NPR: Strong, Stiff or Spiky: Flowers For Men

Strong, Stiff or Spiky: Flowers For Men

I'm not giving up gardening for bloggening just yet, but I am dipping into a few fertile sites. No doubt we will talk further about the myriad of gender issues in horticulture (e.g., why don't my gay friends grow food? why don't my lesbian friends grow flowers?) but I'm not sure I have enough cred with my editors to get anything along these lines past them.

Yet.

In the meantime, I might direct your attention to an entry from The Human Flower Project exposing a few myths about men and flowers.

Consider this manly boutonniere:

"...many florist and gift-giving websites caution readers that men may only respond positively IF they receive particular kinds of flowers, for example (a) a blooming cactus; (b) dark-colored flowers; (c) tall and sturdy flowers; or (d) flowers surrounded by strong, stiff, or spiky foliage...."

Better stock up on that Eryngium, girls. Plant any and all species in this architectural genus in full sun and fast-draining soil. I admit, they're hardly unusual. But like a good man they are surprisingly uncommon.

1:23 AM ET | 07-11-2007 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

Ketzel, you are building cred with your editors!

Sent by Wright Bryan | 10:43 AM ET | 07-12-2007

I spend quite a bit of time on discussion boards devoted to palms and other exotics as well as some time on general gardening sites. I've always been surprised at the lack of female participation on the exotic gardening forums.
In an essay I wrote a few years ago titled "Petunias are from Venus, Palms are from Mars", I asked people about gender-based preferences in horticultural passions and got lots of interesting opinions. I've been involved in orchids for about 20 years and the gender split seems about equal. About two-thirds of the rhododendron fanatics I know are male. But make it roses or tulips and men really fade away. Focus on palms, tree ferns or other big exotics and you'll likely have an exclusive boy's club with no women at all.

Sent by Steve | 12:46 PM ET | 07-15-2007

I don't have any definitive answers for you but I think they don't like it in general. I have a few friends that are gay and they prefer silk flowers and plants over real ones because they have many more things they rather be doing than taking care of plants and flowers. They are just like anyone else in this world and are just as busy as us hedero's are, there is no difference. Your points are very well taken and would like to hear more of what you think in the future.

Sent by Cyoung | 6:54 PM ET | 07-16-2008

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

E-mail |
Print

Ketzel Levine

BLOGGER

What is 'Talking Plants?'

Talking Plants is an open invitation to meet new plants and cool plant people, tour incredible private gardens, savor inside-gardening industry gossip, swap dead plant stories and get the odd gardening question answered by your fellow "hort-heads."

To learn more, read the FAQs and the discussion guidelines.

www.flickr.com

photos in Ketzel Levine's Talking Plants

Share your gardening photos in Ketzel's Flickr group!

Talking Plants' Past

Before Talking Plants the blog, there was Ketzel Levine's Talking Plants the Web site. Although it's no longer updated, the site still offers an archive of Plant Profiles. It also answers the eternal question: Why Did My Plant Die?.

Comment Privately

If you would like to send private comments or questions to Talking Plants with Ketzel Levine, please use our contact form.

Blog Roll

Search 'Talking Plants Blog'

Browse Topics

Services

Programs

Text-only