The Power of Flowers
"All the flowers would have very extra special powers" This is a
quote from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Flowers have been a
symbol of peace and love throughout the ages. From the "Flower Power"
movement of the 1960's, when activist and young pacifist Jane Rose
Kasmir was photographed planting a flower on the bayonets of guards at
the Pentagon during a protest against the Vietnam War on October 21,
1967. A Moment in time that would go on in American culture and heritage
to reflect a moment of peace in a time of war, symbolizing a new type
of passive resistance, coined by Ginsberg's 1965 essay titled How to
Make a March/Spectacle. During the late 1800's a woman rejecting a
suitor might send him yellow roses. During world war one a man leaving
for a battle overseas might give his girlfriend forget-me-nots. Most
people remember that red roses mean "I love you," but floriography
itself has been largely forgotten, a Victorian practice where particular
types of flowers meant different things.
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| The Power of Flowers |
In some cases flowers
may have a more grim representation such as calla lilies at a funeral.
Recently evidence of flowers dating back to the prehistoric period have
been discovered through 'Flower Fossils'. Archaeologists uncovered
skeletons of a man, two women and an infant buried together in soil
containing pollen of flowers in a cave in Iraq. This association of
flowers with the cave dwelling Neanderthals of the Pleistocene epoch is
indicative of the role of flowers in burial rituals. Analysis of the
sediment pollen concentrated in batches, implied that possible bunches
of flowers had been placed on the grave. Closer examination of the
flower pollen enabled scientists to identify many flowers that were
present, all of which had some therapeutic properties.
That's
right, before we had the local drugstore pharmacy with it's many
colorful cough syrups to aid our aliments we relied on flowers. Flowers
like calendula for aches and pains or hyssop for a sore throat. Today
you might be able to find Ecanechia at your local pharmacy. Although
most of the immunity boosting qualities of this flower comes form it's
roots, it is a healing flower all the same. For the most part healing
flowers are a thing of the past. That is of course if you are excluding
one of today's most controversial flowers, the cannabis or marijuana
flower. This highly debated flower is said to aid in a number of
ailments such as chronic pain, depression and stomach upset, just to
name a few. Although some states have legalized cannabis for medical
use, it's distributors and the patients that have come to rely on it's
healing properties are under the constant scrutiny of not only our
federal government but the state elected officials whom continue to
argue the validity of this flowers power.
Some flowers are just
plan good to eat. Take the Squash flower. This bright and brilliant
flower carries a buttery flavor of summer. Simply saute lightly and
sprinkle a little salt and there you have it. A delicious snack that's
also beautiful. And you you have never had dried blueberries and dark
chocolate with fresh and fragrant lavender, then you just don't know
what you're missing. Dandelions which are commonly referred to as weeds
are sweetest with a honey like flavor when they are picked young. Next
time you make a salad or rice pilaf try adding some dandelion flowers
and greens.
Creating an eye catching edible flower garden is
rewarding to all the senses. Flowers as an edible addition, bring lively
flavors, colors, and textures to salads, soups, casseroles, and other
dishes. Eating flowers is not as exotic as it may sound. The use of
flowers as food dates back to the Stone Age with archaeological evidence
that early man ate such flowers as roses. You may not want to eat
flowers if you have asthma, allergies, or hay fever. You'll want to be
sure to only eat flowers that have been grown organically so they have
no pesticide residue. I find that it is best to collect flowers in the
cooler part of the day like in the early morning after the dew has
evaporated, or late afternoon. Some common edible, annual flowers that
are easy to grow as well as tasty, include a number of herbs and
vegetables that have edible flowers in addition to other edible parts.
