International Womans Day - March 8th

March 8th is International Womans Day in Eastern Europe and as a result we are expecting the price of chrysanthemums and roses to rise next week. As usual, here at Triangle Nursery , we will be keeping a keen eye on prices & offering customers the best deals around!

Originally International Womans Day was observed on the 28th February in the USA following a decloration by the Socialist Party of America. Rapid world industrialisation and economic expansion led to workers potesting over working conditions. On the 8th March 1857 woman from the textile factories protested against poor wages & bad working conditions. The very same women created their labour union two years later.

In most countries International Womans Day has now lost it's politcal focus and has become an ocassion for men to express their love to women - a mixture of Mothers Day & Valentines all rolled into one! Flowers have become the gift of choice & now that many Eastern European countries are prosperous the demand on wholesale flower markets has become significant. All varieties of flowers are effected, especially chrysanthemums and roses.

Five of the best Flowers for Valentines Day

Valentines Day is perhaps the only day of the year where giving flowers to the one you love is written in stone! Flowers can be very expensive at Valentines Day due to supply & demand but other flowers, apart from roses, do have romantic meaning, so there should be a flower bouquet to fit everyones budget.

Orchids
Tropical orchids, such as Cymbidiums, Phalaeonopis and Dendrobriums are readily available at this time of year in a wonderful range of unique colours. All orchids are known for their outstanding beauty and long vase life. (These elegant stems actually like the warmth, and are perfect for an indoor arrangement). Orchids are generally known for mystique and refinement - a perfect alternative to red roses on Valentines Day!

Tulips
Tulips are in abundance at this time of the year and therefore at their cheapest! Red tulip varieties are the only colour that really rise in price due to demand at Valentines Day. Tulips are traditionally given as a decloration of love for the first time, and often given as a constant reminder of love throughout their short season. Tulips will always bend their supple necks towards the light, so a good idea is to turn your vase around on a daily basis. The sap form daffodils will kill tulips, so never mix the two flowers together in an arrangement.

Lilies
Lilies are available all year round, but at this time of the year are a little expensive. Saying that though, lilies will outlast most other flowers for vase life. Lilies should always be in tight green bud when purchased - if they are beginning to open it is a fair guess that they are over a week old! There are four main varieties available commercially (1). Aziatic - available in bright colours, such as yellow, red, orange & pink. Aziatic lilies have no fragrance. (2). Longiflorum - available mostly in white with a few pink varieties. These lilies have a trumpet shaped flower that points downwards. Some longiflorums have a scent, but not all. (3). L.A. - a cross between Aziatic & Longiflorum Lilies. L.A. lilies have a wide colour range covering all the bright colours & include beautiful pastel shades such as pale pink, peach and cream. Most L.A. lilies have no fragrance. (4). Oriental Lilies - this is the big bloomed scented variety and the most expensive of all. Famous varieties include Stargazer, (pink & white bi-colour), Cassablanca, (pure white), Pompeii, (white & yellow bi-colour), and Cobra, (cerise). Oriental lilies are typically taller, with sturdier stems and have larger flowers than other varieties. A beautifull, long lasting Valentines flower and a cracking alternative to Red Roses.

Chrysanthemums
At the bottom end of the price scale with tulips, Chrysanthemums are known for devotion and purity. Originally from Japan, the Chrysanthemum is grown all year round commercially & available in a huge amount of varities and colours. By re-cutting the stems on a regular basis, chrysanthemums can achieve a long vase life, even though your Valentines arrangement will get shorter by the week!

Roses
Roses have always been the star of the show at Valentines Day and are generally regarded as the most romantic flower in the world. Red Roses are the most expensive at this time of year, but because demand has risen for other colours over the years, all rose prices increase dramatically for Valentines Day now.