Candytuft Charms: The Deep Symbolism Behind the Petals
Popular during William Shakespeare’s time, the richly symbolic candytuft (Iberis) flower is a popular addition to gardens around the globe. It’s an ornamental plant that often functions as ground cover and, depending on the variety of the plant, can be annual or perennial. Its fragrant flowers smell sweet and succulent, making them a popular stop-off for bees and butterflies in spring and summer. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Candytuft flower’s meaning, symbolism, and cultural significance worldwide today.
Etymological Meaning
While the candytuft’s genus name comes from its Mediterranean roots, its more common name, candytuft, comes from the Island of Crete. Crete was once known as Candia, where the flower gets its name.
Candytuft Flower Symbolism
The candytuft left its native Mediterranean home and made its way to England during the time of the Bard himself. While we can’t say that any of Shakespeare’s 16th-century works drew their inspiration from candytufts, we can say that many people in Elizabethan England loved these blooms enough to make them a part of their gardens.
The candytuft’s lollipop-shaped flowers make wonderful moon garden flowers. Their light-colored petals reflect the moon’s light, and given that they’re usually planted around the edges of a flower bed, they add a lovely soft glow to your flower gardens at night.
In the language of flowers (floriography), candytufts carry the symbolic meaning of vitality and a zest for life, which are thought to originate from the plant’s Iberian roots. Some plant enthusiasts associate the flower with beauty, joy, and sweetness. Conversely, the candytuft (iberis) can signify indifference.
Because of their whimsical appearance, the candytuft flowers have inspired many artists and writers. One notable example is Cicely Mary Barker’s short story “Candytuft Fairy,” whose favorite sitting spots are on candytuft flowers.
Suitable Gifting Occasions for Candytuft (Iberis)
Many gardeners start their candytuft as potted plants before transplanting them outside. In light of that, it’s best to give the candytuft as a potted plant, early on in the plant’s life, along with care instructions for best results.
That said, they also make lovely flowers for bouquets in suitable arrangements. Perfect for housewarmings, thank-you gestures, and more.
Candytuft Flower Meaning FAQs:
What do Candytuft flowers symbolize?
Candytuft (iberis) symbolizes stoicism and indifference on the negative side. On the positive side, the flowers denote joy, beauty, and sweetness.
Do Candytuft flowers symbolize love?
They are not known for that, though they are associated with joy.
Do Candytuft flowers come back every year?
Some versions do. They’re evergreen plants in warmer climates.
How long do Candytuft flowers last?
In cooler climates, where they’re not evergreens, candytuft flowers bloom during the spring and early summer.
Is Candytuft (Iberis) toxic?
The plant has mild toxicity to dogs in large amounts. Otherwise, it has no toxic effects that have been reported.
Candytuft Flower Meaning – The Final Word
Candytufts are lovely gifts for the backyard gardener. Because of their whimsical appearance – they look like lollipops – and sweet smell, they have provided a source of inspiration for writers and artists throughout the decades. Candytufts are meaningful and symbolic flowers with many beneficial qualities, making them equally welcome on the tables of home gourmets, the medicine cabinets of herbalists, and of course, as resting places for bees and butterflies throughout the warmer seasons of the year.