Exotic Flowers in Boston

Facebook is the number #1 leading social media site, propelling millions upon millions of account users to post updates, share links and upload photos that reflect their everyday life and interests.  If you’re reading this, your probably one of us and understands this as pretty much a truth pertaining to your daily routine.  Checking in, “liking” or even just casually scrolling down the feed, browsing our “friends” pages has become a way to keep in touch and pass along ideas and feelings that affect us and the world we live in.  This new form of communication efficiently links us together, forming one big network of information.  Plus- it’s a lot of fun, too!

So what does this have to do with a blog dedicated to flowers?

Recently I came across a post by a friend that featured a picture and a lovely saying, decorated with illustrated pink poppies.  The message simply read, “AND the DAY CAME when the risk to remain in a TIGHT BUD was more painful than the RISK it took to BLOSSOM.”  

Sweet, right?  The point of the quote is straight forward enough which conveys encouragement to the take leaps to grow because the fear of doing so becomes more hurtful to stay the same than the bravery do go ahead and try.  

I love it.  The post did exactly what it was meant to do and that was to give me the little extra boost I may have needed for the day.  So if you’re one of the many faithful Facebook users who are into this sort of thing, here are a few more inspiring thoughts thematic after flowers!

Bachelor's Button

The color ran down the canvas

Watery blue like the shoreline of some port town

As blue as the button on the waist coat

That lay forgotten in your wooden trunk.

It was given to you long ago

When you were still a young gent

By the lovely lady who lived next door

The one you married a year later

With eyes the color of the sea

In some old forgotten port town.

Author Unknown

Bachelor Buttons are one of the most striking gifts we are blessed with during the summer months and luckily, they seem to spring up almost anywhere.  They are deemed an old blossom associated with traditional times and are typically seen in English-styled postcards and paintings.  The flower’s happy blue faces are enough to make anyone smile along with their delicate shaped heads stretching out like tiny individual stars.  Otherwise known as “Bluebottles”, Bachelor Buttons are common across the northeast and grow like weeds where you least expect them, especially within wheat fields where they receive their symbolism of “opulence”.  There have been a few surprise sighting throughout history, one of which was during the excavation of an Egyptian tomb.  When archeologists went to explore King Tutankhamen’s crypt, the last thing they expected to find amongst gold was a wreath still intact made out of these indigo wonders.  

Dating even before King Tutankhamen, myth says that the Bachelor Button was even tied to Greek Mythology when Chiron was attacked with an arrow but cured with the flower’s powerful nectar.  This soon became the basis for making the blossom signify “protection” and “healing”.  Interestingly enough, Bachelor Buttons are proven to possess medicinal properties when the petals are soaked in boiling water.  If the heads are then placed on a person’s eyelids, they are supposed to be soothing and capable of alleviating issues like puffiness or redness.  

Turns out I’m not the only fan of this electric blue stunner either since France holds this variety as part of their national flower collection.  Bachelor Buttons were also John F. Kennedy’s favorite as well.  He loved the flower so much that he wore it on his lapel the day he married Jacqueline.  He did this in order to pay tribute to his father.  

Along with it being symbolic of “delicacy”, “purity of feelings” and “good fortune”, the flower is said to be able to tell the future outcome of a new relationship.  Place one head in your pocket and if the flower is still alive the next day, the couple will have a long future together.  If it dies before the next day, then it's time to call it splitsville fast.  

Thistled

Flower of thistle

Ardent in violet tops

Full of passion

Laced in milky desire

It seems

I've pricked

My heart

SPT

The thistle is an interesting specimen to research because although many varieties produce a pretty purple or blue head, the plant’s prickly stem and branches wins most of the attention.  Like its rough exterior, the meaning of the flower is associated with aggressiveness, pain, protection and pride.  Since thistle is defined as both a flower and a weed, the exact inference of the bloom can extend from less positive symbolism such as poverty and weakness all the way to qualities of might and brilliance.  

