Valentine's gift guide

Why not woo with the classics this Valentine's Day?
 
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03.Choosing the right bloom

What the different blooms symbolise

If buying flowers for your Valentine, you may want to consider the type of bloom carefully. Whether you want to say “I love you” or let someone know how full of disdain you are, there is likely a flower to express it. If you want to tell your Valentine they are exquisitely lovely, opt for a bunch of white camellias, or if you want a subtle way to tell your significant other that they talk too much, you could try a belladonna lily – just keep yourself out of striking distance. Below are some more flowers and their meanings to help you make the right statement this Valentines Day.

 

 

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Looking after your blooms

One of the downsides to receiving flowers as a gift – besides the task of finding an appropriately sized vase – is that, eventually, they die and the beautiful symbol of your Valentine’s affections has to be binned. While you can’t stop the wilting process, there are some things you can do to keep them looking fresh for longer. Below are some dos and don’ts of keeping cut flowers that are relevant to both the gifter and giftee:

DO

  • Be sure the flowers are fresh at purchase – choose flowers that are just starting to open and avoid those that are wilting or have discoloured leaves or slimy stems.
  • Pack them carefully after purchase.
  • Put them in a bucket of fresh water up to the time of gifting or while preparing a vase.
  • Put a floral preservative in the vase water.
  • Remove any lower leaves that will fall below the water line.
  • Using sharp scissors cut about two centimetres off the bottom of each stem.
  • Replace or top up the water every few days.

DON'T

  • Buy flowers that have been sitting in the sun or that have been exposed to car fumes.
  • Let them sit in a hot car!
  • Put the flowers in a dirty vase. The bacteria will make them spoil faster.
  • Put your vase of flowers in direct sunlight or near heaters or draughts.
  • Put your vase near fruit and vegetables. They produce a gas that will cause them to wilt faster.


 

 

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