Flower Facts & Meanings

National Flower Emblems UK

The Rose - The Rose - This was adopted as England's flower emblem during the civil war (1455-1485), known as the War of the Roses. The Royal House of Lancaster being the red rose and the Royal House of York being the white rose, at the end of the conflict King Henry V11 chose to combine both roses into a single and white Tudor rose.
 

The Thistle - was adopted as the emblem of Scotland during the reign of Alexander 111 (1249-1286). Legend has it that the army of King Haakon of Norway , intent  on conquering the Scots, landing at night removed their foot ware to allow them to move quietly onto the sleeping clansmen. They are said to have stood on the spiny thistle and shrieked out , wakening the Scots who then won the day.

The Daffodil - the possible reason for this emblem to be used for Wales is that the words for Leek (the traditional welsh emblem) and Daffodil in Welsh are the same - Cenhinen being Leek, and Cenhinen Pedre being Daffodil. It Is thought that the wearing of a Daffodil on St  Davids Day is preferred to wearing the Leek. 

The Shamrock - believed to be originally chosen as the emblem for Ireland by St Patrick who used the three leafed plant to show the doctrine of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Shamrock has been the considered by the Irish as a good luck symbol since the earliest times.

While it's certainly true that all flowers can express a multitude of sentiments, it is important to realize that different blooms represent varying meanings and emotions - be it sympathy, respect, love, innocence or passion.

Not sure which flowers say it best? Use the following as a guide.

 I Will always Love You (the best flowers to express true love)

  • Red Roses - love, Passion, respect, courage, I love you.
  • Yellow & Orange Roses - passionate thoughts
  • Thornless Roses - Love at first sight
  • Orange Lilies - flame, I burn for you.

Be My Baby (the best flowers to express new love)

  • Red Tulips - declaration of love, believe me.
  • White Roses - spiritual love, happy love.
  • Lavender Roses - love at first sight, enchantment.

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (the best flowers to apologies)

  • Geraniums - stupidity, folly.
  • Yellow Gerberas - I'll try harder to win your love.
  • Orange Gerberas - You are the sunshine of my life.

Celebrate Good Times. (the best flowers to say Congratulations)

  • Birds of Paradise - magnificence.
  • Lilies - magnificent beauty, wealth, pride, majestic.
  • Sunflowers - adoration.
  • Yellow & Red Roses - congratulations.

Thank You For Being A Friend (the best flowers to say thank you)

  • Pink Roses - gratitude, admiration, appreciation, friendship.
  • Peach Roses - gratitude, appreciation, admiration.
  • Yellow Roses - joy, friendship.

Don't Worry, Be Happy (the best flowers to brighten someone's day)

  • Freesias - thoughtfulness.
  • Orange Roses - feelings of enthusiasm, fascination.
  • Sunflowers - adoration, following the sun.
  • Yellow Tulips - there's sunshine in your smile.

An Apple A Day (the best flowers to express Get Well wishes)

  • Sunflowers - sunshine, following the sun.
  • Orange Gerberas - you are the sunshine of my life.
  • Freesias - thoughtfulness.

I Will Remember You (the best flowers to express sympathy, condolences)

  • Forget-Me-Knots - memories, remembrance.
  • Crimson Roses - mourning.
  • Pink Roses - sympathy,
  • White Roses - reverence.
  • Lily of the Valley - humility, new life.
  • Chrysanthemums - passing of a life.

 

 

 

Flowers and the Zodiac

Flowers and the Zodiac

It is believed that signs o f the Zodiac have their own flowers, either depicting a strong colour or look that can be attributed to certain characteristics associated with the sign.

  • Aries - red roses, tulips, red peppers, amarylis, thorn bearing shrub.
  • Taurus - sweet william, scented stock, lavender, lilac, aster, lily of the valley,
  • Gemini - winter cherries, ranunculus, acacia, daffodil, cactus, solidago,
  • Cancer - delphiniums, ferns, passion flower. hydranger, iris,
  • Leo - marigold, gerbera, sunflower, dahlia,
  • Virgo - chrysanthemum, eucalyptus, veronica, violet, ivy, thistle,
  • Libra - gladiolus, fresia, tea roses, gardenia, orchids, tuberose,
  • Scorpio - anthurium, cactus, peony, hibiscus, amaranthus,
  • Sagittarius- foxtail lily, carnation, crocus, berried plants, allium,
  • Capricorn - statis, holly, African violet, ivy, snowdrop, jasmine,
  • Aquarius - arum liliy, bird of paradise, yucca, pitcher plant,
  • Pisces - maddona liliy, jasmine, lilac, narcissus, gypsophila, 

