She heard no sound before her gate,
Though very quiet was her bower.
All was as her hand had left it late:
The needle slept on the broidered vine,
Where the hammer & spikes of the passion-flower
Her fashioning did wait.”
Helen Gray Cone

In the 16th Century Christian Missionaries in South America named the flower (Passiflora spp) because they saw it as being a symbol of the death of Jesus Christ. It was the first flower they saw on their journey and they saw it as a good sign.

They thought that the five sepals and the five petals of the passion flower represented the ten disciples without Judas Iscariot and Peter.

They also thought that the double row of filaments (corona) on the passion flower represented the crown of thorns that Jesus was made to wear. It also resembled a halo.

The vine tendrils represented the whips that were used to scourge Jesus.

As a naturally grown medicinal herb, the passion flower is used as a sedative in nervous disorders (including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin), difficulties in sleeping, and anxiety or restlessness. Passion Flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system. (Note: consult a health care professional before using passion flower as a medicinal supplement or herb).

The plant is indigenous to an area from the southeast U.S. to Argentina and Brazil.

Can you guess the flowers in the following verses?

This is a multiple choice Trivia Contest. Leave your replies in the comments section.  We will have a random drawing on January 10th and announce the “winner” via linkedin, facebook and twitter. The winner will receive a copy of your choice of one of three books.  Really Imporatnt Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me by Cynthia Copeland Lewis, Witty Words from Wise Women by BJ Gallagher or Hugs from Heaven ~ The Christmas Story

#1
Goddess of the rainbow, I;
Am graceful in the spring;
My petals droop like butterflies;
I lend the colour to your eyes;
My praises poets sing.

Lilac
Lily
Iris
Pansy

#2
My name means “star”; my flowers bright;
Are shaggy as a lion;
Like daisy and chrysanthemum;
My blossoms thrive in gentle sun;
I am the cheerful kind.

aster
dandelion
tulip
hostia

#3
I am treasure of the Mother;
Spicy scents I hold;
My blossoms cheer you, every one;
I smile to see my merry sun;
I’m decked in shades of gold.

mallow
black eyed susan
marigold
sunflower

#4
My name will speak of cleanliness;
I never flaunt my hues;
My scent redolent of an age;
When blooms in linen chests were laid;
Then I was always used.

lily
lavender
pansy
boronia

#5
Wear me in your next corsage;
Expensive and exotic;
Sophisticated colour scheme;
My spots and streaks may sometimes seem;
Amazingly quixotic.

rose
carnation
hollyhock
orchid

#6
I am shy; I live in shade;
My blooms are fine and small;
My name’s a colour, loved by most;
Of tiny blooms I am the toast;
My scent enchanting all.

anemone
violet
daisy
poppy

#7
I’m sometimes called a poppy;
But my name is hard to spell;
I wear a pointed hood of green;
To hide my orange petals’ sheen;
Yet I am bold as well.

rhododendrum
convolvulous
larkspur
Escholtzia

(source: FunTrivia.com)

Anytime is the right time to send flowers! In fact, there are dozens of reasons (if you need more than one) to send flowers to someone special. For instance, did you know that August is Hug Month, Black Business Month and Romance Awareness Month?

If you need more ideas for sending flowers to the object of your affections, there are other holidays in August that are just perfect to do so.

They include: 

Single Working Women’s Week Aug. 2-8 (for the time-strapped woman), National Resurrect Romance Week Aug. 9-15 is a good time to bring back the romance, and Be Kind to Humankind Week Aug.  25-31 (know someone who needs a little pick-me-up)?

And lets not forget Happiness Happens Day Aug. 8 (just for the happiness of it), Eden Florist 28th Anniversary! Aug. 13 (that’s right, 28 GREAT YEARS) shared with National Left Handers Day Aug. 13 (even though only about 13% of the world population are lefties, I bet you know at least one left hander and they even have a national holiday all their own).

