Daisy Folklore

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaLighting and IrrigationPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

The Daisy

 The daisy derived it's English name from the Anglo-Saxon terms daes eage.  Meaning "the days' eye" - referring to the way the flower opens and closes with the sun.Keep in mind there are many daisy looking flowers that are not related to each other, or even in the daisy family - but we colloquially called them as such. I've included many here. 

English daisies !

 

Symbolism in Roman times

 Primarily known as the symbol of childhood innocence.  This charming wildflower is said to originate from a Dryad (an oak dwelling nymph) who presided over forests, meadows, and pastures. 

daisy looking - but an Osteospermum!

 According to Roman mythological legend, the nymph Belides, as she danced with the other nymphs at the edge of the forest, caught the eye of Vertumnus, the god of the orchards. To escape his unwanted attention, she transformed herself into the flower bellis, the botanical name of one of many plants we call the daisy. 

the true daisy - Bellis perennis

 

Symbolism in Medieval Times

 While its modest simplicity made the daisy a favorite flower of many poets, its healing and predictive powers made it popular not only with farmers, but also with kings. Spring, medieval farmers would say, would not arrive until one could set a foot upon twelve daisies.To dream of daisies in springtime or summer was a lucky omen, but dreams of them in fall or winter meant certain doom! 

Cinneraria look-alike daisy

 

Symbolism in Tudor times

 Transplanting wild daisies to a cultivated garden was considered to be very unlucky.King Henry VIII ate dishes of daisies to relieve himself from his stomach-ulcer pain. During his reign, it was also believed that drinking crushed daisies steeped in wine, in small doses over 15 days, would cure insanity. 

ORANGE ! daisy

 

Symbolism in Victorian times

 Similar in appearance to some chrysanthemums, daisies continue to be associated with simplicity and modesty - two characteristics carried over from Victorian times.A well-known practice originated with heartbroken Victorian maids who wished to be loved once again by their suitors. A maid would pluck a daisy's petals one by one, chanting, "He loves me, he loves me not," for each petal pulled. Of course, it was the last petal that predicted the situation's outcome. 

The ever beautiful Shasta Daisy

 A young maiden would also pick a handful of daisies with her eyes closed. The number of blossoms she held in her hand told of the number of years that remained until she married. 

Symbolism in Modern Times

 Generally speaking, daisies indicate innocence, purity, and gentleness on behalf of both the giver and the receiver. "You have as many virtues as this plant has petals," or, "I will consider your request."A white daisy represents shared feelings of affection.  A red one tells of beauty unknown to the possessor. Not sure about pink! 

Echinacea - daisy look alike - but lovely none the less

 

For a Daisy filled garden call Plant Specialists today

- the symbolic possibilities are endless !!

  

PLANT SPECIALISTS

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 52 YEARS !

  

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

Previous

Garden lighting
Next

The Beginners Guide to Gardening