Throughout history, many cultures have adopted the flower as a positive emblem, cultivating unique stories that tell the tales of past heritages.  France for instance associates thistle as a weapon against witches and bad doers.  Commonly called “Flower of the Sun” or “Herb of Witches”, the French believed that witches could not look into the sun, but the strong thistle always stood proudly to face the light.  Because of this, lure proclaims that the flower is the icon for the sun sent down to protect others from harm and evil.

photo credit: via Flower Factor

Another example of how the thistle has been cherished around the world is its popularity in Scotland where it is the national flower.  The reason can be traced to a battle fought during the fifteenth century when the Normans initiated a brutal assault on the country.  Heavily outweighed and unarmed, the Scottish army believed they were doomed until one night when a band of soldiers snuck through the pasture in order to initiate a surprise attack.  It would have worked but the Normans were unfamiliar with the prevalent, prickly plant that grew in abundance in Scotland.  When one enemy yelped and cried in pain from being stabbed by the thistle, the Scottish army woke up and was able to protect themselves, conclusively winning the war.  From that point on, the thistle became honored and was even written about in sacred documentation.  “Nemo me impune lacesset” became the Scottish Order of the Thistle which translates into “No one attacks me with impunity”.  The flower is also stitched on the Scotland rugby uniforms to stand for fierceness and bravery.  

1969 maybe remembered

Lady Highgate, Martha thought alone.

Death or the gladioli,

the train tracks have already taken

companions , too quick to take in the malady.

Park benches, astute cold Sundays,

but no invited parties,

suitcases increasingly deftly packed…

By Sarah Gentry

photo credit: via Jeff Leatham

Gladiolas are looked upon as a traditional species within the flower industry, a bloom that has proven dependable and available through the changing climate of the business.  Their appeal is duly associated with their spike-like shape and large blooms that spear out of the sides of the stem along with the wide spectrum of color that is cultivated.  The impressive length to which the gladiola grows makes it a very useful variety when designers look to create high standing centerpieces that need to promote a “showy” presentation.  Typically, the cost of the flower is fairly low, making floral buyers attracted to adding glads to their list of regular purchases from wholesalers.  If you’re a summer lover who also loves flowers and just has to fill those table vases with something that won't croak in the heat, gladiolas are just the right pick because they can withstand slightly warmer temperatures compared to other options.

photo credit via Jeff Leatham

Funny enough, their symbolism doesn’t reflect their physical attributes in quite the same way.  Gladiolas are associated with arrogance and combativeness.  One can make an argument that their spear-like appearance is responsible for this reference because it looks like a weapon but in actuality, the Latin root word ”gladiolus” has historically been tied to the fierce gladiators of ancient Rome.

Like all flowers and their meanings, the gladiola also has a counter interpretation of reflecting passion, integrity and infatuation.  Some believe that if you give the person you love a bouquet of glads, you will pierce their heart causing them to become blinded with love in return.  The 40th wedding anniversary of a couple is traditionally honored with an arrangement of these blooms with the intention to promote another 40 years of continued passion.  

A third implication of the flower’s meaning can be paired with remembrance and sadness.  If you don’t think you’re familiar with gladiolas, I bet you’ve seen them when attending a funeral since this variety is almost always used with casket sprays, altar pieces and other components of funeral flower arranging.  

The Water-Lily and the Moon

in the bosom of the silver waves

grew a single water lily

speckless and spotless

the colour of pure milk

a private bud, it lay unopened

till the night it blossomed

complete, open, a whorl of whiteness!

By

Vijayalakshmi Harish

Water Lilies have always been looked upon with adoration because they’re found in the midst of slow moving bodies of water instead of the soil and are stunning to behold in their orchid-like appearance.  The bloom grows in a unique manner by extending long roots to anchor onto deeper particles contained in their aquatic habitat.  The plant’s majestic submersion in places like ponds and lakes makes these beauties special in a magical sense, which coincides perfectly with the flower’s root word, “Nymphea” or otherwise referred to as “nymph”.  It is common to stumble upon the water lily in fairytales where they are often the home to sprites or possess potions of enchanted nectars.  You can also spot the spectacular imagery of water lilies in several of Claude Monet’s paintings where he featured them quite regularly.

Interestingly, there are three varieties of the species, which are pond lilies, water lilies and the lotus flower.  All vary in coloring where the pond lily is white and the water lily can be seen in shades of blush pink, yellow and even lavender.  The Lotus Lily has its own fascinating properties that include its ability to open and close during the evening.  The Egyptians recognized the extraordinary beauty of the blossom and honored it within art and architecture.  Bangladesh is also a huge fan since the country made the water lily its national flower.

The specific meaning of the forest flower mainly suggests a purity of essence.  Virgins are typically associated with the lily but so isn’t the emotion of “coldness” and “unattainable”.  On the opposite side of the spectrum, it also means “unity” and a continuation of the “cycle of life”.  Several religious cultures maintain the water lily as a sacred symbol for ceremonial rituals, specifically weddings and funerals.

