Throughout the year, indoor plants and vases filled with flowers can be a real mood lifter – adding color and sweet fragrance to our environment. During the spring and summer months, the availability of local fresh cut flowers and greens make flower arranging a very accessible hobby. In addition to beautifying our surroundings, flower arranging encourages improved manual dexterity, promotes sensory stimulation and can also reduce stress. It's an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities and skill levels. Floral arrangements can be created while standing, sitting at a table, seated in a wheelchair and even while propped up in bed. It’s also an activity that can span generations, with grandchildren or students working alongside a senior to create fabulous floral displays together. It promotes socialization, boosts mood and happiness,

Here are the meanings of some common flowers: 

• Chrysanthemums – joy and long life
• Daisies – new beginnings
• Delphinium – vivacity
• Gerbera Daisies – cheerfulness
• Heather – good luck
• Hyacinth – playfulness
• Iris – wisdom
• Snapdragons – graciousness
• Sunflowers – adoration
• Sweet Peas – appreciation

Tips for Creating Floral Arrangements

• Choose from a variety of vases. The containers don’t need to be expensive, and they don’t even need to be traditional. A colorful plastic water pitcher or a glass mason jar are examples of inexpensive and readily available options.
• Select flowers with sturdy stems, such as zinnias, marigolds and cosmos. These types of flowers are often easier to maneuver for people with limited dexterity and will better tolerate numerous adjustments.
• Before adding flowers and greens to a vase, spread everything out on a table so the choices are all visible, and use scissors to trim the stems to a variety of lengths.