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The glow that comes with the wonder of carrying a new life within is a beautiful thing to behold, but it can sure take its toll on the feet and back. Being pregnant is a special time in a woman’s life, but toward the end, is not a particularly comfortable one. Sleeping, standing, even just trying to get dressed in the morning takes on a whole new dimension, literally, as her dimensions widen and make daily tasks more of a challenge. Along with the burp cloths and diaper cakes, consider a lovely pot of pansies for the mother-to-be as she prepares for the arrival of her new child. These dainty and darling blooms are the perfect pick for a pregnant lady who is just about to pop.
Favorites for the cool days of autumn and chilly mornings of spring, the pansy is a plant that is associated with merriment and enjoyment in the language of flowers. While being pregnant certainly cuts back on one’s social calendar with all the restrictions on cocktails and soft cheeses, it carries with it its own delights and anticipations of occasions to come. Named from the French word for “thought,” the flowers of the pansy are held up on delicate stems that seem to “nod” in concentration. While pregnancy brain may leave her unable to focus or remember something from one room to the next, the gently nodding heads of these pretty flowers will remind her that she has your support at this critical time.
Pansies are an annual flower that can be planted in a pretty pot and put out on the porch through the autumn and mild winters for a splash of color. In a container inside, they will continue to bloom for several weeks, lasting longer than cut flowers in a vase would, but not adding to the care of an already expanding household the way a new houseplant might. Expect a month of loveliness with a once a week watering, after which time they can be fully neglected and tossed- unlike the dog, who will just have to learn to share attention with the new baby.
Pansies are a close relative of the violet and share the same genus as violas; their names are used interchangeably at times, though the violas are slightly smaller in stature. A rainbow of colors are available, from soft lavender to deep golds. Most have a darker color in the center that resembles a cheerful face and are surrounded by soft, green sepals and leaves. Consider mixing several in a terra-cotta pot and surprising an expectant mother with a special delivery she wasn’t expecting.
