Uses of flowers Some flowers are used in the manufacture of perfumes, although they have been replaced largely by chemically manufactured products. The oils of lavender, thyme, and rosemary are three perfume oils taken partly from flowers. Flowers are also used to a certain extent as drugs. The drugs arnica and cannabis both come from the flowering tops of plants. The nectar of flowers is used by the bees in the manufacture of honey. But the principal value of flowers to man is for beauty and the fruits which follow them. Great business enterprises deal with seeds, the breeding of young plants in nurseries, and the sale of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants as well as cut flowers. Florists are able to produce blooming plants all year round by planting in greenhouses and through artificial forcing. In forcing tulips as potted plants for an early Easter, the florist keeps them at a low temperature for a considerable period and then at a higher temperature to promote growth and flowering. In certain other plants, length of exposure to light each day is most important. For example, chrysanthemums can be forced into earlier bloom by covering them with a black cloth morning and night so that they receive light for only 10 to 12 hours a day; on the other hand, poppies bloom only when exposure to light periods are long. For greatest amount of bloom, plants should not be given an excess of nitrate fertilizer. Flower production by potted plants can sometimes be increased by growing the plants in rather small pots so that root growth is limited. Flower production by shrubs can sometimes be increased by pruning, so that the remaining branches get lighter; but care must be taken not to remove so many leaves that food manufacture for the entire plant is decreased. A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductivestructure found in flowering plants(plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion of sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfing (fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower). Some flowers produce diaspores without fertilization (parthenocarpy). Flowers contain sporangia and are the site where gametophytes develop. Flowers give rise to fruit and seeds. Many flowers have evolved to be attractive to animals, so as to cause them to be vectors for the transfer of pollen.

In addition to facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants, flowers have long been admired and used by humans to beautify their environment, but also as objects of romance, ritual, religion, medicine and as a source of food. In modern times, people have sought ways to cultivate, buy, wear, or otherwise be around flowers and blooming plants, partly because of their agreeable appearance and smell. Around the world, people use flowers for a wide range of events and functions that, cumulatively, encompass one's lifetime:y y y y y y y y

For new births or Christenings As a corsage or boutonniere to be worn at social functions or for holidays As tokens of love or esteem For wedding flowers for the bridal party, and decorations for the hall As brightening decorations within the home As a gift of remembrance for bon voyage parties, welcome home parties, and "thinking of you" gifts For funeral flowers and expressions of sympathyfor the grieving For worshiping goddesses. in Hinduculture it is very common to bring flowers as a gift to temples.

People therefore grow flowers around their homes, dedicate entire parts of their living space to flower gardens, pick wildflowers, or buy flowers from floristswho depend on an entire network of commercial growers and shippers to support their trade. Flowers provide less food than other major plants parts (seeds, fruits, roots, stems and leaves) but they provide several important foods and spices. Flower vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower and artichoke. The most expensive spice, saffron, consists of dried stigmas of a crocus. Other flower spices are cloves and capers. Hops flowers are used to flavor beer. Marigold flowers are fed to chickensto give their egg yolks a golden yellow color, which consumers find more desirable. Dandelion flowers are often made into wine. Bee Pollen, pollen collected from bees, is considered a health food by some people. Honeyconsists of bee-processed flower nectar and is often named for the type of flower, e.g. orange blossom honey, clover honey and tupelo honey.

Hundreds of fresh flowers are edible but few are widely marketed as food. They are often used to add color and flavor to salads. Squash flowers are dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. Edible flowers include nasturtium, chrysanthemum, carnation, cattail, honeysuckle, chicory, cornflower, Canna, and sunflower. Some edible flowers are sometimes candied such as daisy and rose (you may also come across a candied pansy). Flowers can also be made into herbal teas. Dried flowers such as chrysanthemum, rose, jasmine, camomile are infused into tea both for their fragrance and medical properties. Sometimes, they are also mixed with tealeaves for the added fragrance. Hotels and banquets There are innumerable types of wedding flower arrangements that can be used. A wedding bouquet should be chosen carefully. A unique and a beautiful bouquet would make a great addition to the wedding ceremony. It could be matching with the bride's body proportion, skin tone, and facial appearance and also the attire that the bride is wearing. The boutonnieres are the flowers that are worn by the groom. Boutonnieres are made up of small flowers and are attached to the jacket of the groom. These flowers could be of various colors of which a suitable one needs to be selected. Wreaths are the round shaped flower decorations that consist of flower rings which can be used as centerpieces in the wedding hall. They can also be used as hangers and headpieces which add to the overall look of the venue Flowers play an important role as decor items at traditional Indian celebrations, but no where is their presence appreciated or used more than at weddings. Weddings are grand, sensual events that can last as long as a week, and red, white and gold flowers are the blooms of choice to celebrate the merging of two families. Bouquets and adornments are customary for the wedding party, while the bride and groom exchange garlands (jaimala) under a mandap that is decorated heavily with flowers other&society

In Book One of his epic poem entitled Pan Tadeusz, Adam Mickiewicz describes the homecoming of Tadeusz Soplica. The author recites that in the windows fragrant flowers were set, / Geranium, gillyflower and violet. But if flowers were ever important, that importance found its greatest expression at weddings. In 1924, Wladyslaw Reymont received the Nobel Prize in Literature for the portrayal of Polish life in his novel called The Peasants. In a chapter entitled Borynas Wedding, the author describes a procession in which the guests accompanied the bride and groom with a dazzling array of flowers, as if a field, strewn with blossoming flowers, were moving and swaying slowly against the wind. Flowers played an important role in religious ceremonies throughout Poland. In its edition for Oct. 21, 1920, The Catholic Union and Times published an article by Captain Charles Phillips, in which he describes a celebration of the Feast of the Assumption in Warsaw, at which everyone carried a cluster of flowers. Polish immigrants brought their fondness for flowers to America. On Dec. 29, 1885, The New York Times published a lengthy review of the wedding ceremonies that united Ralph Modjeski and Felice Benda at St. Stanislaus Church in Manhattan. An engineer, Mr. Modjeski was the son of Helena Modjeska, the famous Shakespearian actress from Poland. In particular, the article contained the following description of the churchs flower arrangements: In addition to the Christmas dressing of the church, which was very elaborate, there was a floral wedding bell suspended between the candelabra on either side of the entrance to the chancel. A garland of smilax extended from gallery to gallery and rested upon the candelabra and wedding bell. A circular floral piece was affixed to the column of each candelabrum. Here in Western New York, the Polish community has repeatedly used flowers as a means to express joy, delight, and appreciation. For example, in 1896, Bishop Stephen V. Ryan visited St. Adalberts Basilica to administer the sacrament of confirmation to 800 candidates. In its edition for March 15, The Catholic Union and Times reported that after services, the Bishop received gifts of flowers from little children dressed in white. On a concert tour in 1907, the great pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski performed at Buffalos Convention Hall to great acclaim. In its edition for

Nov. 2 of that year, The Buffalo Times reported that Mr. Paderewski was the recipient of a beautiful cluster of roses from his hundreds of Polish admirers in this city. More flowers were presented to Marcella Sembrich, the famous opera singer, on the occasion of her concert in Buffalo in November 1909. As reported in The Buffalo Express on Nov. 3, the roses given to her by three of the Polish societies of the city, and the thunders of applause, speaking from the very hearts of the bearers, were for both Sembrich the artist and Sembrich the woman. In 1911, the Polish Singers Alliance held its annual convention and competition in Buffalo. In its edition for Sept. 3, 1911, The Buffalo Sunday Morning News reported that the top prize was a great wreath of flowers. With its intense appreciation for flowers, the Polish community soon helped to support the businesses of a number of florists. According to the Buffalo City Directory, the first Polish florist appears to have been Tadeusz Puchalski, who opened a store around 1907 at 233 Playter St. on Buffalos East Side. By 1915, flower shops had been opened by Miecyslaw Karpinski and Stella Kluczycka on Broadway, Mrs. Joseph Maciwoda at 1855 Clinton St., and Stanislaus Puchalski at 344 Amherst St. By 1950, the Buffalo City Directory listed 12 florist shops in Polonia. These included stores operated by my mothers uncle, Sylvester Graczyk, on Bailey Ave; by my mothers aunt, Cecelia Jakubowski, on Broadway; and by Richard Puchalski at 979 Grant St. On its website, the International Society for Horticultural Science reports that the carnation is the most popular cut flower in Poland, and that carnations represent 65 percent of all cut flower production from the commercial greenhouses of that country. Indeed, Polish greenhouses produce 10 carnations per capita per year. In like manner, I understand that a few carnations may find their way into the flower arrangements for the upcoming wedding of my son and prospective daughter-in-law. Brides have always aimed to maximize the beauty of their special day through the use of flowers. On July 19, 1921, the New York Times reported that a young Polish couple in Florida, New York, had hired an airplane to drop flowers from the sky at their wedding reception. In the case of my son and his bride, I do not anticipate any such theatrics. However, I am

