Floriography, by Gina Margolies

Have you ever found an object that was odd or funny or unusual which, for no obvious or practical reason, you liked? It could be something like a doorknob that doesn’t fit any of your doors or an old hand fan that you just like to hold. For me, these objects are often books. Odd, funny, unusual little books that fascinate me for no particular reason other than that they do. One such book is The Flowers Personified, the English translation of a French book entitled Les Fleurs Animees (Why does everything sound better in French?) published in 1847. This...

January's Birthday Blossom is the beautiful Carnation. This Birthday Blossom is loving, proud, and distinct. Familiar to many as the traditional flower for boutonnieres, carnations are usually white, pink, red or stripes of those colors. The scientific name for carnation, dianthus caryophyllus, comes from the Greek words for divine flower and it’s easy to see why. Carnations are a traditional first wedding anniversary gift as well as commonly given on Mother’s Day, or maybe you buy them for yourself, just because. Whatever the reason, lovely carnations always bring a distinct beauty to your day. PICK YOURS TODAY!

The desire to adorn ourselves with plants and flowers is well-documented in the historical record. We read in accounts as far back as the ancient world that victors, both military and athletic, were crowned with laurel wreaths. Marie Antoinette often adorned her towering coiffures with fresh flowers. I read once that she and other ladies of the French court would hide vials of water in their hair to keep the blooms fresh, displaying a true dedication to beautifying themselves. Over a hundred years later, Frida Kahlo put her own spin on this idea, often adorning her black braids with flowers. I love...

November’s Birthday Blossom is the lovely Chrysanthemum. This Birthday Blossom is sincere, faithful and optimistic. An anonymous but wise Chinese philosopher said, “If you would be happy for a lifetime, grow Chrysanthemums.” These sage words were likely based on the joy one feels when looking at a bouquet of lovely chrysanthemums. The name chrysanthemum, scientifically called dendranthema, is derived from the Greek words for gold flower but it comes in many colors. White chrysanthemums carry with them a message of truth and loyal love and some think gold chrysanthemums symbolize long life. A gift of chrysanthemums represents the joy and...

October’s birth month flower is the festive Marigold. This Birthday Blossom is bright, cheerful and talented. Scientifically referred to as tagetes, the common name marigold is derived from the words “Mary’s Gold,” as the marigold was called by early Christians who placed the flowers around statues of Mary, offering the blossoms in place of coins. Today, the marigold is a festival flower in many cultures. It is significant in Nepal, where marigold garlands are used almost in every household, especially during the Tihar festival. The marigold is also widely cultivated in India and Thailand, where large quantities of marigolds are...