December flowers

This darkest month is blessed by several festivals and celebrations. For those born during the month, they have a choice of two flowers. Narcissus or daffodil also serves March. These white to yellow flowers are familiar as spring bulb plants and symbolize sweetness. Narcissus is named after the attractive Greek god, who was so self-possessed that he drowned while admiring his reflection. Apparently, it is the national flower of the Kurdish culture, associated with New Year. Some claim it is the most popular flower in Germany. Giving the flower to another speaks of your respect, modesty and faithfulness.

Alternatively, the Ponsettia, is also December’s flower. These red and green flowers are native to Central America. Giving of them to another says that ‘you’re the only one’ in the language of flowers. In Mexico, the plant is known as the Mexican flame leaf or Noche Buena. I have seen them in Costa Rica, upwards of 4m in height and quite woody.

Legend has it that they became associated with Christmas when poor children picked and offered the brightly coloured roadside weeds as gifts to Christ. Aztecs reportedly used the the bright red bracts to extract a purple dye.

Sure to brighten any home in December, both are grown as potted plants. Both images below are stock photos from the web.

Daffadowndilly

Daffodil – March’s birth flower

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,

She wore her greenest gown;

She turned to the south wind

And curtsied up and down.

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbour:

"Winter is dead."  A. A. Milne

Representing Chivalry or Regard, these welcome spring bulbs offer all shades from white to intense sunshine yellow. Some know them as daffadowndilly , jonquil and Narcissus. They belong to the genus Narcissus of the amaryllis family, with no native members in Nova Scotia. Narcissus is a Greek word, meaning narcotic and shared in mythology by the youth who fell in love with his own reflection.

As garden favourites they have been reportedly cultivated since earliest days of gardens, gaining popularity since the 1600s, with plant breeders. There are thousands of cultivars available and the Netherlands has built an industry around the provision of these and other spring bulbs. The plants contain alkaloids, rendering them toxic if ingested although that property is currently being exploited in the development of a treatment for dementia due to Alzheimers disease.

Serving as the national flower of Wales, daffodils also represent various campaigns for cancer fund-raising, in Canada associated with the month of April.

Wolfville daffodils, photo by Stephanie Smith

Daffodils, anon.