the language of flowers

By Barb Arnold

When it comes to gift giving, fresh flower arrangements are the first choice of many and are often better received than any other gift, except maybe diamonds. Vibrant, fresh flower arrangements can be a mood lifter or a thoughtful contribution to a dinner party. They can tell someone he or she is in your thoughts and, of course, set the tone for a perfect Valentine’s Day.

Before setting out to choose the right flower for the occasion, bear in mind what seems to be a simple bunch of flowers can really be imbued with deep significance. There is a long-established tradition of assigning meaning to flowers and using carefully chosen arrangements to convey intentions without saying a word. In Turkey in the 1600s this practice became common, allowing people to communicate specific messages, to decline or accept an offer, or to arrange a lovers’ tryst. This practice was later embraced by Victorian culture and many of the meanings established then still ring true today.

• Alstroemeria, or Peruvian Lilies, have many meanings, from friendship and devotion to prosperity and fortune, and are often found in mixed flower arrangements, which is fitting considering their multiple and varied meanings.

• Gerbera daisies represent innocence and cheerfulness and come in a variety of colors to brighten anyone’s day.

• Irises can symbolize faith, hope, wisdom, courage and admiration. They come in a wide range of colors, with blue being a favorite of many.

• Heather is a token of good luck and is often used in wedding bouquets.

• Orchids can mean love and beauty, wealth and luxury, or strength. Orchids work well in arrangements, but the flowers will last for weeks when given as a plant.

• Roses, often considered only in connection with love and romance, can have various meanings according to color.
- Red roses are traditionally associated with love and passion.
- Pink roses are a symbol of grace and elegance.
- Yellow roses are for joy and true friendship.
- White roses represent innocence and purity.

• Lilies, indicating celebration, can also fill the room with a seductive fragrance.

• Sunflowers, meaning adoration, can bring what seems like a ray of sunshine into the gloomiest cloudy day.

• Tulips generally refer to love, but the colors each have their own meaning.
- Pink tulips represent caring love.
- Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love and declaration of love.
- White tulips claim worthiness or send a message of forgiveness.
- Yellow tulips have evolved in meaning, from a sign of hopeless love to cheerful thoughts and sunshine.

Caring for fresh flowers
Don’t despair because fresh flowers seem an ephemeral expression of feeling; there are several ways to ensure the longevity of your gift, if not your love. For newly cut flowers:
• First remove any foliage that falls below the water line, as these leaves will quickly rot.
• Re-cut the stems an inch or so more before placing them in water as this helps the flower stem absorb water.
• Use the floral food mix that accompanies the arrangement and mix it according to the directions, being sure to add more after changing the water.
• The water should be kept clear and clean with daily change outs with room temperature water.
• Make sure there is plenty of water, enough to reach every stem, because for the first few days the flowers will drink fairly fast and the water level will drop.
• Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources like the television, computer, sunny windows, stoves, and heater vents.
• At night move them to a cool spot; such as the basement, an unheated bedroom, or even the refrigerator.
• Remove dead or dried leaves daily to keep the arrangement looking fresh.

What flowers to send?
Next time you receive flowers, consider them as a Victorian might. What is the sender trying to communicate? Nevertheless, just because we can assign traditional meaning to flowers doesn’t mean arrangements can’t be personalized with unique sentiments or reminders. Flowers should be chosen not simply for the occasion but for the recipient: what is his or her favorite flower or color? Maybe it’s the flower that was used in her wedding bouquet, or a certain flower whose smell conjures the memory of a first date. The chosen flower may be one the recipient’s parents or grandparents always had growing in their yard.

A perfect flower arrangement says I was not only thinking of the occasion, I was thinking about you.

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