Stock
Gillyflower
Hoary Stock
Scientific Name:
Matthiola incana
Family:
Brassicaceae
Flower Language
-
unchanging love
-
eternal beauty
-
compassion
Characteristics
Colors:
single flower
Description
An annual herb native to southern Europe. One of the flowers heralding spring, but actually begins blooming in early winter. Wild species are single-flowered with strong fragrance and abundant flower colors. Stock cut flowers are world-famous, characterized by clove-like fragrance.
Trivia
- 3rd most popular cut flower worldwide by production volume
- Stock fragrance is luxury ingredient in perfume industry
- Double-flowered varieties are sterile, selected from single-flowered plants
- Flower fragrance becomes particularly strong at night
Uses
Ornamental
- Cut flowers (main flower in spring bouquets)
- Flower beds (autumn-winter-spring color)
- Garden borders
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal uses
Other
- Perfume industry (fragrance extraction)
- Dried flowers
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered non-toxic
Snowflake
Summer Snowflake
Loddon Lily
Scientific Name:
Leucojum aestivum
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
pure innocent heart
-
purity
-
chastity
Description
A bulbous plant native to Europe. Small bell-shaped white flowers with green spots create very pure and elegant impression. Similar to snowdrops but larger and hardier. Once planted, blooms beautifully every year with minimal care.
Trivia
- Called 'spring snow' blooming about one month after snowdrops
- Single bulb produces multiple flower stems creating colony effect
- Hardy plant with virtually no diseases or pests
- Cut flowers last about 5-7 days
Uses
Ornamental
- Natural gardens (beautiful mass planting effect)
- Rock gardens
- Tea ceremony flowers
Medicinal
Caution:
Caution needed due to potential bulb toxicity
Other
- Environmental greening (natural landscape creation)
- Nectar source for wildlife
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Entire plant
Symptoms:
As Amaryllidaceae family member, bulbs contain alkaloids that may cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested
Spring Starflower
Star of Bethlehem
Ipheion
Scientific Name:
Ipheion uniflorum
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Flower Language
-
enduring love
-
sad farewell
Description
A bulbous plant native to South America. Blooms with star-shaped pale blue-purple or white flowers in spring. Named for the garlic-like scent when leaves are damaged. Very hardy with strong propagation ability, providing beautiful flowers every year once planted.
Trivia
- Characteristic of creating colonies through bulb division
- Relatively short blooming period of about one month
- Impact on ecosystem as naturalized species being studied
- Leaf scent is milder than real garlic chives
Uses
Ornamental
- Ground cover (natural colonies)
- Natural gardens
- Countryside gardens
Medicinal
Caution:
No recorded medicinal uses; bulbs may be toxic
Culinary
Not edible. Despite garlic-like scent, contains toxins
Other
- Environmental greening (wasteland coverage)
- Ecological impact research (as naturalized species)
Toxicity
Toxicity Level:
Moderate
Toxic Parts:
Bulbs, Entire plant
Symptoms:
Alkaloids in bulbs and leaves may cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea
Winter Jasmine
Yellow Jasmine
Scientific Name:
Jasminum nudiflorum
Family:
Oleaceae
Flower Language
-
expectation
-
hope
-
modest beauty
Description
A deciduous shrub native to China. Blooms with yellow 6-petaled flowers from winter to early spring before leaves emerge. Flower shape resembles plum but has no fragrance. Drooping branches are beautiful, valued for early spring garden color.
Trivia
- Member of jasmine family but characteristically fragrance-free
- Long blooming period from December to March
- Easily roots when branches are placed in water
- Chinese name means 'flower welcoming spring'
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees (early spring color)
- Flower arrangements (precious winter material)
- Bonsai
Medicinal
- Fever reduction in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Anti-inflammatory effects
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Other
- Environmental greening (slope stabilization)
- Windbreak and sand prevention
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered non-toxic
Kobushi Magnolia
Japanese Magnolia
Scientific Name:
Magnolia kobus
Family:
Magnoliaceae
Flower Language
-
friendship
-
trust
-
natural love
Description
A deciduous tree endemic to Japan. Blooms with pure white 6-petaled flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Flowers are fragrant, and farmers have long cherished it as 'rice-planting cherry' that signals planting time. Named 'kobushi' (fist) because buds resemble children's clenched fists.
Trivia
- Named for buds resembling children's clenched fists
- Blooms 2-3 weeks earlier than cherry blossoms
- Called 'rice-field cherry' in Hokkaido as farming indicator
- Trees over 100 years old are not uncommon
Uses
Ornamental
- Garden trees (natural style gardens)
- Park trees
- Flower arrangements (early spring material)
Medicinal
- Dried buds called 'shinni' used in Chinese medicine
- Treatment for rhinitis and sinusitis
Caution:
Medicinal use requires expert knowledge
Other
- Timber (wooden clogs, lacquerware base)
- Folkloric value (seasonal indicator)
Toxicity
Symptoms:
Generally considered non-toxic