Passionflower vine rambles through some overgrown shrubs in the back garden. The vines were left to ramble because the hummingbirds enjoy them and some native Passionflowers produce an edible fruit, although I have yet to figure out how to tell one from another. While standing under the shrubs channeling Sir Isaac Newton, a passionfruit fell at my feet, inspiring this vase.
The inspiration provided, passionfruit at my feet, as Valentine’s Day is Tuesday – I thought If starting with a Passionfruit could the vase be filled with flowers that have a meaning related to love? During the Victorian era in England, flower arrangements were made to convey sentiments based on the selection of flowers and the meaning associated with a flower. For example, a bouquet of lilacs would mean first love. If you were the recipient of the Lilacs someone was telling you they were in love with you and for the first time.
Seizing the challenge, I cut a passionfruit still on the vine and searched the Victorian flower dictionary for plants with love related meanings.
A close up of the plant palette and the meanings of each component:
The red flowers are Dwarf Jamaican Heliconia (Heliconia stricta) meaning Adoration.
The orange flower is Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera) meaning Bonds of Love.
Asian Sword Ferns meaning Sincerity.
The dark, ferny leaves Copper Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) meaning Strength and Praise
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) meaning Remembrance
Viny plant on the right is Variegated Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera ‘Needlepoint’) meaning Friendship and Fidelity
Last but not least:
The yellow fruit is Passionfruit (Passiflora incarnata) meaning Faith
The result – a bouquet of love for Valentine’s Day from my garden. With the addition of a little something from the kitchen our celebration will be ready.
A little chocolate to go with the flowers!
Happy Valentine’s Day.
The Shrub Queen 
I like your use of the passion flower pod. They have an interesting smell when opened. I wonder who spent all that time assigning meaning to so many flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, my next venture is to taste one. I Think the meanings started with the Victorians, although I couldn’t remember all that gradoo and if sent a meaning filled bouquet would most likely miss the meaning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So wonderfully exotic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Happy Valentines!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too ❤
LikeLike
No fair. You have flowers and chocolate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
But I provided both!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum! It’s lunchtime here and your post just made me hungry! I love the passionflower vine, even without the flower. I grew one semi-successfully in my old garden (the Gulf Fritillary butterfly larva consumed it each year but that was okay). I haven’t been able to get it to grow in my current garden, however – perhaps the summer air is just to dry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, I don’t really know about the Passionflower being too dry, they grow by the side of the road in many places. I think mine is the edible but I have to check (the botany professor gave me a location nearby where they grow) The brownie recipe was from the back of King Arthur flour – with pecans and chocolate chips added. pretty good stuff.
LikeLike
Such an interesting vase, I like to know what the meanings are though I rarely remember them. I often look them up though some are less than flattering. I’ll still use those flowers though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, the meanings don’t last very long with me and some are so mean. Never give anyone a posy made from weeds!
LikeLike
I love the heliconia (as always!) and the gorgeous passion flower. It was fun reading about the plant meanings. I wonder who invented the language of flowers?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been waiting for that Heliconia for months! The bigger ones still refuse to even send up a bud. I am afraid I may be cutting the flowers off overpruning? I don’t know. I think the Victorians invented the dictionary but plants having meanings go back to Roman and Egyptians.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Valentines to you too. Very apt arrangement; clever you to find the meanings of such exotic plants; I’m sure very few Victorian misses received a bouquet like this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, the Victorians had not assigned a meaning to Heliconia, for some reason that one came from Canada?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, if only all vases came with a chocolate brownie! They should make it the law. Passion flowers are just miraculous to behold, and how fabulous to have a passion fruit growing in the garden!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, a chocolate rule seems in order. The Passionflowers are entrenched in the back, I have used the fruits in Christmas wreathes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautifully exotic arrangement and one with a message. And luscious comestibles too. A treat for the eyes and lucky you, you get to eat the chocoale brownie. Enjoy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I have just finished dinner preparations and brownies are for dessert. Happy Valentine’s Day!
LikeLike
And to you Amy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Liz, ordering Nerines
LikeLike
A beautiful arrangement, made even more attractive when you think of the meanings behind each flower. Wonderful idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I was trying to come up with a sentence to tie it all together, but couldn’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Passion flower looks so beautiful with your exotics. I enjoyed reading about the messages of love through flowers. Who knew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – Queen Victoria?
LikeLiked by 1 person