If you are lucky to come across the flower on your walk through the woods, be careful not to pick the heads from the lily pads since they are an endangered species throughout most of America.  

Poppies, Poppies, Poppies….

Poppy, Oh Poppy!

Poppy, oh poppy abundant and flowing

across all the fields you're still constantly growing.

As your seeds blow and find their own bed,

they're reminding us of the most glorious dead.

Glorious in the contribution they made.

Glorious for the price that they paid.

Glorious for fighting for what they believed.

Christopher K Bayliss

“Poppies….poppies….poppies will put you to sleep…” From the most evil movie character of all time, the Wicked Witch of the West, we all remember when we first were introduced to this seductively powerful flower.  The Wizard of Oz is certainly the most popular frame of reference when discussing the symbolism and meaning of the poppy but in actuality, the gorgeous blooms extends to other interesting sources as well.  

Poppies grow throughout the world but were cultivated in abundance within the Orient where opium is an attractive and lucrative trade.  The compounds made from the flower are highly regarded as healing medications including other derivatives such as morphine and codeine.  With the exception of the seeds, the entire plant contains poison of some type or another, which accounts for its reputation for meaning “death” and “sleep”.  With the few parts that are non-toxic, bakeries often decorate their goods with poppy seeds on top of breads, cookies and bagels.

On the flip side of the poppy representing negative attributes, the flower can also be looked upon as a sign of opulence.  The stunning large heads that can be grown in shades of either purple, pink, orange, yellow, white and most popularly, red, dynasties throughout time have included this bloom in many important ceremonies and rituals.  Be careful which color you choose though because their meaning differs with every change of hue.  For example, darker varieties are given to newly wed couples in Europe to encourage a passionate and deep love affair throughout the years while the white is directly associated with fatality.  

Another significant tie that the poppy is associated with is remembering the dead, particularly when speaking with those who had fallen during World War I and II.  Poppies were used as a symbol of respect and memory for loved ones and stems were strewn at the base of graves and memorials.  

Love is a Carnation

by Lori

Love is a carnation

So lovely, strong and rare

Brings so much bright temptation

To every look or stare…

photo credit: aboutflowers.com

In the flower world, the carnation can seem like an uninteresting specimen when compared to other contemporary species such as orchids but to the general public, they’re noted as being quite special for their meaning.  Although the floral industry now harvests millions of different varieties of flora and fauna for flower lovers to choose from, this traditional blossom still remains a popular option for many different reasons.  Grown especially in Nice, France and the Italian Riviera, carnations make up a whopping 15% of total floral imports into the US even though they seem outdated.  The reason for this phenomenon could be directly related to the traditional symbolism placed on the carnation and the special characteristics it’s believed to hold.  

What does the carnation mean to you?

Interestingly enough, the carnation can symbolize ideas of freedom as well as heartbreak and passion.  When used in the context of patriotism, the original context dates back to the “Carnation Revolution” that took place in Portugal in 1974.  The significance of the flower comes from the fact that because so few people were killed after the war ended, people placed carnations inside soldier’s rifles and laid them on the ground as carpets.  

When the carnation is being used to symbolize love, the shade of the flower will be red and might not necessarily mean happiness but instead, breakup or disconnection.  Passion is a strong attribute for the carnation but depending on what shade is displayed, the meaning can change altogether.   

Carnations are lastly tied to the mythological Gods, particularly Dianthus, which is the second name for the blossom.  Several art pieces depicting the gods often have carnations featured in the paintings because of this.  

Nasturtiums

And so my garden I did fill

with nasturtiums bright and  clear

they did with colour fill the space

they did not my eyes disgrace

Black fly is their only foe

and so the black fly have to go

By

Joe Cole

photo credit; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Nasturtiums are my very favorite garden flower and the reasons for this are plentiful… The bright colored petals of sunshine, the crisp fragrance of earth and the lily pad-like foliage is all part of the simplistic beauty that these blossoms gift any flowerbed they are planted within.  While they pair nicely with varieties such as lantana, campanula, coleus, phlox, they also perform quite nicely when potted in hanging plants.  The cascades of green discs and vibrant blossoms make an attractive door or lantern hanger.  Beyond the nasturtiums placement in the garden, culinary chefs have also found the heads and stems to be useful, particularly within salads or to make capers.  Since the plant is safely consumable, the attractiveness of its physical properties allows this flower to become a welcomed addition for garnish or as an ingredient for leafy recipes.   

photo credit: Isabella Stewart Gradner Museum

Unlike many other flora and fauna found within the northeast, New England gardens had to wait their turn to find the nasturtium species.  Originally, this plant was grown in Peru and took decades to slowly make its way across the world to the USA.  Oddly enough, it took some time before the flower gained popularity with growers but eventually the majestic specimen became a highly demanded import.  Presently, this bloom is cultivated in vast amounts within greenhouses by seed during the early spring and then later sold to customers in 6 packs during May through August.  

