Tara Carlson, Author at 1800Flowers Petal Talk

24 Facts About the Season of Rebirth — Spring!

While there is no official right answer to the question “What is the best season?” data does exist that shows more Americans pick spring as their favorite time of year — and we couldn’t agree more. The weather is perfect, the trees are blooming, and tulips sprout from their bulbs just waiting to greet you…what’s not to love?

In honor of spring’s arrival, we’re sharing a few facts about this most magnificent season.

24 facts about spring

In 2024, the first day of spring will be on Tuesday, March 19.
The first day of spring is known as the vernal equinox.
In Latin, the word vernal means “spring” and equinox means “equal night.”
The Latin word for “season” is sationem, meaning “seed time.”

Spring was formerly referred to as lent, which was changed to springtime around the 1300s, and eventually was shortened to spring. Spring is derived from the time of year when plants begin to grow again or spring from the earth.
Attention all lovebirds! We hate to say it, but we may have some bad news for you. According to a Facebook study, early spring is when couples are most likely to break up.
The spring equinox is one of only two times (the other being the fall equinox) when the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
If you were to stand on the equator during either the spring or fall equinox, you would see the sun pass directly over the top of your head.
In the North Pole, the spring equinox marks the start of six months of uninterrupted daylight…
…whereas in the South Pole, the spring equinox marks the start of six months of darkness.
Studies show that babies born in the spring are more likely to be night owls and optimistic.

The reason why we have spring (and other seasons) is because of the Earth’s tilt. If the Earth were perfectly perpendicular to the sun, the seasons or hours of daylight would not change.
The reason why Easter changes every year is that it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox.
Usually, the earliest spring flowers to bloom each year are tulips, daffodils, sunflowers, primrose, and lilies.
Though the spring equinox isn’t typically until March 20 or 21, many Americans consider March 1 to be the unofficial start of spring.
In Japan, they believe spring begins once their national flower, the cherry blossom, starts to bloom.
In Sicily, women travel to the garden of Adonis at the start of each spring. While there, they plant seeds and decorate the garden with a blue and crimson ribbon.
Years ago, it became a popular myth that you could balance an egg on its head during the spring equinox. However, it’s just a myth.
In China, they celebrate the start of spring and Chinese New Year at the same time because they follow a lunar calendar.

“Spring fever” may be a real (and good) thing! Scientists believe that longer days cause people to be more active, creative, and happy.
In literary works, spring is often used to represent birth, a revival, and the start of happy and better times.
Although baby birds are born with the ability to sing, they usually don’t learn how to until spring, when they hear other birds chirping while looking for a mate.
This year’s daylight saving time happens on Sunday, March 10, meaning we’ll “spring forward” one hour that day.
Spring holidays include Good Friday, Easter, Passover, April Fool’s Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Cinco De Mayo, and Holi (festival of colors in India).

How to Grow Bulbs in a Container Garden

Bulbs don’t seem to get enough credit. They’re easy to plant, easy to care for, and their colorful blooms can be enjoyed year after year. So why don’t more of us take advantage of them? If you’re looking to spruce up an entryway, patio, or sunroom, look no further than with a bulb container garden. And if you’ve never planted bulbs (or anything else for that matter), don’t worry — we’ve covered everything from buying to planting.

What is a bulb?

Nope, it’s not the thing you stick into a light socket. In botany, a bulb is a circular stem with fleshy leaves for a base. The bulb of a plant stores food and its organs during winter dormancy, which is what allows the flower to bloom every year.

container gardening with Gladiolus Bulbs

What is a container garden?

A container garden is just that: a small garden or collection of plants in a large container. But before you start picturing plants growing out of your Tupperware, we’re here to tell you container gardens are just as exquisite and colorful as traditional ones. And unlike regular gardens, container gardens are perfect for people who don’t have time to take care of a full landscape or are new to groundskeeping altogether. Best of all, they’re amazingly versatile and a great way to introduce some greenery into a small apartment or home without much yard space.

