A Future in Blossom (A Year of Flowers #4)

Floral Glossary

annual —a flower that completes its life cycle in one growing season, such as a zinnia

biennial —a plant that completes its life cycle in two years or seasons, such as foxglove

compost —decayed organic material used to fertilize plants or condition soil

cover crop —a crop grown to cover the soil and prevent erosion, such as clover; often incorporated into the soil later for enrichment

cut flowers —flowers grown to be cut

fillers —material used to fill gaps or empty spaces

fish emulsion —fertilizer produced from the fluid remains of processed fish

floriography —(aka the language of flowers) a symbolic form of communication using specific flower meanings; it has been used for centuries across cultures as a poetic means of expressing emotions and conveying hidden messages, particularly during the Victorian era

focal point —the area of dominance or emphasis where the eye naturally travels

foliage —greenery, such as plant leaves

forage —harvesting free material, such as blooming forsythia branches, taken from public or private properties (only with permission, please!)

hoop house —a small high tunnel made of plastic, used to shelter or cultivate plants

mechanics —the hidden foundation that holds flowers in place (such as a flower frog or chicken wire)

negative space —a planned open space within a design that contains no flowers or foliage

perennial —a plant that persists for more than two years, such as a rose

recipe —a set of instructions to prepare a specific arrangement

reflex —open petals of a flower

tuber —a thickened underground stem for certain plants, such as dahlias

vendors —sources for flowers (local growers, farmers’ markets, wholesalers, or international)

vessels —containers to hold arrangements (such as vases, urns, compote bowls). All kinds of objects can become vessels to hold flowers—mason jars, bottles, crocks

wholesale house —suppliers of fresh flowers, plants, and floral supplies to a wide range of professionals