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Roses are the pick of the bunch for old romantics

11 February 2008

If you are still pondering which flowers to buy for your valentine this year, take some advice from those who are older and wiser - stick with a dozen red roses.

A new survey out today reveals that roses, the traditional token of love, remain unrivalled in romance according to older people across the UK, who are residents in BUPA care homes.

Memories of their courting days were the most popular reason why red roses topped the league of best-loved flowers - whether it was giving a rose to a wife-to-be or brides having roses in their wedding bouquets, no other flower came close.

Interestingly, while the red rose was the outright winner in England, Scottish residents took issue with Burns's love being "like a red, red rose" and selected pink roses as the colour of choice in the poll. At regional level too there were some noticeable variations. The rose faced some stiff competition from the Welsh national emblem; the Daffodil, from residents in the north, the carnation in the south and east and the pansy in the west.

The flower survey was conducted across 303 BUPA care homes in the UK, with residents being asked to select their favourite flowers, which could then make their way into BUPA's show garden at the 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The top 10 flowers across the UK were:

1. Roses
2. Carnations
3. Daffodils
4. Tulips
5. Lilies
6. Sweet Peas
7. Pansies
8. Dahlias
9. Snowdrops
10. Chrysanthemums

But there was a serious side to the survey, too. It was undertaken as part of a programme of activities at BUPA care homes designed to help people with memory loss or conditions such as dementia.

Flowers to boost memory
Dr Graham Stokes, head of mental health at BUPA Care Homes, said: "Remembering the little things in life from your past, such as favourite flowers, places or films can help trigger a whole host of other memories, many of which have been forgotten and need stimulus to return. By conducting this flower survey, we are not only helping to bring back happy memories, but also, we are learning a little more about each or our residents, which helps us to give the best care to each individual."

The stimulus that the sights, smells and sounds of a garden provide to older people is something that BUPA care services has long valued. Over the last seven years sensory gardens have been created in over 250 BUPA care homes.

This year, The BUPA Garden, by award-winning garden designer Cleve West, will be featuring at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to showcase how BUPA's attitude to individual health and care is epitomised through its expertise in caring for older people, especially those with dementia.

Visit the BUPA Care Homes website.

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