Feb. 14 presents a genuine way to make a loving connection. Traditionally, red flowers color the day, symbolizing happiness and romance with hot, stimulating hues. But Valentine's Day is not just about celebrating your significant other: It is an opportunity to connect with all the important people in your life. And the flowers aren't limited to red roses. (But those are nice, too!)
“Valentine's Day encompasses more than celebrating romantic relationships," says Renato Cruz Sogueco, vice president of digital strategy and education at BloomNet. These days, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, grandparents, neighbors, administrative assistants, lab partners, and co-workers all could use a little Valentine appreciation.
Valentine's flowers for parents
Tulips, with their variety of colors and forms, are the perfect bouquet for parents. Tulips are like chocolate chip cookies — universally loved for their cheerfulness and broad appeal.
Tip: With tulips, and any other flowers in a bouquet, snip an inch from the base of the stem and refresh the water in the vase every few days. As the flowers get shorter, you might need a different vase.
Valentine's flowers for children
Thought to signify a perfect and deep love, tulips honor the love and devotion parents have for their children — and they also let adult children know their mom and dad are thinking of them. Select a mixed bouquet of tulips in spring colors to brighten a February day.
Young children also enjoy plush toys and chocolate, says Valerie Ghitelman, vice president of product development, design, and sourcing at 1-800-Flowers.com. An animated plush lion with chocolate covered Oreos will be a well-received gift for this age group.
Another option that signals the holiday, and teaches kids about gardening, is a rose plant. Children love caring for plants, Ghitelman says.
Valentine's flowers for friends
Mixed bouquets have gained popularity, Sogueco says, as a heartfelt, non-romantic message for BFFs, co-workers, and others. Acknowledge the Galentine's and bromance friends in your life with beautiful arrangements featuring lilies, daisies, carnations, delphinium, and more.
Valentine's flowers and gift combos
Stuck on whether they'll appreciate flowers, gifts, or candy? Give a combination of presents, Ghitelman says, which is appropriate for Galantine's and Palentine's gift giving. Gerbera daisies, orchids, lavender roses, and yellow roses — the symbol of friendship — are all great choices. For your bromance pal, select birds of paradise, daisies, or sunflowers.
Potted flowers for lasting love
For something different and just as lovely as a bouquet, consider a potted hydrangea or azalea for friends. These long-lasting dwarf shrubs have been grown under conditions that force them to bloom at certain times, such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and other special holidays.
Move potted plants outdoors to the patio or balcony for summer enjoyment. In southern climates, hydrangea or azalea can even be planted outdoors. Most are not hardy enough to make it through the winter in northern locations.
Don't delay
One last piece of advice: Shop early! Many consumers tend to wait until the last minute to send Valentine's Day flowers, which increases the odds of their gift arriving late. Inventory shortages, shipping delays, and other factors (“We also have to keep an eye on the weather, since snowstorms and ice storms can influence shipping capabilities," Ghitelman says) play a role in when your order will show up. Placing your order well before the holiday will give your blooms the best chance of getting to their intended recipient with time to spare.
AUTHOR
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is the Hoosier Gardener. She’s a 25-year, award-winning veteran of print journalism. She is a past president of GardenCommunicators International, former editor of four regional gardening magazines, and owns a residential container planting business.
