Send Pink Roses To Your Special One

For years roses have been considered as one of the staple romantic gifts, along with chocolates.  Thus it comes as no surprise that men are willing to pay a considerable sum just to give a good looking, bouquet of fresh roses to their special someone.

But what most guys do not realize is that there is a secret message behind the color of a rose. That’s right! Even the colors of a rose convey a secret meaning.  This started in the Roman empire when men would discreetly tap roses to express their feelings for a woman.  So you should learn which color of rose you should give to your loved one.

The most popular color of rose, red, stands for passionate and ever lasting love.  White stands for purity as well as brightness.  Did you know that when a man offers white roses to a woman, he is indirectly saying that the woman is an angel.   When white and red roses are combined, it means that the man is professing unity.

One of the more underrated types is the pink roses.  Pink roses, however, can mean a lot of things. Pink roses can come in different shades and meanings.  Deep pink means respect and gratitude.  On the other hand, light pink roses express sympathy.

Then there are yellow roses, which denote friendship and caring.  On the other hand, orange roses mean a new beginning.  This is the reason why many bridal bouquets are dominated by orange roses.  Deep burgundy rose meanwhile is a way for a person to tell that someone is more beautiful than she realizes. Then there are other exotic rose colors which all denote various meanings.  Green rose for one represents fertility.  Blue means mystery and intrigue.  Purple  stands for love at first sight.  A black rose of course signifies death and morning, and also new beginnings.

Colors do not only signify different meanings.  The presentation also represents a message.  For example, if red and pink roses are combined, it means the receiver is young and beautiful.   A bouquet of roses that have yet to blossom expresses young love.  Receiving a bouquet of all white roses means someone is in love with a girl although the guy thinks she is still too young.  Combination of red and yellow roses means someone is inviting the receiver to have fun.

Giving out roses these days is a lot easier.  In the past, men have to bother themselves by dropping by a flower shop and shopping for fresh flowers they’d give to their loved one.    Then they have to drive all the way to the place where their partner works or lives.  Today, one does not have to go through a lot of hassle in order to send out fresh flowers to their cherished one.  Many flower delivery companies are in existence, and the good news is it takes a few clicks to order the delivery of fresh flowers to a particular person.  One can choose the color of the rose, be it red or pink roses.  They can also select the arrangement they want, and even throw in messages and other gift items like chocolates and teddy bear.  Those with credit card can usually avail of prompt delivery of flowers, and it takes a few days for the flowers to be delivered to a particular place.

One can choose the type of bouquet for their flower delivery order.  An increasing number of people are opting for mixed floral arrangement since it includes a variety of flowers, maximizing the appearance of the bouquet what with the various colors in it. 

Fun Facts About Daisies

“They’re so friendly.  Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?” asks Meg Ryan’s character Kathleen Kelly in the motion picture You’ve Got Mail. I think so, and maybe you will agree.  When you want to send of gift of cheer, daisies are certainly an excellent choice.

• What could be more pleasurable than receiving a bunch of daisies, all happy and innocent?  In fact, daisies are synonymous with innocence and purity—two of the many meanings attributed to the general daisy family. 

• “The poet’s darling,” wrote William Wordsworth, the daisy is also a classic symbol of beauty.

• According to Sheila Pickles, in The Language of Flowers, the daisy is the children’s flower.  Little girls have always loved to gather daisies for posies or daisy chains.  The daisy is sometimes known as Baby’s-pet or Bairn-wort, which means child-flower.

• How many young girls have discovered their fortunes by pulling the petals off a daisy to the little verse, “He loves me, he loves me not”?  It has been said that if a girl picks a bunch of daisies with her eyes shut, the number of flowers in the posy will be the number of years before she marries.

• Daisy means “the day’s eye”--Middle English dayeseye or, the eye of the day.  Sheila Pickles says the flower is true to its name, because it opens in the morning with the light of day.  Then when the sun sets in the evening, the daisy folds up its petals once more, as if it were going to sleep.

• This meaning is reflected in a little poem from yesteryear, written by an unknown poet.  “I’d choose to be a daisy, if I might be a flower; closing my petals softly, at twilight’s quiet hour; and waking in the morning, when falls the early dew; to welcome Heaven’s bright sunshine, and Heaven’s bright tear-drops, too.”

