Plant, Gifting, Lifestyle & Flower Blog by 1-800-Flowers.com
Author: Tara Carlson
Tara Carlson graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Public Relations and loves any and all things creative writing - which is why she is thrilled to be working with Petal Talk. When she's not writing, you can probably find her swimming at the beach, playing soccer, and catching up on the latest movies (she's a big fan of award season)!
But just in case you wanted to satiate your curiosity and learn what the name of this timeless flower is in other places around the globe, here are 45 ways to say “rose” in different languages.
We all know that wine pairs wonderfully with chocolate, fruit, and a lot of other things that taste delicious. But have you ever thought about pairing wine with flowers? The scents, colors, and texture of certain flowers perfectly complement a bottle of wine. And, when combined, the two make a splendid, personalized housewarming, anniversary, or birthday gift.
Blanc du Bois: Complement the delicate taste and yellow coloring of Blanc du Bois with a sunny bouquet of yellow daisies.
Cabernet sauvignon: These traditionally dark red bottles look beautiful alongside a bouquet of deep red roses. Or, contrast their saturated coloring with a bouquet of white roses.
Champagne: Known for their elegant nature, white lilies perfectly complement a sophisticated and celebratory glass of champagne.
Chardonnay: The exquisite shape of white orchids brings out the simple elegance of chardonnay.
Chenin blanc: Add a pop of color to this traditionally white wine by combining it with a mixed bouquet.
Merlot: For a truly show-stopping look, pair a dark red bottle of merlot with any of these popular black flowers.
Orange muscat: No choice is more perfect for orange muscat than dazzling orange lilies and roses.
Pinot noir: Match the red coloring of pinot noir with flowers of another complementary color, such as blue hydrangeas.
Port: Complement the deep red hues of this wine with poinsettias.
Riesling: Both classics, riesling and tulips are a timeless, effortless pairing.
Sauvignon blanc: White will always remain cool, crisp, and elegant. Match your favorite bottle of sauvignon blanc with an exquisite bouquet of white roses.
Syrah: Made from red grapes, this wine matches the intensity of deep red carnations beautifully.
Viognier: Dazzle viognier lovers with their favorite bottle and a bouquet of luminous sunflowers.
Zinfandel: An arrangement of mixed red flowers visually represents the many unique flavors of Zinfandel.
Our new series,Rooted in Happiness, shares the many mental, emotional, and physical benefits of plants. From boosting productivity to reducing stress, we bring you expert health tips on different types of plants proven to better your quality of life.
Plants—they’re alive, colorful, scented , and did we mention just plain beautiful? While many people are aware of the many decorative benefits of plants, few realize that they have the ability to improve your mental and physical health. Whether you live in the “Concrete Jungle” or the vineyards of Northern California, every home can benefit from bringing the great outdoors inside.
Benefits of Plants Infographic
They Reduce Stress Levels
Have you ever noticed that the minute you step out into a lush forest or beautiful park, you instantly feel at ease? It’s not your imagination—people actually feel calmer when surrounded by greenery.
Plants Improve Air Quality
Believe it or not, some plants are so good at purifying air and supplying oxygen that NASA actually requires them to be onboard certain spaceships.
But even your typical green plant has the ability to:
Reduce carbon dioxide levels in your home.
Control humidity levels.
Reduce pollution levels in your home (specifically the pollutants benzene and nitrogen).
Diminish airborne dust levels.
Lower room temperatures.
Add pure, clean oxygen to a room.
Plants Help You Heal
Plants may not be a miracle cure, but studies have shown that something as simple as looking at a picture of nature can decrease pain levels. Take, for example, a 1993 study that looked at how artwork and simulated windows in hospitals affected patient healing. Amazingly, patients who looked at landscape photographs (compared to others who had white panels or abstract paintings in their room) reported less anxiety and needed less medication.
The reason? Scientists believe that the calming effects of nature images can reduce cortisol levels and improve your mood, effectively speeding up the healing process. If a picture can do all that, imagine what live plants could do!
Health-Promoting Plants to Bring into Your Home
Lavender
Lavender isn’t just a beautiful bloom for your garden–the flowering plant can provide various health benefits due to its gentle and calming scent. Lavender is often used in Epsom salts, soaps and candles to help promote relaxation and relieve stress. Lavender essential oils can also be placed in a diffuser–let it run through the night and experience the soothing scent for less restlessness and insomnia.
