By Tim Lambert
Daffodils are native to the Mediterranean region. The Romans brought them to Britain. The Romans also introduced roses into Britain. It’s not certain why daffodils are the symbol of Wales. It may be because they start to flower at the beginning of Spring, coinciding with St David’s Day, 1st March.
Lilies have been grown in Europe since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, they were a symbol of purity and were associated with the Virgin Mary.
According to legend, thistles became the national symbol of Scotland because in the 13th century, a Norse army tried to attack sleeping Scots. The Norsemen removed their boots so they could advance silently. However, one of them trod on a thistle and cried out, awakening the Scots.
The Ancient Greeks grew violets, and the Romans made violet wine. By the 16th century, violets were eaten in England. They appeared in many recipes.
Carnations are native to the Mediterranean. In the Middle Ages, in Europe, people believed that Mary cried when she saw her son, Jesus, carrying a cross. Carnations grew where her tears fell. In England, people crushed carnations and added them to wine.
Crocus has been grown since Ancient times. They were known to the Greeks. One species of crocus, Crocus sativus, was used to make saffron, an expensive dye and spice. Saffron gave its name to Saffron Walden in Cambridgeshire.
Tulips were introduced into Holland from Turkey in 1562. Tulips were first recorded in England in 1578.
Marigolds were introduced into Europe by the Spanish. Since they were often used to decorate statues of the Virgin Mary, Marigolds became known as Mary’s golds. People also ate marigolds.
Wallflowers are native to southern Europe. They were grown in England in the Middle Ages. Snapdragons are also native to southern Europe. They spread to the rest of Europe in the Middle Ages.
Sunflowers are also native to the Americas. The Spanish introduced them into Europe. Dahlias are native to Central America. The Aztecs grew them, and so did the Spanish conquerors. However, dahlias were not brought to Europe till the end of the 18th century.
8 May is National Iris Day. This flower is named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Iris roots were used in cough remedies and to treat skin conditions. Its roots have also been used for centuries to make perfume. The Native Americans used Iris leaves to make rope.
Wild pansies were used for centuries as a medicine. However, pansies as we know them were created in the 19th century, when gardeners cross-bred wild pansies with violas.
23 June is National Pink Day. The word pink was originally the name of a flower, dianthus. It came to mean the colour of the flower.
A daisy was once called a day’s eye because the flower’s petals open at dawn and close at dusk.
Cowslips were once called cow slops because they grew near piles of cow dung. When I was a child, I used to think they must be slippery and cows must slip on them.
The Romans had a festival called Floralia at the end of April and the beginning of May, but there is no evidence that it has any connection with our modern Mayday celebrations. It was held in honor of Flora the goddess of flowers.
On Mayday, people picked wildflowers and used flower garlands to decorate their homes.
In 16th-century England, spinning was banned because it was the most common occupation for women, and flowers were placed around the spinning wheels.
In 1637, Amye Everard became the first woman in England to be granted a patent. It was for a tincture of saffron and essence of roses.
At a wedding, a bride throws a bouquet into the air and according to tradition the woman who catches it will be the next to get married. It was once thought that touching the bride would bring good luck. People also tried to rip off pieces of her dress to bring them luck.
Throwing the bouquet into the air began as a way of distracting the crowd. People thought if you caught the bouquet she carried it would pass on her luck to you. In time, that meant that you would be the next to get married.
The first Chelsea Flower Show opened on 19 May 1913. It was a three-day event. It was a great success, drawing about 200,000 visitors.
Radio One started on 30 September 1967. The first song was Flowers in the Rain by the Move.