• The gerbera variety of daisy holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which stems from the many vibrant colors available.  Bright pink, snow white, sunny yellow, and ruby red are some of the colors these happy flowers boast.

• The gerbera daisy is the fifth most popular flower in the world, says Florapedia, an online history of flower meanings and symbols.  It ranks behind the rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip.

• A Scotsman named Robert Jameson discovered the flower near Barberton, South Africa, in 1884.  While the daisy’s scientific name, Gerbera jamesonii, recalls the name of its founder, its common name derives from a German naturalist, Traugott Gerber. 

• Breeding programs that began in England in 1890 enhanced the flower’s quality and color variations.  The daisy’s popularity soon traveled to growers in the Netherlands.  Today the Netherlands, along with Columbia, is the primary distributor of the flower’s cut version.

• “Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals.  Some seem to smile…,” wrote Henry Ward Beecher in Star Papers: a Discourse of Flowers.  He must have been speaking of daisies.

Are you ready to brighten someone’s day?  Many different types of flowers could express your thoughts and feelings to a loved one, but the daisy stands out as the brightest and merriest of all.

Picking Flowers for the Wedding Ceremony

When choosing flowers for your wedding ceremony be sure to take into account whether it's to be held indoors or out.

An outdoor ceremony makes possible a whole range of choices that will be different from one performed inside. For example, a garden ceremony may well provide a supply of decorative and fragrant flowers already. There may be a need only to supplement them with small stands and to choose something for the bouquet and corsages.

Some outdoor venues can benefit from a few other items. A chuppah or outdoor altar looks beautiful when decorated with vining flowers such as Morning Glories. An aisle formed by the guests chairs will look lovely when the chairs sport some Snapdragon or Lavender or Anemones. A trellis that holds Hydrangea or Black-Eyed Susan vines will add immeasurably to the decor.

But outdoor venues differ a lot. A beach-themed wedding that takes place at an actual beach may already have palm trees and lush greenery. Still, a few Hawaiian leis are never amiss. By contrast, a spring ceremony at the edge of a forest can be made even more stunning by adding a few Tansy or Wild Rose stands here and there.

Indoor ceremonies have their own special needs.

The pews will look terrific when the ends display Delphiniums or Freesias. An attendant's table at the entrance is the perfect place for a table vase or standing vase that shows off some Bird of Paradise or Gerbera Daisies.

Winter ceremonies represent the perfect opportunity to let creativity bloom. Because few natural species blossom during that time of year, hothouse or artificial flowers dominate.

Hothouse flowers run the gamut, but any of the thousands of Orchid species are a great option. Dendrobium aphyllum shine under these circumstances with their delicate, blue star-shaped petals. The Cattleya aclandiae, sporting yellow and brown spots highlighted by a bright pink center, will lend any indoor ceremony an exotic air.

 

Artificial flowers can help greatly for Winter, or at any time of the year. They provide an option to dress up the venue when blooms of a desired type simply aren't available. Naturally occurring Fall flowers can be emulated for a Spring ceremony. Something which would cost an arm and a leg in Summer can be produced at a reduced price for a ceremony held in any season.

When planning your ceremony, and debating between an indoor or outdoor venue, take into account your floral arrangements. Then let Heather's Grower Direct deliver some beautiful options whichever time and place you choose.

Growing Your Own Herbs

If you're not the type of person that wants to spend their time managing an elaborate fruit or vegetable garden, you might consider planting and maintaining an herb garden. While the product might not seem as significant, you'll still enjoy the constant availability of fresh, delicious herbs to flavor your meals with.

First you'll want to choose the herbs that you'll plant. You might have a hard time doing this because of the huge scope of herbs available. But the best way to choose is to do what I did; just look at what you have in your kitchen. By planting your own collection of these herbs, you can save money on buying them from the grocery store while having the added benefit of freshness. Some of the herbs you might start with include rosemary, sage, basil, dill, mint, chives, and parsley among others.  