V-J Day Aug. 14  is the perfect time to honor a Veteran or your favorite service man or woman with flowers, Best Friends Day Aug. 15 (a great way to show how much you care), National Personal Chef’s Days Aug.18-20 (dinner, flowers and …?), Poets Day Aug. 21 (flowers have been the subject of prose since the dawn of time – so give a poet flowers to enjoy) , Kiss and Make Up Day Aug. 25 (if you or someone you know is in the Doghouse, flowers could be just the ticket out), Women’s Equality Day Aug.  26 (celebrate the women in your life with flowers) and Global Forgiveness Day Aug. 27 (is there someone in your part of the world that needs to be forgiven)?

Be sure and check out Eden Florist for a complete selection of flowers, plants, gourmet gift baskets and more.

Remember anytime is the right time to send flowers!

Trailing ARBUTUS or Ground Laurel
Family: Epigaea
Meaning: On Earth

The name arbutus is given to several evergreen plants, all belonging to the heath family and ranging in size from the tiniest plant to a tall tree, the most common of which is the trailing arbutus. These fragrant clusters of waxy white blossoms (often tinged with a touch of pink), are considered one of North America’s most attractive wild flowers. These dainty flowers have strong heart-shaped leaves and “hairy” brown stems. The arbutus grows best in sandy or rocky soils, especially in pine woods, where it creeps along the ground, almost hidden beneath dry needles and leaves.  It is also the provincial flower of Nova Scotia. The name Trailing Arbutus reflects its similarity to the trees in the related genus Arbutus, while being much smaller and prostrate on the ground. the trailing arbutus is listed as an endangered species in some U.S. states.

In Indian folklore there is a beautiful story about about the lovely spring flower, the trailing arbutus.

The story goes like this: Each year when the winter spirit, Peboan, fell asleep, his discarded furs turned to icy leaves. Coming upon the icy leaves, one beautiful spring day, Segun, (known as the summer spirit) put the leaves  in her hair and they immediately  came to life. She was so enthralled, she planted them in the earth and breathed upon them. At the touch of her warm breath, pink flowers appeared, giving off the scent of spicy perfume. “When the children find these,” she said, “they will know that Segun has been here, and that Peboan has gone away.”

The trailing arbutus, is also known as the mayflower, because it was the first flower to greet the Pilgrims after their fearful winter. The trialing arbutus or Mayflwoer grows abundantly in the vicinity of Plymouth,   John Greenleaf Whittier, poet and Quaker wrote a poem called The Mayflowers which you can read here:    http://www.geocities.com/ljacoby_2000/mayflowerpoem.html

Spring

Spring makes the world a happy place
You see a smile on every face.
Flowers come out and birds arrive,
Oh, isn’t it grand to be alive?

Meaning: Modesty, faithfulness, virtue

February’s birth flower is the Violet.  It is also known as the African Violet. The flower is a five-petal velvety blossom that comes in shades of pinks, whites and purples. They are available as a houseplant or garden plant all year round.

Baron Walter Von Saint Paul Illaire is credited with discovering the violet plant in Tanzania in 1892.

Violet Facts, Trivia and Folklore:

♥ The Greek word for violet is io. Io is a character in Greek mythology and the daughter of King Argos. Zeus loved her. However, Zeus was concerned that Hera (his wife) would discover their affair, so he turned Io into a heifer and then created the sweet-scented flowers that we now know as violets for her to graze upon.

In the Language of Flowers, the carnation changes its meaning according to the color.  For instance: a red carnation means “alas for my poor heart,” a yellow carnation means “disdain,” a pink carnation means “I will never forget you” and a striped carnation means “refusal.” Generally speaking however, the carnation means admiration, love and gratitude.

Well, that being said, if you like carnations for the heartiness, and long-lasting nature, then you will enjoy giving and receiving them too.

The culitvation of carntions can be traced back two thousand years and is believed that the plant came to England with the normas. Carnations have been found growing wild in the walls of castles of Dover and Rochester.

The Athenians honored the carnation and called them Di-anthos (flower of Jove) and they used them in wreaths and garlands wearing them during special ceremonies and festivals.  the word “coronation” is derived from “carnation.”

other Carnation facts:

Carnations are sometimes added to ales and wines to add a touch of spiciness.

Carnations are a popular flower to wear as corsages and boutoniers.

