Every Christmas, as I plant up gift baskets for customers, I delight in the warm, bright colours of the cyclamen. They serve as such luminary offerings when I have become used to the dark, December days and muted tones of the evergreen fir, holly and ivy. Cyclamen originated in the Holy land Cyclamen originated in … Read More about The Meaning of Cyclamen at Christmas
Do not underestimate the Humble Daisy
Do not underestimate the humble daisy. We may well take it for granted, mown away for the sake of a tidy lawn or passed hurriedly every day on our walks to ‘important’ places. It is rarely observed. Yet when we take the time to stop and truly notice the flower what do we see? A … Read More about Do not underestimate the Humble Daisy
Cherry Blossom to lift the heart
Cherry Blossom brings a lift of heart with an association of springtime, blue skies and birdsong. Adopted around the world these trees are thought to have originated in China and were taken to Japan by Buddhist missionaries in 6th to 7th centuries A.D. Since then, sakura have been highly cultivated and many ornamental varieties created. … Read More about Cherry Blossom to lift the heart
Rosemary for Remembrance
“There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love, remember” is the famous line spoken by Ophelia during Hamlet and rosemary has long been associated with memories of the departed. It was used historically in ancient Rome at funerals. Rosemary was often planted at tombs to be an emblem of eternity. It was also thought to … Read More about Rosemary for Remembrance
The Helleborus is a tough, old girl
“She’s a tough, old girl.” For me this phrase defines some of the Suffolk ladies I grew up to admire. They are strong but kind. They speak sense in a straight forward way. They do not fuss about their appearance but they are always neat and tidy. They usually survived the war with a stoic … Read More about The Helleborus is a tough, old girl