reasonably confident that flowers will be a pleasant addition to what promises to be a wonderful day. Home and house "Flowers play an important role in the courtesies of life. It is always appropriate to give a friend a flower. They go to the sick room with their messages of cheer. You may send them to your friend in sorrow; when no word can be said to comfort her, the rose or the lily comes into her room and lays a soft caressing hand upon her aching heart. So it is quite worth while to let the children early begin the cultivation of flowers. How dearly we remember the days when we ourselves had little garden-beds which were our own and where we were allowed, when pleased, to sow the seeds, pull up the weeds, and gather flowers for the father's buttonhole or the mother's plate in the morning. Every little child should have a garden of its very own, where there will be the utmost liberty to do precisely what it pleases. In the country the child may romp at will among the daisies and clover, and come home from rambles with hands overflowing with bloom; but in the city the children are limited to back-yards with narrow flower borders around a plot of green grass. Even here some mothers manage to have little gardens for the children, where they may cultivate pinks, verbenas, sweet peas, petunias, four o'clock, and those darlings of all little children, the little pansies with their sweet faces. With great pride the children present the father with a flower for his buttonhole, or bring a blossom to adorn the breakfast-table or lay beside the mother's plate. Part of all the childish training should be to give pleasure to others, and perhaps there is no way in which pleasure is more easily given than by the bestowment of flowers." Nice matter Results of a study entitled, "The Role of Flowers and Plants in the Bereavement Process," has substantiated the value of flowers and plants during this experience in people's lives. The American Floral Endowment jointly funded this project with the SAF Florist Information Committee. The floral industry has the opportunity to use information gained from this research to develop a positive educational program for funeral directors,

grief therapists, and particularly the public, on the importance of flowers and plants during the time of bereavement. The work adds to the bank of scientific study conducted previously, through Endowment grants, on the value of flowers and plants in other areas of human behavior. Introduction The purpose if this research was twofold:y

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To understand the value and role of flowers and plants in the funeral service and bereavement process. To determine who sends flowers, when flowers are sent, why flowers are sent. Determining why flowers are sent, including the perceived value of sending and receiving flowers was a critical objective.

To achieve these objectives, funeral directors, grief therapists, consumers, and individuals, who had lost a loved one in the past one to five years, were surveyed. Focus group interviews were also conducted. Although the florist industry is seeing a decline in sympathy flower sales, the great majority of bereaved (93 percent) and consumers (85 percent) have sent flowers as a sympathy gift at least once. Most often, flowers are sent immediately after notification of death. The results from these studies confirm what has been assumed - flowers are sent as an expression of sympathy. Fifty six percent of the funeral directors think flowers are an expression of sympathy for the family, 85 percent of the consumers said flowers are sent to comfort the survivors, and 82 percent of the bereaved agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "sending flowers is a way I show someone I care." The giving of flowers symbolizes the love, care, and concern for the survivors. The results from all of the surveys and interviews indicate flowers continue to be an important part of the funeral ritual. The majority of funeral directors surveyed said they did not like doing funerals without flowers because the setting was so cold. Eighty percent of the grief therapists surveyed think receiving flowers is an aid in the grieving process. Fifty-one precent of the bereaved agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "flowers" are a critical component of the funeral ritual."

The bereaved were asked how much various rituals associated with death and funerals helped with grief. Eighty-three percent said family and friends helped a great deal, 60 percent said receiving sympathy cards, 54 percent said receiving sympathy flowers, 46 percent said receiving food, and 49 percent said receiving notice of memorial donations. Findings The first aspect of the study was directed toward understanding the value and role of flowers and plants in the funeral service and bereavement process. Results indicate that professionals, such as grief therapists and funeral directors, believe the rituals surrounding the funeral (including the sending and receiving of flowers and plants) are an aid in the grieving process. Individuals interviewed in the focus groups likewise targeted the value of flowers. As would be expected, 99 percent of the grief therapists surveyed think the rituals surrounding the death and funeral are an aid in the grieving process. Eighty percent of those surveyed think receiving flowers is an aid. When funeral directors were asked to rank seven items often associated with funerals according to the comfort they provided the bereaved, flowers and plants ranked 4th after friends, funeral directors, and clergy. However, flowers were ranked ahead of sympathy cards and food. Two general themes or ideas repeatedly were brought forward concerning the role of flowers in the funeral:y y

Flowers are associated with the emotional side of death and funerals. Flowers play a functional role during the funeral.

Flowers play an important role in helping the bereaved deal with their grief. The respondents in the nationwide study answered the questions regarding many of the rituals associated with death and funerals and how effective they were as an aid in working through grief. Family and friends were by far the most helped for the bereaved. Eighty-three percent of the respondents said family and friends helped a great deal with their grief. However, receiving sympathy flowers ranked 2nd when compared to receiving sympathy cards, food, and memorial donations (Table 1).

An important role of flowers at the funeral service is providing comfort and warmth. In response to the request to indicate the one item which best defines the meaning or value of flowers and plants in the funeral service to themselves as funeral directors, 29 percent marked "provide comfort and warmth to the funeral setting." This was second only to serving as an expression of sympathy (40 percent). Response from the national survey of bereaved supports the importance of this role. Sixty percent agreed with the statement "flowers at the funeral make me feel good" and 69 percent agreed "flowers at the funeral give me a warm feeling." The functional role of flowers in the funeral includes brightening up a somber environment and providing a diversion - something to talk about or do - during the visitation. The great majority in the nationwide survey (77 percent) felt flowers at the funeral brighten up the somber environment of the funeral home. Eighty percent agreed that looking at the cards to see who sent the flowers was a comfort to them. A majority (53 percent) agreed the flowers and plants provided something to talk about during the visitation. Flowers also play a functional role after the funeral. Flowering and foliage plants appear to be more than a keepsake from the funeral; they are a living memorial to the deceased. It was repeatedly mentioned during the studies that flowering and foliage plants were taken home by the family after the funeral. All of the funeral directors agreed that members of the family took home flowers or plants. They indicated the most likely items to be taken were flowering and green foliage plants (65 percent) and small floral displays (25 percent). People who have been recently bereaved substained this preference for live plants. Focus group participants spoke of the importance of taking home live plants. Fifty-three percent of the respondents to the national survey agreed with the statement "I prefer

giving live plants, bulbs, or seeds as a memorial for the deceased rather than a cut flower arrangement." In addition to the emotional and functional roles of flowers, this study identified some interesting observations regarding the selection and use of flowers: Although a great majority think that flowers are sent for the survivors, they also think the flowers should reflect something of the deceased person's life. While 30 percent in the national survey agreed flowers were sent "for the deceased", 55 percent disagreed. In addition, 75 percent agreed the flowers are sent "for the survivors". Regardless of for whom the flowers are sent, 50 percent of the bereaved respondents agreed with the idea that the sympathy flowers should include the deceased person's favorite flowers, and 35 percent had no opinion. Most people do not associate the death of their loved ones with the death of a flower. An argument presented during the focus group interviews concerning why cut flowers were not appropriate for the funeral was that when the flowers died the bereaved would experience the death all over again. Of those responding to the national survey, 70 percent disagreed with this idea and 15 percent agreed. Another statement to evaluate this idea was "the flowers from the arrangements will die just as my grief will subside." Forty-four percent agreed and 34 percent disagreed. The second aspect of the study was to determine who sends flowers, when flowers are sent, and why flowers are sent. Why send flowers? Ninety-three percent of the repondents to the national survey of bereaved and 85 percent of the consumers have sent flowers as a sympathy gift at least once. When asked who flowers were sent to or received from, the majority selected close friends or family members. Responses are presented in Table 2.

When are flowers sent? The great majority of consumers surveyed (93 percent) reported sending flowers immediately after notification of the death, 4.9 percent sent them after the funeral service, and 1.2 percent sent them weeks or months after the death or to recognize the anniversary of the death. During the focus group interviews, several people mentioned they received a lot of support the week of the death and funeral and very little the weeks and months after the death. They said receiving flowers and a short note saying they are being thought of would have helped in the months after the funeral. Some people also mentioned they would like receiving flowers on the anniversary of the death. Why do people send flowers? People associate the giving of flowers with the expression of love, care, and concern, Eighty-two percent of the respondents to the national survey agreed with the statement "sending flowers is a way I show someone I care." Eighty-seven percent agreed flowers symbolize the love and care of others. In response to the statement that flowers and plants are a thoughtful expression of concern for the survivors, 81 percent agreed. Flowers provide a tangible way for people to show their concern for the bereaved. Respondents to the national survey were asked to consider the most recent occasion for which they sent sympathy flowers and to indicate their primary reason. Table 3 shows these results.

