May Flowers

Floral Trends For Spring/Summer 06

Since ancient times, the month of May has been celebrated as a spring festival all over Europe. It marks the end of the harsh winter months and welcomes the beginning of summer. May is also association with spring, youth and rebirth and that this is traditionally celebrated with flowers. In the past the symbolic flower was a carnation in Austria or Italy, a paper rose in Germany or a poppy in France and the flower was always red.
Amanda Jennings, of Angelic Orchids in the Bon Accord
St. Nicholas Shopping Centre, says, “Traditionally at this time of year many children would parade with garlands of flowers, sometimes fastened to sticks or in the shape of a cross, or fixed to hoops. This was done in the hope of collecting money.”

May Superstitions

Amanda continues, “There are also many superstitions that surround the month of May. In the past young girls used to rush out into the garden to wash their faces in the May dew, this was due to an old wives tale that May dew had magic properties and that anyone who washed their face in it would have a beautiful complexion all year round!”
Floral expert Amanda Jennings gives her top floral trends for spring/summer 2006:

• May is a fabulous time for buying flowers. There is high availability with the onset of spring and a wide variety to choose from. One of the best buys is the large anthurium of the choco variety

• Gerberas are also a firm favourite with my customers as they come in an array of bright colours and the large open heads give a modern feel. This flower is wonderful to accessorise or brighten up any room. A single gerbera in a slim vase is very effective in a minimalist, contemporary environment

• For a more traditional approach a gentle May bouquet of apple blossom, forget-me-knot and other early summer flowers has a gentle beauty and natural simplicity

• Tones of the beautiful spring lilac flowers contrasted with the cool elegance of silver add a more sophisticated style

• For seasonal availability the peony has a short season, usually mid April to mid June. The Sarah Bernhardt variety, named after the famous American actress, is a large showy pink bloom which I would recommend.

To order your spring/summer floral bouquet or for expert advice visit Amanda Jennings at Angelic Orchids, Bon Accord St. Nicholas Shopping Centre, George Street, Aberdeen or call 01224 637711.