Magic In Bloom - Celebrating the Flowers of Spring
Author: Julianna Cooper, Challenge America Program Coordinator
Springtime is here!
A season full of fresh starts and new life, one of the most visible signs of spring is the blooming of foliage after a long winter. As artists of all kinds, many of us draw inspiration from nature, foliage, flowers, and blooming beauty.
To celebrate the dawn of spring, we wanted to feature a few springtime blooms and their symbolism! Each of these flowers, in addition to being stunningly unique and beautiful, many flowers have traditionally been associated with different qualities and characteristics. We hope you might learn about a few new blooms today, and come away with renewed inspiration for springtime creations!
LILACS
Lilacs are a flower of numerous varieties, each one boasting its own unique smell. While purple lilacs might be the most traditional, lilacs also come in shades of pink, white, and blue.
Lilacs are perennials, a type of plant that returns every year. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still enjoy the smell of lilacs - just plant them in a pot in a spot with plenty of sunlight.
Lilacs symbolize first love, innocence, and purity. They also represent hope and new beginnings.
DAFFODILS
Daffodils are one of the most popular and recognizable flowers of the spring season. Daffodils in the Narcissus family, along with tulips. Narcissus flowers are named after the Greek god Narcissus - who was known for his vanity.
Daffodils symbolize new beginnings, happiness, and hope. Like lilacs, they also represent innocence and purity.
TULIPS
Tulips (my personal favorite!) come in almost countless different colors: red, orange, white yellow, pink, and purple - in fact, its variety of bright colors make it one of the most popular springtime flowers.
Tulips symbolize love, passion, femininity, and happiness.
LILIES
Like tulips, lilies are popular in the springtime due to their vibrant colors! Some of the popular varieties of lily include Oriental, Asiatic, Trumpet, and Stargazer lilies. Each type has its own unique look and scent.
Oriental lilies are large trumpet-shaped blooms, often bursting forth in shades of white, yellow, and pink. Asiatic lilies are smaller than Oriental lilies and typically come in red, orange, and yellow. Trumpet lilies are tall and slender, with blooms that resemble trumpets - hence the name! Stargazer lilies are the biggest variety of lily, with blooms reaching up to eight inches across!
Lilies symbolize new beginnings, innocence, and purity. They are the perfect flower to give to someone you care about as a sign of your affection!
FORGET-ME-NOTs
Forget me nots are another quintessential spring flower, as they typically bloom at the beginning of the season. These stunning flowers are most known for their blue petals and delicate appearance.
Not surprisingly, given their name, forget-me-nots are one of the most popular flowers to represent love! They have been used to symbolize love and affection for centuries, with many believing that this symbolism originated with an old legend. According to the story, a knight left his lover to fight in a battle - his beloved told him to wear the flowers as a way to never forget her.
We hope learning a bit about these springtime flowers sparks inspiration for a new season of artistry!
