Ever think about the message in those marigolds you’re sending? Leatrice Eiseman does. The high priestess of color theory and forecasting (she’s the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute) says certain combinations of flora make certain emotions get to bloomin’. Feeling frisky? Send reds, purples, hot pinks, and spicy oranges (translation: phlox, Asiatic lily, gerbera daisy). Need to slow things down? Pick light greens and misty blues (larkspur, freesia, silver brunia). Think this is all poppycock? Rutgers University doesn’t: a behavioral study there concluded that the mere presence of flowers triggers happy emotions and heightened feelings. Stop and smell the roses — and see the five “flower therapy” palettes — at www.aboutflowers.com.
— Rob Brinkley