Shannon O'Connor, Author at 1800Flowers Petal Talk

Carnivorous Plants & Flowers

Carnivorous plants are predatory flowering plants that receive the nutrients they need by trapping and capturing prey, which includes, but is not limited to, insects, spiders, and even some small soil and water-living protozoans and invertebrates such as lizards and mice. If you’ve heard the term “insectivorous plants,” you can place those in the category of carnivorous plants too – this nickname has come about since insects are one of the most common forms of prey such plants go after.

How Carnivorous Plants Capture Their Prey

Carnivorous plants utilize bright colors, guide hairs, leaf extensions and extra-floral nectaries in order to attract their prey. Their specialized leaves are designed to capture their prey, and although many carnivorous plants can actually grow without needing to consume any prey, they’re much more likely to thrive and reproduce at a greater level when they do get the nutrients their prey can provide – the nutrients are taken from the prey’s body and are used as flower food.

Types of Traps Used by Carnivorous Plants

Not all carnivorous plants trap their prey using the same method – different types of traps include:

Pitfall traps
Snap traps
Suction traps
Flypaper
Lobster-pot traps

Pitfall traps, used by pitcher plants, are essentially leaves that are folded in slippery, deep pools that are filled with digestive enzymes.

Snap traps, such as the snap trap of the venus flytrap (one of the most commonly known carnivorous plants) and the waterwheel plant, are leaves that will instantly snap shut when certain trigger hairs are touched.

Suction traps, which are used by bladderworts, are leaves formed in the shape of a bladder (now you see how it gets its name!) with a door lined with various trigger hairs.

Flypaper, found on sundews and butterworts, are essentially sticky traps that are created by leaves covered in glands that produce a sticky fluid.

Lastly, lobster-pot traps are found on corkscrew plants, and are ultimately twisted tubular channels that are lined with glands and hairs.

Examples of Carnivorous Plants

Now that you know some of the basics, such as what carnivorous plants are and how they capture their prey, let’s get into some more of the specifics and go over a few different examples of carnivorous plants. Whether you’ve already heard of them or not, here are a few different types we think you should know:

Venus Flytrap

The venus flytrap, which as we mentioned earlier uses a snap trap to capture its prey, can be found in southeastern areas of the United States, such as North and South Carolina.

Sarracenia

Sarracenia, which are also known as the North American Pitcher Plant, is a genus of carnivorous plants that are native to places such as Texas and the great lakes.

Darlingtonia Californica

Darlingtonia Californica, also known as the Cobra Lily or the California Pitcher Plant, are native to Oregon and, you guessed it, Northern California.

Pinguicula

Pinguicula, also known as butterworts, can be found in both North and South America, as well as Europe and Asia – there are about 80 different species spread across these lands!

Byblis

Byblis plants, also called rainbow plants, are native to Australia. You’ll understand why they are sometimes called rainbow plants as soon as you see them in a sunny environment!

Utricularia

Utricularia, also known as bladderworts, make up a collection of approximately 220 different species of carnivorous plants. They can be found in fresh water or wet soil everywhere except for Antarctica!

Although all plant and flower species are truly fascinating, carnivorous plants and flowers are one-of-a-kind – wouldn’t you agree?

Backyard Privacy Ideas

There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in your yard and soaking up some sun on a beautiful summer day, but your R&R time can easily be disrupted when you’re exposed to loud radios, other backyard parties and, your least favorite, neighbors peeking into your property. While yes, you could install a fence in an effort to get some of your privacy back, we have some other ideas – ideas that can not only give you the peace you’re looking for, but that can also add some natural charm and beauty to your yard.

