Exotic Flowers in Boston

I’ve always loved the arts.  Painting, singing, dancing, music, crafting, you name it-I’ve tried it.  I used to think that it was because I’ve been deemed a “creative” type but truthfully, I think it’s my attraction to the emotional health benefits associated with these activities.  Have you ever had trouble with anxiety, stress or simply feel overwhelmed 90% of the day?  According to new research, activities such as these can actively reduce symptoms making someone a happier, healthier you!  Even if you mildly experience waves of anxiousness or depression, according to a majority of doctors, a half hour of art can help work towards fixing the problem.  Do you have to be Picasso or Liberace to participate?  Heck no!  All you have to be is willing and able to try something new and let these creative exercises mold and sculpt you into a better frame of mind.  Here are the most popular areas of interest for those seeking artistic healing… Does one of them appeal to you?

Dance

Many times, the body craves movement to readjust itself against strain and stress.  Turning, sliding and swaying your hips can alleviate tension and create endorphins that heighten a person’s mood.  Twenty minutes of sashaying across your kitchen floor while doing dishes or laundry will help produce more of the happy hormone and also provide a fun and easy workout.  

Music

The noises that we hear affect our dispositions more than we realize.  Loud sounds impede on our ability to cope while softer sounds soothe the brain’s membrane to increase our willingness to relax.  By selecting a preferred genre of music such as classic, new age or alternative, we can provide ourselves with audio therapy just by sitting back and listening.  

Painting

Although many famous artists have a reputation for being a bit crazy, there is supporting science behind the fact that painting can be incredibly therapeutic to those with high blood pressure.  The reason lies behind the visual stimulation of combining color as well as the calming motion of making swirls and strokes with a paintbrush.  Don’t worry about your artistic talents, just let your imagination take over and allow yourself to escape tension from everyday life if only for twenty minutes a day.

Sculpting

Sculpting is another wonderful way to free yourself from suppressing emotional weight and works the most successfully for those who express themselves with their hands.  Do you crack your knuckles or bite your nails often?  If this sounds like you, than sculpting is your ticket!  The massaging pressure applied to the clay from your hands is actually acting as a release for stress and it won’t hurt tender tendons or joints in the process.  

"Innocent Hyacinth Tinted with Mint"

Innocent Hyacinth tinted with mint

Tingèd grey hinged on stem singed

With chestnut leaves flowing, to me a fair hint

Of off-centered carousing, black eyes perusing

Wares of all sorts and stocks of all shares

The leading on of a pleasure most gracefully enthusing…

By Guy Braddock

Mar 24, 2014

The hyacinth is probably the most famous blossom associated with the end of winter in New England and the beginning of a new spring season.  Although it is customarily tied to native Boston gardening, the hyacinth actually originated in western Asia and was eventually brought to Europe where their popularity expanded across the continents.  The bulbs are typically planted in the fall and are the first to arrive as soon as the temperatures begin to raise up into the low forty to fifty degree weather patterns.  They are quite popular in flower shops and nurseries because they are available in a wide array of colors including purple, pink, peach, white and even salmon.  The hyacinth is world renowned by the largest importers of the world and has maintained one of the top five spots for most exported flower for gifts within holidays such as Easter, Valentine’s and Mother’s Day.  One of the reasons is due to their incredible scent that usually registers as a sweet infused aroma.  Its ability to outlast many of its other floral companions is another reason it keeps itself in high demand.  Many believe its sturdy shape and compacted bell-like heads acquires the asset of longevity for the plant.   The petals climb up a durable stem and form a tree-like formation with several flowers blossoming one on top of the other.  

Symbolically, the hyacinth is dated back to the Greeks, where both the gods, Apollo and Zephyrus pined after the god, “Hyacinth”.  When Zephyrus became jealous of his fierce competition from the handsome boy, he changed the course of the wind, causing a discus to hit Apollo and kill him.  Broken hearted, the god decided that flowering hyacinth would forever bloom wherever his lover’s blood had shed as a sign for remembrance.  This is why themes such as sorrow were originally tied to the bloom although constancy and discretion are also mentioned in reference to hyacinth.  

Through the years and cultivation of the species, the eclectic assortments of colors that are now grown have brought about a new way of categorizing the hyacinth’s meaning.  Refer to the chart below to see a chart of each color and what it means.

