Ask An Expert: Which Flowers Make The Best Valentine's Day Gift?

If you're hoping to impress that special someone with an amazing floral arrangement this Valentine's Day, you're in luck. We've enlisted a professional to help us uncover the perfect picks to charm significant others, flatter best friends or even treat ourselves.

Torryne Choate, owner and creator of Birch, believes that the connotation behind certain types of flowers are a thing of the past (literally!). "The Victorian era placed meaning on each flower, as a means to communicate," says Choate. "Today, all of the rules are open to interpretation."

When it comes to choosing flowers, Choate says the most important rule is to listen to your heart. Colorful blooms like tulips, ranunculus and narcissus can be just as romantic as a huge bouquet of red roses. "Go for intimacy and leave the commercial behind," she says.

For even more tips on choosing Valentine's Day flowers, take a look at Choate's advice below:

Can you give us some advice on choosing the perfect flowers for your loved one this Valentine’s Day?

Listen to your heart, ignore the ads telling you that you need to give a huge bouquet of red roses. Go for intimacy and leave the commercial behind.

Which blooms are in season for Valentine’s Day?

Tulips, ranunculus, narcissus, anemones, carnations, hellebore, quince, violets and of course, roses.

Are there specific meanings behind certain types of flowers? (Roses, Tulips, Carnations, etc.)

The Victorian era placed meaning on each flower, as a means to communicate. Today, all of the rules are open to interpretation.

What types of flowers are ideal for a romantic relationship? Platonic relationship?

All flowers are ideal for both. Give flowers, spread love.

For someone who wants to go the non-classic rose route, what are some other blooms on the rise?

Anything but roses — [try] something more special like pale anemones or ranunculus from Holland.

What are some of your most popular floral arrangements for Valentine’s Day?

The most popular seem to be white anemones with black centers, or a mix of pale seasonal blooms.

About Birch

Birch is a full scale floral studio in San Francisco. After operating as a retail florist for 10 years, Torryne Choate decided to move Birch to a studio, where she now creates both floral work and ceramics.

Birch works with the highest quality and most interesting flowers from around the world to create one of a kind art pieces for their clients. Each arrangement is unique, and each arrangement is created by Choate.

Image Credits: Birch