THE HIDDEN POWERS OF FLOWERS
Florist decodes the secret language of flowers and helps you pick the blooms to match the mood or moment
Florist Clare Bowen helps us choose blooms to suit the mood
for CALM QUINCE
ONE OF THE FIRST FLOWERS TO APPEAR ON TREES AT THE END OF WINTER, THE CORAL HUES OF THE QUINCE SIGNAL THE APPROACH OF SPRING AND THE END OF LONG, DARK NIGHTS. ORIGINALLY FROM ASIA AND FAMILIAR IN JAPANESE IMAGERY, IT’S USED IN NATURAL MEDICINE AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND IS OFTEN APPLIED TO BURNS. IT’S ALSO POPULAR AS A SOOTHING ASTRINGENT TO TREAT COUGHS – IN JAPAN, QUINCE COUGH SWEETS ARE COMMONLY SOLD IN PHARMACIES. THESE REMEDIAL PROPERTIES MAKE IT THE PERFECT FLOWER FOR SOMEONE IN NEED OF CALM OR REST, PERHAPS WHEN RECOVERING FROM AN ILLNESS OR COMING OUT OF A TURBULENT TIME AND SEEKING COMFORT.
CARE Trim woody stems regularly and cut a ‘V’ shape into them so that they can soak up the maximum amount of water. Refresh water daily.
to CONSOLE ANEMONES
THESE DELICATE FLOWERS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD FROM GREECE IN THE 16TH CENTURY. THEIR MEANING CAN BE TRACED BACK TO GREEK MYTHOLOGY, TO A STORY FROM OVID’S Metamorphoses IN WHICH THE GODDESS OF LOVE APHRODITE FALLS FOR THE HUNTER ADONIS. THEIR LOVE WAS SHORT-LIVED, AS HE WAS INJURED BY A WILD BOAR AND DIED IN APHRODITE’S ARMS – RED ANEMONES WERE SAID TO HAVE SPRUNG UP WHERE DROPLETS OF HIS BLOOD FELL. BECAUSE OF THIS, THEY ARE SAID TO REPRESENT THE FLEETING NATURE OF LOVE, WHICH MAKES THEM A FITTING TRIBUTE TO MARK THE LOSS OF SOMETHING, OR SOMEONE, THAT WAS DEAR. CARE Their soft stems make them delicate, so handle with care. Trim ends regularly and refresh water daily. They continue to grow in the vase after cutting.
for SUCCESS FOXGLOVES
THIS FLOWER’S ENCHANTING NAME ORIGINATES IN EARLY ENGLISH. AN ANGLO-SAXON LEGEND TELLS HOW SYMPATHETIC FAIRIES GAVE REYNARD (THE FOX) FOXGLOVE BLOSSOMS TO WEAR ON HIS
TOES TO MUFFLE THE SOUND OF HIS APPROACH TO HIS PREY. AS THEY’RE OFTEN SURROUNDED BY BUTTERFLIES, MOTHS AND BEES, FOXGLOVES CAN BE SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESSFUL TEAMWORK. THIS MAKES THEM THE PERFECT PRESENT FOR ANYONE STARTING A NEW JOB OR PROJECT, OR SIMPLY TO INSPIRE POSITIVITY AND PRODUCTIVITY AT HOME. CARE They are ideally presented as a large bouquet to sit in a big jug. Two colours can look particularly pretty. Trim the ends regularly and refresh water daily.
for JOY RANUNCULUS
WITH THEIR LOLLIPOP SHAPES AND CANDY COLOURS, RANUNCULUS ARE SURELY ONE OF THE MOST JOYFUL BLOOMS. WHEN FIRST CUT, THEY’RE WRAPPED TIGHTLY SHUT, REVEALING ONLY THE OUTER LAYERS BEFORE SLOWLY UNFURLING OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK. ONCE FULLY OPEN, THEY TAKE ON A DIFFERENT SHAPE ENTIRELY AS THEIR PETALS RELAX AND THEIR COLOUR IS REVEALED, ALMOST AS IF THEY HAVE BURST OPEN WITH HAPPINESS. THE PINK ONES HAVE BEEN LIKENED TO LITTLE BALLERINAS IN THEIR TUTUS, WAITING IN TURN TO PIROUETTE ACROSS THE STAGE. CARE The stems can start to smell quickly if left untended, so trim regularly and change the water daily. If there are smaller buds coming off the main stem, trim them off and place in water – they may well flower later.
for LOVE BLUEBELLS
THE BLUEBELL IS A SYMBOL OF GRATITUDE, HUMILITY, CONSTANCY AND EVERLASTING LOVE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS TALES AND MYTHS SURROUNDING THEM. THEY’RE OFTEN FOUND IN ANCIENT WOODLANDS AND COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH FAIRY ENCHANTMENTS. IT’S SAID THAT IF YOU TURN A BLUEBELL FLOWER INSIDE OUT WITHOUT TEARING IT, YOU WILL WIN THE HEART OF THE ONE YOU LOVE, AND IF YOU WEAR A WREATH OF BLUEBELLS, YOU WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH. THEY HAVE OFTEN BEEN INCLUDED IN TRADITIONAL BRIDAL BOUQUETS FOR THIS REASON. A POSY IS THE PERFECT EXPRESSION OF LONG-TERM LOVE OR CONSTANT FRIENDSHIP.
CARE Both English and Spanish bluebells (pictured here) are small, delicate flowers, which sit well as a little bunch in a simple vase or jar. Keep stems trimmed regularly and refresh water daily.