by: Wesley Berry
You probably recognize the shamrock as a symbol of St. Patrick's Day, so why not add a bit of that Irish luck to your St. Patrick's Day flowers? Believe it or not, many florists do keep a supply of shamrocks on hand to add to bouquets and arrangements ordered for St. Patrick's Day. Well, at least they carry something that passes for shamrocks... A closer look at the shamrock and the legends surrounding it reveals that finding the "true shamrock" requires more than just the luck brought by a four-leaf clover.
The origin of the word "shamrock" is in the Irish word seamrog, which means "little clover." While it's a lovely name, it's not particularly descriptive considering that there are numerous kinds of clovers and even some plants that are recognized as clovers by the general public, though botanically they are not. Even the folks living in Ireland have some difficulty agreeing on what a shamrock truly is. In a survey conducted by Tippitwitchet Cottage at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin showed that Irish believe the shamrock to be one of four plants:
* 46 percent believe it is the lesser trefoil, or hop clover;
* 35 percent say it's the white clover;
* 7 percent think it's the black medick (which isn't a clover at all, merely a clover-like plant); and,
* 4 percent believe the shamrock is the red clover.
Why the division over what the shamrock really is? Well, that may come from the legend of the shamrock itself. The story goes that Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a visual aid to explaining the Christian belief of the doctrine of the Trinity. Shamrocks have three leaves united by one stalk, which Saint Patrick pointed out during his lesson.
Now, you're probably scratching your head and thinking, "Three leaves? What about the 'lucky four-leaf clover'?" Ah, that's where things become even more confusing. Technically speaking, a four-leaf clover cannot be a shamrock because of the very fact that it has four leaves and doesn't conform to the definition originated in the Saint Patrick legend. The idea of the lucky four-leaf clover actually originates not through Christian tradition, but through Pagan beliefs. Ancient Druids were said to have propagated this belief because they held the four-leaf clover as a Celtic charm against malevolent spirits.
Three leaf, four leaf, shamrock, clover-whatever the case may be, shamrocks or what passes for them make a beautiful addition to any St. Patrick's Day flower arrangement or bouquet. So, remember to ask your florist to add the luck o' the Irish to your St. Patrick's Day flowers!
About The Author
Wesley Berry is the President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar business that was established in 1946. He is also the Headmaster of the Professional Florists' Institute, a floral design school located in Michigan. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at http://www.800wesleys.com.
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Tropical plants blossoming in your home
Tropical plants blossoming in your home
by: Dio Tropica
The easiest plants to grow are tropical plants. You don't
even require a greenhouse to grow them. Most of the tropical
plants grow very well in a typical home environment.
However, you have to provide a consistently warm temperature
to help tropical plants grow well. Of course you don't have
to do anything special about it. They need the temperature
that you need. Since the average home temperature is 73-76
degrees, the temperatures for growing tropical plants is
just about right. Moreover, tropical plants need slightly
higher humidity, which is again so easy to provide in an
average home.
Notwithstanding, you will need to pay special attention to
see that your tropical plants get enough sunlight. Again,
you don't have to put them under direct sunlight or keep
shifting them from place to place chasing the sunlight. All
they need is light,...
Tropical plants blossoming in your home
Florist > Tropical plants blossoming in your home
Flowers And Flower Delivery
Flowers And Flower Delivery
by: Tina Banks
Flowers are one of natures beautiful things that have always fascinated humans. Flowers are perfect for all occasions. Be it a birthday, anniversary, Valentine?s day, funeral or a wedding there are flowers to suite.
Flowers can be the perfect gift and a perfect way to express your emotions. And its not just women who like to receive flowers as a gift either. The society of American Florists conducted a survey and found that 60% would like to receive flowers on special occasions, especially Valentine?s Day.
By searching on the Internet or looking through the local phone directory you should be able to find a good florist to arrange a flower delivery. If you would like to arrange for a flower delivery and you have not done this before you may be slightly unsure of some things. For a florist the busiest times of year will be Valentine?s Day and Mother?s Day, although a good florist will manage to...
Flowers And Flower Delivery
Florist > Flowers And Flower Delivery
Tropical plants blossoming in your home
Tropical plants blossoming in your home
by: Dio Tropica
The easiest plants to grow are tropical plants. You don't
even require a greenhouse to grow them. Most of the tropical
plants grow very well in a typical home environment.
