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CARNATION

TULIP

GAZANIA

PRIMROSE

ROSE

BELLFLOWER

LINDEN


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CARNATION

Latin botanic name: Dianthus sp.

Carnation has a very long history, as it is one of the oldest cultivated plants both in Slovenia and worldwide. Its botanical name comes from Greek dios anthus and means divine flower. The genus comprises approximately 340 different species, some of which are winter-hardy in Slovenia, while others are not. It originates mainly from Europe and Asia, with a few species in northern and southern Africa and one species in Arctic North America.

Carnation has very rich symbolism. In the Christian faith, it represents the tear that Mary shed when she mourned her son who fell under the cross. Red flowers represent love, affection, admiration, and honor. Due to its deep meaning, brides like to pin it on their wedding dresses. 

Over the centuries, the Gorenjska carnation has become a symbol of Slovenian identity and is now the most popular flower among Slovenians. In Slovenian ornamentation, it is the most common and important decoration alongside the heart. Numerous folk and national songs attest to the fact that the lives of Slovenians throughout history have been interwoven with carnations.

Carnation is an embroidered pattern on tablecloths, painted on wooden shutters of houses in the Gorenjska region, on beehive panels, carved into wooden balconies, and used as a pattern on vases, bowls, and glasses. It was a motif on old wooden chests, cupboards, and chairs.

Carnation is an indispensable flower in Slovenian national costumes, especially those of Gorenjska region. Women pin them to their chests and carry a bouquet of red carnations in a basket, while men also pin carnations to their chests and tuck them behind their hats

In the past, carnations were very often used in Slovenia to decorate farmhouses. They were sometimes planted in combination with rosemary, which is still considered a Slovenian bouquet today. Carnation can be considered the national flower of Slovenia.

TULIP

Latin botanic name: Tulipa.

The name comes from the Persian word dulband, which means turban.

Tulip is a genus of flowering plants in the family Liliaceae, which includes more than 75 natural species and more than 3,000 cultivated varieties. It originates from Central Asia (Kazakhstan). They were cultivated in Persia by the 10th century, becoming a symbol of the Ottoman Empire by the 15th century. They achieved fame in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where they became a symbol of national identity and floral art. Today the Netherlands accounts for nearly 87% of global tulip bulb production.

In the 17th century, armed guards protected tulip fields from thieves. At that time, their price was so high, that a single bulb cost as much as a house in the Amsterdam area. The phenomenon made tulips a symbol of luxury and wealth.

Tulips are known for their simple yet perfect flower shape, vibrant colours (ranging from white, yellow, pink, red, orange to purple and even black), upright growth and elegant appearance, and short but intense flowering period (usually from March to May).

The transition of a tulip from bulb to flower serves as a metaphor for personal growth and transformation.

Given their relatively short blooming time, tulips also symbolize the fleeting nature of life in certain contexts, reminding us to cherish the present and the beauty that exists in the present moment. Regardless of their colour or specific symbolism, tulips are a favourite across cultures and occasions. Their simple yet profound beauty makes them suitable for almost any sentiment one wishes to convey.

In Slovenia, tulips were a common motif on wooden chests decorated with hand-painted designs, in which parents kept their daughter’s dowry. Therefore, it signifies happiness and prosperity in the future.

They were often used in carpentry as decorative cutouts on barns or decorative elements on balcony railings.

GAZANIA

Latinsko botanično ime: Gazania.

Zvončnica sodi v rod Campanula (družina zvončičevke, Campanulaceae), ki obsega skoraj 300 vrst trajnic, dvoletnic in enoletnic.

Slovenska posebnost je Zoisova zvončnica.

Zoisova zvončica je endemit in uspeva le na območju od Obirja do Trnovskega gozda ter od Karnijskih Alp do Uršlje gore. Drugod ni znana. Je ena starejših endemičnih vrst. Endemit pomeni, da je rastlina edinstvena in raste na točno določenem kraju ali v določenem okolju in je ni moč najti nikjer drugje. V Triglavskem narodnem parku raste 19 vrst endemičnih rastlin.

