Pussy Willows

Spring is finally here!

Despite the fact that she is late this year, spring is not offering any explanation or making any apologies. She is, after all, a force of nature who does just as she pleases.

On Saturday, we enjoyed a wonderful sunny day here; the first really warm day of the season.  With the last of the snow now gone, my spring bulbs are finally brave enough to poke their heads up out of the soil.

Pussy willows have appeared along with the fine weather.  Every spring, the lady across the street gathers them in bunches and puts them out for sale on her front lawn.

What kind of good neighbor would I be if I didn't buy a few bunches?

 So soft and furry! Were you fond of pussy willows as a child too?

I took a few of the branches and twisted them together. I fastened each of the ends with a twist tie, bent the branches into a gentle curve, and inserted the ends into a small bucket of water. The pressure of the curved branches against the side of the bucket seemed to be enough to keep them in the shape of a handle. Then to finish it off my little arrangement, I added purple hyacinths.

The rest of the pussy willows went into a tall, cylindrical, glass vase.

In the past, I always put my pussy willow branches into water. Tiny yellow flower buds and leaves quickly emerged. 

When I bought my branches last Saturday however, I noticed my neighbor had them standing in empty buckets. No water. I surmise that this method keeps the branches in stasis. So I am going to give it a try.

Pussy willows (salix discolor) are easy to grow from a cutting. Give the branch a fresh cut and place it in water. When roots develop, plant the branch in the ground. (You don't take my word for it- visit Martha for the goods on multiplying pussy willows.)

Today I am participating in Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen. I added her Warm Sun texture to my images. Click the link here to see the other entries.

Hyacinth, the Love of the God Apollo

We had extreme cold weather warnings on the weekend. It was the kind of brutal cold that stings your face, thumbs your fingertips and quickly penetrates even an extra thick layer of wool socks. The frigid temperatures definitely left me pining for spring.

I always save a walk past the floral department for the end of a trip to the grocery store. Even if I don't purchase anything, it is a treat to see cellophane wrapped bouquets of fresh flowers and displays of spring bulbs. On Saturday, there were orchids for the bargain price and pots of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths to temp me. After much humming and hawing, I chose the hyacinths.

The death of Hyacinth by Merry-Joseph Blondel

This is a rather theatrical depiction of Apollo bent in grief over the body of his lover Hyacinth. According to Greek mythology, Hyacinth, the handsome son of a Spartan king, made the fatal error of rejecting the affections of the Zephyrus, god of the west wind. In a fit of jealousy, Zephyrus blew Apollo's discus against the boy's head mortally wounding him. A purple hyacinth flower sprang from the young boy's spilled blood. 

Hyacinth was also a martyred Christian saint who starved to death when he refused to eat meat that had been blessed in a sacrifice to pagan gods. 

Wild Hyacinth, a native of Turkey and the Middle East, was introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

According to the Victorian language of flowers, the hyacinth flower symbolizes sport or play. A blue hyacinth signifies sincerity.

Hyacinth bulbs have been cultivated commercially since the second half of the 16th century. As well as being grown for their flowers, hyacinths are also cultivated in the Netherlands for the perfume trade. Most hyacinth perfume sold however is actually synthetic.

Not everyone likes the rich, spicy scent of hyacinth flowers. Certainly their fragrance can overpower a small room. Myself, I like the heady fragrance and the waxy, bell shaped flowers.

I put the pink and white hyacinth flowers into two of my favorite containers. I hope they brighten the start of your work week.