涩里番

Symphoricarpos |听Snowberry

Seen in the form of sparsely branched shrubs of 1-2m tall, the Snowberry species produces snow white berry-like fruit in the summer, with flowering ranging from white, pink, red, or purple following soon after. Currently, there are about 15 species of the Symphoricarpos, most of which are native to North & Central America. They can often be found growing in medium moisture soils, but are capable of surviving in most seasons, including dryer, colder conditions.听

Native to North America, the name Symphoricarpos derived from Greek to mean 鈥渢o bear together鈥� and 鈥渇ruit鈥�, referring to the closely packed clusters of berries.

Hosta | Plantain Lily

Named after the Austrian horticulturalist Nicolaus Host, Hostas are herbaceous perennial plants that known for their striking, broad foliage and upright, trumpet shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Additionally, Hostas symbolize grace, resilience, love and devotion.

Scilla siberica | Siberian squill; Wood squill

The Scilla siberica is a beautiful blue, open bell-shaped flower that typically blooms in mid-spring. Known to be tough, low maintenance, and winter-hardy plant that grows in rock gardens and woodlands, they symbolize perseverance, hope and the renewal 鈥� as its intense, vibrant colours even in the chilly weathers of early spring hints at the promise of warmer days on the horizon.

This plant is also highly toxic to both humans and animals; may be fatal if digested.

Astilbe | False spirea; False goat鈥檚 beard

Astilbes, also known as False goat鈥檚 beard or false spirea, are herbaceous perennial plants, identifiable by their fern-like foliage and colourful plumes ranging anywhere from light pink to dark red. The term 鈥渂eard鈥� stems from the numerous tiny flowers that bloom, creating a bushy and 鈥榖eard-like鈥� texture. Known for their tough nature, Astilbes thrive well in full shade and well-drained soil.

Astilbes symbolize patience, perseverance, dedication, and love. Additionally, Astilbes contain traditional medicinal uses, often known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Convallaria majalis | Lily of the valley

Lily of the Valley is a low-growing perennial, identifiable by its white or pink bell-shaped flowers in the spring. When planted, they produce a fragrant and sweet scent 鈥� which is why they are often used as a fragrance note in perfumes. They can, however, spread aggressively and are known to be toxic in all parts.

Most often, the Lily of the Valley symbolizes purity, happiness, humility, and renewal. In Norse mythology, Lily of the Valley was linked to Ostara, the goddess of spring. In Christianity, the lily of the valley flowers are often thought to symbolize tears, as it is said to have first bloomed when Eve shed tears after expelled from the Garden of Eden as well as when the Virgin Mary鈥檚 tears were shed at Christ鈥檚 crucifixion.

Crocus听

Even with the lingering winter, crocuses are known to push through the snow & lingering frost to provide a sprinkle of colour into one鈥檚 garden. Crocuses come in a variety of sizes and colours (blue, purple, yellow, white, etc.), blooming in early spring to produce distinctive, cup-shaped flowers with six petals.

The name Crocus traces back to the root word for saffron in Sanskrit. Saffron, a spice that is also used as a natural yellow dye, comes from red crocus flower stigmas.

Though the different coloured crocuses symbolize different themes, broadly, crocuses symbolize renewal, rebirth, and joy 鈥� notably given it is one of the few flowers to bloom in the winter and provide the first few signs of spring.

Rudbeckia triloba | Brown eyed Susan

In the language of flowers, brown-eyed susans traditionally symbolize encouragement and motivation.

Pollinator

Canna

Beauty, confidence, boldness, renewal, regeneration

Pollinator

Coleus

Popular with Victorians. Various traditional medicinal uses. Grown for colourful foliage. Blooms are insignificant

Impatiens | Busy Lizzy

Maternal affection, blooms all summer

Myosotis | Forget-me-nots

Greek 鈥榤ouse ear鈥�. Language of flowers: true friendship and love, memory of loved ones. Used to raise awareness of Alzheimers.

Begonia semperflorens | Wax begonia

Wax begonia flowers are often associated with symbolism related to gratitude, happiness, and resilience. In the language of flowers, they can represent sincerity, thankfulness, and the ability to overcome challenges.

Oenothera biennis | Evening primrose, evening star, sundrop, weedy evening primrose, German rampion, hog weed, King鈥檚 cure-all, and fever-plant

Healing, wholeness, protection