Cogsworth, the clock character from Beauty and the Beast, was onto something when the Beast asked him what he could do for Belle.
“Well, there’s the usual… flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep…”
Obviously, Cogsworth is a total romantic.
Funny enough, we agree with him - for the most part. (Keep the promises you make, friends!)
Flowers & chocolates are an age-old Valentine’s Day tradition. While there’s plenty of room for embellishment, flowers and chocolates are a great start to showing the folks you care about a little love this Valentine’s Day.
After all, what’s that saying? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Not all flowers are created equal…
Bouquets?
Cute, but short lived and a little overdone.
Noncommittal, even if they are pretty.
Bouquets are the botanical equivalent of that person you dated on and off in college.
You’re past that. It’s time to level up your Valentine’s Day flower game.
Live plants?
Now that’s commitment! Loyalty! Promises you absolutely intend to keep!
We’re talking prettier, healthier, and objectively more romantic.
Not afraid of putting down roots.
The botanical equivalent of a wedding band or engagement ring.
If you’re going to be pragmatic, live plants are definitely the better long term investment. Who doesn’t want to enjoy a symbol of love, passion, and loyalty in their home or yard year round?
So… what plant do you choose?
Every plant has its own unique meaning and symbolism, as well as its own growing and care needs. Pick the plant that matches your loved one’s personality and climate!
Roses
You can’t talk about Valentine’s Day flowers without mentioning the queen of love season florals: the rose. From fragrance to flawless form, roses are here to stay - but choose your color wisely!
Red Roses: True Love, Passion, Romance
There are hundreds of varieties of rose, but none wears the crown half as well as the red rose.
Beloved for centuries, you’ll find references to red roses as a symbol of true love dating back to ancient Greek depictions of the goddess Aphrodite. Countless famous European literary works allude to red roses as tokens of affection and love.
Red rose bushes are a timeless way to say “I love you” to your spouse, your betrothed, or your beloved.
Pink Roses: Appreciation, Gratitude, Family Love
If you’re looking for a flower for your parents or a dear friend, look no further than pink roses. As symbols of family love and appreciation, their gentle hue sends the perfect message: “You mean a lot to me, and I love you!”
Yellow Roses: Friendship & Happiness
Is your Valentine’s Day more of a Galentine’s Day? Great! Yellow roses are your new best friend. Gift a yellow rose bush to that friend who always makes you smile, even on the rainiest of days.
White Roses: Innocence, Purity, Loyalty, New Love
White, like a wedding gown… White roses pack the same romantic punch as red roses, with a lighter flavor. While the reds are deep and passionate, white roses are youthful and elegant.
They’re especially appropriate for newly-weds and nearly-weds. If you’re in the honeymoon phase, a white rose bush is a beautiful way to commemorate your relationship this Valentine’s Day!
Purple Roses: Admiration, Respect, Old Love
Maybe this isn’t your first Valentine’s Day… or your second… More like your tenth, twentieth, or even thirtieth.
Purple is an ancient color of royalty, and it denotes elegance. In roses, purple is the symbol of love everlasting - true love that’s stood the test of time. It’s not new, it’s not novel, but it’s built on a deep connection and respect that only wise couples witness. Gift a purple rose bush to your life-long lover.
Pink Camellia
Are you in a long distance relationship?
Maybe your family lives far away?
Best friend moved to the other side of the state?
Send a pink camellia bush their way!
Pink camellias represent longing and the desire to be reunited. Whether the person you’re loving on this Valentine’s Day is a friend, family member, or your spouse, pink camellias are a beautiful way to say “I can’t wait to see you again.”
The best part about pink camellias? They bloom during the winter! Pink camellias erupt in radiant blooms after the dead of winter, usually after the New Year in mid-late January. It’ll keep its blossoms into early spring. If you want a bush that flowers in time for Valentine’s Day, this plant is a perfect pick.
Magnolia Ann
If it’s Baby’s first Valentine’s Day, or the first Valentine’s Day after your marriage, plant a Magnolia Ann! Representing new beginnings, rebirth, and joy, these plants are a beautiful way to commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime occasion of a first Valentine’s Day.
This species of magnolia doesn’t get enough love, in our humble opinion. They’re one of the few deciduous species of magnolia, so they drop their leaves annually. Magnolia Anns stay relatively low to the ground, topping out at 10-15’ tall.
In the late winter and early spring, however, they explode in enchanting fuchsia blossoms. Despite their bare branches, you’ll see blooms-a-plenty before their foliage returns in the warmer months.
Fairy Magnolia
To say “I’ll love you through it all, in sickness and health, good times and bad, forever & always,” plant a Fairy Magnolia. Symbolizing perseverance, purity, and hope, these magnolias are one of a kind.
Just like saying “I love you” is always easy, Fairy Magnolias are easy to care for, even in hard weather! This species grows into bushes or hedges, depending on how you choose to shape them. They’re also evergreen, and they boast white and blush hued blossoms in the spring.
Hydrangea
“We grow together!” is the message you send when you give your loved one a hydrangea. These plants are famous for their mood ring colored blooms. While variations in color are a result of soil acidity levels, they’re a perfect plant for your other half. Shades of pink and blue really emphasize the age old wisdom: opposites attract!
Hydrangeas represent harmony, gratitude, and of course, love.
What plant will you share with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day?