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The colour of love
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Now, you can express your love with exotic flowers
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FLOWER POWER The new varieties in town
Dinesh likes to do everything differently. That's why this Valentine's Day, he's not going to give his fiancée red roses. "Everyone gives roses," says the software consultant. "I'm thinking of buying her yellow and white tulips instead."
Cheerful tulips are just one of the possible alternatives for those wanting to make a statement with flowers today. There's a whole world of flowers out there, and this is the perfect time to experiment and think beyond the traditional bouquet of red roses.
Suganthi, florist at the Taj Coromandel, recommends gerbera in riotous shades of red, yellow and orange. "It looks like sunshine and makes you happy," she says with a smile.
Or there's the perfect flower for Valentine's Day — red or pink in colour and heart-shaped; the anthorium. Her favourite is the exotic Bird of Paradise. With its long stems and unusual flowers, this is sure to make a statement. "Even with a simple arrangement, it looks striking," she says. "And it lasts long as well."
In fact, Suganthi says tropical flowers like Bird of Paradise, lilies such as torch and red ginger lily, and the small but brilliant sunflower chrysanthemum can stay for long. The sunflower chrysanthemum remains fresh for as long as a month. So if your biggest beef about gifting flowers is that they're gone in a day or two, then keep an eye out for these long-lasting beauties.
Flowers that stay longer have an additional advantage as well. We've always known that flowers make people happy, but a recent study at Harvard Medical School has shown that people suffer from less worry, anxiety and depression when they spend a few days with fresh cut flowers at home. If exclusivity is what you like, then you might like to consider rarer flowers such as the exotic orchid, or the huge white-and-pink, scented Oriental lily that can cost as much as Rs. 150 per flower. But you don't need to be extravagant to make an impression. Sometimes, just a combination of different colours can make all the difference. For example, at Ferns n Petals, they have over 12 colours in carnations including deep purple, violet, lilac, crimson, baby pink, peach, orange, yellow and white. Similarly, Suganthi says this year, chrysanthemums are more in flush than previous years, in gorgeous shades of purples and pinks in addition to unusual shades like mauve, coffee and mustard. Or there's the brilliant iris, in rich tones of purple, indigo and blue.
Creative presentation
If you do decide to stick to red roses for sentimental reasons, you can always get creative with the presentation. Suman of Ferns n Petals says they often get orders for up to 100 roses to be delivered in a heart-shaped arrangement rather than the traditional bouquet. And of course, ribbons, hearts and toys like stuffed bears don't hurt. No gift of flowers is complete without a message, so the latest trend in Valentine's Day flowers in Bangalore are so-called `Talking Flowers', which will be introduced in Chennai soon. "We print messages like `I love you' and `I miss you' on the petals," says Vidyalatha of S.L.K. Floritech, wholesalers of flowers.
The options are endless. According to the website of the Society of American Florists (aboutflowers.com) the flowers you give can be monobotanic— a bouquet of a single type of flower, monochromatic— a bouquet of various flowers in a singer colour, they can be an assortment in soothing pastels, or in brilliant pinks and oranges, or in misty blues and greens. Whatever the choice, and however you choose to dress it up, go out on a limb and try something a little different this year. Make your Valentine's Day flowers a surprise again.
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Bouquet of ideals
* Personalise the bouquet. Choose flowers and colours that reflect the tastes of the one you love.
* Your flowers can be arranged in different vases or holders in a number of styles depending on the look that you're going for whether it's traditional, romantic or fun.
* Nothing is more romantic than attaching a personal, heartfelt note to the bouquet.
* Ladies, men like to be surprised with flowers too! Giving flowers isn't just a man's prerogative.
DIVYA KUMAR
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