The Significance Of Easter Lilies And Other Blooms

Published In The Edmonton Sun April 17,2011

Early springtime sunshine often brings with it the glorious fragrance and beauty of nature blossoming upon the world. For centuries, we have associated certain types of flowers with specific meanings and values. We often use flowers as a way to express a particular sentiment of emotion. Easter Lilies and other spring flowers carry with them a significant meaning. Most often, the meaning associated with each flower is embedded in the history, legends, and characteristic qualities of the particular bloom.

 

Easter Lily

The magnificent white lily known as the Easter Lily has long stood as a symbol of purity, hope, innocence and peace. Also called the Bermuda lily, the Trumpet lily, and Jacob’s Tears, the Easter lily is a biblical flower commonly associated with the resurrection of Christ.

In Christian tradition, the Easter lily signifies rebirth and a new beginning. It is said that beautiful white lilies sprang up in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus wept in the last hours before he was betrayed by Judas. Another legend claims that the white lilies grew from the repentant tears shed by Eve upon her departure from Paradise.

 

The lily is mentioned frequently throughout the bible and serves today as a beautiful reminder of the significance of the Easter season. Easter lilies grace homes and churches each spring as a symbol of purity, joy, hope and life.

 

The Crocus

This isn’t found as a cut flower typically, but I had to mention it as it such a magnificent symbol of spring in Edmonton. Often the first flower to appear each spring, written documentation of the crocus dates back as far as 1500 years before Christ. Highly valued in ancient times for its medicinal and herbal properties, the crocus was widely used in a number of ancient festivals and celebrations as a symbol of love and youthful joy.

 

Legends circling this early spring flower include that of a young and noble shepherd boy named Crocus who fell deeply in love with a sprightly nymph by the name of Smilax. According to this legend, the Gods were so deeply touched by Crocus’ love that they granted him immortal life in the form of a flower.

 

Another legend tells of the Roman Physician, Valentinus, who was jailed and sentenced to death for practicing Christianity. The blind daughter of the jailer was a patient of the physician. Just before being executed on February 14, 250AD, Valentinus handed the girl a note. Knowing of the healing properties of the flower, Valentinus wrapped a bright yellow Crocus in the message. When the girl opened the note, her sight was restored and she red the words, “From your Valentine”

 

Daffodil

The daffodil is also commonly referred to as the narcissus. It serves as the symbolic flower for the American Cancer Society, representing hope, bravery and new beginnings. As one of the early flowers of spring, the daffodil beautifully withstands the strong winds and storms of the season. Its sturdy and strong stem holds up through the harsh winds of spring, supporting the bright and vibrant petals of the flower.

 

According to ancient legend, the daffodil, or narcissus, also can serve as a symbol of unrequited love, vanity and egotism. Greek Mythology tells of a love-stricken wood nymph named Echo who fell hopelessly in love with a young man by the name of Narcissus. The young man was so self-consumed with his own beauty and vanity that he carelessly tossed aside Echo’s attentions. The Gods were angered by Narcissus’ actions and placed a curse upon him causing the young man to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. As he stayed beside his reflection, yearning for his unrequited love, he slowly was turned into a beautiful flower, destined to stare at his reflection forever.

 

Tulips

Tulips are seen as a symbol of perfect love, imagination, and wistfulness. Various colors of tulips often carry various meanings. Red tulips are often seen as representing perfect and irresistible love. Yellow tulips signify hopeless love, white tulips symbolize forgiveness, and purple tulips denote royalty and nobility.

Turkish legend tells of a young prince by the name of Farhad who fell desperately in love with the beautiful maiden, Shirin. When Farhad received word that Shirin had been killed, he was so overcome with grief that he rode his horse over the edge of a cliff. Legend claims that a red tulip grew from each droplet of blood.

The tulip is also the flower of the 11 th wedding anniversary. The velvety dark center of the flower is said to symbolize the heart of a passionate lover. In addition to its many other meanings, the tulip also represents grace and elegance.

 

Iris 

The beautiful and elegant iris serves as a symbol of wisdom, faith, and valor. It is said that the flower received its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Iris relayed messages from the eye of Heaven to the earth. She also carried the duty of leading the souls of women to the Elysian Fields when they died. Men often planted a single iris on the graves of their beloved as a symbol of their respect. 