Y do v send flowers? In todays ultra-modern and speedy life trend, experts advice such living styles changes which help to relive stress. A recent research provides us with a very simple way to improve mental health. Flowers- Presence of flowers in our homes triggers pleasing healthy emotions creates feelings of satisfaction and helps us improve our social behaviors. Flowers play an important role in making ones life cheerful and happy. There are several occasions where people use flowers. Different flower arrangements are used in decorations, weddings, as a gift and as a symbol to express love.

Sending flowers to our family, friends relative is always considered as an appreciated gesture. It makes people feel happy if they are sad or ill. Flowers impart an immediate impact on happiness. People express true smile and excited ness on receiving flowers. Moreover, flowers have long lasting effects on moods of the people. Research shows that people passing from the phases of depression, anxiety, stress after receiving flowers displayed higher sense of enjoyment and delight.

Flowers are the best mean to convey our thoughts and feelings. Whenever your feelings go beyond words; be it love, delight, encouragement or gratitude, flowers are the best substitute to express your feelings perfectly. They play an important role in the love life of a human being. Red Rose is

the most important in expression of love element feeling. Flowers help to enhance the importance of family happiness! They help you keeping your house decorated, which is the first step towards happiness. They have ability to purify and cleanse the air we breathe. A flowerpot with fresh flowers at the dining table creates a very soothing effect on the family members. Flowers full of fragrance if kept in terrace helps you to spend your evening in a very healthy mood.

Flowers are the symbol of beauty and so are women. A flower if presented to women helps her to fix in her hair and complete her make-up. Flowers are an essential part of homemade cosmetics. Many tips are based on flowers essence. Hence importance of flowers in womens life cannot be neglected.

Precisely it can be safely concluded that common sense tells us that flowers make us happy. And impart strong positive effects on our emotional well-being.

Diwali Flowers are in fact an important part of Diwali celebrations. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity visits only those homes that are nicely decorated. Fresh colorful flowers thus are essential ingredient in the Diwali decorations. The fresh scent of flowers soothes ones nerves and adds an attractive quality to the whole decorations. Some of the popular Diwali flowers used especially in Puja are Marigold, rose and Bel leaves. Where can you find flowers used during Diwali? : Well one can witness flowers strewn across almost every activity in Diwali time! 1. Flowers play an important role in the home decorations. People like to make creative use of these flowers either on their doorways, balconies, terrace or walls.

2. One can also place freshly cut flowers in various attractive bunches and put them in different corners of the house in charming vases. This whole look gives your house a festive look and guests are instantly attracted towards your house decorations. 3. Rangoli, another major tradition of Diwali makes good use of Diwali flowers. Rangoli is made with the use of different colored powders, pastes and rice grains filled in various shapes and sizes on entrances of homes. Flowers when paced strategically across the Rangoli pattern can enlighten the whole effect. 4. You can also gift your friends and loved ones with a lovely bouquet of flowers arranged in beautiful packaging available at various florists. You can also custom made your bouquets with flowers of your choice. 5. Flowers are also used in temples as a part of decorations. As a matter of fact, garlands of marigold flowers can be seen round most of the temples on Diwali! 6. Torans or floral bandanwaars are a popular item of front entrance decorations. These door hangings are made from fresh or artificial flowers. They add character to your home decorations. The solution is, Flower Remedies for peaceful mind and good health. Flower Essences are needed now more than ever. Responding to this cry for help, certain people have set out to research and rediscover the therapeutic properties of flowers growing in countries all over the world. Indian flower essences are born in the full strength of the sun.Trees are huge and ancient and have healing values. These essences are often ideal for immediate healing or emergency, working quickly as a first aid. Flower essences cure problems that are preventing us from living our lives to the full. Flower essences are the most subtle vibrations of different flowers,

collected and preserved in pure water and alcohol. They help to melt the tensions held in the chakras and by holding on to the past. The flowers harmonize the energy flow and the aura expands, supporting deeper understanding. Flower essences can help us to go with the flow; to be more flexible and enable us to respond appropriately to the increasing demands made upon us. In these testing times, let flower essences play an important role in helping you regain control of your life and destiny, to find the vitality you need to pursue your dreams and goals, but above all, to rediscover the true joy of living.

Medical There are several flowers native to India that have a long history of being used for a variety of medicinal purposes, adding to the cultures adoration for hearty and delicate blooms alike. According to the website Flowers of India, blossoms like kariyat, jasmine and Ceylon hydrolea have been used for centuries to treat various physical, mental and spiritual ailments. Passiflora is a type from the Passiflora ceae family that holds over 200 species within it, and endless variations and hybrids.most species of this type are climbers,whilst someexist that are bushy and some that are leafy. whilst most of these species are ornamental, there are a few speciesgrown for usage in cooking. the most common species and most familliar amongst these are passion flowers. most of the ornamental passiflora have a unique flower build, which needs the big bee for efficient pollination. in tropic america, wooden poles are are set and arroused in a nearby place to the plantations , in order to incourage tree bees to nest and pollinate the passiflora.

The filipendula is a common wild plant which grows in europe and some parts of asia. the top components of the plant use for making tinkture. essences of filipendula have demonstrated an antiulcer activity in avariety of experimental ulcer processes, amongst them also ones that have been caused by aspirin and ethanol Echinacea is one of the bestselling medicinal plants sold today in the united states. species of echinacea are originated from native indian culture,most research on the plant ,however, is conducted in germany and not in the united states. the new settlers of america have learned the use of echinacea from the indians, in germany the echinacea has turned popular only in the begining of the 20th century. the indians used the echinacea as a treatment for snake bites this use granted the root of echinacea its nickname Snake Root . also credited for this name were the physical properties of the root which was of black and thick diameter. the indians also used the root to treat other stings. The gentian is originated from the mountain areas of europe. it is considered to be one of the most bitter tasting plants ever found,and as such it is used in modern herbal medicine as a digestion stimulator. it is associated with medium level effect. the medicinal use of this plant lies in its roots. it increases apetite, stumilates bitterness and digestion and also may be used as a mild laxative. there are no known side effects; over dose may result in nausea and in some rare cases regurgitation; one must be extremley cautious when treating people who suffer from peptic ulcers or excess acidity in the loins. Camomile is a plant from the complex type family,it is fragrant,annual and is commonly used for making tea (amongst many other uses). some associate it with properties of medicinal plants. the camomile is a wild plant that flowers in spring time. the height of the plant varies between 15 to 50 centimeters, the flower is either white or

yellow has very special and pleasent aroma. even back in the ancient days the camomile was used for medicine and today as well it has been used by modern medicine. the camomile contains an essence of etherical oil produced by special distillation and has other valuable properties and disinfectio mechanisms against insects and other pests. The method of treatment with bach flowers was developed by dr eduard bach, a doctor in general medicine, he was born in 1886 and was the first person to reach the conclusion that mood,feelings,sensations and mental states are the main cause of all diseases. doctor eduard bach understood that he managed to treat a symptom but not to solve the cause for the problem, he realized he should find something to stimulate the cause of the problem and even solve it once and for all. and so, the doctor went to see homeopathy and pharmacy. in the primary years he researched and sorted essences from diffrent flowers and checked theyre effect on diffrent moods. he came by the idea of using flowers substances after checking a variety of folk remedies, that had been in medical use at the time. at first he developed 12 flower essences that received the name : the 12 healers,the rest of the essences he called medicine and only in the begining of the 30 s,after years of research,the doctor developed the final kit of essences that is known to us today as the 38 essences. Used in puja The word puja meaning worship signifies fulfillment of the prescribed rituals (puryante sarva karmani) and realization of the divine (jayate jnanam atmani).Puja is described in several ways in the Sanskrit lexicon Amara kosha. It says puja is synonymous with saparya, archa, varivasya, parichaya and upasana. All the terms meaning worship. The methods of worship involve certain rituals called Upacharasor services. Offering flowers to the deity during the upachara is an integral and an important part of worship. It signifies submission of self to the Lord.

There is also an opinion that suggests , Puja representing submission of flowers to the deity with devotion and reverence is mainly a practice derived from Southern India. According to them, the term puja is derived from Pu meaning flower in southern languages.

Flowers constitute an important article of worship. The image in the sanctum is decorated with garlands flowers and with unstrung flowers. The flowers are offered to the deity at several stages in worship. Flowers gladden the heart and mind; and confer prosperity. Flowers offered with devotion gratify the Lord. The devotees who visit the temple also offer flowers as token of love and devotion.

Mahabharata (Anushasana parva- Section-xcviii) describes the flowers fit for offering to deities: Flowers are of diverse kinds. Some are wild; some grow in the midst of humans and even among them, some do not grow well unless nurtured with great care. Some flowers are from plants grown on mountains; some are from trees that are not prickly; and some from trees that are prickly. Fragrance, beauty of form and taste are also the reasons for their classification. The scent that flowers yield is of two kinds, agreeable and not agreeable. The flowers that emit agreeable scent should be offered to deities. Flowers of plants that are not prickly are generally white in color. Such flowers are acceptable to deities. One desirous of wisdom should offer garlands of aquatic flowers like lotus.

