A florist might seem to be something of an unnecessary expense in the middle of a pandemic, but there are a lot of advantages to using a florist rather than putting together your own bouquet. For one thing, working with a florist is much more convenient than putting together your own flowers. What's more, florists are able to easily source flowers in a way that you can't. This ensures that the blooms stay fresh -- from the moment that you decide to order flowers online to the moment that they arrive at the recipient's location. Professional florists, of course, can also give you advice about the types of flowers that you order and what they're for.

Ordering flowers isn't uncommon, but it's definitely considered a bit more old-fashioned in this day and age. Some may believe that there's no point in ordering from flower shops anymore when they could simply send a text or order a gift through an online retailer. But there is something truly personal about sending flowers. People feel differently about receiving flowers than they do about receiving more ubiquitous types of gifts. An estimate indicates that about 86% of people report that receiving flowers makes them feel special.

But different flowers have different meanings and are sent for different purposes. That's one advantage of working with a professional florist: to hear their opinions and know the types of flowers that will work for your intended message. Let's look into some of the most popular flowers to send and why they're sent.

1. Sympathy Flowers

A common reason why people send flowers is that they want to express sympathy to a friend or loved one. Whether they've recently experienced a loss in their lives or because they're simply going through a tough time, recipients may appreciate a message sent through floral arrangements. Usually, in the case of someone's death, sympathy flowers are sent directly to the funeral home where a service is being held. However, this does not have to be the case. White flowers are commonly sent as sympathy flowers, as white symbolizes purity or peace. White lilies, orchids, roses, and irises are commonly sent in cut bouquets. Among potted flowers, common choices include white azalea bushes and gardenias.

2. Romantic Flowers

Of course, many of us choose to send flowers as a romantic gesture. Red roses are perhaps the most common types of flowers sent as a romantic gesture, particularly in increments of a dozen. Red roses do symbolize passion, but there are plenty of other romantic flowers to choose from, including pink roses, which symbolize a more innocent love. Peonies also symbolize love and they're also seen as tokens of good luck. Red chrysanthemums are offbeat-but-romantic red blooms, as are red carnations.

Casa Blanca lilies are white flowers with a romanticism to them and are accompanied by an amazing scent and an air of sophistication. If you'd like to be more simplistic and homey, however, sunflowers are often sent to symbolize love as well. There is definitely something beautiful about sending flowers to express romantic love and for many, there is an enjoyment associated with receiving those flowers and preserving them for a few days.

3. Friendship Flowers

A lot of people have gotten into the habit of sending flowers for platonic reasons, as well as romantic ones. There is something beautiful about sending flowers to a friend, for no reason other than that you want to express your appreciation for someone. You can try to find out their favorite flower, but if they don't have one or if you simply don't know what they like, there are some standbys to send to friends. We recommend brightly colored, happy arrangements for your friends. Pansies, chrysanthemums, and daisies are excellent flowers for friends, as are brightly colored lilies.

There are plenty of other types of flowers that you can send; you just have to ask your florist about them! Think about herbal flowers that have a medicinal hint to them, as well as potted flowers that you can keep growing after you receive them. There are so many reasons why the tradition of sending flowers has continued to this day. Try indulging in it yourself!