Without a doubt, flowers make the best Valentine’s Day gifts. After all, what is more, eloquent in expressing a romantic feeling than delicate, weightless, almost transparent petals of fresh flowers? Flowers can also be seen as having their own soul, being able to speak to us and carry their own energy.
But that’s the trick of the language of flowers: the external beauty of their buds does not necessarily correspond to the meaning they convey! You need to know a few unshakable flower rules for your bouquet. And it fills the heart of a loved one with warmth. Different occasions dictate different types of flowers, colors, and even numbers! Most importantly, the more expensive the bouquet, and the larger and brighter the wrapping paper, the more respect the gift commands — and conveys.
There are even plants that are completely inappropriate for Valentine’s Day bouquets! Let’s explore those today.
Banned from the festival of love: bad choices for Valentine’s day bouquet
Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, most love is lost.
Khalil Gibran
Yarrow
The colorful perennial Achillea is a common plant in flower shops in winter. Florists respect it for its longevity: it does not fade or lose color and petals for a pretty long while. It often serves as a colorful addition to the more traditional flowers in a bouquet, but in translation from the language of flowers, it actually works as a symbol of a bloody and brutal war! So, if the only fighting you’re planning to do with your beloved is going to be in bed, avoid this flower at all costs — especially when picking a gift for Valentine’s Day.
Basil and balsam
Despite their many-hued, radiant color, these plants are undoubtedly banned from a lover’s bouquet, as they are supposed to say: “I am sick of your antics and I hate you!” So if a flower shop assistant offers you this ornamental potted plant, you may make a suggestion that this job might not be for them.
Carnations
Given on February 14, striped or yellow carnations will indicate that you are disappointed in the relationship and would like to end it. Definitely not the best companions on a day when you want to confess a deep feeling!
Daffodils
These guys actually stand for pride and vanity, so the object of your adoration can definitely take them the wrong way.
Cyclamens
They express a desire to forsake, to leave, and to break off relations; in fact, the flower has been a symbol of loneliness since ancient times, so it may not be a great idea to have it in the house at all.
Hyacinths
The hyacinths, despite their festive look, can mean that you mistrust the giftee, which makes you an overbearing personality inclined to be constantly jealous. Not sure that describes you accurately at the moment? Stay away from the hyacinth.
Lilies
No wonder: the tiger lily symbolizes pride, the orange one means hatred, and the yellow one stands for telling lies.
Now that we’ve introduced you to a list of flowers that probably won’t help in bringing your loved ones a definite delight, let us turn our attention to the flower that will be welcome at any time and on any occasion and that, without a doubt, has become a veritable symbol of immortal love. Enter the rose!
What the length of a rose stem says
Traditionally, boyfriends give roses on short stems to female friends and, more generally, to people from whom they nothing expect in return. For both parts of the gift exchange, a short stem conveys the feeling of amiability with no strings attached.
Long-stem roses, on the other hand, indicate a deep — and at times, unrequited — feeling that the giver harbors, along with hope for some reciprocity and, eventually, a long-term relationship.
The color of the buds
A bouquet can “speak” not only with the number of flowersbut also with their color! As we all know, deep-red, blood-colored roses symbolize passionate love, but what other options are there?
Roses in pastel colors, as a rule, express a feeling of love as well, but they look less passionate, and more spiritual than carnal, a feeling that is deep and long-lasting.
A large Valentine’s Day bouquet that consists exclusively of pink roses testifies that the giver is happy, and wants to shout about their happiness at the top of their voice!
Orange roses are the weapon of choice for a dazzling person who aims to reject standards and conventions. This color usually conveys a feeling that is fleeting, albeit fervent.
Idealists, truth-seekers, and believers in a feeling that is steadfast, harmonious, and absolute often give White roses to their loved ones. Florists also recommend giving white Valentine’s Day roses to someone you are afraid of losing. Also, flowers with snow-white petals, as a sign of pure love for a child, are presented by sons to their mothers on this day.
Finally, at the top of the rose kingdom are blue or lilac roses: florists use dye to produce them as they do not exist in nature, which is why they serve as a symbol of an unreal, inaccessible dream. Sometimes roses in those colors are given to girls who fell in love at first sight.
Now that you know which hues, numbers and stems to use, you can create an unforgettable bouquet! And if your lover is overseas, we can help by delivering a gorgeous flower arrangement out of hundreds in our international catalogs:
- Here’s a collection of exquisite Valentine’s Day gifts to choose from — or you can create your own! If you’re unsure what to pick, our experts are always happy to help.
- Rose is obviously the queen of Valentine’s, so it deserves a dedicated catalog.
- Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more stories about flowers and everything flower-related!
Lena Raven
Born in Nalchik in 1966, graduated with a major in English Lit, and working as a school teacher since 1990. My interests are diverse: music, good literature, and computer technology at the user level. I like to try new things, and I bring what I started to its logical conclusion. Oh! And I do love my pets! I’m already 54 and I still believe in miracles and hobbits with elves and Gandalf. I myself am a bit of an adventuress like a hobbit, and I love mushrooms, too, like they do.