Privacy Trees

Let’s start with privacy trees. If you’re looking for something tall that can really help you keep your home and yard to yourself, consider planting the following:

Bamboo: If you’re interested in giving your home a more modern feel, try bamboo. Although some types of bamboo can be invasive, fargesia bamboos, for example, are not. Along with being easier to maintain, they also grow pretty quickly, meaning you’ll have your privacy back in no time!
Arborvitae: Easy to grow and tolerant by nature, arborvitaes are the obvious choice for homeowners seeking privacy without having to add too much time to their yard work. That’s because arborvitaes really don’t require any pruning! You may have to wait a while to plant your first batch though, as evergreen plants like this begin to grow best in winter (if the soil can be worked) or spring (once the ground has thawed).
Cypress: You won’t have to worry about anyone peeking into your yard when you have cypress trees planted along the border! Tall and narrow, cypress trees can work wonders when you’re trying to create a privacy screen that makes it difficult for neighbors to peer through (try planting several close together in your row for the best results).

Privacy Shrubs

Not really the tree type? Then use shrubs to start developing your privacy screen! Here are the top three that we recommend using first:

French Lilac: French lilacs can grow anywhere between 8 and 15 feet tall (woah!) and are known for the beautiful, fragrant blooms that they produce. So, if you want more than just the luxury of privacy, plant these and see how quickly your yard starts to pop with color!
Red Twig Dogwood: With a projected height of about 8 feet tall and a width that is sure to take up several feet, red twig dogwood are an excellent choice due to the beauty they bring in summer and winter. In winter, you can expect to see the obvious – red twigs – and in summer, you can expect to see beautiful white flowers blooming.
Italian Buckthorn: Italian buckthorn shrubs spark our interest especially because of how quickly they’ll grow. Since this particular shrub is taller than it is wide, it’s best used in front of existing structures that may already be helping to provide privacy, such as a fence or wall.

Privacy Vines

If you already have a fence that does a pretty good job of providing privacy but that could use a little bit of help (say, for example, because the fence has openings), climbing vines may be the solution that works best for you. Some examples include:

Clematis: Clematis are a good choice if you’re looking for something to grow quickly, but be warned that they are the high maintenance type. If you are unable to dedicate a lot of time to pruning, consider option number two or three.
Confederate Jasmine: Though they require a longer growing time to fully cover your fence or wall, confederate Jasmine will provide a ton of privacy and add beauty to your home’s landscaping all year long. Give this a try if you have a chain-link fence or even a balcony that you’d like to make more private.
Ivy: We’re sure you’ve seen examples of ivy at work before – amazing, right? Like clematis, ivy will also grow rather quickly, and we have no doubts that it will help provide your home with the privacy and protection it needs.

It doesn’t matter what size yard you have or how much space you need to cover, we’re confident that one of the above trees, shrubs or vines will give your backyard all the privacy you’re looking for! Which one do you plan on trying? If you like more than one, you may even consider two – that’ll give you extra protection for sure!

Symbolic Flowers in Movies

flowers in movies with Single Long-Stem Infinite Rose

Flowers can be symbolic in a number of ways and for a number of a reasons, but one of our favorites is the use of flowers in movies. From the type of flowers used to their placement throughout films, many directors have relied on flowers to give beautiful meaning to their movies.

Here are our 10 films in which flowers played a significant role.

Beauty and the Beast

In Disney’s classic “Beauty and the Beast,” the rose is used to symbolize love and the ability to love. In the movie, the beast is told that the enchanted rose will bloom until he turns 21 years old, and if he can learn to love again before it died, the spell placed on him would be broken.

The Wizard of Oz

In 1939, Judy Garland amazed us all with her performance in “The Wizard of Oz,” but we were also equally amazed with the famous poppy flower scene. In one of the most vibrant scenes of the film, Dorothy is found sleeping in a large field of scarlet poppies, which have long been used to represent sleep and peace.

The Hunger Games

flowers in movies with Dozen White Roses

Flowers have been used several times throughout The Hunger Games trilogy, both in physical form and through characters’ names. Some examples include “Buttercup,” the name that Primrose Everdeen gave her cat due to the color of his coat; dandelions, which became a symbol of hope for Katniss Everdeen after seeing Peeta near a field of dandelions after he saved her from starving to death; and white roses, which remind Katniss of Peeta and several other events that unfolded throughout the series.

