ROSES FOR MEN’S BUTTONHOLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20330, 11 February 1928, Page 3

ROSES FOR MEN’S BUTTONHOLES.

Englishmen are not particularly partial to the “ buttonhole ” bouquet. The reason, one supposes, is the dislike of being conspicuous and different from one's fellow men. Perhaps, too, there is a feeling that the wearing of a flower borders on the effeminate. Buttonholes, I fancy, were more in vogue in Victorian times —strange though it may sound in an age somewhat sombre and austere. The buttonhole generally approved, or shall * say, condoned, is the one taken from one s own garden —the unstudied buttonhole. Men rarely enter a shop with the express purpose of buying a flower for the coat, unless it be for a special occasion, such as a wedding. The wearing of buttonholes by city men is to be encouraged. It brings brightness into drab surroundings. Of flowers suitable, probably the carnation takes the lead on account of its lasting property; but none appeals like the rose. Unfortunately, unless supplied with water, it soon shows signs of distress and before the' day is over has lost its freshness. The careful business man, while in the office, tranfers it to a vessel of water; but a better way is to supply its wants while actually in the coat by means of a flower-holder. The metal kind, with movable clip, now in use, is ingenious and handy. It has two drawbacks. The bright bit of metal which hooks the holder to the buttonhole is exposed to view. It might b© rendered inconspicuous by green enamel. The clip weakens in time, thus failing to hold the flower firmly. A more satisfactory kind of holder, though entailing more trouble, consists of a flattened glass or metal tube made to fit into a little pocket of thin material sewn on the back of the lapel of the coat. This method permits the use of a pin inside, just below the buttonhole, thus affording greater security. Such tubes used to be obtainable. Are they still in use? A coat flower, as a rule, is incomplete without some foliage. Needless to say, the rose’s own leaf is its best accompaniment. Without water it wilts more quickly than the rose itself. A flagging leaf spoils the effect of a buttonhole, even though the actual flower may appear fresh. Failing a water-holder, a good substitute for the rose’s own foliage is the leaf of the evergreen barberry (Mahonia). It is similar in form, and in these days of stiff-leaved rose varieties it is hardly dis tinguishable at a little distance from that of a rose. This barberry leaf keeps perfectly fresh the whole day without water, provided a mature one is used.— Gardeners’ Chronclo.,