Books, Blooms and Blossoms

  Cara/Andrea here, There’s an old saying—‘April showers bring May flowers’ . . . which in my mind is a very Good Thing because I have a new book about to bloom in which flowers play a prominent role. In TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST, which officially releases May 1, (though many of the online stores have it available April 24th) both the hero and heroine have an interest in gardens. Eliza is a superb botanical illustrator and Gryffin—Gryff to his friends—has a secret passion for landscape design. They can speak knowledgeably on ha-ha walls, decorative follies, and ornamental planting  . . . and they are also conversant in the secret language of flowers.

Flowers speak, you might ask? They do—and quite eloquently, I might add!

The concept of a language of flowers has been around from the days of antiquity. The ancient Greeks and Romans considered hawthorne blossoms a symbol hope and marriage, and it was common at wedding ceremonies. China and the Ottoman Empire had its own complex symbolism and myths, some of which were brought back to medieval Europe by the Crusaders.

But it was Lady Mary Wortley Montague who is credited with bringing the concept of a ‘language” of flowers to England in 1718. The wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, Lady Montagu, (A fascinating woman in her own right who is credited with being the first woman to write about the Orient) penned a series of letters to friends at home describing the Turkish custom of sending messages through objects, including flowers. These letters were published as a book in 1763, shortly after her death, and explained the nuances of selam, which was a complex system by which the flower or object sent didn’t actually symbolize a concept, but rather it was a more of a word play—for example a pear would rhyme with despair, so that was the message. (Sound awfully complicated to me, but apparently the harems were hotbeds of intrigue and innuendo so it I suppose it provided a more secretive way of communicating.)

In Europe, the notion that lovers could communicate with each other through a “secret” language seemed to strike a romantic chord, and through the late 1700s and early 1800s. the concept developed into one where each individual type of bloom took on a specific meaning. One of the first books on this “floriography,” is credited Charlotte de Latour, a Frenchwoman who published a little handbook on the subject in 1819.

But the real heyday for communicating with flowers was the Victorian era. Most people were familiar with concept—and woe be to the fellow who sent his sweetheart the wrong blooms! Women often carried tiny bouquets called “tussie-mussies” on their daily outings, with which to compose little messages to the friends they would be seeing. Handbooks sprouted up in every bookshop, presenting extensive lists on the meaning of a vast array of individual flowers. (It should be pointed out that there is actually no definitive list—they all vary somewhat, though most of the standard blooms, like roses and lilies, gave come to have a universal  symbolism.)

Now, we all know that a red rose means true love. But did you know that 15 red roses signifies an apology? Or that 108 red roses is a proposal of marriage. How about that a pink rose means ‘perfect happiness’ and also ‘friendship, or a rhododendron bloom symbolizes ‘beware’ or ‘danger, or a hydrangea says ‘thank you for understanding’?

Here’s a short excerpt from the beginning of  TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST in which Gyff, my hero, gives a little primer on flowers to his friend Sara Hawkins, who happens to own one of London’s most notorious gaming hell and brothel.

   “Oh, I’m so glad ye stopped by for a visit, sir. The Wolfhound has always said ye have a discerning eye fer art, so I’m anxious to get yer opinion on this.” Sara Hawkins stripped the last of the wrappings from around a gilt-framed watercolor painting and let out an admiring whistle. “Don’t ye think it will look lovely hanging in the Eros Bedchamber?”
   Gryffin Owain Dwight, the Marquess of Haddan, shrugged out of his overcoat and came over to take a look. “You intend to hang that in there?” A dark brow shot up. “I wouldn’t advise it.”
   “Why not?” Sara sounded a little crestfallen. “Roses are my favorite flower and this one is awfully pretty.”
   “Indeed it is. But in the secret language of flowers, red roses symbolize love—a sentiment that would likely make a number of your patrons rather nervous,” said Gryff dryly. Patrons was putting it politely, seeing as Sara’s establishment was one of the most notorious gambling hells and brothels in London. “If you must pick a rose for a decorative touch, make it an orange one.”
   “And what does that mean?”
   “Fascination.” He curled a wicked smile. “Better yet, find a print of a yellow iris, which means ‘passion.’ Or sweetpea, which means ‘blissful pleasure.’”
    She let out a snort of laughter.
    “Or a peach blossom, which means ‘I am your captive.’”
    “Fancy that.” Setting aside the painting, Sara perched a shapely hip on the sideboard and gave the marquess her full attention. “Now who would have ever guessed that flowers could talk.”
    Gryff nodded gravely. “And then there is the grapevine . . .”
    “Which means?” Sara leaned forward, her eyes widening in anticipation.
    “Which means, ‘I am very thirsty so do you have any more of that expensive Scottish malt stashed away in your private cupboard?’”
    A crumpled kidskin glove hit him square in the chest. “Oh, ye horrid man! Here I thought I was learning some fancy bit of knowledge. But ye was just pulling my corset strings.”

