Oleander

Nerium oleander

Aries

Boundaries, Illusion

Oleander are flowering shrubs that grow in warm and subtropical areas. The 5-petal flowers bloom in spring and continue into the fall, growing in clusters of white, yellow, purple, pink or red. In contrast, the pointed leaves are long (up to 7 inches) and narrow (less than 1 inch) and are a deep green. The plants grow from 6 to 12 feet tall and are about the same width. They can grow from 1 to 2 feet a year. Oleander typically grow in mounds but can be trained to grow as trees.

Oleanders like full sun and well-drained soil but will adapt to other soil conditions. Once established, plants tolerate heat, drought, salt spray and wind. Cuttings from Oleander can be grown in water before planting or grown in soil. Oleander can also be grown from seed.

Plants are native to North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean areas. Oleander was introduced to Florida in the 1500s and grows in North American temperate areas. It can be damaged by the cold.

All parts of the plants are toxic to animals and people. Sap from Oleander causes skin irritation. If plants are burned, the smoke is also toxic. 

Oleander flowers have 5 petals. The angelic meaning of the number 5 is that positive life changes are present, and to be optimistic about current conditions to create positive future conditions. 

Oleander's poisonous qualities show you how to set boundaries. You can meditate using the image of Oleander flowers or call on the energy of Oleander if you have the need to set limits on your time, space or resources. It also helps to teach how to set limits on our emotions and how to effectively detangle emotions of others from our happiness.

Oleander shows us the power of illusion. On the surface, Oleander is an ornamental plant that is very tolerant of growing conditions in warm regions. The idea that Oleander is only an ornamental plant is an illusion, as it really is a poisonous plant. It shows us that people can present themselves as "ornamental" when they are really much more complicated. Oleander teaches us to look beyond the face value of a person and beyond what they say (the illusion) to the qualities the person embodies, to their true nature. Conversely, Oleander teaches us about the illusion that life is the whole of our reality, when the universal reality is that we are powerful souls who have a long history and a long, evolving future.  

Oleander has been used for heart conditions, asthma, cancer, and other conditions. It contains chemicals that can slow the heart rate. 

Common names for Oleander include Kaner, Rosebay and Rose Laurel.

 

Forget-Me-Not

Myosotis sylvatica 

Taurus

Angel energy, Angel symbolism

Forget-Me-Not is a flowering perennial plant that typically grows up to 5 inches in height with some varieties growing up to 1 foot tall. Plants bloom in spring or summer with clusters of small (3/8 inch across) blue flowers with five petals that have yellow centers. Some varieties of Forget-Me-Nots have white, yellow or pink flowers. The small flowers attract bees, butterflies and moths. 

Forget-Me-Not can be grown easily from seed and reseeds on its own. After one year, plants reach maturity and flower. Plants are easy to maintain; they like sun and part shade and tolerate heat and cold as well as wet soil. Plants are rabbit and deer tolerant. 

Plants are native to Europe and now grow in temperate areas all over the world. The Latin name Myosotis is from the Greek words mus and ous, meaning mouse ear. The plants have short pointed leaves that are similar to mouse ears. 

Forget-Me-Nots grow on riverbanks and in damp ditches, in meadows, in the woods, in rocky places in the mountains. Alpine Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis alpestris) - the official flower of Alaska, and Mountain Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis asiatica) grow at higher elevations in moist mountainous areas.

Forget-Me-Nots present us with a combination of very common and very unique characteristics.  Common attributes include being easily grown from seeds and easily reseeding itself. Also, plants are not particular about their growing conditions.

The flowers are fragrant in the evening and night, and are not fragrant during the day. Another unique characteristics is that the plants have true blue flowers. Less than 20 percent of plants have blue flowers. Blue is symbolic of the color of Archangel Michael, who brings us his energy, support and protection.

Flowers have five petals that surround a yellow center. The angelic meaning of the number 5 is that angels are bringing you messages, often of life changes. You can reflect on Forget-Me-Not flowers when you are in times of personal and professional change to encourage inspiration on the direction of your choices.

Forget-Me-Nots regenerate themselves, creating a continuous cycle of birth. Angel energy also is forever continuous and regenerates endlessly, being activated from the angelic realm or from our requests. 

