Lisianthus>

Once hardly known, now a firm favourite; largely because of their delicate, tissuey, fragile appearance. Tightly rolled buds untwirl into open cup-shaped blooms, either simple like a tulip shape, or with extra petals like a full-blown rose. Romantic and dainty, unashamedly feminine, lisianthus come in a range of soft pastel shades from white, lemon and pale green through lilac and lavender to deep royal purple and warm rose-pink. Some even wear a little halo of contrast colour around the edge of each petal - these are called picotee lisianthus.

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< Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis means "looks like a moth". Also known as moth orchids, these orchids are impossibly glamorous - yet readily available. It's like seeing a Hollywood superstar in your local high street. Their huge, open flowers, four big oval petals with a central mouth-shaped petal, are alternately placed on long curved stems. The flowers are often pure white - sometimes with the most exquisitely-marked lipstick-like centres - and last for ages whether cut in a vase, or on the plant. For the simplest way to feel like a superstar yourself, pop a stem of these beauties into a glass bud vase.

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Rose>

If we are talking glamour and romance, we can't exclude the rose. It has been the epitome of romantic love for as long as we can remember - the rose's perfect shape, soft satiny feel, sumptuous colours, and sweet subtle fragrance all combine to make this flower perfect for a little seduction - or just to say you care. Even its occasional sharp thorns remind us love isn't always sweet and simple! Look out for the more dainty spray roses - with lots of smaller flowers per stem - as well as the usual kind with one large bloom.

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< Tuberose

Tuberose is very well known in the perfume industry for its fantastically intense, sexy scent, said to be one of the most effective aphrodisiac fragrances…! However, very few people are familiar with the fragrance in its natural state, fresh from the flower. As well as having this amazing perfume, tuberose is also a very attractive flower. Fat buds on a single long stem open to wider cup-shaped flowers, their cream petals softly shaded with a pinky blush. Strangely enough, tuberose are related to the spiky houseplants yucca, dracaena, cordyline, and agave which is also used to make tequila. A very beautiful and useful family of plants!