Tag: Language of Flowers

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.

“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.

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Comedians aren’t the only ones with a wacky sense of humor! Botanists and plant lovers have thought up some pretty unusual and funny flower names over the years. Think Pussytoes, Sneezeweed, and Corn-cockle! While these aren’t the scientific names, they’re memorable because they’re silly and usually descriptive of the plant in some way.

Here are some droll, quirky names of flowers.

Butter-and-eggs, common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

This perky yellow and white wildflower is native to Europe and central Asia, and was originally grown in the U.S. as a cultivated, perennial garden flower. It escaped and now has naturalized in the U.S. and Canada, and has become invasive in some areas. Butter-and-eggs is seen along roadsides, meadows, and waste places. It has been used medicinally in folk medicine and even as an insecticide.

Swamp lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata)

This herbaceous perennial wildflower is unique for reasons other than just its name. The swamp lousewort is what’s known as a hemiparasite, meaning that in addition to collecting nutrients from the sun through photosynthesis, it also steals resources from nearby plants thanks to underground, connecting roots.

Thimbleweed, windflower (Anemone virginiana)

Thimbleweed is a little, white-flowered, herbaceous perennial that grows in open woodlands or dry, rocky hillsides in the eastern and central U.S. Its funny name comes from the thimble-shaped seed heads that form after the flowers go by. Its other common name, windflower, comes from the Greek word anemos, which means “wind.”

Bastard toadflax (Comandra umbellata)

Careful talking about this one in public! Years ago, Native Americans would eat the seeds of a bastard toadflax (also known by the less comedic name Comandra umbellata) and use other parts of the plant to treat colds, canker sores, and eye irritation.

Cheeses, cheeseweed (Malva neglecta)

What sounds like a crazy name actually makes sense. This flower’s round, flat seedpod looks like a wheel of cheese, flat pumpkin, or button. Cheeses have white to light pink or purple flowers, and spread low to the ground. They are found growing in lawns and meadows all over the United States.

Corn-cockle (Agrostemma githago)

Despite what its name might imply, the last thing this plant resembles is corn. This magnificent plant grows nearly 3 feet tall and sprouts just one beautiful purple flower at its top, making it a popular decorative plant on farms.

Pussytoes (Antennaria sp.)

The name “pussytoes” comes from the fuzzy white to pink flower heads that look like tiny kitten’s paws. This is a group of perennial species that are mostly native to the Northern Hemisphere. They often grow in groups, with their basal leaves hugging the ground and upright stalks reaching a foot high. Pussytoes grow in a variety of well-drained soils, and are a great addition to rock gardens.

Adder’s tongue spearwort (Ranunculus ophioglossifolius)

When submerged in water, this aquatic-loving plant’s leaves float to the surface and resemble a water lily. Though now a beloved water plant, adder’s tongue is relatively young, especially when compared to flowers like roses and daisies. It was first described by Dominique Villars in “Histoire des Plantes de Dauphiné,” which was published in 1789.

Sneezeweed (Helenium sp.)

This red, yellow, and orange daisy-like flower is a fall-blooming perennial native to North and Central America. Sneezeweed’s crazy flower name comes from its early use as a snuff that would cause sneezing to expel evil spirits. It grows well in damp woodlands and moist areas, and many horticultural varieties have been bred because of its colorful flower and easy growth.

Humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba)

This aquatic carnivorous plant can be found almost anywhere water is present, from the United States and Canada to Africa and Asia. Grown primarily in lakes and canals, this flower is about as gruesome as its name implies. To get its nutrients, a humped bladderwort captures small prey in its bladder and digests it over time.

Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii, Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead is a perennial wildflower native to Canada as well as the northeast and central U.S. Its unique name refers to the pink or white, hooded, two-lipped flowers that resemble a turtle’s beak. It grows in wet, boggy areas and along streams, and can be cultivated if there is enough moisture. Turtlehead blooms in the late summer to fall, and has sometimes been used as an unusual cut flower in arrangements.

Mad dog skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

This wetland-loving species usually grows near marshes, meadows, lakes, and canals. Recently, scientists have been studying its extracts, with a hope of one day using it as a mild sleep sedative.

Cuckoo flower (Cardmine pratensis)

This pale pink or white wildflower is a native of Europe and western Asia, and has naturalized in the United States. The cuckoo flower’s funny name comes from its bloom time that coincides with the first call of the cuckoo bird in spring. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows in wet woods, damp meadows, and along stream beds.

False hellebore (Veratrum viride)

Known by a variety of names, including Indian poke, Indian hellebore, and green false hellebore, this plant is extremely toxic. Just a few false hellebore plants have the power to kill an entire garden or farm, as well as livestock if ingested.

Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare)

This showy, blue-flowered plant was once used as a cure for snake or viper bites, and “bugloss” refers to the Greek word for “ox tongue,” from the shape of its leaves. Viper’s bugloss is native to Europe and Western Asia and has naturalized in the United States. It was originally used as a garden flower but has since escaped and become an invasive weed in parts of the U.S. Regardless of whether you view viper’s bugloss as a weed or garden plant, it remains a very pretty flower with a crazy name.

