Episode #505- Flower Tales
Episode #505 Flower Tales (Flower Meanings)
Today on Life In Bloom we’re learning about flower meanings. We’ll see how to send a secret message through a flower, see how color influences and is influenced by our moods, and discover the meaning behind colors of roses, as we turn feelings into flowers on this episode of Life In Bloom.
“A flower is not a flower alone, a thousand thoughts invest it.” ― Mandy Kirkby
Turning People’s Feelings into Flowers
The symbolic language of flowers has been recognized for centuries. They even play a large role in William Shakespeare’s works. Mythologies, folklore, sonnets, and plays of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese are peppered with flower and plant symbolism. Learning the meanings of flowers was a popular pastime during the 1800s. Many Victorian homes had guidebooks for deciphering the “language,” based not only on the flowers but also color. Even today, though less specifically, we rely on flowers to express our feelings, when words seem difficult.
I found this additional information while doing my research- about flower meanings… enjoy! https://www.brides.com/romantic-flowers-5219770
Garden Roses
Garden roses are specifically bred for their stunning size and shape. They're a bit larger with fluffier petals, in comparison to a traditional rose, but they hold the same meaning of love and romance. "Garden roses are an expected romantic flower," says Theodoropoulos. "Flowers help exude romance in their pairings, shapes, and color combinations. Using more romantic blooms with the addition of candles really pushes the overall vibe towards romance."
Peonies
The large, fluffy petals of peonies scream romance right off the bat, but their meaning takes it further. Peonies symbolize a happy relationship and serve as an omen of good fortune. "Garden roses, Japanese anemone, sweet pea, and peony are some of the timeless romantics that not only come in a variety of colors but are full of potential for new ways to make these beauties seem fresh and new," says Strong.
Carnations
Carnations are classic blooms that have been gifted to loved ones for decades. With fluffy petals and a variety of hues including pink, red, and white, they're truly a popular choice for playful romance. The blooms symbolize affection and true love, making them a beautiful addition to any wedding, whether you're using them in a bouquet or dressing up a table setting.
Orchids
It goes without saying that orchids exude elegance in a way unlike any other bloom. But these stunning flowers also hold a meaning of love, strength, and charm, making them entirely romantic. They're stunning in a bouquet on their own, or orchids can be beautifully incorporated into statement centerpieces.
Traditional Roses
Traditional roses still certainly shine as wedding flowers, whether used in a bouquet or a table centerpiece. They're the original romantic flower, representing love in any shade. To take their symbolism even further, each shade of rose has a different meaning. Red means passion and pink means gratitude, while white roses symbolize purity and grace.
Gardenia
Gardenias are a fragrant bloom with dainty star-shaped petals. They're charming flowers that symbolize beauty, hope, purity, and love. Use this romantic flower in a boutonniere or to add texture and interest to a bouquet.
Tulips
According to Strong, a tulip is compared to deep love. This stunning springtime bloom exudes beauty and grace, with a variety of color options including white, pink, yellow, and red. Tulips symbolize enduring love, making them special to feature in a bouquet or on reception tables.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas give off such a romantic, cottagecore vibe thanks to their fluffy petals and dainty size. "Sweet pea means blissful pleasure," says Strong. They're enchanting and entirely vibrant, making for the perfect addition to a bouquet or to make a statement as a centerpiece.
Clematis
Clematis is a climbing vine that flowers with stunning blooms in a variety of shades such as white, purple, pink, and yellow. It symbols ingenuity, wisdom, and aspiration, and provides a great pop of color and texture to a bouquet or centerpiece. "Blooms like sweet pea, clematis, and ranunculus are romantic in their shape and the movement they give the arrangements," says Theodoropoulos.
Ranunculus
Ranunculus is a truly unique flower thanks to its intricate shape. Each bloom features delicate layers of petals, making it a charming addition to a bouquet or centerpiece. Ranunculus radiates beauty and symbolizes grace, elegance, and pure love.
