Flora Fancies

Hi.

They are the ultimate gesture of apology, adoration, gratitude, sorrow, regard - you name it. They brighten any room, by bringing all that is fresh and alive indoors. They decorate nearly every celebratory event and all those that are for mourning or loss. They are vibrant and subdued. People even say that they have special meanings, each type or each color symbolizes more than what meets the eye. And apparently every girl should have a favorite.

Frankly, I didn't figure out mine until the last year or so, and really, there isn't just one... and even then I can't be bothered to say those are the only favorites I have.

Of course if you didn't get the reference in the title, or if you are unsure of your theory as to the subject of this post, I am indeed referring to beautiful side of nature - in particular, flowers.

Now, like I mentioned before, most of those little romantic plots, be their medium paper or projection, have a heroine with a favorite flower, that a love interest has either guessed correctly or sleuth-ed out, that has been delivered in a beautiful arrangement to her very hands. And like most other things, it got me thinking. What flowers would I want to receive in that "magical" bouquet?

Despite the fact that I do dream of a day when I a special someone (aka Mr. Quincy) hands me my special bouquet, my logical brain realizes that I enjoy getting flowers regardless of who (though I hope it isn't some psychopathic serial killer or stalker... that's no fun really - not that I'd know from personal experience or anything... >.>) has sent the said floral arrangement. Granted the height of thrill usually is tempered by my level of surprise, the presentation, and most definitely by the species of flowers provided.

I just want to put it out there, that there is definitely nothing wrong with buying flowers or potted plants for oneself. It does brighten a room, and who doesn't get that good feeling inside when the flowers/plants you grew are fruitful? I love growing things. I do it every summer! Anyways... back the point, the flowers other people give to you ^_^.

As I mentioned, I did begin to struggle to identify which flowers give me the most joy in such occasions. And frankly, it was a colossal endeavor. It was a lot easier to point out things I did not like. In any way. [Note: I am not hating on people who have given me flowers to this point - especially if I didn't know they were coming - but for future reference... ^_^]. Why was it so easy? Well, that's really because I love plants and flowers, and the way the grow depending on their surroundings in such unique and amazing ways. Basically, I'm trying to say that nature does it so well on its own, so there's no need to over do it. Simple, as they were grown in the first place, is better.

I prefer just a few stems of one type of flower, or a center blossom highlighted with a cluster of another. But as you might guess, I can appreciate a little creativity here and there. Which means I hate fillers. Sure I can understand a stem or two of leaves to give the bouquet base. But not those fern things. I despise those fern things. They are the epitome of filler in a bouquet, and really, it's lazy. Ok, maybe if you're not flower experts you wouldn't notice them too much. I'm just saying, if you're going to put some leaves in there, make them aesthetically pleasing leaves (pretty if you will). Don't forget to make sure there aren't too many of them either.

And the epitome of annoying filler flowers? Baby's breath. To me, it's like a weed. A weed that tangles with the stems of the actual flowers and dies the first. They have no substance, no life of their own. And on top of everything else, if you're going to put in a filler, at least be original about it. There are millions of flowers out there with several small buds that have SO much more pizzazz than baby's breath. There pretty much a cock-block on any and all flower enjoyment.

Speaking of which I think we've reached a point where I tell you about the flowers that can't stand. Number one on that list? Carnations. I don't know what it is, but whenever I see them, they don't register as "real" flowers. Maybe it's all those paper flowers that people make out of tissue paper or what, but to me, it's a cheap substitute for a flower. Don't ask, it's just how it is. I really think I internally shudder anytime I see an arrangement with carnations. I really just can't handle them at all.

Now, I don't quite abhor any other flowers as much as I do carnations, but recently I've discovered that there is but one other flower that rubs me the wrong way. Normally, tulips are the epitome of fresh and spring and vibrant qualities. For some reason, I can't even explain, I really don't like them. I don't mind them if I see them planted in the ground, growing naturally. But cut them and place them in a vase? *shudder*. It might be the fact that besides a loosening of the petals, there doesn't seem to be much intricacy in the blossoming of a flower. That seems like an unfortunate reason to use, but I really can't seem to find any other reason for my apparent dislike of them.

Aside from those two, there really are no other flowers I have discovered that I despise (it helps that I have no allergies too ^_^). But of course, I still shudder at the thought of un-originality - specifically with respect to roses.