 

When choosing an area to put your herb garden, you should remember that the soil should have extremely good drainage. If the dirt gets watered and stays completely saturated, you have no chance of ever growing a healthy plant. One of the best ways to fix the drainage problem is to dig a foot deep in the soil, and put a layer of crushed rocks down before replacing all the soil. This will allow all that water to escape, thus saving your plants. 

When you are ready to begin planting herbs, you might be tempted to buy the more expensive plants from the store. However, with herbs it is much easier to grow them from seed than it is with other plants. Therefore you can save a bundle of money by sticking with seed packets. Some herbs grow at a dangerously fast rate. For example, if you plant a mint plant in an open space then it will take over your entire garden in a matter of days.  The best way to prevent this problem is to plant the more aggressive plants in pots (with holes in the bottom to allow drainage, of course).  

When it comes time to harvest the herbs you have labored so hard over, it can be fatal to your plant to take off too much. If your plant isn't well established, it isn't healthy to take any leaves at all, even if it looks like its not using them. You should wait until your plant has been well established for at least several months before taking off any leaves. This wait will definitely be worth it, because by growing unabated your plant will produce healthily for years to come. 

Once you've harvested your delicious home grown herbs, you'll want to use them in cooking. Why else would you have grown them? Well first the process begins with drying them out. This is easily achieved by placing them on a cookie sheet and baking them 170 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 4 hours. After they're sufficiently dried to be used in cooking, you can consult the nearest cookbook for instructions on using them to effectively flavor a dish.

If you want to store your herbs for later usage, you should keep them in a plastic or glass container. Paper or cardboard will not work, because it will absorb the taste of the herbs. During the first few days of storage, you should regularly check the container and see if any moisture has accumulated. If it has, you must remove all the herbs and re-dry them. If moisture is left from the first drying process, it will encourage mildew while you store your herbs. Nobody likes mildew. 

If you enjoy herbs or gardening, or both, then you should probably consider setting up an herb garden. It might require a little bit of work at first to set it up for optimal drainage, and pick what herbs you want to grow. But after the initial hassle, it's just a matter of harvesting and drying all your favorite herbs.

Unlocking The Secrets To The White Rose

As we well know, “a rose is a rose is a rose”. But certainly, even among roses there is a hierarchy, or at least an ordering. Each variety has its own beauty; each color has its own meaning. The two most prominent colors are undoubtedly red and white. Two colors so famous for their meaning, red conveys passion, while white conveys purity. The stories of the red and white rose have long converged and diverged, most famously in history, in the War of the Roses, a late medieval fight for the British crown. Here, we shall leave the passionate red rose to her own affairs, and turn our attention to the more subtle white rose as the focus of our article. The white rose, which has undoubtedly been linked to purity for many years now, has come to represent much more. Christian symbolism has turned it into a sign for the Virgin Mary. In history, especially recent history, the white rose has become a strong political symbol, standing for truth and fighting totalitarianism, starting with the anti-Nazi German student group called the White Rose. White rose petals also manage to smoothly fall into the pages of prose and poetry, leading to beautiful lyrics and strong symbolism. Thus, the white rose, through its different meanings given to it by different ages of humanity, has come to be a strong political emblem, as well as a beautiful image that has been and will continue to be used in literature.

Innocence and purity are the main symbols which the white rose conveys. Likely it is due to this that the white rose is associated with the Mary. The white rose is also said to have blossomed without thorns in Paradise before the fall of Adam and Eve. This image reinforces the idea of the white rose as a return to innocence and purity. It has also come to mean loyalty and faith, which can be strongly linked to purity. In true love, faithfulness and loyalty are implicit, despite distance or time.  For these symbols, white roses are a perfect gift to a beloved who is far away, as they will display not only your love, but also your fidelity. White roses are also the perfect gift to send to a platonic friend, for a similar reason: constant, faithful love, mixed with the symbolism of innocence, is a wonderful way to show your love for a dear friend. From the times of the War of the Roses, the white rose carries great significance in England, and the white rose is said to refer to death to those that betray their word. Again, the white rose is strongly tied to ideas of fidelity and trust – to such a degree that death is deserved by those who break their vows.

