FLOWERS THAT 'SAY (NOT JUST 'SHOW') THANKFULNESS

Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday is October)is quickly approaching , with American Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) following not too far behind.

These are the times when we gather with family and friends to acknowledge all we are thankful for in our lives. 

This is also the perfect time to practice the new language you are learning - the language of flowers. 

If you are a guest at someone’s home this year, or you just want to show gratitude to someone for something, here are some of my top suggestions of how you can do this: 

Hostess gift: 

• Anthurium - Hospitality: While anthuriums may not be available as a fresh cut flower where you live at this time of year, you could stop by your local florist or nursery and choose an anthurium plant.

• Sweet pea - Thank you for a lovely time: Again, sweet peas will probably not be available as a cut flower at this time of year, but you can find lovely sweet pea scented soaps that would be a beautiful way to thank your hostess.

Gratitude gift:

• Lisianthus - Appreciation/gratitude, Pink Carnations - gratitude, and Dark Pink Roses - gratitude/thankfulness, should all be readily available during October and November. Either pick one of the flowers or make a mixed bouquet of all three.

And remember - include a little note with your gift that says what the meaning of the flowers are so the recipient understands the language you are speaking. 

*In addition to the above suggestions a copy of A BOUQUET OF WORDS would make a great gift on its own, or in addition with one of the above.

BACK TO SCHOOL - TIME TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW

September always seems like the beginning of the new year to me.

Years spent going to school myself, working as a teacher, and having three children go through the school system, seemed to ingrain in me that ‘September’ not January is the beginning of the year.

Back to school shopping, thinking of ‘noon’ as lunch time, and stopping what I am doing at 3:00 to move on to the next thing, are all habits that I find near impossible to break. 

So in the spirit of back to school time being the beginning of a new year, why not embrace learning something new. 

And why not make that ‘something new’ be learning a new language - the language of flowers. 

The language of flowers - using flowers to create and send messages - is something you can learn, and then apply to make your gifts more personal, your events more memorable, and your gardens more meaningful.

To start you off, here are three flowers that are readily available all year long, with their meanings and a suggestion of when to use it:

1 Anthurium - Hospitality: Give cut flowers or a plant as a hostess gift

2 Chamomile - Energy in adversity: Give a bouquet or a pack of tea to someone going through a difficult time

3 Gerbera - Cheerfulness: A ‘just because’ gift to a friend on a grey, rainy, day

f you would like to learn more about the language of flowers you will find my book:

 A BOUQUET OF WORDS Express Yourself Through the Language of Flowers  a useful reference.

You can also follow along with me on Instagram (@marykelava) as I share new information several times throughout the week