Floral Healing Therapy - an Interview

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I believe flowers make life happier and healthier. They truly have a positive impact on our mental, physical and emotional well-being. So you can imagine how excited I was a couple of weeks ago when I came across a little six-minute YouTube video called ‘I tried Floral Healing Therapy for my anxiety’.  Let me introduce you to Heather.

Heather has a business in Portland, Oregon, called ‘Floral Healing Therapy’. I reached out to her and asked if she’d be willing to answer a few questions about what she does, and she was kind enough to agree.

Hi Heather. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, letting us get to know you and your practice better.

How long have you been practicing Floral Healing Therapy?

I opened my private practice in April 2019. My love for flowers started early on and I’ve been a therapist for over 5 years.

Why do you think flowers are important for our mental well-being?

Flowers have a way of connecting us to the present moment. If we slow down and engage with flowers in a mindful way, meaning really paying attention to the qualities of each flower and how they come together as a whole, we can come up with creative solutions to our problems. Being around flowers improves our mood.

How do you incorporate flowers into your therapy work?

I bring fresh flowers to the sessions and the client arranges them. I encourage the client to do so slowly and to allow their feelings to arise naturally. After they’ve completed their arrangement, we talk about the flowers and the process. Flowers are full of good metaphors for life. We then end with a guided Floral Healing Meditation.

What type of reaction do you get from people experiencing your Floral Healing Therapy for the first time?

People are pleasantly surprised with how their arrangements turn out! A lot of people have beliefs about their creativity and in our culture, we often don’t try something in front of other people unless we know we will succeed. Floral Healing Therapy clients take a risk and they find that the process is empowering. Taking the arrangement home serves as a reminder of the progress they are making.

For those who don’t live in the Portland area, do you offer online sessions, and if you do, how do those work?

I offer video Floral Healing Meditation sessions for people who don’t live in the area where you bring some flowers for a guided meditation. I offer video Floral Healing Therapy to clients in Oregon and Washington, since I’m a licensed therapist in those states. FHT video sessions involve bringing flowers and arranging them during the session while talking through stressors and successes.

What plans do you have for the future with your Floral Healing Therapy practice?

My practice is ever-evolving. Since it’s a therapeutic modality I am creating from scratch, I want to design it for people who have a special connection to nature and flowers. Once we can gather in person again, I will be offering community meditations and flower mandala events. I want to offer training and certification in FHT so as many people can benefit from therapy and flowers as possible.

Here’s a tough question – what’s your favourite flower?

Foxglove! After I meditated for the first time, I stared into a foxglove and it’s been my favorite flower ever since.

Thank you so much, Heather. I’ve learned so much about you and how your Floral Healing Therapy works. I’m very excited to see where you take this in the future and when I next come to Portland, a session with you is at the top of my list for things to do!

Thanks for having me Mary!

I really appreciate Heather taking the time to answer these questions. If you’re interested in her practice you can find more information on her website or follow her on instagram @floralhealingtherapy .

Flowers and Honey

One fun way in which flowers make life better is through honey.

By now you realize that I love all things related to flowers – and that includes honey. In fact, I’m starting to get obsessed with it! I’m still at the beginning of my learning journey about ‘all things honey’, but I definitely already have some interesting information to share with you.

What exactly is honey? Honey is made from the nectar of flowers that are collected by honeybees. There are many different varieties of flower honey available – in fact over 300 types! The colour, flavour and sweetness level varies depending on what type of flower the nectar comes from.

Today I’m going to focus on two types of honey - ‘clover’ and ‘wildflower’. But before I do that, let me just briefly talk about the importance of buying local honey.

As you probably already know, the global bee population has drastically reduced over the past few years due to a wide range of factors. In general, the benefits of buying local honey are the following:

•  Bee farmers are committed to their bees, making sure they are cared for in a healthy environment. That helps the species thrive. 

• Having bees around to pollinate local crops benefits all agriculture in the area. Without pollination, crops don’t grow.

• Having bees locally helps the environment.  Once the honey is produced, if it doesn’t have to travel far to get to you, and therefore the carbon footprint is reduced and energy is saved.

• When buying local honey, you support your local economy; and that’s a cycle that we want to keep going.

