Allied Florists of Houston

Flowers and plants have always been a favorite of both those giving a gift and those receiving a gift. Ordering flowers and plants is easier now than ever, as most retail flower shops have web sites available for 24 hour service.

Most floral arrangements are sent for special occasions, such as anniversary, birthday, Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Flowers are also sent to offer someone get well wishes or sentiments of sympathy for the loss of a loved one. The best floral gifts are sent for no reason at all to say I'm thinking of you and I love you.

Here are some suggestions to choosing the best floral gift:

Ask a professional - Floral designers spend years perfecting the art of floral design. Take advantage of their expertise when selecting a floral gift. A good professional florist will ask you a few questions about the person you are sending flowers to, your relationship to that person, and the message you are trying to convey. Many of these questions will relate to their personal style and preferences, such as color selection and style of floral arrangement. A professional florists will also be knowledgeable about current trends and regional variations in floral design styles.

Choosing colors - Most floral designs are offered in two color selections: soft pastel colors or bright colors. Soft pastels are generally pinks, creams, lavenders, peaches, etc. giving the floral arrangement a soft, romantic or feminine look. Bright colors are generally reds, yellows, oranges, purples, etc. Often called a Spring mixed vase or Summer mixed arrangement, these colors are vibrant and cheerful. Some color combinations such as orange and purple show passion, creativity, and vitality. If you are not sure which to select consider the recipient's clothing or home decor. The colors they select for themselves is a good indicator of what color flowers they will enjoy. A more complex color combination is a floral arrangement in monochrome colors. This color selection will be all one color, such as pink, or shades of a color, such as light pink, pink, and hot pink. For a sophisticated, elegant look try shades of white and cream.

Roses and color - Traditionally red roses are the ultimate symbol for love. Millions of red roses are sold each Valentine's Day based on this tradition. While red roses are always appropriate for someone you love, they are not your only option to convey love. Roses themselves are a symbol of love. If your loved one would prefer a color, then you should ignore traditional and select a color to please her. If you are in a new relationship and not yet at the love stage, colored roses are your better choice. They can say "You're Special" without moving you too fast to the next level of your relationship. Traditionally, yellow roses symbolize friendship. However, many are sent simply because they are so beautiful. In Texas, they are very popular because of "The Yellow Rose of Texas". Bottom line...most women love roses. Any color you send will be a big success.

Types of Flowers - We are blessed with an assortment of beautiful flowers to choose from. The most popular, and most recognized, are roses and carnations. The longest lasting flowers are also the least expensive flowers - carnations, chrysanthemums, and daisies. Available year round in a variety of colors, they are cheerful and mix well together. Other popular flowers such as snap dragons, iris, lilies, and gerbera daisies have a shorter vase life, but add a little something special to a floral design. Tropical flowers include birds of paradise, antherium, heliconia, and orchids.

Floral Arrangement or Vase - The container chosen is generally a personal preference. Both are equally appealing. Recent trends have seen an increase if flowers being presented in a vase. The advantage of this are is being able to see if the flowers need water. The disadvantage is a lack of creativity. Floral designers are able to create more unusual, artistic floral designs when making arrangements.

Floral Design Style - A florist will often ask if you are looking for something traditional in style or more contemporary in design. A traditional floral design is usually a triangle shape with all the flowers in the front of the design. A centerpiece will have flowers all the way around the floral arrangement. A mixed Spring vase is another traditional option. A contemporary floral arrangement has more artistic flair and is more unusual in appearance. Contemporary floral arrangements may also be called high style arrangements. Your selection should reflect your preference or that of the recipient.

Traditional Floral Arrangement

Traditional arrangement Mixed Spring vase Contemporary design

Regardless of what you select, flowers are always a well received gift. When in doubt, send what you would like to receive yourself. The floral arrangement will be a reflection of you and will convey the feelings and sentiments you are sending.

To read more about the Society of American Florists'
study on flowers as gifts visit:

The Association of Professional Florists