Flowers of plants born on mountains and in vales and of sweet scent and aspect sprinkled with sandal paste should be duly offered to Gods. Such offerings gratify the Gods.

The flowers of the following nature are not fit for worship of deities: Flowers of disagreeable scent and aspect; blood -red or black flowers; flowers painful to touch; flowers grown on plants full of thorns; and flowers grown on plants of burial and cremation grounds

Agama texts classify flowers fit for worship according to their color, fragrance, shape and origin. They prescribe the type of flowers that may be used in worship. They also mention about flowers that may not be used in worship. In general, flowers that carry a strong odor or that are odorless; flowers un-blossomed or too old; flowers bitten by insects or otherwise mutilated; and flowers picked and kept unused for a day or more are to be avoided. Flowers grown in a garden ( aarama) are considered best; flowers collected from forest (vana) rank next; and flowers bought (vikrita) are inferior.

Flowers are also classified according to the gunas they represent. For instance the sattvika(superior) type of flowers have mild colors and mild and sweet fragrance. These include svetarka (white calotropis), nandyavartha, and drona (leucas linifolia), sveta-padma (white lotus), jati (jasmine), mandaara (coral tree, erythrina Indica), maalathi (jasminum grandiflorum), punnaga(rottleria tinctoria), kurava , sara-patrika ( anethum sowa , a kind of rose), etc.

The rajasa-(middling) flowers are of slightly stronger color and fragrance. These include flowers such as brhati (solanum), dhattura (white thorn apple, datura Alba), raktotpala (red lotus), palasa (butea frondosa), patala(trumpet flowers) etc.

The tamasa (inferior) variety of flowers may not be used in daily worship (varjita) in temple but may be used on festival occasions say for decorating the temple car or the image carried in procession in public. This class of flowers include blossoms of the cotton plant (karpasa), ketaki (pandanua odoratissimus), kasa grass (saccharum spontaneum), japa (China rose), sripran (a variety of lotus, gmelina arborea), vibhuthika (terminalia bellerica) and bandhuka (phoeniciea) etc.

Along with the flowers, certain leaves such as tulasi (basil), bilva (bel) and the dhruvagrass are used in daily worship.

While decorating the image , one part of it must be covered with flowers, one part with cotton or silk apparel , one part with ornaments and jewels and one part must be left clear for worship (puja_bhaga).The colorful garlands are hung around the neck of the deity , reaching ankles. Unstrung flowers are placed at the feet of the deity; the ritual being called pushpa_nyasa.

Types and different pujas Tulasi is the most used pooja flower in Kerala temples. The name Tulasi means the incomparable one. A number of passages in the Puranas and other scriptures (Vedas), point to the importance of Tulasi within religious worship. Puranas like Vishnu Purana, Bhagavatha Purana, Devi Bhagavatha Purana and Padma Purana explains the glory and worshipp protocols of Tulasi in detail. Tulasi is regarded as a goddess and a consort of Lord Vishnu. Tulasi is worshipped as Tulasi Devi or Vrinda Devi. In Kerala, a household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a Tulasithara. The month of Karthika (October-November) is famous for Tulasi pooja. Three different types of Tulasi are used in temples. They are Rama Tulasi with stems and leaves of green, Krishna Tulasi with stems and sometimes also leaves of dark green, and Karppoora Tulasi with the smell of camphor. Kattu (Vana) Tulsai (Ocimum gratissimum) the wild form, is not used for poojas. All these types are used in Ayurveda. Tulasi exhibits great variation across its range. Variations in soil type and rainfall may also equate to a difference in the size and form of the plants as well as their medicinal strength and efficacy. Puranas mentions that pooja without the use of Thulasi is incomplete and hence worthless. To know more about Tulasi click here

Koovalam - Vilwam, Shivadruma, Tripatra (Aegle marmelos) Koovalam is a sacred tree to Hindus. The leaves of Koovalm are mainly used in Shiva temples. It is used while offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Koovalam leaves resembles like the three eyes of Lord Shiva, hence got the name Tripatra. Puranas like Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagavatha Purana and Padma Purana explains the glory and worshipp protocols of this tree in detail. It is planted in the premises of temples. It is related to citrus and has many names in India. Koovalam (kuvalam) or vilwmam are Malayalam names, while Bel or bael in Hindi, Kuvalum in Tamil, and Kumbala in Kannada. They are also known as golden apple, stone apple and such names in English. It is believed that Lord Shiva is present in this sacred tree. Koovalam wood is used for making Yupam in Yagams like Somayagam and Athirathram. It grows in almost all climatic conditions in wilderness. The tree is slow growing and reaches a maximum height of 8-9 meters. The pale green leaves are aromatic. The fruits can be oval or spherical and has the size of a large orange. Koovalam fruits are edible. People eat it either raw or make a good jam. Lakshmi Devi wears the fruit of Koovalm in her right hand. Hence this tree is also called Sreephalam. Koovalam fruit has astringent properties and regulate digestive functioning. It is also used in curing diarrhea and dysentery. To know more about Koovalam click here

Thamara (Lotus - Nelumbo nucifera) Thamara flowers are used in all temples. They are commonly used for special poojas like Sahasrakalasam, Ashtabandhakalasam and Laksharchana. Lotus has different names in Sanskrit. Some of them are Padmam, Nalinam, Aravindam, Kamalam and Pankajam. Lotus is associated with the gods Vishnu, Brahma, and the goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati. From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Hindu tradition. It is often used as an example of divine beauty, for example Sri Krishna is often described as the Lotus-Eyed One. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. Particularily Brahma and Lakshmi, the divinities of potence and wealth, have the lotus symbol associated with them. In Hindu iconography, deities often are depicted with lotus flowers as their seats. Thamaramala (lotus garland) is the main offering in Koodalmanikya Swami Temple. To know more about Thamara click here

Chethi, Thechi or Thetti (Ixora coccinea)

Techi flower is commonly used in all temples. The flowers are found in a wide range of colours. Red, white and yellow ixora flowers are commonly used in Hindu worship. The Thechi undamala (thechi garland) of Guruvayoor Temple is famous. Only Thechi flowers are used for Poomoodal in Kadampuzha Bhagavthy Temple. It is also called as the Jungle Geranium, Flame of the Woods, and Jungle Flame.

Chemparathy (Hibiscus rosasinensis) In Sanskrit it is called Japakusumam. More than 10000 varieties of Chemparthy exists in the world. The red coloured Chemparathy flowers are usually used in Devi temples, especially in Bhadrakali temples. Light coloured flowers (white, rose, purple, yellow and orange) are used for the poojas of other deities. To know more about Chemparathy click here

Nandyaarvattam Nandyarvattam is used in every temples. The flowers of Nandyarvattam are white in colour. Two different forms - idampiri and valampiri are used in temples. Nandyarvattam is used for Saraswathy pooja.

Shankhupushpam or Aparajitha (Butterfly pea - Clitoria ternatea) The Malayalam word Shankhupushpam means a conch shaped flower. Butterfly pea is a deep-rooted, tall slender, climbing legume with five leaflets and a deep blue flower. Even though its origins are unknown, it is probably native to Asia according to Hortus. Shankhupushpam in two different colours - white and blue are used in temples. Blue Shankhupushpam is used for Sastha (Ayyappa)pooja. It's root is used in many Ayurvedic medicines. To know more about Shankhupushpam click here

Thumpa (Leucas aspera) Thumpa flowers are very small and are white in color. They are used for Shiva pooja as well as Thrikkakkarayappa pooja on Onam day. Thumpa mala (thumpa garland) is an important offering in Kottiyoor temple.

Ashokam (Saraca Indica) Ashoka is a Sanskrit word meaning without grief or that which gives no grief. The Hindus regard it as sacred, being dedicated to Kama Deva, God of Love. One of its varieties is a very handsome, small, erect evergreen tree, with deep green foliage. Its flowers are very fragrant and are bright orange-yellow in color and later turn red. Its beautiful, delicately perfumed flowers are used in temple decoration.

Arali (Nerium indicum or Nerium oleander) Arali is available in three different colours - rose, white and red. Though the flowers make great visual display, they are also highly poisonous. They are commonly used for making garlands.

Mulla (Jasmine - Jasminum grandiflorum) In Sanskrit it is called Mallika. Jasmine is known as the queen of flowers. The plant is known for the sweet fragrance of little milky-white flowers. Jasmine is used as religious offerings symbolizing divine hope. They are held sacred to Vishnu and are used as votive offerings in religious ceremonies. Jasmine is a climbing vine with oval, shiny leaves and tubular, waxy-white flowers. The small white star-shaped flowers are picked at night when the aroma is most intense, so that the delicate aroma will not evaporate in the sun.