Flowers for each Month and their Meaning

                           Flower                              Meaning

January          White Carnation              Pure, Deep Love, Good Luck   

February         Purple Violet                    Modesty, Virtue, Faithfulness

March             Yellow Daffodil                Love me, Desire, The sun shines

April                 Pink Sweet Pea              Goodbye,Thank You, 

May                  White Lily of the Valley  Sweetness, Humility

June                Red Rose                           Love, Respect, Beauty of Youth,

July                  Pink Larkspur                  Fickleness

August            Yellow Gladioli                  Give Me a Break, I'm Realy Sincere

September     Purple Aster                     Symbol of Love, Daintiness

October           Orange Marigold              Sacred Affection, Grief, Jealousy

November       Yellow Crysanthemum    A Desolate Heart,

December      White Narcissus                Formality, Stay as You Are,

Flower Facts

Rose
Roses originated in China but are now cultivated from America to the Far East. They are now available in a variety of colours except blue and true black, Roses are one of the most popular and best known flowers throughout the world.
Care tips: Limp Roses can be revived by standing in deep warm water, do not bash the stems as this will prevent them drinking the water, leave the thorns if possible as removal can cause wounds where bacteria can enter. Roses should last about a week.

 Lily
The origins of the Lily  is thought to be China in the Middle Ages, some forms are highly scented particularly some Oriental lilies, whereas many of the Asiatic lilies , although highly colored, are without a scent.
Care tips: It is recommended that the pollen stamens are removed as this will prolong the life of the flower, if pollen does get onto any fabric "dab off" with sticky tape - do not use water.

Orchids
Most Orchids are indigenous to tropical regions of the world such as Asia and South America. They offer a colourful selection including black and green, Orchids are actually the largest plant family offering over 25,000 species, the most common of which are the Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Cymbidium.
Care tips: Cut Orchids can last 2 - 3 weeks, keep the water fresh and recut their stems. they aslo like a light misting of water. 

Alstroemeria
The Alstroemeria is also named after Claus Alstroemer, a botanical classifier who sent seeds back from South America of this particular flower. They appear like minature Lilies with spot or stripe markings, flower breeders have developed a huge range of varieties offering a vast array of colours and markings
Care tips: The leaves will often wilt long before the flowers, so remove all foliage, the flowers should last about 2 weeks in water.

Carnation
The Carnation is available all year round and offers a vast array of individual and multi-coloured flowers, they are availabe as a standard  - being 1 flower per stem or as a spray which offers lots of smaller flowers per stem.
Care tips: The Carnation is a long lasting cut flower but should be kept away from any fruit or vegetables as they emit ethylene gas which will kill the flower.

Chrysanthemum
The "Mum" originates from China and Japan but the name derives from the Greek "krus anthemon" meaning gold flower, nowadays they are available in all colours from lime green to brick red. The flower comes in a large range of shapes and sizes including small buttons, spiky and large blooms.

Gerbera
Pronounced Jur-bra, finds it's origin in South Africa, there are over 200 varieties available offering a host of colours and different petal shapes, the mini gerbera or 'germini' is quite a new developement which still offers the variety of colours but are easier to use for flower arranging.
Care tips: They love warm and bright light.

Gypsophila (baby's breath)
The botanical name means 'lover of chalk' - this is the soil it loves to grow in, the plant is native to Eastern Europe and was first commercially grown in the UK around 1759. It is generally known as having a white flower although pale pink and cream are sometimes available.
Care tips: Keep the water clean and the flowers should last a long time.

Flower Trivia

  • The world's largest flower is the Titian Arum a native of central Sumatran rainforest, it is often referred to as the Corpse Flower due to it's obnoxious smell. It grows up to 3 Metres high. 
  • The world's  smallest flower is the Wolffia, a type of duckweed found on the surface of of ponds, native to Australia and Malaysia it's main body is no more than 0.9mm long and 0.5mm wide.
  • The world's oldest flower is fossilized remains thought to have flowered about 125 million years ago in north-east China, it resembles the modern day water liliy.
  • Tulip bulbs can substitute for onions in cooking.
  • Cats are attracted to sweet smells - so you will often see them smelling flowers.
  • The poinsettia is the most commonly used plant at Christmas, it's attraction is in the red colour which are modified leaves called bracts, the flowers are actually yellow.
  • Sunflowers can be used to soak up radiation.
  • Rose water was thought to successfully cure trembling, constipation, drunkenness, throat infestions and insomnia.
  • Lilies can be poisonous to cats
  • The world's largest orchid can grow to 20 metres long.
  • Feng Shui followers believe that the chrysanthemum brings laughter and happiness to the home.
  • The Gerbera was little known 20 years ago but is now very fashionable.