If you have made a request that involves angels working on your behalf or for someone you care for, and you see Forget-Me-Nots, you will know that the angels have heard your message and a plan is in place for everyone's highest good.

Historically, myths were told about the flowers in relationship to a person "not forgetting" something or someone. Forget-Me-Not is used currently in association with remembering in many marketing ventures.

 

Buttercup

Ranunculus 

Virgo

Youthfulness, Life Transitions

Buttercups include a wide variety of flower types that produce primarily yellow flowers. Some plants bloom in summer, and some varieties produce white, orange or red flowers. Buttercup flowers have five petals and have layers of air underneath the flower petals' surface that reflect light and create a shiny gloss. The flowers track the sun and will form a cup to gather solar energy for warmth on cold days.

Plants are perennials, with flowers blooming in the second year.  Buttercups bloom for about 10 years. Buttercup plants like to grow in moist sites and in temperate zones. Buttercups can be reproduced by seed and rhizomes. 

Buttercup leaves are poisonous to humans and animals.

Flowers have five petals, resonating with the energies of the number 5. That number brings in the concepts of positive live changes and making healthy lifestyle choices. You may chose to consider those topics to accelerate any positive life changes and choices underway.  

Buttercups have about a 10 year span for blooming, reflective of the timeline for childhood.  The petals of the flowers are illuminated, so combined with the blooming season, buttercups reflect to us the purity and joy of our earliest years on the Earth. The yellow color also suggests the joy associated with childhood and the joy and brilliance we can allow ourselves to feel throughout life. Buttercups bring to us the joy, energy and exuberance of all things youthful. 

Meditating on buttercups can help us bring in the aspects of youth we would like to manifest at any time of our lives. Think of how you would feel in a field of these lovely flowers, then think of the youthful traits you'd like to see in your life. And then allow yourself to feel those traits. 

Buttercups' luminescence also represents a connection to the world of small light beings such as fairies, who also shine their lights into our world. 

As buttercups have a defined span for blooming, they also emphasize transitions. Once blooming stops, the plants doesn't die but continues to grow and thrive without flowering. Each day is a new beginning and you can chose to start each day as a transition into the version of you that makes you happiest. 

If you are experiencing transitions in your life, buttercups remind us that some of life events represent endings while the strong foundation is in place to support continuing on and new beginnings. You can set your intentions for the new beginnings that best support your life goals and happiness.

Columbine

Aquilegia 

Taurus

Compassion, Inner Wisdom

Columbine blooms in the spring or early summer and continues to bloom for the next four weeks.These perennial plants like sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Columbine can be started easily from seed and, once plants are established, they are drought tolerant. Columbine also self reproduces from flower heads that go to seed.

Columbine consists of about 70 species of plants that grow in clumps from 1 to 3 feet tall, from 1 to 2 feet wide. Flowers are bell shaped with spurs and bloom in yellow, red, orange, blue, purple, pink and white. Plants have dark green, clover-like leaves.

Plants can easily be grown from seeds and will self-seed in the garden. Columbine can withstand extreme cold in winter (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3).

The attributes of Columbine, compassion and inner wisdom, work in tandem. One must be very hardy and be able to withstand the extreme coldness in others to be compassionate. Compassion comes in as many colors as the Columbine flowers and, through example, will spread to those around you just as easily.

Some of the species of flowers have petals that are contrasting colors: purple petals that surround inner white petals, for example. This shows us the outer shell of ourselves and the aspect of inner wisdom.  This wisdom can apply itself in different ways. Some people drawn to Columbine will know their strengths and weaknesses as their own inner wisdom. Others can also use their inner wisdom to know the base motives of others, rather like an internal radar that can see through how someone presents themselves to their true inner self. This aspect is very useful when determining if another person is acting from a compassionate perspective or whether they are motivated by money or personal power.  

Columbine is also called European Crowfoot,Granny's Bonnet and Jester's Cap. Different varieties of Columbine are native to Asia, Europe and North America.

The leaves and stems are used to make medicines that have been used for general stomach and intestinal issues.Through history, Columbine has also been used for other medicinal purposes. Columbine flowers are edible. The seeds and roots are toxic to people and horses.

Columbine flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds.They also attract butterflies.The plants are resistant to deer and rabbits.

