National Flowers Day celebrates the dawning of perhaps the most anticipated season of all – spring! The day not only marks the end of winter but also a reminder that, like a flower, their character blooms with beauty, positivity, and grace. We must face the new season with such a jubilant character, like a field packed with a kaleidoscope of colors. If you want to make this a special day, gifting a flower to someone makes it unforgettable, but we at PlantIn can make it even more memorable!
National Flower Day History and Timeline
It is not clear where the National Flower Day history comes from, but the following milestones are relevant to its celebration:
2800 B.C. — 28 B.C.
Early evidence of flower arrangement. This is the dawn of floral decorative objects, according to unearthed evidence from Ancient Egypt. Proto-Egyptians would arrange flowers in a vase to beautify indoor dwelling spaces.
28 B.C. — 325 B.C.
Romans, Greeks, and Flowers. The National Flower Day is unknown to Romans and Greeks, but they took floral adornment seriously; they did not limit their expression to bouquets but also to their artworks, including making wearable creations like wreaths and garlands.
618 A.D. — 907 A.D.
Flower industry in early China. The early Chinese people mastered the craft of incorporating floral shapes into their woven silk cloth. It was a top fashion statement during the Tang Dynasty.
1800s
The popularity of flower shops in the US. The boom of floral shops has revolutionized the consumer's spending on flowers, becoming a hit to impress someone by giving a bunch of florets.
1910s
Mother's Day and flower-giving. Before the celebrated spring occasion–March 21st national flower day–bouquets and floral arrangements became a common gift to a loved one, primarily on Mother's Day.
1986
National Flower Declaration. The rose flower was declared as the national emblem of the United States by president Ronald Reagan on October 7th. Some species have also become symbols of state legislatures.
1999
Flowers in music. Flowers became the source of inspiration for many artists, not only on canvas but also on compact discs. For instance, Sting and Cheb Mami recorded the 'Desert Rose'.
2002
Flowers and psychology. The aesthetic appeal of flowers was linked to a sound mind. A group of psychologists discovered that the beauty of blooms can promote happiness and convey deep social relationships.
2013
The first International Flowers Day. After father and daughter in Tasmania, Rohan and Brooke Levy felt good after a flower exchange, they decided to replicate the gesture annually by giving 300 flowers to strangers every January 19th.
2015
The birth of Flower Week. The first home-grown campaign was launched as an ode to the floral industry in the US.
2017
Official declaration. When is National Flower Day? While there is no clear declaration of when, it was culturally recognized by many that March 21st is the national flower day, coinciding the Earth's approximate position to the vernal equinox which marks the spring of the Northern Hemisphere.
When Is National Flowers Day?
There is no clear history as to where it all began, but the grand flower memorial – national flower day march 21 – is celebrated for various symbolic causes! Firstly, it recognizes the birth of a new season after making it through the harsh, depressing, gloomy winter. Since its cultural declaration, it has become an excuse or a pause in our daily routine, being reminded by someone and celebrating the day by making it extra momentous without the flower being excluded!
As to when is flowers day, in other countries, it is held on other dates, such as International Flowers Day, celebrated every January 21, Flower Day on May 20, and Flower Week on June 28 to July 4.
How to Celebrate National Flower Day with Plantin
We, the PlantIn team, are thrilled to celebrate the flower day with our users! Share flowers or send bouquets to your loved one, strike a pic, and post it in the PlantIn community to reach out to other fellow plant aficionados! Here are some ideas that can help you get started:
- Strike a photo of your favorite flowers in backyards, gardens, or parks.
- Challenge yourself and your friends by showing your best DIY floral arrangement.
- Share your secrets on how you grow your own flowers with a series of photos! Your fellow PlantIn community will see it as a thoughtful gift this season!
- Fancy some art? Enjoy crafting an artsy masterpiece – fleur-inspired, of course – with your kids or the little ones. It could be an origami, clay imprint, painting, or a simple coloring book.
- Learn some recipes with flowers and share them with the community.
- If you received a bouquet from your dear friend or loved one, lucky you! Don’t forget to share it with us!
Other Ways to Enjoy National Flowers Day
Saying “Happy National Flower Day” to the community or your fellows would be a meaningful act of kindness. But if you want more ways to celebrate the occasion, we will help you with that!
- Share your flowers. The act is simple and straightforward. Strike a photo of your home-grown florets and tag us!
- Send a bouquet. With the advent of logistics and same-day delivery, this is a more fancy gesture of honoring someone during the day–a reminder of how extraordinary they are.