Chempakam (Michelia champaca) Flowers of Chempakam is usually yellow or white in colour. But there are other colours too. Only the white and yellow coloured flowers are used for poojas in Devi temples. It is not used in Shiva temples.

Erikku The flower of Erikku is mainly used in Shiva temples. It is not used in Vishnu temples.

Kanakambaram (Firecracker flower - Crossandra infundibuliformis) Kanakambaram or Firecracker flower is not widely used in Kerala temples for poojas but occassionaly used for decorating the temple during festivals. It is available in orange and salmon or yellow colours. Kanakam means gold. It iswidely used for making garlands along with Jasmine.

Vadamalli (Gomphrena globosa)

Vadamalli is used for decorating the temple during festivals. It is available in pink and white colors. The conelike flowerheads are beautiful in dried arrangements and will hold their shape and color indefinitely. Hence they are used for making big garlands.

Rajamalli (Peacock flower - Caesalpinia Pulcherrima) Rajamalli flowers are red, orange and yellow with long red stamens. It is called Ratnagundhi colloquially. Very rarely used in temples.

Chendumalli (Marigold) The common Marigold is familiar to everyone, with its pale-green leaves and golden orange flowers. The color of Chendumally range from lemon, yellow, bright yellow, golden to orange. They are very much used in making garlands for temple decoration.

Jamanthi (Chrysanthemum - Corn Marigold)

There are more than 30 types of Chrysanthemum flowers. In South India the yellow Chrysanthemum is famous as Jamanthi and are widely used for making garlands.To know more about Chrysanthemum click here

Pichakam or Pichi Pichi flowers are white in color. They are small in size with good aroma and are used in Vishnu Temples.

Mandaram Mandaram flowers are white in color and are used in all temples for poojas.

Kamukin Pookkula Kamukkin pookkula or flower of Aracanut tree is used for Nagadeva pooja and Kalamezhuthu. They are also used for making Palppayasam in temples like Kalampookkavu Devi temple.

Dasa Pushpam (10 flowers) Dasa Pushpam means a group of 10 flowers. But we use leaves of most of these plants. Dasa Pushpams are used for Sheepothi Vekkal ritual in Karkkidakam, Pathirappoochoodal ritual on Thiruvathira in Dhanu, important cerimonies like marriage and for pithru karma. 1.Karuka (Cyndon dactylon) Karuka or Durva is widely used for Ganapathy pooja. For children with problems in Childhood in their horoscope Karuka Homa is the sure shot cure for the Balarishta yoga in the horoscope. Karuka is not used for Durga pooja.

2.Mukkutti (Biophytum Sensitivum) Mukkutti or Viparitalajjalu (in Sanskrit) is a very small flowering plant. Each plant produces five to ten small flowers with yellow petals. Mukkutti is an important flower for the people of Kerala. The flower is used in athapoo, special floral formation that adores courtyards and public places during Onam, the national festival of Kerala. Mukkutti flowers and plants are used for making garlands in Ganapathy temples. Mukkutty pushpanjali is an

important offering in Malliyoor Mahaganapathy temple. Mukkutty is also used for making mukkuttychanthu during Thiruvathira fesival.

Many thousands of years flowers personify beauty, pleasure and perfection of nature. Flowers give many things to everybody, and it does not matter if you are rich or poor, they give you a wonderful world, in which you feel happy. Therefore people always try to decorate with these surprising gifts of nature not only the celebration and gala days of their life, but also everyday life, in which, people need to feel even more pleasure during their life on Earth. It seems that mother-nature presented us these wonderful creatures which during thousands of years bring in our life beauty, pleasure, and give us good mood and emotional health in any time of the year. According to the scientists opinion there are more than 270 000 types of flowers. And each flower in his own way is beautiful and unusual and brings a part of pleasure in our life in order to do it happier. At all nations of the world flowers associate with heat, sun, spring and pleasure. And it doesnt matter if it is winter, summer, autumn or spring outside. Flowers always remain symbols of good mood and wonderful seasons spring and summer. Each flower is shrouded by illusive mysterious aura, and magic mood which is given to all people without exception, whether it is a man or a woman, a small child or a grown up person.

Wedding flowers Your wedding is one of the most very important occasions in your life. Whatever the scale and type of the wedding, well chosen flowers can transform the location of the event, whether indoor or outdoor, and make it into a special occasion for you. Your wedding bouquet should compliment

your wedding dress. Set yourself a budget and stick to it. Any florist whos worth their weight should be able to work within your budget. You can have the wedding of your dreams and you can have it at any location imaginable when you carefully plan and select your wedding flowers and lighting. The charm and fragrance of flowers in combination with the usage of natural light, candle light and lighting fixtures sets or enhances your wedding theme. If youve always planned to be married in a romantic paradise, set the scene with soft lighting and warm or pastel shades of pink, lilac, creamy white, gold-tones in the lights, flowers, and ribbons. Flowers have always been part of the love and romance of weddings, right back to Europeans brides and grooms, who wore garlands of flowers to symbolize new life and fertility. Later brides wore light orange blossoms in their hair to represent purity and fruitfulness. Flowers set the mood and tone for your entire wedding and choosing them has never been easier. Thats because the newest trends in wedding flowers are not about matchmaking the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres, corsages and centerpieces no longer have to be identical. The latest floral styles are all about color, boldness and individual design. Wedding flowers usually follow fashion trends and right now individuality is in, while conventionality is out. This means that the bridesmaids bouquets do not have to match the brides and each bridesmaid can potentially have a unique bouquet. Colorful blossoms, as opposed to conventional white, are also in style especially plums and lavenders. This makes it easy for brides making their own centerpieces because anything goes. Be creative! Create a different floral assortment for each table. Beautiful wedding flowers will enhance your special day and will remain in your memories and pictures forever. Your wedding day will be one of the most important days of your life. Birthday flowers Flowers for Birthday are one of the best and original presents. People will be always glad to it such presents are always long-awaited and cheer up. In birthday, a bouquet, a composition, a basket can be not too magnificent. And a present for an anniversary is always a beautiful bouquet or, a more preferably flowers basket. Besides there can be not only flowers in the basket, but also fruits, a bottle of good wine, a box of chocolates.

But it is worth to remind that any bouquet presented with love even if it consists of only one carnation or spring tulip, sometimes means much more, than a huge smart bouquet which is difficult to keep in hands. If a girl is brunette for her will suit red roses, large gladioluses, dahlias, bright orchids, and bright carnations. Bright red colors make the brunette even more attractive. If a girl is blonde everything is absolutely on the contrary. To her will suit gentle-pink, white and light yellow colors. And it doesnt matter what kind of flowers these are whether roses, chrysanthemums, callas, lilies or orchids. To red-haired girls will suit dark roses, violet and dark orchids, violets, hyacinths, gladioluses and many other flowers, especially of dark blue and violet color. And if there is a lot of green in the bouquet, than such bouquet will perfectly suit both a red-haired girl and a brown-haired girl. Though brown-haired girls usually like simple field or wild flowers. For any bouquet is extremely important a psychological implied sense of visually perceived general color scale: the prevalence of red tonality creates solemn, cheerful mood; white tonality creates sensation of freshness and cleanliness; orange and yellow tonality warmth and light; blue tonality confidence. Everybody knows that rose is a symbol of love and beauty. And do you know that the color of roses is very important too. And other flowers can tell a lot of interesting things. The rose origin doesnt matter it is undoubtedly the most known symbol of beauty and love. Pay attention on the sense of roses color. So, red and white roses in one bouquet mean unity, pink mean grace and elegance, and yellow mean pleasure or pleasure of communication. It is possible to express your feelings and desires with the help of orange or coral roses. Dark red or claret roses will tell your beloved person that she is very beautiful. Pink roses mean hope and tenderness. A single rose means modesty, and is good in addition for a present. A person who chooses violet color is deeply and thin feeling person who is guided by eternal values and very seriously concerns to his environment, in this case to you. The fresh orange tone symbolizes the optimistical relation to the validity, a sign of attachment and passionate desires. Yellow color is good for expression of rough feelings too. Scarlet flowers say about ardent

deep feeling and passionate desire. White flowers are paints of cleanliness and innocence a bright proof of tender feelings, respect and passionate attachment of your beloved person. It is considered that to each zodiacal sign there corresponds a flower: Aries geranium Taurus rose Twins orchid, rose, violet Cancer lotus, lily, white rose Lion lily of the valley, orchid, gladiolus Maiden carnation, lavender Scales lotus Scorpion narcissus Sagittarius lavender, violet Capricorn orchid, poppy Aquarius lily, narcissus Fishes rose Uses of flowers Some flowers are used in the manufacture of perfumes, although they have been replaced largely by chemically manufactured products. The oils of lavender, thyme, and rosemary are three perfume oils taken partly from flowers. Flowers are also used to a certain extent as drugs. The drugs arnica and cannabis both come from the flowering tops of plants. The nectar of flowers is used by the bees in the manufacture of honey. But the principal value of flowers to man is for beauty and the fruits which follow them. Great business enterprises deal with seeds, the breeding of young plants in nurseries, and the sale of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants as well as cut flowers. Florists are able to produce blooming plants all year round by planting in greenhouses and through artificial forcing. In forcing tulips as potted plants for an early Easter, the florist keeps them at a low temperature for a considerable period and then at a higher temperature to promote growth and flowering. In certain other plants, length of exposure to light each day

