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Jen Jones - Pickle's PatchRed roses for love, yellow ones for friendship and daisy to wish happiness but did you know that all flowers have meanings, and they are not all that hard to find? You may be growing them, or plan to or maybe just want to grab a bunch to share or enjoy so this week, let’s explore the fascinating Language of Flowers.
People of the Victorian period (1837-1901) made the 'language' of flowers extremely popular. Blooms were used for secret messages between friends and lovers, and even between enemies. It was a time when communication between each other was dictated by social standing and the expected morals of the day played a huge part. The Language of Flowers was used as a code, to pass these messages on to each other. Flowers were also used in their jewellery, furnishings, artworks, textiles, and in gardens and floral displays. Not many not many people of the Victorian era would dream of organising a dinner centrepiece without careful consideration of the meanings of each blossom.
In Victorian times it was that fascination with the connection of science and nature, along with the arts that helped them explore these meanings, which had related to herbalism for centuries. The way a flower and its plant looked, smelt, tasted, its medicinal properties, all of these things lead to defined ‘meanings’. In the past the meanings of flowers were commonly known because people lived within nature but these days, unfortunately, the closest that many come to, for example, a chamomile flower will be chopped up in a tea blend.
The messages of flowers or even just their presence is comforting in times of grief and stress. Personally, I had a really hard time when my grandmother passed away as we were very close. Coincidently I was making a military house move of my own at the time and the new home had a horribly barren backyard, except for one plant. It was a gardenia, her favourite flower. So, whether a coincidence or just that my heart was looking for comfort, seeing that divine white flower in this rather empty garden was such a huge comfort to me.
When it comes to love, picking flowers that express your admiration for someone, longing and passion would naturally entail flowers that were precious, perhaps rare, red of colour to indicate passion, sweet smelling to swoon the recipient and the meanings that the accepted ‘language of flowers’ of your era and area had already bestowed would make it a lot easier to get it right. Important if you were wooing the person of your dreams and didn’t have the skills of the written word or might upset the etiquette of the time.
How to Buy Flowers
When choosing a bunch of blooms for someone else, it is important to think of them for a minute before walking into a florist's shop. A problem with most people is they choose what they like, not what would suit the other person’s taste or needs. A simple way to get this right is to look towards the recipient's personality. If they have a bright and happy personality or they are feeling sick or a bit down, maybe a bunch of sunflowers would be fantastic. They mean power, strength, happiness, and good health. Now you could google this or look it up in a book but just look at them! They look like big bright happy suns and that’s exactly what they mean.
Although you may want to say I love you this week, this handy reference guide will help you connect with other flowers and their meanings. You can give them to others, buy or even better, grow them for yourself.
New Job - Delphiniums mean new opportunities, possibilities and even leadership, so they are good to use as gifts or decoration when seeking a new job as well as celebrating landing one.
Get Well - Sunflowers are wonderful flowers for those who are unwell or facing health challenges. They mean strength, happiness, confidence and generally "get well soon".
Birthday - Gerberas are the perfect birthday flower. They mean happiness, celebration, appreciation and wishes for a happy life.
New Home - Cornflowers are wonderful to add to an occasion celebrating a new home because they speak of protection, new home blessings and new friendships.
Funeral - These are very personal occasions, but should you wish to give flowers which offer support then heartsease are a compassionate way to say that you are thinking of those affected and that you are there for them.
Wedding - If you would like to give flowers to someone to celebrate news of a wedding then you might consider a flowering cactus. They mean love which will always endure.
The Meanings of a Few Popular Flowers
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): get well, strength, happiness, confidence
Red Rose (Rosa): love, courage, respect, passion, lust, relationship, beauty
White Rose (Rosa): truth, honesty, purity, protection
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): victory, support, vitality, independence
Dahlia (Dahlia): encouragement, dignity, generosity, faith, resiliency
Violet (Viola): faithfulness, answers within, subconscious, modesty
Pink Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus): love, encouragement, gratitude
Daffodil ((Narcissus pseudonarcissus): hope, inspiration, respect, renewal
Red Tulip (Tulipa): desire, passion, declaration of love, belief
Peony (Paeonia officinalis): happy marriage, honour, wealth, health, nobility
The Language of Australian Flowers
While the traditional Victorian Language of Flowers focuses on blossoms that were popular in the Northern Hemisphere, a close study of the botanical history of the plant and ethnobotany, (the uses humans have made of plants) can reveal to us the meanings of any flower and plant, including our Australian Natives. For example, a bright bunch of Billy Buttons (Pycnosorus globosus), are the perfect way to say sorry. A pathway lined with Bottlebrush is perfect for busy families to walk through before coming into the home to leave the troubles of the day behind them.
