The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE 34, WHITBYERPE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, <1988 Herbs play imprant part-in weddings wordwid.e,.. Herbs have played an important part in ceremonies of niany kinds.* One of the most interesting herbai associations is surrounding wedding rituals and festivities. The*customs and lore corne from the earliest records of lands and cultures that stretched from the Far East, China, Japan, India, Egypt ta Greece and Rome and north to Scandanavia and England. The stories and interpretations thiat follow have been collected' from many sources but are only a small part of the history of herbs of love, weddings and marriage. Arternesia --was named for the Goddess Artemis, diety of* the Moon and the Hunt. It is also a Chinese symbol of dignity and was used in a medicinal way ta cure "women's ilîs." It has been used for many centuries as the. basis of wreath making due ta its everlasting qualities. Amaranth. -- for constancy and fidelity. Lemon Balm --Sympathy and love, was used ta attract honey bees ta their hîves. Borage --a symbol of courage. Broom --ardor and humility. Basil --a symbol of courtship, but represents bath love and hate. Carraway and Cumin --confers the gift of retention: Seeds were given ta engaged couples ta bring and keep them together. Seeds were slipped inta a straying husband's pockets ta bring them back ta the home and family. It is said that whenever one eats carraway one is drawn back ta the place where it was eaten. Daisy --means purity in. thought or loyal love. Young girls would take a daisy and one by one remove a petal and chant "lie loves me, he loves me not." Edelweiss- --means devotian- and courage. In alpine countries, the- gathering of Edelweiss climbing mountain crags and hanging over- precipices, is considered an act of courage. Young men bring the littie flower back ta the lady of their choice. It is highly valued showing the devotion .of her lover. Hawthorne --an. emblem of hope--Athenian brides used its blossoms ta decorate their attendants on their wedding day. Brides carried a large bougli of it ta the altar. The altar of Hymen, God of 'Marriage,* was illuminated by torches of the Hawthorne. it also formed the liglit for the bridai cliamber. It was a Roman- charmn against witchcraft and'sorcery. Johnny Jump Up (Viola) -means happiness. Honesty (lunaria, silver dollar plant) --was often given ta brides ta plant in. tlieir new ardens. It was believed that "silver dollar" plant would keep them from want, always with plenty of money. .Strawberries --everlasting, flowers meaning "always yours". Sage --stands for esteem, insures domestic virtues, good health and long life. Rosemary - for devotion and memory. -It signifies constancv. want, always witli plenty of money., - >Strawberries --everlasting flowers meaning "always yours". Sage --stands for esteem, insures domestic virtues, good liealtli and long life.,. Rosemary - for devotion and memory. It signifies çonstancy, fidelity, loyalty and 'enduring love. Rosemfary lias been a favored wedding plant from medieval times ta the present day. It was one of the first plants ta be used in wedding bouquets. Tied with gilded ribbon, it was given ta the bridesmaids. Branches of it were used ta. decorate the home, for the festive day.' Myrtle --the Myrtle tree has always been dedicated ta love. In sucli diverse places and dlimates as Palestine, wliere it was a symbol of the highest good and virginity, ta Sweden, where it was the customary wedding crown. it appears ta have, held a place in wedding ceremonies more revered than al other plants. Myrtle was dedicated ta Venus and Aphirodite, , the goddesses. of love. Its branches were. carried ta' ceremonies on days devoted ta, Venus and Eros, her misehievous son whqýshot~ arrows inta unwary hearts.1 In Sweden, young- children were given a plant ta care for until their wedding day, when it formed the headpiece for the bride. In England it always lias been ased in wedding bouquets. Marioram --a- mascot fiower for loyers (a gypsy tradition). Lavender --means sweetness and undying lave - purity. Violet --in the lIngiage of fiowers, it means ". return your love," modesty and simplicity. Heliotrope --a symbol of eternal love and admiration. 