Good morning, and welcome!
Isn’t it beautiful outside this time of year? With the sunny skies and perfect temperatures, my corner of the world is in full bloom. Everywhere I look, there are flowers, from clover in the grass to the bright pink hydrangea bushes in my front yard. I even visited a local greenhouse recently and marveled at all the fresh flowers there too. Each one was an opportunity, waiting to be carried home with someone who would nurture it until it was able to grow and flourish at its full capacity. Plus, it smelled nice in there, and I loved seeing so many colors in one place!
I read somewhere (but sadly can’t find it a second time) that “flower viewing parties” used to be quite common among botany clubs. Think about it… an entire party dedicated to celebrating the blooming of a single flower! As you can imagine, I latched onto the idea instantly and the article below is the result. A virtual flower party! Woohoo! Come celebrate with me!
But first, there’s a matter from last week’s post that must be addressed. Have you been wondering which prank was the “fake fake” from the Hijinks Hall of Fame article? The answer is the goldfish swallowing fad among college students in the 1930s! While I told you initially that its origins came from some tricky reporters who fabricated the first swallowing, this was a lie. Lothrop Withington really did swallow that goldfish and the reporters that watched wrote truthful articles about it, resulting in the famed “goldfish derby” sensation. Did I fool you?
Okay, now back to our previously scheduled nice, pretty, sweet smelling flowers to get my mind off slimy, disgusting fish… ewww….
Flower Fact #1: Making Arrangements
Humans have been picking flowers for a while now - about 5,000 years to be exact! Ancient Egyptians were the first to latch onto the idea, using flower arrangements to represent their many gods and adorn the mummies of deceased leaders. Mediterranean civilizations of the day decorated military commanders with garlands and wreaths in recognition of their accomplishments. Further east, the ancient Chinese offered flowers to honor their Taoist, Buddhist, or Confucian beliefs starting in the Han dynasty. In their flower arrangements, each blossom represented a specific virtue, a significance which was later replicated in medieval Europe. As the reaches of each ancient civilization grew and interactions between people groups became more frequent, new flower specimens were able to spread across the globe. Floral arrangements made their way into art, literature, and religious ceremonies beyond what was seen initially. In the next few centuries, European attention turned to producing meaningful and breathtaking bouquets for every occasion. They were even used to decorate fireplaces in the summer when blazing hearths were no longer necessary, which is a tradition I long to resurrect. What an amazing way to celebrate the transition from frigid, dismal weather to lovely, sunny days! Mostly, though, their use today gained popularity during this time, soon replacing their original religious function. Now, most flower arrangements are simply sent to loved ones to show how much you care.
Flower Fact #2: The Flower Diet
I heard recently that my cousin Janet, a kindergarten graduate as of this May, has apparently taken a liking to eating dandelions out of her yard - during meals! The whole family is in on it, picking them by the dozen to eat in salads. Turns out, they’re not the only ones who do it, either. People fry dandelions, put them in soup, and even use them as a coffee substitute! Additionally, marigolds apparently have a peppery flavor, fennel flowers taste like licorice, violets go good in desserts, and hibiscus flowers are reminiscent of cranberries. I could go on, and on, and on. Hey! Did you know that rose-flavored gelato is popular in some gelaterias? Or that broccoli is actually a flower? While the flower diet sounds challenging at first, I think it would actually be possible to live solely off of these beautiful and (maybe) delicious (I’m not brave enough to find out) plants. And to drink… how about a nice flowering tea? This beverage is brewed using an assortment of tea leaves and flowers sewn together in a specific arrangement. When they are all dropped into a teapot together, they bloom in the water to create a stunning bouquet… as well as a flavored drink! Many tea enthusiasts claim that this type of tea prioritizes the aesthetic over its actual taste, but after drooling over a collection of Google Images of these breathtaking arrangements, I’m still excited to try some.
Flower Fact #3: Little Garden of Horrors
Everyone loves pretty flowers. They look nice in gardens and add a touch of sweetness to the scent of a cool summer breeze. However, I’m not going to talk about those. Pretty flowers, while deliciously romantic, are also everywhere! That’s why I’d prefer taking a look at their lesser known but infinitely more interesting relatives… scary flowers! Why stop at the common moth orchid when you could have a flower as beautiful and fascinating as the Dracula orchid? This amethyst orchid blooms at cool temperatures as low as 53°F and its blossom has two long petals extending from one end. They look exactly like vampire fangs. Even more terrifying is a plant affectionately known as the bat flower, which appears to have long whiskers protruding from its center. However, neither of these can compete with
amorphophallus titanium, otherwise known as the corpse flower. This flower gets its unsettling name from its ability to replicate the stench of rotting flesh to attract pollinators. It is also the world's largest flower, growing to nearly 10 feet tall over the course of nearly a decade. Unfortunately, its size means that it can take decades to bloom fully, and even when it is in bloom it only remains so for a day or two. The most recent corpse flower blooming was in 2016… I hope I’ll be there when the next one occurs! (I’ll have to bring a clothespin for my nose, though, and a whole lot of courage to face this spine-chilling plant!)
