It was Keats who named the bluebell ‘Sapphire queen of the mid-May’ in his poem ‘Fancy’ 1818. Two hundred years later, as we entered May, the bluebells have certainly been magnificent. I have been watching them gradually unfurl and by the first bank holiday, May Day, they were full of regal splendour. When I see … Read More about Bluebells and their Meanings
Passion in a Flower
The Passion Flower Passiflora is best explained at Easter despite it blooming in the summer. I worked with plants for some years before I came across the reason for the name. Contrary to it meaning passionate love of the romantic kind, the flower was used to represent Christ’s passion on the cross. The flower was … Read More about Passion in a Flower
Viola – the Cheerful Companion
Who can fail to love these flowers? They are so tiny and yet flower abundantly to give great splashes of colour. It seems that they are bursting with cheerfulness. Many of us long for the sun during dark winter days so their colour brings us a natural lift. ‘Heartsease’ is the common name for Viola … Read More about Viola – the Cheerful Companion
Magical Mistletoe
It is snowing as I write this and with the snow comes an eerie silence. The mistletoe embodies this mysterious quality. Throughout history mistletoe has been associated with magical powers and it is hardly surprising. As I observe the unearthly, opaque, white berries they seem to draw me into them like a crystal ball. Mistletoe … Read More about Magical Mistletoe
