A Succulent Monday

Offering a whole hand to the gardener whose thumb is not the slightest bit green, are beautiful succulent plants.  Let’s put it this way: they’re not easy to kill and they look wonderful in your home.  Did you know that you can even propagate succulents just from their leaves?  Succulents are a very interesting plant indeed.  They store water in their tissues, thus their leaves are thick and fleshy.  This characteristic is known as “succulence”.  A durable, yet low maintenance plant that possesses longevity, they were designed to survive in harsh environments where most other plants would not last.  You will find them in places with little precipitation and high temperatures, like the desert.  They’re also found on ocean coasts where high levels of dissolved minerals dwell.  Although cacti fall into their classification, there are all kinds of succulents.  Here are a few reasons to love them…

by Bernadette Lords

 

 

May Day

Legend has it that on the first of May back in 1561, the French King Charles IX received a lily of the valley as a good luck charm.  The lucky little flower must have made quite the impression on him because from that day forth, he gave them to ladies of the court each year on May 1st in commemoration.  It soon became a ritual coming into the 20th Century, to give sprigs of lily of the valley to women whom were the object of your affection on this day.  You will still see this custom alive and well, in action in France, annually on May 1st.  Known as the “Fete du Muguet”, the exchanging of lilies of the valley amongst loved ones is customary in celebration of spring to symbolize happiness, prosperity, luck, and all of those lovely things.  It is a sight to see particularly in Île-de-France, Paris.  Strangely enough, it is also known that on this day and on this day alone, it is legal to sell flowers without a license in France.

Similar to the American Labor Day, the French hail May Day to honor workers rights at the clock strike of spring.  On this day there are parades and campaigns for human rights, even protests targeting current social issues.  Needless to say, it is a day of exchanging lily of the valley flowers, which just so happen to be our favorite at L’Atelier Rouge!  This small, delicate, snow white flower hangs in the likeness of a little bell, and is also very aromatic.  Too bad we can’t capture it’s scent in a blog!  I guess pictures will just have to do for now, until that kind of technology is developed!  It’s high time to get in touch with your inner Frenchie and give someone you care about a lily of the valley.  In fact, we’d love to assist you!

 


 

 

by Bernadette Lords