ALSTROEMERIA
~ Common names: Alstroemeria, Peruvian lily, Inca lily.
Description: Friendship and devotion. The main stems of these cut flowers are 2-3 feet long and branch into four to six short pedicels; each holding two to four flower buds. Colors include yellow, apricot, orange, salmon, pink, red, mauve, lavender, purple, cream, white and bi-colors. Alstroemeria typically last one to two weeks.
ASTER
~ Common names: aster, Monte Casino, rainbow aster, spray aster.
Description: The symbol of love, daintiness. They are daisy-like flowers with yellow centers distributed over airy sprays. They come in many colors including white, pink, hot pink, lavender, red, purple and white. Vase life ranges from 5-14 days. Cut stems every two days because they become slimy quickly. Check bouquets for foliage below water line.
CARNATION
~ Common names: carnation.
Description: Fascination (general), I’ll never forget you (pink), my heart aches for you, admiration (red), sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, woman's good luck gift (white), you have disappointed me, rejection (yellow). Flowers are 2-3 inches wide on 1- to 2-foot stems. Miniature carnation varieties feature several small flowers on one stem. Colors include white, yellow, pink, red, salmon, fuchsia, deep purple, light green, bi-colors and flecked. The fragrant cut flowers live up to three weeks.
CHRYSANTHEMUM
~ Common names: chrysanthemum, mum.
Description: You're a wonderful friend, cheerfulness and rest. Many flower forms are available. Stems may carry one flower or multiple blooms. There are also spoon-shaped, quill-shaped, threadlike or spider-like florets. Used as both cut flowers and blooming plants, their colors include pink, yellow, red, white, bronze, magenta and purple.
DAFFODIL
~ Common names: Daffodil, narcissus, jonquil.
Description: Regard, unrequited love, you're the only one, the sun is always shining when I'm with you. Six outer petals surround a cup creating a trumpet-style look of this cut flower. Some stems produce one flower; others produce clusters. The outer petals are yellow or white; cups may be white, yellow, orange or salmon, and some have an orange edge. Daffodils secrete a sap that can harm other flowers if not properly conditioned. If mixed with other flowers, do not recut as you will cause sap to be released again.
DELPHINIUM
~ Common names: delphinium.
Description: An open heart and ardent attachment and convey a feeling of lightness and levity. Delphiniums provide some of the best cut flowers with a color range including blue, lavender, purple, pink, salmon, rose, red, white, and bi-colors. Flowers grow along spikes with stems that are 1-6 feet long. Flowers are either single or double, and foliage is medium green and leafy. Vase life ranges from 4-12 days.
GERBERA
~ Common names: gerbera, gerbera daisy.
Description: Innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, purity. Daisy-like blooms grow to 5 inches wide with layers of thin petals. They also grow in many sizes including miniature varieties; single-flowered or double-flowered; and spider varieties. Colors include white, cream, yellow, gold, pink, magenta, salmon, orange, red and bi-colors.
GLADIOLUS
~ Common names: gladiolus, glad, gladioli.
Description: Strength, moral integrity, infatuation, they pierce the giver’s heart with passion. Tall, tightly packed spikes of six to eight blossoms open in sequence from the bottom. The 2- to 8-inch-wide florets bloom in one direction with sword shaped foliage on stems. Gladioli lend itself to almost any type of style from the use of a full stem to provide height to a tall arrangement or individual florets for corsage and wedding work. Gladiolus last seven to 10 days and are available in a wide variety of colors including white, green, cream, yellow, buff, orange, salmon, pink, red, lavender, purple, blue and terra cotta.
HYDRANGEA
~ Common names: hydrangea, hortensia.
Description: Debatable symbolism. Vanity, boastfulness, or the giver’s gratefulness for the recipient’s understanding. And others suggest it represents anything that’s sincerely heartfelt. Despite this variation in flower meaning, there appears to be an overwhelming consensus that this 4th wedding anniversary flower possesses enduring grace and beauty. Four-petaled flowers grow in round clusters that are usually 4 to 8 inches wide. Flowers bloom in white, lavender and pink. While the hydrangea has been a favorite in the garden or landscape for years, it has become a popular cut flower to enhance garden-style arrangements.