As for the symbolism behind nasturtiums, the blossom is known for meaning “patriotism” and “conquest”.  We’re not sure why exactly but the flower has strong ties to combat and war, perhaps because of its shocking color of orange and red or maybe because the shape of the foliage resembles the appearance of a shield.  Whatever the reason, soldiers customarily wore nasturtiums as a sign of victory, which were gifted to them by maidens.  Large blankets of flower heads were also woven to make blankets and cloaks for those who successfully won a difficult battle.  Today, the nasturtium resonates towards a “happy” theme and has also become an emblem for the warm summer months of July and August.  

Daisies are a very popular flower in American culture and have held their popularity over time even though some critics often refer to them as weeds.  The lovely wild flower is often seen growing in clumps within fields or easily planted in backyards as part of a planned landscape.  Daisies are also frequently requested by Boston brides to be either used as petals for the flower girl, worn as daisy crowns for bridesmaids, pinned as boutonnières for groomsmen or even arranged to make the wedding bouquet.  Although it’s no secret that more exotic options are available to gardeners and newlywed couples, these soft and subtle flowers still remain in fashionable demand.  What is the strong attraction to daisies?

photo credit: freebigpictures.com

Could the reason perhaps be because of the historical meaning behind the daisy?  

There are several different theories explaining the plausible reasons behind this phenomenon and why this bloom has held such a strong symbolic meaning.  Here are just a few of the largest representations daisies have been known for throughout time.

First and foremost, daisies are interpretive of the signs for purity and innocence.  The explanation is tied into the imagery of children often picking stems in open meadows because of their common availability in these areas.  From this idea, daisy petals transpired into becoming a popular option to fill bridal baskets for flower girls to carry down the aisle.  The sheer white color of the flower stands for the bride and groom “purity of love” as well as the notion of “children” and “childhood”, another prominent theme encouraged for newlyweds.  

The daisy also signifies “preference” which is based on medieval times when knights wore two daisies on their shield for a Lady to choose from.  If there were several knights vying for her affection and she hadn’t quite made up her mind which suitor to select, she would wear a crown of daisies on her head until she was ready to choose.  

Another interesting ritual branded by the daisy is its ability to foresee if a person was loved by their interest or not.  Plucking one petal off and then another while reciting, “he loves me, he loves me not” is another ceremonial practice placed upon the flower although there is no real proof that the daisy will accurately forecast the true answer.  

I bet you didn’t know it but when you choose your favorite flower, you are really saying a lot about yourself!  Whether you fancy daisies or orchids, each variety reveals characteristics, traits and even personality types that are commonly associated with specific blooms.  It’s not science or anything but dating and employment sites are beginning to utilize this factor in order to make successful romantic matches and job placement decisions. The outcome has been quite beneficial urging us to ask the question, “What does my favorite flower say about me?”  I’ve got to admit, I had to find out if this new technique really did hold some truth behind it so this is what I found out…

Favorite Flower: Chocolate Cosmos

Color:  Brown to Burgundy- Rich Color Tone

Special Characteristic(s):  Smells Like Chocolate

Personality Type: Creative, Energetic, Ambitious, Seeks to be Different

photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Yup, I can definitely see the comparison!  

Now it’s your turn!  What does your favorite bloom reveal about you?

Favorite Flower:  Roses                                

Color: Red, Orange, Yellow, White, Pink       

Special Characteristic(s): Lovely Scent, Soft Petals      

Personality Type:  Sweet, Kind, Calm in Tricky Situations, Able to Stop and                                 Smell the Flowers Nonsense Attitude

photo credit: Flower Factor via Lisa Greene, floral designer

Favorite Flower: Sunflowers

Color: Yellow, Red, Brown, Orange

Special Characteristic(s): Popular Flower

Personality Type:  Stubborn, Showy, Social,  Intelligent, Hard Working

In a Wide Range of Crafts

photo credit: Flower Factor

Favorite Flower: Orchids 

Color: Green, White, Pink, Purple, Orange, Yellow, Burgundy

Special Characteristic(s):  Rare, Medicinal Uses 

Personality Type:  Likes to Stand Out, Exotic