Freesias are blooming in our garden and their small, delicate blooms are nothing short of enchanting. I know they are many people's favourite flower, and many people's mother's favourite flower. I always wanted to grow them, although I don't think that I have ever seen them growing in UK gardens.
When I read up on them, I learnt a few interesting facts about these magically scented flowers.
Freesias carry a lot of symbolism: Their name originates from an interaction between two 19th century German botanists. One of the botanists, Christian P. Ecklon named the flower after his close friend and fellow botanist Friedrich H.T. Freese. After this, freesias forever became a symbol of lasting friendship.
In Victorian times, freesias were the ultimate symbol of trust between two people. Freesias also carry specific meanings based on their color:
- White freesias for purity and innocence
- Pink freesias for motherly love
- Yellow freesias for joy
- Red freesias for passion
Freesias are used in cosmetics: One of the freesias’ most distinctive characteristics is its sweet and fragrant aroma. It is often used in perfumes, lotions, shampoos, soaps, hand creams, and other cosmetic products. Although all freesias have a strong scent, their specific smell depends on the color. Red and pink typically smell the strongest.
Freesias are renowned for being tricky to grow, inside or outside. They are extremely delicate and require the right conditions to thrive. They grow best in places that can mimic their native environment, which is tropical South Africa, where they go dormant in the summer and blossom during the mild winter months.
Some people are genetically unable to smell freesias. Justin cannot smell them. Until I knew this fact I thought he was joking or had a cold. There's a certain tragedy is being unable to smell their hypnotic scent.
Here is my Freesia Haiku:
hypnotic trance
the scent overpowers me
in freesia, high fever
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