Banksia (Banksia spp.) “I love being with you”, “Congratulations”
Boronia (Boronia spp.) “Good luck in your exams”, “Can we work this out?”
Billy Buttons (Pycnosorus globosus) “I’m sorry”, “I want to begin again”
Everlasting Daisy (Rhodanthe spp.) “I’d like to be your friend”, “I hope this last forever”
Flannel Flower (Atinotus helianthin) “I love you”, “I trust you”
Flowering Gum (Eucalyptus spp.) “Get well soon”, “I will not do it again”
Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium spp.) “You can do this”, “Be mine”
Grevillea (Grevillea spp.) “Good luck”, “I wish you well in the future”
Gymea Lily (Doryanthes excelsa) “I believe in you”, “I’m proud of you”
Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp.) “Please forgive me”, “I forgive you”
Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus spp.)”Bon voyage”, “I wish you well in the future”
Waratah (Telopea spp.) “I wish you strength”, “I am by your side”
Wattle (Acacia spp.) “Congratulations”, “You make me happy”
You & Your Garden
How Do I Make My Cut Flowers Last?
Wendy of Long Jetty asked me this week via social media and whether they are cut from your garden or bought from one of our lovely florists, we all want the love to last as long as possible. As soon as you receive your flowers, remove all foliage from the stems that will sit below the waterline in a vase. Rinse the stems and cut on an angle. Place away from full, direct sunlight and heat and away from drafts. Change water every second day, remove any dead flowers and recut stems that look dried.
GARDENING GUIDE FOR TEMPERATE AREA GARDENERS LATE SUMMER
You can plant the following now: Culinary herbs, beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chicory, cress, cucumber, endive, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, marrow, mustard, onions (spring), parsnip, potato tubers, radish, rhubarb crowns, salsify, silverbeet, swede, sweetcorn, turnips, zucchinis, ageratum, alyssum, boronia, begonia, calendula, cleome, cyclamen, forget-me-not, nasturtium, pansy, poppy (Iceland), stock, verbena, vinca, viola, wallflower
HAVE YOU GOT A GARDEN TO SHARE?
Down in the Garden is looking for Central Coast gardeners who would like to share their garden with us.We are particularly looking for: Home Nursery Businesses, Hanging Basket Gardens, Water Feature Gardens, School/Children Gardeners, Commercial Kitchen Gardens, Medicinal Plant Gardeners but all gardens and gardeners are welcome to have a chat with Cheralyn: 0408105864
Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM963. She is also co-host of @MostlyAboutPlants a weekly botanical history & gardening podcast with Victoria White.
Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: [email protected]
Article first published in Central Coast Newspapers - The Coast News and The Chronicle
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My first Sunflower of the season!
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) will assist you in finding happiness and focusing on it. Sunflower will also support those who require additional strength and resolution at the moment. Self-esteem boost.
Language of Flowers Oracle:
A turn in fortune is indicated and a chance to mend matters of the heart as well. Friends could be very helpful and projects which require groups who are in some way connected through friendship or a mutual passion for the subject are also indicated.
Masculine and patriarchal connections are very strong when any Sunflower is showing it's energies to you.
Flower Lore:
Many myths, legends and stories (early references outside of the Americas) which speak of the sunflower are actually speaking of other flowers (such as marigold) which are also Heliotropic (follow the sun) although, Helianthus annuus is not truly Heliotropic. Young plants do follow the sun in their development but once the flower blooms, you will find they forever face the rising sun direction.
The Incas worshiped the Sunflower and it is believed this is because they found magick in it's geometry. Indications of sunflower are found in abundance in their temples and spiritual artworks.
It is said that if you wish to find the truth in a situation, you can sleep with a fresh sunflower under your pillow or bed and it will come to you.
