Valentine's Day Flowers ... or Chocolate?

Ahh … even though Sir Walter Wally saw his shadow over the weekend, dooming us to another six weeks of winter, the optimistic gardener in our souls can still consider February flower season.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re like me, flowers are far more satisfying than the most divine of chocolates.

But as sweet and romantic as Valentine’s Day is in its current Hallmark- and FTD flower-centric form, it didn’t have a very happy beginning. According to The Flower Expert: “Saint Valentine was said to have demonstrated courage and valor in helping Christian martyrs being persecuted under Emperor Claudius II in Rome, during a time when giving any kind of aid to Christians was considered a crime. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned for this crime. He was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned and finally beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. After his death, this gate was known as Porta Valentini, later being renamed Porta Popolo.

"There is a legend that says while awaiting his execution, he befriended his jailer's blind daughter whose sight he restored to her. According to Alfonso Villiegas, in his book "Lives of Saints" the jailer was Asterios, one of the Emperor's lieutenants. He and his family were converted to Christianity by St. Valentine, and they were condemned to death by Claudius II. Furthermore, according to legend, on the eve of Valentinus' death, he wrote a farewell message to the jailer's daughter and signed it. This is how Valentines Day evolved.“

Now, far be it from me to figure out how flowers and chocolates evolved from this sad tale of a sainted man, but I’m never one to look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s a testament to how much I love flowers that I would prefer them over chocolate. But I do. They last a bit longer than the aftertaste of fine Godiva truffles, and they’re not likely to make a home on the hips.

As far as flower arrangements go, I’ve never been one to kowtow to convention. That is to say, I prefer pink tulips or white lilacs to red roses, though if I’m going to receive (or give) roses, then I love a pale pink hue. And do NOT mix in baby’s breath with my flowers. Throw in some seeded eucalyptus or combine white roses with lavender lilac, and I’m in Valentine’s heaven.

• What type of flowers would you rather receive … or give … on Valentine’s Day?
• Or, would you rather have chocolates?