These are all excellent reasons to buy local. Now, on to comparing clover and wildflower honey:

Clover honey: Clover honey is a ‘monofloral’ or ‘uni-floral’ honey, which means the nectar is predominately collected from one type of flower - in this case, clover. Clover honey is by far the most common type of honey. It’s light-coloured, mildly floral, and sweet. As the taste is clean and clear, with no bitterness, it doesn’t overpower anything it’s paired with. 

Wildflower honey: Wildflower honey tends to be darker in colour and stronger in taste than clover honey. I find wildflower honey very exciting because bees have collected the nectar from a multitude of local wildflowers so there are multiple ways it can taste. The types of flowers the bees visit could include poppies, forget-me-nots, marigolds, asters, lavender, dandelions, and cornflower. As you can imagine, the taste and colour vary depending on the mix of flowers the bees visit. Time of year is also a variable, and honey from a certain period in one year can taste very different from the same period the next year. 

Right now, I’m buying small jars of honey from different local farms so I can taste many different types. So far, there hasn’t been one I don’t like, although my favourite is from a very small place about an hour from where I live. Making honey is a hobby for this beekeeper rather than a business. Each season he fills up jars of honey, puts them at the end of his driveway and for $5.00 you take a jar home of the most flavourful honey you have ever tried. I literally end up eating it by the spoonful!

I’m going to keep up my research on honey over the summer months. I think this will be a fun little project for me and I look forward to sharing all that I learn with you. In the meantime, if you have a favourite honey, please let me know, and if it’s available to me, I will try it.

Top tip: Often when you go on a trip you bring gifts home for friends and family, or a souvenir for yourself. I’d like to suggest you bring home a jar of honey from the place you’re visiting. This supports the economy of the place you chose to visit and is a great way to say “thank you”, to the area that hosted you.

Purple Flowers

Having flowers in your environment enhances your surroundings. The colour of the flowers you choose plays a big role in what mood you create and what emotions you evoke. It’s time to explore the effect purple flowers can have on your day.

Purple is one of the most popular colour choices for flowers. Its shades range from pale mauve, to vibrant violet, to deep wine.

When you think of paler shades of purple flowers, think of lavender, lilac and heather. They ‘re calm and soothing, symbolizing charm, grace and elegance.

The darker shades of purple have always been tied to royalty and ceremony, symbolizing dignity, pride and success. They also create a feeling of mystery and enchantment.

Let’s take a look at purple flowers throughout the seasons:

Winter: One of the first pops of floral colour in winter is when the crocus bursts through the cold, icy ground, a bright little spot in an otherwise grey environment. But crocus aren’t the only purple flowers you can find at this time of year. Waxflower, with their tiny purple blooms on long stems, are great as a filler in an arrangement or in a big vase just on their own. You can also turn to flowering houseplants and get a splash of purple from cyclamens with their stacked layers of petals, or with that old stand-by, the African violet.

Spring: Spring arrives and purple flowers start to arrive in abundance. The deep purple anemone is a good representative for this season as it’s meaning is anticipation – and aren’t we all waiting for days to get longer and warmer! Verbena, campanula, hyacinth, columbine, and lilac are just a few varieties you’ll find.

Summer: This is when purple flowers arrive in abundance. Lavender, sweet peas, allium, foxglove, gladiola, lupines, lisianthus, hydrangea, morning glory, hollyhock, zinnia … the list goes on and on. You’ll be spoiled for choice.

Fall: As the days get shorter and colder, don’t despair. You can still find purple flowers to add a little bright spot to your day. Asters, cosmos and pansies are especially beautiful. Put a vase in the centre of your table to be seen by all who enter your home.

Throughout the year keep your eye open for what’s in season in your area, and make the most of their purple beauty both inside and outside your home.

PS: My favourite purple flowers are lilacs, lavender, and sweet peas. What are yours?

Larkspur - July's Flower

Every month has a specific flower assigned to it – it’s ‘birth month flower’. The flower for the month of July is larkspur.

Larkspur may not be one of the most familiar flowers, but never the less, it is the flower for the month of July. For me, larkspur is quite fitting for July, as it represents the strong bonds of love and I have two daughters who were born in this month; it’s a wonderful symbol for the feelings I have.

Larkspur is a tall, linear flower hosting dozen of little blooms along its strong stem. Even though it’s capable of growing up to eight feet, it still has levity and lightness to it. Larkspur has a crisp, refreshing fragrance and comes in hues of pink, purple, blue, and white. 