Rose Bush
“Stop and smell the roses” isn’t just an expression anymore! Studies have shown that just by looking at a rose, people were able to decrease their stress levels and feel more level-headed.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has been used a natural remedy for generations, surpassing the test of time as new methods and medicines have been developed. The clear gel from the plant’s leaves soothes the skin and is typically used for sunburns, psoriasis, frostbite and general burns.
Snake Plant
Sansevieria, also know as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is well known to improve the air quality of your house. Snake Plants remove toxins from the air like trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and toluene all while converting the carbon dioxide you release into oxygen. Another great benefit? They’re notoriously easy to care for. Looking for more easy-to-care for plants? Learn more here.
Fern
If your home suffers from low levels of humidity, skip the humidifier and consider buying a fern. Within days, you’ll notice that your skin and hair feel less dry and your home’s air is easier to breathe.
Peace Lily
Like the Snake Plant, Peace Lilies are a great pollutant remover. They can absorb harmful air-bound substances like ammonia and xylene that may be present in your home. Not only will you breathe better, you’ll breathe lighter—the peace lily has a pleasant, calming aroma since it produces flowers.
While you’ve probably heard that the symbol for 25 years of marriage is silver, or that 50 years is celebrated with gold, did you know that there are wedding anniversary flowers for each year of marriage? If you’re about to celebrate an anniversary, commemorate your blooming relationship with its corresponding flower.
1st anniversary: Carnation
Because of their youthful and vibrant full bloom, carnations have long been used to represent young, passionate love. And nothing says young, passionate love like newlyweds! The first year of marriage is one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life, hence why it’s usually referred to as “the honeymoon phase.”
2nd anniversary: Cosmos
By the second year of marriage, couples have a deeper understanding of what marriage really entails. The “honeymoon” phase is likely over and it’s a time of great growth (both together and individually) and understanding. Cosmos’ intense beauty perfectly captures the love of a young marriage.
3rd anniversary: Sunflower
Just like the sturdy stem of a sunflower, a marriage in its third year has a strong foundation. The sunflower, which always faces the sun, represents the challenges the couple has already overcome and the bright, cheerful times that lie ahead.
4th anniversary: Geranium
Geraniums represent the coming together of two people in mind, body, and spirit. By the fourth wedding anniversary, couples have truly become comfortable in their new roles as husband and wife.
5th anniversary: Daisy
Though daisies may at first glance look like a simple flower, their structure and texture are incredibly unique and exciting. After five years of marriage, a couple’s life may begin to seem routine or mundane; however, just like a daisy, there are still plenty of surprises left to discover. The daisy is also used to represent fidelity and “forever love.”
10th anniversary: Daffodil
Daffodils are the perfect way to represent your first decade of marriage. Individually, a daffodil is small. However, when you arrange several in a bouquet, they seem to come alive in a massive bloom. These wedding anniversary flowers wonderfully symbolize the coming together of all your little memories and combining to make one extraordinary life.
15th anniversary: Rose
No flower symbolizes intense passion, lust, and love more than the rose, so it may come as a surprise to find it’s the 15th anniversary flower. After 15 years together, most couples have been through it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Roses are the perfect way to show that no matter what has happened, your love is still just as strong and passionate as it was on your first anniversary.
20th anniversary: Aster
In ancient times, it was believed that asters had magical properties that gave you knowledge and wisdom. So what better way to celebrate all that you have learned about each other — and yourselves — during two decades of marriage than with this magical flower?
25th anniversary: Iris
Believed to embody the spirit, love, and aura of Paris, the iris wonderfully honors your quarter century together. Standing tall and vibrant, the iris represents the strength and fertility of your relationship. No matter what happens, you both are standing tall and bright.
30th anniversary: Lily
Lilies often represent motherhood, a transition from one stage of life to another, and remembrance. The 30th anniversary can be a time of big changes and reflection: Children are moving out and couples may be considering retiring. The lily is the perfect flower to remind you to take a step back and look at all you two have accomplished over the past 30 years.
40th Anniversary: Gladiolus
Derived from the Latin word “gladius” meaning “sword,” the gladiolus flower tells the person you love that no matter how much time has passed, he or she still “pierces your heart.”
50th anniversary: Yellow roses and violets
Fifty years of marriage is an amazing accomplishment. To honor this milestone, this anniversary is the only one celebrated with two different flowers. As complementary colors, yellow roses and violets represent the long life of two people who have come together to support and complement each other.
