Garden Flowers

The warmth of spring wakes the wild garden flowers (some might call them weeds), so important to insect life, and with many other benefits too. Today’s post considers a selection of flowers often seen at this time of year.

Herb Robert

A member of the geranium family, Herb Robert is a valuable nectar source for bees and hoverflies. It is also a good source of vitamins A, B, and C – both flowers and leaves are edible. Rubbing fresh leaves onto skin is thought to repel insects. It is used to treat upset stomachs and nose bleeds, and as an antiseptic.

Herb Robert was traditionally carried for good luck, and fertility.

Dandelion

An all-rounder, the dandelion is often one of the earlier garden flowers, and another important source of nectar and pollen. Their leaves have greater nutritional value than many other foods, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Flowers and roots can be dried, then used to make dandelion tea. Potential health benefits include reducing inflammation, maintaining liver health, and reducing cholesterol.

The dandelion is associated with hopes, wishes, and optimism.

Forget-Me-Not

A beautiful flower, the forget-me-not flower is edible, and sometimes used as decoration. The flowers are also used to make tea, which helps to reduce high blood pressure, and promote restful sleep. The scientific name, myosotis sylvatica, translates to ‘mouse-eared plant of the woodland.’

Forget-me-not flowers are traditionally thought of as representing true love, remembrance, and respect.

Daisy

Naturalised in many parts of the world, all parts of the daisy are edible. Used as an anti-inflammatory, and to improve circulation, the daisy also has a very high vitamin C content. The latter benefit was identified during a study of wild edibles used by forces in the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-95).

In Norse mythology, the daisy is known as the flower of Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.

Buttercup

Beautiful in colour, but poisonous when fresh, the buttercup is a common garden flower. Grazing animals tend to avoid them because of their bitter taste, although dried flowers lose their toxicity.

Scientists studied the nature of buttercup petals for over a century, trying to ascertain the origin of the rich colour. In 2011, a team from the University of Cambridge published the results of a research study which finally provided an explanation. A buttercup’s flower comprises two layers of cells, separated by a thin layer of air. The flat petals and air layer double the reflection of the flowers, creating the yellow. The petals also reflect a large amount of UV light, which attracts pollinators such as bees, whose eyes are sensitive to UV light.

The buttercup is said to symbolise self esteem, memories of childhood, and ambition.

“A weed is but an unloved flower.” ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” ~ A. A. Milne

“When life is not coming up roses, look to the weeds and find the beauty hidden within them.” ~ L. F. Young