8 Valentine Flowers and their Victorian Meanings

"The orange lily implies extreme hatred. The begonia and lavender, danger and suspicion . . . every flower has a meaning.” --Leopold (Hugh Jackman) from the movie "Kate and Leopold."

Modern day Americans believe that nothing says “I love you” better than a dozen red roses. But what about the rest of the garden? Do they say something too? 19th century Victorians had a whole dictionary of meanings for each flower and weed that could be gathered into a bouquet. Thankfully, most of these meanings have been forgotten or buying flowers would be a whole lot harder. Patch visited Fenton Flowers to see what flowers are going to be popular gifts this Valentine’s Day. Staff at the florist said that most men are sticking to traditional bouquets of roses and carnations this year. Rose: Red roses haven’t strayed far from their Victorian meaning, as they stood for Respect, Love and Beauty. Pink roses could mean anything from …

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The Patchlist

13 Valentine Gifts More Interesting Than You Gave Last Year

Here’s a baker's dozen ways to say “I Love You” with local gifts from Fenton.

Heart-shaped rib-eye:  It's not every day you see a heart-shaped piece of meat, but on Feb. 14 at Jilly's Cafe and Steakhouse, in High Ridge, heart-shaped ribeyes will be on the menu as part of a steak and scampi special, which also includes chocolate covered strawberries. Enjoy the fine dining in one of Jilly's private booths. Reservations are a good idea. The classic gift. You know she wants them, and Fenton Flowers has them. A dozen roses is $69.99 this year, and an extra $10 will get you local delivery. If you just want to pick up a single stem, the cash and carry price is $4.99. This is a family business that takes care of its customers, so they’re happy to do any combination you like, including carnations, so drop on by. Give her the…

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Seniors Share Love Stories for Valentine's Day

As Valentine's Day nears, seniors at Bon Vivant adult day care center in Fenton reflect back on the 50, 60, even 70 years they’ve spent with their loved ones.

Charlotte Heale needed a ride home from Sunday school. She was 14 or 15—she can’t remember exactly anymore—and a boy named Tom offered to give her a ride. Her mom was nervous about sending her home with a stranger, but “she said, ‘Well, if he is in Sunday school, than he must be a good man,’” Heale remembers. A few months later, they married. Seventy years later, Heale proudly shows her engagement and wedding rings, rows of diamonds in silver settings. “Look here, these are my diamonds,” she said, proudly jutting out her left hand. (To see the photo, click through our photo gallery above.) “I’ve been wearing this for 70 years.”    Heale and other seniors shared their stories with The Fenton-High Ridge Patch at the Bon Vivant Adult Day Club…

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