Uspeva v skalnih razpokah visokogorja, na meliščih in prodiščih, pogosto jo najdemo tudi nižje. Ker je sposobna preživeti zelo težke vremenske razmere (visoka nadmorska višina, nizke temperature, močni vetrovi, kratka poletja, sneg, slaba skalnata podlaga), velja za simbol prilagodljivosti, odpornosti in vztrajnosti.

Zvončice imajo cvetove zvonaste oblike, konci so razširjeni in podobni zvonu. Zoisova zvončica je edina iz družine zvončičevk, ki ima na koncu zažet, nato ponovno razširjen zvonec, ki je zaprt z venčnimi roglji, ki so po robu dlakavi. Zaradi tega so jo nekdaj želeli nekateri botaniki uvrstiti celo v samostojen rod. Cvetovi Zoisove zvončnice so na vhodu tako ozki, da skozenj žuželke ne morejo priti do nektarja, zato v cvetu naredijo luknjico in ga tudi oprašijo.

Zoisova zvončnica je bila poimenovana po baronu Karlu Zoisu, slovenskem botaniku, ki je bil nanjo prvi pozoren. Rastline je pošiljal v Celovec koroškemu botaniku Franu Ksavru Wulfenu, ki jih je preučil in  leta 1788 opredelil kot novo vrsto. Poimenoval jo je po kranjskemu prijatelju Karlu Zoisu. 

Zoisova zvončica je uvrščena med zaščitene rastline. Sodi med endemite in ima na slovenskem klasično nahajališče.

Leto prvega zavarovanja rastline: 1922.

PRIMROSE

Latin botanical name: Primula vulgaris.

The primrose is a perennial and the most widespread member of the genus Primula in Slovenia. Its natural habitat spans western and southeastern Europe, northwestern Africa, and southwestern Asia. In the Northern Hemisphere, it blooms between February and April in meadows and on hillsides, as well as in orchards and open forests.

The scientific name derives from the Latin word primus, meaning first, which indicates the plant’s early appearance in the calendar year. It is one of the first spring flowers to bloom, signaling the end of long winter months. The Latin species epithet vulgaris means common in the sense of widespread. The yellow spring herald likely got its name from the fact that if you blow into a picked flower, it makes a sound like a natural musical instrument. 

The primrose marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter, and is typically associated with themes of hope, new beginnings, youth, innocence, and romance. In the Victorian era, it often symbolized fleeting youth or early death, but today it is considered a flower of happiness that brings warmth, joy and optimism.

The primrose often appears in romantic poetry. In everyday language, the expression the path of the primrose refers to a reckless pursuit of pleasure, especially if it leads to disastrous consequences.

Primroses have existed for centuries. So long, in fact, that we don’t even know where they first appeared or who discovered them. We do know, however, that a Swedish botanist was the first to publish that they belong to the genus Primula in 1753. Originally from Europe, these flowers have been popular since time immemorial. It was even said that they were Shakespeare’s favourite flowers, as he included them in many of his plays. They have also long been associated with fairies.

ROSE

Latin botanical name: Rosa.

The rose, also known in Slovenia archaically as the gártroža, is a genus of shrubby plants in the Rose family, comprising more than 100 species that occur naturally in the Northern Hemisphere, primarily in the temperate zone of Eurasia and to a lesser extent in North America. They can be divided into two groups: historic and hybrid roses. The earliest fossil evidence of roses dates back to the early Tertiary period.

A garden dedicated to growing roses is called a rosarium. Roses are often used as cut flowers. They are cultivated as medicinal plants and as a raw material for the production of rose oil, teas, syrups, jams, and medicines. As a very ancient cultivated plant that has accompanied humans since antiquity, it is deeply rooted in cultural history, art, literature, mythology and even heraldry. In the so-called language of flowers, it is a symbol of love.