Carnations are still one of the most requested flowers for Mom’s to honor her on Mother’s Day.

According to a Christian legend, carnations first appeared on Earth as Jesus carried the Cross.  The Virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus’ plight, and carnations sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus the pink carnation became the symbol of a mother’s undying love, and in 1907 was chosen by Ann Jarvis as the symbol of Mother’s Day, now observed in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May.  (source: Wikipedia)

A red carnation may be worn if one’s mother is alive, and a white one if she has died.

Nadashiko is the Japenese word for carnation

Carnations are the official flower of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, as they are the longest lasting flowers.

White Carnations are the offical flower of the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi.

The Carnation is the National flower of Spain and the scarlet carnation is the state flower of Ohio.

One fo my favorite poems written by Henry King could very well have been written about the Carnation:

A CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS

Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain;
You come abroad and make a harmless show,
And to yoru bed of earth again;
You are not proud, you know your birth,
For your embroidered garments are from earth.

You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever spring;
My fate would know no winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing;
Oh that I could  my bed of earth but view,
And smile and look as cheerfully as you.

Sagitarrius (Nov 22- Dec 21) Do you sometimes feel like you are somewhere between a rock and a hard place? If so,  you are not alone this month! However, you can channel your drive and energy to accomplish almost anything you set out to do just now!  Surround yourself with the elegant Calla Lily.Need to order flowers for the Sagitarrius in your life?  Visit EDEN FLORIST

The reason that we have so many myths associated with Thanksgiving is that it is an invented tradition. It doesn’t originate in any one event. It is based on the New England puritan Thanksgiving, which is a religious Thanksgiving, and the traditional harvest celebrations of England and New England and maybe other ideas like commemorating the pilgrims. All of these have been gathered together and transformed into something different from the original parts.

Myth:

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 and the pilgrims celebrated it every year thereafter.

Fact:

The first feast wasn’t repeated, so it wasn’t the beginning of a tradition. In fact, the colonists didn’t even call the day Thanksgiving. To them, a thanksgiving was a religious holiday in which they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle. On such a religious day, the types of recreational activities that the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians participated in during the 1621 harvest feast–dancing, singing secular songs, playing games–wouldn’t have been allowed. The feast was a secular celebration, so it never would have been considered a thanksgiving in the pilgrims minds.

Myth:

The original Thanksgiving feast took place on the fourth Thursday of November.

Fact:

The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11. Unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around the 29th of September. After that first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer, shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians. In 1623 a day of fasting and prayer during a period of drought was changed to one of thanksgiving because the rain came during the prayers. Gradually the custom prevailed in New England of annually celebrating thanksgiving after the harvest.

During the American Revolution a yearly day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and by the middle of the 19th century many other states had done the same. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving as the last Thursday in November, which he may have correlated it with the November 21, 1621, anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod. Since then, each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941).

Myth:

The pilgrims wore only black and white clothing. They had buckles on their hats, garments, and shoes.

Fact:

Buckles did not come into fashion until later in the seventeenth century and black and white were commonly worn only on Sunday and formal occasions. Women typically dressed in red, earthy green, brown, blue, violet, and gray, while men wore clothing in white, beige, black, earthy green, and brown.

Myth:

The pilgrims brought furniture with them on the Mayflower.

Fact:

The only furniture that the pilgrims brought on the Mayflower was chests and boxes. They constructed wooden furniture once they settled in Plymouth.

Myth:

The Mayflower was headed for Virginia, but due to a navigational mistake it ended up in Cape Cod Massachusetts.

Fact:

The Pilgrims were in fact planning to settle in Virginia, but not the modern-day state of Virginia. They were part of the Virginia Company, which had the rights to most of the eastern seaboard of the U.S. The pilgrims had intended to go to the Hudson River region in New York State, which would have been considered “Northern Virginia,” but they landed in Cape Cod instead. Treacherous seas prevented them from venturing further south.

(adapted from the History Channel)

Only a few days left to order flowers for your Thanksgiving table. Be sure to send flowers to your family and the host of your family dinner . Call Eden Florist at 954-981-5515 or order online at EdenFlorist.com