Pick a sunflower right at sunset and make a wish to have out granted before the sun goes down the following day.
Gardening Notes:
Depicted in this card is a Wild Sunflower which is distinguished from it's domesticated sibling by it's branched stem and multiple flower heads. If you do obtain seeds from a Wild Sunflower, growing notes are the same.Although they will grow in part shade you really will do best planting them out in a full sun position with a loamy soil.
Plant your seeds after the danger of frost has passed in early Spring. I plant every 4 weeks a few times over so I have a summer full of sunflowers. Feed every few weeks.
bunches of love,
Cheralyn🌻 xx
card: the Language of Flowers @rockpoolpublishing @weiserbooks
Found - The Flower of the Day
Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) will assist you in succeeding. Perhaps one of the best flowers in fact to align with if you are finding sticking with goals, promises, commitments or staying on course at all challenging. Very supportive of those who feel they have lost hope with something. Jasmine naturally attracts financial gain as well so is really good to have around if you need a boost. The flower is a powerful aphrodisiac and assists to attract love.
For longevity, optimism, joy, longevity and cheerfulness
the glorious Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.)
They are the national flower of Japan, the birth flower of the zodiac sign Scorpio, the flower of the month of October in Japan and China and in Western culture, November.
Chrysanthemum are the 13th Wedding Anniversary flower and their powers are strongest non Saturdays and Sundays and during the full moon.
The shorter days of Autumn will signal to the Chrysanthemum that it is time to flower and these beautiful long-lasting blossoms with brighten dull days and lift spirits anywhere.
Where grown in a pot of garden, They need a sunny spot with at least 5 to 6 house of direct sunlight a day.
Remove flowers as they are spent and at the end of winter, cut back all dead flowers and leaves and feed well with a liquid fertiliser.
Colours will add additional layers of energies ~
Bronze: friendship
Red: love, passion, invitation, proposition
White: truth, trust, promise, sweetness, innocence
Yellow: refusal,boundary protection
bunches of blessings,
Cheralyn xx 🌻
PS: This Chrysanthemum was part of a gorgeous bunch my daughter Maddison gave me on my birthday last week
🌸🌱Camellia, Jonquil and Arrowhead Magickal Botanical Grid for those who are finding goals, dreams and projects hard to get started. They may have the passion but are losing hope, may even need need a re-start or new beginning. All of these plants and flowers hold energies that work together for this outcome. I hope that those who need some of this Magickal Botanical energy find it in my grid.
Tumbling over my wall, true and inspiring Arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum). They will share with you the energies of
new ideas, beginnings, youth, inspiration, argument and stress reduction.
Arrowhead is a wonderful bedroom plant as it is known to help with sleep disorders. It can also be used in areas in which meetings are held or in general workplaces to facilitate more open negotiations and help inspire new ideas and inspirations. A really good plant to invite into your life when anxiety, stress and turmoil have been present. Give to another to say, “It is time to start again”, “I’m sorry”, “I wish you calm”
The Arrowhead plant has leaves that change their shape as they mature beginning as an arrowhead shape and then developing into a five-fingered structure. Interestingly the plant will have both shapes, or both immature and mature leaves on it at the same time. Flowers are a cream-white lily shaped much like a Calla Lily. A native of South America and Mexico, it can be grown as both a vine or a compact plant. They are a poisonous plant and care should be taken when handling as the sap can irritate skin.
Arrowhead plants prefer indirect light, but it still must be bright. If they are placed in full direct sun their leaves will become bleached and it will kill the plant. They will do best in cool to moderately warm areas between 16 and 24 C (60 and 75 F). Be wary over-watering this plant but ensure that the soil is kept moist. In the cooler months they will require less watering and letting them dry out a little is actually good for them.
For the ability to adapt through a challenge you can not change, a bunch of Statice nearby or a piece in a locket or charm bag will provide you will the powers of adaptability, confidence and longevity!
Card: The Language of Flowers
A found Red Hibiscus on my wandering today. They will increase passion in your life, release blockages (physical, emotional, creative) and help those in pain or suffering find and connect with solutions. Hibiscus will say “I wish you peace”, “Be happy” and “I want you!”