The annual flower is frequently the highlight of many flower shows. One great example of this is the Cincinnati Horticultural Society’s yearly flower show. At this event, people from around the world come to see exhibits, go to events, and enter into a competition that judges not only the flowers, but how they are presented. The Horticultural Society is not the only institution in Ohio who judges annuals. During the yearly Harvest Home Fair, different divisions – from the junior horticulturalist all the way to the expert grower – are given very specific standards on how their annual flowers should be grown, how they should look and how they are presented. Annuals have appeared in many books and stories on mythology, medicine and cooking. For instance, marigolds can be used to make sweet buns, lobelia can be used to treat respiratory ailments, while in Greek mythology the cornflower was used to heal the wounds of Chiron.
Giving roses in other colors, however, is usually an expression of platonic love, friendship, and support. For example, a bouquet of yellow roses is a way to communicate loyalty and friendship. (Although, some believe that the gift of yellow roses actually expresses jealousy.) Dark crimson roses, on the other hand, are often used to signify mourning and therefore are appropriate gifts for the families of departed loved ones.
Although there are more than 100 species of roses, what most often comes to mind when we think of this flower is the red English rose. With its gorgeous flower made of alternately shaped, pinnate leaves and its seductive fragrance, it has become an immortal symbol for beauty and love. Ancient Greeks and Romans connected the flower to their gods of love and beauty.
