Calibrachoas & Pansies

Calibrachoa

 ~*~

Calibrachoa is a type of flower that is in the nightshade family. It was named after 19th-century Spanish-Mexican botanist and pharmacologist Antonio de la Cal y Bracho. I saved the history to read later (after I get through the certain-to-be-terrible translation), but for my purposes here, that history isn't relevant. 

What is relevant is that I have three hybrid types (the Violet Star, the Kona Midnight Blur, and the Aloha Nani Calibash) of these very pretty vining flowers that are closely related to petunias. Looking at them, I can see it, in the petals and leaves, but also different. Mix in hybrids and wheeeee!

This is a 2019 printing of an 1835 English translation of the original 1830 French; the original French doesn't get much press in the searches. The version I have is from 8 years before the illustrated version of this book came out (though there are a few sketches).

This is a 2020 printing of flowers from across the pond from the older version, with very lovely artistry and not much in the way of explanation for the definitions and where they diverge from the original. Or, in my case...

 

...not at all. 

The matter of the flowers I was looking for weren't in existence at all in the first one, and only a cousin in the second/newer book. Petunias aren't in the older book, but are in the newer one...though the calibrachoa isn't in the newer book. I'm not attempting to find deep meaning in flowers, because I'm not an idiot. But floriography wasn't done stupidly. Meanings were ascribed to flowers to convey messages. 

So when looking at something "meaningful" in the pages of old and new floriography, one expects to find a bit more creativity. In the old and new books, there's a bit of difference...which might ought to be expected.

For petunias, the text provides meanings of anger and resentment. The explanation of origin provides: "Little is recorded about the origin of the meaning. The petunia is sensitive and easily damaged--perhaps like a person who is filled with anger or resentment."

The book further suggests pairing petunia with "wormwood to indicate displeasure at an outcome" or "rosemary to show you will not forget someone's wrongdoing."

Sounds a lot to me like Aunt Petunia and a few peppered tidbits from Harry Potter. 

That said, not so much the calibrachoas, in the sense of "sensitivity." I mean sure, the petals are delicate looking, but they're hardy flowers. So if I had to give them a nosegay meaning, they'd have to be the inverse of the above meanings. Like...

Resilient, calm, empathic, forward-facing.

 

Pansies

Suggests pairing with ...oh, I dunno...the same number of pansies. The text notes Shakespearean recognition of the French, and all the pennies for thoughts we can spend. One need not look further than Spanish to recognize thoughts in pansies - if looking to pair flowers, that is. Because being overly pensive about floriography spoils the fun.

Calibrachoas & Pansies

Thoughts about resilience, calm, empathy, and focus on our shared future. 

~*~

Cheers!
~dw