom that conveys your true feelings with more accuracy.

Have you been together for a long time, and still feel as deep in love as ever? Consider the Globe Amaranth which represents Unfading Love.

Do you prefer to say it simply? Try the Red Chrysanthemum and its quiet, but profound “I love you”. Or, the traditional Forget Me Not, that says “True Love”.

If yours is a love that has not been revealed, there are plenty of flowers to choose from that say “I Love You . . . secretly”. A yellow Acacia is the symbol of secret love.

Are you announcing your love for the first time? A bouquet of clover is unconventional and says “Be Mine”. Plus, there’s the added bonus of luck should a 4 leaf stem be hiding in its midst.

Thank You

A bouquet of flowers is an excellent way to say “thank you”. Bell Flowers mean “gratitude”.

Simple, Kind Words

A special bouquet for your daughter on her birthday, or a “just because” set of flowers for that wonderful friend, can still carry meaning. A cactus says “warmth”, a Calla will tell the recipient that you think they are beautiful – on the inside and out, and yellow Jasmine means “grace and elegance”.

The Wrong Message

Be wary of the following flowers, which – although certainly beautiful – may carry a symbolism that is not the message you intended. The Anemone, although gaining popularity for its unique form, means forsaken. Similarly, the Aster says “Afterthought” and should not be included in a bouquet for your one and only.

The Dahlia is another popular bloom that comes in a variety of colours and forms, each of them meaning “instability”, and the French Marigold will convey a message a jealousy.

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To Send flowers or for more information on sending flowers use these links

• interflora-offers Home page
• About Interflora
• Gifts and Bouquets
• Taking Care Of Your Flowers The Right Way
• More articles on flowers and flower care

For more detailed information and all the best deals from interflora-offers visit www.interflora-offers.co.uk/

Tags: Bouquets, Flowers, Interflora, Plants, Symbolism of Flowers