Valentine blooms
Explore the subtle meaning of flowers
In a matter of days, florist delivery trucks will make the rounds through neighborhoods across the country. The trucks will transport bouquets, plants and other floral arrangements as gifts for Valentine’s Day.
According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, florists take in around $400 million in revenue on Valentine’s Day, and for good reason — flowers can be used to convey love, friendship, compassion or desire.
“Buy from your local florist,” said Reita Johnson, the owner of Daisy-A-Day Florist & Gifts in Greenbrier. “We tend to have the freshest flowers. Shop local.”
In Victorian times, flowers were given specific meanings because only a few exotic flowers were readily available, and many of these meanings have withstood the test of time.
“A lot of people care more about color than the meaning [of flowers], but we have a handful of customers that want to know the meaning and will choose to go with [a flower] because of the meaning,” Johnson said.
Below are a few of the most popular — and meaningful — flowers that are best sellers on this holiday.
Gerbera daisy
Historically said to depict beauty and innocence, Gerbera Daisies are a common Valentine’s Day request. Available in orange, green, red and pink, just to name a few varieties, these flowers can be given as a single stem or with others. “I think the Gerberas appeal to the younger generation,” Johnson said. “I think the younger girls prefer something a little more modern and less traditional.”
Hydrangea
These big blooms, representing perseverance, add texture and volume to any arrangement. Hydrangeas are available in white, green, blue, purple and pink. “These are a higher-end flower and are typically kept for my higher-end arrangements I offer at Valentine’s Day,” Johnson said.
Tulip
Tulips are available in a wide variety of colors, ranging from white and pastel hues to vibrant shades of magenta and purple. Each color holds a different meaning. For instance, purple is said to symbolize royalty, while red represents true love. “I think these also appeal to the younger generation,” Johnson said.
Lily
An elegant and classic choice, these trumpet-shaped blossoms are available in two varieties: a large-headed type and a miniature version. Lilies are also available in multiple colors, including white, which is commonly associated with purity. “We use these in fresh mixes, but sometimes we will do just an arrangement of lilies,” Johnson said. “They have a really strong fragrance.”
Iris
Thought to exemplify inspiration, irises come in several colors, with the most common variations being blue, white and yellow. “We typically use these in our fresh mixed flowers that have a little of everything,” Johnson said.
Carnation
Another popular choice is the carnation, which has a variety of meanings based on color — pink is said to mean gratitude, white is associated with remembrance, and yellow commonly depicts cheerfulness. “The carnation is an old standard but somewhat geared to the older generation,” Johnson said. “A lot of time, the younger girls don’t like [carnations]; it is sort of generational.”
Roses
Of course the red rose, which is said to represent true love, is a classic stand-by for Valentine’s Day, but many other color options are available. “Yellow means friendship, orange is fascination, pink has multiple meanings, pale pink means grace and joy, and dark pink is thankfulness,” Johnson said. “Lavender is enchantment, white is innocence, and peach is modesty.”