Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is the day to show the special people in your life that they are loved and appreciated! Long, long ago, the language of flowers was a way to say what words could not; speaking with flowers was actually called floriography. And while we all enjoy getting any kind of flowers at any time, certain flowers still say it best! Roses are love, especially red roses; daisies are innocence and purity and playfulness; elegant gardenias mean purity and sweetness; and the stately gladiola means faithfulness and honor. Colors are significant, too: blues and purples mean serenity; red is love and passion; orange is excitement; yellow means joy; and white is purity, spirituality and sympathy. Even an all-green arrangement of verdant leaves carries the meaning of rebirth and new beginnings!
This is a busy week! Today is Valentine’s Day, but catch your breath because on February 16 it’s Chinese New Year! The Chinese zodiac has a cycle of twelve years, with twelve animals, and this year is the Year of the Dog. This bright and beautiful holiday is loaded with symbolism, especially in the language of floriography. If you were born in a Dog year, your lucky flowers are roses and cymbidium orchids (lucky you, indeed!). Choose these flowers in red, green or purple, your lucky colors.
Many flowers and fruits are especially significant for Chinese New Year. Let’s start with flowers. Peonies stand for peace and richness. The beautiful and elegant orchid means abundance. Pussy willows present wishes for new growth and prosperity. Plum blossoms mean endurance and reliability, important traits for success, while peach blossoms stand for growth and prosperity. These are sacred in China, and Chinese families would display them in their best vases. They also symbolize romance, so singles looking for love would be hurrying to purchase peach blossoms at the local florist! It would be lovely to have a live arrangement with these breathtaking flowers, wouldn’t it, but let’s try to make a silk arrangement with as many similar flowers as we can find. Even if it’s just one stem in a pretty vase, go for it!
You know how we always chat about trying some new flower or vegetable? For Chinese New Year, let’s try a new fruit! Pomelos bring family unity and good luck to a home; it is best to have two. Oranges or an orange plant are an important symbol of abundance and happiness. Grapes, plums and kumquats make a symbolic gift between friends, sending the message of good luck and prosperity.
I enjoy reading about holidays and festivals such as this, because it enforces the common bond we have with gardeners all over the world: that flowers and plants play a significant and symbolic part of our lives. So… Xinnián hao…happy New Year!
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their first meeting of 2018 on Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. at SIGN on North Street in Yorkton. Our special guest will be Maira Waechli from Florissima, and Maira will be showing us how to do a spring flower arrangement. Maira’s sparkling personality and stunning floral designs will give us a most enjoyable presentation! Hope to see you there: everyone is welcome; you don’t have to be a member to come to the meeting.
Don’t forget Seedy Saturday is on Saturday, February 24 at the Victory Church, 38 Bradbrooke Drive in Yorkton, from 12:30 till 4:00 p.m.
Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca Sending you love and happiness this Valentine’s Day! Happy Birthday, Mom.