Calendula/pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) comes in yellow, gold, or
orange flowers with a tangy, peppery taste. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum
majus) has flowers in shades of white to red, with a watercress and
peppery flavor. These flowers are also used for their ability to help
protect other plants in your garden from pests. Tuberous begonias
(Begonia x tuberhybrida) have white, pink, yellow, red, orange or
multicolor flowers with a citrus flavor. Radish (Raphanus sativus) has
yellow, spicy-hot flowers very similar to the yellow flowers of bolted
mustard greens. If you love the bitterness of arugula then I suggest you
try the flowers that pop out at the end of the growing season. These
white and brown flowers are a beautiful addition to salads. one of my
favorite uses is sprinkled with fresh parsley over roasted mushrooms.
Flowers of perennials and herbs offer a broad range of flavors too.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) have white, lavender, or purple flowers
with a strong onion flavor perfect for floating on soups. Red clover
(Trifolium pretense) has sweet-tasting, pink or red flowers.
Violets
(Viola odorata) have violet, pink, and white flowers with a sweet to
slightly sour flavor which in my opinion makes them a perfect candidate
for candying. Here's how:
In a bowl, beat two egg whites with a
wire whisk just until frothy. Place sugar in another bowl. Taking one
violet at a time, pick it up by the stem and dip into egg whites,
covering all surfaces. Gently dip into the sugar, again being sure all
of the petals, top and bottom, are covered. Place on waxed paper-lined
baking sheets; snip off stems. Using a toothpick, open petals to
original shape. Sprinkle sugar on any uncoated areas. Dry in a 200° oven
for 30-40 minutes or until sugar crystallizes. Gently remove violets to
wire racks with a spatula. I like to use an ultra thin fish spatula for
this. Sprinkle again with sugar if violets appear syrupy. Cool. Store
in airtight containers with waxed paper between layers.
Even trees
and shrubs produce edible flowers. In the spring as weather starts to
get warmer I love to open my bedroom window and fill my room with the
sweet smell of orange blossoms. This citrus honey smell can be captured
by throwing some fresh flower buds in a jar of sugar. The longer the
flowers sit in the sugar the better flavor you will get. Apple trees
have these cute little white and/or pink flowers with a floral to
slightly sour taste. While plum trees have somewhat similar pink to
white flowers but with a mild flavor, like flower nectar. A personal
favorite of mine is Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) which features white,
yellow, pink, or red flowers with a honey-like flavor. I have only ever
seen them red. When I was younger we lived in Arizona for a time. This
is where I first discovered these sweet treats. Although I generally
wasn't allowed sweets, these little hidden ruby treasures were a sweet
secret worth keeping.
Unfortunately there are some common
flowering plants that you should avoid eating like hydrangeas. Although
hydrangeas are not edible they are still quite amazing. Hydrangeas have a
unique quality. Their beautiful colors are determined directly by the
soil you plant them in. That's right the more acidic the soil is deeper
blue your hydrangea will be. Now a true white hydrangea will always
remain white. For the most part hydrangeas do not thrive in pots. These
bushy flowers have a root system that will usually out grow out of a pot
in just one summer. However I have herd that if you put your potted
hydrangeas over dirt area the roots will just grow right out of the
drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and straight down into the
earth. The first year that the hydrangea is growing in the pot, normal
watering is required, as you would any potted plant. But the second
year, the roots should begin growing out the drainage holes and into the
ground. Don't move the pot, the better the plant becomes rooted into
the ground, the less it needs supplemental watering. If you must move
the plant or give it away, just cut the roots off right under the pot,
and the hydrangea should transplant very well.
A dramatic front
yard flowerbed provides a constant stream of color. Look for flowers
that are bright and fragrant. Including vivid hues, like asters, spray
mums, alstromeria and Monte casino asters, for example will help attract
birds and butterflies and other pollinators to your garden. Add plants
that offer vertical growth, such as sun flowers. Remember the rule of
three, always try to group three of one plant at a time for visual
consistency. Planting one flower in a variety of colors can make quite
the visual impact. However if you are a fan of a more minimalistic and
clean look, just by simply putting large groups of a similar flower or
similar bloom color can offer not only breath taking view but also a
more fuss-free garden solution.
