Flowers

It's amazing how an act as simple as giving flowers is an effective way to comfort, surprise, and delight others. In fact, flowers have been proven to increase mental and emotional well-being. So why not put fresh flowers in a colorful vase  for your kitchen, or hang dried flowers on your wall for their sweet odor? You deserve to be happy, too.

In addition to the feel-good power of flowers, they can convey messages as diverse as "I'm sorry," "Feel better," "I love you," or "Congratulations!" They decorate weddings to symbolize love, joy and new beginnings. They adorn funerals to indicate sympathy and extend consolation to the family, while showing honor and love for the deceased. When sending flowers to a special someone, check out this guide to flower meanings to find out exactly what that bouquet is saying. Also, learn about the different colors of roses and their meanings. Many flowers are also associated with their states and countries of origin.

Popular Cut Flowers

Roses	Irises bouquet	Alstroemeria bouquet	Gerbera Daisies bouquet	Chrysanthemums bouquet

Lilies bouquet	Tulips bouquet	Freesia bouquet	Sunflowers bouquet	Orchids bouquet

Flower Care

Here are a few ways to lengthen the life of your flowers:

• Place your flowers in a cool, shady place -- away from drafts, heat generating appliances, and yes, even sunlight.
• Check your flowers daily. Add new water mixed with fresh flower food  every other day. (Or try some of these do-it-yourself floral preservatives.)
• Remove any leaves that are under the water line in the vase. Submerged leaves rot and create bacteria, shortening the life of your bouquet. 
• Trim the stems under water (cut diagonally with a knife) every few days. This prevents the formation of air pockets -- which can prevent water uptake -- in the stem.
• For wilting flowers, re-cut the stems and submerge them in cool water. Allow them to soak for 15 minutes before replacing them in the vase.
• To revitalize: Dip the flower stems into a cup of vodka  or gin  for up to five seconds, then replace into fresh water. If only the blooms are drooping, use a pin to prick the stem just beneath the flower.

For information about caring for a few specific flowers (roses, lilies, irises, tulips, alstroemeria, gerbera daisies), check out what Grower Flowers has to say.

Related Guides

Valentine's Day Gifts	Birthday Gifts	Anniversary Gifts	Wedding Gifts	Mother's Day Gifts

You might also be interested in the articles on Wedding Flowers and Hiring a Wedding Florist.

External Links

• About Flowers -- How to lengthen the life of your floral arrangement.
• Do-It-Yourself Network -- A guide to floral arrangements with your homegrown flora.
• Grower Flowers -- Information about caring for specific flowers.
• Home and Garden TV --Simple, no-fail advice for put-together floral arrangements.
• Martha Stewart Living -- A primer on how to arrange your flowers the Martha way.
• Save on Crafts -- Flower arranging, from a silk flower focus, but inspiring for fresh bouquets too.
• Wikipedia -- Everything about flowers.
• Wreaths for the Heart -- Online floral gift store specializing in wreaths.