Show Mum you love her with flowers and plants
(03/03/2009)

Flowers have been used to symbolically show how we feel for centuries. Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, flowers have been used to express appreciation and love for our mums on a special day devoted solely to her. Then and now, we use flowers to celebrate everyday moments as well as special days, and depend on them as a symbol to express our emotions.

So what better way to show Mum you love her on March 22nd than with flowers and plants? They last longer than chocolates and wine, and best of all, they're calorie-free - perfect for waist-conscious ladies!

The Flowers & Plants Association is the UK's expert advice bureau on cut flowers and indoor plants. They recommend flowers for your mum that are as luxurious, fabulous and glamorous as she is:

Sweet and scented
Mum deserves to be pampered on Mother's Day, and what better way to spoil her than with nature's most exquisite 2 for 1 gift: beautiful hyacinths. Did you know that as well as being gorgeously pretty with dainty star-shaped flowers, the scent of hyacinths is used in designer perfumes such as Chanel's Chance, Cacharel's Anais Anais, and Gucci's envy? Just a few stems can perfume the whole room and make her feel like a beauty queen every time she catches a whiff of their fragrance. Better still, the scent is used in aromatherapy to help calm and relax, helping her to enjoy her special day even more!

Dynamic and dramatic
If Mum likes vintage styles or bold statements, look no further than amaryllis. These velveteen trumpet-shaped flowers with their tall, dramatic stems perfectly sum up back-to-vintage catwalk trends with their classic, elegant styles. Amaryllis are brilliant if your Mum likes the designer look – their exuberant flowers and the clean lines of their stems look great in modern interiors.

Pretty and potted
Flowers are deeply personal gifts. But if you're after a longer-lasting treat, try a potted plant instead. Pretty plants to look out for are hydrangea, cyclamen and roses. Or why not try a plant that can also go outdoors, reminding Mum how generous you are right through to Winter? New SunPatiens® from Sakata are great whether your Mum is green-fingered or has just a window-box. They're bushy, bright and easy care, to add a fun splash of colour indoors or out. Don't worry if Mum likes pastel shades – SunPatiens® come in pale pinks, salmon and white, too.