Vegetation have lengthy been related with love, romance, and companionship. Winter will be dreary, so rekindle that botanical spark this Valentine’s Day by studying about a number of crops that evoke love with their names, kinds, or symbolism.
Vegetation that appear like hearts
Referred to as “cordate” in botanical nomenclature, heart-shaped leaves or flowers are fairly widespread 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 sometimes are available pink and salmon tones, however white kinds are additionally out there.
Coronary heart-leafed Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Most frequently grown as a houseplant, this plant’s vining or trailing stems will be skilled 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 might probably additionally make a superb houseplant. They do greatest with vibrant, oblique gentle, excessive humidity, and well-draining potting soil. The blooms are made up of a giant waxy, heart-shaped leaf (sometimes pink or pink) and a white or yellow, upright cluster of small flowers.
Vegetation with love of their identify
Although widespread names are usually not utilized by botanists, these specific crops have pretty names value 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 out there) nestled amongst lacy, finely-dissected leaves, making a misty look. Simple 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 that means “love” and agrostis that means “grass”. Sadly, the precise cause behind why this identify was used has been misplaced to time. This specific perennial species of lovegrass is native to Missouri and contains 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 widespread 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
Referred to as the “language of flowers” or “floriography”, the concept sure flowers or crops might convey specific feelings was widespread in the course of the Victorian Period.
Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla)
This plant is claimed to represent a want for the return of affection. Native to the Iberian Peninsula, this small, late-flowering species daffodil has been cultivated broadly 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 gorgeous youth from Greek mythology who grew to become so entranced along 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 specific 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 sometimes blue, although white and pink kinds are additionally out there.
Justine Kandra | Horticulturalist