Dr. Edward Bach, surgeon and doctor of homeopathy believed that the mind played a key role in a person’s health. Having identified 38 negative states of mind, Bach began a mission to discover remedies for them. Leaving a thriving medical practice the good doctor devoted himself to making remedies from plants and flowers found along the English countryside. He developed tinctures made of those plants and flowers which he mixed with brandy. Bach firmly believed that he could treat states of mind, like anxiety, fear, uncertainty and restlessness with his creations.
The book “The Bach Flower Remedies” (available at Amazon.com for $9.97) is an overview of the natural remedies that have become legendary for their effective treatment of common conditions.
“…In triumph over hearts that strive, I may see the Glory of Spring that hyacinth may a longer day endure. How well I, the skillful gardener, grew where from above the milder sun deals flowers and herbs anew.” – Sonia A Willars
According to Greek mythology, there was a handsome young man from Sparta called Hyacinthus. Apollo, the Sun God, was his great friend. Apollo would descend to earth from his golden chariot in the sky just so the two friends could play together. One day when Zephyrus, the God of Wind; jealously watched, he blew a strong wind toward a disc that Apollo threw to Hyacinthus, striking him a fatal blow to the head. Apollo, filled with grief, created hyacynthus from the young lad’s blood, ensuring Hyacinthus’ memory would live on.
The Hyacinth was brought early to Europe from Turkey and grown in Europe’s first botanical garden in Padua, Italy. Originally there were only four colors, but by 1775, more than two thousand named cultivars inhabited the earth.
Be sure and order your flowers early for Mother’s Day at Eden Florist. Call 954-981-5515 or visit our website at www.EdenFlorist.com
Welcome to Flowers and Colors – The Secrets to Creating Moods through One of Natures Greatest Gifts – Flowers.My name is Heidi Richards Mooney, Owner of Eden Florist and I am delighted to share a journey through floral history, myth and symbolism with you.
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.
Today I was surfing the ‘net to find just the perfect floral quiz to share with readers of Tulips Talk. There were so many floral personality quizzes it amazed me. I had a difficult time narrowing them down. However, I did ~ here are what I consider the TOP SEVEN flower personality quizzes online (I did not include any that required a login or to subscribe first to see the results):
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?
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.
♥ Violets also have a unique method of reproduction, known as cleistogamy, which means to self-pollinate.
♥ During the Middle Ages, violets were a symbol for humility and modesty not only because of the blooming habits of the flower but also because of their association with the Virgin Mary.
♥ The god Hades fell in love with the maiden Persephone. One day while Persephone was walking through a field of violets, Hades carried her away to his land of death. The world mourned her death and became barren until Hades relented and agreed that Persephone could walk on the earth from spring through fall. Thus leading to violets symbolizing immortality, resurrection and spring.
♥ In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia, upon learning of the death of her father, Polonius, speaks to the queen in the language of the flowers, quite common in the 16th century.Her allusions are to the tragic event which has taken place and the emotions and attributes symbolized by certain flowers: rosemary for remembrance; pansies for love; fennel for flattery; columbine for ingratitude; rue for repentance; daisies for faithlessness; and violets for constancy or devotion.In act IV, scene 5, she sings distraughtly while in the company of the queen, “
I would give some violets, but they withered all when my father died: they say he made a good end .”
♥ The Greek dramatist, Aristophanes, referred to Athens in one of his plays as the violet-crowned city for King Ion (Ion means Violet).
♥ When French composer Frederick Chopin died, one of his music students Jane Sterling bought all the violets she could find in the flower shops of Paris to cover his grave. So beloved is Chopin that, even today visitors daily place flowers (frequently violets) on this grave in Paris.
♥ Josephine Bonaparte loved the scent of violets and thus they became her favorite perfume.Before Napoleon was exiled in Elba, Josephine died and he picked a bouquet of violets for her grave. When Napoleon died, violets and a lock of Josephine’s hair were found in a locket that he wore.
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.
Camellia is a flower of the Theaceae family. Camellias have been known for centuries in the Orient. Camellia sinensis, the “common tea plant”, was used as a beverage (tea) by the Chinese as early as 500 B.C.Tea was a rare commodity in Japan during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 905 A.D.) and as such the elaborate tea ceremony developed for the royalty and elite. Tea is thought to have come to England in the late 16th or early 17th century brought by traders who traveled to the Orient in search of silks and spices and was considered so valuable that it was kept locked in silver tea caddies or boxes in the homes of the wealthy only.
It is thought that the camellia first came to Portugal in the first half of the 16th century. The first species of camellia to enter the United States was the tea plant in the form of seed. Camellia japonica plants were imported from England in 1797 or 1798 by John Stevens of Hoboken, New Jersey and became popular in the Northeast as greenhouse plants. Camellias gained in popularity and by 1920 Sacramento was named “Camellia City”. Camellias were named in posthumous honor of George Joseph Kamel by Carolus Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who developed the binomial system of naming plants that is still in use today. Kamel, whose name in Latin was Camellus, was a Jesuit priest who served as a missionary to the Philippines.
In 1945 the American Camellia Society was formed. It has now grown to 4000 members in 44 states and 22 foreign countries with a permanent Headquarters in Fort Valley, Georgia.
LA TRAVIATA by Giuseppe Verdi is based on a play by Alexandre Dumas called LA DAME AUX CAMELIAS It served as a source of inspiration to the composer Verdi; which resulted in the opera ‘La Triviata’.
(wor calendae, pot marigold) ~ Means “Winning Grace” and “throughout the months.”
The name Calendula stems from the Latin kalendae, meaning first day of the month, presumably because pot marigolds are in bloom at the start of most months of the year.” ( wikipedia.com ) Historically Known for its medicinal and culinary value, the calendula was called “Mary’s Gold” by Early Christians. The would place calendula by the statues of the Virgin Mary to honor her. The most sacred of flowers of ancient India, calendula were strung into garlands to adorn holy statues.
A member of the marigold family, calendula is traditionally known as an herb as well as valued for its medicinal and culinary uses. In ancient times, calendula blossoms were mixed in wine to relieve indigestion. Calendula petals were used in ointments to heal skin irritations, jaundice, sore eyes, and toothaches. It is used to stimulate blood circulation and lower fevers (by causing sweating). It can also be used to treat diaper rash, as it promotes rapid healing. Calendula oil can be used to treat earaches, is a natural antiseptic and even helps heal hemmoroids.
The Romans used calendula mixed with vinegar to season their meat and salad dishes.
A Mediterranean annual plant (Calendula officinalis) in the composite family, widely cultivated for its showy, yellow or orange, rayed flower heads that were formerly used in medicine, coloring, and flavoring of food.
Calendula is also October’s Birth flower and the International Herb Association declared calendula flower of the year for 2008. Calendula has great anti-inflammatory properties and vulnerary properties. Its uses are varied — from soothing minor skin disorders like pimples and dry chapped lips to curing chicken pox etc.
More about the psychological benefits of flowers
