Saturday, April 25, 2009

Holly Flower Symbolism

Holly Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with the holly is defense, domestic happiness and forecast. The Romans decorated their hallways with holly garlands for their mid-winter celebration, Saturnalia. Medieval monks called the holly the Holy Tree and believed holly would keep away evil spirits and protects their homes from lightening. In Christianity, the pointed leaves represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolized drops of his blood



Honeysuckle Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with the honeysuckle is bond of love and I love you. Wood cuttings from honeysuckle are sold as cat toys. The wood contains nepetalactone, the active ingredient found in catnip.

Huckleberry Symbolism
The symbolism associated with the huckleberry is faith and simple pleasures. The tiny size of huckleberries led to their frequent use as a way of referring to something small, often in an affectionate way. The phrase a huckleberry over my persimmon was used to mean a bit beyond my abilities. I'll be your huckleberry is a way of saying that one is just the right person for a given job.


Hyacinth Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with the hyacinth is games, sports, rashness, and playful joy. Hyacinths are named after Hyacinth, a figure in Greek mythology. Hyacinths are sometimes associated with rebirth. The hyacinth flower is used in the Haftseen table setting for the Persian New Year celebration. The prophet Mohammad is reported to have said If I had but two loaves of bread, I would sell one and buy hyacinths, for they would feed my soul.



By Kathleen Karlsen

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Flower Meanings What You Are Saying with Your Gift of Flowers

The meaning of flowers can impact the message that your gift makes. From the type of flower to the color of the flower, the thought that goes into the flowers you give is more important than the money spent on them. From Valentine's Day to Mother's Day to birthdays, weddings, funerals and get well wishes, send more than a bouquet of flowers, send a message with them as well. In this article, we will explore the meanings of just a few various flowers and their colors.

Roses -

Red: A staple for Valentine's Day. Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say I love you.

Purple: Signify that the giver has fallen in love with the recipient at first sight.

Pink: As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness.

Yellow: The bright, sunny color expresses a feeling of warmth and happiness. The yellow rose is an ideal symbol for joy and friendship.

White: Represent innocence and purity and are traditional for marriages and new beginnings. The white rose is also a symbol of honor and reverence, and white rose arrangements are often used as an expression of remembrance.

Carnations -

The meanings of carnations include fascination, distinction, and love. As with roses, the different colors also have different meanings.

Light red carnations: Often used to convey admiration.

Dark red carnations: Expresses deeper sentiments of love and affection.

White carnations: Associated with purity and luck.

Pink carnations: Often given as a sign of gratitude.

In the early part of the 20th century, carnations became the official flower of Mother's Day.

Gerbera Daisies

When you want to send the gift of cheer, gerbera daisies are your perfect choice. These have large flowering heads that closely resemble those of sunflowers. Gerbera daisies come in a vibrant rainbow of colors. Bright pink, snow white, sunny yellow, and ruby red are just a few of the gorgeous colors that these happy flowers boast.

The gerbera daisy holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which stems from the assortment of colors available. An assorted bouquet of gerbera daisies can lift the spirit and sending one is an ideal way to brighten someone's day. These are just the perfect message for many different occasions such as birthdays, get well, congratulations, thank you among other cheerful messages.

Iris

There are over 200 varities of Iris in a rainbow of colors. The most popular is blue. Named for the Greek goddess Iris, she acted as the link between Heaven and earth. Purple irises were planted over the graves of women to summon the Goddess to guide the dead in their journey. Athough the Iris is a good choice for the grieving, it has a history that includes many other meanings as well. This flower is the perfect choice for corporate gifts, sympathy, get well, thinking of you, and birthday.

Tulips

The meaning of tulips is generally perfect love. Again, as with many flowers the different colors of tulips also often carry their own meaning.

Red tulips: Associated with true love.

Purple tulips: Symbolize royalty.

Yellow tulips: Once represented hopeless love and now they are a common expression for cheerful thoughts. White tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness.

