- Elizabeth Reich
Wildflower or Weed?
We'll get to that question in a moment, first I want to wish those born in September, Happy Birthday! This post is all about September's two birth flowers, the Aster and Morning Glory. Some see these two species as a weed. I began wondering...
"What was the difference between a wildflower and a weed?"
The answer appears to be:
If the plant is not desirable and you feel it is taking over it's a weed.
My garden philosophy? Leave and let be, discover if it is a beneficial wildflower, that sowed itself by wind or birds. Remember last month's flower? The stalk that became a pretty gladiolus, you never know what beautiful surprise might grow in a garden.
September Birth Month Flowers: Aster and Morning Glory
Asters are part of the Daisy family, Asteraceae, with hundreds of species. The North American Aster was reclassified under the genus Symphyotrichum, the true aster is native to Europe and Asia.
Morning glories are related to sweet potatoes, they have the same heart shaped leaves that trail along a vine. They belong to the genus Ipomoea, most common adds purpurea for the blue violet flowers. Their name derives from the habit of opening in the morning, and closing in the afternoon. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their trumpet shape.
Symbolism of Aster and Morning Glory
Aster is a Greek word meaning star, due to the flowers appearing like one. The Romans and Greeks considered these flowers as sacred. They would burn their leaves to scare off snakes and evil spirits. Some say that the tears of Astraea, goddess of justice and innocence, created the first asters.
Gift suggestion for a 20th wedding anniversary – asters.
In the past these flowers were used to treat:
headaches
hangovers
epilepsy
Artist who painted: Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh.
Not a painting but Robert Frost used this flower as a symbol of hope in a few poems.
Morning Glories are associated with love, but each color still holds its' own meaning:
blue is enduring love
purple hopefulness and grace
pink for gratitude
red strength and passion
white purity and innocence
Native to Central America and Mexico, and known to be a poisonous plant. I did not know this: Yellowstone National Park has a pool named Morning Glory because of its' shape.
Artist who painted: Georgia O'Keefe
This water color painting's inspiration? Memories of the morning glories growing at a previous home, along the porch rails. They greeted me each morning. The asters that grow at my current home, and I am trying to save from the weed wacker. I have learned they don't appear to like being transplanted. Maybe I'll have a garden surprise next spring. I have named this new painting Morning Glories and Asters with the Garden Post.
Find the collection of art on products for September Birth Flowers here:
May your days be cooling into a beautiful autumn day.
Your Painterly Artist,
Elizabeth