Selecting bulbs

The quality and longevity of your flowers depend on the types of bulbs you get. You want to find bulbs that are plump and firm. Soft, squishy bulbs or ones that have mold on them have started to decay and won’t produce beautiful flowers (or really anything for that matter). You also want to pick the largest of the bunch because those are the ones that will sprout the most flowers. We here at 1-800-Flowers.com know just how exciting it is to care for your flowers and watch them grow — that’s why many of our bulbs ship right to your door, rooted and sprouted!

Caring for your bulbs

You never want your bulbs to spend much time above ground, so the minute they arrive, plant them in soil. The best time to plant them is when the ground is cool and evening temperatures range between 40 and 50° F (aka, now)!

Where to plant bulbs

Whether you decide to stick with a traditional ceramic pot or get a little more creative and use an old toolbox or wooden barrel, the actual container isn’t as important as its location. Containers should be placed somewhere that receives direct sunlight for anywhere from six and eight hours a day.

4 tips for planting bulbs

These best practices will help you get the most out of your bulbs and ensure they keep coming back year after year.

1. Place them deep enough

Finding the right depth to plant your bulbs can be tricky. A good rule of thumb is to dig a hole about two or three times deeper than the height of the bulb. So, if the bulb is 3 inches tall, dig a hole about 6–9 inches deep.

2. Use the right soil

Because bulbs are planted deep in the ground, they tend to do best in well-drained soil (soil that lets water travel through it quickly and evenly).

3. Place them right-side up

If you get bulbs that have a tip or pointed end on one side, plant them so that that end is the one popping out of the ground. If your bulb is more circular, the end with roots growing is the side you place in the ground.

4. Water them well

Despite their different appearance, bulbs act just like seeds — which means they need plenty of water to lay down roots and grow. Ideally, you should water your bulbs every other day.

If you still want the benefit of having a garden without actually going through the process of planting it yourself, you’re in luck! We offer beautiful tulip, iris, and sweet springtime bulb container gardens.

Picture of banner ad for spring bulb event

Poisonous Plants You Shouldn’t Keep Around Dogs and Cats

Part of what we all love about our pets is their sense of adventure and wonder. But sometimes it’s those very traits that can get them in trouble. From running through the park to the less encouraged rummaging through your flower bed, dogs and cats often get their noses in places they shouldn’t.

Though most plants are harmless to pets, a few could make them sick, or worse, if ingested. Here is a list of plants you should be particularly cautious with or avoid keeping in the house altogether if you have a furry friend around.

Plants poisonous to dogs

Azaleas

Azaleas can have some pretty harmful effects on Fido’s stomach. Eating just a few leaves can cause dogs and other pets to vomit, drool excessively, or have diarrhea. If not treated by a veterinarian immediately, pets that have ingested azaleas can slip into a coma and even die.

Autumn crocus

Unlike some other plants on this list, you’ll know right away if your pet ate an autumn crocus. In addition to severe kidney damage, heart arrhythmia, and seizures, they also cause an intense burning sensation. While you should stay away from the entire plant, the most toxic part of it is the bulb.

Kalanchoe

Depending on how much kalanchoe your pet eats, symptoms can vary from an upset stomach and excess drool to an irregular heartbeat. And because the plant can take anywhere from 12 hours to four days to fully affect your dog, you should bring him to the vet right away if you notice he’s had any kalanchoe.

Oleander

Similar to azaleas, oleander can severely affect a dog’s stomach. This common outdoor shrub sprouts incredibly toxic leaves that can cause vomiting, dizziness, and even an impaired heartbeat. Oleander is also poisonous to cats, so it’s a definite “no-no” for pet-loving houses.

Lily of the valley

If your four-legged friend is even around lily of the valley, you should get him tested for cardiac glycosides, the toxic agent found in the plant. If ingested, pets can experience vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, and even seizures.

Cyclamen

Though every part of the plant is moderately toxic, the most dangerous parts are the tubers and roots. Even if your furry friend only chews on them, cyclamen roots can cause chronic drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Amaryllis

This easy-to-grow flower is popular all year round, but it’s perhaps never more in demand than around the winter holidays — but humans aren’t the only ones attracted to its beauty. If a dog nibbles on the bulb of an amaryllis plant, she’ll likely experience excessive salivation, gastrointestinal problems, and tremors.