Variegated tulips: Very popular due to their striking color patterns, represent beautiful eyes.

With so many flowers, so many colors, so many possible combinations, take some time to convey the message that you are trying to send with your gift of flowers by combining colors, textures and varities. How about a red rose with a pink carnation for true love and the gratitude you have for having found your true love? It never has to be a big expensive bouquet that gets your message across but it does have to have more meaning that the number you see on your credit card bill.


By Rhonda Earley

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Flower Symbolism More Favorite Flowers

Flower symbolism is a fascinating and ancient means of communicating a very personal message. The symbolism of flowers gives us a glimpse into the cultures and histories of people who have gathered and cultivated them. Amazing stories are associated with many flowers, including bluebells, marigolds, impatiens and poinsettias.

Bluebells are symbolic of humility and gratitude. They are associated with constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. Bluebells are also closely linked to the realm of fairies and are sometimes referred to as fairy thimbles. To call fairies to a convention, the bluebells would be rung.

Bluebells can be found in North America, Western Europe and North Africa. In some areas they are referred to as wild hyacinths. Bluebells grow in forests, grasslands, mountainsides, along the ocean and in brush areas. Bluebells are members of the lily family and native to Portugal and Spain. A favorite flower around the world for many centuries, the bluebell is a particularly beloved flower in Britain.

Bluebells are easy to grow, can handle both sun and shade and even thrive in neglected gardens. Bluebells are usually grown from bulbs and reproduce by creating smaller offset bulbs as well as seeds. Bluebells will also grow in pots, tubs and urns.

Bluebells normally flower early in the year from April through June. The delicate flowers hang from a central stem. The plant also features narrow leaves in light to medium green. Many butterflies just leaving winter hibernation are fans of the bluebell's nectar. To add some fairy charm to your garden, try growing a few of these unique and beloved flowers!

Marigolds are known as the Herb of the Sun and are symbolic of passion and creativity. The Welsh believed that if marigolds were not open early in the morning, then a storm was on the way. Marigolds have been used as love charms and incorporated into wedding garlands. Water made from marigolds was thought to induce psychic visions of fairies if rubbed on the eyelids. In some cultures, marigold flowers have been added to pillows to encourage prophetic or psychic dreams.

The marigold is also associated with the lion and the astrological sign Leo. Early Christians named the flower Mary's Gold and offered the blossoms in place of money at the foot of her statues. The Portuguese introduced marigolds into India. Eventually the flower was offered to the Hindu gods Vishnu and Lakshmi. The marigold is also considered to be sacred among the Aztec Indians, who decorate their temples with the flower.

The marigold was once thought to protect against the plague and to be effective in stopping gossip. Interestingly, the marigold can also symbolize cruelty and jealousy. When used in combination with spells, however, the marigold is an anti-dote for the sharp-tongued and promotes cheery conversations.

Marigolds can be found in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Marigolds can adapt to a wide range of conditions, but prefer full sun and rich soils.

The leaves of marigolds have been used to remove warts. Marigolds are also grown and harvested in Mexico to be added to chicken feed. Chickens eating marigold-enriched feed produce eggs with a deep yellow color. The flesh of chickens fed marigolds also take on a rich color to make them more appealing for human consumption.

The blossoms themselves are quite edible for humans, too, and are often used in egg and cheese dishes. The blossoms can be used to make a yellow dye for fabric.

The marigold is a hardy plant with yellow, orange or rusty red blooms. Marigolds are grown from seeds and range in height from 6 to 36 inches. The blossoms can be from 1/2 inch to 5 inches across.

Marigolds have what many people consider to be a disagreeable odor. Some varieties have been bred to be odor-free, but this negates their use as a plant that wards off insects in gardens. Marigolds are a favorite garden flower with men and a useful, cheerful addition to many types of gardens.

Impatiens flowers come in a wide variety of forms including flat flowers and orchid-like shapes. Impatiens flowers are traditionally symbolic of motherly love. In the medieval Mary gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary, impatiens plants were called Our Lady's earrings.

