“Flowers grow out of the darkest moments”, said author Corina Kent. Sounds like a note for post-Katrina encouragement even though it was said two decades ago. I’m sure it was heartbreaking for all the citizens of the ‘never say die’ city to see huge placards put up at the gates of their finest gardens, menacingly proclaiming, “Closed due to damage suffered during Hurricane Katrina”. But flowers have always been a part of the New Orleans culture right from the days of the antebellum South.
The war couldn't destroy that and neither could Katrina. It was a joy to see the parks and gardens in the city being renovated and the cascades of flowers making a re-appearance at many of the city's hotels.
Since Spring is back in New Orleans and flowers are staring to re-appear, send out flower gifts to the people you love to ward away the hurricane blue. You can find different varieties and colors of flowers in New Orleans. Flower gifts are available in flower shops and the New Orleans botanical gardens in different arrangements, sizes and price ranges. But before you buy those lovely roses or tulips, be sure to take into account the two things you ought to consider when buying:
First, the occasion. When buying flower gifts, you always consider what the occasion or celebration is all about. If it’s a birthday, for example, you can buy ‘birth flowers.’ January birthday celebrants should be given snowdrops and carnations; February celebrants should be given primroses and violets, and so on. Also consult a florist before you send out Flowers for a funeral because New Orleans has a long and vast tradition and their funerals are very different from what we see in the rest of the world.
Secondly, find florists that offer package deals with reasonable prices. Be sure to thoroughly inquire about their ordering, delivery and payment systems, packaging and flower arrangements, flower varieties, and sizes and colors before buying. Remember flowers are no longer expensive because of Katrina, so be very wary of any florist who tells you that. Try as many shops as you can until you find the flowers you’re looking for. Ask out some friends about what flower shops they can recommend.