In Full Bloom

Here’s how to pick the right flowers for different occasions, with advice from florist Joanne Ho. 

GET WELL SOON

A friend is feeling down? Send her a bouquet of sunflowers to lift her spirits. The vibrant yellow signifies happiness and cheer, and the Chinese believe it is an auspicious flower that symbolises good luck and a long life. 

MOTHER’S DAY

Carnations are a must if you’re giving your mum a bouquet. Joanne says that the carnation represents the virtues of motherhood with its lasting qualities – sweetness, purity and endurance. It’s the perfect flower to show your love and respect for the most important woman in your life. 

THANK YOU

There are no rules as to what flowers you should give to say thank you. But Joanne recommends purple eustomas because of their origin. Eustoma means “good mouth” in Greek, so what better way to express your thanks than with a good mouth?

VALENTINE’S DAY

Ask women what flowers they’d like to receive on the day of romance and most of them are likely to say roses – especially red roses. “The rose is a timeless symbol of romance and passion,” explains Joanne. 

FUNERAL

Orchids are preferred here as they tend to last longer than most blooms. In addition to their delicate and sculptural beauty, orchids also have a universal meaning: I will always love you. As for the colours, white is the obvious choice as it’s the colour of sympathy.

BIRTHDAY

Things can get a little tricky when it comes to choosing the right flowers for the birthday girl, especially when you don’t know what her favourites are. But you’ll never go wrong with gerberas – their large blooms and vibrant colours make them most suitable for expressing cheerful sentiments.

HOW TO PRESERVE FLOWERS

Don’t want your fresh flowers to wilt? Follow these drying techniques to preserve them.

MICROWAVE

Choose flowers with more petals, such as roses, marigolds and zinnias; pick those that are half-bloomed and firm. Place the flowers in a microwaveable bowl, one at a time, and cover with a desiccant like silica gel. Microwave on high for two to three minutes. Remove and set aside to cool for one day, then brush off the desiccant.

PRESS

Pressing is best done with smaller and flatter flowers like pansies and lilacs. Prepare a thick and heavy book, then line a page in the middle with non-glossy paper like newspaper or tissue paper. Next, arrange your flowers in a single layer, and place another sheet of paper over them. Close the book and leave it untouched for one to three weeks. Once they are dry, the flower petals should feel crisp.

AIR-DRY

Gather the flowers into a bunch and tie the stems with a rubber band. Find a dark and dry area with good ventilation and keep the flowers there for two to three weeks until completely dry. The dried flowers will have a vintage hue. Spray them with an unscented hairspray to set their shapes.

USE SILICA GEL

This method works best with sturdy flowers like lilies or roses. Get an empty jar that can be sealed tight and place your flowers in it. Bury your blooms with silica gel and leave them for a few days to a week in a warm and dry location. Once the flowers are dry, brush the silica gel off. 

Illustrations 123RF.com.