With photographs to use with groups or individuals
1. Poetry
Read ‘A bouquet of flowers’ from ‘Now share a verse…’ our book available from Amazon http://amzn.eu/d/6jpMykX
Extract from ‘A bouquet of flowers’:
Scented flowers
When arranging blooms, it may take hours
But all around you is the fragrance of flowers.
Soft, sweet freesias and spicy stocks,
Distinctive large lilies and honeyed phlox.
Roses for noses, lavender and mints,
Heady hyacinths and gardenia hints.
Intoxicating lilac, perfumed peony blooms,
Scenting the air in blossom filled rooms.
Sharing this poem
This poem is a heady mixture of flowers cut fresh from the garden and, if you read the full poem, it includes wildflowers found in meadows, woodlands and hedgerows.
In post-war Britain there would have been many more wildflowers to enjoy. In the 1950s and 1960s people could walk and have picnics in many wildflower meadows. These would have had an abundance of wildlife with a colourful array of birds, butterflies and insects. In those days, it was perfectly fine to pick a bunch of bluebells and the like. How times have changed, as this would be unthinkable today.
This poem also describes the beautiful colours and fragrances of flowers cut from the garden. Reading the poem could be enjoyed to the full with a vase of scented cut flowers close by.
Years ago flowers were used in children’s games. Rose petals were crushed to make perfume; dandelion seedheads were blown to find out the ‘time’ and buttercups were placed under the chin to see if they shone a golden light, which meant you liked butter. Daisies were linked to make chains into necklaces and crowns. All you needed was a good imagination.
Flowers are a joy to the senses and this poem evokes memories of gardens and meadows long ago. Remembering the sight of favourite wild flowers such as cornflowers, bluebells, snowdrops and primroses always brings a smile.
2. Arty Crafty
Many people enjoy flower arranging and this can bring a sense of achievement, the results of which can be appreciated for days. Making posies for events like a summer fair or for a dining table may add to a sense of purpose.
Some may also like drawing or painting flowers either indoors or in the garden. It is a lovely way to spend an hour or two.
Pressing flowers is a hobby which could be enjoyed as no special equipment is needed – just some heavy books. These pressings or pictures of flowers could be made into a collage.
A good selection of pencils, pens, paints, charcoal, chalks and pastels will help to inspire and encourage everyone.
3. Musical Melodies
Playing a selection of music adds to the enjoyment of this poem for everyone.
Daisy, Daisy – a traditional song
English country garden – Jimmie Rodgers
Roses of Picardy – various artists
Tulips from Amsterdam – Max Bygraves
I never promised you a rose garden – Lynn Anderson
4. Quote a Quote:
‘A flower blossoms for its own joy.’ Oscar Wilde
‘Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair.’ Susan Polis Scutz
‘Perfumes are the feelings of flowers.’ Heinrich Heine
‘Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful…’ Luther Burbank
‘I must have flowers, always and always.’ Claude Monet
5. Flower Quiz
- Name 3 flowers beginning with ‘d’. Daffodil, dahlia, daisy, delphinium, dianthus…
2. Name 3 scented flowers. Lavender, rose, stocks, freesia, sweet pea, lily of the valley…
3. Give the names of 3 climbing plants. Wisteria, clematis, honeysuckle, ivy, sweet pea…
4. Name a very tall flower. Sunflower, delphinium, hollyhock, lupin..
5. What flower can tell you the time? There’s a clue in the rhyme…
‘When I was young and out at play,
We gave no thought to time all day.
But amongst the grass and the flowers,
A lonely dandelion clock told the hours.’
Have a flower filled, fun filled time with this activity.
If you have time – please send us some photographs of your activities, we love to see them.