 

The iris is also often used by French and English royalty as a symbol of God’s blessing upon the throne. Legend claims that an angel awarded Clovis, king of the Franks, with a golden iris upon his conversion to Christianity. The flower became a symbol of purity, light, and perfection.

Making A Cornucopia

(c) Karen's Gardening Tips - November 25th, 2009

 Thanksgiving offers you the opportunity to make a flower arrangement in a container that is unique to the holiday, a cornucopia. The word comes from the Latin words cornus (horn) and copia (supply, abundance) so it is literally a “horn of plenty” and should be filled to overflowing with foliage, flowers, and/or fruits and vegetables. The key to making a pleasing arrangement in a cornucopia is capturing the look and feel of abundance.

Materials and Supplies:

Cornucopia: made of wicker, twigs, or any other material that will accommodate a flower arrangement. A variety of these are available in craft stores (and second hand stores)

Water tight container: should fit  partially into the cornucopia and will accommodate a piece of floral foam. I used a utility florist container but you could also use any plastic tub such as the one that contain cottage cheese or margarine. You will probably have to cut them down by an inch.

Floral foam: enough to fit snuggly into container; usually about ½ block.

Foliage: at least 3 different kinds of greens that provide contrast in texture and color. Some foliage may come with the flowers you buy, but your garden and house plants may be able to provide all that you need. Some possibilities are boxwood, eucalyptus, privet, rosemary, fern, Indian hawthorn, nandina, clethyra, euonymus, acuba and oak (red or arrange).

Flowers in fall colors: my mixed bouquet from the supermarket had mums, sunflowers, mini carnations and statice. I added some black eyed Susan’s from my garden.

Fruits: includes berries, miniature cattails, grasses, Italian wheat, lotus pods and rose hips that look good with the flowers, as well as mini pumpkins, grapes, apples, and pears that can be used alone without flowers.

Florist wire: about 18” or enough to anchor container to cornucopia.

Florist picks: (optional) to secure fruits and berries into foam.

Florist tape: (optional) to secure foam in container.

Directions:

1. Soak the foam in tepid water until saturated. Don’t hurry this process by pushing the foam down into the water as you will create air pockets that will not supply the plant stems with water. Just let the foam sink on its own as it fills with water.

2. Meanwhile, using the florist wire, secure the container into the cornucopia so that you have as much of the foam sticking out of the cornucopia as possible. Drilling small holes in the container will greatly facilitate this process, which is the hardest thing about this whole arrangement.

3. Cut the saturated foam slightly larger than the container so that it will fit very snuggly and you won’t have to tape it in. Make sure the foam stands at least 1-2” higher than the edge of the container.

4. Add the foliage. start with the long, finer textured foliage and set the outer limits of the height and length of your arrangement. Make sure that some of the long stems are set into the upper part of the foam and extend downward onto the table surface.  If you have Italian wheat, mini cattails, or other tall material, add it to the upper and/or lower foliage.

5. Fill in with shorter sprigs of greenery. Don’t try to completely cover the foam.

6. You will be adding flowers and other material that will cover it. Put smaller flowers like pompom mums high up and further out front. Put the large flowers towards the center. Be sure to turn your arrangement as you work so you don’t leave any parts bare.

7. Add berries to small areas between flowers. If the berry stems are too short, wire them to florist picks. If you have no picks you can fashion some from twigs just make sure that you cut the end of each twig so that it is square in cross section. If you don’t do this the twig may turn in the foam, digging a hole in the foam and changing the position of the berries. Fruits (and vegetables) can be added by sticking one end of the fruit or vegetable and the other in the foam.

8. Add water to the container. Do this every day as the flowers and foliage will use a large amount of water and the container and foam do not hold nearly enough to keep the flowers fresh.

9. Place the arrangement in a cool dark place like a garage until the big event. This will keep them looking their best. Avoid placing the arrangement in sun light or near heating vents.

10. Snip out dead flowers and leaves as they appear to keep the arrangement looking nice. Some flowers, like mini carnations will last over a week and can look very nice with the greenery even when the other flowers have died and been removed.

