LADYBUG SAYDS ... FLOWERS PROMPT ROMANTIC NOTIONS DURING VALENTINE'S CELEBRATIONS

Flowers, which predominate as gifts on Valentine's Day, have a tradition of being associated with things romantic. There is a legend in the ancient Middle East that the first tulip bloomed when the tears of a lovesick Persian youth moistened the hot desert sands.

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the language of flowers reached its zenith. It was a form of secret correspondence between men and women, each bouquet of flowers or a flower was carefully chosen to convey exactly the right sentiment.

Not only did every flower have a meaning, but each color of the flower had its own special significance. We all know that a read rose is a symbol of love but few of us are aware that a pink rose is the symbol of perfect happiness, the white rose of innocence and the yellow rose of jealousy.

A red carnation implies admiration and the yellow carnation is a sign of rejection. A zinnia tells absent friends that you are thinking of them, while a chrysanthemum denotes cheerfulness.

Tulips and other timely spring flowering bulbs are appropriate to speak the language of romance. Bi-colored, striped tulips says, "Your eyes are beautiful and I see love in them" Red tulips are strong declarations of love and yellow ones vow "I love you more today than yesterday, less than tomorrow"

Hyacinths, named for Hyacinthus, mythical Greek game player, denotes playfulness. Iris bring a secret message.

Daffodils show regard, daisies mean loyalty, and apple blossoms mean a preference for the person who receives them. The lovely white, fragrant gardenia indicates a secret love.

Tomatoes do not sound very romantic, but at the turn of the century many people referred to them as "love apples" and they were a popular valentine card illustration. Many regarded them then as flowers and not edible.

If you give a man a clove of garlic, be sure to explain that it is a compliment to his strength and courage.

Flowers also express character traits--cactus for endurance, azalea for temperance and iris for wisdom. Aster is a symbol of daintiness or elegance, meaning, "I think you are charming."

Calendula means sensible and sensitive, saying, "Be careful, do not hurt me." Dahlia stands for treachery, purity in thought and loyal love, saying, "I love you for just being yourself."

A house plant suited to Valentine's Day is the cyclamen. It provides both hearts and flowers. The heart-shaped leaves are touched with silver and topped with red, pink or white flowers.

Plants with heart-shaped leaves include hearts on a string or heart vine. Another is the English ivy and all ivy is a symbol of wedded love. The fern indicates fascination.

Bleeding heart is a sentimental favorite and primroses bring visions of lacy valentines.

Azaleas in shades of pink, rose, red, orchid and white will brighten any home for Valentine's Day and afterwards. If kept in a cool location, especially at night, their flowers will last over many weeks. Never let the soil in the plant's container dry out excessively and make sure that it gets good bright light.

As a Valentine Day's sentiment, have you thought of the exotic anthurium with its shiny foliage and blossoms ranging in color form pastel pink to dark garnet? Anthuriums dislike being kept too wet, so porous pots which provide automatic, even drainage are "must" containers.

There are also potted tulips, hibscus, chrysanthemums, jonquils, hyacinths, daisies, begonias and cinerria. All of these offer messages of good cheer and happiness besides making a bright spot in the home.

For a very special person you might consider sending an orchid. As a houseplant, orchids can be very satisfying (or frustrating). Contrary to popular belief, orchids are not one of the most difficult plants to grow indoors. Their needs are not extensive, but failure to provide those few they need will lead to poor growth and eventual collapse.

Most orchids do best in light that is about one-third that of full sunlight. They like a fairly high humidity and night temperatures at about 60 and daytime at 70 degrees.

According to Webster, Valentine, a noun, means a gift or greeting sent on St. Valentine's Day. That is the dictionary's definition of the most sentimental holiday we celebrate.

Say it with flowers!