            Pink-Bashfulness/Happiness        Yellow- Jealousy          Purple-Sadness

            Blue- Sincerity     White-Purity

We live in a city where the Performing Arts are celebrated by millions of Bostonians.  Home to several stunning theaters, we have the opportunity to explore talented artists on stage and consume the beauty of the dramatics, especially within the realm of dance.  The Boston Ballet encompasses a long history of ballerinas who have pirouetted their way to stardom by undertaking renditions of “The Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake” and “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”.  How many of us have witnessed the magnificence of some of the world’s greatest dancers and may have perhaps hoped to follow in their footsteps one day?  The hum of music, the intricate costumes and the precise movements of bodies gracefully flowing across the stage are all part of the fantasy that so many are drawn to.   

photo credit via The New York Times

One of the reasons why the ballet remains popular is the perceived “glamour” that has always blanketed over performers.  Interestingly enough, things weren’t always so wonderful for the dancers as you might have expected.  A ballerina’s wages were paid very low and were often impossible to make a living from.  Dating back to the 1930’s, silks, furs and even diamonds had once been acceptable gifts but they were not given without retribution.  Depending on the bauble’s value, if a dancer accepted, she was expected to return the gesture in exchange for intimacy.  If she chose to seek less provocative ways to meet her means, ballerinas might receive food and simple clothing from audience members.  If she received flowers, she would turn around and sell them for cash.  

Over time, bouquets became the customary gift to congratulate the artists and were given as either a wrapped bundle or by single stem. Years ago, etiquette preached that no dancer was given her bouquet until the principal performer had received hers first.  In the case where the lead was forgotten, companies would have a cash reserve saved in case the occasion arose.  

Today, flowers are still given as a sign of praise of a job well done and continue to cover stages after curtain call.  Florists located in close proximity to theaters are constantly expected to supply sometimes five to six bouquets per week when the ballet arrives in town.  If you’re curious as to what are the most requested varieties, here’s a list of popular blossoms associated with ballerina bouquets.

Five Flowers Associated with Ballerina Bouquets

1. Roses
2. Lilies
3. Peonies
4. Cymbidium Orchids
5. Peonies
6. Iris
7. Gerbera Daisies
8. Carnations
9. Cornflower
10. Freesia

the above photo and below text appeared on The New York TImes archives page on Instagram 1/5/2017 https://www.instagram.com/nytarchives/

nytarchivesBefore he left the Oval Office to attend the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan took one last look at his desk. @jrlopeznyc — a retired staff photographer who now works as a freelance picture editor for @nytimes — captured this scene on January 20, 1989. He was one of about a dozen photographers in the room that day. “Unlike other situations, we were not being held back or put in a certain area in the Oval,” @jrlopeznyc recalls. He decided to wait near the desk, but he remembers watching @whitehouse photographer @petesouza take photos from a 12-foot ladder. The next day, @nytimes published this photo and described the president and first lady's departure. “Mr. Reagan put out both hands to touch the desk as though to hold it in his memory," we reported. Meanwhile, Nancy Reagan spent the morning searching the @whitehouse, making sure she’d packed everything. In an empty drawer, she left a note for Barbara Bush, along with a small white orchid. — @kermac, @nytimes social photo editor #inauguration #regram

When we meet that special person, we often seek ways to impress him or her in order to show them how we feel.  Maybe it’s a dinner to a fancy restaurant or maybe it’s a Hallmark card that’s says just the right sentiment, but whatever we decide, we want it to be a perfect match for that individual.   If you’re a flower lover, you probably choose to send flowers that perhaps might consist of a dozen roses, a bouquet of favorite blossoms or even a single stem of buttercup or daisy.  Yes, flowers have been the most popular way to connect with a person and have continuously been an effective conduit to show them how you feel.  

photo credit via aboutflowers.com

Here’s an idea… what if you could be a bit clever on how you gifted them? Instead of just wrapping up any old bunch of flowers, how about using your noggin to think of interesting ways to impress their unique sense of self?  What are their likes, dislikes, hobbies or dreams?  As soon as you figure that out, you can implement your creativeness to really give them something special!  No two people are the same and neither are two roses.  Here are a few ideas to get the wheels really turning towards impressing the love of your life!  