American Beauty

Sam Mendes’ Oscar-winning film “American Beauty” is another film in which red roses played a large role. Throughout the film, the rose is said to symbolize Lester’s desire and lust for Angela; in one of the most memorable scenes, we see Angela covered in roses while lying on a bed covered in rose petals. Did you know “American Beauty” is also the name of a type of rose?

Alice in Wonderland

“Alice in Wonderland” is yet another movie that relies on roses for symbolic meaning. One example is the scene in which card gardeners paint white roses red after accidentally planting the wrong color for fear of the Queen of Hearts. Some believe that painting the roses symbolizes working to hide what or who you really are in order to avoid the consequences.

Big Fish

flowers in movies with Yellow Daffodils in a Field

In Tim Burton’s iconic film “Big Fish,” daffodils take center stage as the flower of choice. One scene shows Sandra opening the window to find Edward in a field of daffodils, which we learn were planted for her. Here, daffodils are meant to symbolize Edward’s love and respect for Sandra.

Vertigo

Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Vertigo” makes excellent use of flowers, starting with the scene where Madeleine is in the flower shop. Some say that the bouquet she purchases represents her fragile personality; not only are the flowers delicate like she, but later we also see her standing at the edge of San Francisco Bay plucking the petals, foreshadowing the destruction of her fragile self.

flowers in movies with White daisies with yellow center in a pot

The Great Gatsby

One of the most obvious uses of flowers in “The Great Gatsby” is through the character Daisy Buchanan. Daisies, which are known to be a fragile flower, are said to represent characteristics and traits such as purity, beauty, and innocence (the outer white color), as well as corruption (the middle yellow color) — all traits that match Daisy’s personality. Additionally, some sources also believe that the use of flowers throughout the movie work to symbolize the overarching idea of life and death.

Last Tango in Paris

In the film “Last Tango in Paris,” we see a scene in which Rosa, Marlon’s wife who has passed away, is lying in an open casket surrounding by pink and purple flowers. Flowers, which at funerals symbolize feelings such as love and sympathy, make perfect sense in a scene like this considering the circumstances. As Marlon Brando completes his monologue to Rosa, we seem him take petals from the flowers to try and wipe off the amount of makeup put on Rosa and unveil her natural beauty.

The Town

“The Town,” starring Ben Affleck (Doug MacRay) and Pete Postlethwaite (Fergie), honors Irish American mobster Dean O’Banion, a Chicago florist and floral designer. In the film, Fergie runs a Boston florist (like O’Banion), and several scenes show Fergie arranging flowers while at work, giving viewers an inside look at what it takes to run a flower shop. For this example, the use of flowers symbolizes the real-life experiences of the individual on which the movie is based.

How to Keep Animals Out of Your Garden

A cucumber missing, tomatoes with bite marks, nibbles in your basil…after all of the time you spend growing and caring for your garden, the last thing you want is to come out and find it taken over by animals! For the critters that just can’t seem to stay away – we’re talking squirrels, birds, stray cats, raccoons, rabbits, chipmunks, deer, etc – you need to have a few tricks up your sleeve to ensure that all of your hard work doesn’t go to waste. Here are a few strategies that you may find helpful to keep these furry friends from messing with your garden, while still being animal friendly of course!

Design Your Garden Carefully

When your garden has small spaces that animals can hide or rest in, it becomes much more attractive to wildlife like squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks. As you plant, make sure you’re strategic with the designs you choose and avoid leaving any holes that smaller creatures can sneak into.

Add Garden Netting or Fencing

The type of net or fence you install around your garden will differ based on the animals that you are trying to deter, but either way, having a protective barrier can help keep unwanted critters out. Should your climate allow you to keep a garden all year long, you might want to consider a permanent fence that compliments the rest of your yard’s design. On the other hand, if your garden is only seasonal, a temporary fence or net should work just fine! You’ll want to make sure your fencing does not have holes in an attempt to keep out animals of all sizes. Depending on the height of your garden intruders, you may want to go with a higher fence to keep out taller animals.