While in general, it’s meaning in the language of flowers is ‘an open heart’, the symbolism changes with the colour of the blossom. Pink symbolizes contrariness, purple strong bonds of love, blue dignity and grace, and white a happy nature. It’s interesting to note that all the colours have positive meanings except for pink. I wonder why?

As with all flowers, the best time to buy larkspur is when they are locally in season. They generally bloom from early spring into late fall. They make a beautiful display just on their own, or as a part of a mixed bouquet. The key to displaying them is to use a tall vase. I prefer one with a wider mouth so the larkspur has space to spread out allowing you to see the florets lower down on each stem.

Something I just recently learned is larkspur is a great flower to dry. Hang them upside down in a warm, dry room for a couple of weeks and they’re ready for you to use as a more permanent display.

Top tip:  The best time to cut larkspur for drying is when the blossoms are open about halfway up the spike and before any petals have started to drop off.

Lovely Lavender

Lavender – the magical herb. Loved by bees, butterflies and humans. It’s fragrant, calming and surprisingly versatile in the culinary world. 

Lavender has one of the most recognized floral fragrances. It’s mild, mellow, and sweet with herbal undertones, used in everything from perfumes, to sleeping aids, to cleaning supplies. I use a lot of lavender products. In fact, I have a whole ‘layers of lavender’ routine I use every evening before I go to bed. It’s definitely a favourite of mine.

Scientists are conducting ongoing research about the benefits of lavender.  Right now those studies include lavender’s effect on learning and memory, sleep and insomnia, anxiety and depression, and an assortment of aches and pains. 

Along with all the potential ways lavender can help make life healthier, there are also ways to use it to make life more beautiful. Here are some simple, creative ways to use lavender to enhance your home:

• Create a relaxing atmosphere by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to your diffuser. The soothing fragrance will slow down your heartbeat and relax your muscles, easing stress. 

• Having a glass of prosecco or a gin and tonic? Add a fresh sprig of lavender to your glass to make your drink festive and extra tasty.

• When it’s time to vacuum, sprinkle some dried lavender buds down first to add a fresh fragrance to your carpet.

• Make a wreath of dried lavender for your front door. You’ll be uplifted by it’s beauty and fragrance every time you enter or leave your home.

• Tie a bunch of lavender and eucalyptus together and hang it in your bathroom where it won’t get wet, but the hot steam will reach it. The scent wafting around will be so relaxing you’ll think you’re at the spa!

•  For an easy, eye-catching centerpiece, take several small vases and put a few stems of fresh or dried lavender in each one and then randomly place them around your table.

And just for fun, here are some interesting facts about lavender:

•  Most lavender comes in shades of purple or blue, but there are some varieties that are pink or yellow.

•  In the language of flowers, the meaning for lavender is devotion.

•  Nectar from lavender makes a delicious honey.

• Lavender comes from the same family as mint

•  The name lavender comes from the Latin verb, ‘lavare’, which means ‘to wash’.

What are your favourite ways to use lavender? In the upcoming weeks I look forward to sharing some lavender recipes with you. 

Roses- Part 2

Every month has a specific flower assigned to it – it’s ‘birth month flower’. The flower for the month of June is the rose.

This is part two of “Getting to Know Roses”. Part 1 looked at how roses get their names and their meanings in the language of flowers. Now we’re going to compare ‘standard’ roses to ‘garden’ roses, and I’ll share tips and tricks on how to buy and care for them.

When buying roses as a cut flower, there is a world of difference between ‘standard’ roses and ‘garden’ roses.

 Standard roses: Standard roses are probably what you will find when you go to buy flowers at the grocery store, corner shop and even your local florist. They have one stem per bloom and their petals are almost a pointed shape that rotate around a tight center. They don’t open up a great amount and they likely have no – or very little – fragrance, but they do come in a wide range of colours.

Most rose farms in the world grow standard roses because they’re able to get many blooms per acre planted. These types of roses are a staple in any florists cooler as they have a long vase life (up to two weeks) and are reasonably priced. 

Garden roses: Garden roses are what you imagine when you think of a traditional rose. They have dense layers of petals around a rosette center and waft an unbelievably nostalgic fragrance. Their beauty is undeniable and their romantic nature makes them a very popular choice for weddings and events. There are fewer farms that grow garden roses, and those plants tend to be less productive, yielding blooms that only have a 5-7 day vase life. The difficulty in producing this delicate bloom, combined with the high demand for them, makes them more expensive than standard roses. 

