How Flowers Can Cheer Up Your Day

Few things in life are guaranteed to bring such joy as a bright bunch of newly cut flowers. A few slender, dramatic stems in a shapely glass vase in the corner of a room, a wonderful arrangement delivered to your door, a wild and ragged wild posy, or a bunch of flowers spontaneously chosen while walking round the supermarket – all these can add a sparkle to your day.

If you haven’t the space or time for gardening, then there’s always a wealth of flowers on view in your local florist or in the park or nearby woodland or countryside. Without having to spend a lot, you can decorate the smallest of spaces with flowering annuals, perennials and even shrubs and trees. You can hang things, grow them in pots or fill beds and patios with a wealth of color.

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter – you’ll never be short of a flowering stem to enliven your office or home, to cheer up a dull area or enhance your dinner table. There is always plenty of choice, whether it’s the bright new promise of bulbs in spring, the blousy blooms of summer, the warm glow of the colors of the Fall, or the whites and reds of winter.

Poetry, music, dance and the Japanese art of ‘ikebana’ are examples of the many ways that flowers play a central role in life and culture. Whatever the climate, or wherever they are grown – in deserts, the tropics, temperate climates and alpine landscapes – all are linked with things of meaning to us. Many colors are identified by their floral titles, such as ‘bluebell’ blue, daffodil yellow and rose pink.

Qualities such as courage, sincerity, patience, fidelity are widely valued in human society and these all have all been associated symbolically with different flowers. Tulips symbolise the spring and new beginnings, so can be offered in congratulations and at times of change. Pink carnations communicate ‘I’ll never forget you, ‘ while azaleas are associated with a first love. White chrysanthemums mean truth and orange lilies mean wealth.

The different American states each have their unique flower symbols: in Wisconsin it’s the wood violet, while Tennessee has adopted the dramatically marked purple passionflower as its state wildflower. Most countries have a floral national emblem. Israel has chosen the cyclamen as its emblem, whilst in Nepal it’s the rhododendron. Armenia favours the apricot, while Austria has adopted the alpine gentian and ‘edelweiss.’

Flowers have been used artistically to decorate a multitude of household and everyday object for many centuries. Clothes and jewellery, materials for dressmaking and upholstery, items of furniture, pottery and china and hair decorations are just some of the items which display a floral theme in their design.

Many perfumes are florally based. Scents with traditional notes might contain lily of the valley or rose. ‘Floral oriental’ fragrances are spicier and often contain jasmine or magnolia. Citrus, such as orange blossom is another favourite category.

So many of life’s special occasions call for the gift of a flowering plant or an elegant Orangeville Flowers bouquet. Flowers are usually a first choice for marriages and when celebrating a new baby or a birthday. If you’re trying to find a gift to congratulate a friend, or to thank them for a special kindness, why not choose a floral tribute?

Looking for Barrie Flowers? Then be sure to visit Chasing Petals, one of the oldest and most trusted Barrie Florists that has served the region for over 30 years.