Net covering garden with bowl of strawberries

Use a Scarecrow

If swarms of birds are the problem you constantly face, something as simple as a scarecrow can encourage them to head in the other direction. Just keep in mind that although birds can get scared easily, they can also be pretty smart – that means, you’ll need to move your scarecrow around occasionally so that they think it’s a real person and not just some garden décor.

Spray Animal Repellent

Animal Friendly In-Store Repellents

Animals can be sensitive to scent, and if they don’t like what they smell, there’s a good chance they won’t come back. Head to your local pet store and speak with an expert about the animals you’re struggling with so that they can recommend a product that is effective, but that won’t ruin your flowers and plants. Remember, though, that the goal here is just to keep the animals away, so you’ll want to ask questions to make sure that you’re getting a product that is still animal friendly, and will not hurt the animals.

Natural DIY Repellent

In addition to what your pet store suggests, you can also try natural repellents, too! Did you know that animals such as rabbits, squirrels, cats and deer can be deterred using chili-pepper products? Additionally, you can prevent stray cats from using your garden as their litter box by putting down some cut up oranges, lemons, or another citrus fruit! Last, but certainly not least, essential oils such as lavender, geranium and mint can also help you stop your animal problem when sprayed around the base of each plant.

Natural Cayenne Pepper Recipe

Red Hot Chili Peppers Natural Animal Repellent

Since garden critters can be deterred from visiting by strong smells and tastes, follow this recipe to create a natural pepper based repellent:

Add 2 tablespoons of powdered red pepper to 1 gallon of warm water and stir. Then, add 6 drops of liquid castile soap and stir so that you have a nice mixture. Once completed, cover the mixing bowl or container you’ve used and keep it at room temperature overnight.
Pour the pepper solution from your bowl or container into a spray bottle and shake well.
In the early morning or at dusk on a calm day (it should be no hotter than 85 degrees Fahrenheit as well), start spraying your pepper solution on the stems and upper and lower leaf surfaces of the plants in your garden. Before you do so, though, make sure you’ve shooed all insects away!
On a weekly basis, continue to re-apply the pepper solution to the plants in your garden. Should it rain at any point, make it a priority to re-apply as soon as the storm passes.

When not in use, keep the pepper solution in a tightly closed container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks!

Garlic Spray Recipe

Homemade garlic spray can also be helpful in repelling the critters that munch on your vegetable garden – this garlic spray recipe should do trick:

Mince garlic cloves and allow them to soak in mineral oil for at least 24 hours – use the ratio “3 ounces of garlic to 1 ounce of mineral oil” to start creating the solution that will work best.
Separately, add 1 teaspoon of fish emulsion and 1 tablespoon of castile soap to 16 ounces of lukewarm water.
Once the garlic has had enough time to soak, strain the garlic from the oil and combine with the solution made in step number two. At this point, store the mixture in a dry, dark and cool spot.
When you are ready to spray your plants, dilute 2-3 tablespoons of your garlic spray using 1 pint of lukewarm water, then begin to apply the solution!

Consider A Plant’s Taste

Some Plants Are Less Tasty Than Others

Although you might not be the first one to dig into your plants for dinner, animals like deer might be. With that in mind, do some research before choosing plants and flowers for your garden to see which ones aren’t viewed as tasty by our outdoor friends. Where deer are concerned, that means you should stay away from things like fruit trees, lettuce, hostas, and impatiens (aka touch-me-not). Instead, if your climate allows, you may want to consider planting cacti, daffodils, and/or crocuses! That’s because deer will typically stay away from plants that have an uncomfortable texture, strong scent, and a fairly bitter taste.