IRIS
~ Common names: iris, netted iris, Dutch iris.
Description: Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, wisdom and valor, my compliments. Flowers open to 1-3 inches across. Long, thin, pointed leaves grow from the base of the stem. Colors include bluish-purple, deep purple, lavender, white and yellow. Many have yellow markings on the lower part of the petals. Vase life is 2-5 days.
LILY
~ Common names: lily, Asiatic lily, Oriental lily.
Description: Virginity, purity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you (white), beauty (Calla). Trumpet-shaped flowers grow to a 6-inch diameter. Stems grow to 3 feet long, carrying 4-8 blossoms. Sparse foliage is dark green. Because blooms open at various times, most lilies live one to two weeks. Colors include white, yellow, pink, red and orange; many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal.
To prevent pollen from staining petals or clothing, remove stamens.
ORCHID
~ Common names: orchid, cymbidium, dendrodium, oncidium, cattleya, phalaenopsis.
Description: Love, beauty, refinement, beautiful lady, chinese symbol for many children. Throughout the world, more than 17,000 species are known, and varieties vary in size and shape. Oncidium blossoms are 1 ½ to 1 inch and are usually yellow with orange-red markings. Cymbidium and dendrobium flowers have a butterfly-like shape and are 3 to 4 inches acress. The larger of the two, cymbidiums are white, yellow, green or lavender with pink or red lips, while dendrobiums are often white or lavender. Cattleya blossoms are large, ruffled and usually 5 to 6 inches across in white or purple with contrasting throats. Phalaenopsis have moth- or butterfly-shaped flowers in colors such as white, pink, purple and bi-colors.
ROSE
~ Common names: tea rose, sweetheart rose, spray rose.
Description: Happy love (bridal), mourning (dark crimson), delicate beauty (hibiscus), perfect happiness, please believe me (pink), love, I love you (red), I’ll remember always (tea), love at first sight (thorn less), innocence and purity, I am worthy of you, you’re heavenly, secrecy and silence (white), unity, flower emblem of England (white and red mix), decrease of love, jealousy, try to care (yellow), beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love (bud). With almost 120 varieties available, roses are a classic favorite. Roses span the color spectrum with varieties available in all shades of reds, pinks, purples, oranges, corals, peaches and whites. Tea roses open 3-4 inches. Stems can be 12-30 inches long. Spray roses can have several flowers on one stem. Depending on the variety, roses typically last 4-7 days.
SNAPDRAGON
~ Common names: snapdragon.
Description: Deception, Gracious Lady. These tall-spike stems usually have fully opened florets upon arrival with the buds on the upper portion showing a hint of color. Colors include pink, purple, lavender, white yellow, orange and burgundy. Snapdragons are available year-round and will last 5-10 days. Snapdragons drink lots of water, so check water level frequently.
STOCK
~ Common names: stock.
Description: A symbol of happy life and contented existence. Stocks have single or double flowers with a 1-inch diameter and a pleasing clove-like scent. The romantic beauty of this flower brings texture to garden designs, and its sweet, spicy fragrance is an added attraction. Colors range from white, cream, yellow, peach, lavender, pink, purple and burgundy. Vase life is 5-8 days.
SUNFLOWER
~ Common names: sunflower.
Description: Their open faces symbolize the sun itself, conveying warmth and happiness, adoration and longevity. These large field-grown flowers have 2-8 inch diameters. Short petals surround a large disc. Petal colors are pale or golden yellow, orange, red or bronze; discs are brown, black, or green. Thick stems support single- and double-flower varieties. Keep sunflowers hydrated to help stems support heavy head weight. Place sunflowers in tall containers to provide adequate support for their height.
TULIP
~ Common names: tulip.
Description: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland (general), believe me, declaration of love (red), beautiful eyes (variegated), there’s sunshine in your smile (yellow). Single flowers have six petals. Flower variations include lily-flowering types, double flowers, fringed petals. Colors include white, yellow, pink, peach, orange, red, lavender, purple and bi-colors. Vase life is up to seven days.
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