Floriography, by Gina Margolies

The Language of Flowers Flora Illustrata:  Great Works from the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of The New York Botanical Garden edited by Susan M. Fraser and Vanessa Bezemer Sellers                Si hortum in bibliotheca habes, deerit nihil.                (If you have a garden in a library, nothing will be lacking).                                                                            ...

Why are flowers important to us? We know that we love to look at and possess flowers. They are beautiful, many of them smell lovely, and they change any room they are in. According to a National Retail Federation survey, Americans spend about $2.4 billion per year on flowers for Mother’s Day alone. Clearly, many of us like flowers, particularly when we receive them as a gift. But do those flowers have any particular significance or meaning to us beyond their beauty? Many people would say yes and probably many would shrug. The Victorians would have vehemently disagreed with that...

Flowers are not only beautiful to view, they can also be eaten.  Cooking with flowers can be traced back to ancient civilizations including the ancient Romans and various Asian cultures. Of course, the Victorians’ fascination with flowers included cooking with them. Today, flowers can be a unique, fun way to experiment in the kitchen. Not all flowers are edible (and some are even toxic) but there is a long list of flowers which can be safely consumed. Autumn’s Birthday Blossoms, the marigold and the chrysanthemum, are just two of the options. Marigold petals can have a somewhat peppery flavor similar to saffron....

You have a Zodiac sign and a birthstone, but did you know you have a birth month flower, a Birthday Blossom™. Just like your sign and birthstone, your Birthday Blossom™ has special significance and meaning attributed to it. Each flower is unique and special, just like you. Birth month flowers is not a new concept. It can be traced to traditions and customs throughout history. The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the flowers associated with each month. Some cultural historians believe the Victorians introduced the idea that flowers had meanings or messages embedded in them, while others think it was the ancient Romans who first associated a particular flower with...