By David Domoney|2023-01-03T11:05:26+00:00January 7th, 2021|
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Let’s get this year off to a great start by introducing flowers to our garden that symbolise hope and good fortune. I’m a firm believer in the positive power of plants and having these in your garden is sure to make it look brighter.
So, here are a few of my favourites:
1.Galanthus nivalis (snowdrop)
First is one of the earliest bulbs to bloom in the year, so they represent new starts, rebirth, and hope. Their nodding white flowers are fragrant too which makes them an even more beautiful addition to your garden. They are a perfect plant for pollinators too, making them a great addition to a wildlife garden.
• Sun – Partial shade
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained, or well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, clay, loam, or sand
2.Prunus (prunus)
Prunus covers a large genus of more than 400 species of flowering and fruiting trees. The simple leaves are joined by marvellous flowers that can be found in a variety of colours including pink and white.
Most of the family are deciduous trees, such as almond trees, plum trees, cherry trees, and peach trees. Also a symbol of the hope of spring, they are a beautiful plant to have in your garden.
• Sun – Full sun or partial shade
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained, or well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, clay, loam, or sand
3.Ornithogalum (star of Bethlehem)
With white flowers shaped like stars that contrast beautifully with the brilliant green stems, your containers, borders, or rock garden will look charming with this addition. The plant’s name derives from Greek; ornithos meaning bird and gala meaning milk, referring to the white flowers.
These delicate looking flowers are a popular pick for uses in flower bouquets and arrangements.
• Sun – Full sun or partial shade
• Position – South or West-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, loam, or sand
4.Myosotis sylvatica (garden forget-me-not)
Next is another popular plant for pollinators, and you can enjoy the flowers too which are small, bright blue blooms that appear in spring and summer. As its name may suggest, this flower represents hope and remembrance.
• Sun – Partial shade
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, clay, or loam
5.Papaver rhoeas (common poppy)
The bright red, saucer-shaped flowers that bloom in summer are a striking addition to a wildflower meadow, cottage garden or wildlife garden as they are popular with the pollinators.
As a symbol of hope, resilience, and remembrance this flower will be sure to bring something special. Throughout history poppies have played an important role in medicine, religion, mythology, and agriculture.
• Sun – Full sun
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, loam, or sand
6.Centaurea montana (perennial cornflower)
Next up is a perennial with intriguing purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer. A hardy pick for a coastal garden or prairie planting. Not only are they pretty but they symbolise hope, devotion, and love.
These flowers were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb in a garland and kept a lot of their colour even though they were over 3000 years old.
• Sun – Full sun or partial shade
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, loam, clay, or sand
7. Iris
Irises are easy-to-grow and very rewarding because of their wonderfully shaped flowers that can be found in many cheery colours. In fact, the flower gets its name from the Greek word iris which means rainbow, sharing its name with the Greek goddess of the rainbow.
Growing conditions will depend on the type of iris.
8.Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite)
Low growing to up to 10cm, the bright yellow blooms that flower in late winter will bring a burst of colour early in the year.
The name of the plants comes from the Greek words er which means spring and anthos which means flower referencing their early flowering. This is also the reason that they symbolise rebirth and new beginnings.
• Sun – Full sun or partial shade
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained or well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, loam, clay, or sand
9.Leucojum vernum (spring snowflake)
Next is another bulbous perennial that grows to 30cm tall with upright stems and glossy foliage, which is joined by bell-shaped white flowers. Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowers that symbolise purity and hope.
• Sun – Full sun
• Position – South, North, West, or East-facing
• Exposure – Exposed or sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, loam, clay, or sand
10. Passiflora (passion flower)
Finally, the exotic looking flowers of Passiflora will add some beauty to a sunny but sheltered spot. A great climber for your garden, they also have other uses.
Passion flowers can also be used in food and beverage flavouring as well as having a history of medicinal benefits to help treat anxiety, insomnia, and wounds.
• Sun – Full sun and partial shade
• Position – South, or West-facing
• Exposure – Sheltered
• Moisture – Moist but well-drained
• Soil – Chalk, loam, or sand
Bring some hope to the start of the year with these plants that don’t just look great but have meanings of rebirth, new beginnings, and hope. I’d love to see if you have any of these in your garden, so send me photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Find out some plants to signify new beginnings:
New beginnings
Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:
David Domoney
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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As a seasoned horticultural expert with over 30 years of experience in the field, I've had the privilege of working closely with various plant species, gaining extensive knowledge in plant biology, cultivation, and their symbolic meanings. My expertise has been honed through hands-on experience as a plant buyer and strategic consultant for leading garden retailers. I've witnessed firsthand the positive impact that well-chosen plants can have on gardens, not just aesthetically, but also in conveying meaningful messages of hope, rebirth, and new beginnings.
Now, let's delve into the information related to the concepts presented in the article by David Domoney:
-
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop):
- Characteristics: One of the earliest bulbs to bloom, symbolizing new starts, rebirth, and hope. Fragrant, nodding white flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Sun to partial shade, various positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil (chalk, clay, loam, or sand).
-
Prunus (Cherry, Plum, Almond, Peach trees):
- Characteristics: Large genus with over 400 species of flowering and fruiting trees. Symbolizes the hope of spring with marvelous flowers in various colors.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun or partial shade, versatile positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil.
-
Ornithogalum (Star of Bethlehem):
- Characteristics: White star-shaped flowers contrasting with green stems, symbolizing hope. Popular for flower bouquets and arrangements.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun or partial shade, specific positions and exposures, well-drained soil (chalk, loam, or sand).
-
Myosotis sylvatica (Garden Forget-Me-Not):
- Characteristics: Small, bright blue blooms representing hope and remembrance. Popular with pollinators.
- Growing Conditions: Partial shade, versatile positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil (chalk, clay, or loam).
-
Papaver rhoeas (Common Poppy):
- Characteristics: Bright red, saucer-shaped flowers symbolizing hope, resilience, and remembrance. Popular in wildflower meadows.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun, versatile positions and exposures, well-drained soil (chalk, loam, or sand).
-
Centaurea montana (Perennial Cornflower):
- Characteristics: Perennial with purple flowers symbolizing hope, devotion, and love. Hardy for coastal gardens.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun or partial shade, versatile positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil.
-
Iris:
- Characteristics: Easy-to-grow flowers in various cheerful colors. Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow.
- Growing Conditions: Specific conditions depending on the type of iris.
-
Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite):
- Characteristics: Low-growing with bright yellow blooms symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings. Early flowering in late winter.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun or partial shade, versatile positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil.
-
Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake):
- Characteristics: Bulbous perennial with bell-shaped white flowers symbolizing purity and hope.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun, versatile positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil.
-
Passiflora (Passion Flower):
- Characteristics: Exotic-looking flowers with historical medicinal benefits. Represents beauty, and the plant can be used in food and beverage flavoring.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and partial shade, specific positions and exposures, moist but well-drained soil.
These carefully selected plants not only contribute to the visual appeal of your garden but also carry deep symbolic meanings associated with hope, new beginnings, and resilience. If you're looking to infuse your garden with positivity and meaning, consider incorporating some of these plant varieties.
