Tussie-Mussies: Bouquets with Meaning

Place the plant symbolizing the main sentiment in the center of the bouquet; surround with a frame of foliage, such as mint, for fragrance; next, a layer of something wispy for contrast; assymetrical arrangement of the other sentimental herbs set to accent the color of the primary herb.

To assemble, wash the plants as though they were to be used for cooking. Groom the plants, removing spent or damaged blossoms and leaves. Spread out a sheet of plastic wrap and place a moist cottonball in the center, and wrap the plastic around the stems, twisting around like the flaps of a folded umbrella and tape in place. Cut an X in the center of a paper doily and slip the stems through the hole, pinning through each flap from the X-cut. Decorate with a ribbon. A small note of clarification indicating what each plant means is essential, even for someone who knows what the plants mean because some plants have multiple meanings.

• aloe - healing, shelter from harm
  
• angelica - inspiration
  
• basil - love, good wishes, hate
  
• bay - acheivement, fame
  
• beebalm - virtue
  
• borage - bravery
  
• calendula - sadness, hopelessness
  
• chamomile - wisdom, fortitude
  
• chervil - sincerity
  
• chives - usefulness
  
• costmary - sweetness
  
• dill - good cheer, survival in the face of odds
  
• elder - misfortune, zealousness, sympathy
  
• fennel - grief, power, endurance
  
• forget-me-nots - true love
  
• fumitory - hatred
  
• geranium, scented - happiness
  
• geranium, unscented - folly
  
• goldenrod - encouragement
  
• iris - pure heart, courage, faith
  
• lady's mantle - protection
  
• larkspur - fickleness
  
• lavender - devotion
  
• lemon balm - sympathy, regeneration
  
• marjoram - joy
  
• mint - refreshment
  
• mugwort - pleasant journeys
  
• parsley - merriment
  
• rose - love, success
  
• rose, yellow - infidelity
  
• rosemary - remembrance
  
• rue - grief, repentance
  
• sage - long life, wisdom
  
• salad burnet - cheerful disposition
  
• santolina - full of virtue
  
• savory - interest
  
• southernwood - constancy
  
• sweet woodruff - humble spirit
  
• tansy - hostility
  
• tarragon - lasting involvement
  
• thyme - daring
  
• violet - modesty, devotion
  
• violet, white - innocence
  
• yarrow - health