Buying and caring for roses:

There are an endless variety of roses. They make wonderful gifts, are perfect decoration for a special occasion and enhance the beauty of any surrounding. 

When you’re going to purchase some roses – either standard or garden – there are some things you should know to ensure you get the healthiest product available and get the longest possible vase life from your purchase. Here’s what you need to know:

1 – The first thing you should do is ask the florist or shop owner when they received the flowers. This will give you a good indication of their freshness. The more days they’ve been in the shop, the fewer days they’ll be in your vase.

2 – There’s something called a ‘bullet rose’. These are roses with the petals so tight together that they’ll never open. To make sure it’s not a bullet rose, check the petals at the top of the flower and make sure they are a little bit loose.

3 – Make sure the petals aren’t ‘too loose’. If the rose is fully open, it’s not going to last much longer. 

4 – Check there are no brown spots on the petals. If there are, give them a miss as this means they were either unhealthy to begin with, or are dying rapidly. 

Now you have your roses, here are some tips on how to care for them:

1 – When you get them home remove all the leaves that will be below the water line once you put them in a vase. Leaves will add bacteria to the water causing them to perish quicker.

2 – Re-cut the stems at an angle and place them directly in a vase filled with fresh clean water.

3 – Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight, heat sources, and drafts. 

4 – Every 2-3 days, re-cut the stems and put in fresh water. 

5 – If you put garden roses in warm water it will help the rosebuds to open. 

If you shop knowledgeably for roses and put a little bit of time and effort into caring for them, you’ll be able to enjoy them day, after day, after day. 

We already know that the rose is the birth month flower for June. Here are some other fun facts:

• It is the national flower for the UK and the USA.

• It is the official state flower for New York, North Dakota, and Georgia.

• There are over a hundred species of roses.

• A ‘Black Rose’ is not actually black but a dark red.

• Roses are edible. Just make sure no chemicals or pesticides have been used on them.

And in finishing, I share with you again one of my all-time favourite quotes to reflect on:

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln 

How Does a Rose Get its Name?

Every month has a specific flower assigned to it – it’s ‘birth month flower’. The flower for the month of June is the rose.

The world has a love affair with roses. Their beauty mesmerizes us. Their shapes - classic, spray, garden, ruffled, sweetheart; their colours - reds, oranges, yellows, greens, purples, pinks, white; their meanings - love, friendship, joy, admiration, enthusiasm, adoration (all those beautiful positive feelings); and their fragrances - sweet, spicy, musky, fruity, fresh and intoxicating. Roses are truly the Queen of all flowers! 

Let’s get to know roses a little better. In fact, I’m going to make this a two-part blog post! This first part will look at how roses are named, along with their meanings in the language of flowers. The second part will compare ‘garden’ roses to ‘standard’ roses, and I’ll share tips and tricks on how to buy and care for them.

How roses get their names:

Bella Rosa, Coral Seas, Golden Angel, Lovely Lady, Tranquility –the names for roses are diverse, descriptive, imaginative, and just plain fun to learn. I was thrilled to find out there is a ‘Mary Rose’, and not only is it a lovely shade of pink (my favourite colour), but it’s a garden rose full of loose petals with a delicious fragrance. What could be better than that!

So where do roses get their names? The simple answer - the breeder gets to name the rose. Historically the breeder chose a name that described the flower’s heritage, or named them after family members. That evolved to using the names of royalty and then famous people. In today’s world, the name of the rose is quite important, as marketers want a name that is memorable and will sell. 

Are you wondering if you can name a rose? Well, you can, but that’s actually a very expensive process. However, for a more reasonable price, what you can do is name a single rose bush. What a great gift for a loved one! There are places in Canada and the UK where you can inquire about this.

Rose meanings in the language of flowers:

Now let’s move onto the meanings of the different colours of roses in the language of flowers.  While it’s universally known that the red rose symbolizes love, the meanings of the other colours are not as well known . Here’s a list:

• Pink (dark): Gratitude

• Pink (light): Admiration and joy

• Orange: Enthusiasm

• Yellow: Friendship

• Green: Rejuvenation 

• Purple: Enchantment

• White: Innocence

Using the colour and meaning of the roses together is a great way to customize a gift for a friend or loved one.

