(NAPSA)}—Mother’s Day has been a United States tradition since 1908 whena special church service was held at the request ofAnna Jarvis to honor her mother, a Sunday school teacher. Because her mother was fond of flowers, especially carnations, Ms. Jarvis gave a carnation to each person present in honor of her Mother’s Day. The fresh, fragrant, vibrant gift of flowers or plants has always been one of the most widely appreciated gifts associated with any special occasion. According to the experts at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, some of the favorite plants presented to American momsinclude: gardenias, mini roses and azaleas. Topping the list of favorite flowers are lilies, gerbera daisies, and roses. That florist also suggests a few steps you and your mother should take to care for those beautiful blooms: To arrange the flowers, fill a deep vase with luke-warm water, then mix in the floral preservative provided by theflorist. Removeall leaves from the stem that would fall below the waterline in the final arrange- ment, as they may promote bacterial growth. Use a knife or shears to cut an inch from the bottom of the stem while holding it under water. This lets the stem draw in the water, insteadofair. Flowers and plants are a simple splurge for saluting Mom. Keep cut flowers and arrangements looking fresh by adding warm water to the vase every day. Always keep the vase full and change the water every three to four days. For maximum longevity, re- cut the stems every time you change the water. Place the vase in a cool spot away from direct sunlight, appliances and heating or cooling vents. Following these simple guidelines can help Mom get the most out of her flowers. For a look at beautiful Mother’s Day arrangements, including the one called Mother’s Embrace Bouquet, you can click on the Web site at 1800flowers.com.