In Christianity, it is one of the symbols of the Virgin Mary and an attribute of numerous saints. Mary herself is sometimes called Rosa mystica (the mystical rose). The symbolic meanings of roses are found in Marian, Christological, and hagiographic iconography. In the Bible, King Solomon compares the rose to eternal wisdom.  The Rosary is perhaps the most popular non-liturgical prayer in the Latin Rite.

The rose has had and continues to have numerous symbolic meanings. It represents gentleness, youth, joy, beauty, love, innocence, and femininity. The red rose has long been a symbol of love, joy, and youthful vigour. The rose is also associated with pain (there is no rose without thorns), and because of the falling of its petals, with transience and death.

If we take a brief look back at the history of roses, we find that they were already being cultivated in Asia five thousand years ago. The ancient Romans adored roses; at parties, guests would bathe in rose petals, eat rose-flavoured desserts, and drink wine flavoured with rose water. Roses are also used in cosmetics, perfumery, medicine, and cuisine.

The beauty, scent, and luxury of roses have been celebrated by numerous artists, including musicians, poets, painters, sculptors, and even architects. The rose window — a round, often quite large window that in Gothic architecture is typically located above the portal on the western facade of churches — is shaped like a rose. Jože Plečnik, the renowned Slovenian architect, clad one of Vienna’s opulent private residences in a mantle of roses.

BELLFLOWER

Latin botanic name: Campanula.

The bellflower belongs to the genus Campanula (family Campanulaceae), which comprises nearly 300 species of perennials, biennials, and annuals.

A distinctive Slovenian specialty is Zois’s bellflower.

Zois’s bellflower is endemic and thrives only in the area from Obir to Trnovski gozd and from the Carnic Alps to Uršlja gora. It is not known anywhere else. It is one of the older endemic species. Endemic means that the plant is unique and grows in a specific location or environment and cannot be found anywhere else. There are 19 species of endemic plants growing in the Triglav National Park.

It grows in rocky crevices in high mountains, on scree slopes and gravelly areas, and is often found at lower altitudes as well. Because it is able to survive very harsh weather conditions (high altitude, low temperatures, strong winds, short summers, snow, sparse rocky soil), it is considered a symbol of resilience, resistance, and perseverance.

Bellflowers have bell-shaped flowers with flared ends resembling bells. However, Zois’ bellflower is the only member of the bellflower family that has a narrowed end followed by a flared bell, closed by corolla lobes that are hairy around the edges. Because of this, some botanists once wanted to classify it as a separate genus. The flowers of Zois’s bellflower are so narrow at the entrance that insects cannot reach the nectar, so they make a hole in the flower and pollinate it.

Zois’s bellflower was named after Baron Karl Zois, a Slovenian botanist who was the first to take notice of it. He sent specimens to Klagenfurt to the Carinthian botanist Franz Xaver von Wulfen, who studied them and described them as a new species in 1788. He named it after his friend from Kranj, Karl Zois.

Zois’s bellflower is classified as a protected plant. It is endemic and has a classic habitat in Slovenia. Year of first protection of the plant: 1922.

LINDEN

Latin botanical name: Tilia.

The linden is a genus of trees with soft wood and heartshaped leaves. Among the many tree species in Central Europe, no other tree is as medicinal, flowering, and fragrant as the linden, while also being so ancient and majestic. It is widespread in Central, Western, and Southern Europe, the Crimea, the Caucasus, and Asia Minor. Four species of linden grow in Slovenia. We most often see a linden tree in front of a church, in a village square, in a farmyard, or next to an inn.

In many Slovenian village communities — such as in Prešeren’s birthplace, Vrba in the Gorenjska region — it was customary for villagers to sit on seats made of stone to resolve minor disputes, make decisions about mutual assistance with daily tasks, and vote, while they also gathered under the linden tree for celebrations, festivities, and dances. Thus, the linden tree symbolized the center of the community, justice, unity, cooperation, and joy.

