The Language of Flowers

William Cullina, in his new book, Understanding Perennials asks, “Why is that we are drawn to flowers?” He can determine no genetic answer to this question…but as he confirms “the language of flowers is one that we all understand.”

Those of us that toil the soil, waiting for the wonderful experience of our flowers and vegetables to blossom are drawn to this meditative practice despite its many obstacles. With so many methods and techniques to discover and so many gardening ideas circulating around us, it is the stumbling upon this ‘language of flowers’ that constitutes even the most mundane task of weeding to be an absolute delight.

As we approach the shorter days of summer, these lingering moments in our garden turn into our most precious moments. A taste of a freshly grown organic tomato is often remembered long into the winter months. And even if the weather seemed to take the wind from most of our gardening sails this growing season, gardeners and farmers alike pick up their tools and ‘keep on’ with their tasks.

It is this drive; this passion that I believe is the ‘language of flowers’. For with this, you can always understand a garden’s subtle moments of wonder. Without it, you will only see the weeds.

Inspirational Gardening Thought of the Day: “Gardens are a form of autobiography. “ ~Sydney Eddison, Horticulture magazine, August/September 1993

You can find more information about Wiliam Cullina and his books at http://williamcullina.com/