Mother’s Day Weekend: Say It with Flowers
Posted in Emily Dickinson, Exhibitions, Programs and Events on May 7 2010, by Plant Talk
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Gayle Schmidt is Manager of Public Education. |
It’s not a surprise that the Garden is always busy on Mother’s Day—good children associate beautiful things like flowers with their nurturing mothers. The day gives us an opportunity to share out loud our appreciation for our moms for everything they do and have done each day of our lives.
One of the activities the Garden has planned for the weekend during Emily Dickinson’s Garden: The Poetry of Flowers will help you explore more of the Garden and will allow you to create a card for Mom that says something special—in words and in flowers!
In Emily Dickinson’s day, a popular pastime was to make a tussie-mussie based on the period’s language of flowers— each flower representing a different meaning. Many books were sold as guides so that one could learn, for instance, what a secret admirer bearing flowers thought.
Depending on which book you read—the same flower could have a different meaning in each—an auricula primrose could convey “elegance.” (By the way, be sure to visit the Auricula Theater in the Luce Herb Garden this weekend as well.) The daisy meant “unconscious beauty” and the dandelion was “smiling on all.” Broom corn meant what you might expect—that the recipient was industrious. Not all plants spoke positively—balsam meant “do not approach me” and oleander suggested “beware!”
Around the Garden this weekend you’ll find different stations at which you can collect pressed flowers to paste on a card into your own tussie-mussie. Collect them all to make a beautiful, meaningful gift for your mom!
While you are exploring, be sure to stop in at the Antique Garden Furniture Show and Sale behind the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where you will find many treasures to bring home. These unique pieces have been loved by many throughout their lifetime and can’t be found in a store. From small pieces to large ornament, there is something to add character to everyone’s garden. Keep Mom in mind as you browse.
If the Garden and I could offer you one flower—a sweet pea it would be, saying thanks for a lovely time!
we thoroughly enjoy the garden and the emily dickinson display is a delight not to be missed. the addition of the poetry is wonderful. we mentioned the show with some photos recently on our blog and sweet peas are a favorite flower.