It is used in woodcarving and carpentry for making furniture, musical instruments, and toys. The flowers have numerous medicinal properties, so we pick and dry them for tea. Beekeepers love the linden tree, as it is a highly honey-producing tree species.

Since Slovenia’s independence in 1991, in memory of such customs, every summer in August the most prominent representatives of the independent Slovenian state have attended what has now become a traditional social gathering under the largest Slovenian linden tree. This is the linden tree (small-leaved linden) near the Najevnik farmstead on Ludranski vrh in Carinthia, the tree with the largest trunk circumference in Slovenia (11.24 m); it stands 24 m tall, and its age is estimated at 700 years.

The linden tree was a sacred Slovenian tree long before the advent of Christianity. With its majesty, it reaches from the earth to the sky, and its age evokes a sense of timelessness. Beneath many a linden tree stood a well, a stone table, or seats for village elders. As a symbol of Slovenian identity, it historically represented the unity of the Slovenian nation. In 1991, when Slovenia became independent, politicians planted a linden tree — our symbol in front of the parliament, which now grows alongside Slovenia. The linden tree gives Slovenia self-confidence. Just as the linden tree defies time, so too have Slovenia and the Slovenian people defied and will continue to defy time.

Assemblies and trials held under the linden tree were an integral part of the ancient state law of Carantania, which historical sources themselves refer to as the istituto sclavenica or Slovenian law. They bore the distinct character of Slovenian folk law. Even in the Middle Ages, there was not a single church, castle, village, market, or town in Slovenian lands without a linden tree, which fully corresponds to the fact that the linden tree is a sacred tree to Slovenians. Throughout history, it has been held in high esteem by all social classes, not only by peasants but also by the middle class and nobility.

The linden tree features prominently in numerous Slovenian folk and national songs and legends (the legend of King Matjaž).

AstART is a brand, renowned for its four decades long tradition of creating hand painted glassware, decorated with motifs of authentic Slovenian decorative art.

It is intended to preserve Slovenian cultural heritage by creating practical products that can find their place and useful application in every home.

The ornaments on larger items feature multiple combined motifs, while smaller ones feature just one. The motifs, which consist of several components,  are naturalistic (floral), and the stylization is free (based on intuition). The composition is tectonic, tied to the form. The colors are idealistic, as pure and vivid as possible.

All of this is part of the Slovenian style, which differs quite significantly from others due to its long history. The development of motifs and ornaments is largely influenced by the local landscape, the climate, and our geographical location. Slovenian ornamentation is believed to have begun diverging from the common Old Slavic style around the year 1000 AD; it is thought to have developed consistently from a single root and therefore has very little in common with the development of the Western European style. It went through five stages of development. In the third (around 1500–1700, the Renaissance), more natural plant motifs (carnation, heart, bellflower, tulip) became prevalent.

People paid attention to the tidiness of their homes, practical items, and clothing. Ordinary people took care of their dwellings and surroundings, decorating or embellishing them with ornaments. Their imagination did not extend much beyond their daily lives; they primarily used motifs of flowers, animals, though we can also find some geometric shapes.

In the 19th century, the ornament was among the most beautiful in history. For it was created by our people and our ancestral and present soil, without excessive foreign influence; rather, it appeared among us like our indomitable fairytale hero.” (Jože Karlovšek, 1935)

Slovenian ornamentation continues to evolve, with new motifs, drawn from our folk life and imagination, joining the old ones.

AstART je blagovna znamka, znana po štiridesetletni tradiciji izdelave ročno poslikanega stekla, okrašenega z motivi avtentične slovenske krasilne umetnosti.

Njen cilj je ohranjanje slovenske kulturne dediščine z ustvarjanjem praktičnih izdelkov, ki najdejo svoje mesto in uporabno vlogo v vsakem domu.

