Wondering what are the right flowers to give on St. Patrick’s day, or some great plants for the day? Check these out! St. Patrick’s Day, that global celebration of Irish culture, is a time when revelers don green attire, indulge in festive food and drink, and display vibrant decorations to honor the patron saint of Ireland. To add a touch of natural beauty to this festive day, consider giving or even adorning your own space with an array of fabulous flowers and plants.
Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis)
Bells of Ireland, with their bright green, bell-shaped calyxes, make a stunning addition to any St. Patrick’s Day arrangement. These unique flowers represent luck and good fortune, making them a perfect fit for the occasion. Their tall, elegant stems and delightful fragrance will add charm to any setting. Combine them with white or yellow blooms for a striking, festive display.
Shamrocks (Oxalis)
No St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without the iconic shamrock. These small, clover-like plants boast delicate, heart-shaped leaves that fold up at night and reopen in the morning. Available in both green and purple varieties, shamrocks make an adorable tabletop decoration or gift. According to Irish folklore, the shamrock’s three leaves represent faith, hope, and love, while a rare four-leafed clover brings luck to its finder.
Green Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Green carnations, a St. Patrick’s Day staple, are created by adding green food coloring to the water in which white carnations are placed. As the flowers absorb the water, their petals gradually turn a vibrant shade of green. These easy-to-make, eye-catching blooms can be used as centerpieces, corsages, or boutonnieres, adding a touch of Irish cheer to your festivities.
Green Spider Mums (Chrysanthemum)
With their unique, spiky petals radiating from a central button, green spider mums are an excellent choice for a St. Patrick’s Day floral arrangement. Their rich, green hue and striking appearance will add a touch of drama and elegance to your celebration. Pair them with white roses or daisies for a balanced and captivating display.
Green Trick Dianthus
Green Trick Dianthus, a fascinating and unusual flower variety, features a moss-like appearance and a vibrant green color. Its round, fluffy shape adds texture and interest to floral arrangements, making it a standout choice for St. Patrick’s Day. Combine Green Trick Dianthus with other green flowers or contrast them with brightly colored blooms for a truly unforgettable arrangement.
This St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate with a touch of natural beauty by incorporating these exquisite flowers and plants into your festivities. Whether you prefer the luck-bearing charm of shamrocks, the elegance of Bells of Ireland, or the whimsy of Green Trick Dianthus, these botanical treasures will bring an extra dose of Irish spirit to your home or event. May the luck of the Irish be with you as you enjoy these delightful, festive floral accents!
Roses bloom in a wide range of colors too; there’s even a green variety (Rosa chinensis ‘Viridiflora”), that’s difficult to find. Not only are they difficult to find in a florist; the rose flower is a delicate apple color, and can sometimes be camouflaged by the surrounding foliage.
Chrysanthemums can also be found in a delightful lime green color, though you may have to shop around for them, or purchase them online. You should check to see if they’re grown green (through hybridization), dyed (which usually means sprayed with a green dye), or tinted (which usually means placed in green-colored water, which gets soaked up through the stem.
The shell flower, or Molucca Balm, is also known as Bells of Ireland, and though native to Western Asia also grows in Ireland. It is a striking and dramatic plant, growing up to 3 feet tall, with small white or pink flowers, very fragrant, almost hidden by the large green bell-shaped leaves. Alone or in an arrangement, Bells of Ireland would surely make an impression.
To bouquets or arrangements including these flowers you can also add other, maybe seasonal flowers that accentuate any blooms. Picking different shape blossoms, or supporting colors will add visual interest to the arrangement, and leaving on more greenery than usual, in the form of stems or foliage, will help to accentuate the green theme for which you’re going. Of course, you can also consider a basket of green plants, rather than cut flowers. And one final alternative is to find a glorious, elegant orchid; the cymbidium orchid, often used as wedding flowers, comes in a variety of greens, from pale to a rich, dark, grass color. 