By Patti Spezzaferro
“Mothers, the person who has done more
for you than anyone in the world.”– Anna Jarvis
Mother’s Day has long been synonymous with flowers. About 69% of Americans will send mom flowers this year, with 36% planning to buy mom jewelry. In 2020, U.S. consumers planned to spend about 2.56 billion U.S. dollars on flowers for Mother’s Day. It all started with a West Virginia woman, Anna Jarvis, who wanted to honor a mother’s love and sacrifice for their children by declaring it a national holiday. She lobbied for Mother’s Day to become an official holiday, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson passed the bill that the second Sunday of May Americans will celebrate Mother’s Day. Today Mother’s Day is celebrated worldwide, most commonly in May, though it is celebrated in March in some countries such as the Middle East and parts of Africa.
White carnations, the favorite flower of Anna Jarvis’s mother, was the original flower of Mother’s Day. In a 1927 interview, she explains why: “The carnation does not drop its petals but hugs them to its heart, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts as an expression of endless love.” Since then, roses have become the classic gift for mothers. In the language of flowers, pink symbolizes appreciation, love, and gratitude. Pick the soft hues that exude a sense of femininity, freshness, and elegance. Hot, bright pink tones ooze delightful energy that instantly uplift every mom’s spirits.
If you want your roses to last years, consider gifting preserved roses at J Carruthers Floral. In 1990, Jennifer started her wholesale dried flower company in the San Francisco Bay Area, where her customers include William and Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Ikea U.S. She has since expanded to retail. You may find her at the College of San Mateo Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Burlingame’s Farmer’s market on Sundays or online. I bought a box of white roses, and five years later, they still look as fresh as the first day I bought them. I love using them as a centerpiece at the dinner table for special occasions.
Happy Mother’s Day, may your day be filled with love. I wish to thank every mom for being a source of strength, guidance, happiness, and inspiration to families everywhere. Keeping you in the know
Stuart Dalton, Carol Wong, and Tomoko Lee of the Annual Virtual Rose Show Committee are working hard to put together the instructions on how to submit your rose photos. Once completed, every member will receive the guidelines via email. Lydia Truce is inviting all members to her garden in San Rafael on May 11th. Details to follow via Email to members. That’s it for now. Take good care, and don’t forget to take time to smell the roses!