Choosing the Right Flower...

Love cannot be measured in actions and words but when expressed in the right terms and with the right flowers it can sure melt someone’s heart.

February is the month of Valentine’s Day and bouquets of red roses are a common sight this time of year. But did you know that there are many other species of flower available in February as well?

Flowers & Seasons are intimately bound to each other. Most of the flowers are season - specific.

Flowers Blooming in February include:

Acacia (Mimosa) – Tiny petal-less yellow flowers cover the stems
Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) – Very popular and long lasting flowers, often bi-coloured
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) – Large very striking trumpet shaped flowers, often grown indoors from bulbs
Anthurium (Painter’s Palette) – Exotic waxy looking flowers
Aster (Michaelmas daisy) – Popular filler with daisy like flowers on upright stems
Calla Lily (Zantedeschia, Arum Lily) – Striking single flowers. The coloured varieties are smaller than the white ones, and not all colours are available all year round
Carnation – Very long lasting. Some new more interesting colours are now available
Spray Carnation – Long lasting flowers. Some more interesting colours becoming available
Cattleya orchid – Large brightly coloured orchids, usually 1 or 2 per stem
Ginger (Alpinia) – Large striking tropical flowers
Waxflower (Chamaelaucium) – Small scented flowers ideal as fillers, sold in bud and in flower
Chrysanthemum – Available as large individual showy blooms, or the spray variety. Very long lasting
Cymbidium Orchid – Striking flowers, which flower profusely with up to 12 flowers on each stem
Delphinium -Tall flower spikes. Also, Larkspur which is a type of delphinium
Dendrobium orchid (Singapore orchid) – Long lasting orchids with several blooms on each erect stem
Gerbera – Large daisy like flowers, a smaller ‘germini’ variety is also available
Hypericum (St John’s Wort) – Attractive berries rather than flowers make this a very popular filler
Iris – Very popular but short lived flowers
Lily – Available throughout the year, but if you are looking for a particular colour check availability with your florist
Lilac – A common shrub and highly popular, strongly scented cut flower
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria) – Tiny bell shaped flowers on short stems. Very popular in wedding flowers
Lisianthus (Eustoma) – Popular flowers which open from tightly swirled buds, bi-coloured varieties also available
Muscari (Grape hyacinth) – Very small with short stems and clusters of tiny blue flowers
Narcissus (Daffodil) – Needs no description and evokes spring more than any other cut flower
Oncidium orchid (Golden Shower Orchid) – Lots of small yellow flowers along the stem. Miniature hybrids are available in colours other than yellow
Ornithogalum (Chincherinchee) – Fantastically long lasting flower, usually white and less commonly available in yellow
Ranunculus – Small delicate, papery flowers.
Rose – Needs no colour available except true black or blue
Solidago – A popular yellow filler flower
Solidaster – A cross between Solidago and the Aster. Used as a filler
Sunflower (Helianthus) – Striking, large daisy like flowers, usually yellow but more unusual rusty colours are becoming available
Tulip – One of the most popular cut flowers in the UK with many different varieties
Veronica (Speedwell) – Delicate flower spikes add contrast to arrangements
Vanda – Usually 6 – 8 blooms per flower stem, the petals often have a marbled appearance

These flowers make for the ideal end of winter, beginning of spring gift.

Unlike many flowers, orchids and roses can bloom indefinitely, paying little heed to the seasons. Buy your February Valentine’s bouquet at Flowers by Pouparina as a way to signify how important she is.