February - Freesia - British Florist Association

February is bursting with elegance, the perfect month to showcase the freesia with its cheerful petals, it always looks perfectly styled.

Everyone can read all about this multifaceted flower which offers abundant choice in terms of colour, shape and size. We at the BFA champion the campaign and provide information and promotion material for Florists and interesting articles to consumers. Our friends at The Flower Council of Holland the masterminds will be promoting the agenda on their consumer website Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk .

Florists – Get involved and Show your customers all the possibilities offered by the remarkable freesia over the coming weeks! Scroll to the bottom of the page to download your posters and find the link for simple promotional ideas.

The Freesia’s origin

The tuberous freesia was ‘discovered’ in South Africa, where it was called ‘Cape lilies of the valley’. The flower was given the name ‘freesia’ in around 1830 by the South African botanist Ecklon, who named it after his friend, the German doctor F. Freese. Did you know that a freesia’s Floral display is called a comb, because of all the buds which are lined up so neatly?

The Freesia’s colours, shapes and fragrance

The freesia’s tuber forms small tubers under the soil, which are called beads. These beads grow into a full tuber and ultimately into a comb with flowers which lends extra style to any home. And freesias even carry on growing merrily in the vase! The freesia can be single or double flowered and comes in white, yellow, orange, red, blue, pink and purple, but can also be bi-coloured or multi-coloured. Many varieties have a beautiful sweet scent which makes freesias even more attractive.

Caring for freesias

Give your customers the following tips in order to ensure they fully enjoy their freesias.

Select a clean vase and fill it with tap water at room temperature.
Add cut flower food to the water for a longer vase life.
Cut or trim the stems by 3 to 5 cm with a sharp and clean knife or secateurs.
Do not place freesias in a draught, in full sun or near central heating.
Regularly top the vase up with tap water.
Don’t place freesias near a fruit bowl. Fruit emits ethylene gas which will cause the flowers to age more rapidly.

Freesia symbolism

The freesia symbolises unconditional love. Traditionally you give white freesias to your spouse after seven years of marriage, as a reminder of pure, genuine love. The beautiful fragrance of the comb of flowers lends an extra dimension to this. The freesia also symbolise innocence.