How to tell a message with flower power

Different types of flowers send a unique message to your special receiver, so learn more about these beautiful and versatile plants.

• These bouquets were used in the Middle Ages to mask odours; their perfume was also known to prevent diseases, including the plague. People also said they rested the mind and revived the memories.
• It was in the nineteenth century, thanks to the language of flowers, that these compositions became the most popular. Some plants were supposed to represent qualities or emotions. Their meaning is often adapted from Greek mythology, ancient knowledge or religious symbolism.
• When a young man is courting, he could express his feelings through a bouquet. The procedure was risky because the slightest mistake could change the meaning of the message! Hydrangea, for example, according to its colour, is a declaration of love, or it can mean: "You are beautiful, but cold."
• The most common meanings are about love and faithfulness. Flowers were often used for bridal bouquets. Among these, you'll frequently find bellflower or bluebell (constancy), chervil (sincerity), myosotis (true love), holly (domestic happiness), honeysuckle and violet (fidelity), ivy or linden flower (conjugal love).

• For a funeral wreath, choose poppies (consolation), rosemary (remembrance), wormwood (pain),weeping willow (grief) and lemon balm (sympathy).
• For good luck, think basil (wishes), the four-leaf clover (happiness), juniper (protection), buttercup (the promise of wealth), hawthorn or snow-drop(hope), lavender (luck) and sage (wisdom).
• For a love message offer gardenias (ecstasy), tuberous (dangerous pleasures or pleasure), coriander (desire), the forsythia (impatience), chickweed (a date) or red camellias (the ardent love!).

• 1 or more tall flowers at the centre
• 1 or 2 types of other smaller flowers
• Plants and leaves of your choice
• Special plant tape
• About 5 large leaves to frame the bouquet
• Tape or bands of lace fabric
• Pearl head pins
• 1 greeting card

1. Dip the stems in water for at least one hour, or overnight if possible.
2. Take them out of the water and dry the stems.
3. Cut them diagonally at about 12 centimetres (five inches).
4. Remove all thorns and lower leaves.
5. If you choose to put a single flower in the centre, hold it with one hand and with the other, wrap it with the first row of flowers and shorter plants. Otherwise, start with a small handful of green and make a circle of flowers and filling plants all around. Turn the bouquet progressively to ensure that its shape is balanced. Firmly wrap stems of each row of flowers with tape by making a full turn.
6. Add concentric layers until all the flowers and plants have been used. Finish by surrounding the bouquet with large leaves.
7. Firmly wrap the stems from top toward the bottom with tape.
8. Then envelope them with the ribbon or fabric that you will attach with head pins, starting at the stems (top) and then ends of the stems (bottom).
9. Tie a matching or contrasting ribbon at the top of the stems, leaving the bows hanging.

Before offering your bouquets, insert a card that includes the names of plants and their meanings. The recipients will be even more delighted.