In the United States, Mother’s Day has become a cherished tradition since 1906, thanks to Anna Jarvis who initiated it to honor motherhood.

Although each family has its own unique Mother’s Day customs, gifting flowers to mothers has always been a common practice. With Spring in full bloom, Mother’s Day presents an ideal opportunity to send your mom a beautiful bouquet.

Read on to discover the seven most favored flowers for moms on Mother’s Day in 2020.

Picking Flowers for Mom

Many people select flowers primarily based on their aesthetic appeal. However, did you know that each flower carries its own unique symbolism? The tradition of assigning meanings to flowers dates back to biblical times and is still prevalent in places like Asia and Europe.

Others might choose the perfect flowers for mom by aligning them with her personality. Observe the petals and colors, selecting hues that you believe suit your mom perfectly.

You can also look around her home for hints. If there’s a particular type of flower she often buys, it’s likely her favorite. For example, if she has rose-printed dish towels, she might have a soft spot for roses.

Let the experts handle it and surprise your mom with a flower subscription for Mother’s Day. With a subscription, she will receive a mix of fresh flowers monthly, making it a gift that keeps on giving.

Consult her friend or sister. Close friends or siblings usually know each other’s preferences well. If she has a significant other, make sure to ask for their input too.

If you’re still unsure about which flowers to choose, continue reading. This article will detail the seven most popular flowers for mom to help you decide.

  1. Carnations

Carnations are often thought of as Mother’s Day flowers. These fluffy blooms, popular at high school dances, symbolize women and love in Victorian flower language.

Background of Carnations

When Anna Jarvis was advocating for Mother’s Day to become a national holiday, she sent 500 white carnations to her local church for distribution to the mothers present. Since then, carnations have been recognized as one of the best flowers for Mother’s Day. They stand for faith, beauty, charity, and all other qualities that represent motherhood.

Carnations are among the oldest cultivated flowers. Initially, they were only pink and peach, but today they come in a variety of vibrant colors including red, yellow, purple, and even striped versions.

Carnation Traditions

In China, carnations are popular wedding flowers. In Korea, they are used to predict the future of young girls. Parents place three fresh carnations in the girl’s hair, and the flower that withers first foretells her future hardships.

If the top flower wilts first, her later years will be difficult. If the middle flower dies first, her youth will be turbulent. If the bottom flower fades first, she will face many challenges throughout her life.

  1. Gerber Daisies

Gerber Daisies are among the best options for moms in 2020. Their cheerful appearance is bound to put a smile on anyone’s face. The Victorians used them to symbolize happiness.

Native to South Africa, these bright and happy flowers come in various colors such as deep red, yellow, white, cream, and peach. They can also be dyed to achieve brighter, more fun hues.

The colors of Gerber Daisies enhance their meanings:

  • Orange signifies the sunshine of life
  • Red represents unconscious love
  • White stands for innocence and purity
  • Pink means admiration or high esteem
  • Yellow conveys cheerfulness

Background of Gerber Daisies

Gerber Daisies are named after Robert Jameson, a 19th-century botanist who discovered them near a gold mine during his travels in South Africa.

Interesting Facts about Gerber Daisies

Gerber Daisies are known to remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air, providing continuous fresh oxygen that can improve sleep. Unlike other flowers, Gerber Daisies continue oxygen production even at night.

The flowers always turn to face the sun, and each stem can be about 12 to 18 inches long. The brightly colored central disk is their distinguishing feature, with white varieties having a dark chocolate brown center.

Since their discovery, Gerber Daisies have been bred in various new colors. They are also the birth flower for April, making them a perfect choice if your mother’s birthday is in that month!

  1. Tulips

If you’re still deciding on the best flowers to send your mom, consider the classic tulip. It’s hard not to admire this timeless bloom.

Tulips open their cup-shaped flowers each morning and come in numerous colors. They are the third most popular flowers globally and are a staple in many gardens and homes.

Tulip Symbolism

While tulips aren’t the most extravagant flowers, their elegance represents perfect enduring love, royalty, forgotten love, and abundance. They are also linked to 11th wedding anniversaries and indulgence.

The Victorians considered them a sign of charity, while the Turkish viewed them as a heavenly symbol. The Ottomans planted tulips to remind them of the afterlife, and the blooms appear in many religious and secular artworks.

The Dutch later popularized this flower as a celebration of life’s fleeting moments. In the 20th and 21st centuries, tulips became more associated with love.

History of Tulips

Tulips have been cultivated since the 13th century. In the 1600s, Turkish traders exchanged tulip bulbs with the Dutch. During the 17th century, “Tulip-mania” spread across Europe, creating what many believe was the first financial market bubble.

At one time, the bulbs even became a form of currency, with severe penalties for theft. It’s remarkable to think that today, you can find tulips in stores for just a few dollars.

  1. Orchids

There are over 30,000 species of orchids. While many keep them as houseplants, they also look stunning in bouquets. Orchids grow in the wild on every continent except Antarctica and are often challenging to maintain as houseplants, which is why they are recommended in cut floral arrangements.

