May Day Flowers

Here are three photos from my back yard on a wet May Day, May 1st 2012:

Columbines:  the genus name Aquilegia is derived from the Latin word for eagle (aquila), because of the shape of the flower petals, which are said to resemble an eagle's claw. "Columbine" is derived from the Latin word for pigeon (columba). Another old-fashioned name for this cottage garden plant is "Granny's Bonnet" as the shape of the bloom resembles the caps old women used to wear. Columbines can be traced as far back as the 11th century, when the medicinal use of the plant was recorded in texts. The plant was believed to have aphrodisiac properties. In Tabernaemontanus' New Herb Book, published in 1588, it was suggested that crushed columbine seeds be applied to a groom's palms in order to arouse the bride. A tea made from the roots was believed to cure impotence, and infertility was abated by stuffing the plant into the mattress with the straw. 

Columbine was first dedicated to Freya, the Norse patron goddess of love and fertility. Much symbolism has been preserved in paintings and texts of medieval times that links the flower to sexuality, love, seduction and even infidelity. In the 17th century, it was considered highly inappropriate to give a young woman a bouquet of columbine, because of its sexual connotations. As Christianity became more popular, the symbolism of columbine changed. It became associated with the Virgin Mary, and later with the core beliefs of Christianity, including faith, hope, charity, justice, temperance, prudence and fortitude. The flowers also were related to divinity in religious paintings portraying the Holy Spirit or Jesus.

Rhododendron: meaning Rose Tree (from Ancient Greek ῥόδον rhódon "rose" and δένδρον déndron "tree") is a genus of over 1,000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas. It is the national flower of Nepal. The flower symbolism associated with the rhododendron is beware and caution. Some spices are toxic to animals and may have a hallucinogenic and laxative effect on humans, thus the symbolism related to warning and danger.

Wild Geraniums: or Geranium maculatum are woodland perennial plants native to eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota. It is known as Spotted Cranesbill or Wild Cranesbill in Europe. Colloquial names are Alum Root, Alum Bloom and Old Maid's Nightcap. A symbol of constancy and availability.