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Listed below: beginners guide to common flowers, and links to flower related pages. Roses - Typically given for a romantic date, dinner or passionate occasion. The rose is perhaps the most popular flower to give and receive, and is cultivated the world over. They are quite a difficult flower to cultivate, and this is perhaps why it's so cherished as a gift. The red rose is used for romantic occasions, the pink rose for mother's day, the yellow rose for friendship, the winter white rose for children and the symbol of innocence, and has a significance in Islam for the purity of the prophet Mohammed. The red rose is also county flower of Lancashire, and the white rose the county flower of Yorkshire. Any competition between these counties is often called the battle of the roses. People love the fragrance and perfume the flower naturally gives off. Orchids - The varying petal styles and shapes makes the orchid the perfect flower for making stunning bouquets, arrangements, corsages, and boutonnières. Some Orchid varieties are still rare, and orchids have always been expensive. Some varieties are now extinct, but what's left is still huge with thousands of species left. For homes the recommended varieties are the stunning paphiopedilum, dendrobium, vanda and phalaenopsis. Some reports have suggested it's the most common house plant in England. It thrives in warm conditions, and is suited to tropical climates like the famous St. Tropez. Poppy - Given in the UK for remembrance of the fallen during
wars such as WW2 and the Falklands. They are generally given at funerals
and times of death. The Poppy Appeal is held annually in the UK, an occasion
where people donate money and wear a paper poppy to support those effected
during wartime. Lilies - Is another popular flower used at funerals and
religious festivals, and symbolises rebirth and the resurrection of life
in Christ. There is an "Easter lily" specifically used for Easter
religious services. In the past the pistils and the stamen were removed
to not offend some church goers. The "Cala Lily" is very popular
as a bridal bouquet or for beauty pageants, and comes in a few varieties
like the Mango Calla, Calming Callas and Black Magic. Provides an intoxicating
perfume and scent. Carnations - A vibrant flower with large petals, a carnation will surely always get you noticed. It's a flower connected with happy occasions, such as a wedding, anniversary, celebration of achievement, and most of all given on Mother's Day. The flower has a religious significance for Christians, having sprouted from the tears of the Virgin Mary at the sufferings of her son. Therefore that's why it's so popular as a gift for Mother's Day. It comes in many varieties and colours like cream, yellow, pinks, purple, yellow red, and orange. Perhaps the best selling cut flower. Petals can be used as dried confetti. A mild and lovely perfume and scent is given during the spring. Gerbera - Amongst the most cultivated flowers worldwide. One reason for it's popularity is it's longitivity. It can last weeks with good sunlight, water and care. It's often arranged in bouquets with other flower varieties. Perfect as a pick me up, get well occasion, it's a flower full of life and suits the spring and start of summer. Popular species include the Regina, Nero, Parade, Mix and 90-188. Tulips - Now produced in copious amounts by the Dutch, it was first imported from the Middle East as bulbs. Only recently in Holland did Europeans find a way of cultivating the plant. One of the most unique and recognisable flowers with it's standard six petal head. It has a slender head, which contrasts well in arrangements with larger headed flowers like the Gerbera. Some popular varieties include the Darwinhybrid, Fosteriana, Fringed, Greigii, Parrot and ViridFlora. Freesia - Most commonly comes in light colours, such as pinks, white, yellows, and light purples. Far from being an over powering flower, it's a delicate species, peaks during the spring and is therefore appropriate for celebrating the birth of a new born baby or all things new. It's origin is South Africa, the pinks are highly scented with the most fragrance and perfume. They require alot of water to last, make sure the stems have plenty. Chrysanthemums - Widely used for every occasion it's a
popular flower which comes in varying petal sizes and styles like spoons,
buttons, spiders and blooms. It survives well all season round and is
particularly popular in it's yellows and golden yellow especially. The
Japanese see it as their national flower and have used it on many of their
symbolic flags. Likewise China see it as their royal and national flower,
above all others.
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Flowers
