What are the April Birth Flowers? Sweet Pea and Daisy

The two birth flowers for April are the fragrant Sweet Pea and the delightful Daisy which start to flower in late spring (northern hemisphere).

April Birth Flower: Sweet Pea

The first birthday flower of April is the Sweet Pea which naturally occurs with purple flowers and originates from the Mediterranean.

Many cultivars have been produced with blue, white and pink flowers besides the original purple color and Sweet Peas are well known for their lovely fragrance.

The language of flowers introduced in Victorian times says that Sweet Peas symbolize pleasure or gratitude.

The Symbolism and History of Sweet Pea Flowers

By Kathleen Karlsen

Since antiquity, flowers have been associated with symbolic meaning. Historically, entire gardens have been created based on the inner meaning of the flowers. Many florists today provide information on the meanings of flowers to encourage this practice. Charts of flowers and their associated symbolism help modern gardeners and gift-givers to "say it with flowers."

Sweet peas were a sensation in the late 1800s, are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England and are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. They come in over 250 varieties. Annual varieties prefer full sun, regular watering and soil with plenty of humus. Perennial varieties survive in average soils with moderate watering. They are wonderfully fragrant and were originally grown in the fields of Sicily. Most types grow from 1-5' tall, though some may reach 6'.

The language of flowers associates the following meanings with sweet peas: blissful pleasure, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. This flower is often associated with young children and used to decorate blankets, clothing, bibs and other objects for babies. These items are excellent choices for baby showers and gifts for babies.

The most famous and perhaps most important use of this flower was the extensive genetics studies performed by Gregor Mendel. Since they self-pollinate, characteristics such as height, color and petal form can easily be tracked. Mendel's work with these flowers earned him the distinction of being called the Father of Modern Genetics.

Try this flower as a stunning addition to your gardens and or as a cut flower and in corsages and boutonnieres. To encourage their cultivation and ongoing hybridization, many countries have societies, festivals and annual growing contests dedicated to this versatile flower.

Kathleen Karlsen is a mother of five children with a passionate interest in creating a world where children and youth are free to grow in imagination and joy. She has a lifelong interest in metaphysics, psychology, healing and the arts. She manages a multimedia business with her husband Andrew in Bozeman, Montana.

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Meaning of Flowers: Daisies

By Shiroona Lomponi

The name is old English, a charming contraction of 'day's eye', which describes the flower's habit of opening and shutting with the rising and setting of the sun. The same wild daisies (Bellis perennis, or the perennial beauty) were associated with various goddesses of love throughout antiquity. By the fifteenth century they had became known as Amore, or love's flower, and were worn by knights to indicate that their love was returned by their chosen lady. The analogous game of pulling off daisy petals one by one to reveal whether a lover 'loves me' or 'loves me not' probably began much earlier, and games like this, and the making of daisy chains, gradually gave the flowers a stronger affiliation with children and enhanced their association with simplicity. In an odd but natural progression of sorts, the love goddesses were replaced by the Virgin Mary, and the lovers' daisy changed her ways to become purer and more innocent.

Not all types of daisy make long-lasting cut flowers. Leucanthemums (which include ox-eye daisies and Shasta daisies) last well, although their scent often demonstrates why they are also known as dog daisies. Other daisy-like flowers include members of the aster family and feverfews, but be wary if using them symbolically: feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), the herbal cure-all of the ancient world, represents protection but Michaelmas daisies symbolize a farewell. Marguerites are readily available as flowering plants and can be used for very long-lasting displays massed in bowls and watered regularly.

Shiroona loves the study of flowers. Since being a young girl she has taken delight in growing flowers and cultivating orchids. She is from Thailand and lives in Bangkok with her family. As a flower shop owner she is an expert at flower arranging and loves having the opportunity to experiment with less common flower arrangements. She often attends seminars and places where she can learn more about different styles of flower arranging. Her Thailand flower shop is in Bangkok but she often gets flower orders to Chon Buri, which prompted her to make a florist network covering the whole of Thailand which is now nearly complete.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shiroona_Lomponi/910941