5 expert flower arrangement tips for Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year
Floral artist Gary Kwok shows us how to choose and combine seasonal flowers for these occasions
Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year are the two floral heavyweights of the year, and in 2018 they’re coming within two days of each other. If you’re opting to put together bouquets yourself rather than buying off the rack – which is so much more personal – then we suggest you follow these handy tips.
Floral artist Gary Kwok, who partnered with Giorgio Armani in 2002 to launch Armani/Fiori in Hong Kong, shows us how to put together stunning arrangements for both occasions.
1. Think outside the box
People tend to go for traditional hues like red and orange for Lunar New Year. Kwok suggests using colours that reflect your loved one’s personality and can complement their home decor. To suit both Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year, Kwok chose a predominantly pink and purple palette, with arrangements that are romantic and modern, as well as vibrant for the two occasions.
2. Be romantic without roses
Roses aren’t everything. Kwok likes genista for its soft, delicate smell, which she thinks is suitable for Valentine’s Day. Also, opt for ranunculus if you’re aiming for romance with a touch of flattery – not only are the multi-layered, tightly petalled blooms beautiful to the eye, but in floral linguistics, a bouquet of these flowers means “I am dazzled by your charms”.
3. Be symbolic
Impress your loved one by reading up on flower symbology. Japanese sweetpeas represent sweet memories and festivities, while snowballs, which look exactly how they sound, stand for harvest and victory. Narcissus is also a popular flower for Lunar New Year. “It symbolises auspice and conveniently flowers around Lunar New Year,” Kwok says. “The Chinese believe that if the flowers blossom on the first day of the new year, it means good luck.”