Gardening in Our Area
By LaVERLE McCANDLESS
Contributor
We all know the roses mean love, but each color of rose has a special meaning. One day I will find the list of roses and use it in an article but this one is written about flowers from A to Z. The language of flowers is a non-verbal messages using flowers.
The Victorians used to practice the “language of flowers,” by sending little nosegays of homegrown flowers that would be a message. For example a bouquet of coreopsis and ivy would say “always cheerful friendship.” Such floral messages are called tussie-mussies, a term that dates back to the 1400s when these nosegays first came into fashion. Nosegays were routinely carried by both men and women.
I am going to digress a bit here. Remember in the 1400s, people didn't bathe as often as we do for many reasons and flowers, fresh herbs and dried herbs helped a whole lot to mask or absorb body odor. Some herbs would absorb odors but that would be another topic one day to write about.
Back to the subject, “Speaking in Flowers.” The language of flowers was quite something. Something a recipient of a rose from his or her suitor did not want to see was the rose presented upside down which meant “I don't love you anymore!” No note, no sad song, just a rose hanging upside down.
A bouquet of flowers presented upside down meant the opposite of what the flower stands for. If the bow or the flower bent to the left, the message meant the receiver had beautiful eyes. If it bends to the right, the message refers to the sender saying with flowers, “I am sending loving thoughts.”
A bouquet or tussie-mussie with added leaves means “hope,” however any added thorns meant “danger.” If the recipient's lips touched the received tussie-mussie, he or she agreed with the sender's message thoughts. If the petals were picked off and thrown down, the message of strong rejection of the sentiment was given.
FLOWER SPEAKING! Apple Blossom-Preference, Azalea-First Love, Coreopsis-Always Cheerful, Cornflowers-Healing Felicity, Daffodil-Regard, Red Dianthus-Lively and Pure Affection, Heliotrope-Accommodating Disposition, Ivy-Friendship, Johnny Jump Up-Happy Thoughts, Lamb's Ear-Gentleness, Lavender-Devotion, Lily of the Valley-Return of Happiness, Love-in-a-Mist-Kiss Me Twice Before I Rise, Mint-Warmth of Feeling, Oregano-Joy, Pansy-Loving Thoughts, Red Salvia-Energy and Esteem, Rosemary-Devotion, Scented Geranium-Preference, Thyme-Courage and Strength, Violets-Faithfulness, Wallflower-Fidelity in Adversity, White Clover-Good Luck, Yarrow-Health and Zinnia-Thought of Absent Friends. These are a few of the flowers and herbs and their meanings.
To make a tussie-mussie is easy. Decide on the message you want to send and pick the appropriate flowers, leaving a 6-inch stem minimum.
Remove all the leaves and pick the larges flower for the center. Wrap the stem with floral tape, then add the remainder flowers in a circle until you reach a diameter of 3 to 5 inches depending on the size of the flowers. Then add greens if any.
Finish by winding the tape all around down the length of the stems; add a ribbon streamer (nice bow with long ribbons) or a piece of lace as a bow. Send with a card explaining the flowers meanings or no meanings at all, just a fun and special bouquet. Tussie Mussies should be kept in water.
Comments or questions can be sent to LaVerle at (509) 455 7568 or via e-mail at laverle905@gmail.com.
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