White Roses

By Ben Anton

 Science as well as experts agree that people find comfort and meaning in memorial or condolence flower arrangements. The bereaving often find condolence flowers and sympathy cards to the most meaningful gifts they can receive when sadness and pain seem to surround them.

Beautiful flowers have long been representative of the cycle of life and death. Because they can also symbolize hope, flowers serve to encourage the bereaved. Blossoms provide a simple diversion during memorial services when there may be few other positive influences.

As symbols of hope, happiness, and sorrow, flowers are an ideal medium of communication for times when you cant put your feelings into words. Though any gift of flowers will generally be appreciated immensely, there are some general guidelines and recommendations for choosing and sending sympathy flowers.

Religion

Many religious affiliations have traditions regarding sending gifts or flowers for memorial services or condolences.

Christians / Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)

Flowers at the ceremony and in private settings are common. Confirm the floral arrangements with the parish to help ensure there is little duplication.

Eastern Orthodox Christians

In this religion, it is typical that the body of the deceased is displayed for three days before the funeral. Consider sending flowers to the funeral home during this period.

Muslim

For Muslim services, flowers are considered inappropriate. Friends and family can show sympathy with gifts of food instead.

Jewish

During Shiva, mourners stop daily activity to fully experience grief as they are supported by family and friends after someones death. Flowers are typically considered a distraction during this time. Check with the family before sending a sympathy arrangement as they may prefer that a charitable contribution be made in the name of the deceased.

Buddhists

Do not send red flowers; red represents happiness in Asian cultures,

Hindis

Gift baskets that include fruit are often sent as a means to express condolences in this religion.

Meaning

The meaning of flower species has long been a fascination to many. The color, design and history of a flower all contribute to its symbolic meaning in an arrangement. Honeysuckle, for instance, indicates sweetness of disposition. Aloe represents wisdom and integrity, and the coreopsis stands for cheerfulness. Florists can help with finding the perfect flower to send the condolence message you are trying to convey. Online sources can also help with identifying flower meaning.

Color

The color of a flower or a particular color palate of an arrangement can set the tone for your condolence message trying to be conveyed. Peace, tranquility and beauty are all feelings that can be conveyed through the use of the right colored blossoms. White lilies and roses are delicate stems that symbolize peace and are commonly associated with sympathy and funeral arrangements. Yellow roses indicate friendship, joy, and caring. Elegance, femininity, and grace are the messages of pink roses.

The colors in condolence flowers can also tell a story about the life of the deceased. An assortment of red, white, and blue flowers can be used to honor the life of a veteran. The family of an Italian immigrant would appreciate a flower arrangement including the colors of the Italian flag. An arrangement of your aunts favorite purple blooms can remind a family of her love for life and beauty.

Condolences can be written. Condolences can be said. Condolences can also be sent through the beauty and colors of a well-thought out flower arrangement.

Ben Anton, 2008

We invite you to read more about condolence flower ideas for a funeral or memorial service. Visit our site to learn how you can use funeral wreaths and sprays to send comfort and sympathy.

Your Online Source To The Meaning Of White Roses

Planting Austin Friendly Flowers : A Guide To A Low Maintenance Garden
By Ki Gray

 Do you love the beauty and color of flowers but cringe at the thought of the maintenance required for their upkeep? If your colorful blooms have a tendency to turn brown and crunchy from neglect in the hot Austin sun, there may be some flowers made just for you. Flora native or adapted to the Austin area thrive where others perish, resisting drought, pests and other hazards. Just choose your plants wisely and you can have fabulous landscaping for your property with little work.

There are many benefits to growing native plants. In addition to saving on water and fertilizer you save on time by choosing plants that thrive in the unique climate of Austin Texas. Your gardening is also more enjoyable when you are not fighting mother nature in an attempt to grow plants that are not suited to the Texas Climate. It is also nice to help maintain the original ecosystem of your locale by promoting local plants and flowers.

Perennials are an essential part of a vibrant landscape, and a beautiful choice for any Texas flowerbed is Cedar Sage. A shade lover, Cedar Sage has bright red spiky flowers that bloom spring through summer and can bring a pop of color to an otherwise gloomy spot in your yard. Sage comes in several other varieties, too, including Majestic Sage, Mealy Blue Sage and Mexican Sage bush all of which produce beautiful flowers and require very little water, just like Cedar Sage.

Trailing Lantana is another great choice, especially when used as a ground cover. It is very tolerant of poor conditions, highly drought resistant, and its lavender flowers are very attractive to butterflies.

Purple Cone Flowers, also know as Echinacea, require a little more water than the previous plants, but they are nonetheless exceptional specimens for an Austin garden. These daisy-like flowers are a Texas native and produce violet or white blooms. Preferring sun or partial shade, they can be planted almost anywhere.

Mexican Honeysuckle is another low-water plant. It displays its orange flowers spring to frost, attracting hummingbirds with its sweet smell. It only requires an occasional pruning to encourage full growth.

Ornamental grasses are another option for sprucing up your landscape, and there are many hardy varieties to choose from, such as Big Muhly, Little Bluestem and Dwarf Fountain Grass. Some grasses can be quite invasive, so be careful where you plant them, because they will thrive and take over.

These are only a few of the many ideal plants for your Texas landscape. There are a multitude of choices available out there, so next time you go to a nursery, make sure you do your homework first or ask the people running the nursery which plants and flowers are native to Texas. The city of Austin has worked to promote a green and environmentally friendly city. The city of Austin has a Grow Green plant list featuring native and adapted landscape plants that thrive in Texas. By planting smart you can save water, fertilizer and time.

Ki works as a realtor in the central Austin real estate market helping individuals looking for homes as well as investors looking for cashflow properties. His site provides a free search of the Austin MLS along with a blog covering news and statistics on the Austin Texas real estate market.

hugs

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