Carnations

Carnations‘ many colors and intoxicating scent make them a popular gifting flower. But while your loved will enjoy smelling them, so will their dog. If dogs decide to graze on your gift, they can experience an upset stomach and diarrhea. But the good news is that it would take dozens of bundles to do any permanent or serious damage to your furry friend.

Plants poisonous to cats

plants poisonous to dogs with cat sniffing flower by fence

Castor bean

These leafy green plants are highly toxic to cats and can cause their throat and mouth to burn, extreme thirst, vomiting, kidney failure, and seizures.

English ivy

Also known as California ivy or sweetheart ivy, English ivy is a common indoor decorative plant that you should definitely keep out of reach of nosy cats. If swallowed, English ivy can cause intense stomach pains, excessive salivation, and diarrhea.

Sago palm

Originating in Japan, sago palms resemble a cross between a small bush and a tree, making them a popular backyard plant. Throughout the year, their small bristles fall on the ground and can easily be swallowed by outdoor cats. If that happens, they can cause severe liver damage; if left untreated, they can cause liver failure and death.

Yew

Yew is one of the most commonly known poisonous plants, as it’s potentially fatal if swallowed by cats, dogs, and humans. The most common symptoms of yew poisoning are weakness and exhaustion, difficulty breathing, sudden changes in blood pressure, tremors, and dilated pupils

Tulips

Like many other bulb flowering plants on our list, tulips shouldn’t be kept near dogs and cats. The toxins tulipalin A and tulipalin B can be found throughout the flower’s petals, stem, and leaves but are especially potent in the bulb. If swallowed, these toxins can cause appetite loss (and, therefore, weight loss), seizures, and a rapid heartbeat.

Spanish thyme

Though it’s believed to hold medicinal healing properties for humans, Spanish thyme can have a very different outcome for cats if they eat it. Also known by the names coleus, Indian borage, and country borage, Spanish thyme’s oils are so toxic that just rubbing against the plant is enough to burn a short-haired cat’s skin. If eaten, it’ll cause almost immediate symptoms, such as liver failure, shortness of breath, and vomiting.

Pet-friendly plants and flowers

While you should never purposely feed your pets flowers or plants, many plants won’t cause your furry friends any harm if accidentally ingested.

Daisies
Roses
Rosemary
Orchids
Sunflowers
Peruvian lily and Brazilian lily

Feel like adopting one more “furry” friend into your family? Our Fabulous Feline™ collection makes the perfect (and, most importantly, safe) addition to any animal-loving home!

How to Flock a Christmas Tree

The series “Unboxing the Holidays” is all about bringing you top-notch advice and creative ideas to make the most of the season’s special moments. In this story, learn how to flock a Christmas tree and why it’s on trend.

If ornaments and twinkling lights aren’t enough to give your Christmas tree that wow factor, it may be time to try something new — like flocking. It’s a treatment that adds a snow-kissed look to the greenery that evokes a tree in its natural wintry setting.

“I’m not surprised to see flocked Christmas trees are making a comeback,” says 1-800-Flowers.com floral and crafting expert Julie Mulligan. “It has such a nostalgic feel and sets the stage for the perfect hygge Christmas. Even if you didn’t go out into the woods and chop down your own tree and bring it into the house with the freshly fallen snow still on it, a flocked tree makes it feel like you did.”

Throw on some holiday music, set some gingerbread out, and get your crafting clothes on because it’s time to transform your home into a true winter wonderland.

How does flocking work?

If you want to get technical, flocking is the process of creating texture by attaching tiny fibers to a material. But when talking about Christmas trees, flocking means to give it that natural, snow-covered look by applying a white, powdery mixture to the branches. We love flocking a Christmas tree because it gives it more dimension and achieves that alpine feel.

The origins of flocked Christmas trees

The idea to flock Christmas trees has been around for quite a while — since the 1800s, in fact. Back then, crafters tried to get the snowy effect by using cotton and flour mixed with glue or cornstarch. But flocking as we know it today became popular around the 1950s and 1960s (though we can’t imagine metallic trees of the time looked all that natural, even after being flocked). It was around then that flocking powder became mass produced and marketed, meaning people could now quickly and easily flock their trees at home.

