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Queen Elizabeth II’s Favourite Flowers
In May, during one of her last public appearances, another floral portrait was unveiled to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (70 years) (pictured below) with her favourite flower: lily of the valley. This flower symbolises motherhood, purity and happiness, and in the language of flowers, gentleness and humility.
Lilies of the valley had a very sentimental meaning for the Queen. In addition to her bridal bouquet, they were also used in the Queen’s coronation bouquet in 1953. We would therefore not be surprised to find them in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
Easter Flowers
Easter is a celebration of rebirth. We start to see the first signs of life in the early months of spring, between March and April, when flowers begin to bloom and animals give birth to their young. After the long winter, the canvas of vivid colors and pastels—and yes, that fresh fragrance of blooming plants—contributes to the idea of waking up in a new world filled with promise.
Historians once believed that Easter had connections to the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility Eostre, but newly-discovered facts tell a different story. The word "Easter" has been traced back to the Latin phrase for a Christian celebration called "in albis" (meaning "dawn") that later became the Old High German word "eostarum," according to Britannica. The holiday celebrates Easter Sunday as the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection, which is written in the New Testament of the Bible. For Christians around the world, this symbolizes redemption for humankind, forgiveness for past wrongdoing, and an opportunity to live a better life. Over the years, spring flowers—especially those that bloom between March and April—have taken on a special meaning for the holiday. Floral colors like red, white, and purple symbolize different aspects of the Easter story, while the flowers' shapes indicate other meanings. And as beautiful as these flowers are in nature, nothing compares to how they can be used at home in tabletop centerpieces, baskets, and outdoor decorations for the holiday. Ahead, discover what a few of the most popular Easter flowers symbolize within the context of the holiday.
International Women's Day
The history of International Women's Day stretches back more than 100 years, when the day was first observed across Europe and America. But according to NPR, it wasn't until March 8, 1946, that feminists in Italy chose the mimosa flower as a symbol of strength, sensibility and sensitivity for Women's Day
Mother's Day Flowers
It was really a 20th century marketing invention. It started with a 1917 advertising campaign, “Say It with Flowers,” which was one of the most successful and enduring campaigns ever. It inspired floral marketing for many other holidays and occasions as well. Today, Mother’s Day is the Super Bowl of the florist industry. The day after Mother’s Day, florists start planning for next year.
Why flowers? For centuries, motherhood has been synonymous with springtime and plants, as the two are representative of life and fertility. Flowers also emanate beauty and purity, attributes many of us associate with our own moms. Most importantly, we give our moms flowers on Mother's Day because, well, they love them!
