Everything about freesia: its origins, symbolic meaning and care instructions. A vintage flower that has a subtle scent and comes in many colours.
The freesia is characterised by its unique crest of flowers. Each stem bears multiple small flowers. It is the perfect addition to any bouquet, but can also serve as a bouquet in and of itself. It continues to bud even after it has been cut and placed in a vase.
Freesias come in many different colours, such as white, yellow, orange, blue, pink, purple and red. Two-tone varieties also exist. The scent of freesias is subtle, but pleasantly sweet.
The freesia symbolises unconditional love and honour. It used to be a tradition to give freesias to mark the occasion of a seventh wedding anniversary, based on the belief that at that point a turning point in love is reached (this is based on the parable of the seven fat years and seven lean years). Such a time calls for a reminder of unconditional love!
The freesia was ‘discovered’ by botanist Ecklon around 1890 in the Cape Colony in South Africa. He named it after his friend, the German physician Freese. Its initial cultivation began at the end of the 19th century in several European countries.
