Queen Anne’s lace will forever remind me of field hockey. Growing up, I would spend the end of each summer practicing with our school’s field hockey team for the coming season. After finishing a set of sprints, we would each collapse into the grass and await further running punishment. While everyone else was drinking water, I would pick Queen Anne’s lace out of the field and tie them into tiny bouquets to leave on the ground. I should have realized then that my future had more to do with flowers and less to do with competitive sports, but those moments were always some of my favorite. Now, whenever I see Queen Anne’s lace in a field or on the side of the road, I’m tempted to stop and make a tiny bouquet.
Named after both Queen Annes (Great Britain and Denmark), Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) was named because of its resemblance to lace. The story behind the red dot in the center of most of the flowering heads is said to be the blood from Queen Anne’s finger after she cut herself making the lace. Sewing injuries aside, I think this is one of the sweetest and most delicate things you can use for arrangements. Daucus carota is (as its full name suggests) actually the flowering top of a wild carrot plant. Sadly, the carrot itself has a short life span for eating (it quickly gets too tough and woody to consume), but the flowering portion still has a faint carrot smell after cutting. Alone or in a group, these lacy beauties are definitely worth picking up when you spot them at your local florist. If you find them in a wild (and have permission to cut them), just be sure to check for ticks – they often find homes among the flower heads. xo, grace
*You can read even more about Queen Anne’s lace (and get some arranging ideas) right here in Sarah’s Flowers A to Z post.
via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1jwgf12 From Grace Bonney
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