The Flower Shop Newsletter for January goes out next week. Beth Roberts has once again created an inspiring and informative newsletter. If you enjoyed her Power of Red Flowers, you’ll enjoy The Meaning of Roses. Beth takes us on a journey exploring the meaning of roses and their significance in history and in other cultures. Take a sneak peek and enjoy the journey to the world of roses.  I knew red roses symbolize love; but, who knew a rose in full bloom symbolized the maturity of love.  I’m interested in your opinion of the newsletter, so don’t hesitate to comment.

An interesting post on Dirt called My Overcrowded Garden caught my eye this morning. In this post Amy ponders the issue of a mature garden. Reminiscing the introduction of particular plants to the garden and the difficult decision of whether to eliminate some of the plants. What struck me were the memories and sentiments attached to those flowers.

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Last week my senses were bombarded with the sights, sounds, tastes and feelings (emotional not physical) of the 4^th of July. I know many people who delight in the smells associated with the 4^th, however my olfactory system seems to ignore the acrid scent of the fireworks or the sweet smoky smell of barbecue. After a week of feeling ignored my sense of smell received a long awaited treat. With every breath, the intoxicating aroma coming from the Casablanca Lilies that were blooming in my garden captivated my nose.

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Last week I was eating lunch with my husband, when one of his co-workers asked me if I knew what stage of pregnancy his wife was in. I said “about 7 months”. He shook his head no and replied, “I can do nothing right and she complaints that she’s fat and ugly”. I told him to be patient and that I wished I could help.

Sunday I was gazing at my garden when it came to me. Flowers! Flowers always make me happy. Then I had a real epiphany when I saw the Calla Lilies in my garden. He needed to send his wife Callas and the card could say “the flower of beauty for the beauty in my life.”

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I thought I would let everyone know that FSN has a special guest writer (Kate Collins the talented author of the Flower Shop Mystery series) for the April newsletter “The Language of Flowers”. Kate gives us insight to where flower meanings come from. For a sneak preview of “The Language of Flowers”

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Nicole Asks:

Do you know if there is a meaning for the Phoenix Branch?    

Brock’s Reply: I’m not familiar with a “Phoenix Branch”.  There is a group of palms, the Date Palms,  which belong to the genus Phoenix.  For example,  Phoenix roebelenii , the Pymgy Date Palm, is often grown as a landscape specimen in warm climates (the correspondent is in Florida).  Phoenix dactylifera is the commercial Date Palm, native to North Africa.While I can find no specific reference to a meaning for Phoenix  palms, palm fronds in general have traditionally symbolized victory and success. This idea stems from the story of the mythological bird, the Phoenix, which rose again from the ashes of its own firey destruction.