Five Alternatives to Roses for Valentine’s Day

Roses are the undisputed go-to flowers for Valentine’s Day as it screams love, romance and passion; or so we are told. However, if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd this year for a Valentine that is out of the ordinary, we’ve got some floral recommendations for your bouquet that is just as romantic and much more original for your consideration.

To help us in our quest, we ask Ellermann, a floral boutique that specialises in creative floral arrangements, to share its top five alternatives to roses this Valentine’s Day, give us tips on how to choose flowers and to reveal bouquet trends of 2012.
 

Asia Tatler: What flowers would you recommend as an alternative to roses for Valentine’s Day? 

Ellermann: Hydrangeas, Ranunculus, Orchids, Dahlias and Gloriosa’s are all fantastic alternatives to roses for Valentine’s Day. They offer a less traditional approach to a Valentine’s Day bouquet while still providing the wow factor you need. 

Find out who Hong Kong's top five wedding decorators are here.
 

Asia Tatler: How long do flowers usually last and what are some tips for increasing its longevity? 

Ellermann: Flowers will generally last around a week. However to get the most from your blooms it’s best to cut the stems by 1cm each day and change the water daily. Different environments and seasons will also affect the longevity of flowers, so avoid sitting your bouquet directly under an air conditioning unit or near a heater.
 

 Asia Tatler: What is the general rule of thumb for selecting flowers and would it be any different for Valentine's? 

Ellermann: There is a lot of symbolism behind flowers, which is why red roses are the typical choice for Valentine's; it’s a classic and universally meaningful way to show that you love someone. So it’s important to consider the symbolism when choosing flowers and ensure they fit the occasion. At the same time if you’re buying flowers for your home simply buy flowers that you love and enjoy – sometimes rules are made to be broken. 

Learn the etiquette for the act of gift-giving in Hong Kong here.
 

Asia Tatler: What are some of the notable trends you’ve seen over the years?

Ellermann: More and more often we’re seeing a more relaxed approach to flowers with people using unusual containers like old milk bottles and tins to arrange wild flowers or twigs. We love this trend as not only does it promote recycling and a new appreciation of every day objects but it’s also something everyone can easily experiment with.

Asia Tatler: What kind of trends would you like to see in Hong Kong?

Ellermann: We’d like to see a more environmentally-friendly approach to flowers – seeing the use of less packaging and the composting of flowers when we’ve finished with the flowers. This is something we promote at Ellermann, we do this by making sure we use FSC paper in our limited packaging and recycling wherever possible. We hope to see more of this in Hong Kong.

Asia Tatler: What are some of the most common mistakes people make when selecting flowers for a bouquet?

Ellermann: One common mistake is trying to combine too much into one bouquet. Working with too many types of flowers, colours and putting too much emphasis on the packaging. Keep things simple – sometimes less is more.

Have you prepared flowers for your partner this Valentine’s Day? From now until February 10,AsiaTatler.com is offering our readers a chance to win:

- A Hollywood-inspired bouquet of flowers by Ellermann

- A DVD copy of the film that the bouquet takes its inspiration from

All you have to do to be the winner of one of these free Valentine's bouquets are these two easy steps. From February 6 to February 10, enter our lucky draw by: 

1. Becoming a fan of Asia Tatler's Facebook page

2. E-mailing your contact information to us at editor-hk@asiatatler.com

We will contact our two lucky winners on Friday February 10 at 5pm. Good luck!

Ellermann Flower Boutique, G/F, 36 Tung St., Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2291 0388

http://www.ellermanndesign.com/