An old TV commercial for an international florist put it best: 'Say it with flowers.' A red rose tells a sweetheart 'I love you' on Valentine's day. A floral display on the pulpit helps worshipers find solace during religious services. A gift of flowers tells the bereaved we care. A basket of blooms brightens a hospital room. Orchids and baby's breath capture the joy of a bride on her wedding day, as the groom looks on with pride, a sprig of orange blossoms in his lapel.
"It's a common denominator worldwide," says Alan Armitage, professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia in Athens. Armitage should know. A recognized authority on everything from amaranths to zinnias, he tests the latest varieties vying for the prestigious 'All American Selection' label.
Despite the tragedy, hardened New Yorkers will probably cultivate window boxes and plant gardens atop their high-rise apartments next spring. Others ...
