Valentine’s Day is just a few days away. While the Day of Love is usually associated with red roses, there are other flowers that can convey one’s love with as much passion and emotion, and definitely more creativity. Here’s a list:

Anything red.  “There are alternative flowers, and that would be anything red,” says Agriculture magazine’s resident horticulture expert, who requests anonymity. “ example, anthuriums would make a very nice alternative to roses. So are carnations. It has to be red,” they add. “...red is associated with romance and any other color would be giving a different message.”

Purple orchids. Purple orchids are a nice alternative (because there are no red ones), as well as sunflowers, which is emerging as a flower of choice among Millennials. 

Sunflowers. “Sunflowers sell well on Valentine’s because of Millennials, think that sunflowers represent  their generation. Sunflowers evoke freshness, new day, vibrancy, because when you say roses, they say ‘oh, it’s my aunt’s flower’ or ‘it’s my mother’s flower,’ but for my , it has to be something that’s new or up-to-date.” 

Tulips. If one has the budget for it, they can also opt for something a bit harder to come by. “Also, if you have extra to spare and you’d like to flatter your special loved one, you can also give tulips. Tulips are quite expensive….” 

Anything from the heart. That said, we would like to emphasize that it isn’t how much a gift costs that’s important, but how heartfelt it is. “Those three flowers do stand out, but any flower would be welcome to any recipient… but it’s red that’s in vogue in Valentine’s.”

The lowering pandemic alert levels have been a boon not just for regular citizens, but for businesses as well. “This occasion is a very welcome event for the flower and plant industry,” our resident expert says. “We’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day and we hope that people would express their gratitude or their love to their special loved ones by giving the flowers, and probably some chocolates as well.”