Coming up next, all about garden roses, standard roses and tips and tricks on how to care for them.

If there’s anything in particular you would like to know, put it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you.

Flowers - an Inspiration for Writers

Over the years I’ve gathered quite a collection of books, poems, quotes and song lyrics that reference flowers. It seems flowers, with their simple beauty, memorable fragrance, and vibrant colours, are a rich source of inspiration for creative minds. Previously I shared three favourite quotes from my collection with you. Today I’m sharing three more.

This selection comes from diverse sources. The first is Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States; the second is from Aaron Neville, an American musician; and the third is credited to Zen Shin. Zen Shin is not a person but a book, (full name Zen Shin Talks), a collection of short talks given by a Japanese monk.

When you read each quote and think about what it says, you’ll see no matter who wrote them, or when they were written, there’s something to connect with - something that makes them relevant today.

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“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”  - Abraham Lincoln

“Be honest, be nice, be a flower not a weed.” – Aaron Neville

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” – Zen Shin

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Which quote speaks to you?

Flowers from a Florist

When you find yourself in need of flowers, there’s no shortage of options for where to find them. Your local florist, flower farms, farmer’s markets, grocery stores, corner shops and of course your own garden. All of them (yes, even the corner shop!) have their benefits. In the upcoming weeks we’ll look at each one separately. Today’s focus is your local florist.

The first thing to do is find a good quality florist in your neighbourhood. You’ll know they’re good if their shelves are constantly being refilled with a variety of fresh product, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Once you’ve found one, pop on in and start getting to know the staff. This is what a florist can offer you:

Expertly cared for flowers: As soon as a florist receives flowers in their shop, they condition them so they’re in tip-top shape. This is a skill they’ve learned as not all flowers are treated the same way. This also takes time. By the time you receive the flowers the conditioning has already been done which means you don’t have to do it.

Help make a decision: If you’re not sure what flowers you want to buy, your florist can give recommendations. They’ll know what’s in season, how to style them, and can work within your budget.

Share their knowledge: It’s part of a florist’s job to educate their customers so they have success with their purchase. They know all the tips and tricks to keep your flowers looking as fresh as possible for as long as possible and will share them with you.

Offer local product: Your florist will have an abundance of local, seasonal product. Nothing is better than getting the best and freshest flowers available.

Answer questions: Florists are a great resource if you have a flower-related question. If they don’t already know the answer, they’ll know where to find it. 

Create a relationship: If you have an ongoing relationship with your florist, they’ll get to know you and be able to contact you when your favourite flowers arrive in the store, or remind you when there’s important events in your life when you’ll want to make a purchase. 

Take care of delivery: Florists are able to arrange for local delivery. If you want to send something to a location further from home, they’ll be able to assist you with a local florist in that area.

Create skillful arrangements: A florist will be able to take your vision and recreate it. Or if you don’t know what you want, they can create something unique just for you.  

Source speciality items:  If you have a special flower you’d like but it’s not local, a florist should be able to source it for you. 

Give loyal service: Florists want to create loyal customer relationships. Their biggest means of marketing is by word-of-mouth so if you’re happy with their service, you’ll tell your family and friends, creating new customers for them.

Those who work as a florist have long hours and work on all the big ‘flower’ holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas, missing time with their own family and friends. But they do this because they truly love flowers and want to share that passion with you. Next time you’re out for a walk and go past that little shop with the beautiful, fresh, window display that you always admire, how about popping in and making a purchase? It could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

Edible Candied Flowers

Edible flower decorations – what a treat! These candied flowers have such a dramatic impact on desserts, it’s hard to believe they’re so simple to make.

The first thing to do before trying your hand at making these, is to check you’re using edible flowers. If you’re not sure, you can read my Top 3 Rules for Using Edible Flowers here. 

Once you’re certain your flowers are safe to use you’re ready to begin. Throughout this recipe I have highlighted some helpful tips for you.

Ingredients:

- edible flowers; about 50 small flowers or petals
- 1 large egg white (you may use pasteurized egg whites if you wish)
- 2 cups fine sugar 

You’ll also need a small soft bristled paintbrush and a pair of tweezers

Directions:

1. Gently wash and pat dry your edible flowers. Set aside.

Large or thick flowers won’t work for this, as they won’t dry completely. Choose dainty flowers like primroses, violas, pansies or borage, or just the petals of larger flowers like roses.

