I know I should be grateful but....

Lisanthus (sp?) they are lovely bright coloured 'summer roses' which I am still buying now (well DH bought me some yesterday!) they last for ages which to me means good value for money! Definitely not a fan of chrysanthemums - I always put them on my parents grave as they are more hardy outdoors but like others have said the smell is not good permiating around the house! Definitely not sunflowers or those cabbage things! Left some sunflowers to dry out in our garage roof once and went on Holiday, the smell wafted down the road to greet us on our return!!! Not the best welcome home

Freesias! I love them but I love any flowers - and gypsophila (sp?) to give an airy feel to an arrangement. Sunflowers in my opinion are better outside where they look glorious. I do not think that vegetables, however well displayed, can compete with flowers but greenery and foliage when blossoms are not available, can make a dramatic statement.

I like sunflowers in a tall vase as a 'statement'. They bring colour to a room and last a long time though the stems go slimey and the water needs to be replaced regularly. At the moment I have a big bunch of mixed chrysanthemums in a big jug. Also very much a 'statement' - though of what I wouldn't like to say.

Not keen on cabbagey things - I agree, the best place for them is the compost heap.

Sunflowers are lovely and last well; I often use them in church to brighten and lighten things up a bit.

Had a horrendous expetrience with sunflowers for wedding flowers - the bride insisted on them, hard enough - but her other favorite flower was blue hydrangeas. Now try to arrange THEM nicely!!!

I can't take anything perfumed, it makes me feel sick - so lillies and any "smellies" are out. I treat pot plants like bunches of flowers - they have been forced and re unnatural in the pots in the first place. Be brave, throw them out once they get covered in whitefly, wilt or finish flowering if you don't want the palaver of keeping them going!

J52 . And we both dislike Chrysanthemums!

Cyberjack, I did of course accept the flowers with grace.

I also don't like Chrysthanthemums in the house, they have a smell that I dislike.

I blame reading D.H Lawrence's short story 'The Odour of Chrysthanthemums' at am impressionable age!

x

Kitty if I remember you and I share the same birthday, we also share the same love of flowers. I cannot bear the house to be without a vase of flowers.

It must be written in our stars!

x

I am not clever enough to arrange 'stiff' flowers. I do have them (sunflowers and cabbage-y things) in a tall vase but I think they are too austere. I love sunflowers in a field or a garden. And, I love creamed cabbage with bacon, onions and garlic!

I buy flowers for the hall every week and move last weeks, if they are still alive, to the dining room until they die. My favourites are lilies which I cut short and put in one of those goldfish bowl vases. Love it. Otherwise, I like lisianthus [?sp] or alstromeria.

I dislike chrysthanthemums as I remember arranging them on my brother's grave when I was young. Only seasonal flowers available in the dim and distant past! Strangely, I love anemones and I remember arranging them on his grave too!

I'm okay with any kind of cut flowers - I get into trouble when people bring me pot plants. I know as soon as they come through the door they are doomed as I'm hopeless at keeping them. A friend who came to stay last week brought me an orchid . I have consigned it's care and ongoing welfare to DH, who seems to have "the touch"!

So what about cauliflower and broccoli they are real are cabbagey things and flowers. Smart arse Nelliem.

In the cottage where we had a short break recently the owner had put just one sprig of Ice Plant in a vase with a little bit of greenery. Looked lovely.

I can't understand why they've decided cabbages should be flowers. Plain weird. Nothing attractive about them either.

I think flowers should be seasonal. Michaelmas daisies and chrysanths at the moment. Nice Autumny colours.

And hate cabbagey things, why would anyone think they are a good idea!!

I love lilies and wish I didn't have to toil !!

I love sunflowers.

The cabbagey things are an abomination!

One of the great joys of summer is having a bunch of sunflowers on the table I tend not to buy the cabbages as they always seem to be in big mixed bunches that I can't really afford.

I don't understand why anyone would want those cabbage stems in a bouquet (or ornamental cabbages in the garden). They stink in a vase and get caterpillars in the garden

Dad!!!! DD

Have you got a really tall vase for the sunflowers kitty?
Dad had them at her wedding (against my wishes!) but I had to admit they looked fantastic on the day.
Just put the cabbages on the compost heap

oh and the candles...the candles now it's colder. Even in Boots...the Sanctuary little £6 candles are LOVELY.

I think a good rule of thumb is always to accept presents and gifts with grace really.
Personally spread the word about how much you like...Fresh flowers...nothing wrong with sunflowers/nice soaps/Neal's Yard stuff & White company for your more affluent friends and Jo Malone for the plain crazy. oooooh lovely.

I love sunflowers in the house, so cheery.
Always cut the stamens off the lilies as soon as they appear.

liked!

Also bought chocolates and wine, so I am sure they went down well!

You could dry the sunflower heads and put them out for the birds ...

I bought some sunflowers for someone when we went to visit recently. Ooh, hope she like them.