How to make your own flocking spray

With flocked trees becoming more popular, most stores now carry pre-flocked trees for sale. But for all you DIY enthusiasts, you can really get into the Christmas spirit by flocking your tree with either pre-made flocking powder or creating your own from scratch.

Around the holidays, the flocking powder can be found at nearly any craft or convenience store. Most kits just require you to add water to the powder and mix it for a few minutes before you’re ready to go.

But for the most extreme DIYers, you can make the flocking powder yourself with a few household items. The only catch here is that this solution won’t last for next year, meaning it should only be done on a live tree that you’re planning on getting rid of after the holidays. All you’ll need to cover a traditional 5-foot tree is the following:

2 cups white soap shavings
2/3 cup liquid cornstarch or white glue
4 tablespoons warm water

Once all your ingredients are mixed, flock your tree outside, just as you would with traditional flocking powder.

Keep in mind…

For the best, most natural results, make sure to always flock your tree before decorating it with any lights, ornaments, or tinsel.
Leave roughly two days for this project, since flock can take anywhere from 20 to 48 hours to dry.
Never brush the underside of a branch with flocking powder.
Only flock the tips of branches.
Allow some of the mixture to fall onto branches below.
Dollop (don’t spread) the mixture onto needles.
If you used flocking powder to flock an artificial tree, all you have to do after the holiday is cover it with a cotton cloth and store the tree standing up. Live trees with our DIY flocking powder can typically be left on the curb (or better yet, recycled) with any flock still on it.

Pro tip: Add glitter to your mixture for a festive glimmer.

Once the Christmas tree is flocked, add lights and decorate to your taste. Or keep it natural! It’s easy to enjoy the look of a tree with freshly fallen snow in the warmth of your own home. Says Mulligan, “Just light the fire, make a cup of hot cocoa, put on your warm wooly socks, and curl up with a good book. Have a merry hygge Christmas!”

6 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas

christmas scents with Christmas bannister with garland

If you’re like us, you can’t wait until your home shows the sights and sounds of Christmas. But what about the Christmas scents? Surprisingly enough, smell is the sense most closely related to memory, far more than sight, touch, or sound. So, treat your nose to the simple joys of Christmas scents this season and prepare to make memories your family will remember for years to come.

1. Add fresh flowers and greenery

You probably need some genuine earthly scents in your home — especially if you don’t have a real tree. Don’t underestimate the Christmas scents of flowers that tend to be passed over for the once-a-year excitement of all things fir and pine. Red roses and candy cane lilies are classic holiday arrangements with a captivating fragrance that can out-scent the tree. A traditional Christmas centerpiece will do more than just look beautiful on your dinner table; it will fill the room with the sweet smells of flowers, Christmas greenery, and pinecones. Garland is a simple way to bring in the winter forest scent without the to-do of having a tree.

2. Roses add eye candy

Modeled after everyone’s favorite Christmas tree decoration and holiday treat, the candy cane, peppermint-inspired bouquets light up a room with their pure white and deep red petals. Full disclosure: These blooms don’t actually smell like peppermint, but they do still fill the room with the alluring fragrance roses are known for.

Pro tip: Place your flower and wreath orders early. Fresh florals are those one-of-a-kind details that are especially sought after during the holiday season. Growers can’t always meet the demand.

3. Wreaths are beautiful inside and out

More times than not, you’ll find a wreath hanging on someone’s front door during the holidays. While we’ll never deny the beauty of a wreath at your entryway, decorating with wreaths should not be exclusive to the front door. From your bedroom window to a lamp skirt, wreaths can be incorporated into virtually every room of your house. A wreath with pinecones and faux fruit brings in a warm, woodsy feel. And when your wreath is made with traditional fir and pine, you get to enjoy its scent just as much as its visual appeal.

4. Scented candles are a must

What’s not to love about candles? They smell amazing and fill your house with a warm glow. It’s also safe to assume that the room with the scented candles is where everyone will gather. Sure, you can stick with your favorite spruce or balsam and cedar all season, but the burning scent of Christmas votives is just as stimulating.