Some of us have some more
difficult challenges when it comes to space for our gardens. However
even if you live in a high rise condominium with little more than a
balcony you can still enjoy a potted flower garden. The first step is
selecting the right plant for the right pot. This will make all the
difference in your container garden. I Look for plants suited to the
area the container will be located. For example does the space have full
sun or is it under a tree, or in the shade of another building. A
porous pot, like clay, allows water to evaporate, and is better suited
to a drought-tolerant plant like succulents or ecanechia. Plastic
containers obviously retain more water. So in turn they are better
suited to flowers that require consistent moister like cardinals.
Invasive plants are best planted alone where they can be controlled or
as I like to say "free to take over". Select plants that will share a
pot by keeping heights varied to allow each plant a chance at sunlight.
Also if your grouping potted flowers choose flowers that will thrive in
similar conditions. You can make a dramatic statement, with a container
with a single type of plant. Floral shops commonly have blooming
azaleas, mums, gloxinias and cyclamen that give a beautiful and
brilliant burst of color. You can pot these plants in a variety of
containers. Set pots in baskets or a vase to cover the plastic
containers they come in. Most floral shop flowers are considered
'temporary' because all of their energy has been focused on one big
showy bloom. What a waste. Garden annuals, such as geraniums, petunias
and begonias provide continuous blooms throughout summer. Remove wilted
flowers promptly to encourage reblooming. When garden annuals are
planted in a container as a single plant or in a group of the same plant
they provide a mass of color. I find that grouping pots together of
single plants gives depth, variety and interest. I also enjoy using
containers that have an array of colors and shapes. However I have seen
in my neighborhood a front porch container garden with different types
of green and white flowers all in shiny glazed white pots. The pots are
all different sizes as are the plants. I think the over all look is
clean and chic. Another smart move is to plan a container garden that
will transition from season to season. For instance, start a container
garden in late fall by layering bulbs with varied bloom times such as
tulip, daffodil and crocus. Nestle a container-friendly perennial in the
center like, sunset hyssop or try adding a trailing variety to the
edge. Perennial canna, day lily and hibiscus all do well in mixed
containers. As the shoots from bulbs emerge in spring you could even add
annuals between the shoots. For interest that spills into fall add
plants like daylilies. I really like daylilies because they are rugged,
adaptable, vigorous perennials that endure in a garden for many years
with little or no care. Daylilies adapt to a wide range of soil and
light conditions. They establish quickly, grow vigorously, and survive
winters with little or no injury.
Flowering Bulbs are an easy way
to add splashes of tropical color to your garden. You can get flower
bulbs from tall stately Gladiolus to highly fragrant Oriental Lillies.
Plant them as a border or in containers. Once they are grown you can
even cut a few and create a beautiful and fragrant bouquet for the home
or office. Bulbs require little garden space which is one of the reasons
they are so great for the urban gardener. Bulbs can be planted in
annual or perennial flower beds, among shrubs, under trees, and in
practically every area of the landscape. They will even thrive in a pot.
With careful scheduling, you could have flowering bulbs in bloom in the
earliest parts of spring, and they will last until the first freeze in
the late fall. I have found that the best bulbs come from reputable
businesses, so I would check your local nursery. You want to be sure to
make your selections at local sources as soon as the bulbs are offered
for sale. I usually start looking after new years. Select large, firm,
plump bulbs or roots. Do not purchase any that are bruised, blemished,
or soft. During their dormant season, tulip, narcissus, and most other
bulbs with a protective covering of dry scales can be stored for several
weeks prior to planting, if necessary. However more fleshy bulbs and
roots like lilies need to be planted immediately after purchase.
All
this talk of flowers makes me want to get some for the garden right
now. Planting flowers in the heat of summer seemed like a good way to
end up with a bunch of dead flowers. Until I can across 'summer
flowers'. Flowers that thrive in the warmer summer months. Aster is a
loved garden plant. It possess outstanding flower heads and the variety
blooms, coming in an abundance of colors. Another fun verity I tend to
find here in California is the prehistoric looking Bird of Paradise.
