January’s Carnations

This note is a repeat of one of last year’s posts. I am reoffering for the 400 plus people who joined the page throughout 2015.

1.Carnations to make and enjoy!

January’s birth flower is the carnation. This popular flower for arrangements is associated with love, fascination and distinction. The flowers, particularly the red ones have also been associated with May Day and the Labour Movement, or even socialism. This connection evolved into the wearing of carnations on Mother’s Day, celebrated in the US and Canada on the second Sunday. Traditionally one would wear a white carnation if Mother had passed on or red if Mother is still alive.

The Latin name of the carnation is Dianthus caryophyllus, as given by Theophrastus and refers to Dios, divine and anthos, flower. The postcard dates from 1906 and is illustrated by Catherine Klein, an extraordinary flower painter.

Many of us will remember the handmade Kleenex carnations that decorated many a gift and bridal party cars when we were youth. For those wishing to show others, the instructions are:

Supplies:

Tissues – I used 3 ply for extra fluffy flowers

Bobby pins

Markers

Scissors

Floral tape

Dollar store fake flowers if you want to make a bouquet

First, layer 2-4 tissues on top of each other. I used 3 per flower because I had three ply. Then fold them accordion style, push a bobby pin over the center. Next pinch of the ends. I left about 2 inches on each side, but you can make any size you want. Then take a marker and color the ends. (Optional).

Now starting at the top, pull each layer of the tissue apart until it is at the center. Be careful not to tear the tissue. Work your way down the side until you reach the bottom, and then repeat on the other side. Then fluff.

Then repeat…a bunch of times. This is where the hours of busy time come into play!

It is also optional to pick up some stems of greenery from the dollar store. Expose the tips by cutting away the top leaves. Attach one carnation per stem with floral tape after first attaching the flower to the bobby pin, then to the naked tip.

Similar flowers can be made of coloured tissue paper. Stack 4-6 pieces of tissue cut into 8inch squares and follow instructions above.

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.

November's flowers

The Chrysanthemum represents the month of November. This birth flower symbolizes cheerfulness although a red one sends the “I love you” message. Giving someone a white ‘mum means innocence, purity and pure love. Yellow chrysanthemums mean a slighted or jilted love. I don’t make this up. These meanings are part of the Language of Flowers, a throwback to the Victorian era, when we didn’t say what we meant; we gave symbolic flowers instead. The Ox-eye Daisy with its white petals and golden centres seen on our roadsides is related, although not native to the province.

 November is also associated with the Poppy Campaign of the Royal Canadian Legion, a tradition in place since 1921. These familiar red and black flowers bloom on the lapels of Canadians as we remember those who gave of their service and their lives in military service. This association is international and dates back to Napoleonic times, when they commemorated the fallen.

Lt. Col. John McCrae immortalized the poppies in his emotional poem In Flanders’ Fields, first published in 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place;
and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I can still recite this from memory. Today and tomorrow many school children will assemble to pay their respects to events they study in history. November 11 at 11:11 won’t you give a moment of silence for those who gave?

Ox-eye Daisies, photo by Martin Thomas
Graphic by Stressed Jenny

October's flower

The Pot-marigold or Calendula, symbolize a warm and fierce undying love. Their warm colours are often associated with October celebrations such as that of the Hindu Diwali, a Festival of Light. Elegance, devotion, grace and healing are all attributes associated withCalendula. Its name is Latin for calendar. Like sunflowers, the little flower heads follow the sun across the sky. The addition of the edible Calendula petals livens a salad. Some used to think that eating the flowers allowed you to see faeries. (Not in my experience!).

Their inclusion in soaps and lotions promotes healing of skin conditions, including poison ivy rashes. In ancient days, it was believed that protection from evil spirits could be gained by stringing Calendula garlands around the home.


Burpee seed mixture package

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.