Happy April Fool's Day and a month of daisies

Daisy – the flower of April

But no fooling here. Some would say those born in April are blessed with two birth flowers. Both the daisy and the Sweet-pea are attributed to this spring month. However, their giving means different things.

The daisy conveys innocence, loyal love and purity. Between friends, the giving of a daisy means I will never tell our secret!

Sweetpeas indicate blissful pleasure, but are also given to say good-bye. In Nova Scotian gardens certainly we see the Sweetpea earlier than we see daisies, even the ornamental Shastas are summer flowers.

They are available as cut flowers at florists. For the pet lovers amongst us, daisies are a safe choice in houses with cats and dogs.

Simple daisies, photo by Debbie, at queenbee1924

Sweetpeas, photo by Marian Munro

Easter Flowers

As an important Christian festival, Easter has often been associated with floral gifts and bouquets. The white Easter Lily has represented love and hope. Its single flower atop the stem indicates Christ’s Resurrection after His crucifixion. Legend holds that where drops of His blood fell, grew a Lily. In Catholic nations, some attribute the love and purity to His Mother, the Virgin Mary and fill their churches with Lilies at Easter-time.

Contemporary arrangements now include some or all of the following, depending on the meaning you wish to convey at Easter.

The sweetly fragranced Daisy, with its purity and placidness, suit the Easter occasion. Including the elegant Azaleas in a bouquet may whisper that you hope the recipient will take good care of themselves for your sake.

Daffodils signify love and respect and by giving a bouquet of them at Easter, you are declaring that the recipient is your one true love. 

Chrysanthemum in an Easter gift indicates your respect for them and its inclusion is a sign of cheerfulness, except for yellow. The popular spring bulb, the Tulip, is a messenger of belief and love. Red Tulips are for I Love You messages. Mixed tulip bouquets make a statement on how beautiful are your eyes! Yellow tulips mean that you are Hopelessly in Love with the recipient and not necessarily an Easter message.

Although Hyacinth is also included for its sweet fragrance, each colour represents something different and not necessarily associated with the Christian festival. 

Please mindful of Easter flowers that may be harmful to your pets. If you have cats, Easter lilies must be kept out of their reach.

Purple Daisies, photo by Marian Munro

White Daisies, photo by Marian Munro

Azaleas, photo by Marian Munro

Easter lilies on postcard from the collection of Marian Munro