For Those Who Love to Bake

A colleague recently told me about this movie she watched where a baker was wooed with a case of “flour”-you know, the cooking kind?  I thought this was so brilliant and really showed his love for her individuality while still sticking to a traditional gesture.  By making a pun based on her occupation, he was able to connect with her in a deeper, more meaningful way as well as show a sense of humor.  Sure, she probably would have kissed the guy anyways if he handed over a pile of orchids, but the effect wouldn’t have been nearly as strong, nor would have been the scene.  If you’re trying to get a special baker’s attention, this might be the “sweetest” way to do it!

For the Book Lover

If you’re trying to get the attention of a book lover, you’re going to have to use your head.  Although a vase full of wildflowers will surely be adored, why not pick out a few titles that are written about flowers instead?  You can either grab a few floral designing books, gardening manuals or even a novel such as, “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh or “Flowers in the Attic” by V.C. Andrews if they like a good thriller.  Your courtship will be extra intellectually sentimental as well as useful reading material for the future!

For the Gardener

I personally love this approach because not only will a gardener appreciate the message but they’ll be extra excited to have a head start for planting.  Seeds that are the most thoughtful would either be varieties of their favorites or choosing perennials instead of annuals.  Perennials will come back year after year and will remind them of you each time they bloom.  

one cymbidium orchid stem can be cut in half and used a feature flower in your home for two to three weeks.

As 2016 leaves and 2017 arrives, our hearts and heads are filled with every hope of it becoming the best year ahead of us!  While we celebrate the holiday, I bet many of you took it upon yourself to make a few promises- otherwise known as a “New Year’s Resolution”.  Perhaps it was about changing some un-preferred aspect of daily life such as reading more, shopping less or losing a little weight (it’s time for those last five pounds to go).  Some of you might have wanted to strive for more patience, hope and joy, possibly take more vacations or reconnect with those you’ve lost touch with.  Whatever your resolution may have been, I hope it included something that will make you healthier and happy during the next twelve months.  One idea to enhance the human spirit and mind is to make a conscience effort to place more live plants and flowers throughout your homes.

Dendrobium orchids may be old fashioned for some, but premium stems that have flower buds that reach to the end are majestic and elegant.

I bet you didn’t know this but flowers have actually been proven to elevate a person’s mood thus benefiting their overall health.  Daisies, roses, sunflowers, delphinium or any other species can visually stimulate the frontal lobe of the brain as well as affect sensory arousal from a blossom’s aromatic properties.  Not only does the scent of a flower play a large part in the responsiveness to one’s positive reaction but the color is also a large contributor.  For example, red encourages a seductive, sensual, “search for inner perspective” type nuance while shades like green and yellow suggest a lighter, giddier appeal.  If you frequently experience spouts of depression, try inserting a few small bouquets of orange and purple arrangements in places like the bedroom and living room.  This combination of hues is said to promote mental wellness and balance.  If you find yourself constantly stressed or tense, you’re going to want to choose flowers with soft tones of blue or pink.  These cooler colors bolster a sense of ease and comfort and do best in areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Star of bethlehem are sturdy and long lasting.

Some of you might say, “Sure, this sounds like a great idea but who’s going to pay for it?”  I understand your concern but in actuality, adding moderate stems of blooms weekly doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.  If you can afford to set up an account with a local florist than go for it but if that’s out of your budget, I’ll give you some hints where to start.  First of all, seek out a nearby farm that might offer year round cut flowers from their greenhouses.  They’ll most likely be pretty affordable and will also sustain an impressive longevity due to freshness.  A second tip is to start your own indoor garden where you can clip blooms throughout the colder seasons and grow outdoors when it warms up.  Bulbs are also a lot of fun to start inside and give off an amazing aroma as well.  

 My husband salvaged the throats on spent cymbidium orchid flowers to offer exquisite detail to this bathroom arrangement.