5. Fill the air with scents from the kitchen

While we’ll never tire of the natural smell of pine and fir, it doesn’t truly feel like Christmas morning until the smell of freshly made pancakes and scones wafts from the kitchen. Slather on some lime curd or pear butter for a complete breakfast. Christmas teas reinforce the savory scent.

6. DIY simmer pot

While you’re in the kitchen whipping up Christmas breakfast, why not make use of your burner and make a simmer pot? Just throw these ingredients into a small pot of simmering water and in minutes your home will be filled with the sweet Christmas scents of the season:

1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 orange, sliced thin
4 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

While this is one of our favorite recipes, feel free to play around with your favorite fruits and spices.

Now, does anyone else think it’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas?

Flower Idioms: The Meaning Behind Our Favorite Floral Phrases and Sayings

When it comes to phrases that live at the tip of our tongues, we’re sure you’ve got some personal favorites that are the bee knees and sound as pretty as a peach. But being florists and all, we’re pretty partial to floral phrases…can you blame us? This season, why not add some of our favorite phrases and sayings to your vocabulary?

“Stop and smell the roses”

Feeling overwhelmed? Stressed? Overworked? If so, it may be time to “stop and smell the roses.” This means it’s time to break away from your hectic schedule, and take a minute to enjoy the little things in life and the beauty of nature. And while there’s no denying that we love the expression, studies show there is some scientific truth behind it! Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

floral phrases with couple embracing with red rose

“Coming up roses”

If everything in your life is “coming up roses,” count your lucky stars because things are going pretty well for you! Though the exact origin of the phrase is still unknown, it became popular in the 1950s after being used in a song from the musical “Gypsy.” One line of the song goes “Things look swell, things look great, Gonna have the whole world on a plate. Starting here, starting now. Honey, everything’s coming up roses.”

“Ups-a-daisy”

Though most of us today would say “whoops-a-daisy” or “oopsy daisy,” the phrase was originally “ups-a-daisy” and was used in the 1800s to encourage little ones to get up after they had fallen.

“Pushing daisies”

Though much more somber than many other expressions on our list, “pushing daisies” usually refers to a person who has died. Though it’s not certain that this is where the phrase originated from, it’s believed to have at least gained its popularity from a World War I poem, titled, A Terre. Below is a passage from the poem:

Certainly flowers have the easiest time on earth.
“I shall be one with nature, herb, and stone.”
Shelley would tell me. Shelley would be stunned;
The dullest Tommy hugs that fancy now.
“Pushing up daisies,” is their creed, you know.
To grain, then, go my fat, to buds my sap,
For all the usefulness there is in soap.

“Fresh as a daisy”

If someone tells you you’re looking “fresh as a daisy,” it’s a high compliment and means you’re looking very good that day. The expression stems from the Old English word for daisies, “day’s eye.” At night, the petals of a daisy would close over its yellow “eye” and then re-open in the morning once the sun was out. So, when someone says you look “fresh as a daisy,” they’re implying that it looks like you got a good night’s sleep.

“Nip it in the bud”

Do you bite your nails, chew with your mouth open, or love drinking soda? If so, you may want to nip those bad habits in the bud before they get out of control. While most of us use the expression in the context of ending bad habits, it literally means to end something at an early stage. If you remove, or “nip,” a bud from a plant, it prevents the flower from blooming.

“Every rose has its thorns”

Though made famous by the band Poison in 1988, the phrase “Every rose has its thorns” is an ancient proverb with no known origin. In general, it means that even someone, or something, as beautiful and seemingly perfect as a rose is not without its flaws.

How to Say ‘Sorry’ In 50 Different Languages

In our series “Expressions of Emotion,” we show you how to tell others how much you love and care for them.

There are many ways to express an apology — saying “I’m sorry” is the most common one. We all mess up once in a while, probably more than we’d like to admit. Since mistakes can happen anywhere, it’s helpful to note that this apologetic phrase is spoken in nearly every language. Use this guide to avoid a language barrier next time you are trying to express yourself to friends, family, or foreigners abroad.

