Send your Valentine a message with flowers
Valentine's Day traditionally is celebrated as the holiday of love.
Flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes are purchased and presented as expressions of love.
Individual flowers have their own meanings and language, which is called floriography. Cultures always had their own meanings associated with flowers.
In earlier times, women used flowers to convey messages to others that they could not speak aloud. Floriography was popularized during the 19th century, which was the Romantic era. In the Romantic era, nature was beauty, and people expressed their emotions with flowers.
When heading out to purchase Valentine's Day flowers, reflect on some of the meanings of readily available flowers. Just for fun, try to match your feelings with your flower choices.
Roses, the traditional flower of Valentine's Day, speak love and passion. Red roses convey romantic love and passion, as do red tulips.
White roses, for example, lend themselves to new beginnings and marriages or for remembrance. Yellow roses represent friendship and appreciation, while orange roses represent enthusiasm and passion. Pink roses convey admiration and appreciation.
When purchasing roses, look for firm stems and slightly opened flowers; the petals will open over time. Many roses are bred to be fragrance-free, so you might want to contact a florist for roses with fragrance.Cut the stems and change the water every day to keep them fresh. Place roses away from cold drafts and hot, forced-air heat. Expect roses to last about seven days.If roses are not desired, there are many other flowers that express what you want to say. White carnations mean innocence and pure love, while pink carnations mean remembrance.Daffodils represent good regards and unequaled love. Calla lilies represent beauty, while daisies represent innocence and hope. Iris convey loyalty and faith.Purchase cut flower bouquets that have firm stems and intact petals. Cut flowers should be bright in color and have a fresh fragrance.Care for cut flowers similar to roses, making sure that no leaves are submerged in the vase water. Submerged leaves will decompose, making the water cloudy and foul-smelling.If cut flowers are not an option, offer a special houseplant. Orchids are readily available and generally require little care, just a bright window and a weekly watering.In addition to orchids, other flowering houseplants available for Valentine's Day include kalanchoe, florist chrysanthemums, cala lilies and cyclamen. Potted bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinth and daffodils, brighten everyone's spirits and can be planted outdoors in the spring.Using flowers to say what you mean are an interesting approach to celebrating Valentine's Day. Whatever type of flower you purchase, it's the intention that counts.Penn State Extension offers additional insight into the meaning of flowers, including shrubs and trees. Visit www.bit.ly/FlowerHistory.<i>Lisa Marie Bernardo, Ph.D., RN, is a Penn State Master Gardener of Butler County.For more information about caring for flowers and houseplants, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.</i>