Ornamenti na večjih izdelkih imajo več združenih motivov, na manjših le enega. Vrsta motivov, ki so sestavljeni iz več prvin, je naturalistična (cvetlični motivi), stilizacija pa prosta (po občutku). Kompozicija je tektonska, vezana na obliko. Barve so idealistične, čim bolj čiste in žive.

Vse to je del slovenskega sloga, ki se kar precej razlikuje od drugih zaradi svoje dolge zgodovine. Na razvoj motivov in ornamentov v veliki meri vplivajo kraji, podnebje in naša zemljepisna lega. Slovenski ornament naj bi se začel odvajati od skupnega staroslovanskega okrog leta 1000 n. št., razvijal pa naj bi se vedno iz ene korenine in imel zato prav malo skupnega z razvojem zahodnoevropskega sloga. Šel je skozi pet stopenj razvoja. V tretji (okoli 1500-1700, renesansa) so se uveljavili naravnejši rastlinski motivi (nagelj, srce, zvončnica, tulipan).

Ljudje so svojo pozornost obračali na urejenost svojih domov, uporabnih izdelkov in oblačil. Preprosti ljudje so skrbeli za svoja bivališča in njihovo okolje, krasili oziroma olepšali so jih z ornamenti. Domišljija ni kaj dosti segala izven njihovega vsakdana, uporabljali so predvsem oblike cvetja, živali, lahko pa najdemo tudi nekaj geometrijskih oblik.

»V 19. Stoletju je bil ornament med najlepšimi, kar jih pozna zgodovina. Saj sta ga ustvarila naš narod in naša prvotna in sedanja zemlja, ne da bi sodelovali pri tem preveč tuji vplivi, odnosno pojavil se je med nami kakor naš neugnani pravljični junak«. (Jože Karlovšek, 1935)

Slovenski ornament se razvija še naprej, starim motivom se pridružujejo novi, vzeti iz našega ljudskega življenja in domišljije.

LIPA

Latinsko botanično ime: Tilia.

Lipa je rod dreves z mehkom lesom in z listi srčaste oblike. Izmed mnogih drevesnih vrst v srednji Evropi ni razen lipe nobenega drevesa, ki bi bilo tako zdravilno, cvetoče, dišeče, hkrati pa še tako staro in mogočno. Razširjena je v Srednji, Zahodni in Južni Evropi, Krimu, Kavkazu ter v Mali Aziji. V Sloveniji uspevajo štiri vrste lip. Lipo največkrat vidimo pred cerkvijo, na vaškem trgu, na dvorišču kmetije ali ob gostišču.

V mnogih slovenskih vaških skupnostih – tako kot v Prešernovi rojstni vasi Vrbi na Gorenjskem – je bil običaj, da so na kamnitih sedežih vaščani obravnavali manjše medsebojne spore, sprejemali odločitve o medsebojni pomoči pri tekočih opravilih, volili, pod lipo pa so se tudi zbirali na praznovanjih, veselicah in plesih. Tako je lipa pomenila središče skupnosti, pravičnost, edinost, sodelovanje in veselje.

Uporablja se v rezbarstvu in mizarstvu za izdelavo pohištva, glasbil, igrač. Cvetje ima številne zdravilne lastnosti, zato ga nabiramo in sušimo za čaj. Lipo imajo radi čebelarji, saj je zelo medonosna drevesna vrsta.

Od osamosvojitve Slovenije 1991 dalje se v spomin na tovrstne običaje vsako poletje v avgustu najpomembnejši predstavniki samostojne slovenske države udeležijo zdaj že tradicionalnega družabnega srečanja pod največjo slovensko lipo. To je Najevska lipa (lipovec) ob Najevnikovi domačiji na Ludranskem vrhu na Koroškem, drevo z največjim obsegom debla v Sloveniji (11,24 m), ki je visoko 24 m, njegova starost pa je ocenjena na 700 let.