Flower Fact #4: Do You Speak Flower?
Geraniums, barberry, petunias, rhododendron… ouch, that hurts my feelings! According to floriography of the Victorian era, these four plants represented some pretty rude remarks. What is now known as the Victorian Flower Language, or floriography, was first established (and I use that term loosely) in 19th century France as a charming and romantic way to send messages. Part of its appeal was the uncertainty of the secret meaning behind each flower: most books written on the subject differed slightly when it came to individual specimens. For example, different sources report that the marigold could stand for anything from “affection” to “jealousy” or even “despair”. And we think texting can be vague! Nevertheless, the public of the day loved sending and decoding these secret flower messages. They were used to honor friends, enemies, relatives, the deceased, and, of course, lovers. Do you want a date or a dance partner? Offer viscaria to someone cute. Are you overcome with remorse for wrongdoing? Purple hyacinths will help you on your way to reconciliation. Are you the impression that danger is near? Warn your loved ones with monkshood. Are you ready to pop the question to your significant other? Propose with stephanotis. The possibilities are endless. For you, I send all my love with a virtual bouquet of morning glories, white lilies, red poppies, and yellow roses!
Flower Fact #5: Grow Your Own Outfit!
Does anyone here really know how to make a flower crown? I sure don’t, but it’s always been something I’ve found enchanting. Wearing flowers… what a fantastic idea! And if they can be a tiara, why not a necklace? Why not a scarf? Why not an entire outfit?! Turns out, this train of thought isn’t as uncommon as you might expect. Dresses made entirely of real flowers have been featured on stunning brides at multiple wedding ceremonies through the years. The trick to constructing such a dazzling gown is in the support underneath. Wire, piping and floral tape all provide the necessary foundation that helps the dress hold its shape and keep the flowers neatly in place. While this sounds like a lovely and exciting fashion statement at first, I’d be worried about what would happen to the flowers in the back of the dress when I sat down. No worries, dresses aren’t the only option when it comes to floral outfits. Artist Christophe Guinet released a series of photos back in 2014 that displayed a series of Nike sneakers he was able to construct from plant-based materials, such as wood, leaves, and, you guessed it, flowers. Though the cool kicks were made as pieces of art, not wearable shoes, I cannot get over how detailed they are! They feature everything from real laces to the iconic Nike swoosh. For the next article of flower clothing, can I nominate floral socks to go with them?
Flower Fact #6: Pretty and Powerful
I think we’ve established by now that flowers are beautiful. However, as I’ve learned from the Amazon River’s capability to support an entire ecosystem or the dolphin’s incredible sonar superpowers, nature has never been satisfied with mere aesthetic. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to learn just how many medicinal uses flowering plants actually have. Chrysanthemum, butterfly weed, and bloodroot flowers have been known to help with various respiratory issues. Purple coneflower supports the immune system. For a sore throat, try gargling with honeysuckle. Cornflowers have been said to help with acne when ground into a paste and spread gently over the skin. Lotus flowers are famous for their ability to treat diseases such as cholera. And I’m just getting warmed up. Lavender, calendula, lilac flowers, and begonia are all used to soothe burns or other skin inflammation. Passionflower and snapdragon are both able to treat stress and anxiety when injested. Yarrow and plum flowers help strengthen the digestive system. Additionally, when considering medicinal uses, you’ve got to consider herbal tea. Chamomile and lavender teas are popular stress relievers, while rose petal tea is rich in Vitamin C and relieves headache pain. The tart hibiscus tea is known for boosting the immune system. Jasmine tea is bursting with antioxidants. I’m convinced there is a flower for every ailment out there!
How was that for a flower party? Sorry if you were hoping for cake and streamers, maybe next time. I hope you enjoyed hearing about the interesting and complex floral world, though! It’s so impressive how something as simple as a flower can have so many fascinating secrets and details. I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate them this week!
My dare for you today? Take time to appreciate the world around you… emphasis on “take time”. There is so much beauty in the world that deserves to be discovered, considered, and dwelled upon. Something pretty can be observed and appreciated, but something beautiful brings an infinitely more meaningful connection. Though flowers die and photos fade, there is always something new in our world to admire. Few things are as constant as this, and that’s why I believe it is important to hold this perspective close. It’s reassuring to count on beauty in this world to always be there for those who seek it out, even during hard times.
A peony for your thoughts… what beautiful things can you find in your life today?
Love, love, love this article, Maggie! I have been doing a lot of research lately about herbs, really wanting to get into the medicinal use of them. You are so right, flowers can also be so healing. I believe God gave us everything we need to cure the ailments that we have. Thanks for a beautiful article!
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