Well, it’s been a heck of year with ups, downs and certainly some pretty big surprises.  As I said at the end of 2015, 2016 was the year for huge changes, some good and unfortunately some bad.  If it wasn’t the best for you, there might be hope!  Astrologically speaking, the plains are leveling out which means less shifting within career, family and health aspects.  Be mindful that astrologists have a strong prediction that money will be tight so be sure to pay off those holiday bills as soon as possible.  You might want to check over investments that you’ve made in the past and set up savings accounts for your children if they don’t already have one.  Hold off on those fancy vacationing dreams and instead be cautious of where your money is going.  If you stick to a strict budget, by next September your wallet might become a little healthier although be mindful that we swing right back into the spending season.  Too make a long story short, it’s wiser to become a miser for the duration of 2017.

Aries:  If you’re thinking about writing that new book or going back to school, now’s the time to do it!  Career opportunities are booming this year as well as your love life.  You’re on fire in 2017-go for it!

Taurus: There’s been a lot going on for you and perhaps a few secrets that you’ve been keeping from others.  It’s the right time to start using this info to generate more independence and to begin heading to greener pastures.

Gemini:  Your love life is looking good this year so maybe its time to join the gym you’ve been putting off lately?  Getting in shape will make you feel great and maybe even help when you’re picking out that wedding dress!

Cancer:  Moody Cancers will love certain changes in 2017 that solidify relationships between friends and family that may have been topsy-turvy in the last twelve months.  This winter, plan simple get-togethers that will allow you all to reconnect.

Leo: Although Leo’s are noted for being generous and loyal, they also have a reputation for being nosy and possessive.  Try to keep your emotions in check to avoid strain between you and a family member during the first month of the year.  You won’t win this one so back off and give that person the space that’s needed.  

Virgo:  Your impeccable taste is leading you towards new ventures where your style and perfectionist attitude will excel!  Go for that new job in design or offer your skills in departments focusing on merchandising and marketing.  You’ll be a star!

Scorpio:  The slump you’ve been in thankfully disappears this year and adventures as well as personal expansion are almost guaranteed!  Watch out for someone who wants to ride your coattails though because they’re not going to add anything to your progress.

Sagittarius:  According to the star experts-this is your year!  Love, career and opportunity simply blossom all around you in 2017 so enjoy the ride-you deserve it!

Capricorn:  Capricorns love to cook so take that new recipe you’ve been working on and perfect it!  Send it to local magazines or culinary competitions and try your luck.  Someone is right around the corner ready to snatch up your hidden talents in the kitchen!

Aquarius: If you’ve felt left out lately, that’s all going to change…  Someone unexpected is taking notice and it’s likely that you’re going to end up being the life of the party! Let them all see the true inner beauty that lies inside of you and watch your relationships flourish.  

Pisces:  You’re going to need to be extra careful when it comes to spending cash this year because something out of your control is going to demand your financial attention later on in the year.  Put off that shopping spree or the new car you’ve been eyeing and play it safe.  You’ll thank me when the summer rolls around!

Attending a funeral is a trial and tribulation for most because of the task of having to say goodbye to a loved one.  Being from Boston, I’ve attended a wide variety of different events honoring the dead and have learned about hundreds of different ways to celebrate and grieve over the loss of friends and family.  Boston is a melting pot for different traditions and customs, which is why it’s such a wonderful place to live.  You might think it was always this way but in actuality, funeral processions were administered in a very specific way back in Victorian Times.  After researching this topic a bit, I was a little surprised by the rigidness of the occasion and the strict template that grievers were expected to follow.  While we typically choose traditions that exemplify the celebration of one’s life, in other times, this wasn’t always the case.  Take a look at these fascinating rites and rituals associated with Victorian funerals and the rules you were meant to follow.   

1. When a person died, people were asked to stop their clocks at the exact time of death and not restart them until after the funeral.  This made attending anything on time in the next 3-4 days nearing impossible!
2. Wreaths were hung on the outside of doors usually constructed out of laurel leaf and decorated with a black ribbon.  Veils were also hung on mirrors to both block the corpse’s spirit from escaping through the glass and to deny death an entryway into the house.
3. “Waking” did not start off as the predecessor event for funerals as it does here back in Victorian times.  While we usually hold this occasion for friends and family to view the body in privacy, waking was originally termed to mean the body had to be watched in a home until the actual funeral was held.  It was popular belief that the spirit could escape if not watched twenty-four hours a day before burial.
4. Flowers and candles are usually thought of as enhancements for funerals but back in the day, they were utilized to block putrid scents of decaying flesh.  The smell of a three-day-old corpse could be so stagnant that flowers and aromatic candles were placed around the body to mask some of the odor.
5. Kids usually think that “Saved By The Bell” means you’re let off the hook in a due to the distraction of a school bell but really, the term was coined to alert caretakers of a premature guest in a coffin!  Yup, a bell was placed on top of coffins to signal a person who hadn’t really died but was instead sick or in a coma.  It was their luckiest day of their life if they woke up in time and could make enough movement to sound the alarm above.  

