14th February - Do you love it or avoid it?

Valentine’s Day Gardening Ideas: Romantic Plant Names, Love, Chocolate & Chillies

Whether you celebrate the 14th February with someone or celebrate your singleness or just fancy giving yourself a treat. I have had a few ideas for some creative suggestions as to marking the day. 

Do you/they have a favourite flower? Like scented flowers? Would rather have ‘hot’ chilli than chocolates , or both, or enjoy the cryptic inferences of some names - I’m thinking love within foxglove and clover….

'Valentine' Probable the most linked word:

Available in Sunflowers  eg Mr Fothergill's RHS Sunflower ‘Valentine’ and Petunia Double Pirouette ‘Valentine’

'Love'

Lavatera ‘Loveliness’

Amaranth ‘Love lies bleeding’ - take care how you use this one!

Nigella - which is also known as ‘Love in a Mist’ with varieties such as ‘Transformer’, ‘Persian Jewels’ and ‘Miss Jekyll’.

Poppy ‘Falling in Love’

Substitution - the less fattening kinds of chocolate….

Coleus has various chocolate coloured varieties - Chocolate Cherry and Chocolate Mint.

Chillis likewise can be used for ‘hot’ references or with chocolate framing - Habanero Chocolate, Chocolate Bhut Jolokia and or even being 'hot' with a chilli starter kit.

Pumpkins now come in on the act with a new variety ‘Hot Chocolate’

Or if you want flowers with a vanilla/chocolate scent then Berlandia - Chocolate Daisy could be what you’re looking for.

Cryptic

Having been recommended the 'Minute Cryptic' by my daughter - maybe you could design your own from hidden words - Foxglove or Lavatera 'Loveliness' or Clover  - Crimson or White might be a great way to lead them up the garden path?

Maybe avoid Amaranth 'Love Lies bleeding' unless you have a broken heart.

Named after you?

There are many plants named after people. Sweet Peas in particular Daphne, Erewhon, Juliet, Emily and Heathcliff.

Pet names also appear in tomato varieties - Big Mama or Big Papa, Cherry Baby, Honey Delight, Garden Pearl and Outdoor girl. Sunflowers may also be a good source - Teddy Bear comes to mind. Sweet peas also have Bouquet, Little Sweetheart and various forms of Cupid as some of the options.

If you're into wine - Sweet Pea 'Beaujolais' or Sunflower 'Claret' might be your cup of tea.

However you celebrate, treat yourself to a little something that you wouldn’t normally buy. 

Image ID 28682143 © Lilkar | Dreamstime.com