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.

1. What’s your flower type at Quizilla http://www.quizilla.com/quizzes/9959891/whats-your-flower-type

2. Flowers that Match Your Personality Type Quiz http://www.streetdirectory.com/florist/singapore/flower_guide/quiz/flower_and_personality_type/

3. Which flower are you? How do your friends see you? http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=340

4. What is your flower personality (at SelectSmart.com) http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=flowerprsnlty

5. Blogthings What Flower are you? Personality quiz http://www.blogthings.com/whatflowerareyouquiz/

6. Which Flower are You at AllTheTests.com for under 30ish  http://www.allthetests.com/quiz14/quizpu.php?testid=1118970425&katname=Plants-Personality-tests

7. And my favorite (it seems to be the most comprehensive) is the Society of American Florists Personality Quiz which I wrote about here: http://www.edenflorist.com/article_info.php?articles_id=34

To help you to find out the “floral personality” of your intended recipient here’s a direct link to the quiz: http://www.aboutflowers.com/quiz/quiz.html

Good luck with your quiz taking! Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how accurate you think they were.

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.

Camelia ~ Adoration, longing, flame in my heart

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’.  

Calendula ~ Admiration, Good Luck

 (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.

Check out Aromatherapy at Home ezine for a recipe to make Calendula Oil

Botanical Name: Primula ~ The Primulaceae Family

The Primrose, better known as the “first rose” of the year or the first spring flower, stood for first love, growing suddenly in unexpected places. In parts of Western England, the Primrose is called the Butter Rose for its color is like that of the farmhouse butter.

Primroses were very fashionable in Victorian times. They are believed to have come from

China, and the Alps.

When you need special flowers for someone special, be sure to call EDEN FLORIST at 954-981-5515

I am thrilled to be a part of the FREE ColorAlchemy International Web Conference which begins on July 14 , 2008. My program takes place on July 15 and I will be sharing a video presentation called Flowers and Color – The ‘Secrets’ to Creating Moods Through One of Natures Greatest Gifts.

The FREE Color Alchemy International Web Conference brings together 14 color experts from around the world. We will share mind, body, and spirit secrets to benefit you with the endless supply of color for your home, garden, office, and throughout heaven and earth.

The ColorAlchemy International Web Conference is an online event hosted by Jami Lin, author of Color Alchemy and Teresa Morrow, owner of Key Business Partners

Join us to discover all the ways to apply the color energies of your body, sing the spectrum of music, and vibe to the colors of dance. Learn do-it-yourself ColorAlchemy such as how color penetrates the body to reduce wrinkles and pain, and even to lose weight!

Experience the ColorAlchemy benefits with stones and essential oils, working with mandalas, making ColorAlchemy elixirs, creating ColorAlchemy vision maps, and much more; including many other free resources just for stopping by the Event.

Mark your calendar not to miss any of the life-transforming presentations. Remember to register at http://www.coloralchemy.com/ca-event.php, so you’ll have FREE access and to receive the updates.

I hope you will join me for the Color Alchemy International Web Conference and improve your life from the 13 other Color Masters’ secrets too!

Heidi

And when you need to send the perfect flower to someone special, visit EdenFlorist.com!