Many species of impatiens grow only in very narrow climatic ranges and will not grow in other geographical locations. There are approximately 1,000 species of impatiens flowers, but only a few are normally grown in modern gardens. Impatiens flowers come in many different colors from reds to blues to near blacks and browns. Many species are difficult to grow from seed. Instead, impatiens flowers are often grown from cuttings.

Impatiens plants have a strange ability to change sex. The impatiens flower is male when it first opens. After a few days the pollen cap is shed and reveals female organs. This process is to keep the plant from self-pollination. However, it doesn't always work. Some species naturally set seed without even opening their flowers. Other species are self-sterile.

Another unique features of the impatiens plant is the explosive nature of the seed pods. Under extreme pressure, the ripe pods explode when they are disturbed. This scatters the seeds as much as twenty feet from the parent plant!

Impatiens flowers grow in highly specific ecological niches. Some forms epiphytes in trees. The plants rely on the tree for mechanical support but not nutrients, which they produce themselves. The plants are therefore not truly parasitic. Other impatiens plants are hardy perennials with underground rhizomes and tubers. This allows them to survive bitter freezing temperatures in arctic climates. Some impatiens plants are semi-aquatics that grow in edges of streams.

Perhaps the most well known symbolic flower is the poinsettia. The ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity. Today, poinsettias are the most easily recognized flower symbolic of Christmas. Poinsettias are also known as the Christmas flower and Mexican flame leaf.

Poinsettias originally came from Mexico and Central America. According to legend, one day near Christmas a child who was too poor to buy a present for the Christ child picked a weed from the side of the road. When he reached the church, the plant blossomed in red and green flowers.

The bright petals of poinsettias are actually leaves or bracts, and the flowers themselves are very small and yellow. The Mexican poinsettia is bright red, but poinsettias also come in cream, yellow, pink and peach.

Poinsettias are named after Dr. Joel R. Poinsett, a US ambassador to Mexico who introduced the plant to the United States. Recent research has shown that poinsettias are not poisonous, as they were long believed to be. Poinsettias can grow to a height of 16' and thrive in climates where the temperature remains between 50 and 70F.

All of these unique flowers can be beautiful additions to your home or garden, and knowing their interesting stories and the symbolism associated with them can make them great conversation pieces, too!



By Kathleen Karlsen

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Sunday, April 5, 2009

The Special Meaning of a Yellow Rose

The Special Meaning of a Yellow Rose
The meaning of a yellow rose signifies strong feelings of pure joy, gladness, happiness and platonic friendship, in Germanic countries the meaning of a a yellow rose is different - they're used to convey jealousy.

Friendship is the main meaning of the yellow rose but it also signifies familiar love and domestic happiness. Yellow roses also symbolize fun and freedom.

Today, the yellow rose is used to embrace a new beginning, apologize or express sympathy, and to say, emember me , I am sorry', or I care. Yellow roses are appropriate for marking the beginning of a new life together or for starting all over again.

The Language of Flowers

The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a Victorian-era method of communication. Floriograpghy, in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowed individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. The meaning of the color of flowers was most commonly communicated through Tussie-Mussies (floral arrangements), a creative art form which continues today.

Though most popular in the Victorian period, the symbolic use of flowers dates back to antiquity. In Medieval and Renaissance culture flowers were often given moral meanings. This is most apparent in art in which saints are often depicted with flowers, symbolic of their virtues. Liana DeGirolami Cheney notes that some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn

The Color Meaning of Roses

Different color roses symbolize different things and the meaning of different color roses is show here:

Red: love, used to say I love you, but also stands for courage and respect.

Red & White Together or White Roses with Red Edges signify unity and togetherness.

Pink: symbolizes grace, sophistication and elegance. Also symbolizes gentle feelings of love and friendship.

Dark Pink: Gratefulness and appreciation.

Light Pink: Admiration, sympathy

White: Innocence, purity, secrecy, friendship, reverence and humility.