Anemone
Anemones make a subtle statement thanks to their large, delicate petals and bold center, whether included in a bouquet or displayed on their own in a boutonniere. The bloom itself symbolizes anticipation and fragility, while white anemones specifically symbolize sincerity.
Cherry Blossoms
It’s hard to ignore the beauty of cherry blossoms when they begin to bloom in spring. They’re nothing short of incredible with such a lovely scent. This tree blossom represents love, strength, and appreciation. Incorporate cherry blossoms into a cake design or use branches to create a sweet and simple tree centerpiece.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley has been a popular wedding flower choice for centuries, most often used by royals in bouquets. The flowering plant with small bell-shaped blooms is entirely charming. Lily of the Valley holds a meaning of purity, joy, and sweetness.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are well known for their unique texture and full-bodied nature. Made up of plenty of dainty petals, they're blooms that exude romance and elegance. As for their special meaning? Hydrangeas symbolize heartfelt emotion.
Daisies
Daisies are known for their cheerful appearances thanks to tiny white petals and bright yellow centers. They’re playful, romantic flowers symbolizing true love and new beginnings. They can be included in a whimsical wildflower bouquet for great color and texture, or even in charming bud vases on reception tables. Another great way to incorporate daisies? These edible flowers can be used to garnish desserts or drinks.
Rose Color Meanings
While Beauty, Hope, and Passion are among the attributes of Roses, the most common meaning is, not surprisingly, Love. However, the color of the rose may reveal more specific messages. While many ideas are associated with various colors, the following are among the more prevalent…”
White rose: purity, innocence, a new beginning, or a heart unacquainted with love
Red rose: love, or “I love you”
Deep, dark crimson rose: mourning
Burgudy rose: mourning
Pink rose: grace, happiness, gentleness
Yellow rose: friendship, apology, but also jealousy, or infidelity
Orange rose: fascination
Peach rose: modesty
Lavender rose: love at first sight
Purple rose: Enchantment
Coral rose: friendship, modesty, sympathy
SOURCE: https://www.almanac.com/flower-meanings-language-flowers/
Flower Meanings
Flowers for this segment were furnished by the following:
Ocean Breeze Gerbera - Innocence, Strength
Holland America Lily Regal Beauty - Desire
Bandy Ranch Queen Anne’s Lace - Do not refuse me, Fantasy
Joseph & Sons Larkspur - Levity
Sun Valley Delphinium - Big Hearted
CamFlor Nigella - Embarrassment, Kiss me
Golden State Lisianthus - Gratitude
Sun Valley Spray Aster - Daintyness, Difference
Green Ball Dianthus (Bandy, Joseph) - Dexterity, Finnesse
Holland America Snapdragon - Creativity
Holland America Tulip - Abundance, Hopeless Love
Sun Valley Calla - Fertility, Death
Sun Valley Iris - Courage
It seems that all flowers have been assigned messages and meanings through the ages. There are several publications providing this information, and messages do vary a bit from one to the other, but there is agreement on many of the flower meanings. Different combinations of flowers can also create new messages and meanings. Even which hand holds the flowers can present additional signals. Let’s review a sampling of blooms and their meanings…”
Setting a Mood with Flowers
Flowers are a great way to set the stage for entertaining - whether you’re hosting a big party, casual get-together, or a romantic interlude. The flowers and color combinations that you choose can help create the desired atmosphere and set the mood for the gathering…
For example- these combinations of color can provide the following feelings:
Analogous - Friendly • Complimentary - Exciting •
Monochromatic - Calming Moods - Chill, Celebratory, Romance, Casual
In this segment I Focus on One arrangement creating in a Calming Monochromatic Palette - in a style with less tension (this helps emphasize the show’s overall message of relaxation via flowers) Remember the Shape/Style of arrangement can affect mood too.
The Flowers for this table setting have been provided by our Friends at Florigene® and the flowers featured are Moon Series® Carnations and Miniature Carnations- and include the NEW Applause® Rose- that has been featured in past years at the Grammy Awards!
