For many years, flowers have given pleasure and have voiced feelings of love and spirituality. Flowers have been used to show feelings, made into love potions, used medicinally and used to send both open and secret messages. The type of flower mattered. The position, the color of flower, how it was worn and what might be included with the arrangement all played a major part in the message delivered.
Single flowers meanings
The heritages of some flowers are easy to trace back thousand of years. For example, the lotus flower has represented female fertility in the Orient for more than 5,000 years. Laurel has been a symbol of glory and fame since ancient times, when crowns of laurel were placed upon the heads of triumphant soldiers and “Poets Laureate.”
In Ancient Greece, ivy represented everlasting love, and throughout ancient times, the rose was a symbol of joy; later, a symbol of secrecy and silence. Today, depending on the color, it’s associated with love and romance.
“Our most popular selections for cut flowers include garden mixes, such as the daisy, sunflower, lilies and brightly colored flowers,” says Shelly Ouellette, manager of Davis Florist in Rumford. “Many people choose the flower of the month, which for May is the Lily of the Valley, and for June it’s the Rose.”
Various rose colors have certain meanings, Ouellette continued. “White represents purity, pink is innocence, red is love, yellow is friendship. There is also the lavender rose that represents hope or healing, and a deep pink that means thank you.”
Placement of flowers can take on different meanings. For example, a rose-bud with leaves and thorns would normally say, “I fear, but I hope.” With the stem first, the meaning changes to,” You must neither fear nor hope.”
Bouquet of flowers
In the 18th century, it became popular to send a Persian “Selam” (a bouquet that, arranged a certain way, forms a code) to communicate attraction, affection or love. This practice was later introduced to the British in 1718, when Lady Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople said, in response to a friends request for a “Turkish love letter,” there is no flower without sentimental meaning, and it is possible to “. . . quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship or civility, or of news, without ever inking your fingers.” Thus, in 1884, as a response to demand, Kate Greenway, the famous creator of children’s books, wrote”The Language of Flowers,” which is still being printed today.
According to Liz Small, design manager for Roak the Florist in Auburn, personalized touches mean a lot.
“Some patrons enjoy a clear glass vase with several flowers like Gladiolus, Snap Dragons and Astilbe. These flowers used to be just seasonal (summer), but we have them in the spring and summer now,” said Small.
Personalized touches make arrangements more special. Customers may use their own containers or objects (such as sports items or a favorite collectible). Gloves and garden tools are often popular arrangements. Often these arrangements are made at funerals, but weddings, showers and other special occasions can be times to send a special message as well.
Silk flowers
Silk arrangements are gaining in popularity since becoming more durable and washable. They provide a variety of types, styles, colors and designs to choose from. It can be a great choice for an active person who may forget to water their flowers, or for the person unable to have natural flowers because of to allergies.
Ouellette advises, “The key to silk flowers is the quality. You may purchase lesser quality silk flowers for less money at local chain stores, but they won’t stand up to being cleaned very long. If you want the arrangement to last, choose a better quality silk, like a florist carries.”
How to send flowers
It’s not difficult to send flowers or plants to loved ones in another town or state.
“We have a local delivery zone, as do most Florists, but customers can send their plants or flowers where ever they choose.” Ouellette added,” customers choose the arrangement they want, pay for it when they order it along with a wire fee.” Once ordered, the arrangement directions are wired to an affiliated Florist in the chosen town or city, and the arrangement is made up and delivered. The Florist actually delivering the arrangement gets your money, and the Florist you ordered through gets the wire fee.
Thus, your selection can virtually go where ever there is a receiving Florist service. – Carlene Smart
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