If you’ve fallen madly in love with someone, sometimes a simple, “I love you” just won’t suffice. For centuries, writers have dazzled us with their ability to describe the seemingly indescribable feeling of love. Below we explore the origins and meanings of some of our favorite sayings about love.
Love You to The Moon and Back
Every night, thousands of parents turn their children’s lights off, start to shut the door, and whisper, “I love you to the moon and back.” The phrase of course means that you love someone a lot (477,710 miles to be exact), but where did the expression come from? The phrase originated from the best-selling picture book, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.
The entire passage reads: ‘I love you up to the moon,’ said Little Nutbrown Hare. ‘Oh, that’s far,’ said Big Nutbrown Hare. ‘That is very far.’ Big Nutbrown Hare settles Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him goodnight. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, ‘I love you to the moon and back.’
Arguably poetry’s most famous phrase, this has been the first line in hundreds of thousands of poems. It was published in a collection of English nursery rhymes, titled Gammer Gurton’s Garland.
The entire poem goes as followed: The rose is red, the violet’s blue, The honey’s sweet, and so are you. Thou are my love and I am thine; I drew thee to my Valentine: The lot was cast and then I drew ,And Fortune said it shou’d be you.
You’re the Apple of My Eye
If you have something, or more importantly someone, that you cherish above all others – odds are they are the “apple of your eye.” It’s possible this is one of the oldest love expressions still used commonly today. It first appeared in King Aelfred of Wessex’s work, Gregory’s Pastoral Care, in 885 A.D. However, it was most likely popularized by Shakespeare when it appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1600 – “Flower of this purple dye. Hit with Cupid’s archery. Sink in apple of his eye.”
To Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
The expression means to be open and transparent about your emotions, because if you “wear your heart on your sleeve,” you can’t hide or cover anything up. The expression may have come about during the Middle Ages, when knights would wear the colors of the lady they were fighting for tied around around their arms. However, the first recorded mention of the expression was in Shakespeare’s play, Othello. In the scene, Iago says, “For when my outward action doth demonstrate. The native act and figure of my heart. In compliment extern, ’tis not long after. But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve. For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.”
To Fall Head Over Heels
If you can’t stop thinking about someone or you get butterflies in your stomach when you think of them, odds are you have fallen head over heels in love. Though we relate the expression to feelings of love now, it originally meant something much different. Originally, the expression was “the be heels over head” and was used to describe someone who was helpless or lost. Fast forward to 1834 and the expression we have come to know and love was born. In American David Crockett’s Narrative of the life of David Crockett, he writes, “I soon found myself head over heels in love with this girl.”
Now that you’re an expert in the language of love, go out and tell the ‘apple of your eye’ just how much you love them by putting together a Valentine’s Day card filled with loving messages and notes!
Children and their grandparents have a special bond unlike any other. After all, who else are you going to turn to when mom and dad say no? But, in addition to being the ones who take your side and sneak you extra cookies, grandparents offer unconditional and unwavering love and support.
In honor of National Grandparents’ Day, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of September after Labor Day, it’s time to flip the script and start spoiling them!
Official Grandparents’ Day flower
The official flower of National Grandparents’ Day is the forget-me-not, which blooms in the spring. Forget-me-nots are small blue flowers that grow anywhere from 4 to 12 inches. Their genus name is Myosotis, which is a combination of the Latin words myo, meaning “mouse,” and sotis, meaning “ear.” They are also referred to as “scorpion grass,” for their clusters of flowers that have a tendency to curl, thus resembling a scorpion’s tail.
Depending on who they’re given to and for what occasion, forget-me-nots can represent remembrance, devotion, love, and respect — which explains why they are so appropriate for National Grandparents’ Day.
Best flowers for Grandparents’ Day
Forget-me-nots, however, are not flowers that are traditionally sold as part of arrangements…but plenty of others are!
So, whether you live down the block or across the country from your grandparents, surprise them with a stunning bouquet of any of these blooms that will surely make their day.
Sunflowers
With the sun setting earlier and earlier, you can brighten their day with arguably the “sunniest” flower of them all — the sunflower! Able to add youth and color to any home, sunflowers will definitely put a smile on your grandparents’ faces.
Can’t remember if your grandmother’s favorite flowers are roses or lilies? With an assortment of mixed flowers, you’ll never have to worry about missing her favorites again.
