Flower Power

Flowers are on my mind these days.

On a recent visit to Canada, it struck me as wonderful how that great nation decorates its homes, porches, yards and sidewalks with flowers. Memories of Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market, the lovely town of Jasper, the beaches of Vancouver…each one is peppered with the little gems that smiled at me everywhere I went. Ah, the healing joy of watching the profusion of beauties bursting from baskets in flower shops…

Here in New Delhi, I have a sunny bay window that I have decorated with colourful flowers in bright containers. So much beauty and happiness for so little!

Botanists estimate there are more than 240,000 types of flowering plants in the world. And extensive clinical studies have established the vital role all sorts of flowers can play in healing. Lavender is a popular stress-buster. Echinacea increases immunity. Camomile calms. In Ayurveda, the rose is considered the queen of flowers, with its exquisite fragrance and terrific cooling properties.

Hindus love to offer the vibrant marigold and the pristine jasmine to their deities.

Self-help books tell you to gaze at a bunch of flowers early in the morning, so that your day begins on a cheerful note.

Gift a friend or a neighbour a bunch of flowers, and you can make their day!

But it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said it best: “Earth laughs in flowers.”

Let’s open our hearts to that innocent laughter. Do stop to smell the roses today…

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Susana L.

5:24PM PDT on May 24, 2012

thanks

send a green star

Zuzana K.

6:11AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

Lovely article cheers :) Ever since I took up photography as a hobby I began to notice and truly appreciate the beauty of flowers

june t.

10:19PM PST on Feb 17, 2012

it doesn't matter what color combinations you use with flowers, they never clash, always pretty

Kristina C.

1:15PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

Truthfully spoken - flowers in containers are great gifts. I personally do not like cut flowers, but even pictures of flowers can brighten my day. My all time favorite flowers: Poppies.
Thank you for the inspiring article.

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Lovely D.

10:24AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

Thank you ... couldn't agree more ... earth does laugh in flowers :) :) :)

Magdalen B.

2:40AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

No roses about here at the moment, except those abominations produced abroad under terrible conditions for idiots to buy for St Valentines day. The snowdrops and crocuses look nice though and there are a few celandines down by the brook.

Jay W.

5:11PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

loved this article thanks heaps

Eileen W.

4:43PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

I must be a Hobbit because I love all growing things...and my home is full of indoor plants and potted trees (60 odd at the last count! lol). My indulgence though, is to buy fresh flowers for my kitchen. Usually pale orange roses when I can get them or big bright chrysanthemums. They give me a huge amount of pleasure.
Fab article. It made me feel happy just reading it. Thank you. :)

Khorshed S.

3:11PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

They are great and liven up any room.

Mario A.

12:37PM PST on Feb 15, 2012

Thank you