Breaking vows is something that the political group The White Rose did not do. This group of students in Munich actively worked against the Nazi regime during World War II, upholding their ideals of freedom. The majority of this group of brave youth did receive death for remaining faithful to their beliefs. The potential reasons for choosing the name “The White Rose” include the relation of the white rose with another of its symbols: secrecy. Loyalty to their cause could have been another reason why they chose the name. Perhaps they chose the white rose, as white is free of any color, and thus, their ideas and work were not linked to any main political thought of the day.  This young group of brave activists has given a special connotation to the white rose. It is the purity of youth, staying faithful to their ideals.

This special rose has its place in world culture as well. From folk songs to children’s stories to rap, references to the flower can be found. A Russian folk song called “White Roses” describes with sadness how white roses add life to and decorate winter parties, only to be left to die after the party is over. This song implies that the white rose sacrifices itself for our enjoyment and short-lived merriment. Nana Mouskouri, in her famous song “The White Rose of Athens”, waits for the blossoming rose for her distant love to return. In this song, the white rose stands for its best known symbols: fidelity and love, waiting for her love to return when the white rose blooms again. In the all-time favorite children’s classic “Alice in Wonderland”, the Red Queen’s servants are frantically “painting the roses red”. When Alice asks why they are painting the white roses red, the servants explain that she will have their heads cut off unless the roses are all red. The Red Queen, known for her cruelty, can be equated to lost innocence, and thus the purity of the white rose does not at all suit such a Queen. The symbolism of the rose is not lost in contemporary culture either. Tupac Shakur, the famous rapper killed at too young an age, wrote an autobiographical poem about a rose. The poem is entitled “The Rose That Grew From Concrete”, which speaks of hope and the ability to overcome obstacles when least expected. Thus, the white rose has firmly established its place in prose and poetry, both of days gone and by and of our contemporary world.

The white rose is a very strong flower. It is pure in its snow white, a favorite flower to accompany brides to the altar, and does represent purity and innocence. At the same time, as the uses throughout history have shown, the white rose is also a symbol of strong resistance and the will to stand for one’s beliefs at any cost. Giving a white rose as a gift is a very strong gift. It is not fleeting passion or romance, which is too often what the red rose conveys. The white rose is a strong and consistent love, which is pure, faithful and sacrificial. Not many flowers have such a powerful meaning to their name. And this meaning comes to the rose not only through folklore and stories, but through true histories of brave people fighting for their cause. The white rose is a beautiful flower, with beautiful symbolism, and a friend or lover should be proud to give this flower as a gift to those they love steadily and faithfully.

Power Of Giving Study

** The Following Information is courtesy of The Society Of American Florists

Rutgers: Flower Givers Perceived as Successful and Caring

 

 

Happy birthday, congratulations, thank you, I love you, thinking of you. Each day, millions of gifts are exchanged by people who want to send thoughtful regards to deserving friends and loved ones. According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us.

Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab, explored what the gifts we choose say about who we are and whether they affect how we are perceived. The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people. More specific findings include:

• Both men and women who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous people;
• Men and women come across as more emotionally intelligent; they give the impression they can effectively express their feelings and take time to understand the feelings of others;
• and Female floral gifters are viewed as more appreciative of beauty and nature.

“Our findings show that you can influence and change what people think of you in a significant way through the gifts you give,” says Haviland-Jones. “That news is particularly important to those interested in enhancing friendships and romances, even business relationships.”

Discovering the scientific power of flowers is not new to Haviland-Jones. Previous RutgersUniversity research conducted by her team found that flowers create instant delight and happiness, and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Specifically, upon receiving a gift of flowers, the female study participants responded with true smiles and reported positive moods that lasted for days. The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family and
friends.

“Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people,” says Haviland-Jones. “Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That’s powerful.”

M.J. Ryan, award-winning author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series and The Giving Heart, uses cutting-edge science to bring out the best in people. In her books, she teaches individuals how gratitude and generosity can result in greater happiness, health and feelings of human connectivity.

“Gift recipients experience compelling connections with givers, and the positive link is particularly evident in the exchange of flowers,” says Ryan. “In my everyday work with individuals, CEOs and leadership teams at some of the world’s top global companies, I see the powerful implications of gratitude and appreciation.”