The cornucopia arrangement is basically one sided, or at most, two sided, rather than round so it is best used on a side board or buffet table rather than on the dinning room table.

Anniversary Dates, Associated Florals, Traditional & Modern Gifts

Year	Flower	Traditional	Modern
1st	Pansy	Paper	Clock
2nd	Cosmos	Cotton	China
3rd	Fuchsia	Leather	Crystal, Glass
4th	Geranium	Books	Electrical Appliances
5th	Daisy	Wood	Silverware
6th	Tulip	Sugar, Candy	Wood
7th	Jack-in-the-Pulpit	Wool	Copper Desk Sets
8th	Clematis	Bronze, Pottery	Linens, Laces
9th	Poppy	Pottery, Willow	Leather
10th	Daffodil	Tin, Aluminum	Diamond Jewelry
11th	Morning Glory	Steel	Fashion Jewelry
12th	Peony	Silk, Linen	Pearls
13th	Hollyhock	Lace	Textiles
14th	Dahlia	Ivory	Gold Jewelry
15th	Rose	Crystal	Watches
20th	Day Lily	China	Platinum
25th	Iris	Silver	Sterling Silver
30th	Sweet Pea	Pearl	Diamond
35th	Tiger Lily	Coral	Jade
40th	Nasturtium	Ruby	Ruby
45th	Blue Rose	Sapphire	Sapphire
50th	Violet	Gold	Gold
55th	Gerbera Daisy	Emerald	Emerald
60th	Calla Lily	Diamond	Diamond
75th	White Rose	Diamond	Multi - Diamond

Mild Fragranced Flowers

Hydrangea

Calla Lilies

Most Orchids

Ranunculus

Tulips

Lisianthus

Gerbera Daisies

Carnations

Iris

Amaranthus

Celosia

Brunia

Gladioli

Kale

 

Larkspur

Snapdragons

 

Bells of Ireland

Anemones

Floral Teas

 

From jasmine to rose petals, and lavender to orchids, floral tea has been a popular choice in flavour for tea enthusiasts for centuries.  

Many of the floral teas taste great when mixed with black, green, oolong, or white tea. 

Floral teas unlike black tea are caffeine-free beverage. They are from natural flowers, rich in phytochemicals such as vitamins, terpenoids and flavonoids.

So where do you begin? How do you know which florals to select when brewing your tea? Here is a list of popular selections, along with their health benefits: 

 

Dandelion: Dandelion Tea have a diuretic nature and can help reduce water retention and bloatedness. Dandelion tea can also help rheumatism and as it is a mild laxative, it should not be drunk in large quantities.

Chamomile: Chamomile tea has a very aromatic and fruity flavour. Chamomile is known for helping aid with toothaches, insomnia, it helps settles digestion and can help reduce the swelling of skin irritations.

Rosehips: Rosehips contain Vitamin C which helps build resistance to colds and flus especially for those living in cooler climates. The tanin content of rosehips help to balance out the laxative content found in Vitamin C and hence can be enjoyed daily.

Chrysanthenum: Chrysanthenum tea is most popular in East Asia. It is well-known for its cooling properties that help to decrease body heat and is recommended for those with fever, sore throat, and other heat-related illnesses.

Rosebud: Rosebud tea has a very sweet, floral aroma and a light, sweet taste. It is beneficial to the heart and brain. The essential oils in rosebud tea can help aid circulation and enhance metabolism. Drink rosebud teas often for natural and glowing complexions.

Elderflower: Elderflower tea has the properties of expectorant, it helps clear catarrh and reduces fever by sweating. It makes a great thirst quenching drink and it also have the benefit of warding off colds.

Lemon Balm: Lemon Balm tea act as a relaxant, it help reduces the impact of stress and anxiety on the system. It is a pleasant summer tea and is best brewed from fresh lemon balm leaves.

Jasmine: Jasmine tea is a drink that can be taken at any time of the day and it goes well with food. Jasmine tea aids digestion, it has antibacterial properties, help prevent heart disease and have anti aging component.

Peppermint: Peppermint tea is a good pick me up tea. It has antispasmodic and digestive properties hence it is a great digestive drink to consume after a heavy meal. Peppermint tea is also good for head colds.

