Vegetation have lengthy been related with love, romance, and companionship. Winter could be dreary, so rekindle that botanical spark this Valentine’s Day by studying about a couple of crops that evoke love with their names, kinds, or symbolism.
Vegetation that seem like hearts
Often known as “cordate” in botanical nomenclature, heart-shaped leaves or flowers are fairly frequent within the plant world.
Bleeding Coronary heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
This shade-loving, herbaceous perennial has simply recognizable spring flowers. The drooping cluster of heart-shaped blooms usually are available pink and salmon tones, however white kinds are additionally obtainable.
Coronary heart-leafed Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Most frequently grown as a houseplant, this plant’s vining or trailing stems could be educated on a trellis. You may also allowed it to cascade down a shelf or over the sting of a dangling basket.
Flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum)
This tropical plant is usually utilized in interiorscaping, however it may possibly additionally make a superb houseplant. They do greatest with vivid, oblique mild, excessive humidity, and well-draining potting soil. The blooms are made up of a big waxy, heart-shaped leaf (usually purple or pink) and a white or yellow, upright cluster of small flowers.
Vegetation with love of their identify
Although frequent names will not be utilized by botanists, these specific crops have beautiful names price studying about.
Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena)
A captivating annual within the buttercup household that options solitary, blue flowers (white and pink kinds are additionally obtainable) nestled amongst lacy, finely-dissected leaves, making a misty look. Straightforward to develop from seed, and can likewise simply self-seed in your backyard.
Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
The genus identify Eragrostis comes from the Greek eros which means “love” and agrostis which means “grass”. Sadly, the precise purpose behind why this identify was used has been misplaced to time. This specific perennial species of lovegrass is native to Missouri and includes a showy show of cloud-like, reddish-purple blooms from late summer season into fall.
Cupid’s Dart (Catananche caerulea)
Although it technically doesn’t have the phrase “love” in its identify, this plant was supposedly utilized by the traditional Greeks as the primary ingredient of a love potion, therefore the frequent identify Cupid’s dart. It’s a short-lived perennial native to the Mediterranean that options lavender-blue blooms held on wiry stems above clumps of slim, grass-like gray-green leaves.
Flowers that symbolized love within the Victorian Period
Often known as the “language of flowers” or “floriography”, the concept that sure flowers or crops might convey specific feelings was common throughout the Victorian Period.
Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla)
This plant is alleged to represent a need for the return of affection. Native to the Iberian Peninsula, this small, late-flowering species daffodil has been cultivated extensively for its showy flowers and excessive focus of narcissus oil, a key ingredient in lots of perfumes.
Do you know? The Genus Narcissus honors a phenomenal youth from Greek mythology who turned so entranced together with his personal reflection that he pined away and the gods turned him into this flower.
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Symbolic of affection and devotion, this plant had a selected affiliation with marriage and weddings, because it was included within the bridal bouquet of Queen Victoria’s daughter (additionally named Victoria).
English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
This bulbous perennial symbolizes faithfulness, kindness, and lasting love. The aromatic, pendant blooms of English bluebells are usually blue, although white and pink kinds are additionally obtainable.
Justine Kandra | Horticulturalist