is most important. For example, chrysanthemums can be forced into earlier bloom by covering them with a black cloth morning and night so that they receive light for only 10 to 12 hours a day; on the other hand, poppies bloom only when exposure to light periods are long. For greatest amount of bloom, plants should not be given an excess of nitrate fertilizer. Flower production by potted plants can sometimes be increased by growing the plants in rather small pots so that root growth is limited. Flower production by shrubs can sometimes be increased by pruning, so that the remaining branches get lighter; but care must be taken not to remove so many leaves that food manufacture for the entire plant is decreased. Meaning A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the divisionMagnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion of sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfing (fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower). Some flowers produce diaspores without fertilization (parthenocarpy). Flowers contain sporangia and are the site where gametophytes develop. Flowers give rise to fruit and seeds. Many flowers have evolved to be attractive to animals, so as to cause them to be vectors for the transfer of pollen. Symbolism Many flowers have important symbolic meanings in Western culture. The practice of assigning meanings to flowers is known as floriography. Some of the more common examples include: Red roses are given as a symbol of love, beauty, and passion. Poppies are a symbol of consolation in time of death. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, red poppies are worn to commemorate soldiers who have died in times of war. Irises/Lily are used in burials as a symbol referring to "resurrection/life". It is also associated with stars (sun) and its petals blooming/shining. Daisies are a symbol of innocence. Flowers within art are also representative of the female genitalia, as seen in the works of artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Imogen Cunningham, Veronica Ruiz de Velasco, and Judy Chicago, and in fact in

Asian and western classical art. Many cultures around the world have a marked tendency to associate flowers with femininity. The great variety of delicate and beautiful flowers has inspired the works of numerous poets, especially from the 18th-19th century Romantic era. Famous examples include William Wordsworth's I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud and William Blake's Ah! Sun-Flower. Because of their varied and colorful appearance, flowers have long been a favorite subject of visual artists as well. Some of the most celebrated paintings from well-known painters are of flowers, such as Van Gogh's sunflowers series or Monet's water lilies. Flowers are also dried, freeze dried and pressed in order to create permanent, three-dimensional pieces of flower art. The Roman goddess of flowers, gardens, and the season of Spring is Flora. The Greek goddess of spring, flowers and nature is Chloris. In Hindu mythology, flowers have a significant status. Vishnu, one of the three major gods in the Hindu system, is often depicted standing straight on a lotusflower.[13] Apart from the association with Vishnu, the Hindu tradition also considers the lotus to have spiritual significance.[14] For example, it figures in the Hindu stories of creation.[15] Uses In modern times, people have sought ways to cultivate, buy, wear, or otherwise be around flowers and blooming plants, partly because of their agreeable appearance and smell. Around the world, people use flowers for a wide range of events and functions that, cumulatively, encompass one's lifetime:

For new births or Christenings As a corsage or boutonniere to be worn at social functions or for holidays As tokens of love or esteem For wedding flowers for the bridal party, and decorations for the hall As brightening decorations within the home As a gift of remembrance for bon voyage parties, welcome home parties, and "thinking of you" gifts For funeral flowers and expressions of sympathy for the grieving For worshiping goddesses. in Hindu culture it is very common to bring flowers as a gift to temples.

People therefore grow flowers around their homes, dedicate entire parts of their living space to flower gardens, pick wildflowers, or buy flowers from florists who depend on an entire network of commercial growers and shippers to support their trade. Flowers provide less food than other major plants parts (seeds, fruits, roots, stems and leaves) but they provide several important foods and spices. Flower vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower and artichoke. The most expensive spice,saffron, consists of dried stigmas of a crocus. Other flower spices are cloves and capers. Hops flowers are used to flavorbeer. Marigold flowers are fed to chickens to give their egg yolks a golden yellow color, which consumers find more desirable. Dandelion flowers are often made into wine. Bee Pollen, pollen collected from bees, is considered a health food by some people. Honey consists of bee-processed flower nectar and is often named for the type of flower, e.g. orange blossom honey, clover honey and tupelo honey. Hundreds of fresh flowers are edible but few are widely marketed as food. They are often used to add color and flavor to salads. Squash flowers are dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. Edible flowers include nasturtium, chrysanthemum, carnation, cattail, honeysuckle, chicor y, cornflower, Canna, and sunflower. Some edible flowers are sometimes candied such as daisy and rose (you may also come across a candied pansy). Flowers can also be made into herbal teas. Dried flowers such as chrysanthemum, rose, jasmine, camomile are infused into tea both for their fragrance and medical properties. Sometimes, they are also mixed with tea leaves for the added fragrance. Types of flower arrangement "Every flower is a soul blossoming in Nature"

It is well said "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul." Flowers are widely used for interior decoration; it gives aesthetic appeal to the ambiance. Flower arrangement is an art and it is widely used in hotel, offices, and hospitals on everyday basis. Flower arrangement may be defined as the art of organizing and grouping together plant materials to achieve harmony of form, color, and texture. They add cheer, beauty, life and happiness to the ambiance. In hotels flowers are used extensively. There are different arrangements of flower placed on different places. Large spectacular arrangement are kept in the lobby, restaurant and small arrangement are kept in rooms, suites. The extent to which flowers are used in hotel interior depends on the degree of luxury provided.The housekeeper is responsible for all flower arrangement and their placement in most hotels.

Circular shape: Arranging flower in circular design adds a pleasing element. It is satisfying to the viewer's eye. The circular or round shape is loved by nature since majority of flowers lies in this shape. In fact, its also easier to arrange flowers in circular fashion. This type of arrangement is laid on conference tables or on buffet tables. They can be presented to high class executives or politicians on different occasion.

Triangular shape: It is a most common arrangement of flowers used in Personal and Professional functions. Firstly, height and width is fixed with flowers and then focal point is established. It is made in the triangle shape and looks very attractive. They are placed on the buffet table or in the side station. In ceremonies we can find this kind of arrangements.

Crescent shape: The crescent is asymmetrical and formal. It requires lot of skill and experience. This type of arrangement is very eye catching. It is

kept in the lobby of the hotel. It is used as a focal point to catch the attention of the guest.

Fan shape : It is a low arrangement and it does not interfere with conversation across the table. It is a fan or a horizontal in shape generally placed in the restaurant either in buffet or on dining table. Hotel rooms also have this kind of arrangement

Hogarth or 'S' shape: This is very graceful style of arrangement. It is easier to make when curved branches are used. Once 'S' shape is made, flowers are filled at the center.

Ikebana: means 'making flowers live' in Japanese. People in Japan use flowers to symbolize season. They represent ideal harmony between earthy and eternal life. In each arrangement there is an imaginary triangle tallest line represent heaven, towards the heaven is man and the lowest line looking up to both is earth. This is been practiced for past 100 years. The formal type of flower arrangement is called Seika style. Floating type of

arrangement is called Ukibana and basket type of arrangement is called Morimano.

More on flower arrangement There is nothing quite as beautiful and mood-boosting as an eye catching flower arrangement. Flowers can brighten any occasion and bring life and texture to any room in your house. When the warm weather arrives and summer flowers are in bloom, it is the perfect time to think about creating the perfect arrangement of flowers. The saying, "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul." is very true. Flower arrangement is an art and it is widely used in hotel, offices, and hospitals every single day. There are many different types of flowers to pick from but the most popular flowers in Canada are impatiens, lilies, freesia, petunias, daisies, the pansy, delphinium, roses and even the wild rose. Other popular choices are phlox, aster, chrysanthemums, and anemone. Taking the time to find the right combination of summer flowers can go a long way creating flower arrangements that catch the eye. There are several different types of flower arrangements that can showcase your summer flowers.here are some of the most popular:

Circular shape: When you arrange flowers in a circular design, it adds a pleasing element to the viewer's eye. The circular or round shape is close to nature since the majority of flowers lie in this shape. Circular flower arrangements are one of the easiest to master. This type of arrangement is usually displayed on conference tables or on buffet tables. Triangular shape: This shape is one of the most common arrangements of flowers used in Personal and Professional functions. It is made in the triangle shape with the tallest flowers in the middle. Crescent shape: The crescent shape of flower arrangement is asymmetrical and best for more formal occasions. It requires lot of skill and experience to master, but once you do people will definitely take notice. This type of arrangement is very eye catching. It is the type of arrangement kept in the lobby of a hotel. It is used as a focal point to catch the attention of the guest. Fan shape: The fan shape is a low arrangement that will not interfere with conversation across the table. It is horizontal in layout and generally placed in a restaurant either in a buffet or on a dining table. Hotel rooms also have this kind of arrangement. Hogarth or 'S' shape: This is very graceful style of arrangement. It is easier to make when curved branches are used. Once the Sshape is made, flowers are filled at the center. Ikebana: This means 'making flowers live' in Japanese. People in Japan use flowers to symbolize the season. They represent ideal harmony between earthly and eternal life. This style of flower arranging has been practiced for over 100 years. The formal type of flower arrangement is called Seika style. The floating type is called Ukibana and the basket type Morimano. Corporate flowers Corporate flowers are special types of flowers and flower arrangements that are used in the business world, whether they are used for lunches, meetings or special corporate events. Corporate flowers tend to be over the top, exotic and expensive so that they can make a statement about the importance and the status of a specific company.