Orchid Symbolism

Orchids have long been revered, with meanings such as:

  • Love
  • Beauty
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Charm
  • Refinement

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The ancient Greeks regarded Orchids as emblems of fertility. Larger orchids signified male offspring, while smaller ones stood for female offspring. The ancient Aztecs combined Orchids with cocoa to boost their vigor and vitality. During the Victorian era, Orchids were seen as symbols of opulence and were utilized as a marker of social status.

Orchid Insights

Orchids exhibit a wide range of dimensions, forms, and hues. A significant number thrive in tropical climates and yield exquisite, fragile blossoms. Some species are merely a few inches high, while others develop into vast, towering vines.

The Chinese have been nurturing orchids for countless generations. In the 1600s, merchants visited China and introduced orchids to Europe. By 1856, hybrid versions were already being developed.

All Orchid colors possess their own charm, but craft a unique bouquet for mom by aligning the color’s significance with the sentiment you wish to convey this Mother’s Day:

  • Blue orchids denote rarity
  • Red orchids symbolize passion and fervor
  • Pink orchids signify elegance, joy, and delight
  • White orchids represent purity, sophistication, and beauty
  • Purple orchids express admiration, respect, and nobility
  • Yellow orchids convey friendship, happiness, and fresh starts
  • Green orchids are believed to bring fortune and blessings, reflecting health and nature
  1. Roses

Roses are arguably the globe’s most beloved flower. William Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

For eons, Roses have been held in high esteem. They were cultivated in China around 5,000 years ago and have remained with us throughout history.

Rose Symbolism

Roses continue to embody a multitude of meanings. Perhaps your mother has her own connection to roses? Here are a few of the frequently attributed meanings:

  • Affection
  • Elegance
  • Sensuality
  • Eternity
  • Fervor
  • Dignity
  • Faith

As a widely cultivated flower, Roses often feature in mixed bouquets or as solo arrangements. Today, many women even opt for Rose tattoos to signify beauty.

In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was often illustrated with roses adorning her hair or lying at her feet. Legend has it that Rose bushes emerged from the blood of her former lover Adonis who perished. Additionally, Rose bushes were rumored to sprout at the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.

In Tarot, roses symbolize balance. They signify the promise of fresh beginnings, while the thorns represent loss and heedlessness.

Rose History

In the 15th century, roses served as symbols for rival factions in England. The white rose represented the York family, whereas the red rose was the emblem of the Lancaster family — a conflict later termed the War of the Roses.

During the 17th century, Roses were so coveted that Rosewater acted as a form of currency, used frequently in trade and as compensation.

Napoleon’s consort, Josephine, possessed a vast collection of roses in her garden.

Today, roses remain exceedingly popular. Many women delight in growing them in their gardens, although they can be challenging to cultivate owing to susceptibility to disease, making them all the more special in floral arrangements. Roses are an ideal choice for Mother’s Day gifts.

  1. Lilies

Lilies are available throughout the year. These flowers do not enter dormancy and are known for symbolizing spring with their pleasant fragrance.

Featuring a sophisticated appearance, lilies are perfect for the timeless, classic Mother. Continue reading to discover the symbolic meanings of lilies:

  • Nobility
  • Motherhood
  • Elegance and youthfulness
  • Renewal
  • Fertility

In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, lilies were highly esteemed, frequently mentioned in mythology. Alchemists viewed Lilies as a feminine, lunar flower, while in China, lilies were cultivated for use in weddings.

Chinese relatives and friends distribute Lilies to those mourning a loss, due to their belief in the flower’s ability to ease heartache.

Lily Insights

All lilies originated from a single bulb. Thanks to early breeding efforts, there are now numerous types and colors available. Lilies can be grown both outdoors and as indoor potted plants, and they look stunning in floral arrangements.

  1. Peonies

The Peony can reappear in spring following a long winter and can continue for a hundred years or more, often thought to have magical qualities. Its lush, layered petals make it an iconic flower and a wonderful gift for mom on Mother’s Day.

Peony Symbolism

In some cultures, peonies are associated with shame or misfortune. Read on to understand the peony’s symbolism before presenting them to Mom:

  • Dignity
  • Affluence
  • Romance
  • Elegance
  • Shame

This flower holds significant relevance in Chinese culture. It is China’s national emblem and features prominently in various festivities. The Chinese term for peony means “most beautiful”.

Interestingly, this flower is similarly esteemed in Western cultures. Greek mythology suggested that nymphs would conceal themselves in peonies, and during the Victorian era, peonies symbolized bashfulness or modesty. In the Middle Ages, it was deemed very unlucky to unearth a Peony bush as it was believed to be guarded by mischievous fairies.

An Array of Flowers for Mom

This Mother’s Day, carry on the timeless tradition of gifting flowers to Mom. With a vast selection of flowers to choose from, if you’re unsure of her favorite variety, pick a flower that conveys your intended message this Mother’s Day 2020.

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