Lipa je bila sveto slovensko drevo že davno pred krščanstvom. S svojo mogočnostjo kaže od zemlje na nebo in s svojo starostjo spominja na brezčasnost. Pod marsikatero lipo so bili vodnjak, kamnita miza ali pa sedeži za vaške starešine. Kot simbol slovenstva je v preteklosti pomenila združevanje slovenskega naroda. Leta 1991, ko je postala Slovenija samostojna, so politiki pred parlamentom posadili lipo, naš simbol, ki sedaj raste skupaj s Slovenijo. Lipa daje Sloveniji samozavest. Kot času kljubuje lipa, kljubujejo in bodo kljubovali tudi Slovenija in Slovenci.

Zbori in pravde pod lipo so bili sestavni del starega državnega prava Karantanije, ki ga tudi sami zgodovinski viri nazivajo istituto sclavenica oziroma slovensko pravo. Imeli so izrazit značaj slovenskega ljudskega prava. Še v srednjem veku ni bilo po slovenskih krajih nobene cerkve, nobenega gradu, vasi, trga in mesta brez lipe, kar povsem odgovarja dejstvu, da je lipa Slovencem sveto drevo. Vseskozi je bila deležna visokega spoštovanja vseh narodnih slojev, ne le kmetov, temveč tudi plemstva in meščanstva.

Lipa je izrazito navzoča v številnih slovenskih ljudskih ali narodnih pesmih ter legendah (legenda o kralju Matjažu).

TROBENTICA

Latin botanical name: Primula vulgaris.

Trobentica je trajnica in najbolj razširjena predstavnica rodu jegličev (Primula) v Sloveniji. Njen naravni habitat obsega zahodno in jugovzhodno Evropo, severozahodno Afriko in jugozahodno Azijo. Na severni polobli cveti med februarjem in aprilom na travnikih in pobočjih ter v sadovnjakih in svetlih gozdovih.

Znanstveno poimenovanje izhaja iz latinske besede primus, ki pomeni prvi, kar nakazuje na zgodnjo pojavitev rastline v koledarskem letu. Sodi med prve pomladne cvetlice, ki označujejo konec dolgih zimskih mesecev. Latinski vrstni pridevnik vulgaris pomeni običajen v smislu močno razširjen. Rumena znanilka pomladi je svoje ime bržkone dobila po tem, da lahko v utrgan cvet pihnemo in ta nato zatrobi kot nekakšno naravno glasbilo. 

Trobentica označuje začetek pomladi in konec zime in jo običajno povezujemo s tematiko upanja, novih začetkov, mladosti, nedolžnosti in romantike. V viktorijanski dobi je pogosto simbolizirala minljivo mladost ali zgodnjo smrt, danes pa velja za cvet sreče, ki prinaša toplino, veselje in optimizem.

Trobentica se pogosto pojavlja v romantični poeziji. V vsakdanjem jeziku izraz pot primule pomeni brezglavo iskanje užitkov, zlasti če to prinaša katastrofalne posledice.

Trobentice obstajajo že stoletja. Že tako dolgo, da sploh ne vemo, kje so se prvič pojavile ali kdo jih je odkril. Vemo pa, da je švedski botanik leta 1753 prvi objavil, da spadajo v rod primula. Prvotno iz Evrope, so prve rože priljubljene že od nekdaj. Govorilo se je celo, da so bile najljubše cvetlice Shakespearja, saj jih je vključil v številne svoje drame. Prav tako so že od nekdaj povezane z vilami.

Trobentice so popolnoma užitne in se lahko uporabijo v svežih poletnih solatah ali kot lepa okrasitev za koktajle. Užitni so tako cvetovi kot listi, njihov okus pa se giblje med blagim okusom solate in bolj grenkim okusom. Liste trobentic lahko dodamo v juho, vendar je bolje, da jih kombiniramo z drugimi rastlinami, saj imajo včasih nekoliko močan okus. Liste lahko uporabimo tudi za pripravo čaja, iz mladih cvetov pa lahko naredimo vino.

