As Valentine’s Day approaches, floral shops are bombarded with customers seeking to express their love with flowers. This age-old custom began when floral bouquets were used to carry on non-verbal conversations.

“In the 1700s, Charles II of Sweden introduced the Persian custom, ‘the language of flowers,’ to Europe,” said Loralie Cox, Utah State University Extension horticulturist. “Entire books were published explaining the meaning conveyed by particular blossoms, herbs and leaves. Floral definitions depended on such things as color, size, buds or full blooms or if the flowers were alone, paired or in bouquets.”

According to books on the subject, there may be several meanings to a particular flower, said Cox. However, the red rose is repeatedly recognized as the flower of passion and an expression of romantic love. Red roses are the favorite flower of Venus, the goddess of love. Cleopatra covered her palace floor with red petals in anticipation of Mark Anthony’s arrival. About 70 percent of the roses sold on Valentine’s Day are red.

“Roses are the flowers most commonly used to express meaning,” said Cox. “Their silent voice speaks the loudest. Lavender roses signify love at first sight or enchantment. Depending on the shade, pink roses express gratitude, admiration or sympathy. Dark pink roses imply gratitude and appreciation, while light pink signifies admiration and sympathy. Peach colored roses are rather ambiguous, meaning either sympathy or gratitude.”

Yellow roses symbolize joy, gladness, freedom and friendship, she continued. Reverence, purity and innocence are inferred with a white rose. It may also say “You’re heavenly.” Coral colored roses depict desire or enthusiasm, while orange speaks of fascination. Red and white roses together express unity while red and yellow suggest happy feelings and togetherness.

“To preserve a floral message, fill a vase with warm water upon receipt of the flowers,” said Cox. “Add a floral preservative to the water, following the directions on the package. If the flowers didn’t come with floral preservative, mix one part citrus-based soft drink with three parts water as a substitute. Place the flower stems in a sink filled with water. With a knife, cut about an inch off the stem end while it is submerged in water. The cut may either be slanted or straight across. Remove leaves below the water line in the vase and immediately place the blooms in the vase. Place the bouquet away from direct sunlight, heat vents and drafts. Add water and remove dying blooms and foliage daily.”

To prolong flower blossoms even more, remove flowers from the vase and re-cut the stems under water every few days, said Cox. Change the water in the vase, refill with the preservative and water solution and arrange the flowers in the vase once again.