A Bouquet for Mom

                 Are flowers part of your Mother's Day celebration?  You may be honoring a grandmother, aunt or other special person along with your mom.  Chances are that any of them will enjoy some fresh signs of spring.  The newspaper talked with a flower expert to learn more about these beautiful plants.
Flower traditions
                 Flowers have been symbols of affection and love since ancient times.  Egyptian hieroglyphics include floralsymbols, and the Greeks and Romans believed carrying flowers would help them avoid disease.
                 During Victorian times in the 1800s, flowers became really popular.  People began to make "tussie-mussies", small bouquets of herbs and flowers with special meanings.  A man might present his date with a tussie-mussie, or womenfriends might give them to each other.  Today friends still express their feelings with tussie-mussies.
What do flowers mean?
                 Different cultures have given flowers differnet meanings.  For example, lavender can be a symbol of devotion or of suspicion and mistrust.
                 Here are some other meanings of different flowers.  You may see some of these in gardens around your neighborhood.

• one red rose = passion and love
• baby's breath = pure heart
• purple cornflower = skill
• orchid = luxury, nobility
• lily of the valley = purity
• red tulip = a declaration of love
• yellow rose = friendship
• carnation = admiration, fascination
• daisy = token of affection or patience
• chrysanthemum = optimism, long life
• pansy = think of me