In this episode of Flowers & Folklore, we dive into the surprising history and tales surrounding the humble “bit-like-a-granny’s-handbag’ nasturtium, from its gory Greek naming origins to its gentle flower fairy depictions.
We discover why this bright orange bloom was once associated with warriors and triumph, how Beatrix Potter, Claude Monet, and Cicely Mary Barker each captured its charm, and why it was once thought to repel serpents and bring good fortune.
Along the way, we chat about Tales of the Shire (and Tolkien’s opinionated spelling choices), there’s poetry by Anne Spencer of the Harlem Renaissance, plus we uncover the curious Elizabeth Linnaeus phenomenon, and disappear down a rabbit hole over our mutual obsession with miniatures.
It’s a magical episode that’ll make you see nasturtiums in a whole new (flashing?) light.
Books, Art & Poetry
The Language of Flowers by Odessa Begay
Unearthing The Secret Garden by Martha McDowell
The Flower Fairies Alphabet (1934) by Cicely Mary Barker — “Nasturtium the Jolly” poem & illustration
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (Nasturtiums in Mr. McGregor’s garden)
Lines to a Nasturtium poem by Anne Bethel Spencer
The Witch’s Garden by Sandra Lawrence
Country Life article by Mark Diacono: “In praise of the humble nasturtium”
“How to do the flowers” by Constance Spry
Artworks
Nasturtiums in a Blue Vase by Claude Monet
Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit nasturtium illustration
Cicely Mary Barker’s Nasturtium Fairy
Games & Fun Bits
Tales of the Shire game by Wētā Workshop
Snaps from Sarah’s Halloween dried floral headdress workshop
Dollhouse project & miniature-making course (affiliate link, also you can get 10% off your whole order with the code: KEELEY)
Picture below of the beginning of Keeley’s Brambly Hedge treehouse.
Bonus video of Sarah’s foster boy Bruno “helping” to clean up after the workshop:
Have your own regional stories or nasturtium lore? We’d love to hear from you! We’re accepting reader submissions, so if you have a flower story, (about any flower) please share it with us! Comment below or email us at flowersandfolklorepodcast@gmail.com
Enjoy the episode!
Sarah & Keeley
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Find Keeley online: Instagram | Substack
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