- Host an event with your family and friends. Make the day an excuse to see them and spend some quality time with them. Remember to share at least a single rose!
- Prepare a garden installation. It does not necessarily have to be grand like the Kew Gardens, but a simple one that can be shared with friends will do.
- Connect with your local community. Whether it is a coffee, flower, or an art shop, each one is invited! Let them know the importance of flowers and start their own campaign.
- Share the local graphics. Each community may have its own designed posters for advertisement. And the more you share it, the more people will know.
Surprising and Interesting Facts about Flowers
After learning the cultural significance of this occasion – March 21 national flower day – we are here to give you more facts! Our resident botanist has listed some cool party facts below:
- The plants forgot to flower – Called gymnosperms, the first land plants spawned spores rather than pollen. They can still be found today, including ferns, mosses, and pines! Until some 360 million years ago, plants included flowers in their body plan, which is much more efficient than spore reproduction in non-fleur-bearers.
- The Dutch Tulip Mania – In the 17th century Netherlands, people went crazy over rare-colored tulips. People aren't well aware that these mosaic-flowering bulbs were naturally infected with a virus, making the floral pattern hard to replicate, and so explaining its ridiculously high price! Luckily, with the advent of plant virology, present-day tulips are bred or naturally infected to replicate the beautiful pattern.
- Broccoli is a flower – The children's most disliked veggie is clustered cabbage flowers. Wait… cabbage, what? Yes, they are actually of the same species Brassica oleracea! And yes, to make it more confusing, cauliflower is a cabbage flower, too. Due to domestication and selective breeding, the species diverged into cultivars of what we know today.
- Blooming plants, stressed plants – Plants don't ask when is National Flowers Day to bloom but rather when they sense a pressuring environment. When put under stress mode, they begin to produce hormones that signal flowering. This evolutionary tactic ensures the species's survival in the events of drought and other extreme events.
- Sunflower is not just a flower – What you are seeing is actually a composite of individual florets called pseudanthium. The petals we know are ray flowers made up of fused petals, while the brown center is the disk flowers, which later turn into seeds.
- Orchids, hidden meaning – The flower's name came from the Greek word orchis, which translates to testicles, a reference to the two globular tubers in the early species. Ancient botanists are really fun at parties!
- Flowers talk with insects – Flowers emit molecular signals to insects that allow them to communicate. Other insects also rely on physical signals, such as emitted UV or electric charges released by the flowers, to mark that someone has already done the pollinating job.
- The biggest unbranched inflorescence – It is a spiffy way of saying a group of florets. Botanists love to classify things! For a layman, a flower may just be anything that opens from a plant with a petal-like structure, which, Amorphophallus titanum, might be classified as the biggest blossom. However, their true flowers are pretty tiny, found in the phallus-like structure inside.
International Flower Day vs National Flower Day vs National Plant a Flower Day
The International Flower Day started in Tasmania and is celebrated every January 21 by gifting 300 cut flowers to random people as an act to spread kindness and positivity. Meanwhile, if you ask what day is National Flower Day, it's held every March 21, coinciding with the earth’s spring equinox. The rule is simple: to remind your loved one how special they are by giving flowers! Finally, the national plant a flower day is also commemorated with a similar cause. Rather than by mere floral presents, everyone is enjoined to plant flowers dedicated to the positive onset of spring.
FAQ
What are ways to participate in National Flower Day?
There is an endless list! Participate by giving a gift to a friend or doing something related to flowers, such as making a bouquet, crafting floral art, or simply sharing a photo with the PlantIn community.
Is there a flower of the world?
There is no declared 'flower of the world' per se, but most countries officially chose a single species of bloom, which is celebrated for its close ties to the nation's culture, tradition, and people.
Is there a national flower in every country?
Not all of them, but almost all countries have a national flower, both officially and unofficially forged in their constitution. These blossoms are often endemic to the region or embody the principal characteristics of its people and culture.
Which is the largest flower in the world?
The largest flower, botanically speaking, is Rafflesia arnoldi, a parasitic plant that blooms on other trees' roots or trunks. The largest specimen ever found was in the jungles of Indonesia, measuring about 1.5 m (5 ft) across.
Are there particular flowers associated with National Flower Day?
There is no specific species of flower. However, since it is spring, the most common ones are the spring-blooming plants such as peonies, tulips, amaryllis, or lilies. You can also choose what suits your budget, such as imported and out-of-the-season ones.