Flowers: Florigene Moon Series Carnations and Minis, Suntory Blue Rose Applause®Lavender Standard Mums, Limonium , Scabiosa, Flax Foliage - Fern TrustLavender Garden Roses & Lavender Spray Roses (Garden Roses Direct)
Bloom 365 Idea/Tip/Trick - Color Blocking
“Here’s my Bloom 365 Tip - helping you to enjoy flowers every day of the year…”
J shares how to execute an arrangement - featuring a Color Blocking technique in a cylinder vase!
Here’s this Weeks Bloom 365 Tip from my AWARD winning Book- Bloom 365 (Tip #269)- helping you enjoy flowers every day of the year!
A refreshing way of arranging is to combine flowers in “blocks” of color - known as color blocking - to achieve dynamic results within arrangements. You’ll love the effect!
Flowers: Splendor Pins, 2 varieties of Sun Valley Tulips & Yellow Iris
Color Horoscopes
Did you know that, similar to astrology, color horoscopes can reveal much about our personalities and feelings? We touched on this subject before in an episode all about color. Although we refer to color horoscopes, there’s one key difference. Unlike astrology, our color horoscopes are not fixed. Colors we favor at different times in our lives may inform what’s going on in our lives - even on a subconscious level. Your color horoscope could reveal how you actually feel about a current situation. Let’s review colors and their attributes reflected in these arrangements, ”
1. Yellow- Sunshine- Positivity – Perfectionist, Optimism
2. Peach- Friendly Charming- Agreeable- Soothing
Orange- Creative – Loves Change, Fickle – Adventurous – Appetite Stimulant
3. Red- Hot- Powerful Seductive Sexy and Exciting
4. Pink – Sweeter – Innocent, Feminine, Demure, Soft
5. Lavender Grace- Refinement, Fantasy Sentimental
Purple, Royalty, Spiritual Generous Vanity Magic
6. Blue Dependable Steadfast- Traditional, Gentle Popular
Aqua- Tranquil Clam Cool Wet Friendly
7. Green- Health Caring Growth Gossip, Loyal
Chartreuse- Acid Bubble Up, Unavoidable Attention Grabbing
8. White Pure Clean Sterile Neat Fussy
9. Brown Safety Stability, Earthly Delicious, Natural
Deliflor Chrysanthemums are a perfect way to depict Brown in Flowers!
10. Black Timeless Classic Sophisticated Worldly Serious (I’m featuring a stunning Black Rose- from my Friends at Esprit Miami!
Featured Flower: Forget-Me-Not
Additional information regarding Forget-me-nots I found during my research!
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/forget-me-not/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myosotis
- The scientific name of Forget-Me-Not is Myosotis, which comes from the Ancient Greek for "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble.
- Forget-me-nots are one of the few plants that can boast a true blue color.
- However, the adorable blooms also come in light pink, purple, and even a clean white, and yellow centers brighten every shade.
- The flowers emerge in early to late spring and continue until summer heat slows the plants down
- Forget-me-nots prefer full sun, but where the summers are hot, they are better placed where they get some afternoon shade. Forget-me-nots also prefer consistently moist soil.
- This plant has many historical references and meanings tied closely to its name. Forget-me-not was commonly grown in gardens to remember lost loved ones. People would wear sprays of these delicate blossoms as a sign of faithfulness to a loved one.