According to Ryan, a simple call to the florist can make a big impact beyond conventional gifting occasions. Some of her favorite, unexpected gifting opportunities include surprise recognition for a job well done; an “I miss you” gift for an out-of-town family member; and an advance “thanks for hosting us” gesture before visiting a friend’s house.

“A successful person is not necessarily someone with a lot of money and material goods, but rather someone who is in tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts,” says Ryan. “I can think of no other item besides flowers that evokes such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver and the recipient.”

Pet-Friendly Bouquets

Sending a bouquet or arrangement is always a great gesture, however recipients with pets can pose a bit of a challenge. Many pets can be overly curious over the floral arrangement sitting on the kitchen table, and might even chew some of the blooms or leaves. While many florals might only cause mild indigestion or have poor taste to your pet, some can heed more serious problems. For example, florals such as Stargazer or Tiger Lilies can cause serious kidney problems if ingested by cats. When sending an arrangement to a pet owner, it's always best to choose a pet-friendly bouquet. 

A pet friendly arrangement consists of plants or florals that are not toxic to cats or dogs. Florals such as roses, daisies and orchids are non-toxic, meaning they would be suitable for a household that has cats or dogs. 

For households with cats, Alstromeria is a fantastic substitute to lilies. Also remember to request ferns as greenery instead of baby's breath. When placing your order with a florist, it's a good idea to let them know if the recipient is a pet owner, as they will know which florals to omit from your arrangement.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is a great resource to learn more about which plants and florals are toxic to our furry friends. It is also important to note the scientific name as well as the common name of plants and florals, as the common names can be shared among multiple species and can carry different characteristics. 

 Many pet owners enjoy the gift of a floral arrangement, however most are unaware of the dangers that beautiful florals can pose for their beloved animals, it's best to take the precaution ahead of time and send an arrangement that is not only beautiful, but safe.

The Endearing Language of Flowers

The language of flowers is a language of love, endearment, and respect. The truly popularity of flowers lies in their ability to bring joy, and good cheer.

The fascination with flowers have captivated, and charmed people world wide.  They represent a form of life that has endured evolution, and continues to flourish.  With a diversity of colors, forms, scents, and uses, flowers have been revered by generations of admirers, and enthusiasts alike. Throughout history flowers have been the perfect form of expression, when words were hard to find. The language of flowers is a language of love, endearment, and respect. The truly popularity of flowers lies in their ability to to bring joy and good cheer. 

The first flowering plants found were tiny herb-like flower fossils dating back 120 million years. An innumerable number of images of preserved flowers and flower parts have been found in fossils located all over the world. According to scientists, there are over 270,000 species of flowers that have been documented and are living in the twenty-first century. Scientists continue to marvel over the amazing diversity of species, and the species that have not changed much during evolution. Many flowers have coevolved with their pollination animals.

The flower is the reproductive organ of a plant.  It is the job of the flower to produce seeds through fertilization, and pollination.  Pollination requires animals (bees, hummingbirds, etc.), wind, or water to transfer male pollen to the female ovule. After a flower is fertilized, it develops into a fruit containing seeds.  These seeds are the next generation, and serve as the means by which species of plants are dispersed across a field.  Cross breeding can occur, and this leads to the enormous diversities seen. 

The alluring nature of flowers has made them subjects of folklore, and poetry.  Their medicinal use has been embraced by the east for centuries.  A flower’s fragrance is its personality, a beautiful bouquet of scents that permeate even the worst form of pollution. Flowers have been associated with religious symbolism, the lily signifying purity for example.  The diversity of shapes and colors makes them the perfect decoration, and the perfect gift.  The likelihood of two people having the same color, shape arrangement is very remote. Edible flowers have been used in the culinary field for flavor and garnish for many years.

It is clear that flowers do have a very endearing language.  A language that is universal, without borders.  A language that contains no negativity, nor prejudice.  An unconditional way of expressing a feeling so deep, that words could never convey the true meaning. Regardless of the situation, the sight of a flower will always solicit a smile, and a sense of warmth.