Scurfpea (Pediomelum tenuiflorum)

Most often found emerging from desert grasslands and canyons, these pea-like flowers change color depending on their age. When they first bloom, they’re a bluish-purple color. As they get older, they become red or tan.

Corn-salad, mâche (Valerianella locusta)

Corn-salad, or mâche, is a native of Western Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia, and has naturalized in North America. True to its unique name, it is used as a salad green, and is often found as a weed growing in cornfields. Corn-salad is an early spring annual that grows wild but can be cultivated for its smooth, green leaves. Several horticultural varieties have been bred for larger leaves and sweeter taste.

Spiny-leaved sow-thistle (Sonchus asper)

Native to Eurasia, the spiny-leaved sow-thistle enjoys living in highly trafficked areas, such as parks and pastures. Even though it’s considered a weed of many crops, it rarely has the chance to invade a farm because livestock find it to be quite tasty. Closely related to wild lettuce, it is possible to eat the young weed as well — though we’d suggest against it!

Monkey flower (Mimulus ringens)

Monkey flower is a native of North America. Its funny name refers to the lilac-colored flowers that were thought to look like smiling monkey faces. It grows in very wet places, such as stream banks, marshy areas, and wet meadows. Monkey flower is a pretty, 3-foot-tall, herbaceous perennial that blooms from midsummer to fall.

Cow vetch (Vicia cracca)

At nearly 4 feet tall, this fast-growing perennial may be a weed, but its lovely purple flowers may make you think twice about grabbing the weed killer. At a single time, as many as 40 small, purple flowers can bloom on one side of its long, green stem.

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From tulips to chrysanthemums, our series “The Language of Flowers” explores everything from fresh flower care tips to flower symbolism and meaning. In this article, we explore the importance of Japanese flowers in the country’s culture and the most popular flower types.

While watching the medal ceremonies at the summer games in Tokyo, you might have noticed the athletes receiving gorgeous, colorful bouquets. Flowers have always played a symbolic, meaningful role in Japanese culture, and these special bouquets continued that tradition: Eustoma, sunflower, gentian, narcolan, and haran are all grown in regions that were hit hard by the 2011 earthquake in Japan.

“Creating these bouquets using flowers grown mostly in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake will help convey our gratitude to the people of the world for their cooperation and kindness in the aftermath of the earthquake,” says Nippon Flower Council Chairman Nobuo Isomura.

Japanese flowers have always been front and center in holiday celebrations, tea ceremonies, memorial services, and every form of art, from literature and paintings to music and fashion.

Floral symbolism in Japan

While their beauty and grace are prized, Japanese flowers also have deep symbolic meanings that can be traced back centuries through Japan’s Buddhist heritage. “Offering flowers to Buddha was an original part of ikebana,” says Akemi Sagawa, a Seattle-based teacher of ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, and the founder of the Five Senses Foundation. “In many religions, offering flowers is a sign of respect,” she adds. “And by touching a flower, we get a reminder that we, as human beings, are part of nature.”

When she was growing up in Osaka, Japan, Akemi says she rebelled when she was invited to learn ikebana and the tea ceremony, which she calls “the two things a young girl had to learn to become a good housewife.”

Akemi set her sights on a different path: She enjoyed a successful career in the tech industry and relocated to Seattle. However, her demanding work schedule and that move across the world eventually brought her back to her roots.

“Often it’s when you leave your country that you begin to appreciate the culture you grew up with,” Akemi explains. “You find that the traditions are in your blood, even if you don’t realize it.”

Rising interest in Japanese flowers

Akemi has noticed an increased interest in the ancient art of ikebana and her online classes since the pandemic began. “I am seeing more younger people in their 20s and 30s who are looking for some balance in their lives,” she says, adding that ikebana is both creative and meditative. “You forget about everything else and focus only on what you are creating.”

Enjoying the change of the seasons is a big part of ikebana, Akemi says. In summer she enjoys incorporating the vibrant color and sizable blooms of the hydrangea in her arrangements; in the winter she might focus on the vibrant greens of evergreen branches.

So what makes ikebana different from Western flower arranging? Most notably its use of line, mass, and space, says Akemi. The stem of the flower is essential to ikebana, and while Western arrangements are usually symmetrical, ikebana arrangements are often asymmetrical. Each display is unique, she adds: “Ikebana is an art form, and even with the same materials, no two arrangements will be the same.”

“There is no way to Google ikebana to learn about it,” Akemi says, explaining that it’s purely a hands-on art. “You have to touch and feel the flowers. The camellia stem is flexible, and you can bend it to make a curve or straighten it out if it is bent. But other flower branches are inflexible and will snap if you try to bend them.

“Ikebana is a new way of learning about the natural world.”

