Every spring, something in me softens. It starts with a bud—tiny, defiant, promising beauty. The world begins to bloom, and so do I.
Flowers have always been a part of my story. My mother picked my name because jasmine was her favorite scent and roses her favorite flower.
There’s a reason we bring flowers to hospital rooms and funerals.
Why we hold them at weddings and send them after heartbreak.
They say something we can’t.
They witness something with us.
And sometimes, they remind us—gently, wordlessly—to keep going.
Even through concrete cracks.
Even when we don’t feel ready.
Even when no one’s watching.
We bloom anyways.
~ Floriography ~
Floriography—the language of flowers—was once used to communicate emotions in secret. This hidden language allowed people to convey emotions they couldn’t speak aloud, adding layers of meaning to the simplest of gestures. Even today, flowers hold symbolic weight. We give roses on anniversaries, lilies at funerals, and sunflowers to brighten someone’s day.
The Rose - The Original Love Letter
Roses are everywhere. Weddings, funerals, front porches. No flower carries as much symbolic weight as the rose. Universally recognized as a representation of love, passion, and devotion, roses have long been used to express the deepest of human emotions. Thanks to both natural variation and hybrid cultivation, there are over 30 distinct rose color varieties, each with their own shades, meanings, and emotional tones. In the old language of flowers, roses were the ultimate messengers.
Each color whispers something different:
- Red – Passion, commitment, and the kind of love that survives storms
- White – Reverence, remembrance, and beginnings that feel like prayers
- Yellow – Friendship, joy, and sometimes jealousy (because yes, roses are dramatic)
- Pink – Grace, gratitude, and the gentle kind of love that asks nothing in return
- Lavender – Enchantment, awe, the feeling of meeting someone and thinking “you’re different.”
TULIP (TULIPA SPP.) – THE FLOWER OF PERFECT LOVE
Every spring, Rhode Island gets a little softer.
The chill lifts, the light stretches, and—almost suddenly—fields of tulips begin to rise, row after row, like colorful confetti tossed by the earth itself.
Each tulip color has its own voice:
- Red tulips: deep love and devotion
- Yellow: sunshine, friendship, and warmth
- Pink: affection, joy, and gentle care
- Purple: admiration and elegance
- White: forgiveness and fresh starts
- Orange: boldness, energy, enthusiasm
One of the most magical springtime spots here in Rhode Island is Wicked Tulips Flower Farm, with locations in Exeter and Johnston. It’s the only U-pick tulip farm in New England, and walking through it feels like stepping into a storybook. The tulips bloom in waves—over 100 varieties—each one a little surprise. You’ll spot the classics: deep reds, bright yellows, soft pinks, and rich purples. But then there are others—petals with ombré fades and unexpected hues that look hand-painted by nature itself. What makes this place so special isn’t just how it looks, though. It’s how it feels. You don’t simply admire the tulips from a distance—you can walk through them, pick them with your own hands, and build a bouquet that speaks to you, stem by stem. It’s an invitation to pause. To pay attention. To participate in the bloom.
The official website for Wicked Tulips Flower Farm is wickedtulips.com. There, you can find information about their locations in Exeter and Johnston, Rhode Island, as well as Preston, Connecticut. The site provides details on bloom reports, ticketing, events, and more.
