Flowers

Flowers for each month and their meanings

There are many myths and meanings regarding flowers, some ideas are given below
Flower: White Carnation
January
Meaning: Pure; Deep Love, Good Luck
Flower: Purple Violet
February
Meaning: Modesty, Virtue, Faithfulness
Flower: Yellow Daffodil
March
Meaning: Love Me, Desire, The Sun Shines When I’m With You, Sympathy
Flower: Pink Sweet Pea
April
Meaning: Goodbye, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You
Flower: White Lily of the Valley
May
Meaning: Sweetness, Humility, Return to Happiness
Flower: Red Rose
June
Meaning: Love, Respect, Beauty of Youth
Flower: Pink Larkspur
July
Meaning: Fickleness
Flower: Yellow Gladioli
August
Meaning: Give Me a Break, I’m Really Sincere
Flower: Purple Aster
September
Meaning: Symbol of Love, Daintiness
Flower: Orange Marigold
October
Meaning: Sacred Affection, Grief, Jealousy
Flower: Yellow Chrysanthemum
November
Meaning: A Desolate Heart
Flower: White Narcissus
December
Meaning: Formality, Stay as Sweet as you are

Flower Facts
Rose (rosa)
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 know flower 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 water, leave the thorns if possible as removal can cause wounds where
bacteria can enter. Roses should last about a week.
Lily (lilium candidum)
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 coloured 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 (orchis)
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, Denrobium and
Cymbidium.
Care Tips: Cut orchids can last 2-3 weeks, keep the water fresh and recut their stems, they also like
a light misting of water.
Alstroemeria
The Alstroemeria is so named after Claus Alstroemer, a botanical classifier who sent seeds back
from South America of this particular flower. They appear like miniature lilies with spot or stripe
markings. Flower breeders have developed a huge range of varieties offering a vast array or 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 ( dianthus)
The carnation is available all year round and offers a vast array of individual and multi-coloured
flowers. They are available 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 its origins 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
development which still offers the variety of colours but are easier to use for flower arranging.
Care Tips: They love warmth 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 UK around 1759. It is generally known as
having a white flower although cream and pale pink 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 Titan Arum a native of central Sumatran rainforests. It is
often referred to as the Corpse Flower due to its obnoxious smell. It grows to 3 metres in
height.
• The World’s smallest flower is Wolffia, a type of duckweed found on the surface of ponds.
Native to Australia and Malaysia its main body is no more than 0.9mm long and 0.5mm
wide.
• The World’s oldest flower were fossilized remains, thought to have flowered about 125
million years ago, in north-east China. It resembled the modern day water lily.
• Tulip bulbs can substitute the onion in cooking.
• Cats are attracted to sweet smells – so you will often see them smelling flowers.
• Broccoli is the only vegetable which is a flower.
• The poinsettia is the most commonly used plant at Christmas. It’s attraction is 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
infections and insomnia.
• Lilies can be highly poisonous to cats.
• The World’s largest orchid can grow to 20 metres long.
• In Canada, a red carnation is worn if your mother is alive and a white one if she has died.
• Feng shui followers believe that the chrysanthemum brings laughter and happiness to the
home.
• The Gerbera was little known about 20 years ago, but is now very fashionable.
Images were choosen by Afnan Hakim (afnanhakim@gmail.com)