Giving Mom Flowers That Express The Sweetness Of Love (NAPSA)—Fresh flowers flourish as a favorite gift for women, said a recent survey, and Mother’s Day is the favorite holiday for buying them. While there are a bouquet of reasons for buying flowers, the best may be the way they so eloquently express the sentiment of the day. As a young girl, Helen Keller linked the intangible essence of love with the beauty of flowers. “Is love the sweetness of flowers?” she asked her teacher Anne Sullivan. With so many different colors and types of flowers available, there are many ways to say, “Mom,you're the best!” There are garden flowers for a warm and romantic person, callas or gladioli for an elegant and sophisticated lady. Daisies and sunflowers may suit a fun-loving, high-spirited mom. Your florist can help you choosetheright flowers to suit her personality. A simple approach is a bouquet of mixed flowers in her favorite color, or a lavish display of her favorite flower. If roses are her favorite—then mother may be in for a special treat. California cut flower growers are experiencing a renaissance in roses, with many new roses in hues of yellow, apricot, coral and pink. For mothers whose adult children live far away, a gift of fresh flowers can be a way to evoke an instant smile across the miles. For an extra touch, follow it up with a ribbon-tied packet of hand- aid 5 Fy op eee Flowers can be an eloquent way to say, “Mom, you’re the best!” Even young children can pick out a bouquet that tugs at mom’s heartstrings. written notes from grandchildren. You don’t need a bulging bank account to give fresh flowers. Even young children can pick out a small bouquet guaranteed to tug at mom’s heartstrings. “California grows about 125 different types of flowers, so there is a floral gift to fit every pocketbook,” says Lee Murphy, president of the California Cut Flower Commission in Watsonville, Calif. For a special treat include flowers in a gift basket. If mom is a passionate gardener, tuck an arrangement of old-fashioned garden flowers into a basket with gardening tools andgloves. For a crafts mom, select a clus- ter of flowers that dry gracefully as they age and accompanyit with crafting supplies. Choose a container that mom can use for another purpose, such as a ceramic pot for her patio. For more information on fresh cut flowers and how to makefloral arrangements, visit the California Cut Flower Commission Website at www.ccfe.org.