If you aren’t struggling with deer but rather have trouble with critters like rabbits and groundhogs, they too will usually avoid plants with a strong scent. As such, you may find success by planting lavenders, mints, sages and thyme. For rabbits specifically, you can also try flowers such as lamb’s ears, Black-eyed Susan’s, and irises, as these are known to be pretty rabbit-resistant.

If at any point you are unsure about which plant(s) to choose, always remember that the majority of animals – squirrels, birds, stray cats, raccoon, rabbits, chipmunks and deer alike, will stay away from those that are prickly, fuzzy, leathery and strong scented!

Whether you’ve already starting planting or are about to soon, be sure to give one or more of these ideas a try to see which works best to keep animals out of YOUR garden. Although you may need to test out a few, the extra effort will be well worth it when your garden is still standing tall at the end of the growing season!

Your Guide To Poisonous Flowers

Flowers are a stunning addition to homes and gardens, but just like some plants can be harmful to humans, a select few flowers can make people sick if they are consumed. Since it can be hard to tell at first glance whether a flower is poisonous, we’re here to provide some expert insight into which flower species you should not eat.

Take a look at our guide to poisonous flowers.

Daffodils

Where they grow: Daffodils grow in temperate and Mediterranean-type climates and naturally thrive on the edge of forests and mountainsides.
What’s poisonous: All parts of a daffodil are toxic.
Symptoms: When swallowed, poisoning from daffodils may result in mouth irritations, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Hydrangeas

Where they grow: Hydrangeas grow best in areas with rich, porous, and moist soils. They also prefer an environment with full morning sun and some afternoon shade.
What’s poisonous: The buds and the leaves of hydrangeas are toxic.
Symptoms: When ingested, hydrangeas can cause stomach pain, headache, dizziness, vomiting, and trouble breathing. In certain situations, these symptoms may be delayed.

Lilies-of-the-valley

poisonous flowers with lily-of-the-valley

Where they grow: A lily-of-the-valley is a perennial flower that is typically found in areas of the Northern Hemisphere that have a temperate climate.
What’s poisonous: All parts of a lily-of-the-valley are toxic.
Symptoms: Eating a lily-of-the-valley can cause poisoning that results in digestive problems, blurry vision, confusion, rashes, and heart trouble — specifically, an irregular heartbeat.

Morning glories

Where they grow: Morning glories are native to tropical America, though they may be found in regions with a subtropical or temperate environment.
What’s poisonous: The seeds of morning glories are toxic.
Symptoms: Eating morning glory seeds can result in anything from diarrhea to hallucinations. Blurred vision and confusion have also been reported.

Tulips

Where they grow: Native to mountainous regions, tulips are most commonly found in places that have dry summers and cold winters.
What’s poisonous: The leaves, stems, roots, and berries are all toxic, with the bulbs containing the greatest amount of toxic chemicals.
Symptoms: Poisoning from eating tulips may cause skin and mouth irritation, as well as abdominal upset and dizziness.

How oo protect yourself from poisonous flowers

Similar to how you would protect yourself from poisonous plants, humans can protect themselves from poisonous flowers by not touching or eating anything that we aren’t familiar with. Even if a flower looks like it could grow in your own backyard, and even if the flower is planted in your own backyard, the safest thing to do is not eat it. And, if you touch it, make sure your skin is properly covered so there is no direct contact.

All About Gardenias

Gardenias, which are most commonly known for their wonderfully scented and waxy white flowers that bring life to a garden starting in early spring, are the perfect solution for anyone interested in making their yard and home really pop. But unless you’ve had your fair share of experience with gardening, you should first take the time to learn gardenia facts before attempting to plant any.

Gardenia flower meaning

Gardenias are named after Alexander Garden of Charleston, South Carolina, and are known to symbolize love, refinement, and purity. It is no surprise, then, that gardenias are often included in wedding floral arrangements. During Victorian times, gardenias were used to send messages — especially those of a secret love — between two people, and today they are still the perfect gift to give someone special. Other meanings associated with this bloom include trust, renewal, clarity, and hope.

