Picking up the right flowers can be challenging. We seek advice from Joanne Ho, founder of Happy Bunch to help us figure out the perfect bloom for every occasion.
This article was originally published in Her World Malaysia, May 2016.
Ask any women out there what kind of flowers would they like to receive on this romantic day and I’m sure 90 per cent of them would answer roses – especially red roses. “The rose is a timeless symbol of romance and passion,” explains Joanne. Hence it’s such a popular choice to profess your love to your Valentine.
The carnation flower is a must if you’re thinking about sending a fresh bouquet to your mother. According to Joanne, carnation represents the virtues of motherhood with its lasting qualities – sweetness, purity and endurance. The perfect gift to show your love and respect for the most important woman in your life.
Things can get a little tricky when it comes to sending flowers for the birthday girl, especially when you don’t know what’s her favourite type of flower is. But thank goodness, there’s a type of flowers that could never go wrong. Presenting gerbera, its large blooms and wide assortment of vibrant colours have made them a favourite for expressing cheerful sentiments.
There are no rules set in stone as to what flowers to give as a thank-you gift. But if there’s a pick, Joanne would recommend the eustoma purple because of its origin. Eustoma takes its name from the ancient Greece and it literally means good mouth and what’s a better way to express your thankfulness than a good mouth?
Got a friend who’s feeling down? Send her a bouquet of sunflowers to lift up his or her spirit. Besides its vibrant yellow shade that signifies happiness and cheeriness, the Chinese beliefs that the sunflower symbolises long life, good luck and it’s a very auspicious flower.
The orchids are a preferred choice for this occasion as they tend to last longer than most blooms. In addition to its delicate and sculptural beauty, the orchids also have a universal meaning – I will always love you. As for the colours, white is the obvious choice here as it’s the colour of sympathy.