Q.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you incredible Mothers, and to those celebrating their Mums in person, at a distance, or in memorium. Love and miss you, Mum ❤️

What hints do the flower-loving Victorians offer us as we assemble bouquets or paint cards for Mother’s Day?

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A.

We can turn to Kate Greenaway, an illustrator and author born 1846 in Hoxton, England. Her ‘1884 ‘Language of Flowers’ includes a detailed list of botanicals and their meanings. Some relevant signifiers for great mothers?

We can start with what is, for many, an easily-acquired outdoor bounty: moss, which signifies ‘Maternal Love.’ Also…

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Flowers for Mum 🌺

Allspice – Compassion
Amethyst – Admiration
Bearded Crepis – Protection
Bell Flower (small white) – Gratitude
Black Poplar – Courage
Butterfly Orchis – Gaiety
Canary Grass – Perseverance
Cedar – Strength
Cinquefoil – Maternal Affection
Cloves – Dignity
French Willow – Bravery and Humanity
Gillyflower – Bonds of Affection
Hawthorn – Hope
Honeysuckle – Generous and Devoted Affection
Meadow Lychnis – Wit
Moss – Maternal Love
Mulberry Tree (White) – Wisdom
Myrtle – Love
Orange Tree – Generosity
Ox Eye – Patience
Pear Tree – Comfort
Rose, Multiflora – Grace
Sorrel – Affection
Sorrel, Wood – Joy
Venice Sumach – Intellectual Excellence. Splendour

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