Apple Blossom Significance: Nature’s Sweetest Secrets Revealed
Beautiful Apple Blossoms symbolize early spring, but they carry more meaning than that. The flowers are enjoyed for their striking appearance worldwide, even though the trees only produce fruit reliably in a limited range of climate zones. Whether you have a flowering Apple in your yard that you appreciate each spring or you want to know more about using these tree flowers in arrangements, this guide will help.
Apple Blossom Meaning & Symbolism
Etymology
The scientific name for the common Apple tree is Malus domestica. It’s a literal translation of the terms Apple and domesticated into Latin.
The term Apple has remained almost unchanged through languages like Old English and Proto-Germanic, but it’s not entirely clear what its original root means.
There is some evidence that the original Greek term that became Apple meant vine, which isn’t a term usually associated with these trees.
Other types, like the Crab Apple, are also part of the Malus genus.
Apple Blossom Meaning in Floriography
The Victorians cultivated Apple trees around their homes for both their fruits and their blossoms.
In floriography, sending a sprig of standard Apple Blossoms indicated a message of having a strong preference for someone or something.
It also was a way of signaling that someone else had a good reputation that preceded them.
When choosing the Crab Apple Blossom instead for a bouquet, Victorians intended to make a statement that something was deeply interesting or to indicate someone had an ill nature. It could be an invitation or a warning, depending on the combination with other flowers.
Common Apple Blossom Colors and Their Meaning & Symbolism
White is the most common color for Apple Blossoms. Thanks to centuries of cultivation, there are also varieties with pink to almost red flowers as well. The exact color of the flower alters its meaning when it’s included in an arrangement.
- White Apple Blossom Meaning: Spiritual awakening, fresh beginnings, humility and purity, weddings, funerals, tenderness, and grief
- Pink Apple Blossom Meaning: Fun, flirtation, playfulness, joy, happiness, youth, femininity, and excitement
- Red Apple Blossom Meaning: Passion, love, romance, success, wealth, power, and good health.
The Meaning of Apple Blossom in Ancient Times
The Greeks believed the Apple tree and its flowers symbolized love and devotion. Gaea gifted Hera and Zeus with a tree that made golden apples that granted immortality to anyone that ate them. These golden apples also led to strife by causing competition between the gods.
Apple Blossoms often feature in images of Dionysus as part of the garlands he wears around his head. This links it to fertility and new growth.
Finally, both Greek and Roman cultures connected the Apple Blossom with love by making it a sacred flower of Venus and Aphrodite.
Chinese and Japanese Flower Languages
For Chinese households, Apple Blossoms are a sign of prosperity and success. It’s often gifted in the spring to wish wealth and happiness on the home’s residents. You’ll also find it used to represent youthfulness and vigor in Chinese art.
In Japan, the focus is primarily on Cherry Blossoms. However, the Apple Blossoms are often associated with young men in particular and may symbolize playfulness and fun.
Myths and Folklore Associated with Apple Blossoms
The folklore associated with Apple blossom meaning even includes European culture. In ancient England, myths say that Merlin used a silver Apple bough covered in blossoms to pass between the worlds. The Celtic god Lugh was routinely pictured with the three apples of immortality, prosperity, and power.
City, State, and Country Flower
The Apple Blossom is the state flower of both Michigan and Arkansas.
Suitable Occasions to Gift Apple Blossom
A fresh-cut branch full of Apple Blossoms makes a great gift all on its own for when you want to celebrate spring or need a gift for a younger person.
It’s also a showy way of signaling your preference for someone, making it potentially a flirtatious message to send if it’s combined with other romantic flowers.
Uses and Benefits of Apple Blossom
Apple Blossoms are safe to eat in small amounts, although they contain hydrocyanic acid. They’re fine to use as an occasional tea ingredient or as a garnish on a dish.
The flowers have a sour and floral taste. As one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, Apple Blossoms are essential to bees and many other pollinators.
About Apple Blossom
The first Apple trees grew in Kazakhstan, but they spread across Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world as the centuries passed.
There are hundreds of named cultivars of both standard Apples and Crab Apples. Some are strictly decorative, but most produce some fruit.
The trees can range in height from under 8 feet for pruned dwarf types to over 40 feet for wild-growing standard trees.
Most Apple Blossoms appear between February and April depending on where the tree is growing.
Apple Blossom FAQs:
Are Apple Blossom Flowers poisonous?
Apple Blossoms technically contain a small amount of cyanide. But eating a few of them at a time shouldn’t hurt you unless you’re very frail.
How many different types of Apple Blossom are there?
There are hundreds of standard Apple tree varieties, as well as many Crab Apples and other offshoots.
Where does Apple Blossom typically grow?
Apple trees are native originally to Kazakhstan, but now there’s grown almost everywhere there’s a cool winter and little chance of late spring frost.
Does Apple Blossom attract certain types of wildlife?
The sweet blossoms often bring deer in to munch on the tree, damaging its ability to set fruit. Birds and bees also visit the flowers to collect nectar.
Is Apple Blossom suitable for cut flower arrangements?
A cut twig or branch of Apple Blossoms is a suitable addition to any modern floral arrangement.
What symbolic meanings are associated with Apple Blossom?
Apple Blossoms can symbolize power, youthfulness, commitment, love, wealth, and competition. To the Victorians, Apple Blossoms signaled a strong preference for something.
What are some companion plants that grow well with Apple Blossom?
Apple trees are often planted with Marigolds, Borage, Nasturtium, and other low-growing plants known for keeping pests away.
Apple Blossom Meaning – Wrapping Up
Whether you prefer the decorative pink Crab Apple Blossom or the classic standard Apple flower, growing one of these trees will reward you with a beautiful display in early spring. These meaningful symbols of success and stability are a good addition to floral arrangements as well.