Roses Again? Pick a More Fitting Valentine's Day Bouquet

We're not complaining--getting flowers on Valentine's Day is great. But what if this year you picked a bouquet that matched with your loved one's interests and personality? Check out these alternatives to the red rose.


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Tired of giving the woman in your life the same batch of roses that every other guy out there is buying? This Valentine’s Day, buy your wife, girlfriend, or fiancée a specialized bouquet of flowers based on what’s she’s like, and what she likes! Here are a list of great flowers that can make romance bloom for you, and reasons why they might be right for her.

Narcissus

Sometimes called daffodils or buttercups, these beautiful flowers look quite like teacups on delicate, plumed saucers. But the origin of the name comes from Greek mythology; it was the name of Narcissus, a self-absorbed young man, was so obsessed with his reflection in a pond that he fell in and drowned, and the flowers bloomed up in his place. When you give this flower to your beloved, you’re saying in no uncertain terms that you are not going to make the same mistake! You’re also keeping company with poets—both E.E. Cummings and William Wordsworth lauded the praises of daffodils. The character Edward Bloom in the movie Big Fish planted a whole field of these flowers to impress his love, but you’ll probably have more success with a bouquet of a dozen or so.

Lilies

The first mention of these broad, beautiful flowers comes to us from a Sumerian text nearly 5,000 years old. Not only they, but the Persians, Minoans, Egyptians, and Japanese all loved a good lily—which they sometimes used as a healing herb. Lilies were the symbol of Hera, the queen of the Greek gods, and Matthew references them in the New Testament as a symbol of purity. In fact, legend has it that Eve’s tears in Eden caused lilies to spring forth from the ground. If your girlfriend or wife is a history buff, a nurse, a woman of classic moral fiber, or just someone who loves broad, sophisticated flowers that smell intoxicating, get her a half-dozen of these—and make sure all their buds haven’t opened! Lilies bloom even after they’re cut and put in water, and it’s a treat to see some of the late bloomers open up.

Orchids

According to Greek myth, these flowers arose from the remains of a half-satyr, half-nymph named Orchis after he was hacked into thousands of pieces by followers of Dionysus, the god of wine and romance. That could explain the wine-mottled coloration and sensual shape of many orchids, as well as the thousands of varieties that botanists have discovered—with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 species, orchids are the world’s most diverse plant family. Give some of these to the woman in your life who likes danger, complexity, or tropical climates, or who simply loves delicate, sexy flowers. And consider giving them as a living potted plant—though stereotyped as a hothouse flower, many orchids are easy to grow in any house.

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Tymtrvlr

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I was interested to learn a bit more history about the different types of flowers. As a floral designer for the last 4 yrs. I must say...hear hear. I shake my head at how many men (and women) wait until the last minute, then can't think of anything more original than "a dozen red roses w/baby's breath". Don't get me wrong..I love roses...in my garden. However, the ones you get at a florist are bred for their color and long stems, and usually have little or no fragrance (if you want scent..pick the lilies, stock or carnations, and have them had waxflower for fill). Besides, roses are the shortest lasting cut flower. For all of you traditionalists...go ahead and get the roses, just don't cringe at the inflated price ($70.00 average), and whine when they don't last past 5 days. And if you walk into a flower shop on Valentine's day or wait until that morning to have them delivered...don't be surprised at the crowds, harried workers, and the possibility that we can't deliver at a certain time. Don't get me wrong..I love being a florist because I get to be creative, and it feels good to see the happiness on someone's face when they have flowers delivered or their wedding flowers enhance their special day...I even enjoy joking with those that "want to get out of the doghouse". A single flower, given in the right thoughtful moment and atmosphere, can mean more than a whole roomful of flowers.

- February 17, 2008 08:31 AM
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mystikchik

mystikchik is an atheist and proud of it.

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terry9911 wrote:
NancyG wrote:

Authenticman - You have to keep in mind that EH is a fairly conservative venue. They target a more traditional audience, which is primarily set in the "courtship" model of gender interaction. We don't have to buy into that, but we do have to understand it and acknowledge its existence. And, as I said, EH is making the attempt to include articles aimed at helping women be more assertive in the courtship process.

Anyway, giving flowers is a romantic, if wasteful, gesture. If one's beloved enjoys it, then it shouldn't be limited to commercial holidays. Far more effective when unexpected and unprompted by the media. What kind of flowers would blow your skirt back, roses or daisies? I'm a wildflower lover, myself.

I'll jump in here. EH may be interested in helping women be more assertive, but they sure don't seem to care when MEN assert their needs for a system and a partner that will do as much for them as they do for their partners. That's why I have ditched american born women and only go for foreign born women. The foreign born women get it, and know how to appreciate american men.

This of course explains why you are hanging out here whining about how tough we American born women are on poor little boys like yourself!

Yah you go get yourself some little foriegn born girl and after awhile, once she looks around, once she breathes free air, she will ask herself do I really want to spend my life with a man who is afraid of independent women. I imagine the answer will be, "No". Then you will be back to checking out the ads looking for a new foreign born wife who is prepared to live with all your insecurities in exhange for some financial security. Good luck... LOL!

I had a good V Day. I worked at a bar and got lots of tips from all of the lonely singles who hang out at the bar on V Day. I flirted and treated them nicely. They responded with generous tips. So all in all: V Day is all right.

Oh, and I love the day after V Day even better. I can buy all sorts of sweets at greatly reduced prices. So I get to stock up a bit...

- February 15, 2008 09:12 AM
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sheilagh

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authenticman wrote:

Why is it always the MAN who is buying something for the WOMAN on Valentine's Day?

Any woman that views Valentine's Day as a one-way street isn't worth the time of day, in my opinion.

If a man doesn't demand equality from a woman......well, he's in for a lot of disappointment.

Most important of all.....I believe that E-Harmony should be promoting that equality, not a continuation of that unfortunate one-way street.

How very true....Not just flowers, there are many things to give to express caring and respect. Maybe I was raised in some other dimension, but I was always, as female, included with aunts, my Mom, cousins and friends to find something that would promote a quiet, romantic afternoon, evening, night with the significant other, be it husband or boyfriend. Is that not a part of the celebration? Trying to find a way to show how yu feel without the other having a clue? Even trying to out-do each other in impressive, thought-filled surprised, and the less expensive the better!!!!!!!I hope for you that you find someone that understands that to give is to receive the best of all gifts.
- February 14, 2008 08:26 PM
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