And just like that, it’s almost Mother’s Day again aka flower shopping season.
Before we get into flower choices, let’s take a quick stroll down history lane.
When did we start celebrating Mother's Day and why?
Our modern celebration of this special day has its roots in American Civil War history. It was borne out of calls for peace. In 1870, a women’s rights activist, Julia Ward Howe, made an appeal to women to “bring peace throughout the world.”
In 1908, another peace activist named Anna Marie Jarvis began campaigning for a special day to remember all mothers, partly as a way to honour her own mother’s legacy.
In 1914, US President Woodrow Wilson made it official by declaring the second Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day.
In Australia, the first Mother’s Day celebration was held in 1924 after a Sydney woman named Janet Heyden began the tradition. She was a regular visitor at the Newington State Hospital and she was moved by the sight of so many old mums who were left forgotten by their families. Janet asked local schools and companies to donate gifts for them.
The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Mother’s Day continues to be that one extra special day for the mums and mum figures in our lives, but it has also undoubtedly evolved into a billion-dollar global industry.
So, back to the million-dollar question: Which flowers should you get for your mum?
Flowers are Mother’s Day staples. It’s an easy choice with so many meaningful and customisable options. It’s also easily accessible and can be suited to any budget. Plus, flowers are always a hit, especially on a day when we honour the most important woman in our lives.
There’s no one answer, of course, so here are some classic choices for you to consider.
Aside from being an ideal choice for Mother’s Day, peonies are also the “official” flower for 12th wedding anniversaries and the birth month flower for those born in November.
Yellow peonies symbolise good fortune and new beginnings. Red peonies can be given to express passionate love whilst pink peonies are associated with a happy marriage, honour, and fortune. White peonies are associated with beauty. If you want to say sorry through flowers, it’s a good choice too.
If you’re buying fresh peonies, remember to get those that have not bloomed yet, otherwise, they will not last long after you give them. Look out for yellowing leaves and blemishes, as well as frail and discoloured stems.
A popular and equally impressive alternative are Everlasting Peonies. These peonies are cut at their most beautiful form and are preserved using our natural proprietary solution. An Everlasting Peony Box is a low-maintenance gift that will surely brighten any mother’s day.
The best part? It can last for over a year without losing its beauty and form.
Its scientific botanical name, ‘Helianthus annuus’ is derived from the Greek word ‘helios’ (sun) and ‘anthos’ (flower). (Annuus means annual.)
Sunflowers can symbolise many things across different cultures. In China, it is associated with longevity, vitality, happiness, and good fortune. In Greek mythology, it is said that the sunflower was once a water nymph ignored by Apollo, so the other gods turned her into a sunflower. And according to this myth, this is the reason why it is drawn to the sun.
Did you know that sunflowers are also associated with peace, in particular nuclear disarmament? After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had a formidable nuclear arsenal. They committed to total disarmament and to mark this crucial moment, they planted sunflowers in former missile silos. And it’s not just a symbol. Sunflowers can actually absorb radioactive isotopes.
If you’re thinking of giving your mum sunflowers, a Forever Sunflower is a great choice. Like the Everlasting Peonies, it will last for over a year. Our sunflower is placed in a beautiful glass dome, and does not need water or sunlight to maintain its radiance.
There’s the tale of Chloris, who is the goddess of flowers and springtime. It was said that she revived a lifeless nymph, transforming it into a flower. Apollo let the sun cast warmth, Aphrodite added beauty, and Dionysus added “a nectar of intoxicating aroma.” It was named Rose, after the god of love Eros.
For Mother’s Day, light pink roses are a great choice. They represent gentleness, innocence, and express appreciation. Any other shade of pink, deep or medium, are also good options.
Red roses are usually associated with romantic love whilst white ones are common choices for a wedding arrangement. But, of course, no one’s stopping you from getting these for your mum. At the end of the day, it’s the thought and the effort that count.
These days, fresh roses are no longer just your only option. Our Everlasting Roses are bestsellers because they are just as stunning except longer-lasting.
They are real Ecuadorian roses preserved using non-toxic special oils. They can last for over a year, without watering or tedious maintenance. It is the perfect Mother’s Day gift because it is a year-round reminder of your love and appreciation for your mum.
To make sure it does last, here are some handy reminders:
- Do not water them and keep them in their original packaging.
- Keep it at room temperature and away from direct sunlight, air conditioning vents, and fans.
- If needed, a gentle brush can be used to remove dust on the rose petals.
Check out our website to see other ways to give your mum beautiful flowers this Mother’s Day.
Which everlasting flowers are you going to get your mum? Let us know what you think!
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