Despite the freezing temperatures – and the light dusting of snow – tomorrow, Tuesday March 20th marks the official start of spring.
It’s referred to as the vernal equinox, and it is in fact the only day of the year that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west the world over. Earth’s tilt will be zero in relation to our sun allowing it to cross straight over the equator – the reason why both of the Earth’s hemispheres receive an equal amount of sunlight on this day. Spring also brings a new crop of stems – from freesias to sweet peas, this is our guide to the season’s finest.
Sweet pea
Both an affectionate name for a loved one and a stem that embodies the spirit of spring –the sweet pea is served in a variety of vibrant colours, except for yellow. We can thank horticulturist Henry Eckford for the sweet pea. Known widely as the “Prince of Specialists”, he dedicated his career to breeding sweet peas – now one of springs most sought after stems.
Known widely as the “Prince of Specialists”, he dedicated his career to breeding sweet peas...
![Floom Sweet Pea](https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-sweet-pea_180320_180836.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=cf46522e33db5deb4cb20828f7fc7d06 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-sweet-pea_180320_180836.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=625&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=5b49aee295866d61adadd32a42669ad3 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-sweet-pea_180320_180836.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=247093b3583577359212aa5cfcb58d69 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-sweet-pea_180320_180836.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=a646b33ab144a9ef409858476d1c8575 400w)
Tulips
The timeless tulip hails from impressive pedigree, storied for its strong Dutch heritage that’s eared it legions of fans worldwide. Bursting with saturated colour, a hand-tied bouquet of chilli-red tulips is fitting for a loved one, while yellow, pink and lilac iterations of the stems propose a vibrant gift for a friend.
![Floom Tulip](https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-tulip_180320_180926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=076b7292a347a06737d35b15261cf0ba 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-tulip_180320_180926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=625&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=de04b83296564d46bdb469568c76935b 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-tulip_180320_180926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=bb4778fd1fa603005f4b3929b7356b16 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-tulip_180320_180926.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=a10b8eb5539560c73c79e0090b8fea26 400w)
Butterfly Ranunculus
Injecting orate beauty into many a new season bouquet is the butterfly ranunculus, the stem that’s earned renown for its complex petals and multiple flowers that sprout from a single stem. And the butterfly part? Each petal is coated with a barely-there layer of wax that gives the illusion of sparkling wings, similar to those of a butterfly. An all round striking stem.
...gives the illusion of sparkling wings, similar to those of a butterfly.
![Floom Butterfly Ranunculus](https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-butterfly-ranunculus_180320_180934.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=475e87438b2379a195bd4d70f714757e 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-butterfly-ranunculus_180320_180934.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=625&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=ff3c0270dbe1eabb90f4a66c7fcc7ab0 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-butterfly-ranunculus_180320_180934.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=010a8ab577794232ae4d5193565cd86a 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-butterfly-ranunculus_180320_180934.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=01ebcb2b000659db1ecc293a2afb3f25 400w)
Daffodil
The birth flower of March, the cheerful daffodil – genus name Narcissus, yet nobody knows why. It’s also the National Flower of Wales, worn nationwide on March 1st each year to celebrate Saint David’s day. You’re always sure to spot the daffodil’s distinctive trumpet-shaped cup framing the faces of merry rugby spectators at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on match days.
![Floom Daffodil](https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-daffodil_180320_180942.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=c596ceec8ae0341b9cf77365a351d98a 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-daffodil_180320_180942.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=625&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=6a7e50053d8abc38b49840e8847d7508 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-daffodil_180320_180942.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=cdd1f06dc480558fdab0aac4771909de 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-daffodil_180320_180942.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=426c6401c660e4bb0e51b1ef39811602 400w)
Freesia
Born in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, the fragrant freesia is a sure sign that spring has arrived. Aside from their intense scent, the freesia’s funnel-shaped flowers are noted for their vibrant hue. While freesias of the white variety symbolise innocence (making them a popular choice for a wedding) pink is symbolic of motherly love, and yellow is synonymous with joy and new beginnings – a thoughtful gift for a friend who is embarking on a new career path, or moving into a new home.
![Floom Freesia](https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-freesia_180320_180949.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=2da26af6222719db03f6472d2f213048 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-freesia_180320_180949.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=625&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=e8f77ff192cd5b4078f76c2d6b144302 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-freesia_180320_180949.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=375&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=005c6519db2e0200bb8be6b288c3ff52 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/products/floom-freesia_180320_180949.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=250&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=a218f806e6d5c16c2b438f7929f12672 400w)