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the opposite of the usual meaning.

Creating Flower Messages
A variety of instructions for making tussie-mussies can be found in various publications such as Maggie Oster's book Gifts and Crafts from the Garden. You may want to investigate the meanings of the flowers and herbs growing in your own garden if you are interested in creating your own flower messages. Tussie-mussies and small bouquets can be made from either fresh or dried floral material. The fresh material is more aromatic but you may like to use dried flowers for a longer lasting effect. You can sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto the dried flowers if desired. A variety of silk and satin ribbons and paper doilies can be found at craft and hobby stores. You could even use silk flowers to create a floral greeting that will last indefinitely.

The Flowers
The following list of flower symbolism was taken from the 1879 book Flower Lore; The Teachings of Flowers Historical, Legendary, Poetical and Symbolical by Miss Carruthers of Inverness, Scotland.

Aloe - superstition
Anemone - brevity, expectation
Camellia - excellence, loveliness
Carnation - admiration
Clover - fertility
Crocus - youthful gladness
Daffodil - regard
Daisy - innocence
Dandelion - oracle
Fennel - strength, worthiness
Fern - fascination
Forget-me-not - forget-me-not
Grass - usefulness
Heather - solitude
Holly - good wishes
Iris - hope
Ivy - fidelity
Lavender - distrust
Lily of the valley - return of happiness
Marigold - cares, sorrow
Mistletoe - surmounting difficulties
Myrtle - love
Narcissus - egotism, selfishness
Olive - peace, security
Pansy - thought
Parsley - feasting, death
Poppy - consolation, sleep
Rose - beauty, love
Rosemary - remembrance
Sage - domestic virtues
Sunflower - pride, riches
Sweet pea - departure
Tulip - ardent love
Violet - steadfastness
Zinnia - thoughts of absent friends

In Conclusion
Today the language of flowers is alive and well. Giving bouquets of flowers on major holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries is a common method of expressing affection to your loved ones. If you don't have a garden of your own, florist shops and nursery centers can supply you with a variety of flowers to make into your own unique flower messages to share with your friends and families.

Resources
Gordon, Lesley. Green Magic; Flowers, Plants and Herbs in Lore and Legend. New York, NY: The Viking Press, 1977.

Robinson, Fanny. The Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999.

Learn more about this author, Lynn Smythe.
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