There’s really something magical about flowers—the feeling it gives is priceless and it holds a new promise, like there’s somehow a change of destiny when you receive it. Emotions are relative to each recipient, but the first one will always be joy,” says Estrella Gutierrez, who has been a florist since 1991.
Two long decades ago, all she wanted was to show affection to her mother in ways she was certain all mothers loved—one of them was through a bouquet of flowers.
But after visiting three shops that claimed each stem on their shelves had sold out, Gutierrez turned disappointment into enthusiasm—she herself thought of venturing into the flower business.
Pacific Blooms
She’s been very successful; this year, Pacific Blooms, her shop which sells imported, luxury flowers, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The shop is very busy this month, as the demand for flowers, specifically roses, are high for Valentine’s Day.
“There are many things to know about roses, as many as the facets of an individual’s personality,” says Gutierrez.
There are over a hundred varieties of roses. These differ in color combinations, petal shapes and even in the way they bloom.
Gutierrez points out that, even at present, the flower continues to evolve and produce new types of roses in the market.
Flowers, like literature, has archetypes—their colors are symbolic and elicit specific emotions. It even has its own language, floriography, which can be traced to the Victorian era.
But with too many options, how will the right message be conveyed when giving flowers?
Gutierrez says that the colors of roses and the level of relationship and intention of the giver matters most in choosing which blooms are to be arranged together.
But these flowers are also capable of revealing how the giver perceives the personality of the receiver.
Five-foot Rose
Placed in a tall vase, five-foot roses look magnificent—perfect for those who love spontaneity and the unconventional. “It’s something new to the eyes,” notes Gutierrez, “and what makes it excitable is the discovery of seeing flowers that can grow as tall as you. It’s really something you don’t expect receiving because you don’t even know that such kind exists.”
Eternal Rose
Reminiscent of the enchanted rose in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” this flower is preserved to last for a year. Its elegance is nostalgic, meant to instantaneously rekindle milestone moments.
Red Rose
It conveys the message of love. “Red is given only when you are certain that you love the person you are giving it to” says Gutierrez. “It’s not just a holiday gesture. Nowadays I hardly see people with this true intention.”
A tri-tone rose called 3D, with washed hues of peach and wine red, resemble the colors of the sunset and is said to symbolize falling in love.
Pink Rose
Pink hues evoke positivity and can make one blush. The intensity of this color should match the intensity of your feeling.
Varieties like Fiesta, Engagement and Titanic that have light pink tones symbolize a blossoming friendship, admiration or even first love.
Pink Floyd in bold, hot pink expresses deep appreciation of the person. Dark pink also means that a couple is ready to take its relationship up a notch.
A tri-tone rose called Esperance has jagged petals in dominant cream, but its pink tinted core is protected by outer mint green hues. It is said to be a celebration of growth, either of an individual or a relationship.
Yellow Rose
This color celebrates friendship and its uplifting color is perfect for showing gratitude, or simply trying to turn someone’s day around.
White Rose
The delicate, pristine color means respect, sincerity and the purest of all intentions toward a person. It also signifies simple and effortless beauty.
The colors of the roses may have been intended to symbolize certain meanings, but the moments it helped bloom will always mean different things to different people.
Pacific Blooms, 19 Examiner St. West Triangle, Quezon City; tel. nos. 4105037, 0917-6332998