- Forget-Me-Not is the state flower of Alaska
Communicating with Flowers with GUEST Jenn Pascua
The flowers featured in this episode- are furnished by the following:
Flowers Jenn’s Bouquet: Pink Rose - Gratitude - Garden Rose Direct
Gardenia - Beauty, Hope Love - High Camp
Orchids - Strength, Charm - Westerlay Orchids
Peony - Good Fortune - Kennicott
Lily of the Valley - Joy & Sweetness - J’s Garden
Limonium - Joyous - CamFlor
Ivy - Friendship - Colour Republic
Vase Flowers: Asclepsia - Heartache, Care, Let Me Go - CamFlor
Carnation - Boldness - Red Admiration - Purple Whimsical - Florigene
Chrysanthemum - Hope, Protection - DeliFlor
Daisy - Cheer, Innocence - DeliFlor
Eucalyptus - Healing, Perfection - Bandy Ranch
Fern - Sincerity - FernTrust
Gardenia - Emotional Support, Good Luck - High Camp
Hydrangea - Break Hexes, Carelessness, Pride - Galleria
Lily of the Valley - Return of Happiness - J’s Garden
Ivy - Friendship - Colour Republic
Matthiola Stock - Promptness - Joseph & Sons
Mint - Wisdom - Fabulous Florals
Peony - Good Fortune - Kennicott
Protea - Courage - FBI Flowers
Roses - Bi-color Unity - GroFlowers
Solidago - Encouragement - Mellano & Co.
Sunflowers - Adoration, Dexterity - Bandy Ranch
Sweet William - Will you Smile - Mellano & Co.
Veronika - Fidelity - CamFlor
Limonium - Joyous - CamFlor
Now that we’ve learned about the meanings of flowers, I am eager to arrange a bouquet with a special message - and joining me is my flower friend Jennifer Pascua…”
Jenn and I Talk about messages that can be sent with Flowers-
for example did you know a Flower worn Behind the ear- can indicate if the we are is Available or Unavailable…
Jen and I talk about Victoria Times- where men would send a message to their favored one- and then she would respond with another bouquet…
We also discuss the significance of different colors- meaning different things… same flower- different slant
I created a bouquet that has a message for Jenn… and let’s see if she can figure it out…
Join us for this fun discussion all about the meanings of flowers- and how we can send a message or share our feelings with flowers!
Lavender & Lemon Balm Popsicles #RecipeInBloom With GUEST Jenn Pascua
These herbal popsicles are flavored with Lavender and Lemon Balm and are easy to make. Lavender and lemon balm are relaxing, stress reducing, and good for the digestive system. Interestingly, Lavender flower meanings include faith, love, and protection, but also distrust. Here’s how to make them…”
Lavender + Lemon Balm Popsicles #RecipeinBloom
These herbal popsicles are easy to make and especially delicious on a hot day!
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 5-6 whole fresh lavender blossoms
- 1 small handful fresh lemon balm
- Lemon Verbena Elixer
- Lemon Zest (J’s addition)
- 2-4 tbsp honey
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil, then pour over the lavender and lemon balm in a quart sized jar.
Steep the tea for 10-15 minutes, then strain out the herbs with a fine mesh sieve and stir in the honey to your desired sweetness. Do not steep longer - the lavender will become bitter
Let the tea cool down a bit (you can add a few ice cubes if you're impatient like me), then pour it into a popsicle mold. Freeze for several hours or overnight.
What is the meaning behind Lavender, Lemon Balm and Lemon Verbena???
Lavender - distrust
Lemon Balm - sympathy
Lemon Verbena
Notes for additional information:
I used this stainless steel popsicle mold in this recipe.
Flowers from YOU- Viewer Feedback featuring Nancy Combest!
Today I have photo of an all foliage arrangement from viewer Nancy Combest who was inspired by the all-foliage show from a season 1. Nancy writes…
“I wanted to make your all green arrangement for my grandson's graduation. I wasn't able to get the same greens you used but tried to make it as much like yours as possible. Turned out much fuller than I wanted but still got a lot of compliments thanks to your guidance.”
Thanks again Nancy. I LOVE to see pictures of foliage AND flower arrangements inspired by Life in Bloom - we call them “Schwankes” after a viewer’s nickname. Send them to j@ubloom.com - the letter j at the letter u- bloom.com and watch for more Schwankes on upcoming shows
I’ve had a lot of fun discovering the language of flowers - and turning feelings and emotion into flowers, too. I hope you’ve enjoyed our time together and will consider flowers the next time you have a message to share - For Life In Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.