Lovers and friends have always
used flowers to communicate thoughts that they could not express in words. In ancient Turkey, a woman who wanted
to encourage a suitor would tuck Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) into her bouquet; in ancient Greece, she would send him an Iris
to indicate that his love was not returned. Victorian England experienced the height of the language of flowers fashion, even
giving it a name ("floriography") and evolving complicated messages.
So what might you send the special people in your life on Valentine's
Day?
Well, if you are giving Roses, every color has its specific meaning:
| Red - true love |
Yellow - friendship or apology |
White - innocent or eternal love; virture |
| Orange - desire |
Red and White - unity |
Blue - mysterious, impossible
to attain |
| Pink - grace |
Lavender - love at first
sight |
Burgundy - unconscious beauty |
Red flowers of nearly all types have come to symbolize love.
But what if you want to honor a friend, relative, or colleague with a flower that expresses your feelings? There are many
messages from which to choose:
None of us will ever
outdo Edward VII, when in 1869 he sent Empress Eugenie the gift of a basket bursting with every single named rose in Europe!
