St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday for many across the United States. While the celebration is a recognition of the Irish patron saint, it is said that on St. Patrick;;s Day, “everyone is Irish”. Traditions include wearing green clothing (the crazier the better), drinking green beer, and eating corned beef and cabbage while watching the parade. However you plan on celebrating on March 17th, don’t forget to send your favorite Irish people a beautiful green flower arrangement or potted plant to honor their heritage.

Oddly enough, St. Patrick was not born in Ireland, and his name is not Patrick – it is Maewyn Succat. Kidnapped by pirates from his native Great Britain, it is said the young man had a religious experience while praying continually for is safety. After he was freed, he returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary and is largely credited for bringing the faith to the Emerald Isle. And although his feast day is still celebrated by the 4 million inhabitants of Ireland, over 36 million people of Irish descent will celebrate in the United States.

Anything but Snakes! Although legend says that St. Patrick delivered Ireland from snakes, this was found to be false. The story likely originated from his conversion of the Pagan druids, who used snake symbolism.

Given the phrase “the luck of the Irish”, it is no surprise that many people mistakenly associate the four-leaf clover with St. Patrick’s Day. It reality, it is the three-leaf shamrock that is the official plant of the holiday, as Patrick used the plant to teach children about the Christian theology of the Trinity.  It would certainly be fortuitous if you found the four-leaf variety, however – it is estimated that there are 10,000 three leaf clovers for every one of the lucky variety.

St. Patrick’s Day is often decorated florally with green and white shamrocks, but there are many gorgeous green flowers to celebrate the day! The appropriate Bells of Ireland, Fuji mums, and varieties of orchids are all top choices to send to your Irish friends, family, and colleagues. Call Ah Sam Florist, and we’ll make sure that the greenest flowers arrive just in time to celebrate.