Valentine’s Day – Language of Flowers

Valentine’s Day Flowers

Undeniably, a gift of flowers makes us all feel special and loved.  For thousands of years flowers have symbolized love, marriage and romance.  This Valentine’s Day, if you’re thinking of giving your sweetheart flowers, give them a message meant just for them.  Most of us know that red roses mean “I love you” and although that’s a good place to start, by using the language of flowers, you could have an entire discussion about that love using only flowers.

The language of flowers, floriography, was most popular during the Victorian period, but the symbolic use of flowers dates back to antiquity.  Early Christians used white roses, myrtle, and lilies as symbols of virtues.  In medieval and Renaissance culture, flowers were often given moral meanings.  The Victorians however, raised the language to flowers to new heights by their use of flowers as a means of communication.  Various flowers and floral arrangements were enlisted to send coded messages, thus allowing individuals to express feelings, which otherwise could not be spoken.  The Victorians also used flowers to describe moral, spiritual, or emotional truths.

Picking out the Perfect Bouquet

Take time to compose your language of love bouquet. You don’t have to have an entire floral conversation, a single thought or emotion could be all that you need convey. Research on line, but if possible choose flowers at a florist. You can then check the quality of the flowers, the fragrance, and compose the bouquet yourself.  The benefit of having a florist’s help in composition will be evident with the final product. If you’re in Calgary, La Fleur is a great place for fabulous flowers.

Size doesn’t matter with flowers.  A bigger bouquet won’t necessarily get a bigger smile or more kisses. Something, smaller with more meaning or sophistication, makes just as big a statement as a larger bouquet.

Take at look at the  Language of Flowers Glossary for we’ve put together for Valentine’s Day.  You’ll have a head start composing your floral message or conversation. Participation makes a gift of flowers that much more romantic.

Are you an enviromantic?

You want to know how to reduce the environmental impact of your Valentine’s bouquet – and still get something romantically spectacular.  Going green is harder than you think.  Most cut flowers are imported and arrive by plane – so much for your carbon foot print!  In Canada, because flowers are not identified as an edible crop, they are exempt from regulations on pesticide residues and are not inspected for these residues.  But take heart; there are florists and producers that can provide you with locally grown blooms and/or fair trade options.  Fair Trade Certified flowers in Canada carry labels from third-party certifiers.  Canadian company, Sierra Eco, supplies florists with organic and fair trade flowers.

Choosing flowers to tell your love story on Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be the same old thing.  Flowers are the ultimate language of love. Send a floral love message and reap hugs and kisses as your reward!