I was looking at one of my gardening books the other day, and I was reading about the flowers in the bridal bouquets of famous people. When Marilyn Monroe married Joe Di Maggio, she had a small bouquet with three orchids. Melania Trump, wife of The Donald, carried three white roses. I began to notice that many of the bouquets, whether large or small, often included one common ingredient: myrtle.
Mom had a myrtle plant, and I think probably every one of my dear aunties had one, too. No matter who we visited, everyone had a flower pot of this plant on the windowsill, with its small, glossy, fragrant leaves. The family that myrtle belongs to, myrtaceae, has over 5600 varieties that grow all over the world, mostly in areas that have a warmer climate. This fragrant family includes plants as diverse as eucalyptus, guava, clove, and allspice. Their common bond is that they are considered woody plants, and they have very potent essential oils. You know how I love the "Brother Cadfael" novels by Ellis Peters; myrtle is certainly a staple in the monk's abbey garden, and is mentioned often for its strong aroma.
I did some research and while there was a lot of discussion about the numerous varieties in this family, I didn't find a lot of information as to why myrtle is often included in bridal bouquets. It is a symbol of love and good luck because of its evergreen quality; and the aroma of myrtle, while not especially sweet, is very potent and lasting.
On the romantic side, I read that many royal bouquets included myrtle, including Princess Diana's breathtaking cascade bouquet, made up of roses, orchids, stephanotis, lily of the valley, and gardenias. One article said that a plant of myrtle is still growing in the royal gardens, and the beginning of this plant was a slip from Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet. Imagine that!
To me, myrtle is one of those plants that has a real memory aroma. Even if you haven't smelled it in twenty years, and you think you don't remember what it smells like, as soon you inhale that pungent aroma, it is clearly in your memory again as though it never left. It's an old-fashioned plant that isn't seen that much anymore, but it is certainly beautiful and hardy, so if you see it in a store sometime, don't hesitate to add it your plant collection.
The third week of September will be a busy one, so mark your calendar! On Wednesday, September 15, the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society begins another exciting year! Our special guest will be Frank Woloschuk talking to us about how to get our gardens ready for winter; I know we will learn a lot, so be sure to join us. Then on Friday, September 17, there's the Fall Plant and Bulb Sale at the Parkland Mall. The sale starts at 9:30 AM and goes till 5PM or until the plants run out. Shop early for best selection!
The weather has a wistful quality to it, doesn't it; we don't feel like there are endless days of summer ahead, anymore. But I love fall, and the weather we have now teases us about lovely fall days ahead (I hope!). The sun is still strong, so wear a hat, and look around your yard to see where you might want to do some "redecorating" in your outdoor room! Have a good week!
