Fairy Messengers
Lavender Fairy![]() 2017 by Kristina Gaughran Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils. The most widely cultivated species, Lavandula angustifolia, is often referred to as lavender, and there is a color named for the shade of the flowers of this species. Everyone loves lavender! Check out this article for & Great Benefits form Lavender: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/lavender.html meaning of lavender: refinement, grace and elegance Tulip Fairy![]() 2016
by Kristina Gaughran The orange and yellow colored tulip is known as the "flair" tulip, and is marked by a brushstroke of a brilliant red up the center of the petal, adding extra dimension. It is a single, early blooming tulip that is cup shaped and has a strong stem to withstand late winter/early spring winds and rain. Meaning of the tulip: perfect love and eternal happiness Lotus Fairy![]() 2015
by Kristina Gaughran Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, or simply lotus, is one of two species of aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. This plant is an aquatic perennial. Under favorable circumstances its seeds may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from that of seeds 1,300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China. Native to Tropical Asia and Queensland, Australia, it is commonly cultivated in water gardens. It is also the national flower of India and Vietnam. (www.wikipedia.com) Meaning of the Lotus: Eloquence (www.languageofflowers.com) Fairy Surprise![]() 2015 Repaint
by Kristina Gaughran The poinsettia ((Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family. The species is indigenous to Mexico. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico who introduced the plant to the US in 1825. Although bright red leaves are the most common form of the poinsettia, it is also available in pink and ivory. (www.wikipedia.com) Poinsettia: Be of Good Cheer (www.languageofflowers.com) Daffodil Fairy![]() 2014
by Kristina Gaughran Narcissus is a genus of predominantly spring perennial plants in the Amaryllis family. Various common names including daffodil, daffadowndilly, narcissus, and jonquil are used to describe all or some members of the genus. Narcissus has conspicuous flowers with six petal-like tepals surmounted by a cup- or trumpet-shaped corona. The flowers are generally white or yellow (orange or pink in garden varieties), with either uniform or contrasting coloured tepals and corona. The species are native to meadows and woods in southwest Europe and North Africa with a center of diversity in the Western Mediterranean, particularly the Iberian peninsula. Both wild and cultivated plants have naturalised widely, and were introduced into the Far East prior to the tenth century. (www.wikipedia.com) Narcissus (daffodil): egotism (www.languageofflowers.com) Daisy Fairy![]() 2013
by Kristina Gaughran Bellis perennis is a common European species of daisy, of the Asteraceae family, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as common daisy, lawn daisy or English daisy. Historically, it has also been commonly known as bruisewort and occasionally woundwort (although the common name woundwort is now more closely associated with Stachys(woundworts)). Bellis perennis is native to western, central and northern Europe, but widely naturalised in most temperate regions including the Americas and Australasia. (www.wikipedia.com) Daisy: Innocence Tiger Lily Fairy![]() 2012
by Kristina Gaughran The Tiger Lily, bears large, fiery orange flowers covered by spots. The name tiger probably refers to the spots on the petals. The flowers of this perennial can grow up to three inches in width. The Tiger Lily is also known as the Ditch Lily as it is found in and around ditches in large parts of America. The bulbs of its plants are boiled and eaten in some countries, especially China. They taste like potatoes. The Tiger Lily has a strong, sweet and distinctively lily smell. Besides producing a stunning spectacle, most parts of this plant are edible. There are two varieties of the Tiger Lily:
Stargazer Lily Fairy![]() 2012 Repaint
