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Christmas Bells

I hear the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The word repeat
Of peace on earth
Good-will to men!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

June Birthday Flowers

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June Birth Flower

The rose is the June birthflower. Rose is known as the flower of passion as the ancient Greeks believed that Aphrodite the goddess of love gave a rose to Eros the god of love. Roses have many flower meanings according to their color and number of roses in a bouquet. All roses symbolize love and appreciation though.

No other flower is as recognizable as the rose. No other flower conveys love and passion like the rose either. In Victorian times each flower had its own secret meaning. Red roses meant you love the receiver. Pink roses mean you have not the passion of red, but still have feelings of love. Dark pink roses mean you have gratitude. Light pink roses mean admiration or sympathy. White roses mean innocence, purity, secrecy and friendship. Yellow roses mean dying love or platonic love. In German speaking countries though yellow roses mean jealousy and infidelity. Yellow roses with red tips mean friendship or falling in love. Burgandy roses mean beauty. Blue roses mean mystery. Green roses mean calm. Purple roses mean protection and maternal or paternal love.

Tulips Are My Favorite Flower

Tulip Setup



Tulips have to be my favorite flower, if it is even possible to pick only one! They are so curvaceous and so baroque when they are finally opened to the point of the petals falling off of the stem. I have always been inspired by the Dutch floral painters of the 17th and 18th centuries, and fascinated by the "Tulip mania" that took place at that time. Imagine one tulip bulb more expensive than a house at that time!



Tulip Sketch



I like planting tulips with two varieties that are close in color range; for example: a pink next to a deep magenta. The one color plays off against the other and makes the color "dance" when viewed at a distance. Another nice combination are a striped variety with a solid. In my garden they usually forget-me-knots at their feet. The small blue and pink flowerettes are a nice compliment to the grand stately tulip. I plant a variety of species so that I can extend the blooming (and viewing and painting!) time as long as possible. I'm going to go and collect some now!

Spring Daffodils

"Finally, finally SPRING!



The beginning sketches of Daffodils

 The daffodils are in full bloom in my garden here in Pennsylvania. The bright yellow color is so welcoming.  I love to pick a bouquet of daffies and bring them into the house. It's a sign that the garden season has really started! I took the vase into my studio and enjoyed drawing them and adding the color - yellows, greens and creams.

 

Spring Daffodils



They are  blooming at the same time as the grape hyacinths, primroses, forget-me-knots, and early tulips. The combination of the classic blue and yellow is stunning in the garden, especially when planted "en masse". Many of these different daffodil varieties were gifts from other gardeners. It is a nice reminder of them. It is always fun to share plants." 

March Birthday Flower

March Birthday
Greeting ecards

March: Jonquil
Alternate: Daffodil

The Jonquil is another name for the Daffodil which has the botanic name of Narcissus, however referring to these flowers as Jonquils is normally only done in North America. Technically speaking, the name Jonquil should only refer to the variation called Narcissus jonquilla and cultivars derived directly from that variation.

The traditional Jonquil is a ring of light golden petals with a trumpet shaped center of a darker contrasting shade of gold/yellow. Cultivators have changed the flower for some nurseries giving it several layers of petals, instead of the original one, sometimes making the flower look like a little golden ball.

The Jonquil is used prominently for decorating during the Chinese New Year in both China and festivals celebrating this holiday around the world. The Jonquil, is referred to as the Daffodil in Wales and is considered to be the flower of Wales, where a small area of Tenby grows their own, unique variation. St. David's Day is celebrated in Wales on March 1st and Daffodils are often worn for that holiday.