What are Corporate Flowers? Corporate flowers are used to decorate offices, halls, fancy desks, to lighten up the places in which people work, to bring light and excitement. Often they are very elegant and can immediately loosen up any boardroom or business meeting. Corporate flowers are meant to make an impression. They are bound to be extraordinary beautiful and unique. Also, corporate flowers have to be smart flowers, elegant, fancy, but smart and a little bit conservative. Now that we have cleared a bit what and how corporate flowers should be and what they should express, lets see what are your choices. Corporate Flowers Arrangement Ideas First, you should know that corporate flowers may be placed in glass vases, cylindrical in shape, so that they look proper, neat and serious. Corporate flowers can be mixed in baskets or they can take the form of table arrangements. As for the types of corporate flowers that you should use, here are a few examples: For cylindrical vases you can use magnolia sticks, tropical crab claws,golden vanda orchids, tiger lillies, chillies and tropical foliages. Lilies, vandas, anthuriums, kale, bamboo and rich striped foliages may be proper for a reception desk. Strange looking flowers are perfect for corporate design, so try king proteas, banksia, gum nuts, lukes and seasonal native, all mixed in a little, round ceramic vase. For corporate events, the most used corporate flowers should be the ones that attract attention: flowers placed in glass vases in the middle of the buffet, such as some white calla lilies, incorporated with stunning fresh greenery. They have a very elegant look and will capture anyones eyesight in a moment. The cymbidium orchid, placed in a cylinder vase and finished with a tropical leaf at the base can also be a very elegant corporate flower arrangement and can enrich the table. Purplish orchids with exotic greenery and a long tall glass will give you the Wow! factor. So will the bird of paradise or strelitzia. Try using green roses in small round vases and spice them up in design with silky bows or some ice decorations and the effect will be extraordinary.

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Tropical leaves styled with masses of clustered Anthurium Lilies may do the trick for a fancy corporate event. David Austin garden roses placed in an elegant ceramic vase may also be an option, or loads of bright Mokara orchids styled in a medium vase lined with foliage and wrapped in a very elegant bow or, even better, strongly clustered white Singapore orchidsbordered by tropical leaves and placed in a funny shaped vase is also a great combination. For colors think lots of greens and pale shades of pink and yellow. Orange can always be a choice for corporate flowers. Also, yellow and purple with pink go along really well in an office arrangement placed in front of an office or in a corner, near a desk. Still, the best choice for corporate flowers is to follow the companys color palette, either by complementing or contrasting it.

White Flowers - A Guide to White Flowers White covers a multitude of sins. -- Jonathan Milne

White flowers are the perfect symbol of innocence and purity, conveying a touch of heaven and beauty. This guide to white flowers will show you the best selection of white flowers, their meaning and use in flower arrangements and weddings. The color white is the ultimate color of light, angels and heaven. It signifies purity, innocence and tidiness. Although a non-color, just like black or grey, white goes well with any other color, just like black or grey. White is a blinding, reflecting, brilliant color, as it is known that white reflects all light, which is most associated to weddings and to the immaculate conception. In westerns culture, white is related to brides and virgins, while in the East it is the color of death and mourning. White can cause restlessness due to the fact that white is also the color of hospitals, doctors and dentists. White

is also an emergent symbol of masculinity, being the Yang in the Yin&Yang dichotomy. In nature, white is encountered in the color of snow, clouds, swans, doves or cotton. In the botanical reign, the bright white flowers, such as white lilies, white callas or white roses, have a special place. In feng shui white is the color of purity, the Yogi color of completion and ultimate wisdom. As a feng shui color, white is associated to the Metal element, bringing a sense of clean, freshness and tranquility. Use white in your home, especially in meditation rooms or bathrooms, to contrast brighter colors, more as an accent than as a dominant color. White Flower Meaning White flowers are often related to perfection, chastity and purity, carrying deep symbols of peace and calmness. Virgins and brides use white flowers as accessories to convey simple beauty, sincerity, modesty and innocence, whereas at the same time, white flowers are often used in funerals and commemorations in order to symbolize the supreme light of God and the heavens above. You can suggest sincerity and appreciation when offering a white flower bouquet. They express a truthful, clean and open heart and bring brightness and light to the recipients life. White Flower Arrangements White flower arrangements will always evoke elegance, beauty and humility at the same time, whether you use dramatic white flowers such as white lilies or white callas, or simpler white flowers such as lily-of-the-valley which brings about freshness and spring. If you are not confident about choosing the perfect color combination for your white flower arrangements, here are some tips which will guide you: You can obtain an enlarging effect in your living space if you decide to use white flower arrangements. But be careful since too much white will cause a clinical effect. White flower arrangements become warmer if you try mixing them with red flowers or yellow flowers. For a Spring-like effect, white flowers go perfectly with pastel colored flowers such as light pink flowers, light blue flowers or cream flowers.

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For a summer look, white flowers and bright yellow flowers are a great match. If you want to enhance the stunning effect of dark red flowers, deep purple flowers or navy blue flowers dont hesitate to use a dash of white flowers in your arrangements. Use ivory tones to soften jewel tones, or use pure white flower tones to enhance them. For a simpler, but aristocratic and sophisticated effect, use bright white flowers with a touch of emerald green greenery. Pink Flowers - A Guide to Pink Flowers Pink it was love at first sight, pink gets me high as a kite. -- Aerosmith

Pink flowers bring calmness to your life and fill your heart with Love. They are gentle and delicate. This pink flowers guide will take you through the various species of pink flowers, their meaning and use in arrangements and weddings. Pink is the color of little girls, of the Barbie doll, its the nicest and softest side of red, standing for sugar, spice and everything nice. Pink is an emblem of everythings that feminine and sweet, it is the color of strawberry ice cream and bubblegum. In nature, pink is encountered in the color of a large variety of pink flowers such as carnations and roses, which are said to be originally pink, tulips, daisies, gerbera daisies and Stargazer lilies. Thinking pink means thinking positive, thus pink represents optimism and joy. Pink is a romantic color, conveying less passionate romance and more purity than red does. In popular culture, pink is a color of gay pride. Also, the Pink Ribbon is the International symbol of the Fight against Breast Cancer. In feng shui, pink is used as a soothing color, being universally associated with tenderness. As a feng shui element, pink is a Fire Color, which goes

best with green, which is a Wood color. This vibrant, active combination brings energy to your living place. Consider soft light pink for your walls and hot magenta elements for decorating. Pink is a good choice for your bathroom or for your little girls bedroom. However, using pink in your living place creates a floating sensation, giving the sensation that you are living in a world of illusion. Pink Flower Meaning Whether its hot, soft, salmon or magenta, a pink flower always makes a statement when offered as a gift. Pink flowers convey gentility, grace, youth, joy and innocence. Pink flowers represent passion, as they are cooler variants of red, but at the same time pink flowers symbolize shyness, since pink is associated to blushing cheeks. Depending on their shade of pink, pink flowers carry several significations: Pale pink flowers are graceful, they express gentleness and send out gratitude when offered as gifts to the ones you love. Light pink flowers express joy and happiness and they always add a touch of fun and youth. Deep pink flowers represent deeper, more intense feelings, saying Thank you to the ones who receive them. Pink Flower Arrangements A pink flower arrangement will always carry a sense of delicacy, refinement and feminism. Pink flowers are used in all types of arrangements, whether you want a touch of sweetness and innocence by using pastel or candy pink, or you want to go for passionate and daring by using hot and posh pink flowers. When creating your own pink flower arrangements, consider these simple color matching rules to create an astonishing effect: Pink flowers are perfect in a mixed arrangement with light purple flowers and lilac flowers. Combine several shades and types of pink flowers, especially cotton candy pink, hot pink and ultra or posh pink in order to create amazing arrangements. Add a sprinkle of bright green greenery or green chrysanthemum for a very refreshing color combination. Bright green flowers such as orchids or chrysanthemum are an excellent asset to pink flowers, since the two colors are complementary, provide a great contrast and enhance each other beautifully.

