We are in the midst of quite the cold spell as I am writing this, which makes it difficult to imagine gardening at all. While this is prime time to scheme and plan for the gardens of the future, I thought this month I would look a little bit into the special flowers that mark February birthdays: violets and primroses. Both of my siblings have February birthdays, so it seemed extra appropriate to highlight!
Violets are native to the northern hemisphere and bloom from early spring to summer. While most are known for their signature violet color, they can come in a variety of hues including: white, yellow, blue, orange, and even red. They thrive in full sunlight to partial shade, and really prefer well-draining, humus rich soil. They are edible and are often used in teas, syrups and can be candied as decorations for cakes. Sometimes they are even used in salads as a lovely garnish!
There are conflicting Greek mythology tales about the origins of violets (that I could find in my very short research stint!) but the main two seem to stem from either Artemis or Aphrodite. The tale goes that Artemis’ hunting maidens were being threatened by her brother Apollo so she turned them all into violets to protect their virtue. Other stories mention that violets are the tears of Aphrodite, hence why they tend to symbolize deep love and devotion.
Romans used violets in festivals, medicines, funerals and food. They were also used in Roman love potions, so their tie to romance was also apparent. During the Renaissance the violet symbolizes love, modesty and faithfulness. They were featured prominently in art during that time. Finally, in the Victorian Era things took a dramatic turn and violets began to symbolize humility and fortune. They often wore violets to ward off evil spirits in addition to adding their sweet scent to perfumes.
Primroses are the second birth flower of February. Like their partner violets, they are native to the northern hemisphere and are early blooming perennials. They come in a variety of colors including yellow, red, blue, pink and white. They also prefer partial shade and well-drained, humus-rich soil. They are also edible and mildly sweet, and in modern care primrose is used to prevent pimples and wrinkles, and are seen as symbols of good luck in parts of the world.
Greeks and Romans both used primrose for medicinal purposes including treating skin and respiratory problems. Large patches of primroses were seen by ancient Celts as a gateway to the fairy realm, and if you ate one of their flowers you would surely see a fairy. Other folks believed that primroses could ward off evil spirits for anyone that wore it.
Flowers and plants have such a deep and fascinating history with cultures around the world. It is always neat to delve into their pasts and see what resonates still and what has been long forgotten. If you have a loved one born this month, consider including violets and primroses in the gift in some form or another!