Yellow: Often akin to joy and deep friendship or platonic love. In German speaking countries, however, they can mean jealousy and infidelity.

Yellow with red tips: Symbolizes a gesture of falling in love.

Orange or Coral symbolizes enthusiasm and desire

Burgundy: Beauty

Blue: Mystery

Green: Calm

Black: used to signify death (black being the color of death) often of old habits. In a positive light it signifies rebirth after death. Also, slavish devotion (as a true black rose is impossible to produce).

Purple: protection (paternal/maternal love)

Rose Types Also Convey Meanings Too

Rose (thornless) - Love at first sight

Rose (single, full bloom) - I love you; I still love you

Rose bud - Beauty and youth; a heart innocent of love

Rose bud (red) - Pure and lovely

Rose bud (white) - Girlhood

Rosebud (moss) - Confessions of love

Roses (bouquet of full bloom) - Gratitude

Roses (garland or crown of) - Beware of virtue; reward of merit; crown ; symbol of superior merit

Roses (musk cluster) - Charming

Rose (tea) - I'll always remember

Rose (cabbage) - Ambassador of love

Rose (Christmas) - Tranquilize my anxiety or anxiety

Rose (damask) - Brilliant complexion

Rose (dark crimson) - Mourning

Rose (hibiscus) - Delicate beauty

Rose leaf - You may hope

About: Brant Florist has been owned and operated by The Bolt family since 1977. Doyle, Tim, Elaine and Ken Bolt treat every customer the way they would like to be treated. Staff are well trained, have years of experience and are always professional. The shop has been processing internet orders since 1996 with a computerized network to manage and record all orders. The shop was originally established in 1961 by Mr. and Mrs. Jones. That is over 45 years of successfully serving customers like you.




By Ken Bolt

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Friday, April 3, 2009

Roses Their Colors and Their Meanings

If you're a last minute special occasion shopper, most often you'll turn to the floral section for your gift. And who says that giving flowers isn't the way to go anyway! Flowers are beautiful, they smell great and they add color and life to any room in your home. If you normally choose to give the gift of flowers, here are a few things you may not have previously known about flowers and their higher meanings. With these tips, even last minute shoppers can give a gift that has true meaning.

When choosing the perfect bouquet, part of your choice should be based on the individual you are buying them for. Many women (and even men) enjoy receiving all types of flowers, but some can have a more personal meaning than others. Knowing personal preference will make buying flowers a whole lot easier.

Now if you are a flower buying novice, then the rule of thumb is to know that you can never go wrong with roses. Roses are by far the most popular flower, and, with a wide variety of choices, you can purchase roses for any occasion. More people than not are aware that different colored roses have different meanings, but hardly anyone knows what those meanings are. If you are looking to buy the perfect colored rose for the perfect occasion, then take a look at this guide to rose buying. Here is what each colored rose means.

Red - love and romance (perfect for lovers on any occasion)

Orange - passion and enthusiasm (perfect to congratulate someone on an event that they are passionate about, i.e. winning a contest, performing in a production, winning a sporting event)

Yellow - joy and friendship (perfect to give to a friend on any occasion)

Green - fertility (perfect to give to anyone who is pregnant or has just had a child)

Blue - mystery and intrigue (taking someone out on a mystery date? Start it off right with some blue roses! Also great to send to secret admirers!)

Pink - gratitude and appreciation (great to send to anyone for a job well done)

Purple - love at first sight (find yourself swooning? Send some purple roses!)

Black - vengeance (not quite romantic, but you can send black roses to someone who loves black, even if you aren't sending them for the reason that they stand for)

White - innocence and purity (perfect for a first date! A great way to start of something right)

No matter the special occasion, you're bound to find the perfect colored rose to celebrate it! It's good to remember that even though different colored roses have different meanings, that doesn't mean that you have to choose your bouquet based on that. It may be as simple as getting someone you care about a bouquet of flowers in their favorite color. Flowers are meant to show that you care and support someone, so while its fun to send flowers based on the meaning of their color, the thought behind any bouquet is what really counts! So whether you are a last minute shopper or you spend time putting thought into your gift, know that roses are always an excellent choice!