Gerbera daisies
Gerbera daisies’ light petals are so colorful, you may have to give them a second glance to believe they’re real! The fifth most common cut flower in the world, gerbera daisies radiate love and warmth in any room.
Lilies
For years, lilies have been used to represent devotion and love — two things every grandparent has in abundance. Show your grandparents how much you care about them with an arrangement of colorful Peruvian lilies, and add on a candle for an extra special gift.
Hydrangeas
Bring these popular garden plants indoors and into the arms of your beloved grandparents. Not only will they enjoy the colorful, bush-like flowers hydrangeas sprout, but they’ll also love the sweet fragrance they emit.
Feel like it’s time to update your home’s look, but not sure where to start? Turn to the great outdoors for your inspiration! Houseplants are the hottest thing in interior decorating, and it’s not hard to see why. Indoor plants make functional decorations that add color and life to your space while simultaneously cleaning the air.
With so many kinds to choose from, finding the right plant for you can be intimidating. To help, here are our picks for the best indoor plants.
Peace lily (Spathephylum)
This elegant beauty is a favorite among houses across the country. Though it’s not actually a lily, this plant is beloved for its ability to look beautiful even when it’s not in bloom.
Pros
Peace lilies are on NASA’s list of top air purifying plants.
It’s an easy-to-care-for plant.
It thrives in indirect light and shade.
Cons
Peace lilies prefer to be kept in rooms with a temperature between 65 and 80 degrees.
It may be toxic to dogs and cats.
Care
Peace lilies are sensitive to chemicals commonly found in tap water, so make sure to filter before watering.
They enjoy high humidity and indirect light.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum)
The only thing better than one spider plant? Multiple spider plants! This fast-growing plant produces offspring that can be repotted and given as gifts or used to further decorate your home.
Pros
They remove harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, from the air.
They can survive in rooms of varying temperatures, between 55 and 80 degrees.
Cons
Like other houseplants, spider plants may be dangerous to cats if ingested.
Care
They must be planted in well-draining soil, and be allowed to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
Prefers bright, indirect light; will flower in the spring with increased sunlight.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Every homeowner would love a “money plant” in their home. Unfortunately, this plant doesn’t actually grow money — it grows jade. Also known as the money plant, friendship tree, lucky plant, or money tree, jade is a slow-growing tree that flourishes in a multitude of different environments.
Pros
Jade is known for its ability to improve indoor air quality, which, in turn, improves a person’s health.
Jade plants thrive in bright, direct sunlight.
Cons
Overwatering jade can cause it to develop oedema, a disease where leaves develop dark black spots
Pests like aphids, whiteflies, and mites sometimes infest jade plants.
Care
Never let jade dry out completely. Water when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch.
Needs bright, direct light and to be kept above 55 degrees at all times.
Air plant (Tillandsia)
No plant lives up to its name quite like an air plant. If soil is too messy for you or you simply don’t want to be bothered with it, an air plant is the perfect choice. Able to live outside of soil, air plants only need to be left in water for a few hours every two weeks, or simply misted with water. There are over 650 varieties of these plants, so chances are you’ll find one you like!
Pros
Because they don’t need soil to grow, air plants can be hung in unique places, such as from the ceiling
They make beautiful gifts for children and those new to gardening.
Cons
Air plants are vulnerable to rot.
They’re also susceptible to dehydration if not watered at the right time.
Care
When grown indoors in dry air, submerge air plants in water for 2-3 hours every two weeks. Adapt as needed for different conditions and seasons. Mist when appropriate.
Prefers bright filtered light. Do not place directly in front of windows.
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
This popular succulent’s spiky leaves make it the perfect addition to any home. Its strong leaves look beautiful sitting on an office desk or bedside table.
Pros
The juice from aloe can be used to soothe minor cuts and burns.
Cons
If brought outside, its juicy leaves have been known to attract bugs.
Can cause nausea or indigestion when consumed by animals.
Care
Aloe thrives in indirect sunlight, making it a good plant for shady homes.
It only needs to be watered once every week or so.
Once the weather starts to warm up, rosé becomes a go-to drink for many oenophiles — and it’s easy to see why. Wine lovers like that it’s not as heavy as red wine but still packs enough punch to bring out the flavors of grilled meats.
If you’re planning a brunch, lunch, or dinner party this summer — and you really should! — make sure you have the best rosé wine and food pairings to make your gathering a smashing success.
