When I was growing up my mother was always a friend to my siblings and me (in addition to being all the other things a mom is) and I was always grateful for that because I knew she was someone I could talk to and joke with and argue with and that nothing would ever harm that friendship.
For myself I hold no preferences among flowers so long as they are wild free spontaneous. Bricks to all greenhouses! Black thumb and cutworm to the potted plant!