Nature's Bouquet

Something Beautiful to Enjoy


(But first, a rather depressing intro--sorry!)
Hi friends,

I’m not sure about you, but it’s been one hell of a year for me. While I’ve tried moderately hard to remain optimistic and to keep afloat, I must admit I’ve been shaken to the core and quite discouraged in the past several months. The security of such things as society, family, livelihood, health, and future thereof which, granted, were an illusion to begin with, seems shaky and uncertain. Priorities have shifted overnight, are still shifting as a matter of fact, and day-to-day choices governing life and activities have taken on grave consequences. We are seeing others as vectors to disease (either physical or mental) and not as fellows. We have taken refuge in our own lifeboats rather than working to patch the sinking ship.
Or at least this is much of what I’ve seen.

I hope it’s been a better path for you.

Either way, I thought about writing a thread that could help me (and maybe one or two others on here) stop and remember that life can be very beautiful and simple, too.
All life relies on the beautiful allure of flowers in order to continue. We also use flowers as medicine, to bring each other cheer, to mourn our dead, to remind us that we ought to slow down sometimes and enjoy beauty for its own sake.
Here’s a bouquet of natures’ most lovely flourishes for you to enjoy. Feel free to take a flower or leave one at will.

This is a breathtaking video:


I was originally thinking to limit this thread to night-blooming flowers. I’d love to plant a garden that blooms in both day and nighttime. Anyone on here have any information about growing night blooms? I found this article which included several flowers that might thrive in my growing zone (and some absolutely gorgeous ones which won’t).
blog.gardenloversclub.com...
I found a few places for seeds
Chocolate Daisy
www.reneesgarden.com...

Datura:
www.plant-world-seeds.com...

Here’s a beautiful video about night blooming flowers:


I bought creeping (elvin) thyme last year after reading about its fragrant flowers. Indeed, when it bloomed, it gave off a lovely and delicate scent.
Here’s an article I found with some good information about flowers to plant for a garden perfume.
studleys.com...

Here's a good resource regarding varieties of flowers and herbs with a medicinal use:
www.motherearthnews.com...

Tussie-mussies (grating name (imo), but still neat!) A bouquet with a meaning

I picked up a used copy of Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, and it's quickly become one of my absolute best reference books. Along with detailed information about the history, mythology, uses, taste, etc of herbs, I found information obout the charming practice of sending messages through flowers.
Here's an article about Tussie Mussies:
www.ilonasgarden.com...

Here's a custom made bouquet of good wishes for ATS and the good people thereof (according to The Language of Herbs and Flowers in Rodale's):
At the center: Iris--pure heart, courage, faith
Lady's Mantle for protection
Camomile for wisdom, fortitude
Lemon Balm for sympathy/regeneration
Savory for interest
Sweet woodruff--humble spirit
Tarragon--lasting involvement
Thyme--daring
Yarrow for health

a reply to: zosimov

You have always been one of my favorite posters.

I would say, keep the hope. Often before there is beautiful change we have to go to a very dark place first.

My favorite garden plant.

Thistle - breathtakingly beautiful, nourishing, steadfast, but don't pluck it the wrong way or you'll be pricked!

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: zosimov

You have always been one of my favorite posters.

I would say, keep the hope. Often before there is beautiful change we have to go to a very dark place first.

My favorite garden plant.

Thistle - breathtakingly beautiful, nourishing, steadfast, but don't pluck it the wrong way or you'll be pricked!

This post brought tears to my eyes (in a good way!)--thank so so much, and your encouragement to keep the hope is both timely and rings true. Sounds a bit like a hero's journey
I've always really loved your posts as well. Big hugs, thanks for adding to our bouquet and I'll be sure to handle it with care, JAGStorm!

a reply to: zosimov

Its all a dream.


Would like to add a vine of Hops, makes good bear,mead,bread, or tea, i like to just eat them raw.

Good for the soul and a pretty plant.

a reply to: solve

Thanks for the smile, the good cheer, and also for a wonderful addition to the ATS garden.

a reply to: zosimov

Beautiful pictures and a much welcomed change. Thank you.

Just a reminder, the world they show us from the blue screen is not the norm. If we refuse to make it the norm it will just be another media fabricated reality show. They are trapping us in their own wicked version of the Truman Show. Time to walk away and shut them down.

a reply to: zosimov

Bless you.

I'm waiting for my landlord to email a picture of an Iris that bloomed by the stairs.

In the meantime,

By Diliff - CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org...

