A Deeper Look into The Flowers of June

Cindy Savary is a certified flower designer at Willow & Orchid.

The flowers for the month of June are Roses and Honeysuckle.

Roses have many different meanings depending on the colour and variety. Many are grown for their beauty or for their amazing fragrance. A few are both fragrant and beautiful. Did you know that a red rose means “I love you”? Pink roses say perfect happiness, gratitude and grace. Yellow is all about friendship, while orange roses convey passion and enthusiasm. White roses are a symbol of innocence and purity but if you combine them with red ones and tie them together the message is

Fun Facts About Roses

There are 150 species of roses and thousands of hybrids found in many shapes and colours. All roses are considered shrubs and their petals are edible and organic rose petals can be added to salads and desserts. Rose hips are full of Vitamin C and make a wonderful tea.

Florist Tips for Cut Roses

If you get a rose and its head has drooped, this is because of an air lock in the stem. Cut about an inch up the stem and immediately put into a vase of warm water. Gently tap the stem a few times at the bottom of the vase. This will help water to get up the stem. Within 20 minutes to half an hour the rose will come back beautifully. Another tip - the shorter the stem, the longer the rose lasts as a cut flower.

Another lovely flower, the honeysuckle symbolizes everlasting bonds of love. There are close to 200 different varieties including vines, shrubs and bush varieties, The vines are great climbers for shade but need support to climb up a wall. Their vines twist around themselves and can grow on fences with no support. The shrubs can be grown in pots and containers. Choose carefully as the bush varieties are more invasive. When your honeysuckle is blooming, remove the flower from the stamen, and taste the sweetness of the flower, and you will know why it’s called honeysuckle. Not all

the parts are edible on the flower. The berries are extremely toxic, and should NOT be eaten. Please note that all parts of this plant are toxic to dogs, but hummingbirds and bees LOVE them. Enjoy the flowers and embrace their beauty!

Willow & Orchid 101 Station St Downtown Duncan 250 748-9868