Selecting The Right Vase

 
Flowers arranged in a vase simply look stunning and are known to suit all types of rooms and decor.  Whether it is a home, office, mall, or a business establishment, vases with colorful flowers are a pleasant sight. There is a wide range of containers available in the floral business and choosing one of them can be tricky. Whether you use ordinary flowers or exotic flowers, it can completely change the look of the arrangement if place them in the appropriate vase.

Here is a list of tips that shall help you with the selection of the right vase:

a) The first thing that needs to be considered is the size. Vases are available in all sorts of different sizes. If you have few flowers, select a small vase, whereas if a bunch of flowers need to be arranged that you need to select a large flower vase with a wide opening.

b) The height of the vase should also be considered. As a thumb rule, the ideal height of a vase is half in length than that of flowers. Lilies and daffodils have longer blooms, and hence they blend perfect with a tall vase. On the other hand, for close cut flowers such as daises and roses, a low, wide containers are best. 
 
c) Assure that the flower vase never overpowers the flowers. If they are over decorated and too colorful then they would distract from the beauty of the flowers.

d) It is advisable to select a vase that blends with the flowers as well as the room décor. They should also serve as decorative items even when they are empty and on display.

e) The place where the vase is going to be placed also plays a vital role in the selection process. If the vases are to be placed on a shelf or a table, it is recommended to select vases with wider bases so that they do not topple over. If you want to place a vase outside the porch then select a taller vase so that it is noticeable.

f) Another factor that needs to be considered is the material of the flower vase. Flower vases are available in an array of materials. Glass flower vases can be expensive however they look stunning indoors. If you are looking for cheaper options, then you should go for terracotta, wooden or porcelain vases. 

When selecting your vase, consider your taste and preference above all other suggestions, what may seem out of the ordinary or not as beautiful to some, may be perfect for your personal taste, and that is the most important factor for your decision.

How To Make Floral Water

When winter arrives and the flowers go into hiding awaiting the first thaw, your home can benefit from a touch of early spring to brighten it up as well as cheer its occupants. One way is to fill your home with vases of fresh flowers so you can be reminded of their beauty during the long winter months ahead. Another way is to bring the smell of spring into your home with sweetly scented floral waters. Although you can buy floral waters online, it’s quick and inexpensive to make floral water of your own. This allows you to customize the fragrance to suit your preferences as well as the personality of your home. Here’s how to make floral water.

 

There are actually several ways to make flower water. Here are two of the easiest:

 

Make floral water: Use fresh flower petals

 

If you have access to fresh flower petals, you can use them to make flower water with only a few simple supplies. To make floral water, mix distilled water with alcohol in equal parts in a large glass bowl. In a separate glass bowl, place a cup of fresh flower petals. After thoroughly mixing the alcohol and distilled water, pour it over the flower petals until they’re completely covered with the liquid. Place the glass bowl in a warm place to allow the fragrance to permeate the water/alcohol mixture. Allow it to remain undisturbed for seven to ten days. At that time, strain it throughly a fine muslin cloth and pour into pretty glass bottles. It’s best to keep the bottles refrigerated to prolong the life of your flower water.

 

Make floral water: Using essential oils

 

The advantage to this method is you don’t have to wait for the petals to steep in the water. Visit your local health food store and choose your favorite floral essential oils. Keep in mind that floral fragrances may have different properties. For example, lavender essential oil promotes relaxation. Once you have the essential oils, fill a glass measuring cup with distilled water. Carefully add fifteen drops of your chosen fragrance oil and stir thoroughly. Add two drops of vitamin E oil to act as a natural preservative. Place into glass bottles and store in the refrigerator. Periodically, agitate the bottles to disperse the fragrance and shake the bottle well before using.

 

 

How to use your flower waters

 

Now that you have floral waters, what can you do with them? There are a myriad of ways to add a touch of spring with these simple-to-make fragrances. Pour floral water into a spray bottle and use it in place of a commercial air freshener. It will smell sweeter and be far healthier than the ones you buy in the store. Use it to spray your pillows or sheets as well as your drawers to give them a fresh scent. Just a little bit can add personality to a room. Keep a bottle handy and spray the air when you want to get a whiff of floral. It’ll give you the little lift you need until the snow melts and the beautiful springtime flowers reappear.