By Beatrice Hawkins
As we come to the end of July, it is time to talk about the flowers designated as the birth flowers for this month. They are two quite different plants requiring vastly different growing conditions and having very different meanings.
One is the delphinium and no cottage garden is complete without the tall blue spires or the smaller various blues, pinks and purples of larkspurs which are members of the same family. They are native throughout the northern hemisphere and also the high mountains of tropical Africa. They are a perennial so hopefully they will die down after flowering but come again next year. I grew some last year in Warwick, but find it a bit of a challenge in our summer. They come in all shades of blue from almost black to almost white and many shades of pink and mauve in between and I like any of them. I have transplanted two mounds that survived from last year and they seem to be doing OK at present. Hopefully, I have picked a spot where they will be protected from wind but still get enough sun to provide a good display, and that I have two different blues.
The meaning attributed to these beauties is “levity and lightness” and even though they are not flowering in this hemisphere at this time of year, I think the meaning is appropriate as we could all use a bit of “levity and lightness” at this cold time of the year when we are being assailed by frosts and cold, and one can only hope, wet!, winter days. It is nice at this time to contemplate the warmth and sunshine to come and the blue spires of delphinium mixed with all the other colours in our spring and summer gardens.
In my case the imagined picture is always so much better than what actually transpires, but I keep trying and who knows, maybe one day the reality will be as good as the imagination!
The name delphinium, according to myth, is named after the temple to the Greek sun god Apollo at Delphi. Apparently, the delphinium was among his favourite flowers and so many people believe they bring good luck.
While the Greeks seem to be responsible for the name “Delphinium” it was the English who called this group of flowers “Larkspur” because the shape of the nectary resembled the larks claw.
The other flower given as a birth flower for July is the water lily. There are a number of species and they are grow in fresh water in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. The meaning given to these flowers is also helpful to contemplate during this cold period as it is associated with “rebirth and optimism” as they appear in nature in creeks and streams especially after rain. White water lilies are said to represent peace, purity, pleasure and spiritual enlightenment!
Water lilies have meanings and uses in Eastern religions and because they produce flowers and fruits simultaneously they represent universality. They are considered sacred by the Buddhist and Hindu religions and are the national flower of Bangladesh.
They come in a wide range of colours from white, yellow, blue, pink, red and orange and also a range of sizes from miniatures to very large, but all have round leaves supported on hollow air-filled stems that allow the leaves to float on top of the water. They are a perennial rhizomatous herb and will grow in all Australian climates. They require more than four hours of sun each day in order to flower and the tropical varieties need sun all day.
They should be kept away from fountains and running water, and don’t like frosts or to be fertilised in winter. They can be grown in anything from a bowl indoors to a garden pond to the great displays you sometimes see in farm dams. One of the intriguing facts about them is that some flower during the day and others at night and there are about 70 different species. Last week I said there would be some passes to win to the Garden Extravaganza to be held in St Mary’s Hall on Wood Street on 26 and 27 July. These passes are for entry and Devonshire tea for two at the Extravaganza.
The first person to ring the Free Times (4661 9800) on Friday morning and correctly name the Australian National Floral emblem will win one of these passes.
So that the people who do not receive their Free Times on Thursday and either have to wait or pick one up in town over the weekend will not be disadvantaged, the first person to ring with the answer on Monday will also receive a pass. These will be available to be picked up at the Free Times office and be for use on either the Wednesday 26 or Thursday 27.
The Extravaganza will be a great spot to catch up with friends and spend a few hours relaxing in an indoor venue enjoying a number of stalls displaying and selling a range of items from pottery to garden ornaments and plants to fertilisers.
There will be a variety of tasty homemade soups and fresh bread to purchase for a light lunch and an array of homemade sweet treats to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee for a relaxing morning or afternoon break. We will endeavour to cater for a variety of dietary requirements with gluten free and vegetarian alternatives. There will also be a range of homemade jams and cakes to purchase.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
*This is an old article that has been digitised so our readers have access to our full catalogue.