Roses are beautiful, delicate flowers. That is something I'm sure many people would agree with. But the fact is, that they have been overdone in so many ways. Which is why I don't really appreciate roses as they may be envisioned. Sure coloring of roses have specific meanings behind them. But I appreciate flowers divorced from any particular meaning. Sure, you could use such meanings and pick out flowers. But unless you tell me what that meaning is, I will be oblivious till the end. So, if you want to give me roses, don't hand me the usual bunch of red roses, be original.

So I guess I've finally meandered to the point where I talk about what I do like. There are some magnificent, pungent flowers out there: birds of paradise, lotus, lilies, jasmine... I could go on, but I'd rather not :D. Anyway, bouquets can be amazing with the addition of these flowers, but they aren't as easily accessible to most, and some of them just plain don't belong in a floral arrangement (I refer to typical "American" arrangements, I do not pretend to know a thing about Japanese flower arrangement aside from appreciating their beauty).

Basically, since they are quite exotic in nature, I do like them. However, I can't place them on the pedestal of "my favorite flower" because frankly, I like them all equally. But there are a few that have broken that "likable" threshold.

The very first of such flora specimens was the spider mum. Now most people know of mums, a flower commonly used in the garlands and ceremonies in Hindu culture. No spider mums, as the name might suggest, are related. Though the basic structure of the petals can be likened to the mum, spider mums have much longer petals (think long thin spidery petals). The size of the flower is much larger, and the bud seems to hold a frail quality to it. [Oh, and if you're wondering what it looks like, here, let me google that for you :P]

I think its unique appearance is what drew me to them in the first place. As I have always done, I tend to look for things that are off the beaten path, away from the norm, and this flower was definitely one of those. When I see them, I get this shiver down my back sort of "oooooo cool" kinda feeling. So of course I immediately decided this would be my favorite flower. They can be classified as the "unusual" favorite.

Now of course I have one stipulation to this favor; though it applies to all flowers, it holds unyielding for spider mums. I cannot stand dyed flowers. Nature supplies us with beautiful hues and blends of color all on its own; there is no need for us to force our imitations upon what comes more beautiful naturally. Like I said, simple, natural is the bottom line.

The next flower that rose to my attention was probably influenced by my mother. It's a superbly happy little flower: the gerber daisy! I think the official name is the gerbera or gerbera daisy, but I'm not to sure about that. Regardless, I think I like it because, unlike the normal daisy, is of course different and it makes me feel all bubbly inside when I see them. I get that super "awww" feeling that I've talked about before (it's in this somewhere). The reason I learned about it? Well, my mom loves them too, and not only brings them home frequently, but also found a picture of them to hang in my room. They are my "cute" favorite ^_^. *so happy thinking about them* ^_^ [oh, and for you lazy bums... just google it already!]

Having thought that I am now somewhat a mature lady with a high level of class, I knew I would love to have a favorite flower that still stood out of the crowd and was on par with say the luxury of a rose. And the moment I saw a vase filled with blood red gladiolus, I knew I had found it. For gladiolus, though I do appreciate all colors, I favor the richer colors. There is something about the deep reds and violets that exude elegance, decadence - you know, luxury - and with them on a gladiolus? Oh my god... <shudder>...

Haha, yeah... gladiolus can do that to a person :P. Ok, so as I was saying, when I get the right colored gladiolus, I feel like a mature, sexy, awesome woman inside. It's most definitely my "mature" favorite. [Fine. I'll just google it for you. >.<]

As I've mentioned the above three flowers mean different things to me personally (I have no idea what they mean in flower speak), and so giving them to me individually would illicit varying reactions from me. But if you were to mix them together, well, I think it could work, but I would probably tend towards a primarily euphoric excitement more than anything else. Obviously, I've already envisioned such an arrangement within my mind, a base of golden yellow and orange gerber daisies, highlighted with the occasional pure white (stricken with a rich hue of any kind) spider mum, carried by the grandeur of a few stalks of gladioli held together with a few stems of rich green leaves. Yeah, if you ever decide to attempt that bouquet... well let's just say that I'll have very high expectations regardless of whether or not I have prior knowledge of the arrangement (though you'll probably be safe as long as you avoid what irks me ^_^).

I don't doubt that in the future I may come across another flower to join my three favorites, whether it is due to the impression its figure has on me or circumstance surrounding the receiving of said flower. I mean, I've always gravitated towards the wonders of floral beauty found in the jungles and forests of the world, and I doubt I will ever stop doing so. I know I won't hesitate to accept another to join the ranks of the above favorites, but I will mourn the few that fall from my esteem (may they rest in peace...).


Amazing how evolution could result in something that attracts not only bees and other pollinators, but us as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6usyXFf1yFE