Saturday, November 2, 2024

Planning your wedding? In-season flowers rooted in symbolic meaning

There is no rule that if you are having a fall or winter wedding that you can only use fall and winter flowers for your décor. However, staying in season with your flowers is generally an easier path to take than the alternative.

It’s cheaper to obtain in-season perennials, and the overall quality of the plant is usually better when they haven’t had to travel far or be cultivated outside of their natural time period. Below are some fall and winter flowers that have a representative value aside from their aesthetic value.

Fall

Chrysanthemums (Mums)

Mums bloom in multiple colors and means different things to different cultures. (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY WALLPAPERSCRAFTS.COM)
Mums bloom in multiple colors and means different things to different cultures. (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY WALLPAPERSCRAFTS.COM)

The Chrysanthemum is also referred to as the “Queen of Fall Flowers,” and known to bloom in many colors. International flower delivery site, ftd.com, mentions that, though chrysanthemums have several different meanings depending on the culture and time period, the origins date back to Chinese culture where they were a symbol of joy and positivity.

Goldenrod stands for good luck, hopefulness and foresight.(Port City Daily photo / COURTESY FLOWERS WASHOUGAL and JULIE MEYER)
Goldenrod stands for good luck, hopefulness and foresight.(Port City Daily photo / COURTESY FLOWERS WASHOUGAL and JULIE MEYER)

Goldenrod

Though not widely known in the United Stated for its remedying properties—many associate it with allergies — flowerinfo.org mentions that other cultures recognize goldenrod for its medicinal properties that help alleviate high blood pressure and inflammation. The Goldenrod can be utilized in times when encouragement is needed, as it stands for good luck, hopefulness and foresight.

 

Purple Aster

Purple Aster (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY OF JOY CREEK NURSERY)
Purple Asters are a fall flower related to love and patience (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY OF JOY CREEK NURSERY)

Asters, says ftd.com, relate to enchantment. The species was believed to drive away evil. However, they are also related to love and patience, which could be considered the two pavers of a healthy marriage. The purple aster variety made this list because it starts to bloom around late summer or early fall.

Sedum

The sedum, or stonecrop, ranges in color from neutral and soft pinks to electric purples and yellows. It may come as a surprise that a blossom with such bright colors can be associated with tranquility, as noted by languageofflowers.com and powerofflowers.com, but who couldn’t use a little serenity on their wedding day?  

Winter

Pansies are associated with whimsy, free thinking and creativity. (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY WALLPAPERSCRAFTS.COM)
Pansies are associated with whimsy, free thinking and creativity. (Port City Daily photo / COURTESY WALLPAPERSCRAFTS.COM)

Winter Pansy

Winter pansies mainly come in the options of blue, yellow, or white. Don’t let the name fool you, these flowers can withstand being frozen in the winter, which is not a quality many other breeds can boast. Flowermeaning.com associates the pansy with notions of whimsy, free thinking and creativity.

 

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum promotes emotional Balance and lack of rage. Port City Daily FILE PHOTO)
Sweet Alyssum promotes emotional Balance and lack of rage. Port City Daily FILE PHOTO)

As cool-season and low maintenance bloomer, Alyssum’s Greek meaning is very characteristic of its laid-back nature. Alyssum translates roughly to “sweetness of the soul” or “worth beyond beauty” and lifeisagarden.za.com acknowledges Alyssum for promoting emotional balance and lack of rage.

 

Camellia

In the United States, the camellia represents southern beauty, as it is the state flower of Alabama.

In China, it represents eternal love. Ftd.com says that the Chinese meaning emanates from the relationship of the camellia’s petals and calyx. When the camellia dies, the calyx falls away with the petals, unlike other perennials where the calyx stays intact.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops suggest rebirth, hope, and purity. (Port City Daily FILE PHOTO)
Snowdrops suggest rebirth, hope, and purity. (Port City Daily FILE PHOTO)

With white petals that face the ground, flowermeaning.com notes snowdrops suggest rebirth, hope, and purity.

Unsurprisingly, snowdrops are only available in white and work well with the theme of a frosty winter wonderland wedding.

 


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