It can be hard to own up to our mistakes, but there’s always room for forgiveness. Next time you reach out with an apology, make sure to show your sincerity by including an apology bouquet to make the message heard.

Here’s how to say sorry in 50 languages and their accompanying pronunciations. Make sure to say “sorry” correctly, no matter where you are in the world.

Afrikaans: “Jammer“
Albanian: “Më vjen keq“
Arabic: “آسف“
Armenian: “ներողություն‘”
Basque: “Barkatu“
Bosnian: “Izvini“
Catalan: “Ho sento“
Chinese: “对不起“
Croatian: “Oprostite“
Czech: “Promiňte“
Danish: “Undskyld“
Esperanto: “Pardonon“
Estonian: “Vabandust”
Filipino: “Paumanhin“
Finnish: “Anteeksi“
French: “Pardon“
Galician: “Perdón“
German: “Es tut uns leid“
Greek: “συγνώμη“
Haitian Creole: “Regrèt“
Hawaiian: “E kala mai iaʻu“
Hebrew: “מצטער”
Hindi: “माफ़ करना“
Hungarian: “Sajnálom“
Igbo: “Ndo“

Indonesian: “Maaf“
Irish: “Tá brón orm“
Italian: “Scusa“
Japanese: “ごめんなさい“
Kazakh: “кешіріңіз“
Latin: “Paenitet“
Latvian: “Atvainojiet“
Lithuanian: “Atsiprašome“
Luxembourgish: “Entschëllegt“
Malay: “Maaf“
Maltese: “Jiddispjacini“
Norwegian: “Beklager“
Portuguese: “Desculpa“
Romanian: “Scuze“
Russian: “Извините“
Samoan: “M a lie“
Spanish: “Lo siento“
Sundanese: “Punten“
Swahili: “Samahani“
Swedish: “Förlåt“
Turkish: “Afedersiniz“
Ukrainian: “вибачте“
Vietnamese: “lấy làm tiếc“
Welsh: “Sori“
Zulu: “Ngiyaxolisa“

8 Perennial Flowers to Grow in a Summer Garden

Maintaining an annual flower bed, though very beautiful, can be a lot of work. You have to fertilize the soil, plant the seeds, and nurture the flowers, only to pull them out once Old Man Winter comes knocking. Then, you start the process all over again when the temperature begins to rise.

That’s why even the most avid gardeners and plant enthusiasts have a fondness for perennials. With the warm months around the corner, you can achieve faster results by purchasing perennial flowers that bloom all summer.

What are perennials and why do we love them?

Perennials are flowers and plants that live for more than two years, whereas annuals live for only one growing season. Many homeowners want a beautiful garden in front of their home, but not everyone has the time to care for one. Perennials’ low maintenance and annual blooms make them a popular choice for homes across the country.

Most popular perennial flowers that bloom all summer

Certain perennials are more commonly found in gardens and around homes than others. Here are eight that stand out as being particularly desirable.

1. Black-eyed Susan

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Black Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susan give you the best of both worlds. This plant has become extremely popular because it resembles a sunflower but with almost none of the maintenance.

2. Dalmatian bellflowers

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Dalmation Bellflowers- Purple

Don’t let the name fool you — this flower has enough color to liven up any home or garden. Their proclivity to spread make them ideal plants to use as groundcover.

3. Russian sage

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Russian Sage Flowers

The flowers of the Russian sage are small, but the plant itself takes up quite a bit of space, making it a very economical choice. If your home has a large cement base you’re looking to cover, these flowers are the perfect choice.

4. Lavender

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Lavender Field

From the medicine cabinet to the kitchen, lavender has a seemingly unlimited number of uses. Plus, this plant will fill your yard with its sweet, calming smell.

5. Dahlia

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Dahlia Flowers- Orange & Purple

These bold blooms come in a wide range of colors and can be easily incorporated into any existing or new garden. And, unlike most plants, these flowers thrive in some shade. Although dahlias are perennials, they are tuberous rooted plants and should be replanted every spring after resting.

