“With joy and poetry, sunshine feels cozy.
Spring is blooming with the power of posies.” ~ Cynthia Brian

    Do you remember holding hands with friends, walking in a circle, singing the children’s nursery rhyme, “Ring-a-round the rosie, a pocket full of posies?”  The origin of the song is unknown, but it has been attributed to the Bubonic Plague or Black Death beginning in 1347.  A posy (also spelled posie) is a small bunch of flowers given as a gift. In the Victorian era, the selection of flowers heralded specific meanings. Since etiquette required strict behaviors, it was easy to express feelings through floriography. This language of flowers could mean friendship, devotion, love, or even complete non-interest, depending on the posy presented.

    The floral sonnets in my garden are flourishing and beguiling me as a blooming visual poem, providing endless variegated posies to design. It appears that all my plants are flowering everywhere all at once. The color purple rules with wisteria twining high into the magnolia, clematis weaving through the bower, while the French lilacs and white jasmine perfume the poetry. Rose bushes are cloaked in buds ready to burst into color. The thornless Lady Banksia rose scales the fence and scrambles up the plum tree, bursting with white, fluffy flowers.  Daffodils, tulips, wood hyacinths, heuchera, cyclamen, freesia, and Dutch iris blanket beds in a kaleidoscope of shades. One portion of my hillside is swathed in edible yellow and orange nasturtiums. Poppies and calendulas cover the lower hillside. Hellebore, azalea, camellia, Bergenia, and an orchestra of greenery offer a posy party just waiting to begin. Wherever I look, patterns rhyme in a fluid, natural landscape.

    My way of making a humble posy packet is to choose three to five different specimens of blooms in complementary hues. Any flower that you wish can be chosen. My favorites are always whatever is currently blooming in my garden … roses, peonies, daisies, calendula, and everything I’ve already mentioned.  Cut a few shoots of whimsical greenery, such as asparagus fern, ivy, or mimosa. You will need rubber bands, twine, ribbon, pruners, and either a jar of water or paper to wrap the bouquet.

Steps:
    1. Choose one flower to be the focal point. It will be the center and higher than the rest of the bouquet. 
    2. Add stems of other flowers, working from the center, as you rotate your bouquet, making the posy round, tight, small, and even.
    3. For texture, place your greenery where needed.
    4. When you are happy with the look of your posy, secure it with twine, floral tape, or a rubber band.
    5. Trim the leaves off the bottom stems and cut all the stems evenly.
    6. I like to add a scalloped doily as a base. If you do this, cut a hole in the doily and situate all the stems through it. The doily adds a touch of elegance and nostalgia.
    7. To finish, either wrap in paper (a brown paper bag), newspaper, or decorative wrapping paper, or place in a small clear jar with water. Tie a satin ribbon around the paper or jar. 
    8. Voila! You have created a poetic posy to give as a gift or to enjoy yourself.
    
The Power of Posies
By Cynthia Brian

With a handful of petals, the universe hums, 
Soft as a whisper, yet louder than drums.
A posy of blossoms, gathered with care.
A floral language that we want to share.

No thunder, no trumpet, no conquering might.
Flowers can turn the darkness to light.
They bloom in defiance of frost and despair.
Painting hope softly as they perfume the air.

A lilac boasts innocence, youth, and spring, too.
A rose holds a promise in every hue.
Lavender lingers with calm in its breath.
Reminding us that life dances with death.

What power is this in a stem and a seed?
To comfort a heart, to answer a need.
Saying “I remember,” “I love,” “I forgive.”
Giving us beauty and the courage to live.

So, gather your posies, let tenderness grow.
Strength isn’t always the loudest we know.
With blossoms and fragrance, we feel happy and cozy.
Give the gift of friendship with the power of posies.

Besides the posy poetry that you will discover in your garden, listen to the chorus of life singing. Hummingbirds, songbirds, frogs, crickets, squirrels, bees, bumblebees, and butterflies congregate with rhythmic enthusiasm. 

Plant poetry and make posies for friends. It is springtime in our gardens. Enjoy the show!

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener Guide for April

April may be the most rewarding and busiest month of the gardening year. The weather has been warm, and it is time to get outside to work and play.

• FERTILIZE the entire landscape with a slow-release fertilizer. For best results, water deeply immediately.
• SCATTER snail and slug bait as these mollusks continue to be active. Pay extra attention to any new seedlings or small plantings most susceptible to their nibbling.
• WATCH for aphids and other insects. As they emerge, treat with an organic formula. I find that dishwashing liquid mixed with water does the trick or use Neem oil or other insecticidal soap. Order ladybugs from your nursery or garden center when you see aphids or other pests on your plants. Remember, ladybugs fly to infested gardens so if your garden is pest-free, they may just fly away.
• IRRIGATE as needed. Aim for deep watering often. The weather has been warmer than usual. Make sure your drip and sprinkler systems are working properly. Check sprinkler heads for damage or breakage. On lawns, ascertain that sprinklers have not been covered by grass over the winter.
• MOW lawns regularly. 
• REDUCE light pollution for a “night-friendly sky” by using warmer, amber colored lights instead of the cooler blue lights, which amplify the night sky glow. Night creatures, including bird migrations, bats, owls, and insects, will thank you.
• CHECK container plants regularly. They may need more water and additional feeding.
• ADD compost to beds.
• WEED, weed, weed. The weeds are exploding and multiplying. Keep on weeding.
• CONTINUE to clean fallen camellia blossoms from under the bushes and trees.
• REMOVE the strappy foliage from daffodils and narcissi if they are crispy dry. Do not cut back if foliage is still green. The bulb garners the energy for next year’s bloom through the leaves.
• CELEBRATE Earth Day on April 22 and join me at Earth Day at 5 A on Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where you can create a small herb garden to take home, make a bag of fragrant potpourri, and purchase autographed copies of my books. 455 Moraga Rd. #F, Moraga. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/earth-day-at-5a-on-april-25-2026
• SOW seeds of scarlet runner bean, sweet peas, or morning glories to climb on fences and wire. 
• ADD pollinator plants for butterflies and bees.
• SKIP tilling your soil unless you are starting a new bed. Tilling has been found to harm the beneficial microbes, fungi, worms, and insects that help your garden grow.
• PLANT tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, and other warm-season favorites when the soil feels warm.
• INCLUDE a gurgling fountain in your landscape and watch the birds, hummingbirds, and other critters enjoy a bath and a drink.
• SUPPLEMENT boulders and rocks to a deer-resistant garden (especially in front yards) to add structure and interest. Ornamental grasses, lavender, lamb’s ear, sage, lilac, boxwood, viburnum, rosemary, barberry, holly, fern, hellebore, daffodil, iris, Chinese fringe, rock rose, and calla lilies are good choices. Remember that when deer are hungry, they will eat anything!
• MAKE posy poetry and have fun being creative.