PS: Pavement - beaten path. Side trip - off the beaten path.

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

I'm happy you found beauty in the pics, and enjoyed the thread!
Thank you for the really wise advice regarding the real world vs that which is portrayed in the black mirror (tv world). I believe you're absolutely correct that what's depicted there in no form mimics reality.

Have a good night (hope you enjoy that lovely night sky), cheers!

a reply to: pthena

Bless you too, dear friend! Another post to make me smile and lift the spirit. I'd be happy to see that iris which bloomed by the stairs, but the gorgeous flower you've posted so far will tide me over.

Love the reference to our last chat and poetry and pavement

a reply to: zosimov

There's a tree near where I live that puts out it's scent only at night. I don't know what it is, and so this post is probably useless. All I know is that around 9:00, when it's still al little light and the bats are out along with the first star - the air is like perfume

The night plants are magic

______________________________

Steady as she goes Zosimov. It's a lot - I agree. It takes a certain level of commitment to your own self to stay calm and strong

Where I live tropical flowers and fragrances abound. I have a Stephanotis vine growing on my carport lattice wall. It's blooming now. Wonderful scent.

But, you know, not all flowers are pleasant in an olfactory way. There is a plant here, we call it false pikake (pikake is the Hawaiian name for jasmine, which of course is one of the best). When on the plant it has a nice fragrance but pick it, and it changes to something else entirely.

There are also "things" like this:
www.wonderslist.com...


Just because something is unpleasant, it doesn't mean it doesn't belong.

a reply to: Spiramirabilis

Thanks for this lovely post which had magic of its own (brought me right to a quiet spot where trees bloom at twilight).

I'm very thankful for the words of encouragement from you as well. I like thinking of endurance through troubling times as a commitment. I feel heartened again for sure, thanks Spiramira et al!!

a reply to: Phage
Lol, Phage, this post gave me a hearty laugh! I'd watched a video previously that features a couple of the flowers listed in the link you shared.

While I'm glad sweet-smelling flowers abound where you live, I also have to agree with your following quote:

Just because something is unpleasant, it doesn't mean it doesn't belong.

There's room on this earth for a variety of tastes.

a reply to: zosimov


Thank you for the beautiful post.

I’ve been feeling it lately too. Working weekends, days, nights, missing family, never get to go to any family gatherings , whilst putting myself at risk, but I have no choice

I will miss your avatar, and your posts. All the women here seem very smart and sweet, not to mention intelligent.

a reply to: KTemplar

Hoping some of the lovely posts from our ATS friends lifted your spirits as they did mine

KTemplar, thank you so much for your message, and I absolutely share your sentiments. I'll miss your beautiful avatar and thoughtful, fun posts, along with all of the other extraordinary women here in this community.

Thought I'd add a few more to our bouquet in honor of the women of ATS--dill for good cheer and survival in the face of odds

and costmary for sweetness


All the very best to you. Thank you for the sweet comment, and enjoy your weekend!

a reply to: zosimov

Here's the Iris. The picture was probably taken on May 5th.
They don't last very many days.

I'm loving this!
Being a Clinical Aromatherapist I would
Curious that you should mention Dill. In the Aromatherapy world it is used physically for colic, dyspepsia etc and the main ingredient in Gripe Water for babies. However on a emotional and mental level it allows you to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It's what I call "I want to be alone" as in Greta Garbo. Just inhaling the oil gives your aura a 'stay away from me' energy.
Hyacinth is good for keeping you detached from other peoples emotions that you find yourself getting sucked into. It allows you to step back and see the bigger picture without getting emotionally embroiled.

Rainbows
Jane

Before I moved on to my swamp, I would camp here. When I arrived from the city, I could smell the fresh air. It had a fresh, clean ozone like scent. You could smell the forest, with it's earthy green scent. After over twenty years of living here, I rarely catch that scent anymore, but I can totally smell the big city (Detroit) when I go there.

I often stop to smell the wild flowers when I walk around. Honey suckle, Russian Olive trees, and Lilacs often tickle my olfactory nerves. Wild roses are a treat as the blooms are very short lived.

ETA: I also crush up leaves from water mints, winter green and even skunk cabbage to get a snoot full. If it's edible I may even eat it, be it berries, flowers or leaves.

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

I just looked at your avatar and had a good laugh thinking about the flowers in this thread drawing those honey bees in.

a reply to: pthena

That's it! The beautiful iris in the heart of this thread.