Symbolic Qualities of Trees and Flowers

Matthew Schuster

Minidoka County Extension Educator

September 11 will be a day to remember for all times. Following the attack a flood of emotions was expressed during the tragedy.

We saw the horror of terror, bravery of our firefighters, police, and medical workers, courage and leadership of our President and elected officials, and sadness and sorrow for those who lost their lives.

But above all of that we witnessed the strength and unity of our nation. This something I take great pride in knowing.

Many people are wondering what they can do besides sending money or showing their support. In addition, we all express our feelings in different ways. Many people feel comfortable doing something symbolic.

The Master Gardener Show website (www.themastergardenershow.com) recently published a list of the symbolic qualities of trees and flowers that is duplicated below.

I know not all of the species listed below will grow in this area, but I thought you may like to keep it as a reference.

Symbolic Qualities of Trees

Symbolic Qualities of Flowers

Adnomeda = self sacrifice Apple = magic, youth, beauty, and happieness Arbovitea = unchanging friendship Ash = sacrifice, sensitivity, and higher wisdom Aspen = determination, overcoming fears and doubts Beech = tolerance, past knowledge, softens over criticism Birch = new beginnings, cleansing of past, vision quests Cedar = healing, cleansing, protection Cherry = death and rebirth, new awakenings Cypress = understanding of role of sacrifice Elder = birth and death, renaissance of Faerie Realm Elm = strength of will , intuition Flowering Almond = hope Hawthorn = fertility and creativity, magic Hazel = hidden wisdom, dowsing and divination Holly = protection, overcoming of anger, spiritual warrior Honeysuckle = learning from the past, discrimination, change Lilac = spiritualization, realization of true beauty Maple = balance, practical expression of psychic, promise Oak = strength and endurance, independence Orange = clarity to emotions, release of trauma Palm = protection, peace, opportunity Pine = balance of pain and emotions, creativity Spruce = new realizations, healing, intuition Sycamore = communication, love, learning to receive Walnut = eases transitions, following a unique path Willow = magic, healing, inner vision and dreams

Baby’s Breath = modesty, sweet beauty Basil = integration, discipline and dragon force Begonia = balance, psychism Buttercup = self-worth, the power of words Cactus = manifestation of riches and beauty Carnation =deep love, healing, love of self Clover = luck, love and fidelity, kindness Daffodil = power of inner beauty, clarity of thought Dahlia = higher development, self worth, and dignity Daisy = increasing awareness, creativity, inner strength Gardenia = purity of action and purpose, emotional help Geranium = happiness, healing and renewed joy Gladiola = receptivity to divine will Hibiscus = femininity, sexuality and warmth, new creation Hyacinth = overcoming grief, gentleness, inner beauty Iris = higher inspiration, psychic purity Lavender = magic, love, protection, healing, and vision Lily = birth, godly mind and humility Marigold = fidelity, longevity, loving sacrifice Morning Glory = breaking down of the old, spontaneity Rose = love, strength through silence, passion Rosemary = power, clarity of thought, sensitivity Snapdragon = will force, creative expression, clairaudience Sunflower = opportunities, self-actualization, happiness Violet = modesty, fulfillment, psychic sensitivity Sweet William = gallantry