Freesia : Flower Facts

Meaning

Innocence

Origins

Freesias are native to South Africa and are named after Friedrich Heinrich Theodor Freese, a German student who studied African plants in the 19th century. They belong to the Iridaceae family. Freesias are among the most popular and widely grown cut flowers in the world, with over 110 million stems sold in the UK each year. In a recent survey over half the respondents said they are one of their most favourite flowers. Unlike most other flowers, when the white forms have the strongest sent, if you want highly scented freesia look for pink and red varieties.

Flower Availability and Vase Life

Most freesias are available all year round although their peak period is spring, depending on their variety. Their average vase life is 4-7 days.

Care and Handling

Buy them with at least one flower open on the stem. Make sure they have plenty of water and never let the stems dry out. Pinch out the topmost buds and remove the old flower heads to encourage new ones to open. Keep away from fruit, vegetables, and excess heat, as they are very sensitive to the ethylene gas. Upon receipt, cut the flowers' stems and place them in clean water. Also, avoid using fluoridated water throughout the care-and-handling process, and do not mix freesias with freshly cut narcissuses or daffodils, which emit a substance that can shorten freesias' vase life.

Florist Design Uses

Freesias' unusual, appealing shapes make them suitable line flowers for any arrangement, and their wide range of colour varieties increases their versatility. They make fragrant additions to bouquets and are often used in wedding and bridal work.

Colours: White, yellow, lavender, mauve, orange, gold, pink, red, velvet.