GAZANIJA

Latinsko botanično ime: Gazania.

Zvončnica sodi v rod Campanula (družina zvončičevke, Campanulaceae), ki obsega skoraj 300 vrst trajnic, dvoletnic in enoletnic.

Slovenska posebnost je Zoisova zvončnica.

Zoisova zvončica je endemit in uspeva le na območju od Obirja do Trnovskega gozda ter od Karnijskih Alp do Uršlje gore. Drugod ni znana. Je ena starejših endemičnih vrst. Endemit pomeni, da je rastlina edinstvena in raste na točno določenem kraju ali v določenem okolju in je ni moč najti nikjer drugje. V Triglavskem narodnem parku raste 19 vrst endemičnih rastlin.

Uspeva v skalnih razpokah visokogorja, na meliščih in prodiščih, pogosto jo najdemo tudi nižje. Ker je sposobna preživeti zelo težke vremenske razmere (visoka nadmorska višina, nizke temperature, močni vetrovi, kratka poletja, sneg, slaba skalnata podlaga), velja za simbol prilagodljivosti, odpornosti in vztrajnosti.

Zvončice imajo cvetove zvonaste oblike, konci so razširjeni in podobni zvonu. Zoisova zvončica je edina iz družine zvončičevk, ki ima na koncu zažet, nato ponovno razširjen zvonec, ki je zaprt z venčnimi roglji, ki so po robu dlakavi. Zaradi tega so jo nekdaj želeli nekateri botaniki uvrstiti celo v samostojen rod. Cvetovi Zoisove zvončnice so na vhodu tako ozki, da skozenj žuželke ne morejo priti do nektarja, zato v cvetu naredijo luknjico in ga tudi oprašijo.

Zoisova zvončnica je bila poimenovana po baronu Karlu Zoisu, slovenskem botaniku, ki je bil nanjo prvi pozoren. Rastline je pošiljal v Celovec koroškemu botaniku Franu Ksavru Wulfenu, ki jih je preučil in  leta 1788 opredelil kot novo vrsto. Poimenoval jo je po kranjskemu prijatelju Karlu Zoisu. 

Zoisova zvončica je uvrščena med zaščitene rastline. Sodi med endemite in ima na slovenskem klasično nahajališče.

Leto prvega zavarovanja rastline: 1922.

TULIPAN

Latinsko botanično ime: Tulipa.

Ime izhaja iz perzijske besede »dulband«, ki pomeni turban.

Tulipan je rod cvetočih rastlin iz družine Liliaceae, ki obsega več kot 75 naravnih vrst in več kot 3.000 gojenih sort. Izvira iz Srednje Azije (Kazahstana). V Perziji so jih gojili že v 10. stoletju, v 15. stoletju pa so postali simbol Osmanskega cesarstva. Slavo so dosegli v Evropi, zlasti na Nizozemskem, kjer so postali simbol narodne identitete in cvetličarske umetnosti. Danes Nizozemska predstavlja skoraj 87 % svetovne proizvodnje čebulic tulipanov.

V 17. stoletju so oborožene straže varovale polja tulipanov pred tatovi. Takrat je bila njihova cena tako visoka, da je ena sama čebulica stala toliko kot hiša v okolici Amsterdama. Ta pojav je tulipane spremenil v simbol razkošja in bogastva.

Tulipani so znani po svoji preprosti, a popolni obliki cvetov, živahnih barvah (od bele, rumene, rožnate, rdeče, oranžne do vijolične in celo črne), pokončni rasti in elegantnem videzu ter kratkem, a intenzivnem obdobju cvetenja (običajno od marca do maja).

Prehod tulipana iz čebulice v cvet služi kot metafora za osebno rast in preobrazbo.

Glede na to, da cvetijo le kratek čas, tulipani v nekaterih ozirih pomenijo tudi minljivost življenja in nas opominjajo, naj cenimo sedanjost ter lepoto sedanjega trenutka. Ne glede na barvo ali posebno simboliko so tulipani priljubljeni v vseh kulturah in ob vseh priložnostih. Zaradi svoje preproste in vendar izjemne lepote so primerni za izražanje skoraj vsakega občutja, ki ga želimo sporočiti.

