Flower history – Queen Anne’s Lace

Anyone in the floristry or flower industry knows what a flower filler is. For those who aren’t familiar with this term, it basically means flowers that are used to fill gaps and spaces in an arrangement. They are not the focal point of an arrangement at all and are simply used to give the bouquet a rich, complete look. A popular example is baby’s breath. However, many people tire of using Baby’s Breath and turn to alternatives like Queen Anne’s Lace. The rich flower history of this bloom is interesting and will help you understand its versatility.

Queen Anne herself

The story behind Queen Anne’s Lace flowers is quite interesting. Queen Anne is said to have made lace by hand, a process known as tatting, and her lace became the flowers we know today. During the operation she pricked her finger and a single drop of blood came out. The drop fell on the lace and this is where the dark centre of some flowers comes from. While it is accepted that this is the story of Queen Anne’s lace, what is not so clear is who Queen Anne was. Some say it was Queen Anne who was born in 1574 and others say it was Queen Anne who was born in 1665. Either way, this is an interesting part of flower history.

For the superstitious

There are some superstitions surrounding this flower and some believe that if you pick it and bring it home, your mother will die. Others believe that the plant will thrive if planted in the garden of a woman who is true to herself. Which one of these superstitions you believe is, of course, up to you and you don’t necessarily need to believe either.

Medicinal uses

Throughout the flower history of this bloom, Queen Anne’s Lace flowers have been used as a diuretic. They were used to help eliminate and prevent kidney stones. The seeds were also used as a contraceptive. This practice is still practised today in India, where women chew the seeds every day to reduce their fertility. The root of the plant can also be consumed like any other root, such as carrot. This is probably where the name Wild Carrot comes from.

Filler flowers

No matter which part of this plant you choose, it is useful in many ways. It can not only be used for medicinal purposes but also as a source of nutrients and the umbrella-shaped flowers make them attractive enough to add to different arrangements. You can also tuck them into your hair to finish almost any hairstyle with a soft touch.

Depending on where you live in the world, these plants are considered blessings or pests. If you find that your garden is overrun with Queen Anne’s lace, it’s easy to prune it and monitor its growth. Simply take a walk around your garden with a bucket and some sharp scissors or pruning shears and cut the plant. Place all the plant material in the bucket and be careful not to spill the seeds onto the ground. Once this is done, you can decide how to use the cut plant matter. If you wish to share them with a friend or neighbour, don’t forget to share some of the interesting flower history with them too.