The magic and meaning of flowers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2022 (1522 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As I type this, a bouquet of flowers I received still look as beautiful as the day they arrived two weeks ago. I was so pleased that I stopped in at Myra Rose Florist on St. Marys Road to let them know. I’ve always believed that if I am going to take the time to make a group or business aware that they didn’t get it quite right, I should also let folks know when my expectations were exceeded, which was the case here.

The first time I read The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, I was intrigued by the message a choice of flowers can send — intentionally or otherwise. It’s a book I’ve read many times over, always drawn to the characters, their intertwined lives and the conversations had not with words but through blooms and bouquets. Daffodils for new beginnings; just like the season in which they arrive, marking the turn from winter to spring. Gerbera daisies for cheerfulness, coneflower for strength, eucalyptus for protection or, for something different, the gift of cabbage for profit — at least according to Victoria, the main character in Diffenbaugh’s novel. Alternately, she might choose begonia to communicate caution, purple hyacinth to ask for forgiveness, or lobelia for malevolence.

Three of my favourite flowers, meanings completely aside, are poppies, snapdragons, and columbine. I’ll let you discover the symbolism of each one yourself. Suffice it to say however, that each is unique and pointed in what they could convey — again, intentionally or otherwise.

Recent statistics reveal that the cut flower industry in Canada is worth about $602 million. With just under 3,000 floral retailers employing just over 5,000 people it’s quite literally a blossoming industry. In doing a bit of research, I learned that Thailand exports more than $80 million in orchids each year, flowers from Kenya are exported to over 60 countries and Ecuador is one of the top exporters of roses. It’s a growing market for sales, both in-person or online, and shows no signs of going anywhere but up.

The biggest days for sales? If you guessed Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, you’d be correct.

Spring is here. The geese are back, buds are on the trees and soon the plants and flowers we haven’t seen for months will reappear. As the song says, “everything’s coming up roses”; orange for fascination, pink for grace, purple for enchantment, peach for modesty and, of course, red for love.