Memorial Day is coming up, and while I've definitely been daydreaming about my BBQ, beer, and sunshine lineup, I am also pointedly aware that Memorial Day is, at its heart, a bittersweet day — a day to commemorate those who have offered their lives in service to our country. In fact, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, as it was a day dedicated to decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers, flags, and other symbols of honor.
Using flowers has always been a simple, traditional, and beautiful tribute for Memorial Day; flowers indicate celebration, but they are also heralds of passing, observance, and remembrance. They are a means of showing support, appreciation, and respect, while also providing a visual representation of life and love.
I've been thinking of classic floral tributes for a classic day of commemoration, and my mind keeps coming back to the oh-so-patriotic combination of red tulips and blue iris. American-grown, of course.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sun Valley Group's Flower Talk