BLUE FLOWER BOUQUETS

Real blue flowers are rare in nature. The blue plant pigment delphinidin only occurs in select species, like delphiniums, morning glories, and delphiniums, to produce naturally blue flowers.

Once considered a myth, the sky-blue Himalayan poppy is the rarest blue flower in the world. It contains the naturally occurring blue pigment delphinidin and is native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains in Tibet. It takes around two years to flower and is notoriously short-lived.

Although blue roses do not exist in nature, florists often produce blue-hued flowers by placing cut roses in dye. In recent years biotechnologist have genetically engineered a ‘blue rose.’ However, the rose is more of a shade of purple or mauve than blue.

Chrysanthemums are the longest-lasting cut flowers, sometimes lasting over 3 weeks. However, the blue chrysanthemums story did not start in nature. Its rare colour was a ‘stroke of luck’ by a biotechnologist who added a gene from the bluish Canterbury bell into a red Chrysanthemums, creating a new blue chrysanthemum whose hue is a little more violet than blue.

The Cornflower Is the bluest of all blue flowers. Commonly known as the bachelor’s button, it is a national symbol of Germany. In folklore, cornflowers were worn by young men in love. If the flower faded quickly, it was a sign that the man’s love was not returned.

Long-lasting hydrangeas are the most requested blue flower. Not only do they add volume to a bouquet, but their small, clover-shaped flowers come in over 12 different varieties of blue. Their spectacular colour ranges from vast multicoloured tones of light pale baby blue and sky-blue petals all the way through to the rich, dark, almost royal indigo blue of the Mathilda. It is important to remember that hydrangeas need plenty of water and should always be placed in glass vases as they react negatively to metal containers.

The bluish-purple, prickly-looking sea holly has long been a favourite to use in arrangements. It resembles a thistle and has an incredibly long vase life, sometimes lasting well over two weeks. Some people regard this flower as a sign of toughness and independence, yet it is also a symbol of lust and was used as an aphrodisiac in ancient times.

English bluebells are sometimes referred to as fairy flowers and, in the language of flowers, are said to symbolise gratitude, humility, constancy, and everlasting love. A myth says that if you turn a bluebell flower inside-out without damaging it, you will win over the one you love, and if you wear a wreath of bluebells, you will only be able to speak the truth.