Making rosé wine
Contrary to popular belief, rosé isn’t a blend of white and red wine; rather, think of it as being one step away from red. To give red wine its bold color, winemakers add plenty of red grape skins to the batch. With rosé wine, they simply add fewer red skins or don’t allow juice to sit in the skins for as long.
The result is a wine with the body of a red wine but the crisp, refreshing nature of a white. Needless to say, it’s the best of both worlds.
5 different types of rosés
Most of us call any wine with a pink tint to it rosé. While that’s not technically wrong, it’s also not totally right. Just like red and white wine, there are dozens of different types of rosés you can enjoy. Depending on what you’re eating, some rosés will complement your meal better than others.
Light off-dry rosés
Like its name implies, a light off-dry rosé is best for lighter meals. Summer salads, rice dishes, and spiced curries pair well with very dry rosés.
Medium dry rosés
In addition to the foods that light, off-dry rosé pairs well with, medium dry rosé goes well with sweeter foods and desserts. Chocolate, fruit, cakes, and cookies have the perfect amount of sweetness to bring out the many flavors in dry rosés.
Fruity rosés
Fruity rosés tend to be more hit or miss with people — either you really love them or you really don’t. If you’re in the former group, consider yourself lucky, because fruity rosés (and fruity wines in general) go well with many different foods, including seafood (lobster, seared salmon, tuna), duck, lamb, and white cheeses, such as brie.
Full-bodied fruity rosés
Have you yet to find a food that’s too spicy for you? If so, you’ll love a full-bodied fruity rosé. With the body of a red and lightness of a white, these rosés go nicely with heavily seasoned Mexican or Indian food.
Sparkling rosé
As one of the most versatile sparkling wines, sparkling rosé tastes delicious with nearly every light appetizer and dessert on. If you’re pairing it with cheese and crackers, choose white cheeses, such as brie, and prosciutto. For dessert, try it with chocolate covered berries.
For the most part, any of the above-mentioned foods will go well with any glass of rosé. But, with our help, you can enjoy the best of the best pairings.
Now that your meal is perfect, don’t forget to decorate the table with rosé’s favorite flower — roses!
The best April Fool’s Day pranks are the ones that make everyone laugh — even the prankee. With this day of mischief and trickery right around the corner, now is the time to solidify yourself as the prankster of your office, family, or friend group (or all three!).
1. The Squirting Flower
No joke is more timeless than the good old squirting flower prank. All you need to pull off this classic “got-ya” joke is an artificial flower, a coffee straw that matches the color of your flower’s center, a small squirt bottle, and a medicine dropper. Throughout the day, ask people for a hug or to read something that’s printed on your shirt. When the time is right, discretely squeeze the bottle sitting in the pocket of your shirt or taped to your chest, and enjoy a good laugh!
2. Smelly Flower Surprise
If there’s one thing most flowers are known for, it’s their sweet scent — but not today! Prank someone you love by leaving a bouquet of smelly flowers in a vase on their table. After a little while, the not-so-beloved smell of these flowers will fill the room and send your loved one on a quest to find the source of the smell. Some of the most foul smelling flowers are:
Above Titan
Stinking Corpse Lily, a.k.a. Rafflesia arnoldii
Western Skunk Cabbage a.k.a. Lysichiton americanus
Carrion Flower a.k.a. Stapelia gigantea
Stinking Root Parasite a.k.a. Hydnora africana
3. Air Horn Surprise
April Fool’s Day may fall on a Sunday this year, but we don’t think that should mean your entire office gets off scot-free. Surprise everyone with a belated April Fool’s prank by taping an air horn to the base of someone’s seat. When they sit down and lower their seat, the air horn will go off. Needless to say, no one in the office will need coffee to wake up that morning.
4. Photo Flip
Looking to prank your parents with a little light-hearted fun? Switch out some of their favorite photos around the house with your favorite celebrity, other members of the family, or cartoon characters. The best way to really pull one over on them is by not telling them how many pictures you’ve tampered with and to let them stumble across pictures all year long.
5. Flower Font Switcheroo
Looking to prank the techy in your life? Swap out their pre-set Arial or Times New Roman font for one of these free, downloadable flower fonts! The second they sit down to write an email or draft a proposal, they’ll be surprised to learn that all of their fonts have been hit with a dash of flower power!
Once your prank war has ended, thank your friends and family for being such good sports by gifting them with a trick-free bouquet of flowers.