The Latin name for Columbine, Aquilegia, is from aquila, the Latin word for eagle.The name was assigned due to the long spurs that grow beyond the flower petals that resemble the five claws of an eagle.Those drawn to Columbine may also want to explore the attributes of the eagle whose ability to soar can be combined with the attributes of compassion and inner wisdom.The number five also brings an emphasis on enhanced well-being. 

The Latin root of the name columbine, columba, means dove. Rocky Mountain Columbine has violet petals and a white cup. It is the state flower of Colorado.  

Lobelia

Gemini

Love, Grounded

Lobelia is a primarily low-growing plant primarily grown as an annual but some varieties are biennial and can grow up to 4 feet.The low-growing blue variety that is used as garden edging has tiny flowers with five petals. It blooms continuously in the summer up to the first frost. The continuous bloom cycle, given somewhat moderate weather, is symbolic of the steadfastness that is required for the attribute of love. The vibrant purple color is also symbolic of the heart area, or heart chakra, which is associated with a person's ability to receive and give love. 

The concept of love has as many interpretations as there are people. The concept of love referenced here is one that means giving and receiving in appreciation, without conditions and attachments. It speaks of the continuous appreciation one has for self, and the continuous love given to others. It brings to us all of the reminders in life that we are loved by our ancestors and by the creator. Lobelia stops blooming when the weather is too hot; the energy this flower brings is not the kind of love that burns hot or cold but is the type of love that is a constant foundation for life. For example, Lobelia brings the emotion of love one feels when holding a sleeping baby. If you chose to border your garden with Lobelia, you are creating an area of love and appreciation. If you have a strong affinity to these plants and flowers along with the color purple, you are one who finds it easy to love others.You may be someone who was born with an unlimited well of love and was encouraged to or was able to keep that love flowing into adulthood. And as with most who find it easy to love others, you have self love and know your own value.

Lobelia flowers have five petals, resonating with the energies of the number 5.  The number brings in the concepts of positive live changes and making healthy lifestyle choices. You may chose to consider those topics, in combination with the concepts of love and being grounded, to accelerate any positive life changes and choices underway. 

Lobelia blooms in blue, purple, pink and white. Only 10% of the plant kingdom blooms in blue, emphasizing the uniqueness of Lobelia.

Most varieties of Lobelia grow up to 4 inches with some reaching up to 12 inches. As with most ground covers and plants that provide a carpet of color low to the ground, the plants bring in the energy of being grounded. You are able to deal in the here and now without much effort.  As with knowing your own value, you are also highly in tune with your mind, emotions and physicality and the connections among them.

Lobelia are deer resistant. The flowers attract butterflies, which are also symbolic of reaching beyond ordinary reality to the realms beyond. 

• Lobelia Erinus - also known as trailing Lobelia, this plant is an annual or perennial if the climate is perfect. These bloom in blue, purple, pink and white; some have white eyes. Lobelia are also known as Dwarf Annual Lobelia and Edging Lobelia.  
• Lobelia Siphilitica - also known as great blue Lobelia is a perennial herb with vivid blue flowers.  It has upright stems and can grow up to 3 feet.  This plant also grows as a wildflower and blooms in late summer.  
• Lobelia Inflata - also known as Indian Tobacco or puke weed, this variety is considered a poisonous plant.  Native to eastern North America, it has spread across the continent.  The plant was used by Native Americans to treat skin ailments and body aches. 
• Lobelia Cardinalis - also known as the cardinal flower, is native to the eastern North America.  This perennial grown up to 4 feet and has bright scarlet-red flowers with two upper petals and three lower petals that resemble birds in flight.  Hybrids are also available in white and pink.  The plant grows as a wildflower in wet areas such as marshes and stream beds.

This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers on up through the first frost

Read more at Gardening Know How: Annual Lobelia Plant: How To Grow Lobelia https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lobelia/lobelia.htm

enjoys cool weather. This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers on up through the first frost.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Annual Lobelia Plant: How To Grow Lobelia https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lobelia/lobelia.htm

enjoys cool weather. This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers on up through the first frost.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Annual Lobelia Plant: How To Grow Lobelia https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lobelia/lobelia.htm