However, you have to provide a consistently warm temperature
to help tropical plants grow well. Of course you don't have
to do anything special about it. They need the temperature
that you need. Since the average home temperature is 73-76
degrees, the temperatures for growing tropical plants is
just about right. Moreover, tropical plants need slightly
higher humidity, which is again so easy to provide in an
average home.
Notwithstanding, you will need to pay special attention to
see that your tropical plants get enough sunlight. Again,
you don't have to put them under direct sunlight or keep
shifting them from place to place chasing the sunlight. All
they need is light,...
Tropical plants blossoming in your home
Florist > Tropical plants blossoming in your home
Spice Up Your Living Space With Flowers
Spice Up Your Living Space With Flowers
by: Wesley Berry
Do-it-yourself home improvement is all the rage these days. Just flip on the television and you're sure to run across a program to teach you everything from how to paint a room to how to replace your shower stall. But, let's face it, even if you make those home improvements yourself, they can be quite costly. I've got a great solution that's far less expensive than a complete home makeover?flowers!
When you think about homes you've been in that you found truly appealing and welcoming, you probably noticed small touches that you recognized as perfectly fitting the style and personality of the person who lived there. Those small touches made that space, no matter how big or small, belong to its occupants. Flowers can do the same for you.
Depending on their color, type, and arrangement, flowers can express anything and any style. Which of these fits you or the mood you'd like your...
Spice Up Your Living Space With Flowers
Florist > Spice Up Your Living Space With Flowers
Buy Funeral Flowers Online: Advice On Choosing The Perfect Flowers
Buy Funeral Flowers Online: Advice On Choosing The Perfect Flowers
by: Clinton Porter
Choosing the right flowers can be difficult at the best of times but when selecting funeral flower arrangements it is made more difficult. Particularly if this is the first time you are buying funeral flowers or even if this is the first time you will order flowers online when you are still trying to come to terms with your loss. It can be both momentous and trivial at the same time when deciding how to best reflect your feelings towards your loved one. We hope this simple guide can help make choosing sympathy flowers an easier process.
Consider the Sentiment:
Sending the right message is perhaps the most important consideration when choosing a funeral arrangement. Funeral flowers honor the departed, comfort the bereaved, and express your personal feelings of loss. Think about the interests and hobbies of the person who has passed away and how you will...
Buy Funeral Flowers Online: Advice On Choosing The Perfect Flowers
Florist > Buy Funeral Flowers Online: Advice On Choosing The Perfect Flowers
shoes Florist St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks Bring Luck O' The Irish To Flowers
A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Great Golf
A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Great Golf
by: Mike Pedersen
Golf fitness coach. Have you ever considered one?and if so, what exactly were you looking for? There are many ?general fitness? trainers trying to get a piece of the golf fitness and training market that seems to be rapidly gaining exposure both on the television and in print thanks to Tiger, Vijay and Annika.
But the first thing you need to consider when looking into hiring a golf fitness coach...
A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Great Golf incorporate Florist
Florist > A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Great Golf
shoes Florist St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks Bring Luck O' The Irish To Flowers
Keep Your Dream Alive
Keep Your Dream Alive
by: Cheryl Haining
Young children are full of dreams of what they will do, be, see when they grow up. As adults most of us have given up the habit of having big dreams. Or if we do, never following through with them. Why do so many people let their dreams die unlived?
One reason is the negative cynical attitudes of other people. These people are not enemies they are friends, even family members. If our friends are negative towards...
Florist St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks Bring Luck O' The Irish To Flowers Keep Your Dream Alive watches
Florist > Keep Your Dream Alive
Florist St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks Bring Luck O' The Irish To Flowers
Know How To Take Your Lumps
Know How To Take Your Lumps
by: Ken Morris
If you are about to retire or change jobs, or if your employer is terminating the company retirement plan, you may be eligible to receive a "lump sum distribution" as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. Such a distribution may be substantial and may represent the cornerstone of your retirement security. So it is important to consider your options carefully before making a decision regarding distributions.
Basically,...
Florist St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks Bring Luck O' The Irish To Flowers Know How To Take Your Lumps
Florist > Know How To Take Your Lumps