Seed Song Flowers

19/06/2025

Porcupine Mountains State Park

15/06/2025

19/04/2025

Time for a bit of hardening off

09/02/2025

February fun in the north

19/12/2024

Its Poinsettia Day! Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are part of the spurge family Euphorbiaceae and grow wild along the tropical dry forests from northwestern Mexico to southern Guatemala.

Humans have been cultivating poinsettia since at least the 1500s.

The Aztecs called poinsettia cuetlaxochitl (brilliant flower), the Mayans called it k'alul wits (ember flower), and Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower) in Spanish.

In 1828, J. R. Poinsett collected plants near Taxco in northern Guerrero, Mexico and sent specimens to the Bartram Botanical Garden in Philadelphia. They were exhibited to the public the following summer.

Today there are over 300 varieties!

Image:
"Cuetlaxochitl" by José Guadalupe Adonis González Rosales

Reference:
Trejo, L., et al. (2012). Poinsettia's wild ancestor in the Mexican dry tropics: historical, genetic, and environmental evidence. American Journal of Botany, 99(7), 1146-1157.

08/12/2024

🌿PLANTS OF THE YULETIDE ✨️& their symbolism ~ from The Heirloom Gardener - John Forti
History shows that the botanicals we used for holidays were simply those thriving in that season. Yuletide and Solstice botanicals used for decorations include:
•Evergreens (spruce, arborvitae, Christmas fern and wintergreen) as symbols of immortality since they were among the only botanicals to stay green when all others lost their leaves.
•Yews represented the death of the old year and were a connection between this world and the next.
•Oak trees were revered for being long-lived. Even though they were not evergreen, they were symbols of eternal life and considered a source of protection, strength, and endurance.
•Rosemary, an evergreen shrub in warm climates, was called the herb of the sun and the herb of remembrance.
*Bay, an evergreen herb used in holiday garlands and comforting teas. Bay laurel also signifies achievement and celebration.
•Birch trees symbolized new beginnings.
•Mistletoe stood for peace, happiness and smooches.
•Holly was used for magical protection and good luck.
•Ivy symbolized fidelity, faithfulness, and healing and was made into wreaths and garlands to decorate during the winter.
•Pine symbolized peace, healing, and joy.
Artist ~ Carlton Alfred Smith Grow what you can and gather with respect to nature and the habitat you share.

28/11/2024

I experimented with wrapping and refrigerating peonies for a Thanksgiving bouquet and it, sort of, worked. They still have that lovely peony fragrance! Next year I'll first wrap a layer of newspaper around them before the plastic, to absorb moisture.
Thanksgiving greetings to all!

02/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Wq2cU9c7T/

Send a message to learn more

08/10/2024

Just like so many others, I've learned from and have been inspired by Erin Benzakein.

One of the most common themes running through nearly every conversation I’ve had this past year has been how lonely and isolated we’re all feeling despite be...

05/10/2024

Yummies for the winter season and a lot of seeds for next year's crop!

30/09/2024

My wonderful weekend at North Folk School in Grand Marais with the knowledgable and wise Gigi Stafne. 🥰🥰🥰 Seed Song Flowers

Students engaged in botanical learning experiences today. 🌿 This has been a very fun group to be with in Grand Marais!