Flowers Have Their Own Language

Planting of a Bird of Paradise means something wonderful is about to occur
Photo: Tom MacCubbin
by: Tom MacCubbin
Updated: 3/2/2020 3:52:41 PM
 
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Everyone knows flowers can't talk but for centuries they have been the silent messengers of assorted sentiments.  Expressions of love, pride and anger have been exchanged between mythical goddesses, Romantic poets, Victorian lovers and modern gardeners through bouquets of flowers.

Sending red roses can be traced back to the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite and is  a traditional expression of affection and beauty.   But delivering a cluster of yellow roses means you're a bit jealous and a bouquet of pink roses reaches out for friendship according to the Victorian language of flowers.

Bouquets are always fun to give and receive especially if they have a special meaning.  Or you might consider making a  growing plant the messenger to remind a recipient of your thoughts for months or  years to come.

Perhaps you may want to create a garden devoted to the language of flowers.  Be careful, a bed of sunflowers could express your desire for power and chase away visitors.   But a trellis of jasmine wishes everyone good luck and welcomes them into your landscape.

Let's start communicating with some March  plantings plus a few culture tips to ensure success.
  • Amaryllis - A springtime flower with lofty blooms held well above the foliage that speaks of  splendor and pride.  Give the plants full sun to light shade plus light infrequent feedings to produce their colorful displays.
  • Bird of paradise - Possibly it's due to the anticipation and long wait for the first flowers that a planting of bird of paradise gives a hint something wonderful is about to occur.  The plants like a full sun to lightly shaded locations with moist soil.
  • Camellia - Opening blossoms during the wintertime when few flowers are in bloom the camellia tells of excellence and contentment.  Give the plants filtered sun and moist soil to produce the cool season color.
  • Dogwood - Definitely one of the more difficult to grow small and very attractive trees for Central Florida the dog wood stands for endurance and faithfulness.  Keep the soil moist and find a location with filtered sun or afternoon shade.
  • Gardenia - It's hard to find a more fragrant flower to express love, purity and peace than the gardenia.  Plantings need a moist soil, full sun to light shade and frequent feedings.
  • Hibiscus  - A planting of hibiscus tell visitors to seize the opportunity.   Maybe it's just a time to relax and enjoy the colorful blossoms on plantings that like full sun, plenty of moisture and a warm location.
  • Magnolia - With large white blossoms perfuming  the air the magnolia delivers a sweet message of beauty and perseverance. Magnolias prefer a full sun location and will grow in damp to dry soils.
  • Wisteria - Climbing a wall or clinging to a trellis the wisteria stands for gentleness and obedience.  Give the plant a sunny location, light infrequent feedings and a moist soil.