A Look at Some Blooms You Might Encounter and What They Symbolize

Written by Rich Nardo
Photography by Kelly Teleglow

We may be stuck in isolation as the cold, damp month of April is giving way to warm, sun-soaked May afternoons, but at least we can begin to enjoy the life that is blooming all around us! As one of my favorite Long Island photographers, Kelly Teleglow, points out there is beauty even in the weediest corners of our lives - from the flowers in our own backyards to random clusters on the side of the road. Hopefully, we can all take a ray of hope from the beach blooms and accented park views that flowers provide. Even a walk around the block is a special thing this time of year and, while the rest of our lives may be in a state of disruption, we still have that opportunity to look forward to each day.

This month’s blog will be another #NTVartists feature; this time around Kelly’s exquisite captures of the flowers we all enjoy on Long Island this time of year and what they symbolize. In the midst of a pandemic, it feels even more fitting to feature Kelly, as I really admire her ability to utilize different perspectives, colors, edits, moods and natural settings to find something extraordinary in everyday experiences -something we all need to try to do with the current limited state of things.

You can find more of Kelly’s work on her Fine Arts America page and please follow her on Instagram as she is one of the favorite things about my feed everyday!

Tulips - Tulips are meant to represent ‘perfect love’. Unlike roses, tulips are a bit more on the comforting side of love rather than the romantic. As ProFlowers puts it on their “Origins and History”, the tulip is like your “favorite pair of jeans or your mom’s fresh-baked cookies” in the way they represent “genuine coziness and comfort in all the right ways”.

Viburnum - One of the most common shrubs you’ll find in Long Island gardens, viburnum flowers represent a ‘delicate attention to a subject’. This could mean proceeding with caution emotionally or being wary of a new situation. On a more positive note, they can also represent loyalty. Pink viburnum blossoms are seen as representative of growing passion for someone, such as being ready to take the next step in a relationship.

Wisteria - We could all use a little wisteria in our lives, as it is a symbol of long-life or even immortality. Fittingly, Wisteria can live to over 100 years old and there is a Wisteria tree in Japan that is believed to be over 1200 years old!

Aster - Aster is another beautiful, simple flower with a wide array of meanings. It can represent patience or elegance and daintiness. They’re also used often in arrangements for a grave or at farewell occasions as they can be a symbol of ‘afterthought’.

Dahlia - The meanings associated with Dahlia are some of my favorites. The flower can indicate “remaining graceful” or “finding inner strength”, or a positive change. So it is great gift for someone dealing with a difficult situation. Some of its other meanings include “standing out from the crowd”, being kind, commitment, or honesty. It’s also recognized as a symbol of adventure!

Dahlia (Auroa's Kiss, Bayard cutting) arboritum.JPG

Black Eyed Susan - For whatever reason, I’ve always been personally drawn to Black-Eyed Susans. The name itself has a fun origin story, as its said to have originated from a John Gay poem entitled “Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-Eyed Susan” about how the two wildflowers bloom together so beautifully. They can be given to anyone who needs a little encouragement or motivation in their lives.

Cherry Blossoms - Fittingly, Cherry Blossoms represent the arrival of Spring, as well as, the brevity of life and a period of renewal. This is perfect for the captivating pink and white blossoms that arrive in early Spring and only last about two weeks.

Crocus - Positivity exudes from these purple flowers with a bright yellow center. They are one of the first flowers to bloom in the Spring so it makes sense that they would represent cheerfulness, youthfulness and glee!

Daisy - The daisy flower has several meanings that reflect its simple beauty. It can be a symbol of innocence, new beginnings, purity, harmony, or even true love. Look for the elegant white daisy or its bright golden cousin the African Daisy in plenty of Long Island gardens.

Daffodil - Another bright harbinger of Spring, the daffodil is a symbol of rebirth or a fresh start. The name Daffodil is actually derived fro “asphodel”, which was latin for Narcissus.

Garden Cosmo - The Cosmo gets its name from the Greek word “Cosmos”, which means orderly, beautiful, or ornamental; makes sense for a species that is known as a ‘love flower’. When sent to a significant other, Cosmos are meant to illustrate the deepest levels of love. The rare chocolate cosmo goes even further, as they deliver the message ‘I love you more than anybody can’.

Hyacinth - The hyacinth is another flower that can trace its origins back to ancient Greek, as its name is believed to come from Hyakinthos. Hyakinthos was a Greek boy who both Apollo (the sun god) and Zephyr (the god of the west wind) adored. In a fit of jealousy, Zephyr blew a discus that Apollo was teaching Hyakinthos to throw back at him - killing the boy. According to legend, Apollo named the flower that emerged from his blood, Hyacinth, in honor of the fallen youth. Today, the hyacinth is the symbol of sport and can also represent dependability. A blue-blossom Hyacinth can also mean sincerity. (Note: Left Photo - English Bluebell, Right Photo - Grape Hyacinth).

Magnolia - Want to let your significant other know that you’re in awe of their femininity and beauty? If so, the magnolia flower is a lovely alternative to the traditional bouquet of roses. According to Gardenerdy.com, they are “representative of the beauty encompassing femininity and gentleness. They can also be symbols of nobility, perseverance, and a love of nature.

Geranium - There are several, seemingly unrelated meanings that Geranium could represent. On one side, it is viewed as a symbol of folly, melancholy or even stupidity. On the opposite end of the spectrum, they can be gifted with the intent of expressing gentility, ingenuity, and true friendship. The latter meanings make the Geranium an ideal housewarming gift...just make sure you subtly slip into conversation how much you respect your friend’s intelligence so they know which side of the coin your intentions fell on!

Sunflower - Known as a “happy” flower, sunflowers are bright and conjure images of hopefulness and summertime frivolity. They derive their perceived meaning of adoration, loyalty and longevity from their namesake, the sun itself.

Dandelion - The Dandelion’s story is a particularly interesting one. They’re viewed as a joyous sign that Spring has arrived and they have a myriad of health benefits including high levels of antioxidants, blood sugar control, help in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, liver health and weight loss. They are highly nutritious and support healthy digestion and bones, boost the immune system and are useful in skincare. Still, containing the spread of dandelions is a source of aggravation for most gardeners and they are considered a weed. Much like these benefits that are often overlooked, the dandelion can represent many things if given to a friend - healing, emotional intelligence, youthfulness and long lasting happiness, and surviving difficult times. Also, when in their seeding stage like this picture, it's believed that if you make a wish as you blow the seeds, it will come true!

Blue-Eyed Grass - While I couldn’t find a reference to what Blue-Eyed Grass could symbolize, they are too beautiful to leave out of this post. Although the leaves of this plant may look like grass (hence the name), it is actually a close relative to Iris.

Echinacea - Echinacea, or Coneflower, is another plant with amazing benefits. It has the agency to help combat a wide array of conditions including the flu and colds, sore throats, burns, infections, toothaches, migraines, cramps, skin conditions, arthritis, and even certain poisonous insect bites. It is also know to have antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties and is used as an effective immune system booster. With all these health benefits, it's no surprise that Echinacea is a symbol of strength and health.