VALENTINES DAY

Thursday, is February 14, we will be celebrating St. Valentine’s Day. Have you thought about what little present you may give to your sweetheart or for someone you want to remember?

     Traditional gifts like cards, candy or flowers are nice to give or receive. One Victorian art that I have seen in specialty greeting card shops are flower and/or herb prints with an explanation of their meaning or symbol. During the Victorian era, receiving a “posy” or flower from someone was more than a nice gesture on the sender’s part. The type of flower sent was symbolic and carried some message or hidden meaning or expression.

     I was thinking many of my readers may be interested in expressing themselves this Valentine’s day in the language of flowers. The list of flowers and herbs and their meaning follows. It may help you decide which plant material you want to send to express yourself this St. Valentine’s Day:

·        Aster, Sentimental recollections

·        Baby’s Breath, Pure heart, gaiety

·        Basil, Best wishes

·        Begonia, Unrequited love

·        Camellia, Excellence, contentment

·        Carnation, Ardent and pure love

·        Pink Carnation, Lively and pure affection

·        White Carnation, Living for love

·        Yellow Carnation, Fascination

·        Crocus, Youthful gladness

·        Daffodil, Chivalry, respect, regard

·        Daisy, Innocence

·        Dill, Irresistible

·        Forsythia, Good nature

·        Gardenia, Purity, peace, ecstasy

·        Hyacinth, Games, play

·        Ivy, Wedded love, constancy, friendship

·        Lavender, Devotion, happiness

·        Mint, Virtue, cheerfulness, warmth of feeling

·        Narcissus, self-esteem, egotism

·        Orchid, Luxury, love, beauty

·        Pansy, Loving thoughts’

·        Parsley, Gratitude, thanks

·        Primrose, Gaity, innocence

·        Red Rose, Love, desire, passion

·        White rose, Purity, spiritual love

·        Yellow rose, Friendship, jealousy, forgive and forget

·        Pale pink rose, Good health

·        Cream colored rose, perfection

·        Champagne colored rose, Devotion

·        Sage, Domestic virtue, wisdom

·        Shamrock, Luck, lighthearted, Ireland

·        Thyme, Bravery, courage, strength

·        Tulip, The perfect lover, happy years, love

·        Purple violet, You occupy my thoughts

        To my readers, I am sending a “posy” of basil, daffodils, ivy, mint, pale pink roses parsley and tulips. In meaning, I am sending a big bunch of best wishes, respect, friendship, cheerfulness, good health, thanks and happy years.

     No matter which way you send St. Valentine’s greetings, whether it is in a card, box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers to the special folks in your life, they can say more than “I am thinking of you.”

     Happy Valentine’s Day, readers!