Flower Therapy: Convey Any Feeling with Colors
The power of color is well established. Throughout time, nature’s spectrum has played a vital role in areas that significantly impact our everyday lives, from the color of our walls, to our clothes, to our cars – and, even more meaningfully, our emotional responses. In this realm, color may be more essential to our consciousness than we realize.
International color expert Leatrice Eiseman, who has earned international acclaim for her five book titles, including Colors for Your Every Mood and The Color Answer Book, has unearthed the philosophy of Flower Therapy. Eiseman believes that certain color combinations – easily expressed in floral arrangements – can stimulate and relax the senses, release happy memories and enhance our moods.
“Our response to color is intensely emotional, and flowers can be a catalyst for feelings that stimulate more than just our senses of sight and smell,” said Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “An artful floral arrangement has the ability to convey a feeling or create a mood without using words, just color.”
Additionally, scientific research shows that flowers and plants have a beneficial impact on state of mind and emotions. Rutgers University behavioral studies have proven that flowers provide a simple way to improve emotional health – that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.
Throughout our hectic, fast-paced lives, we seek to rejuvenate ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. According to Eiseman, flowers, in conjunction with their design and color schemes, create feelings that enhance our moods.
“Color can help us find the balance we seek from our surroundings. And, flowers are an ideal way to harness the power of color to enrich our lives,” said Eiseman.
The following are Eiseman’s five emotional color palettes that are expressed through color combinations in floral arrangements and the flowers that bring them to life. Click the images to get a larger, printable copy, including a list of flowers featured.
“There is no doubt that beautiful surroundings provide us with a special environment that helps us thrive,” said Eiseman. “Flowers are an easy and affordable way to add a splash of color and emotion into your life.”
A true sense of caring is created by a combination of colors that are fragile, soft and tender. Arrangements in pastel shades and the softest yellows, peaches, warm pinks, creamy whites and subtle greens make us feel safe, snug and loved. Consider a nurturing floral arrangement for a new mother, a sick friend or a grieving loved one – anyone who would benefit from a caring, loving embrace.
Flowers Featured: A string of smilax cradles apricot roses, creamy yellow tulips, pale green carnations, chartreuse viburnum, soft yellow freesia, lavender waxflower and heather. This garden-style arrangement rests in a white-wash willow basket. The casual grouping of flowers duplicates nature similar to how flowers grow together.
Below are a few flower recommendations for each of the Nurturing palette colors.
Viburnum
Carnation
Smilax or Variegated Ivy (foliage)
Tulip
Rose
Freesia
Heather
Waxflower
Aster
Snapdragon
Stock
Freesia
Rose
Stock
Carnation
A sensation of intimacy, nostalgia and comfort is captured in this color palette, a blend of delicate warm and cool colors with lavenders and pinks at its heart. Romantic arrangements express loving sentiments and admiration to mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, best friends, significant others and brides-to-be.
Flowers Featured: An iridescent ceramic rose-colored container holds a radial cluster of deep lavender roses, pale pink roses, champagne spray roses, grape hyacinth muscari, pale pink bouvardia, blush tulips, lavender stock and lilacs, accented by asparagus plumosa. Professional florists refer to this opulent and compact design style as “Mille Fleurs” or a thousand flowers.
Below are a few flower recommendations for each of the Romantic palette colors.
Lilac
Lisianthus
Sweetpea
Bouvardia
Peony
Asiatic Lily
Rose
Stock
Gerbera Daisy
Eucalyptus
Hydrangea
Melaleuca (foliage)
Mini Calla
Heather
Alstroemeria
The rich, luxurious color combinations of the sensuous palette set the mood for sophisticated, passionate and even seductive settings. Robust reds and purples, hot pinks and spicy oranges are at the soul of this dynamic floral feeling. Consider a sensuous arrangement for a very special evening or an elegant dinner party – anywhere you want to feel magnetic and extravagant.
Flowers Featured: This “pavé” arrangement fully blankets the top of a sleek black ceramic bowl. Orbiting lily grass frames rich maroon ranunculus, orange spray roses, two-toned reddish-orange and coral-apricot roses, burnt orange Asiatic lilies, hypericum berries, magenta phlox and variegated pittosporum.
Below are a few flower recommendations for each of the Sensuous palette colors
Carnation
Alstroemeria
Hypericum (berries)
Anemone
Phlox
Liatris
Asiatic Lily
Rose or Spray Rose
Ranunculus
Hydrangea
Gladiolus
Bells of Ireland
Tulip
Lily
Gerbera Daisy
Serenity and relaxation are the essence of this color scheme. Its peaceful palette, reminiscent of sky and sea, is dominated by clear, light shades of green, misty blues and other cool hues. A vase of tranquility is perfect for busy moms, harried professionals and those who seek a moment of calm from life’s stressful situations.
Flowers Featured: An airy, asymmetrical design of lavender lisianthus, lavender larkspur, light blue delphinium, light blue hydrangea, eryngium thistle, seeded eucalyptus accented by dusty miller foliage is loosely grounded in river rocks resting in a glass cube. The water, visible through the vase, adds to the tranquil feeling.
Below are a few flower recommendations for each of the Tranquil palette colors. Call or visit a professional florist for even more flower options.
Seeded Eucalyptus
Spiral Eucalyptus
Duster Miller (foliage)
Hydrangea
Delphinium
Eryngium Thistle
Lisianthus
Larkspur
Freesia
Tulip
Carnation
Rose
Silver Brunia
Pussy Willow
Caspia
Fun-loving, free-spirited, playful feelings are conveyed by the whimsical palette, which is characterized by bold, contrasting colors. Floral arrangements featuring these hues set an upbeat tone and are ideal for birthdays, graduations, promotions and other celebrations.
Flowers Featured: Professional florists call this casual garden style arrangement “vegetative” for duplicating nature as flowers would grow in a garden. Fuchsia stock, royal blue delphinium, yellow-orange spray roses, pink tulips, Italian ruscus and yellow-orange bell-like sarasonia ring out over golden-yellow mini gerberas, lime-green pompons and hot pink mini carnations.
Below are a few flower recommendations for each of the Whimsical palette colors.
Bupleurum
Kermit Pompons
Viburnum
Tulip
Rose or Spray Rose
Stock
Gerbera Daisy
Ranunculus
Alstroemeria
Iris
Delphinium
Larkspur
Campanula
Queen Anne’s Lace
Lily
Your Florist =Your Flower Therapist
To achieve Flower Therapy, it can take just one phone call to your florist, a profession that for over a century has designed arrangements that make moments special. A good florist will ask questions about what atmosphere or mood you are trying to create and will provide expert advice on gifts that enhance any sentiment or occasion.
Aboutflowers.com is hosted by the Society of American Florists, the U.S. floral industry trade association. Click below to find a local SAF member florist to send flowers, roses and gifts for delivery.