Sue Adams, Vice President of Adams Greenhouses is hosting a lecture and flower reading on February 11 at the Locust Grove Estate.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day and it’s an ideal time to have some fun with flowers. While some people enjoy getting readings via tea leaves or tarot cards, Sue Adams, Vice President of Adams Greenhouses—a five-acre operation in Poughkeepsie, reads flowers and interprets their meanings.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day and it’s an ideal time to have some fun with flowers. While some people enjoy getting readings via tea leaves or tarot cards, Sue Adams, Vice President of Adams Greenhouses—a five-acre operation in Poughkeepsie, reads flowers and interprets their meanings.
“Floriography, the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian era as a means of communication in which flowers were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken,” said Adams.
Adams is certainly well acquainted with the floral and agriculture industry. Beyond being an award-winning floral container designer, she is President of New York State Flower Industries and serves on the New England Floriculture Board. Adams is also the author of “What Do Your Flowers Say Today?” A graduate of Cornell University, she majored in consumer economics.
The seed for Adams’ flower readings was planted when she began researching flower meanings. “To my chagrin, I found that one flower can have many different meanings. I use the meanings that I’m most comfortable with and have come up with meanings for new flowers,” said Adams. Flower color, the number of petals, and the shape of the flowers give additional meaning to the readings.
“During Victorian times, most of the books were coffee table books, and many, because of the beauty of the illustrations, ended up as craft projects. I don’t know if lovers really communicated with each other using flowers. If they did, the two would have to use the same book as hundreds were written, many with different meanings,” said Adams.
In addition, floral meanings have changed throughout the years. For example, back in Victorian times, lavender meant mistrust. “Mistrust was lavender’s meaning because the herb was used to mask unpleasant odors. Today, lavender is associated with relaxation, tranquility, and the easing of tension,” added Adams.
Floral Readings
On February 11, Adams will be presenting a floriography lecture, “What Do Your Flowers Say Today?” The event will take place from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY. After a brief lecture, Adams will conduct flower readings for a few lucky raffle winners—every ticket holder will be granted a raffle ticket upon entrance.
“Since flowers are here to make us happy, readings are usually very upbeat,” said Adams. Participants are invited to select three flowers from photos that Adams will have on hand. The first flower chosen represents the immediate past, the second relates to the present, and the third foretells a possible outcome. “What I share with the participants depends on the flowers chosen. They do the talking,” added Adams.
Throughout the last decade, Adams has been giving flower readings and conducting research about flowers. “I finally felt that I had a unique way of ‘reading’ flowers and wanted to share this with others. I had originally wanted to create cards, but couldn’t find a source that would work, so I settled for a book,” concluded Adams.
Her book, “What Do Your Flowers Say Today” will be available for purchase at the event. It retails for $25; the proceeds will benefit Locust Grove Estate. Tickets to the February 11 event are $15 per person. Click https://www.eventbrite.com/o/locust-grove-estate-30347364870 to purchase tickets online. Tickets may also be purchased online via lgny.org/calendar, or by phone at 845-454-4500, Monday through Friday.
Locust Grove Estate
2683 South Rd.
Poughkeepsie NY
www.lgny.org