Vera Wang Recommends Orchids

On the website of FTD, (Florists' Transworld Delivery--the world's oldest floral services organization), one of the recommendations for holiday flowers is an arrangement that's part of the Vera Wang collection. It combines white dendrobium orchids with red tulips as well as red hypericum, pine and holly. Presented in a modern glass vase, it arrives in an exclusive Vera Wang gift box and is described as "Magnificent beauty. Delight in the joy of the season."

Though Vera Wang is primarily known for her fashion design career, she's branched out into other areas such as eyewear, fragrance, china and crystal, silver and gifts, fine papers, mattresses and flowers. All of her products are sold in the most exclusive department stores and boutiques around the world, including her own Madison Avenue flagship store.

She also recommends orchids for other occasions. For birthdays, she recommends "a sunny and vibrant mixed bouquet of yellow and orange orchids...or bold red cut orchids." And as a thank you gift she says that "If the bouquet if perfectly suited to the environment in which it will be enjoyed, the gift is perceived as thoughtful and considerate." She suggests that "an elegant purple orchid plant" would be a wonderful way to express gratitude and appreciation.

She also suggests orchids as hypo-allergenic gifts. "Keep in mind that some people may be allergic to pollen and certain types of flowers. Flowers, such as mums, daisies, roses, orchids, sunflowers, hydrangea, tulips, iris, are great choices for those who may suffer from flower allergies."

Of the symbolism of orchids, she says they signify "rare beauty," and that "Flowers are a common and beautiful way to convey feelings, though today we use their language in a more general way than in past eras. An easy and beautifully symbolic way to get your message across to your recipient, the following list of popular flowers defines what each color and variety represents."