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Be careful when matching pink tones. While its great to mix dark pink with light pink flowers, its best to keep cool pink tones such as magenta apart from warm pink tones such as salmon. Achieve a psychedelic effect by mixing hot pink flowers with bright purple and hot orange flowers, which put together give that 60s look. In order to create a romantic, tender flower arrangement, try combining light cool pink flowers with complementary shades, such as baby blue. Also light shades of yellow, like lemon chiffon, go awesome with light pink flowers, such as cherry blossom pink, if you want a fresh spring arrangement. If you want stronger accents that define your flowers more strongly, try using brighter shades, but be careful not to overdue it, by using brilliant blue or yellow with soft pink flowers. The result will be a disaster. As pink is the little sister of red, pink flowers can be easily combined with red flowers for more tonal arrangements. White flowers add purity to your pink flower arrangements and are the perfect choice for wedding flowers arrangements. Red Flowers - A Guide to Red Flowers Painters use red like spice. -- Derek Jarman

Red flowers are the ultimate hallmark of passionate love, being associated by color with the heart. This red flower guide will give you a glimpse on red flower types and meanings and how are they used in flower arrangements. Red is the dichotomy of good and evil. It is the hottest color of the color spectrum, being associated with the setting sun, blood, but also with the fire and the devil. It represents love and war at the same time, it is the color of anger and violence, but also of blushing and desire. Red is a greatly stimulative color, arousing en entire palette of emotions, from passion to rage. Physically, it is said to increase blood pressure, the heart and breath rate, to enhance energy and enthusiasm and to convey confidence. Red is definitely an attention grabber, thus being used to signal danger (lights, street signs) or importance and power (red carpets).

In nature, red is encountered in the color of strawberries, cherries, apples, tomatoes and red flowers such as tulips, roses, carnations, gerberas. While in South Africa red represents mourning, in China it is the color of happiness, bringing about good luck. In political culture, red is associated to communism and socialism. As a feng shui color, red is the Fire element color, being responsible for bringing joy, excitement and sexual desire in your home. Red Flower Meaning Red flowers are probably the most vibrant and exciting flowers that nature has given us. When thinking about expressing sensuality and romance, lovers usually offer red flowers as gifts. Red flowers come in a variety of shades, each carrying a special meaning: Vibrant red flowers express burning passion. Burnt orange-red flowers are a symbol of ardent energy. Deeper cherry red flowers carry the meaning of love and romance. Crimson red flowers are symbolize sexuality. A rich burgundy red flower signifies intense desire. Dont be afraid to use red flowers to convey strength, courage and distinction. Red Flower Arrangements Red flowers are used in arrangements in order to catch the eye, suggesting sophistication and confidence, even in small doses, which can be more effective than a large amount of red color. Red flowers arrangements are a sign of luxury and wealth, especially if you use red roses. Red flowers can be combined with a large variety of other flowers. Here is a small guide for combining red flowers with other colored flowers: Red flowers form an ideal couple with emerald green greenery, red and green being complementary colors on the color wheel. Red flowers combined with green are traditional to the Christmas Holiday. To enrich the beauty of a red flower, one can use greenery such as ferns. Combining red flowers with cool blue flowers offer a great contrast, chilling the hotness of red. Use light pink flowers with red flowers for a harmonious combination. If you use yellow flowers in combination with red flowers, be careful that the two colors are not too close in value such as dark red flowers in

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combination with golden or pale yellow flowers. Otherwise, red flowers are nicely enhanced by shades of yellow. In order to create a cheerful arrangement, try mixing red flowers with pink and orange flowers. Red flowers combined with purple flowers create an elegant combination, but mind that too much purple can sometimes be overpowering. White flowers are often used with red flowers, especially when it comes to roses, for wedding arrangements or other special occasions such as Valentines Day, this mix symbolizing purity and passion combined. One important rule about red flowers: sometimes less is more. A dash of red flowers can be more effective than a solid color red flower arrangement. Blue Flowers - A Guide to Blue Flowers Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the deity to be a source of delight. -- John Ruskin

Blue flowers are the color of the intellect and spirituality. Their nature expresses mystery and importance. This blue flowers guide introduces you to various types of blue flowers, their symbolism and use in arrangements and weddings. Light blue is associated to the clear sky and to the calm sea, its the color of serenity and peace. Dark blue has always conveyed importance and confidence, being related to the corporate suits or the police uniforms. Blue is the color of the intellect, coolness, it has a calming effect and it is known to help you sleep better. In nature, blue is less encountered than other colors, even though there is a fair variety of blue flowers such as Forget-Me-Not. Blue is also related to calm feelings, sadness and depression, in Iran blue being the color of mourning. As a therapeutic effect, blue is said to slow down the metabolism, reducing appetite and inducing calmness. Blue is the ultimate masculine color.

In feng shui, blue belongs to the Water element, bringing a touch of freshness to the living area. It is a perfect choice for bedrooms and study rooms. Studies have shown that people studying under blue painted ceilings perform better than those under white ceilings. Blue Flower Meaning Blue flowers are by excellence the central symbol of Romanticism. A blue flower conveys messages of love and desire, of supreme struggle of the superior human being aiming at conquering the absolute. The blue flower as symbol of infinity was first used by the German author Novalis in his novel Heinrich von Ofterdingen, where the main characters starts dreaming of blue flowers after a random meeting with a stranger. Depending on the shadow of blue, blue flowers can carry different significations: Light blue flowers are related to health, softness, tranquility and calmness. Dark blue flowers are associated to seriousness, power, integrity and knowledge. Generally, blue flowers make you think of loyalty, trust, intelligence and confidence. Blue flowers represent wisdom, truth, faith and heaven. Blue Flower Arrangements Blue flowers are mostly encountered among wild flowers, which unfortunately dont have a very long vase life. This is why for complex and sophisticated flowers arrangements either dried blue flowers or artificially obtained blue flowers are used, either by hybridization or by tainting white flowers. The most popular traditional flowers such as roses, tulips, carnations or callas dont usually have varieties of blue flowers, but florists manage to obtain this shade by artificially coloring them. When using blue flowers in your flower arrangements consider some basic rules of thumb when combining them with other flowers: In order to create a conservative and sophisticated arrangement, try mixing azure or deep royal blue flowers which convey richness and superiority with navy blue flowers which are a bit warmer than light blues. Probably the most flashing combination, blue flowers and yellow flowers complement each other perfectly, as diagonally opposite colors on the color wheel. Try this scheme if you want your arrangements to grab all eyes. For a psychedelic arrangement, mix blue flowers with hot orange flowers. The coolness of blue flowers will calm down the warmness of orange, while

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the orange will warm up the cool blue. Try adding a dash of purple flowers to this combination for a 60s vibrant look. For springtime arrangements, pastel blue flowers go very well with pink flowers and pale yellow flowers. For colder weather arrangements, such as winter arrangements, a popular choice is using deep blue flowers. For a natural, watery, Amazonian look and feel, mix aquamarine blue flowers with dark greenery. For a sense of elegance, you could also use gray dried greenery with royal blue flowers. If you want to convey an environmental friendly message, try combining sky blue flowers with neutral shades of tan and beige dried flowers or foliage. A dash of blue flowers will cool down a hot red flower arrangement. For a fresh, crisp, marine arrangement, combine navy blue flowers with pure white flowers. If you want an extremely cool, elegant and rich arrangement, the best match to your dark blue flowers are by far metallic silver dried and tainted greenery. Purple Flowers - A Guide to Purple Flowers "I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." -- Alice Walker

Purple flowers add a note of distinction and luxury when used in flower arrangements or bouquets. This purple flowers guide offers an overview of the most popular purple flowers, what is their meaning and how are they used in arrangements. Purple is a magical color, its both hot and cold at the same time, emerging simultaneously the radiance of red and the calmness of blue. It is a natural color, most of its shades holding the names of the purple flowers, plants or fruit which characterize them: violet, lilac, lavender, pomegranate, mulberry, plum, orchid or eggplant.

Purple is traditionally attached to royalty, from the Roman Emperors which wore purple togas to the Elizabethan Age when the significance of the color purple was dictated by law and wearing this color was an index of social status. In feng shui, purple should scarcely be used, since it is considered to be disturbing and cause blood diseases. However, it can be used in meditation rooms, since purple is said to stimulate peace of mind and boost creativity. Purple Flower Meaning Purple flowers are, by excellence, a token of nobility, ceremony and distinction. Highly encountered in nature, purple flowers are considered sacred in some Eastern cultures and were offered as tokens of worship to Gods and royalty figures. One example is Buddhism, where the purple lotus is considered a mystical flower. Recently, purple has been associated to gay pride. Depending on the shade of the purple flower, different meanings can be associated to it. For instance: Deeper shades of purple flowers such as wine, plum or eggplant are a symbol of glory and power. Lighter shades of purple flower such as lilac, violet or mauve are related to youth