Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Learn the language of flowers

- — Courtesy of Metro Creative

Flowers can represent various emotions and play a prominent role in many holidays, perhaps none more than Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is a busy day for florists. ProFlowers said it accounts for most of the industry’s fresh-flower sales. Around 78 percent of the flowers purchased for Valentine’s Day are cut flowers, and men are the top consumers. Roses are the go-to flower on Valentine’s Day, but shoppers can look to various blooms to send the right message to that special someone in their lives. In fact, each type of flower conveys its own unique message. ProFlowers and Pickup Flowers note that the following are some popular blooms and the messages with which those flowers are traditiona­lly associated.

• Amaryllis: This flower is symbolic of splendid beauty and can be used to indicate worth.

• Aster: The aster symbolizes patience, elegance and daintiness.

• Calla lily: This bloom symbolizes magnificen­ce and beauty, as well as purity and innocence. That is why calla lilies are often the flower of choice in wedding bouquets.

• Carnation: This is one of the most popular flowers in the world and is generally symbolic of love and fascinatio­n.

• Daffodil: Daffodils symbolize regard and chivalry. They can also be indicative of rebirth, new beginnings and eternal life. A single daffodil can signal misfortune, while a bunch expresses joy and happiness.

• Gerbera daisy: With large, beautiful blooms in a wide assortment of vibrant colors, gerbera daisies are a favorite flower for cheerful sentiments.

• Gladiolus: These tall, striking flowers are eye-catching and make great gifts for significan­t others. The gladiolus symbolizes honor, infatuatio­n and strength.

• Iris: Irises represent faith, hope and wisdom and are cherished for their big, beautiful blooms.

• Peony: This flower, which resembles a rose, symbolizes a happy life, happy marriage, prosperity and good health.

• Rose: Roses symbolize love in its various forms, and different colors of roses symbolize different things. For example, yellow roses represent care and friendship, while pink roses are given as a token of admiration.

Flowers are popular gifts come Valentine’s Day. Choosing a flower that best represents the feelings that gift-givers want to convey can incorporat­e even more meaning into a bouquet or basket.

 ??  ?? Some popular Valentine’s Day blooms are associated with traditiona­l messages.
Some popular Valentine’s Day blooms are associated with traditiona­l messages.

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