Don't know a rose from a daffodil? Even floral dyslexics can pick the right flowers with this guide.

One reason that flowers can make a great Mother’s Day gift is that your mom may very well have all of the possessions she needs and not particularly want any more “clutter” to come into her house. Many mature women have a house full of the furniture, knickknacks and decorator items that they want and cannot easily accommodate new items, particularly if they are large or clash with what is already there.

Some women may still be interested in acquiring things but not necessarily in accepting gifts that are supposed to become a permanent part of the living room or bedroom. Your mom probably has her own tastes and her own ideas and isn't really interested in having you or anyone else help her decorate.

Flowers are clutter free. True, they take up some space while they’re there, but they have a definite shelf life and eventually disappear.

If your mom is living in a crowded space, has tons of stuff already, or is very particular about having things match, flowers are one of the very best gift ideas you can have.

But how do you know what kind of floral arrangement to pick. Here are some pointers:

• Has your mom ever mentioned flowers she likes or hates? Perhaps she’s told you she adores irises or she hates geraniums. It may be a bit obvious to come out and ask her about floral preferences, but perhaps over the years you’ve come to know a bit about what kind of flowers she likes.
• Think of the colors she favors. If she’s the sort of person who likes lots of strong bright colors, go for a mixture. If she’s more likely to prefer soft, subdued shades, consider a more tasteful and refined type arrangement.
• Think of the colors to match where the arrangement is likely to be displayed. If your mom has a carefully decorated home, make sure you don’t opt for deep red roses to go in a terra-cotta colored room.
• What size and shape would your mother prefer? Does she like large, oversized, flamboyant things? Or is she the kind who prefers miniatures and understated items?

These guidelines also work for silk floral arrangements, which you can buy from a number of sources (check online) including many florists. Keep in mind that a silk arrangement lasts almost forever, so pick out something that is going to work with your mother’s home and personal tastes.

For live flowers (the best clutter-free gift we know) and other plants, here are some guidelines.

• Roses are elegant and tasteful but come on long stems. They need a deep vase and some head room to be displayed effectively. Roses are very traditional. Is your mom a classic?
• Bird of paradise is a striking and unusual looking flower. Is your mom artistic? This may be more to her liking.
• Daisies, petunias, daffodils, and irises are very feminine flowers. Is your mom the fluffy girly-girl type?
• Calla lilies, amyrillis and other bulb-type flowers are unusual and would appeal to a worldly woman, a gardener, or those who just don't go for the "usual stuff" that everybody else has.
• Cactus or other unusual items could be pleasing if your mom likes a Southwestern type motif or if she is a fan of this kind of plant. Yes, there really are women who would rather get a cactus than a boquet of roses. They tend to have very specific tastes, favor the desert motif, or be extremely knowledgeable about plants.
• A live plant will appeal to moms who like to garden and have big yards or balconies. Decide if you want a tree or a plant. A herb garden or rose bush (the plant) can be a mainstream choice. For more esoteric options, consider a hummingbird bush (great if your mother feeds the wild birds), a Norfolk pine tree, or a rose tree. If you live in the South, a lemon or orange tree is a great choice.
• A mixed floral arrangement can be beautiful but only works if your mom does not have allergies and does not have pets or little kids around that can eat it (many flowers are poisonous to pets and babies) or knock it over.

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