Thanks a Bunch! How to Choose Great 'Get Well Soon' Flowers

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When a friend or loved one is laid up in bed, their mood and well being can be improved with the right kind of flowers. The wrong kind of flowers, on the other hand, may cause them to feel more ill and depressed so it's a good idea to put a little extra thought into this classic get well gift.

Receiving flowers,like those at Flowers Of Paradise, needn't be a predictable bedside bore. You can really make someone's day by making a personal and thoughtful choice at your local florist. Ditch the service station weeds for a garland with some gusto with our tips for choosing delightful get well soon flowers.

Pick a Bouquet with Less...Bouquet

Whether or not your intended recipient suffers with allergies, it's usually a wise choice to pick flowers that are low on scent. Depending on their illness, a heady, overpowering aroma may cause sickness and dizziness in some people. Even if this is not the case, you should also take other patients and hospital staff, if applicable, into consideration.

Flowering house plants such as Orchids and Chrysanthemums are a good choice since they are low in pollen and actually help reduce air pollutants. Roses, Daffodils and Carnations are also easy on the nose, since the pollen is inside the flower and not exposed to the air. Avoid Lilies, Chamomile and Daises at all costs, as these give off a very strong fragrance.

Opt For the Safe, Small and Low-Maintenance

Understandably, some hospital wards ban flowers since they can pose a hygiene risk and get in the way more than anything. The best get well soon flowers are ones that are fairly small in size so don't pack your bouquet too full (beautiful things still come in small packages!). Secondly, if the hospital allows them, ensure the flowers are safe to bring into the patient's ward or room. Inspect the flowers carefully for any bugs or dirt and rinse them thoroughly in cold water. If you choose an online flower delivery service, there's a small chance that a bug may have found its way in transit, so always double check them first.  

Thirdly, low-maintenance flowers are best all-round when someone is ill - hospital staff and carers are spared extra hassle and more importantly, your loved one will be able to enjoy them for longer. Lookout for flowers with woody stems - these are preferable to traditional stems since they take longer to become soggy, meaning the water will not need to be changed so often. If woody stems aren't available to you, you can have the flowers arranged in floral foam - this holds the water in place inside the vase so that more will not need to be added so quickly.

Choose a Long-Lasting Bunch

Lastly, your ill friend or family member will appreciate flowers that stand the test of time (or at least see them through their recovery period). If the flowers wilt in a matter of days, it can serve as a bleak reminder of their time spent in hospital or confined to their bedroom, so pick some flora that stays in bloom for as long as possible. Potted house plants can last for weeks and even months at a time. Tropical flowering house plants such as the Spider plant and Bamboo require minimal care and in addition, they'll provide the room with plenty of oxygen—creating a bright and comfortable environment for those experiencing a long recovery.

To make your bouquet last longer still, you could consider placing the flowers in a more durable vase type than glass or ceramic. Wicker and metal baskets can look just as decorative and will provide a much safer choice in both a hospital and home environment.

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26 November 2014