My heroine Eliza, who is dealing with her selfish spendthrift younger brother, is not in quite as playful a mood as the story opens:
    Unsure whether to laugh or weep, Eliza set her elbows on the table and took her head in her hands. Otherwise she might have been tempted to hurl the earthenware jug of flowers at his head. Was there a bloom that symbolized ‘bumbleheaded idiot?’
    “Harry,” she said slowly. “Let me try to phrase this simply, so that even your fuzzed wits might understand. Our coffers are nigh on empty. The farmlands are in a state of shambles from neglect. The butcher is threatening to cut off credit, and . . .” She paused to pick up a stack of bills “And your tailor and bootmaker are asking for a sum that would likely launch a four-deck ship of the line for His Majesty’s Navy.”
    Her brother’s lower lip jutted out in a petulant pout. “A fellow has to cut a fine dash in Town.”
    “Yes, well, your ‘dash’ is going to run us straight to the sponging house.”
    “Can’t you do something?” he whined. “What about your paintings? I thought you made some blunt illustrating those silly little flower books.”
    Eliza looked away. The silly little flower books were, in fact, an impressive set of beautiful quarto-sized books on English wildflowers, written by a noted authority from Merton College.
    And yes, she had been paid—quite nicely in fact. But she would be damned if a penny more of her hard-earned savings went to fund Harry’s debaucheries. She was getting close—oh-so close—to saving enough to buy a snug little cottage of her own in the Lake District. A place where she could live independently at last, free from the grasping demands of the men in her life.
   Another commission was pending, and if her work was chosen, the dream might actually be within her grasp . . .

So what’s you favorite flower? (If you are interested in what it “says”, you can explore the full bouquet of meanings here.) Do you care what it symbolizes? Or are you just as happy to appreciate it for its physical beauty?

Please chime in! I’ll be giving away a copy of TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST to one lucky person chosen at random from those who leaves a comment below between now and Saturday evening.

Comments

[Patricia Rice]

Given that it takes an encyclopedia to grow a decent rose here in the Midwest, I'll take any flower anyone wants to give me and look no deeper! Our poor heroines lived such restrained lives that they had to communicate with fans and flowers instead of text messages and Facebook! "G"

[Cate S]

I love the peony... and checked it's various meanings... happy marriage is one..
I do agree with Ms Rice on roses.. I've changed to the everblooming shrub ones..

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

LOL, Pat! However, floral messaging is SO much n more intriguing than text messaging . . .and given the English language skills of many people today, it's probably just as clear!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

I love peonies, Cate, but I have to confess that I'm not much of a gardener. I've heard roses are difficult to grow but I wouldn't know.

[Judy]

I love the language of flowers! I've read of florists, even now, who create entire bouquets based on the messages revealed by flowers. Adding this book to my wish list.

[Ella Quinn]

Mine is a toss up between Maiden's Blush and an apothecary rose. Great post.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Judy. And I must say, I'm going to think of composing messages too when i make up a bouquet of flowers, BTW, at last year's Royal wedding, Kate's bouquet was designed with the secret language of flowers!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Ella, I think an apothecary rose is really lovely too!Am also partial to dahlias.

[Liz]

Flowers say to me, personally, "black thumb", which is why a friend and I call Spring plant buying our "annual kill-the-plant excursion".

It is a mystery to me, as I come from a long line of women who could turn a twig into a flowering bush with a glance.

I shall name irises, however, as my favorites.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Liz, I'm not exactly a plant executioner, but I just don't have the urge to muddle in the dirt. I plant some terrace planters because I do like flowers around, but I get impatient, and just start slapping them in willy-nilly. I know it's an art . . .but I don't have the right Muse.

[theo]

AT my old house in Plymouth, I had over 100 David Austin varieties. Where I'm at now, I can't seem to keep them alive for long, though I do have a few die-hard varieties still growing strong. But I'm learning the optimal areas to put them and so perhaps this year, I'll hit the 100 mark again. His old English varieties are just beautiful. Hardest to kill and such heady perfumes.

Can you tell I love roses?

Peonys, lilacs (the bush I have is over 80 years old) and several other flowers are planted anywhere I can find a spot, much to my husband's chagrin when he has to cut the lawn. ;o)

I love flowers. Too bad we can't use them with the same ease as cell phones for communicating.

[Louis]

I'm looking at a tree mallow (more a large bush) over my computer monitor. It is loaded with pink blooms that have a deep purple center. It is a favorite.

