Easter is just a few days away; it’s hard to believe, isn’t it! Have you ever wondered how the date for Easter is determined? Long, long ago, in 325, the Council of Nicaea determined that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox, which was approximated at March 21. So the earliest date that Easter could possibly be is March 22 (this happened in 1818 and won’t happen again until 2285). The latest that Easter could be is April 25. The last time that happened was in 1943, and that late date will not occur again until 2038. (Those who follow the Julian calendar are thirteen days later.) Isn’t that interesting?
As with any special holiday, certain flowers are traditional and meaningful. Lilies are probably the most traditional and popular Easter flower, signifying purity and hope. Legend says that white lilies grew where drops of Jesus’ blood fell after the crucifixion. Elegant white lilies are the flowers of choice to adorn churches and homes over Easter. In the language of flowers, giving a white lily to someone means that you are happy to know them!
But many other beautiful floral choices are on offer for the Easter season. One of my favorites is the stunning hydrangea; the giant pom-poms of blooms are a real showstopper! Hydrangeas come in bright blue, raspberry pink, pale pink, or white. They are usually given as a potted plant. You can manage to keep these until spring and put them out in your garden or containers. We did this a couple years ago and were thrilled when our little hydrangea actually bloomed a second time in the summer! In flower-talk, hydrangeas mean that you are sincerely grateful for the understanding of a friend.
Cheerful daffodils represent rebirth and eternal life. They make a sunny addition to any Easter table. They are amazing little flowers: sometimes their buds are so tightly closed that it seems impossible that they will ever open; but lo and behold, in a very short time, the buds burst open and the bright trumpets herald spring! It is important to remember that daffodils give off a substance that shortens the lifespan of other cut flowers, so it is best to give them a vase all to themselves. (However, I also read this: that if you place your daffodils in water for at least twelve hours on their own, you can then arrange them with other cut flowers as long as you do not cut the daffodil stems again. You can decide which is easier for your flower-arranging!)
Now let’s talk about tulips. I have read two different things about tulips. One, that they are joyful messengers of spring and bring happy tidings. Two, that they are the flowers of love, almost as meaningful as roses in the language of flowers, with different colors sending different messages. But because they are with us for such a short time each year, I think of them as spring messengers of hope and friendship!
Mums speak to us of cheerfulness, and if you give someone chrysanthemums, it means you wish them great happiness. Potted mums are another plant that you can quite easily keep going till it is time for them to go outside and you can enjoy them all over again!
Also very beautiful and very meaningful are the silky pussywillows and palm branches from Palm Sunday. Â
May you have a joyous Easter as we celebrate the Risen Jesus and new life! Have a great week! Joy to you and Happy Easter!
