Flowery Books

In the Middle Ages books were called flower gardens or rosarea, arbors of roses. They were often illuminated by pictures of flowers which represented the search for wisdom and faith, as well as the cult of Mary.

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Source: Sinclair, Andrew. The Sword and the Grail. The Story of the Grail, the Templars and the True Discovery of America. p.94.

Divine Gardens

Author Andrew Sinclair defines paradise as a walled garden. Xenophon and Socrates used the word paradeisos when admiring the Persian King Cyrus for his love of pleasure gardens ” filled with all the fine and good things that the earth wishes to bestow… .”

Autumn Colours

The Burning Bush

 

Among the brilliant colours of Autumn, I have discovered the burning bush.

 

Flowery Healing – Aromatherapy

 

Flowers heal. Inhaling the aromas of natural flowers or their essential oils eases any number of disorders. For millennia people have applied the oils of flowers to the skin to enhance health or help the body heal. Essential oils are derived from flowers by steam distillation or solvent extraction. My favorites are rose, lavender, chamomile, calendula and jasmine.

Thriving in Shade

The sun shines upon my little garden plot only from early morning to about noon. So I need to learn which annuals and perennials bloom brilliantly in partial sunlight. My little garden grows in central British Columbia and faces northeast, mostly north. I’ve had success with nicotiana, jolly jump-ups, hollyhocks, and lilacs. Petunias have limited success, with their leaves drying out by mid-August, although their blooms thrive until November, depending upon whether or not snow falls. Tulips do not do well: the leaves appear in early spring, but the tulips do not bloom.

I love to see many shades of red, as well as bright yellow,  orange, vivid purple, and a small amount of white in my little garden. I prefer to plant bedding plants and bulbs, rather than sowing seeds. Any suggestions you have are so welcome.

Flowery Messages

 

Flowers speak. I’m fascinated to learn what meanings different flowers can express. The rose comes to mind. When a gentleman gives his special lady red or white roses, the blossoms send her messages of love and passion. However, if he gives her a bouquet of yellow roses, he can be delivering the less positive message of jealousy, or even infidelity.

Including white or pink hawthorn blossoms expresses the hopefulness of the sender, while anemones in a bouquet imply that the gent awaits a future encounter with great anticipation. White camellias represent perfect beauty, and pink ones, admiration, whereas red ones express repentance of the sender. Honeysuckle blossoms relay a message of generous love and attachment. The gentleman wishing to reveal his love to a lady must take note that white chrysanthemums speak truth, red ones, “I love you”, while yellow ones speak of tenuous love!

Anyone sending a message of good tidings to friends, relatives, or lovers would do well to include irises in their bouquet. With them, they could add white jasmine and periwinkle to emphasize friendliness. Husbands would be advised to include myrtle in bouquets they give their wives to send them messages of domestic bliss. They could increase harmony further by adding sweet William blossoms, which indicate a desire to please!

Pansies and rosemary speak of remembrance and pleasant thoughts. White clover says, “think of me”; red clover represents dedication, and the four-leaf clover means good luck.

It’s best to use caution when considering carnations, for they have several meanings: red ones mean passion, heartbreak or freedom; white ones mean talent; striated ones imply refusal; and yellow ones mean disdain.

It is wise to pay close attention to the flowers we select for a bouquet, for we truly want to give the recipient of our gift the appropriate message.

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Source:

Seguin-Fontes, Marthe. The Language of Flowers. Sterling Publishing. New York, NY. 2001.