Plants For Your Greenhouse

Ok, you've put a lot of effort into planning and building (or installing) your greenhouse. You've got tabletops, benches, pots, shelves, cabinets, watering systems and a dozen tools to help. Now, you get to really enjoy what greenhouses are all about - plants!

The 'green' part of greenhouses is usually the most fun, since that's why you get one in the first place. But here, too, you'll want to do some planning and careful execution. That planning should start at the same time as that for the greenhouse itself. The structure and its contents should be well matched for optimal results.

Fortunately, you've got hundreds of choices.

Consider first where you live. Even in a greenhouse, the amount of sunlight per day throughout the year, humidity and temperature levels and other variables need to be accounted for.

Northern Idaho, for example, has long, dry summers. New Hampshire, even though it's also in the northern latitudes and gets about the same amount of rain and sun, is much more humid. You can only control humidity to a certain level.

If you get plenty of sunlight in the summer and early fall, or can compensate with artificial lights, tomatoes love greenhouses. The high heat makes them grow great and, since they are easily injured by frost, they appreciate the protection in the Fall.

Some citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, are nearly impossible to grow outdoors in certain locations. It's simply too cold much of the year. But you can compensate in the greenhouse and actually grow your own.

Strawberries are another favorite for greenhouse gardeners. Commercial strawberries are expensive and many people have concerns about pesticides. You can grow your own and control costs and quell health concerns.

Radishes, onions, carrots, lettuce and spinach like cooler temperatures. They can really do well in a controlled environment like a greenhouse.

Then, of course, there are the traditional 'hothouse' flowers - orchids first and foremost. Orchids in the wild grow up higher because they benefit from the breezes. You can simulate that in the greenhouse with a simple fan and ventilation system.

Orchids can also be very expensive and growing your own can be a great way to save money and still have beautiful flowers. For the truly ambitious, there are dozens of competitions across the country for orchid growers. Be careful of getting bitten by the 'orchid growers bug', though. It can turn into an all-consuming hobby!

But lots of other flowers make great choices for greenhouses, too. Practically anything you would grow in an outdoor garden will do fine in a greenhouse, provided you have proper sunlight and shade control. Keep in mind, too, that some plants don't do as well in pots unless they are large enough that the roots have plenty of room to spread.

Most bonsai are outdoor plants, though some benefit from the protection of a greenhouse in high winds and cold winters. Take care that the species you select is suitable for a high temperature, high sunlight and humid environment.

Sooner or later, though, it's time to stop planning and start gardening. Enjoy!

Caring For Your Floral Window Box

Container-grown plants need regular attention to maintain them in prime condition and so ensure the best display possible. If you make it a habit to inspect them when you water, you will notice any problems as soon as they arise.

 

Watering

Window boxes and other containers dry out very quickly and regular watering is essential. It should be carried out in the early morning or late evening during summer months. If only one watering is possible, an evening watering is preferable as the plants have the cool night hours in which to absorb the water. A watering can is adequate for small window boxes although a hose will be more effective for larger ones.

Feeding

Most potting composts (soil mixes) contain sufficient food for only six weeks of plant growth. After that, you will need to feed your plants using a variety of plant foods such as slow release granules and pellets, liquid feed or a general fertilizer. Always follow the manufacturers instructions, as too much fertilizer or liquid feed can burn the plants roots.

Liquid Feeds

These are an efficient means of adding nutrients to plants, as they are added to water. Both organic and chemical varieties are available in many formulations. They may be added to the compost or sprayed directly on to the leaves, depending on the type. Apply liquid feeds bi-monthly in the growing season.

Deadheading And Pruning

Faded flowers will mar your plants and spoil your display. Remove them as soon as they fade. This will also encourage more flowers. Dead or drying leaves and stems also look unsightly and can rot and attract diseases, so remove these regularly.

Potting On

As your seedlings grow, repot them to grow on before transplanting to the window box. Divide the plants, if necessary, and plant them in pots. Established plants that have outgrown a container can also be transplanted to a pot one or two sizes larger, but with permanent containers just change the top layer of compost (soil mix), or remove the plant, prune the roots and top, then replant with fresh compost.

