Flowers, Feelings and Friendship

A flower a day keeps the blues at bay. While so many of us are struggling with our mental well-being at the moment, isn’t it good to know that a non-invasive solution is at hand? The power of flowers to dispel low mood and enhance well-being has been well documented. Studies conducted by the University of Vermont, Rutgers and Harvard all came to the same conclusion: flowers lead to an increase in happiness; boost creativity; foster greater compassion and more positive social behaviour. With so much to gain, it’s time to bring some floral healing into our lives and to share it with others too.

Flowers at home

According to a Harvard study, having flowers in the home for even a few days can reduce anxiety and lead to a more positive mindset. Flowers are wonderful anywhere, but if you are really needing a bit of a lift, the study recommends you keep some in the kitchen when you will see them at the beginning of the day. Starting with the beauty and serenity of flowers is bound to set you on the right track.

Personally, I like to have flowers everywhere – in my kitchen (where I also have several flowering plants), in the bathroom, the lounge etc. That way, if I can’t spend much time in the garden, I can bring its beauty to me.

Do they require a little attention? Of course they do, but they are the least demanding of residents. Fridays are for flowers, so I check that everything has been watered well, vases refreshed or new flowers chosen on that day. At most, it requires half an hour and I am rewarded with beauty for the rest of the week. Is it expensive? Not at all.

Almost all my flowers are gathered from the garden and others have been generous in giving plants as gifts. I also have a lovely friend who gives me a miniature bouquet when she visits – often made up of wild flowers or tiny blooms from her garden and bound with a pretty ribbon. She uses grasses and seed heads and combines them with her artist’s eye into something exquisite. A stunning posy needs cost you nothing but a little time.

Support flowers

We’ve all heard of support animals, but what about support flowers? Personally, I think they have been overlooked. The same friend that brings the Lilliputian arrangements sends a daily picture of a flower to a number of friends via WhatsApp. Since she lives alone, it is an imaginative way of letting us all know that she is fine. It also gives her an opportunity to express her artistic flair.

When my friend in the States, who works as a court reporter, told me she was working on a grisly murder trial, I thought I would adapt the virtual flower message as one to give her cheer in what would be challenging days. So each morning, I select a joyful flower and email it with a brief note. This way, I can let her know I am thinking of her and I hope these images help erase the rather more gruesome ones she is forced to witness.

The gift of flowers

I read recently (I have no idea where) that flowers are the one gift that invariably brings a genuine smile to the recipient. So often we spend ages looking for exactly the right present only to discover that they have one already or they no longer favour that colour or design. With flowers, it is always a win. If you are feeling flush, delivered flowers have that extra level of excitement. And with excellent on-line choices, you can send them anywhere and in minimal time. During the first lock-down, when I was unable to go to the shops or post office, online flower services were my gift solution.

Now I am happy to go to the market or garden centre, my choices have expanded proportionately; though since it is summer, I would generally choose to go to my own garden first. The old fashioned and scented flowers I have there are seldom available in the shops.

And if I am just going for a coffee and want to bring a little something, miniature bouquets of the sort my friend brings are always an appropriate thank you. That is if I have no homemade cakes available!

Flower power

I hope this post inspires you to display, grow and share more flowers. A little natural beauty in our lives; the joy of creativity in arrangements and the flush of success when our flowers thrive and bloom again cannot be beaten. I’ve even started saving seeds to share or even guerrilla garden in neglected areas. Whatever flowers you choose; whichever way you present them, they will always raise your spirits – and I for one am often in need of that.