'Co nditioning' important before arranging flowers *Now the 1 in Durban Our Garden Centre is growing fast-% Durharn Regon' That's gaad news fi because a visit ta aur Garden Centre Inside, we've got Black Swans. Woai and Blue-Wnged Teal. along with Coi Budgies. Outside there are sixty-five and even a Liarna, plus dazens of bei Sa bring the kids and Aunt Mary, anc will have fun, and you'Jl enjay aur mi garden centre bargains, taa EXTENDED 8 arn ta 9 prn Mandi HOURS: 8 arn ta 6 prn Saturc 10 arnIoa5 prn Sunda CLAY PLANTERS Our entire selection ý0f high quality terracotta planters are now marked down for' aur pre-inventory clearance. SAà VE UP TO 4 0 0/o2 One of the nicest things about liàving a garden, is that you can cut a few flowers ta bring indoors. For those of you have same creative energies, flower arranging can be a fun way to vent them. Flowers are one of nature's real, gifts ta us. When worIng with the immense variety of colors, texture, shaspes and forms that are available in aur gardens, it is virtually impossible not ta, create a "thing of beauty." GOLD MOUND SPIREA The spring faliage is a bright golden color tuming green in the summer, changing ta a radiant copper orange by fait. covered with light crimson flowers. A must in any garde n. ONLY $9.9 9 FRUIT TREES SHUBERT CHOKECHERRY Our fruit trees are of the fines . A purpie Ieaved tree, the new qualty itlianyfullof ruitandleaves are green but quicidy tum qualiy th ay utpfian M purple. A very usef ut accent . rO ead plnt. D,, dwarf tree, ideal tree for NOW RDUCE) BYfoundat ion planting. ý300/o SALE S29.99- SAVE $10.00 A ~ N JOHN BROU WER-GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING CENTRE 650 Lakeridge Road South, Ajax, Ontario Li S 4S7 LJJ TELEPHONE: 686-1545 or 686-1680 It is important thougli, ta, "condition" the material correctly, especially if you intend ta, use floral foam ta, secure the stems inta position. Floral faam is a water absorbent material that is soft enough ta insert stems and at the same time, firm enaugh to hold tliem in place. When purchasing this material be sure you obtain the foam designed for fresh flowers and not for silk or dried material. Foam designed for silk and dried arrangements will not absorb water. Here are some tips: 1) Cut flowers in the morning (before 10:00 a.m.) or late afternoon (after 4:00 p.m.). Flowers cut in the middle of the afternoon are somewhat dehydrated framn the sun and have more difficulty in drawing up water. 2. Take. a bucket filled witli tepid water and floral preservative added, into the garden with you. Using a, sharp knife (preferable ta, scissors), cut the stems on an angle and plunge them into the water. 3. Keep the flowers in a cool place and allow them ta, 'drink' the water for at least two hours and preferably overniglit. Some flowers require special treatment in order ta last well in an arrangement. Here are some examples: Daffodils: These flowers exude a fluid poisonous ta, other plants and should lie conditioned in a vase of cool water all by themselves. Alber about 12 hours it's safe ta, include themn in an arragement with other flowers. Poppies and other plants that exude a "milky" sap when cut sliould be 'sèared' at the eut end before being put inta, water. do this by holding the eut end. against a stove element or over a candie until the wound is sealed (black), and then plunge irnto water. Flowering Branches: Woody flowering branches last longer if the stem ends are split vertically two or three inches with a sharp knife. This allows them ta open up and take up water mare readil.y. Do not hanimer!' Hammering is likely ta bruise and pound together some-of the tiny water tubes and prevent water from entering. Ruses: Cut rose stems' under, water - this definitely discourages air being trapped in' the stem, which is wliat cause the blossoms to droap. Tulips: Should be cut in the advanced bud stage. Wrap them in a piece of newspaper, place the bundle in a taîl container of cold water reaching almast ta the flower head. Drap melted wax, the same color as the tulip (crayons work well), inta the cup where the petals are joineïd when the flower reaches the stage of maturity you want. This also discourages the petals from drapping. Since tulips always turn ta the light,* if you need an exact placement, run a florist's wire througli each stem. Use weak stemmed tulips in low arrangements. This, of course., is just a smattering of advice. There is lots uf information available in local libraries- and book stores on floral design. JUly in the garden Trim* hedges as required. Deci duaus hedgs such as privet usually need eeral cuttings a year. Evergreens like cedars can often get by- with only one. Growth for evergreens will now 1--eslowing down and acareful slaping in July should Iast until growtli starts next spring. After your 'delphiniums' have finished flowering, cut tliem down, work in a balanced SEE PAGE 35