KNOW YOUR FLOWERS

Why do you find different flowers at cemetery florists than at residential shops?   Because flowers, besides being utterly beautiful, also communicate.

         Here’s what they are and what they mean:

CARNATIONS Usually called CARNS	The hardiest of fresh cut flowers and tolerate all weather conditions.
PINK CARNS	Remembered always.
BLUE CARNS	(Dyed) Flowers for a male.
RED CARNS	I miss you.
PURPLE CARNS	Sorry, I can only visit once in awhile.
PEPPERMINT CARNS	Wish you were here.
WHITE CARNS	Sweet, lovely, innocence, purity.

Although a flower’s color states a message, an abundance of cardinal colors refers to gender.  Red and Blue for men. Pink and White for females. Yellows for friends. Purples for relatives.

Chrysanthemums - usually called MUMS	MUMS are employed as filler or specific design flowers.
PINK MUMS	(usually dyed) for a female.
SPIDERED  MUMS	I’ve come to spend my time with you.
PURPLE MUMS	I miss you so much it hurts.
WHITE MUMS	I accept the loss. This is real and true.
YELLOW MUMS	Beloved friend.
DAFFODIL	Unrequited love. You're the only one.
DAISY	Loyalty.
LEATHER LEAF - you call it FERN	I bring you magic.
GLADIOLI	Accept my visit.
SUN FLOWER	Power, you were my king.
STATIS	I remember our love.
BABY BREATH	Your memory is renewed.
LILLIES	Speak in absolutes.
WHITE LILY	Virginity, Purity, Majesty
YELLOW LILY	Not of this world.
ORANGE LILY	Proud of you.
CALLA LILY	I recall your beauty
LILY OF THE VALLEY	You made my life complete.
Potted Lily of Valley	Hope you have happiness.
Potted LILY	You are a saint.

Buying for a shop is art. Most, if not all, cemetery florists buy top of the line flowers with closed buds because the florist has control of the bloom and because hardiness is the key to customer satisfaction.  These flowers must endure weather and open environments.

ROSES

Speak to and from the heart.

In a cemetery flower shop the variety of the rose is not as important as the color and size.  A red Madam Delbar rose means the same as a Red Fancy rose, however, because the Madam is larger, it means what it says only more so. Size determines intensity.

RED ROSE	Mourning.
YELLOW ROSE	You were not my love, but my friend.
PINK ROSE	Perfect Happiness
WHITE ROSE	Innocence -specifically in death.
LAVENDER ROSE	I'll remember always.
STAR FIRE ROSE	Unity
PEACH ROSE	I’m here to heal myself.

Flowers carved in stone or cast in bronze carry a significantly different message.  Bringing a gift to the grave is an act of love, respect and honor. A monument is a permanent message and should be designed so the memory of the deceased is revitalized each time the monument is viewed. We’ll speak more on that shortly.

Some times you want to bring flowers from home or a residential shop when you visit for reasons other than memorialization. Such as when you have a personal event happen and feel a need to share it with that loved one - ‘Hey, Dad, I got a raise today!’