How to plant and grow gardenias

Depending on where you live, you can plant gardenias indoors or outdoors. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planting and growing gardenias.

Outdoor gardenias

If you live in a rather hot climate, choose a location in your garden that receives full sun during the day but some afternoon shade.
Plant your gardenias in spring or fall, and plan for each plant to be about 3 to 6 feet apart from each other.
When digging into your soil, go only as deep as the root ball and no more than two to three times as wide as the root ball. Take the plant out of its container and place it in the hole, fill it halfway with soil, and then water. Once the water has drained, fill the remainder of the hole with soil and water again.

gardenia with gardenia plants in a basket

Indoor gardenias

Choose a location for your gardenia prior to bringing it into your home and avoid moving it around once things are all set — gardenias are not fans of switching spots too often!
Find a place in your home that receives plenty of light (without it being too direct) and is known for being humid. If your home isn’t usually humid, you may need to use a humidifier to create the environment potted gardenias need.
Keep your gardenias in a room where the temperature ranges from 55 to 75 degrees.

Gardenia care

Follow these instructions to ensure your gardenias thrive throughout their growing season.

Always keep soil well drained and at a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 regardless of whether your gardenis are in a pot or your outdoor garden.
Never let your gardenias completely dry out before watering them again and set up a schedule for regular watering.
Add 2 to 4 inches of mulch around your gardenias to help retain moisture and control weeds.
Prune gardenia plants in early spring to give them a nice shape for the season, then prune them again once the plant goes dormant at the end of the season.
Fertilize gardenias frequently, but be careful not to over fertilize as this could stunt plant growth and cause damage.

Preventing gardenia pests

Like many plants and flowers, gardenias attract their fair share of pests. Some common ones include:

Whiteflies
Spider mites
Aphids
Thrips
Scale insects

The best way to protect your gardenias from being taken over by pests is to follow the proper care instructions and keep them healthy. Making sure the environment is the right temperature and has the right moisture levels are two key factors in keeping pests away.

How to Create the Best Promposal

While they might be a little too young for marriage, many high school juniors and seniors are looking forward to a proposal — a promposal, that is. Asking someone to prom over dinner may be all it takes for some couples, but if you’re in high school, or have been around high schoolers lately, you know the name of the game these days is “Go big or go home!”

Whether you’re looking for suggestions on how to get your significant other to ask you to prom, or if you’re the asker looking for some clever promposal ideas, here are five ideas for how you can create the best promposal using flowers.

1. Spell it out

Using the petals from her favorite flowers, spell out “Prom?” or “Will you go to prom with me?” You can do this on the floor, the table, or a large poster that you hang up at school. Then, lead her to her destination by creating a flower trail also made of petals — just make sure you also have a bouquet of her favorite flowers waiting there!

2. Write it out

Like many girls, the first thing she’ll do when she’s presented with a flower is stick her nose in it and smell it — use this as an opportunity to take her by surprise! Instead of giving her the flower as is, write “Will you go to prom with me?” across the petals. When she goes to take a whiff, she’ll see your message and, hopefully, reply with a resounding “Yes!”

promposal ideas with red rose prom corsage

3. Give her a corsage

No prom ensemble is complete without a corsage or boutonniere. Think about giving her a corsage early and asking her if she thinks the flowers will match her dress. Then, when she asks you what dress you’re talking about, tell her it’s her prom dress and that you’re certain it will match your suit — we’re sure she’ll get the hint!

4. Send a flower a day

There’s nothing like the suspense of waiting for a promposal. Keep her on the edge of her seat by sending her one flower a day for a week or two. You can send it to her home, classroom, or somewhere else she goes every day. Then, when you’re ready to officially “prompose,” make sure she finds you waiting with an entire bouquet filled with that same flower and pop the question.

5. Shower her with flowers

On the day you’re ready to ask her to prom, take five roses (or her favorite flower, if you prefer) and attach a card to the stem of each one. Put a “P” on the first card, an “R” on the second, and so on and so forth until all together the flowers spell out “Prom?” Then, recruit your friends to deliver one flower at a time throughout the day in any letter order. Once she has them all, she has to unscramble them to figure out your message!

