Daisies have been known to grow among the flowers in ancient Egyptian temple gardens as early as 2,200 B.C. These gardens typically accommodated various plants and flowers cultivated for their medicinal and herbal properties.

In Norse mythology, the Daisy is considered a sacred flower from the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Because of this, daisies came to symbolise motherhood, childbirth, and new beginnings, making them the perfect choice in a bouquet sent to welcome a new baby.

Christian legend tells of the Wise Men on their journey to find the Baby Jesus. They requested a sign to help them and suddenly noticed small clusters of small, white, ox-eye daisies near a stable. Recognising the flower’s resemblance to the star of Bethlehem, they knew they had found the Holy Family.

The common name daisy originates from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘Daes eage,’ which translates to “day’s eye.” The name reflects how these flowers close their petals each evening and reopen them every morning, making daisies some of the first to open their eyes to the morning sun.
Except for the English daisy, which is toxic to humans, Daisies are an edible flower closely related to artichokes. During medieval times, they maintained a key role in the field of medicine. They were widely used to slow bleeding, relieve indigestion and soothe coughs, as they are a great source of vitamin C.

The Daisy is also thought to be named for their ability to cure eye problems. King Henry VIII of England was known to eat daisies on a regular basis during his later life to help alleviate the pain of his stomach ulcers. He also suffered from fever and gout, which daisies were thought to treat. From the 13th century, many physicians also believed daisies had significant healing properties and applied a compound made from daisies when treating wounds.
Despite their medicinal benefits, daisies became a symbol of one’s ability to keep a secret in the Victorian Era. During these times, it became customary for young ladies to slowly pluck the petals one by one while simultaneously reciting, “He loves me, he loves me not…’ until the very last petal revealed their fate. Today this is still a well-known form of fun fortune-telling.

Remove foliage from the stems that sit below the water line. Then fill your vase with warm water at about 38°C. Use filtered or distilled if your tap water runs through a water softener. Hold the end of each stem under water, cutting at a 45° angle, 2 cm from the bottom. Allow the stems to sit hydrate in water for 20 minutes to protect them from bacteria buildup. We recommend replacing the vase water daily to prevent a drooped flower head caused by bacteria clogging the stem. It will also help to extend the life of your flower arrangement.

Sweet peas are among the most lovely, luscious and beautifully scented cut flowers. They have a short-vase life, lasting around 4 to 5 days. Native to Southern Italy, Sicily and Cyprus, a Sicilian monk reportedly sent the first sweet pea seeds to England in the 17th century. They became popular in the late-Victorian era after being cultivated by Henry Eckford. Unlike garden peas, sweet pea seeds are poisonous, and caution is advised, especially around pets and small children.