Special Edition by Kristina Gaughran Lilium 'Stargazer' (the Stargazer lily) is a hybrid lily of the Oriental group. Oriental lilies are known for their fragrant perfume, blooming mid-to-late summer. Stargazers are easy to grow and do best in full sunlight. They have a fast growth rate and should be planted in full sun in well drained loamy or sandy soil. When mature, Stargazers can grow to a height of 36 inches with a spread of 10 to 14 inches with 2 to 8 flowers per stem. Stargazer lilies are often incorrectly called "Rubrum" lilies. Rubrums were a predecessor commercial lily to the Stargazers whose flowers pointed down to the ground. As such, consumers and other end users thought the rubrums were dead as the downward facing flower projected a non-vibrant, non-living look. The Stargazer lily was created in 1974 by Leslie Woodriff, a lily breeder in California, to overcome this downward look. Woodriff called the new cross 'Stargazer', because the blooms faced towards the sky. Many commercial florists report that while most consumers love the appearance and the fragrance of the Stargazer lily and other Oriental lilies (e.g. Sorbonne, Starfighter in the pink and Siberia, Casa Blanca in the white), there is a small minority of the public that does not like the fragrance. (www.wikipedia.com) Lily: Beauty, Elegance, Sweetness (www.languageofflowers.com Mistletoe Fairy![]() 2011 by Kristina Gaughran Mistletoe is especially interesting botanically because it is a partial parasite (a "hemiparasite"). As a parasitic plant, it grows on the branches or trunk of a tree and actually sends out roots that penetrate into the tree and take up nutrients. But mistletoe is also capable for growing on its own; like other plants it can produce its own food by photosynthesis. Mistletoe, however, is more commonly found growing as a parasitic plant. There are two types of mistletoe. The mistletoe that is commonly used as a Christmas decoration (Phoradendron flavescens) is native to North America and grows as a parasite on trees in the west as also in those growing in a line down the east from New Jersey to Florida. The other type of mistletoe, Viscum album, is of European origin. The European mistletoe is a green shrub with small, yellow flowers and white, sticky berries which are considered poisonous. It commonly seen on apple but only rarely on oak trees. The rarer oak mistletoe was greatly venerated by the ancient Celts and Germans and used as a ceremonial plant by early Europeans. The Greeks and earlier peoples thought that it had mystical powers and down through the centuries it became associated with many folklore customs. (www.theholidayspot.com) Mistletoe: I surmount all difficulties (www.languageofflowers.com) Holly Fairy![]() 2011
Special Edition by Kristina Gaughran Holly is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. Plants in this genus have simple, alternate glossy leaves, frequently with a spiny leaf margin. The inconspicuous flower is greenish white, with four petals. They are generally dioecious, with male and female flowers on different plants.The small fruits of Ilex, although often referred to as berries, are technically drupes. They range in color from red to brown to black, and rarely green or yellow. The "bones" contain up to ten seeds each. The fruits ripen in winter and thus provide winter color contrast between the bright red of the fruits and the glossy green evergreen leaves. Hence the cut branches, especially of I. aquifolium, are widely used in Christmas decoration. (www.wikipedia.com) Holly: foresight, domestic happiness (www.languageofflowers.com) Bluebell Fairy![]() 2010
by Kristina Gaughran One of the prettiest flowers in the garden is the Virginia bluebells flowers (Mertensia virginica). The bluebell is also called the Virginia cowslip. It is a perennial that is native to North America. You will find fields of Virginia bluebells here and there because they make a great plant for naturalizing. The bluebell can grow in any garden. The Virginia bluebell flowers are a really pretty light blue-purple. They actually start out pink when they are buds, and then bloom into the darker, richer hue. This is a beautiful flower to have growing in your garden or along the side of your house or garage. Fields of Virginia bluebells are wonderful nearby your home. Virginia bluebells bloom in early to mid spring and will continue blooming through early to mid summer. This, of course, depends on its growing environment and how much rain we get. Too much rain and they don’t do too well. They need well-draining soil to prevent them from getting too much water. Bluebells flowers will grow to a height of 18 to 24 inches tall, so they make a great naturalization plant for your yard in corners here and there, or even as a backdrop in your flowers garden behind the other plants. (www.gardeningknowhow.com) Bluebell: Constancy (www.languageofflowers.com) Marigold Fairy![]() 2009
by Kristina Gaughran No annual is more cheerful or easier to grow than marigolds. These flowers are the spendthrifts among annuals, showing a wealth of gold, copper, and brass into our summer and autumn gardens. The flower’s popularity probably derives in part from its ability to bloom brightly all summer long. Marigolds have daisy-like or double, carnation-like flowerheads and are produced singly or in clusters. Although there are some 50 species, some marigolds we know come from just three:
Marigold: from "Mary's Gold," humility |