Sorry! Why Flowers Make the Perfect Apology

The reason why flowers are so strongly associated with apology dates back to the Victorian language of flowers. As many things floral do. It was a language as complicated as any spoken word ever was. Where the hand selected to give the flowers could hold as much meaning as the actual blooms chosen. But while, thankfully, through the years we’ve let much of this elegantly complex language slide, there are three sentiments for which flowers continue to carry the words we’re unable to speak: love, loss and apology.

Why Flowers are Good for Saying Sorry

Now, saying sorry can be tricky. Even if you’re not secretly choking back your justifications! Come on, we’ve all been there! And flowers can help in a number of ways.

·         They are a physical token of apology. Being tangible, flowers can reinforce your sentiment. And they stick around for a couple of weeks, helping to sustain the good feelings and push away the negativity.

·         Different flowers carry different meanings, so you can underpin your contrition with deeper value.

·         And flowers are both beautiful and calming. Looking at flora can actually help to reduce stress levels, which is always useful if you want to calm a fraught situation.

So, what are the best flowers for saying sorry?

5 Perfect Apology Flowers

Yellow roses

The yellow rose is perhaps the most common of apology flowers. Largely because it is considered to represent friendship. These flowers are all about restoring old bonds and expressing appreciation. You may have stuffed up, but the recipient is so important to you that expressing your regret is integral. While a single yellow rose might do the trick, if you want to really make the point, an arrangement like the Sherbet Rose Hatbox makes a wonderful option. 

Tulips

Although commonly associated with romance, tulips also make amazing apology flowers. Naturally blooming in the spring, tulips symbolise new beginnings. Which is, after all, what most of us hope to gain through saying ‘sorry’. Tulips are particularly popular for formal, business-related faux pas. But an arrangement that blends tulips with other blooms, like the Peach Sundae Vase, can also show a loved one that you really care and want to put past mistakes behind you.

Lilies

Lilies are known to represent devotion and humility. Which is a pretty good base to build from if you need to show remorse to a partner. They’re also stronger than they look, which can be a great bit of symbolism for a relationship. Coming in an array of shades, you can pick a lily for almost every preference. Although the traditional colour choice for saying ‘sorry’ is white and soft pink – the shades of peace and affection. For that reason, an arrangement like Dreamy Damson, with its large white lilies and blush pink roses makes an excellent option.

Ivy

OK, so it’s not usually given as a flower, but ivy is ripe with symbolism. And it works well in an apology arrangement because it is tenacious. It implies that your commitment and your regret is enduring. Ivy clings tight and it’s really difficult to shift, and used as an accent on an arrangement like the Crimson Rose Hatbox, it is breath-taking.

Gerbera

Most of the flowers in the daisy family are associated with friendship. With their happy little faces and long cut life, the gerbera is one of the best flowers for apologising to a friend. And while you can opt for the softer shades, gerberas can also provide a really powerful colour pop – as you can see in the Sherbet Fizz arrangement. And that can be a great way to make someone smile.

‘Sorry’ isn’t always the hardest word to say. But if you’re struggling to put your regret into words, or are looking for a way to underscore your apology, flowers are always a wonderful option.