Gifts: Flower Arrangements

For every holiday or special occasion, there are an infinite number of suitable flower arrangements. Valentine’s Day is practically incomplete without a dozen red roses; the bright, contrasting colors of daffodils, freesia and tulips signal Easter; and nothing sends condolences like an arrangement of white lilies, yellow chrysanthemums, and peonies, which symbolize healing.

In fact, flowers have historic meanings that date back to Victorian times, and many of these symbolic meanings are still used today, according to the Society of American Florists. For instance, irises represent inspiration, stargazers represent ambition and hydrangeas mean perseverance, so working the three into an arrangement would be a strong way to say Happy Graduation.

The most popular cut flowers are roses, carnations, gerberas, chrysanthemums, tulips and gladioli. They grow all around the world, from California and Hawaii to Colombia and Kenya. Visiting France’s Provence, the perfume capital of the world, is a feast for the olfactory senses, as endless fields of lavender are in bloom during the first half of summer.

Also, nearby Grasse is home to two perfume factories. Parfumerie Fragonard and Parfumerie Molinard educate visitors on the process that turns flowers into soaps, perfumes and other scented products.