I've hung our walls with pictures of Iris and rose blooms that are georgeous and have photo books of many more.

Nothing prettier tha plants in bloom. Even the blooms on the weeds that grow here can be pretty.

[Kathleen Henderson]

I am a daisy girl with all its many varieties and colors.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Louis, sounds like your house is filled with color!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Theo, I am VERY impressed. Your garden sounds amazing—100 different roses? Wow!

And an 80-yr-old lilac is wonderful too. I love its perfume, along with the scent of wisteria in spring.

[Margot]

I've always loved deep red roses. Alas, I am not a gardener (I even managed to kill a cactus once, and that was the last growing thing I ever tried to take care of) so the majority of the flowers by my house are wild flowers or leftover from the previous owners. There are actually a number of roses still, but none of my family knows a thing about gardening, so it's mostly luck that they've survived. At least I can say we have the most colorful yard in the neighborhood, filled with various blue and purple flowers (and dandelions!)

I also adore cherry blossoms. I was lucky enough to go to Japan once during cherry blossom season, and it was the most incredible sight to see all these beautiful, pale pink flowers everywhere.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for sharing, Margot. Japan in full bloom of cherry blossoms season must truly be a sight to behold! I was in Tuscany last summer, and the fields of sunflowerswas absolutely striking too. Nature's colors can be stunning!

[Larisa]

I've never met a flower I didn't enjoy, especially any given to me...or that miraculously don't die after I plant my balcony pots.
That said, roses from my mate always, always seem more fragrant and lush.
Will never forget being in DC when the trees were in bloom, the air was so fragrant I was certain it was edible.

[LilMissMolly]

I love flowers! Clementis are some of my favorites, as are peonies and honeysuckle.

[Maureen]

It is interesting to see what the different flowers symbolize. My favorite is the rose and I like all different colors. I do enjoy all different types of flowers though from daisies to peonies. They just make any place look better. Congratulations on the new book. I like the idea of flowers being in the story.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Larisa, the fragrance of flowers, especially in spring, is so wonderful after winter, when the air always seems redolent of cold and damp (well, and maybe woodsmoke, which is rather nice.) How it changes from spring into summer as the different flowers bloom is also nice to savor.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Yes, doesn't honeysuckle has a fabulous fragrance, LilMissMolly? Love seeing its vines dripping with blossoms!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Maureen! Hope you enjoy it.

[Mel K.]

What a wonderful post! I love flowers. To me they are little balls of sunshine. My favorite are roses.

[Betty Hamilton]

You might be able to tell from my icon and email address that my favorite flower is the Sunflower! I even lived in a development called Sunflower and decorated my home with a multitude of sunflower ornamentals. Different flower and their scents bring back memories for me.... mostly childhood memories. Lilacs always remind me of my childhood home and of my mother and of carefree summer days. I do love flowers. Best wishes with the book. I look forward to reading it!

[Ranurgis]

I've got several flowers that I love, most of them wild ones. "My" flower is the snowdrop because it usually blooms around my birthday. Whenever I was able to see them come out in our garden: they'd push through the dead fall leaves and snow. So I love their meaning of "hope," and their persistence in "drilling" through the obstacles of snow and old, fall leaves towards the sun.

The more cultivated flowers I like are carnations, gladioli and calla lilies.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Betty, scent brings back memories for me too. At a former house, I had a screened porch that was half covered with wisteria vines, and the scent always makes me think of lazy June days eating at the table during twilight. Love that perfume!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Lovely thoughts and images, Ranurgis. Thanks for sharing.

[Diane Sallans]

I just Love flowers. My favorites tend to be in the blue/purple colors - lilacs, pansies, iris, hydranga to pinks - roses, azalea, rhododendrum. Need to work on my green thumb to grow more flowers around

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Blue and pink are favorites shades of mine too. I have a lovely hydrangea bush that gives lovely pale blue blooms that I love.

[Karin]

Lilacs are my favorite, for the smell. I wait all year for their bloom time, which is happening right now!

[Charleigh]

humble Carolina Rose -- what fun to think that someone in England knew about it 200 years ago!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Join the crowd of lilac lovers, Karin. The scent is just lovely,isn't it.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Charleigh, that's a great point about heirloom roses. Of, course, we have all the varieties from Malmaison too. (I read a wonderful anecdote about the British Navy allowing ship carrying cutting for Josephine's garden to pass through the blockade of France during the Napoleonic Wars.)

[Pageturner]

I love sweetpeas, but I'm a bit shocked by their meaning!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Oh, LOL, Pageturner! I know—some of the meanings are surprising, but it's fun to know what secret message you can send.