Whenever a new year rolls around, you have to expect a whole new floral fad to go along with it!  Although 2016 focused on compact arrangements styled after European influence using soft and neutral colors, 2017 is showing signs of a completely different look for the future.  Architecturally inspired pieces are being scene photographed on the hottest industry covers and are likely to be the next big thing in flowers!  Sticks, branches, leaves and other minimalistic material are being sought to replace “bushier” blooms such as hydrangeas and asters.  Orchids such as cymbidiums are replacing these blossoms and changing the “smoothed out” style to a much brasher, funkier appeal. Think sleek, sharp and tightly groomed, florists are after this edgier method of combining stems and hopeful that Bostonians will take to the trend.  Pastels and even hues are also out and have been replaced by tones that acutely contrast one another in ways never seen before. A year ago, we would have thought these colors clashed but now experts can’t get enough of the fascinating demarcation.  We’re raising the bar for floral design in 2017 so take a peek at what’s going to be hot and what’s not!

In - Orchids continue to be the mainstay. Vandas, Miltonia, Cymbidiums and Phaelenopsis.

In - Reds, blues and Greens for colors. Check out the new Black Pearl rose from Rosa Prima.

Out - round, mounded and compacted arrangements. It's about time this design style has died. While appreciated in its simplicity, skilled floral designers have grasped the importance of symmetry and framing each flower. 

Out - Blush Pinks, Cream and White-All Pastels. 2017 is all about colors and energy. If we can have an orange president. Expect lime greens, purples, deep reds and greens to pop the landscape. 

Have you ever wondered while we’re stuck here freezing, what other warmer parts of the country are growing?  I have!  Although I realize that our ground in Boston remains frozen for about five months out of the year (and that’s being generous) other areas are still flourishing with an abundance of plant life.  While it’s true that we all experience the change of the four seasons, certain places have less drastic temperature changes.  Because of this, growers can rely on a more temperate weather patterns to harvest thousands and thousands of delicious produce and flowers that are eventually shipped all over the country.  Have you ever read the labels in the check out aisle while grocery shopping?  You may have noticed that we are getting food from all over the place such as tomatoes, bananas and oranges.  Now isn’t that amazing?  Check out what some of our warmer states are cultivating during the coldest months of the year!

Northern California:  Although this area produces very different fruits and vegetables compared to its southern counterpart, Northern California still generates a considerable harvest during the colder season with an emphasis on nuts.

Avocados, Oranges, Almonds, Figs, Walnuts, Persimmons, Asian Pears, Limes, Lemons. 

photo credit via shockinglydelicious.com

Southern California: This warmer side to California allows an even larger scale to be cultivated in January, February and March. 

Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celery, Cauliflower, Carrots, Cilantro, Fennel, Grapefruit, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuce, Mandarins, Oranges, Parsley, Radishes, Spinach and Strawberries. 

Florida:  This state has the ideal growing conditions to produce all sorts of yummy foods throughout the year, particularly citrus fruits, which are difficult during the wintertime.  

Avocado, Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Carambola, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapefruit, Guava, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Orange, Papaya, Passion fruit, Peanuts, Potato, Radish, Squash, Strawberry, Sweet Corn, Tangerine and Tomatoes. 

Photo credit via http://immigrantsandiego.org/

Washington: This state has a hardy harvest all the way through December and into the New Year although they too experience snow and storms. 

Carrots, Kale, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes, Yams, Sunchokes, Pumpkins, Yellow Squash, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Onions, Parsnips, Turnips and Pea Vines.

Minnesota:  This frosty state might not come to mind when thinking about warmer climates but they still know how to grow healthy fruit and vegetables throughout the calendar year!