This Valentine’s Day I had an evening date planned with someone I had been seeing for a while. We laughed and talked about our favourite movies, our favourite music. We had shared playlists. He asked me about my favourite flowers. As the weighty romantic date crept closer, a creeping unease took hold of me. I ran in refuge to the url of one of my favourite florists and pre-ordered myself a large bouquet of natives. Waratahs, sprawling gum, prickly banksia. Something unruly, coarse and bright. Something textural, pungent, excessive.