12 flowers and what they mean in your Valentine’s bouquet

This week is for Roger Patton what the week of April 15 is for accountants.

“We have a fleet of five vehicles, and we have eight more scheduled for the week,” Patton said.

For 43 years, Patton has been taking orders for Valentine’s Day flowers at his Blossom Shop on Devine Street in Five Points. Deliveries that once were made on Feb. 14 or a day on either side have now spread to the entire week leading up to the romantic holiday, Patton said.

“A lot of people like to get them out early because they want their flowers there first – especially if they are being delivered to a workplace,” Patton said.

Though Blossom Shop makes about 1,500 to 1,600 deliveries consisting of a variety of flowers, roses still reign supreme as the messenger of true, romantic love.

“Usually we’ll order a minimum of 4,000 roses – and that’s just red roses,” Patton said.

Tulips, he said, are the second most requested.

Once upon a time, many flowers had special meaning. Now, according to Patton, people order flowers not knowing or thinking about the meaning but rather about simply whether the person receiving them likes that kind of flower.

“Maybe the two of you went on a trip to Hawaii and so an arrangement of tropical flowers means something special to both of you and reminds you of that trip,” Patton said.

But if you want to go old-school, take a look at what those flowers you’re sending – or receiving – really represent.

Red roses: Passionate, romantic love

Pink roses: Admiration, appreciation

Yellow roses: Friendship

White roses: Purity, innocence

Tulips: The different colors have different meanings:

▪ Pink tulip: Caring

▪ Red tulip: Declaration of love

▪ White tulip: Forgiveness

▪ Yellow tulip: Hopelessly in love

Bird of Paradise: Joy, magnificence; wonderful anticipation

Orchid: Exotic beauty

Ginger: Pride, strength, prosperity

Irises: In general, they represent elegance, but different colors have different meanings:

▪ Purple iris: Wisdom

▪ Blue iris: Faith and hope

▪ Yellow iris: Passion

▪ White iris: Purity

Lilies: In general, lilies represent purity and refined beauty.

▪ Calla lilies: Regal, modesty

▪ Yellow lilies: Gaiety

▪ Lily of the valley: Sweetness, purity of heart

Traditional daisies: Innocence, loyal love

▪ Gerbera daisy: Cheer, happiness

Daffodils: New beginnings; unrequited love

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "12 flowers and what they mean in your Valentine’s bouquet."