By Julie Christensen
During the Victorian Era, women adorned their hair and clothing with flowers. Victorians believed flowers conveyed specific meanings and women often used flowers as a means of unspoken communication. As time went on, flowers were relegated to special occasions, such as weddings, dances or parties. In recent years, though, flowers have enjoyed a revival as  personal adornment.
Women and girls can wear flowers in their hair for everyday events or more formal occasions. When choosing fresh flowers to wear in your hair, select flowers that are sturdy and long-lasting. Avoid those that drop pollen or that are highly scented and may attract insects. Choose single blooms atop strong, thick stems.
Wondering how to wear flowers? Tuck a flower behind your ear or weave flowers into a braid. Secure flowers with a bobby pin or hot glue them to a clip. Thread them onto a wire or form to make a charming wreath for a flower girl. Glue them to a headband for a fresh look. For a permanent accessory, use artificial flowers, although nothing’s quite as beautiful as fresh flowers.
Flowers to Wear in Your Hair
Camellia.
Camellias are similar to roses, but flatter and less fragrant. They’re an old-fashioned, elegant flower, perfect for more formal or romantic occasions. Camellias do not tolerate frost and only grow in mild climates. Their season is brief, but worth noting.
Chrysanthemum.
Mums resemble sunflowers with their large centers and multiple petals. They come in a variety of colors and are available throughout the year.
Daisy.
Shasta daisies are absolutely charming as hair accessories. These daisies are widely available and have yellow centers and white petals. Daisies come in other shades, as well, such as pink, fuschia or purple.
Freesia.
Freesias resemble small lilies and usually come in yellow, orange, pink or red. They’re inexpensive and widely available and they’re often used as a filler in floral arrangements. Use freesias when you want a small, informal flower to tuck behind your ear or weave into a braid.
Gardenia.
Gardenias make lovely, fragrant hair accessories. These elegant creamy flowers are somewhat fragile and don’t ship well. If you live in a warm climate, enjoy them while they’re in season locally.
Hydrangea.
For a change of pace from single blooms, clip a cluster of hydrangeas behind your ear or weave them into an up-do. Hydrangeas don’t last long fresh, but they dry beautifully. To dry them, cut them soon after they open and store them upright in a cool, dry location.
Lily.
Lilies are among the most versatile flowers to wear in your hair. They range in size from 1 inch to 5 inches wide and they come in many, many colors. A single white lily is exquisitely elegant, while a brightly-colored lily creates an exuberant look.
Magnolia.
These sweet, old-fashioned flowers make a delicate hair accessory. Magnolias come in cream, white, pink, fuschia, lavender or coral. Magnolias trees grow in mild climates and bloom in spring.
Peony.
The season for peonies is brief — mid-spring to early summer — but peonies are among the most beautiful flowers for your hair. These old-fashioned blooms are huge, ranging from 3 to 6 inches across and they come in a variety of colors, including white, cream, pink, hot pink, coral and lavender. Their delicate scent is pleasing, never overpowering.
Poppy.
Poppies look fragile with their papery petals, but they’re actually quite sturdy. They make a striking hair accessory with their black centers and sleek shape. Choose white poppies for an elegant look or try bright red or yellow poppies for a casual outfit.
Rose.
No list of hair flowers would be complete without a nod to lovely, fragrant roses. Save these flowers for formal affairs.
Sunflowers.
Sunflowers are an obvious choice. They’re long-lasting and they grow on strong, thick stems. They’re also fairly inexpensive and widely available. With their casual form and bright color, they are ideal for an everyday accessory. Use florist’s sunflowers or grow hybridized versions in your garden. Regular garden flowers drop a great deal of pollen.
To learn more about flowers for the hair, visit:
How to Put Flowers in Your Hair by Howcast.com
Perfect Hair Flowers by HairBoutique.com
When she’s not writing about gardening, food and canning, Julie Christensen enjoys spending time in her gardens, which includes perennials, vegetables and fruit trees. She’s written hundreds of gardening articles for the Gardening Channel, Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate, as well as several e-books.
Leave a Reply