🌸 A Mini Floriography Glossary 🌸
- Alstroemeria - Mutual support, friendship, prosperity
- Anemone - Protection against harm, anticipation
- Bluebell - Humility, gratitude, everlasting love
- Calla Lily - Magnificent beauty, purity, transition
- Camellia - Admiration, longing, perfection
- Carnation - Fascination, distinction (red = admiration, white = pure love)
- Chrysanthemum - Loyalty, longevity, truth (white = grief in some cultures)
- Daisy - Innocence, purity, new beginnings
- Delphinium - Positivity, open heart, encouragement
- Forget-Me-Not - Lasting love, true memories'
- Freesia - Friendship, innocence, trust
- Gardenia - Secret love, intuition, peace
- Gladiolus - Strength of character, integrity, honor
- Heliotrope - Eternal devotion, faithfulness, turning toward the light
- Hibiscus - Delicate beauty, fleeting passion
- Honeysuckle - Devotion, sweetness, bonds of love
- Hydrangea - Gratitude, apology, heartfelt emotions
- Iris - Wisdom, faith, courage
- Lavender - Peace, grace, calm, devotion
- Lilac - First love, youthful innocence
- Magnolia - Nobility, strength, dignity
- Marigold - Grief, remembrance, warmth, creativity
- Peony - Romance, prosperity, healing, honor
- Poppy - Remembrance, consolation, eternal sleep
- Ranunculus - Radiant charm, attraction
- Rose - Love, passion, honor (color-specific meanings apply)
- Snapdragon - Grace under pressure, strength, deception
- Sunflower - Loyalty, adoration, positivity
- Sweet Pea - Blissful pleasure, goodbyes, delicate joy
- Tulip - Perfect love, declaration of feelings
- Violet - Modesty, faithfulness, delicate love
- Yarrow - Healing, courage, everlasting love
- Zinnia- Constancy, missing someone, lasting affection
“You belong among the wildflowers.”
WHY I LOVE WILDFLOWERS
Wildflowers have always felt like kindred spirits to me.
They don’t ask for permission. They don’t wait for perfect conditions.
They bloom where they are—cracked sidewalks, forgotten fields, roadside shoulders—making beauty out of places most people overlook.
I think that’s why I love them.
They’re not manicured or predictable.
They don’t belong to anyone, and yet they show up for everyone.
Wildflowers are messy and free and brave.
They remind me that not all beauty is cultivated.
Some beauty grows wild. On its own terms. In its own time.
And maybe that’s the kind of life I want.
One that doesn’t need a polished finish or constant pruning.
One where I’m allowed to show up a little undone, a little sun-drenched, a little windblown—and still be something worth noticing.
So when I see a wildflower, I pause.
Not because it’s rare,
Because it bloomed anyway.
My favorites
Orange Poppy
enthusiasm, creativity, and remembrance
The orange poppy is a symbol of vibrant energy, passion, and creative inspiration. Its fiery hue represents enthusiasm and a zest for life, making it a flower of motivation and artistic expression. It’s also my a top favorite of mine.
During the day, poppies open wide, soaking in the sunlight, and as the sun sets, they gently close their petals, as if resting until dawn. This movement, known as nyctinasty, allows them to conserve energy and protect their delicate centers during the night.
Just like the poppy instinctively turns toward the sun, it reminds us to lean into what fuels our passion, embrace growth, and bloom in the presence of positivity.
Gerbera daisy
joy, positivity, and warmth
I discovered the white Gerbera daisy for the first time at a farmers market in Sacramento on a cold January day. The huge bloom and tiny intricate details, captivated me so deeply that I stopped in my tracks. I had never seen a flower quite like it—so simple yet so striking. I asked the florist what it was called, and from that moment, the Gerbera Daisy became one of my favorites.
The Gerbera Daisies in the language of flowers are linked to innocence and purity. Because Gerbera Daisies come in a variety of colors, they can take on additional meanings:
- Red Gerbera Daisy – Love and admiration
- Pink Gerbera Daisy – Grace, gentleness, and adoration
- Yellow Gerbera Daisy – Friendship and happiness
- Orange Gerbera Daisy – Enthusiasm and excitement.
Blue Hydrangeas
grace, apology, and deep emotion
The blue hydrangea carries a message of understanding, regret, and heartfelt emotion in the language of flowers. Its soft, sky-like hue symbolizes peace, sincerity, and patience, making it a flower often given as a gesture of apology or to express deep, unspoken feelings.
These flowers also change color depending on the soil’s pH, making them a symbol of adaptability and transformation—a reminder that feelings, circumstances, and even perspectives can shift over time. This unique quality mirrors how emotions are never static; they evolve, deepen, and sometimes fade, much like the petals of a hydrangea as they mature.
Blue hydrangeas hold a special place in my heart not just for their meaning, but for their connection to my husband, who is Portuguese and has family who live in the Azores.
Flowers
