Flowers and Houseplants for Gifts

Houseplants and flowers make great gifts. We can supply you with many great gift ideas and focus on just a few below. Also included are some care tips for each as well as some flower trivia to impress the recipient!

African Violet (Saintpaulia)

These were the one time number one favourite UK flowers or houseplants, the plant's name derives form its discoverer, Baron St Paul Illaire, who found the plant in the 1800's in the mountainous regions of South Africa and Tanzania. With many varieties - pinks, purples, whites, and a rare yellow - this plant must always be watered into the saucer the pot is sitting in, as it can rot if the hairy leaves get wet.

Azalea

Originally from China and Thailand in red, pink and white flowers. Related to garden rhododendrons; but azaleas are not hardy and should be indoors in the winter. Remember to water regularly - with rainwater if you live in a hard water area - as these flowers hate drying out. Dry brown leaves means underwatering; firm yellow leaves means watering with hard water.

Begonia

Named after Frenchman Michel Begon, a patron of botany,originally from Brazil in yellows, oranges, pinks, whiteAlways water into the saucer the pot is resting in, to avoid rotting the stem. Begonias can grow leggy and should be replaced with fresh flowering stock.

Chrysanthemum

Its name comes from the Greek "krus anthemon" meaning gold flower. Today they come in all colours, originally found in China or Japan; the Chinese named their royal throne after the flower.Colours include bronze, lime green and brick red. Feng Shui adherents believe that chrysanthemum flowers brings laughter and happiness to your home. The chrysanthemum is depicted on Japan's imperial weapons and flag. Japan also has a national festival devoted to the flower (9 Sept)Historically, the chrysanthemum flower has been known since before 5000BC in a small yellow formSome countries (such as Malta) think it is unlucky to have the flower indoors. It is associated with funerals and All Saints Day. Other flowers in the Chrysanthemum family - chamomile, tansy, marguerite and matricaria.

Ficus

The Ficus robusta is the well-known rubber plant; Ficus benjamina the equally famous weeping fig. Ficus lyrata is the unusual fiddle-leaf fig. These flowers are originally found in the moist tropical regions of India, Malaysia, West Africa.When caring for rubber plants, they are quite forgiving and long-lived. Weeping figs do not like change and can respond to altered routines or conditions by dropping their leaves in shock. These will regrow once the plant is settled.

Palms

Some common names and varieties are Raphis - lady palm; Phoenix - date palm; Howea - kentia palm.Palms come from tropical regions and thrive in high humidity. Brown tips at the end of the fronds are usually a symptom of dry air. Mist the plant more often, and snip these ends off carefully to improve appearances.

Ivy (Hedera)

In folk medicine, the leaves were boiled and used to treat corns. Maybe you should try it. Cosmetically, ivy is used as a wash for swelling, sores, dandruff and other skin problems.During the German occupation of the Channel Islands, ivy berries were boiled and eaten. We wouldn't recommend you try this. Ivy is considered a symbol of woman. Holly (the symbol of man), when put with ivy at Christmas would bring peace in a home between a husband and wife for the following year. Ivy also stands for friendship and fidelity in marriage.