By Erin Morris

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Rhododendron Flower Symbolism

Rhododendron Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with the rhododendron is beware and caution. Rhododendron means ose tree. Some spices are toxic to animals and may have a hallucinogenic and laxative effect on humans, thus the symbolism related to warning and danger. Rhododendrons were originally found in Nepal. Today there are over 1,000 species of rhododendrons. Rhododendrons are the national flower of Nepal, the state flower of Sikkim in India, and the state flower of West Virginia and Washington in the United States. See our original art featuring rhododendrons

Rose Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses were first cultivated 5,000 years ago in Asian gardens. Confucius wrote that the emperor of China owned over 600 books on the cultivation of roses. Roses were introduced to Europe during the Roman Empire and were thereafter used for ornamental purposes. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. See our artwork and gifts featuring roses.


Shamrock Symbolism
The symbolism associated with shamrocks is lightheartedness, good fortune and good luck. The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and a registered trademark of the Republic of Ireland. The shamrock was traditionally used for its medicinal properties and was a popular decorative motif in Victorian times. The shamrock is also symbolic of St. Patrick's Day, celebrated on March 17th.



Snapdragon Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with snapdragons is graciousness and strength. The snapdragon is important as a model organism in botanical research. Its genome has been studied in detail

Sunflower Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with sunflowers is adoration. Sunflowers turn their heads to the sun, which is the origin of their common name. Sunflowers belong to the genus helianthus, a reference to Helios, the sun god. Sunflowers are native to the Americas and are the state flower of Kansas. See our artwork and gifts featuring sunflowers.


Sweet Pea Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with sweet peas is bliss, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas were very popular in the late 1800s and are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England. Sweet peas are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. Read more about sweet peas.




By Kathleen Karlsen, MA

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The Language of Flowers .

If flowers could talk, what would they say? What does their language consist of? Well, we will probably never know. However, we can know what we think they are saying. Here are just a few of the things you can say when you give flowers as a gift.

During the Victorian era, people gave bundles of flowers as gifts. These flowers were used to send messages. What the message said depended on which flowers were used. These bundles of flowers were called tussie-mussies. Both men and women carried them.

This language of flowers was not simple. If the bundle was received upside down, it meant the message was the opposite of the usual meaning. A bow or flower bent to the left means you have beautiful eyes. To say I send loving thoughts, a flower or bow must be bent to the right. To signal hope, add leaves to the bundle of flowers. To warn of danger thorns must be present.

To make a tussie-mussie, you only need a few things. You need some floral tape, your choice of flowers, and some greenery. Begin by striping the leaves from the bottom of each stem. Then, tape two bunches together with floral tape about an inch or two from the bottom of the stem, add 2 or 3 more stems around these and wind the tape around the addition. Keep adding stems and tape until you get the size you desire.

To tell someone they are your first love use Azaleas in your bouquet. If your affection is lively and pure, a gift of Red Dianthus will impart your message. Ivy signifies friendship. Warmth of feeling can be conveyed with Mint. Rosemary or Lavender will tell your sweetheart you are devoted to them. To let them know you are faithful, give them violets. If a friend needs healing or felicity, a gift of cornflowers will help them feel better. Happy thoughts are imparted with Johnny Jump-ups.

To help a loved one return to a state of happiness, give them a gift of Lilies of the Valley. To show preference to your sweetheart, send them some Apple Blossoms or Scented Geraniums. Joy can be passed along with blossoms from the Oregano plant. Loving thoughts are represented by Pansies.
Most people, especially women, enjoy getting flowers. What better way to send a poem to someone special than in the language of flowers? Of course, they need to understand what you are saying. So, a little card explaining the loving meaning would probably not go amiss in this situation. Give your sweetheart a beautiful bouquet and make their day a little brighter.



By Cheryl Dennett

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