Question
I am trying to make an impression on a great girl and I want to do something different. I wonder if you could offer something different than red roses to give her as a surprise and meaningful gift. Do you have any suggestions as to what would be unusual with a very deep meaning. I live in Columbus, Ohio and would need to be able to buy it at a store here. I would also like to know the meaning of the flower to make a card with the plant. If you can't answer this would know of anyone else that would and their email. There doesn't seem to be anything I can find on the web. Thank you for your help in this.
Kim Hardy

Answer
What a nice thought!  While it is obviously not my area of expertise...I do have a suggestion.  In Maderia, they grow a beautiful flower called the Bird of Paradise...they are spectacular and obviously Paradise is a good word.  But even better they have a secret which I learned from the housekeepers when I visited Maderia a few years ago.

The flower has a crest and when it dies, you can gently draw additional flowers from inside the main flower...it can be renewed (a bit like being in love) with gentle care and handling.

For a photo...http://www.naturalvisions.co.uk/navigator.htm you will need to go to the gallery option, select flowers, Bird of Paradise is in the bottom row, third from the left.  I have seen images of these flowers in California, so I expect you will be able to get them through a web florist or your own local florist.

Good luck to you both.

Fredericka