Evergreen Foliage

Evergreen foliage can become grubby over the year. In spring, wash off any accumulated dirt and check for sooty moulds or signs of infection by pests such as caterpillars or grubs. Spray the plants if you find any problems.

Famous Ladies & Their Perfumes

Perfume Muses: Five Famous Women Who Inspired Perfumes

By Lisa-Anne Sanderson

"Of the women in my childhood, I retain above all the memory of their perfumes, perfumes that lingered - filling the lift with fragrance long after they had gone,” Christian Dior once said.  Beautiful and famous women have inspired perfumes since time immemorial.  These ‘perfume muses’ include royalty, ballerinas and actresses.

In each case the perfumer attempted to capture the personality of the ‘muse’ in the fragrance and also create one which could be worn by other women. These fascinating women include the Empress Eugenie, Anna Pavlova and Audrey Hepburn.

Empress Eugenie

Napoleon III married the Spanish Eugenie de Montejo for love instead of for political reasons.  This was unusual in those days when kings usually married to create alliances with or to further alliances with other countries and to produce children.

Elegant and fashionable, Empress Eugenie set many trends and inspired several perfumes.  These include Eugenie by Rance and Eau de Cologne Imperiale by Guerlain. 

Eugenie was a delicate and romantic perfume with lily of the valley and citrus fruit. Rance used the original blend to recreate the scent in 2006.

Eau Imperiale was created by the founder of Guerlain in the Empress’s honor. This blend of fruits and flowers so impressed Eugenie that she gave Guerlain the highest royal warrant, making him her Appointed Supplier.  This perfume is still available and makes a fine addition to any collection, with its glass bottle adorned by the bee symbol of the French Royal family.

Anna Pavlova

When Dr. Nadia Payot, Payot’s founder, met the great Russian ballerina, Pavlova, she noticed that Pavlova’s body was still well-toned and firm even though she was 38.  Unfortunately, her face was rather wrinkled and lined.  This inspired Payot to develop a beauty system which she thought would rectify this problem so she devised her famous 42 Step Facial Gymnastics. Payot also dedicated a perfume to Pavlova.  Called Pavlova, this is a floral scent with hints of musk and cedar, making it suitable for evening wear.

Greta Garbo

The enigmatic actress, who starred in many movies, including Anna Karenina and Camille, once said: “Movies! We weren’t making movies, but perfumes!”

Crown Tanglewood Bouquet was inspired by Garbo.  This woody, floral fragrance has the power to scent a whole room, according to legend.

The Italian fragrance, Ace of Hearts, by Bertelli is also said to have been dedicated to the stunningly beautiful actress.

Mae West

Elsa Schiaparelli designed clothes for this voluptuous actress and modelled the bottle of her scent, Shocking, on West’s figure.  Rochas also based the bottle of his perfume, Femme, on Mae West’s hour-glass shape and swathed it in sexy black lace.  Rich and fruity, Femme, was designed as a wedding present for his new wife, Helene.

Louise Brooks

The heady and sensuous fragrance, Lulu, was created for dark-haired beauty and actress, Louise Brooks.  Based on the Tahitian flower, Tiare, it was inspired by the role that Brooks played in the silent German movie, Pandora’s Box, in 1929. Brooks was a vaudeville performer who ruined the lives of everyone she became involved with in this film version of the myth in which Pandora opens a box releasing evil into the world.

Audrey Hepburn

When the gamine actress’s designer friend, Givenchy, created L’Interdit for her, Hepburn playfully said: “L’Interdit, it is forbidden”.  L’Interdit means ‘forbidden’ in English. Soft and romantic and containing rose, iris and jasmine essences, this perfume captured the beauty of the chic star.  Hepburn helped Givenchy formulate the scent. The pretty and romantic Spring Flower by Creed was also inspired by her. This has become a favourite among Hollywood stars, such as Gwyneth Paltrow. 

Celebrity perfumes became somewhat unpopular for many years after the 1980’s when Lulu was the ‘in-thing’.  Recently, fragrances inspired by women, mostly actresses, have been selling very well.  Liv Tyler, Monica Belluci and Jennifer Lopez are some of these perfume muses. As glamour is back in fashion, scents which make women feel like movie-stars are likely to remain ‘the rage’.