Flower arrangement is a historical art that has been around for thousands of years. It began in medieval times when simple garlands were made. Now it's grown into something so much more and it's an essential part of many different cultures.
Are you sending someone a gorgeous flower arrangement? This is the guide for you, including a list of the best retailers to buy from, our top picks, and deals you need to check out before you buy.
To ensure that you pick the best flower arrangement every time, you should consider why you are purchasing the flowers. Are your flowers destined for a sweetheart, or will you be sending them to your mother to celebrate Mother's Day? By considering the intention of the gift, you give yourself the best shot at picking the best flower arrangement available.
Certain flower arrangements hold meaning, while others may have elements related to specific holidays or celebrations. It's common to see Valentine's Day arrangements with chocolate roses or teddy bears embedded in them. Christmas arrangements tend to feature holly and poinsettia flowers. Birthday arrangements tend to be exciting and loaded with bright colours.
The formation of your flower arrangement also matters. You should ensure that you know where the arrangement will be placed or what it will be used for. Wreaths are common for memorial services or Christmas celebrations, while garlands frequently adorn church aisles during weddings or funerals. The traditional bouquet is the most commonly used format and can be very large, very small, or somewhere in between.
Also consider the container in which your arrangement will be placed. While baskets are appropriate for Easter and spring, they don't work quite as well for Christmas. Glass vases are an excellent choice for small bouquets, as they can add a touch of elegance and help to balance the colours of the flowers nicely. Bamboo stands make an excellent container for bamboo or other Asian-themed flowers. Arched flower centrepieces can help to dress up a wedding table nicely and draping the base of a vase with delicate white silk can help to soften the look of a vase of roses.
Types of flowers and their meanings
When choosing your flower arrangement, you should take into consideration the meanings of flowers and their colours. Different flowers hold very different meanings and the colour of a flower can change its meaning entirely. For example, a simple rose can mean friendship, love, passion or family love, depending on what colour rose you send.
Standard flower meanings are as follows:
Bells of Ireland: Good luck and fortune
Bluebells: Humility
Cactus: Longevity and endurance
Carnations: Varies with colour from innocence to passion
Crocus: New beginnings, cheerfulness
Forget-me-nots: Long-term love, positive memories
Iris: Steadfast faith, valour in battle, overcoming obstacles
Daylilies: Matronly love, femininity
Mistletoe: Christmas time, affection, kissing
Orange blossoms: Bright affection, marriage
Peonies: Happy marriage
Poppies: Good fortune, material wealth, success in life
White poppies: Consolation, comfort, sympathy
Rosebuds: Budding love, first love
Roses: Varies with colour, may range from passionate romance to innocence
Violets: Demureness and modesty, honesty
Birth flowers are also assigned to each month of the year, just as birthstones are. The following is the typical assignment of flowers for each birth month of the year:
January: Carnations or sometimes snowdrops
February: Primrose or sometimes violets
March: Violets or Jonquil flowers
April: Daisies or sweet pea
May: Lily of the Valley or Hawthorn
June: Honeysuckle or rose
July: Larkspur or water lily
August: Poppy or gladiolus flower
September: Aster or morning glory
October: Cosmos or sometimes the Calendula
November: Chrysanthemum
December: Holly, although poinsettia is also closely associated
Marina Tatas is shopping writer for Finder, covering everything you need to know about fashion, beauty, home and wellbeing. You can count on her for all the latest sneaker news and knowing way too much about makeup and skincare trends. She has a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Technology Sydney.
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