Alstroemeria: The Best Flower for Celebrating Galentine’s Day

February 13^th has officially become known as Galentine’s Day. Created to celebrate female friendship, it’s been a thing since 2010. And it’s all about showing appreciation for the important women in your life. Unlike Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s is not about spending unnecessary cash or shows of extravagance. It’s about being there. It’s about turning up, being supportive, listening, and showing you care. And the alstroemeria flower has become a big part of that.

Why Alstroemeria is the Perfect Symbol of Galentine’s Day

The traditional meaning of the flower

If the rose is synonymous with romance, the alstroemeria is the emblem of friendship. Thought to represent strength, devotion, love, and mutual support, alstroemeria are enduring friendship in floral form.

As with all the best friendships, alstroemeria endure

Alstroemeria not only have a really long vase life (two weeks, plus) once cut. But the plants themselves are incredibly hardy. In the right conditions, they can last for years. Coming back year after year, with a flush of exotic-looking flowers to fill your garden.

The formation of the leaves

Although not entirely unique, one of the identifying features of the alstroemeria is that its leaves grow upside down. While they form the right way up, they twist away from the stem as they grow, creating a topsy-turvy effect. And this is one of the reasons that alstroemeria have such a long association with friendship – these twisty leaves are said to represent the ups and downs of a long relationship.

Like friendship, alstroemeria come in a variety of shapes, colours, and sizes

Alstroemeria plants can be a compact and petite 35cm in height, or stretch to well over a meter. And the colours range from the softest whites to the most eye-wateringly bright orange and cerise, as well as the deepest burgundy. This variety of form and shade reflects the different types of friendship. Yours might be a quiet relationship of strong but gentle support over uncountable years. Or the wild and vibrant friendship of high jinx and happy hour. Whatever your friendship style, there’s an alstroemeria to suit.

Alstroemeria have long been a floristry favourite. This is partly for their vase life and partly for their vibrancy and array of colours. But the association with friendship adds another layer to what the alstroemeria can bring. Adding depth and meaning to the floral arrangements they grace, alstroemeria are a beautiful, elegant, and thoughtful celebration of friendship.

If you’re looking for freshly arranged flowers for Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or any other celebration, get in touch with Blue Florist.