6. Butterfly weed

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Butterfly Milkweed Flowers

Most gardeners cringe at the word “weed,” but in this case, it’s actually a good thing. This low-maintenance, vibrant yellow and orange flower grows as easily as a weed, making it perfect for those who just want to grow a “set it and forget it” garden.

7. Lenten rose

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Lenten Rose

Not many flowers bloom while there’s still snow on the ground, but this one does! Not actually a rose but a member of the buttercup family, the lenten rose will add great pops of color to a garden at a time when not much else might be growing in it.

8. Valerian

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Red Valerian Flowers Close-Up

Because of their captivating smell, valerian flowers were used in the 16th century as an early form of perfume. They can also grow to a towering 5 feet tall, making them a wonderful flower to plant around the circumference of your house or against a fence.

What Was Tulip Mania?

From tulips to chrysanthemums, our series “The Language of Flowers” explores everything from flower care tips to flower symbolism and meaning. This article explores the fascinating history of Tulip Mania.

You may have heard of Beatlemania, but have you ever heard of tulip mania? In 17th century Netherlands, tulips were so valuable and in demand that they actually caused a craze known as “tulip mania.” For years, people were so obsessed with tulips, that they actually traded their valuables and paid thousands of guilder (their previous form of currency) for the flower. Below is a brief history of what we think might just be the most beautiful form of currency ever to hit Europe.

Leading up to Tulip Mania

In the Netherlands, the 1600s were known as the “Golden Century.” Amsterdam, a once average-sized fishing community, became the hub of all international trade. As china, jewelry, silks, and seeds came into the harbor, Amsterdam quickly became the richest city in all of Western Europe. In the late 1500s, tulip bulbs were among the many goods sent to Europe from Turkey.

Tulips Cost How Much?!

In 1637, “tulip madness” struck the people of the Netherlands. In just six months, tulip prices rose to more than 20 times their previous worth. At the time, a bouquet of tulips cost roughly the same price as an average home or ten years of a craftsman’s salary. At the height of the craze, tulips were even traded on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. That’s like walking down Wall Street in Manhattan and seeing financial investors carrying tulip bulbs!

Classifying Tulips

At the height of tulip mania, tulip prices were based on their classification. Typically, solid-colored tulips were the least expensive (though still thousands of dollars in today’s market), while multi-colored tulips were some of the rarest and most expensive. In the 1600s tulips were labeled as:

Couleren: Solid-colored red, white, or yellow tulips.
Rosen: Multi-colored tulips.
Violetten: Tulips that had a hint of purple or lilac in them.
Bizarden: Tulips that had a yellow background with swirls of red, brown, and purple.

Jailed for Destroying a Tulip

One sailor visiting the Netherlands (and seemingly unaware of the current tulip madness) made a costly mistake when he ate a rare Semper Augustus tulip, thinking it was an onion. The Semper Augustus was so valuable that had it been sold, its profits could have fed his entire crew for a year. If knowing that wasn’t bad enough, the sailor was also imprisoned for almost a year. Another traveler suffered a similar fate when he unknowingly peeled an Admiral Von der Eyk tulip, thinking it was a rare onion (who knew 17th-century tulips resembled onions so much?). After a passersby saw the man desecrating the flower, he was chased through the town by an angry mob and sentenced to jail until he was able to pay for the flower – needless to say, he was never able to.

The First Economic Bubble

Like all bubbles, the tulip bubble eventually “popped” and widespread panic ensued. After a default on a major tulip bulb contract, the tulip market imploded. In just a few days, prices dropped to less than 10 percent of what they were worth a month before. Since “economist” and “financial investor” weren’t exactly common job titles back in the 1600s, records about tulip mania may be a bit skewed, but this is still considered the first financial bubble in recorded history.

Could the Bubonic Plague be to Blame?

The flowers were in no way endangered and the cost of production hadn’t changed, so why did they suddenly become so valuable? Researchers believe that a sudden outbreak of the black plague made people less concerned with their future and more interested in living every day to its fullest – just in case it was actually their last.

Thankfully, tulip prices of today make them affordable for everyone. And though their prices may have gone down, tulips have remained just as lovely throughout the years!