THEME GARDENS!
In memory of September 11... A LIBERTY GARDEN: PLANT NASTURTIUMS FOR PATRIOTISM!
In the Victorian Language of Flowers, nasturtiums mean patriotism or
heroism. These colorful annuals are easy to grow - sow in late spring,
directly in any soil in full sun; you get more flowers in poor soil.
Flowers range in color from yellow to orange to deep red and rise above the blue-green oval-to-round leaves which grow in cascading mounds about twelve inches high. The flowers and leaves have a peppery taste and can be used in salads, if they have been grown in an organic garden; remove the pistils and stamens before eating.
SOME PLANTS FOR A LIBERTY OR VICTORY GARDEN
Plant: Its Meaning in the Victorian Language of Flowers
Flowers:
BLUE SALVIA (Salvia , S. splendens): wisdom
CHINESE CHRYSANTHEMUM (Xeranthemum): cheerfulness under adversity
DAFFODIL (Narcissus): regard
DAME VIOLET (Hesperis matronalis?): watchfulness
EVERLASTING/STRAWFLOWER (Helichrysum): always remembered
FALSE DRAGONHEAD/OBEDIENT PLANT (Physostegia virginiana): bravery
GERANIUM (Geranium sanguineum): confidence
GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus): strength of character
NASTURTIUM (Tropeolum majus): heroism, patriotism
MINT (Mentha): virtue
PHLOX (Phlox, P. maculata, P. sublata): our souls are united
PURPLE COLUMBINE (Aquilegia): resolved to win
RED AND WHITE ROSES (Rosa): unity
ROSE (Rosa): love
SCARLET VERBENA (Verbena): united against evil
SNOWDROP (Galanthus nivalis): hope
RUDBECKIA (Rudbeckia): justice
THISTLE, GLOBE THISTLE (Carduus, Ecinops ritro): independence or
liberty
Herbs:
FENNEL (Foeniculum): strength
PARSLEY (Petroselinum): to win
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis): remembrance
SUMMER SAVORY (Satureia hortensis): success
THYME (Thymus): courage
Trees:
CEDAR (Juniperus, J. virginia): strength
DOGWOOD: durability, duration
FILBERT/HAZEL (Corylus): peace, reconciliation
JUNIPER (Juniper, J. communis): protection
LIVE OAK (Quercus virginiana/virens): liberty
OAK (Quercus): bravery or humanity
OLIVE (Olea, O. Europea): peace
PALM (Palma): victory
WHITE OAK (Quercus alba): honor, independence
WILD PLUM (Prunus): independence
A RED, WHITE, AND BLUE LIBERTY GARDEN
(The following plants are suggestions of common varieties available in
plant and seed catalogs; your local garden center can provide additional
choices.)
RED FLOWERS
Scarlet Verbena: united against evil
"Quartz Burgundy," 2-inch clusters of red blooms on 10 to12-inch plants,
and "Sandy Scarlet," 8 to10-inch plants. These annuals thrive in full
sun and are drought tolerant, blooming mid-summer to frost.
Nasturtium: patriotism or heroism
Red varieties include: "Empress of India" with deep red-orange flowers,
"Double Dwarf Jewel Scarlet," or "Whirlybird Mahogany." As described
above, these 12 to 16-inch plants bloom summer to frost.
Red Strawflower, Phlox, or Gladiolus, described below.
WHITE FLOWERS
White Ageratum, described below.
Strawflower (Everlasting): always remembered
Choose white varieties, either dwarf, 12 to18 inches, or tall, up to 36
inches. This annual is easy to grow and can be sown directly outdoors
for blooms midsummer to fall. To dry, cut the flowers just before the
pollen shows; remove the foliage, and hang head-down in a dark, airy
place.
Gladiolus: strength of character
Choose white varieties such as "Angel Wings" or "Homecoming," white
with blue at the throat, which grow on 36 to 42-inch stalks. Glads also
come in white and nearly blue varieties. Plant these bulbs April
through June at 2-week intervals for continuos summer blooms.
Phlox: our souls are united
"Princess" or "David," 34 to 42-inch plants with large panicles of white
blossoms. They also come in red and nearly blue varieties. Phlox are
grown from root plants; they may need staking and prefer sun and a
well-drained soil.
BLUE FLOWERS
Blue Salvia: wisdom
"Blue Queen," "Blue Streak," "Oxford Blue," or the classic "Victoria"
are 8 to 10-inch plants with blue flower-spikes that bloom until frost.
Sow annual varieties directly outdoors or start indoors for earlier
blooms; they prefer full sun or lightly shaded beds and attract
hummingbirds and butterflies.
Ageratum: politeness
Choose blue or white varieties of this summer-blooming annual. The
mound-shaped plants come in short varieties such as the 10-inch "Blue
Lagoon," or taller plants like the 30-inch "Blue Horizon." White or
Blue "Hawaii" are compact 8-inch plants. They are easy to grow in a
sunny spot in average soil and will attract butterflies.
Nearly Blue Phlox or Gladiolus, described above.
Globe Thistle: independence, liberty
This robust everlasting perennial grows to 5 feet tall with globe-shaped
blue flower heads that bloom summer to early fall. Grow in the sun from
seed, division, or root in well-drained garden soil.
You can find more plants in Susan Loy's new book, Flowers, the Angels' Alphabet. The dictionary contains 1400 plants, including flowers, fruits, herbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees, with their meaning in the Language of Flowers. A corresponding dictionary gives 1500 meanings or sentiments and their associated flower or plant.
| You can order autographed, first edition copies of Flowers, the Angels' Alphabet now at our
secure cart! |
 |
Use the dictionary to:
- choose wedding flowers;
- create flower arrangements, dried flower arrangements, or
tussie-mussies; or
- design other theme gardens such as a memorial garden, a friendship
garden, or meditation garden.
|
You can also order toll-free at 1 (800) 261-6325 M-F 8am-5pm EST.
Our Privacy Policy guarantees a safe and secure transaction!
[TABLE OF CONTENTS] [LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS] [CSLPRESS HOME PAGE]
[BOOK CHAPTER EXCERPTS] [BOOK REVIEWS] [PRESS ROOM RESOURCES]
[USING THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS] [FLOWER HISTORY]
|