2. Place the egg white in a small bowl and whisk until frothy. Add a drop or two of water if it needs to be smoothed out.

Egg whites are necessary to this recipe, so if consuming raw eggs is a concern, use a pasteurized egg white.

3. Pour sugar into a shallow bowl.

Don’t worry about an exact measure of sugar. Try two cups but adjust amount as needed. Use the finest sugar you can find. Don’t use regular or powdered/icing sugar.

4. Gently pick up one edible flower with your tweezers. Use your paintbrush to softly paint a light coating of egg white on the underside of the flower. Still holding with the tweezers, turn the flower over and paint the top side. Make sure to coat all surfaces.

Work with one flower at a time. Complete the whole egg/sugar process before moving on to the next flower.

5. Sprinkle the top and bottom of the flower with sugar. Tap gently to remove any excess.

If the sugar is absorbed after a few minutes then sprinkle again.

6. Place on a parchment paper covered baking sheet to dry.

7. Repeat process with each flower. 

8. Let all the flowers dry at room temperature. This could take 12-36 hours. Flowers are completely dry when stiff and brittle to the touch.

Always double check the thickest part of your flower to make sure no moisture is left.

Your edible, crystallized, candied flowers and petals are now ready to use! What will you decorate?

If you’re not using any of your candied flowers right away, store them in airtight containers in single layers. Keep them at room temperature in a cool, dry place. They can be stored for up to a year.

Floral Perfumes

Without a doubt spring and summer are the best time of year for fragrant flowers. They fill the air with sweet and spicy notes, bringing another layer of beauty into the world. One way to extend that beauty into the rest of the year is with perfume. Wearing perfumes with the scent of roses, jasmine, lily of the valley and peonies will lift your spirits even during the darkest of winter days. One little spritz will transport you back to warm days filled with sunshine.

I wear perfume every day, but I don’t have a ‘signature fragrance’. I’ve enjoyed so many of the ones I’ve tried over the years, but I still love trying new ones. Right now I have two I am using and they both happen to be from Jo Malone.

First - Wild Bluebell Cologne. This fragrance is light and fresh and makes you imagine walking through a woodland carpeted with wild flowers. The top note is bluebell, balanced out with lily of the valley and persimmon. I like to wear this one during the day. 

Second - Red Rose Cologne. I first experienced this fragrance as a candle I received as a Christmas gift and fell in love with it. Shortly into the new year I was travelling to England and decided I would treat myself by going to the Jo Malone flagship store in London to buy it as a perfume. This scent is created with seven varieties of exquisite roses, crushed violet leaves and a hint of lemon. It’s clear, sophisticated and rich, perfect for a celebration or special evening out on the town.

With perfume, as with other things in life, it’s great to have your favourite, but don’t let that limit you - keep experimenting and trying new things. There’s a whole world of floral fragrances to discover!

(If you have a floral perfume that you love, please share with us in the comment section. I’d love to know.)

Five Facts About Lily of the Valley

Every month has a specific flower assigned to it – it’s ‘birth month flower’.

 There’s one flower that truly represents the month of May - lily of the valley.  Where I live in Vancouver, at this time of year, lily of the valley is just starting to pop up in people’s gardens. It’s small and sweet and when I’m out for a walk and spot it, I feel as though I’ve come across a little treasure.

Here are five fun facts about this dainty, delicate, fragrant bloom:

1 – Lily of the valley isn’t actually part of the lily family, but part of the asparagus family;

2 – Lily of the valley is the birth month flower for May, the flower for second wedding anniversaries, and the national flower for Finland;

3 – In the language of flowers lily of the valley’s meaning is ‘return to happiness’. They’re also said to bring ‘luck in love’, making them a very popular flower choice for wedding bouquets;

4 – On May 1st, the French give small bunches of lily of the valley to family and friends to symbolize good luck;

5 – Lily of the valley has a delicate, spring-like scent that is fresh and clear. If it’s distinct fragrance is something you just can’t do without, you’re in luck - many perfumes use this scent. Two to try: ‘Lily of the Valley and Ivy, ‘ by Jo Malone, and ‘Lily of the Valley’, by Penhaligon.