Bird of Paradise is known by the individual bloom, resembling a vividly
colored flying bird; it is used in landscaping quite frequently in my
neighborhood. It is a tall brightly colored eye catcher. Gerbera flower
is a dream for almost any gardener. This hearty flower is valued by its
bright multiple colorings. This ornamental sunflower would be a welcome
addition in any garden as it is the fifth most used cut flower in the
world.
I absolutely love fresh cut flowers in the house. They can
brighten up a room and perfume the air. Now when I am choosing cut
flowers I tend to look for something that will last in jar of water. As
you may or may not know cut flowers can be very pricy. I can not tell
you how many of my girlfriends have broke the bank getting the flowers
they wanted for their weddings. When it comes to a cost conscience
flower that will stand the test of time, newly discovered (to me) the
Alstroemeria, or Lily of Peru is my new personal favorite. These flowers
have an exotic look. Beautifully spotted and marked perennials
alstroemeria, are lily-like flowers with deep, thick roots. They grow
two to three feet tall on strong, branched stems. Each trumpet-shaped
flower is an inch or two in diameter. Flowers come in pink, rose,
purple, yellow, cream, orange, and white and are spotted or streaked
with contrasting colors. At my local farmers market these flowers are
found in the three dollar bucket. With little more than sugar water
these flowers have lasted for over a week in my house. But when it comes
to fragrance I am a sucker for aster lilies. Although they are
generally a little price than Peruvian cousins these aromatic beauties
don't cost near as much as they look like they do. I like to buy them
closed so that they will bloom at home. These gorgeous flowers will
generally live for about a week. However if we are talking longevity,
fragrance and price I have found nothing better than lavender. I love
these versatile flowers. They look just as magnificent fresh and alive
as they do dry. They have a sort of clean floral smell which is why I
suppose you'll find lavender in soaps, deodorants and potpourri. I also
enjoy lavender in some foods as well as teas. I can usually find them at
the farmers market come June. Once a year I like to get a fresh bunch
for potpourri and use last years dried out ones in cooking. Or put some
in an old sock and tuck it away with winter cloths and blanket to keep
everything smelling fresh While it is being stored.
Not all
flowers for the house need be cut. There are a variety of excellent
indoor flowers. My personal favorite is my bromilliad. The hot pink and
lavender flower makes it look like it was plucked right out of the
fantasy jungles of the Avatar movie. This flower collects it's water in
sort of cup at the center of the plant. The first time it flowers you
should get only one flower shooting form the center. When the flower
dies you simply cut the whole thing back and another tube like spiral of
green will be birthed out for the bottom. Then you will have two blooms
and so on. Another common house flower is the African violet. These
soft, puffy, little vibrant flowers are a deep violet color. African
violets are easy to grow for the beginning gardener, yet offer a wide
range of cultivars to satisfy the serious grower. African violets adapt
well to typical growing conditions found in the home. Because of their
small stature, they also adapt well to limited space gardens such as
those in apartments with just a few windowsills. My mother kills most
house plants. She typically will look for something that is hearty and
low maintenance. The one flower I remember her not killing as a child
was a peace lily. This waxy looking flower was a survivor in our
household. With that said I just sort of assume if my mom could manage
to keep this flower alive for years than anyone could do it. If you want
something a littler more challenging I have always loved orchids. I
have found that these flowers thrive in the bathroom. They love the
steam form your shower. These flowers need special food, soil, pots and
much more so I would not suggest these plant for the novice flower
gardener, but hey we all got to start somewhere huh. I can say I had no
experience when I bought my first orchid in 1998 but everything I
learned I learned along the way.
It doesn't matter if they are in
your house or in the yard, in a pot with soil or in mason jar with river
rocks and water. Flowers have been a central part of our humanity
throughout the ages. A symbol of love, a symbol of peace flowers have
played an integral part in our lives and our history. That is why we
would like to take a moment to remind you to stop and smell the roses.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out
[http://www.greenthumbcity.com] for even more tips and techniques to
make your garden thrive!
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