Choosing flowers for Mother’s Day

Historically,  Mothering Sunday was celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter) to honour mothers. After a prayer service in church to honour Virgin Mary, children brought gifts and flowers to pay tribute to their own mothers.  The flower bouquet has long been a symbol of love and it’s no different today.  Just a bit more indulgent!

Flowers are such an amazing gift for the senses – the scents can bring joy, calmness and peace as well as the colour scheme being stimulating, relaxing or inspiring.  But what are the best Mother’s Day flowers when there’s 20 or 30 to choose from!

Go with colour scheme first.  Your mum will probably put her flowers somewhere where they can be admired – kitchens, living rooms and hallways are all a safe bet so try to think of the colours that would suit her decor.  If you are not sure – creams are a great option.  Purples are often hard to place in a colour scheme but you’ll have known for years if your Mum favours purple and won’t mind a dash of it in her house.

Think about the colours she wears in complimentary garments like scarves or bags.  Often you see an injection of their favourite colour there.  Since it’s spring time – yellow can often bring light and love into a household or peaches and apricots are soft, delicate colours that work well with most contemporary decor.  If it’s for an older mum or grandma with a more traditional style of furnishing (read – Chintz) a nice bright yellow will suit, or some tulips.

Scent is next – some Mums like a delicate bouquet of aromas, some like a powerhouse of lillies and freesias!  On the scale – lillies are the strongest scents, followed by scented roses.  Things like tulips and carnations have a weaker aroma.  A well mixed bouquet should have a balance of aromas, colours and flower shapes but just in case – avoid lillies if your Mum has mentioned anything about strong smells from flowers in the past.

Finally flower shapes – Lillies have a gorgeous star shape and although come mostly budded, blossom out into the most wonderful shape.  Just remember to snip the stamen as they stain badly!  Scented garden roses have a beautiful rufflely shape and look very glamorous.

Bouquets by Appleyard Flowers – national flower ordering service!

For Simply Woman Magazine readers here’s a £5 off code!   £5 off Mother’s Day Flowers with discount code: 5MDAY – Expires Sunday 6th March