FLOWERS are the language of love, and with Valentine’s Day round the corner it's time to start thinking about what you want to say to your loved one.

Perhaps you are the kind of romantic who rushes at the last minute to the nearest garage to buy a bunch of carnations.

But you may not realise the type of flowers you buy your nearest and dearest says a lot about you.

In the language of flowers, white stands for purity; yellow for friendship; while red means pure, blood-red love.

Believe it or not, daffodils and gypsophelia mean bravery, while chrysanthemums mean truthfulness.

"The colour red stands for love and passion," said florist Lisa Langley from Sweet William Florist in Chepstow Road, Newport.

"There is no greater symbol of love than a simple red rose. You can choose all sorts of bouquets, but there really is nothing quite like a dozen red roses on Valentines Day."

If you want something a little different, Sally Dixon at Market Florist in Pontypool Indoor Market recommends California red lily; Bontempi red chrysanthemums; palm leaves; aspidistras; and gypsophila, oftened described as baby's breath or spray.

Yellow and pink chrysanthemums are to be avoided, especially since the colour yellow denotes friendship and is "nothing to do with love or romance", she warned.

Florists across Gwent will be working flat out towards the end of next week to get deliveries out on time.

“I have ordered 1,000 red roses from Holland, but even that may not be enough," said Mrs Langley, who will be up well before dawn on February 14, making sure all the orders are placed in delivery vans ready to go out.

"Flowers need to be beautiful and fresh,” said Mrs Langley. "I like to use the very best roses, with a long stem and a wonderful fragrance.

"I think young people are getting more romantic. Life can be difficult for teenagers these days, and I think something simple like a single red rose can mean such a lot.”

For £5, you can buy a single rose in a tube with some white flowers and berries, but prices do rise around Valentine's Day.

A dozen red roses will set you back one penny off £50, or if you want something a little different, you can have the roses arranged in a shape for around the same cost.

“If I had my choice, for me, there really is nothing like two dozen red roses on Valentines Day,” said Mrs Langley. “If somebody buys you two dozen red roses then you know they are serious."

One customer bought 100 red roses for his loved one which cost £250 - now that is serious.

You do not have to spend a fortune on Valentine's Day gifts, and if you're not sure, then red roses are your safest bet.