Many botanical gardens in the U.S. and other countries contain Japanese gardens. These lush areas combine plants, water, and rocks with clean lines to create a tranquil setting. And a visit to Japan is not complete without a tour of at least one traditional Japanese garden. If you’re lucky, you also might get the chance to wander through a Japanese flower park or attend a flower festival.

Understanding the symbolism of flowers can add another layer of understanding of Japanese culture. According to hanakotoba, the language of flowers, every flower has a meaning.

11 Japanese flowers and their meanings

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Your home is your sanctuary — the place where you feel a sense of peace and calm — so why not enhance your space by bringing the beauty of nature inside? Adding flowers to your home décor is a great way to freshen up any room, and there are many benefits to bringing beautiful blooms indoors, too.   

Valerie Ghitelman, vice president of product development, design & sourcing at 1-800-Flowers.com, knows firsthand what benefits bouquets and potted plants can have in your interior space. Here’s her reasoning for why filling your home with flowers is a good idea.  

1. Flowers cultivate certain moods 

Your home sets the tone for your day and can influence your well-being and outlook on life. You can control that mood by filling your space with flowers that cultivate the mindset you want.  

“When I see a bouquet with a softer palette, I feel calm and serene, so I find it lowers my stress level,” Ghitelman says. “I prefer soft pastels because I find pastels are relaxing. I also enjoy white flowers that have a sense of calm and provide a tranquil environment. Bright colors are exciting and can really boost your energy and make you feel very exhilarated and happy.” 

You can change your floral arrangement coloring based on the room — soft neutrals for a relaxing bedroom or bright accent colors in the dining room to foster lively conversation.  

2. Flowers are natural conversation starters 

Choosing floral arrangements that resonate with your personality lets you stand out from the crowd while also being a natural conversation starter in your home décor.  

“I am very fond of cymbidium orchids because of their shape, beauty, and color, as well as their ability to last so long,” Ghitelman says. “They are a statement flower that sits high above many others, elegant and statuesque, so much so that even a single stem is a talking point.” 

3. Flowers add a sense of intentionality to your space 

A bouquet of fresh flowers adds the finishing touch to any room and can even make the space feel staged for a showing. Choose your indoor flowers carefully to cultivate the aesthetic you are looking for. For example, Ghitelman loves the soft petals and almost translucent colors of peonies for their ability to calm down a busy décor space and tie competing elements together.  

4. Flowers make you feel more in touch with nature 

There are endless benefits associated with bringing a sense of the outdoors into your home. “Today, more than ever, people are inspired by nature and how flowers and plants can bring them closer to nature and enhance their environment and create natural ambiance,” Ghitelman says.  

Consider bringing big potted plants into your living room or using hanging baskets to offset a window. You’ll benefit from the fresh, filtered air they produce as well as from the mental health benefits associated with being in nature.  

And, counterintuitively, keeping large plants in your home can create the perception of more room. “Having a natural environment in your home can make you feel like you have more space and you are a part of the outdoors, which is very enlightening,” Ghitelman says. 

5. Flowers elevate your mood 

It’s hard to have a bad day when you’re surrounded by beauty. Research shows that flowers improve our mental health by triggering happy emotions and even positive social behaviors.

For example, one Harvard study found that decorating with a fresh bouquet for even one week led participants to feel more compassion for others, experience less worry and anxiety, and develop fewer feelings of depression. Best of all, these effects lasted for them while at work, even when flowers weren’t present at the office.  

6. Flowers positively influence your sense of smell 

The world of scents is a billion-dollar industry. Who doesn’t love to fill their home with candles and essential oils on occasion? But if you want to enjoy fresh floral scents in their purest form, there’s nothing that compares to flower bouquets in your home.  

“Flowers possess a unique and wholesome fragrance that can be uplifting and pleasurable,” Ghitelman says. “All flowers have a natural scent, but some have a more provocative fragrance that is truly unforgettable. Your sense of smell is also connected to memory, so if you smell a specific flower while you’re relaxed, you may feel the same relaxation and calm when you remember that scent.” 

If you’re choosing flowers for their fragrance potential, Ghitelman suggests a bouquet of lilies, roses, hyacinth, garden roses, peony, oriental lilies, freesia, lily of the valley, gardenia, or honeysuckle.  

7. Plants give you the satisfaction of caretaking 

When your world shrinks down to the size of your home, there’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained from caring for plants within it. Pruning, watering, and fertilizing potted plants gives you something external to focus on each day. As Ghitelman says, it’s rewarding to have a room full of healthy plants that are only there because of you.  

8. Flowers add a pop of color 

For those who get bored with the same styling for too long, flowers offer a quick way to switch things up. A bold-hued bouquet can add a pop of color to neutral spaces like bathrooms, and you can change up the color scheme every week.   

Bring flowers into your home for beauty and a better mood 

No matter your goals, bringing flowers into your home will offer innumerable benefits for your health and happiness. Consider adding some to your home today, and your space will be more pleasant for it.