During the Victorian era, flowers were used as a way to send nonverbal messages to people, whether they were current suitors, secret crushes, beloved friends or family members. It was common in households to have a card that showed the meanings—some albeit fluid—posted to readily decipher what sentiment was being expressed by an arriving arrangement (lest awkward misinterpretation could lead to embarrassment).
At some point over time, we have lost the “meaning in the message” of the presentation of flowers, defaulting during this Season of Love to red roses (meaning: love, passion).
This year, try a different approach: If you plan on giving flowers to your significant other, mother, children or best friend, consider an arrangement that conveys your personal connection with the recipient.
Laura Clare, owner of Laura Clare Design in Far Hills, enjoys working with clients to create memorable, meaningful arrangements that transcend the expected. “When men call and ask for red roses, I inquire about the recipient’s favorite colors to get them to start thinking of something that would have more meaning,” she says. “If she loves purples and lavenders, we could create an arrangement of 25 purple- and lavender-colored roses or an ombre design of white roses blending into lavender blending into purple.”
There so many ways to interpret Valentine’s Day beyond roses. One of Clare’s favorite arrangements is based on “the magic of the season,” using spring flowers like tulips, ranunculus and hyacinths or placing a red bloom against a backdrop of flowering branches like white or pink quince or pussy willow.
Consider an arrangement that is horizontal rather than tall, which can more easily be placed on a dining room table or a desk. (It is also a more fool-proof design for pets who like to knock over vases.)
“Everyone just assumes Valentine’s Day is the ‘boyfriend-girlfriend’ concept, but it’s not. It’s a day to spread love to all sorts of people in your life,” Clare says. “I’ve seen people giving flowers to their mothers or grandmothers, women giving arrangements to their friends and fathers buying bouquets for their children. Women can send arrangements with a more masculine feel—like a beautiful bunch of all-white tulips in a sleek base—to their husbands.”
Want to channel the Victorian communication style? Consider pansies (“thoughts”) if you want to show someone you think of them often. “However, this could have a hidden meaning,” Clare notes a bit mischievously. Or tulips for a bold declaration of love. “Here, it could be a sent to a secret affection,” she says. There are nuances in red you can explore as well: A red rose openly expresses feelings of love, while a red tulip is a confession of love.
Other flowers and their meanings include: sunflower (adoration), lilac (joy of youth), ivy (affection, friendship), ranunculus (“dazzled by your charms”), hyacinths (joy or sincerity), baby’s breath (everlasting love), calla lily (beauty), red Chrysanthemum (“I love you”), white Chrysanthemum (truth), daffodil (unequalled love), dahlia (good taste), fern (magic, fascination, secret bonds of love), holly (domestic happiness), iris (faith or hope), yellow lily (“walking on air”) and gardenia (secret love).
Gardenias are also a reminder that nothing good can stay. “These only last about 24 hours and are a reminder to live in—and enjoy—the moment,” Clare says.
Though you can prolong flowers’ lifespan by changing the water every two to three days to prevent bacteria buildup, their beauty is ephemeral. “Flowers are a constant reminder that nothing lasts forever,” she says. “A beautiful garden rose may be the most fragrant thing you ever encountered and though you may only experience it for a few days, you will remember it forever.”
Clare recommends designing and ordering flower arrangements in advance of Valentine’s Day rather than waiting until the last minute.
Learn more about seasonal options at LauraClareDesign.com.