A Guide to Exotic Flowers

You don’t have to have a green thumb to know the names of some of the most common flowers seen in gardens. Orchids, tulips, lilies, lilacs…we bet most everybody has heard of these species. But just because you know their names doesn’t mean these popular flowers are not exotic in some way.

Here is a list of our favorite exotic flowers.

Amaryllis

exotic flowers with Red hippeastrum flower

The striking amaryllis is a flowering plant that is native to the Caribbean, and South and Central America. A part of the Amaryllidaceae family, amaryllis are known for the beautiful color they exhibit. They are not to be confused with lilies, however. Many ornamental plants in this family are often mistaken for lilies, but you can tell a true Amaryllidaceae by seeing where the plant’s ovary is positioned.

Ginger

Ginger, a species native to the Southwest coast of India and the Malabar coast of Kerala, is considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the world — and for good reason. It has amazing color and texture, and its natural elegance is something to be marveled.

Lily of the valley

A flowering plant native to Europe, lily of the valley is believed to symbolize the return of happiness. One of its best characteristics is the amazing scent it produces. However, its blossoms only last for a few weeks out of the year, so if you’re seeking a plant that can offer a soothing fragrance for an extended period of time, you might want to look elsewhere.

Lotus

Usually found in murky, shallow water, the lotus flower is native to Asian lands. These flowers are viewed as sacred by Buddhists and are known to symbolize traits such as purity, knowledge, and beauty. Since they thrive best in water, a lotus plant is referred to as an aquatic perennial.

Tulips

First found in Turkey and Central Asia, tulips were brought to Europe in the 16th century. Today, the Netherlands produces the most tulips of any country in the world. Tulips are an extremely popular spring flower, with more than 3,000 registered varieties. Being relatively easy to grow and nurture, and because they are perennials, tulips are great flowers to add to a garden.

The Meaning of Spring

After a long, cold winter, there’s nothing better than hearing birds chirping and being able to open up your windows to let in a breath of fresh air. Not to mention, the first sign of a warm spring day is the perfect excuse to get back outside and start enjoying all of those seasonal activities you missed so much. But before you head outdoors to start planting, taking walks, riding your bike, and all the other fun things you do during this stunning season, let’s take a look at how it got its name and what it means.

meaning of spring with Woman on a bicycle with a basket full of flowers

A time for new beginnings

Spring is all about new beginnings and transformations; it’s a season that symbolizes starting fresh and starting over. After months of cold temperatures that often result in many of us feeling the winter blues, spring reawakens us and our surrounding environment, bringing everything back to life. Not only will you start to see the trees budding and bulbs poking through the ground, but we bet you’ll even feel better too.

The origin of “spring”

Before spring was actually called “spring,” it was referred to as “Lent” in Old English. For those who celebrate Easter, you may already be familiar with this term, as it is refers to the period leading up to Easter Sunday. During the 14th century, the period known as “Lent” started to be called “springing time,” since this was when plants, shrubs, trees, and other greenery started springing back up from the ground. A century later this term was shortened to “spring time,” and a century after that it was shortened, you guessed it, simply “spring.”

Spring’s astronomical meaning

The period known as spring symbolizes the time between the spring equinox and the summer solstice (the time when the North Pole faces the sun at its greatest angle). A quick science lesson: Each year there are two equinoxes, days when day and night are practically equal. What we know as the spring, or vernal, equinox usually occurs sometime around March 21 for those in the Northern Hemisphere. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, the spring equinox happens around Sept. 21. Thus, our spring starts on the first day that day and night appear for almost the same amount of time, and ends when the North Pole tips toward the sun to the greatest degree possible.

Although the start of spring can make things a little difficult on our health (spring allergies, anyone?), it surely is one of the greatest times of the year. The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising…it’s just what we need!