V Sloveniji so bili tulipani pogost motiv na lesenih skrinjah, okrašenih z ročno naslikanimi motivi, v katerih so starši hranili doto svojih hčera. So znamenje sreče in blaginje v prihodnosti.

Pogosto so jih uporabljali v mizarstvu kot okrasne izrezke na skednjih ali kot okrasne elemente na balkonskih ograjah.

VRTNICA

Latinsko botanično ime: Rosa.

Vrtnica, starinsko tudi gártroža, je rod grmičastih rastlin iz družine rožnic z več kot 100 vrstami, ki se naravno pojavljajo na na severni polobli, večinoma v zmernem pasu Evrazije in manj v Severni Ameriki. Lahko jih razdelimo v dve skupini: zgodovinske in hibridne vrtnice. Najzgodnejši fosilni dokazi o obstoju vrtnic segajo v zgodnji terciar.

Vrt, namenjen gojenju vrtnic, se imenuje rozarij. Vrtnice se pogosto uporabljajo kot rezano cvetje. Gojijo jih kot zdravilne rastline in kot surovino za proizvodnjo rožnega olja, čajev, sirupov, marmelad in zdravil. Kot zelo stara kulturna rastlina, ki spremlja ljudi že od starega veka, je globoko zakoreninjena v kulturni zgodovini, umetnosti, literaturi, mitologiji in celo heraldiki. V tako imenovani govorici rož je simbol ljubezni.

V krščanstvu je eden od simbolov Device Marije in atribut številnih svetnikov. Sama Marija se včasih imenuje Rosa mystica (skrivnostna vrtnica). Simbolne pomene vrtnic poznamo v marijanski, kristološki in svetniški ikonografiji. V Svetem pismu kralj Salomon primerja vrtnico z večno modrostjo.

Vrtnica je imela in ima številne simbolične pomene. Predstavlja milino, mladost, veselje, lepoto, ljubezen, nedolžnost in ženstvenost. Rdeča vrtnica je že od nekdaj znamenje ljubezni, veselja in mladostnega elana. Vrtnico povezujejo tudi z bolečino (ni vrtnice brez trnja), zaradi odpadanja cvetnih listov pa tudi z minljivostjo in smrtjo.

Če se vrnemo malo v zgodovino vrtnic ugotovimo, da so jih že pred pet tisoč leti gojili v Aziji. Stari Rimljani so oboževali vrtnice, saj so se na zabavah gostje kopali v cvetovih vrtnic, jedli sladice iz vrtnic in pili vino, ki je bilo aromatizirano z rožno vodo. Vrtnice se uporabljajo tudi v kozmetiki, parfumeriji, medicini in kulinariki.

Lepoto, vonj in razkošje vrtnic so opevali številni umetniki, tako glasbeniki, pesniki kot tudi slikarji, kiparji in celo arhitekti. Rozeta, okroglo, pogosto precej veliko okno, ki se v gotiki prednostno nahaja nad portalom na zahodnem pročelju cerkva, ima obliko vrtnice. Jože Plečnik, znameniti slovenski arhitekt,  je eno od bogatih privatnih hiš na Dunaju oblekel v plašč iz vrtnic.

ZVONČNICA

Latinsko botanično ime: Campanula.

Zvončnica sodi v rod Campanula (družina zvončičevke, Campanulaceae), ki obsega skoraj 300 vrst trajnic, dvoletnic in enoletnic.

Slovenska posebnost je Zoisova zvončnica.

Zoisova zvončica je endemit in uspeva le na območju od Obirja do Trnovskega gozda ter od Karnijskih Alp do Uršlje gore. Drugod ni znana. Je ena starejših endemičnih vrst. Endemit pomeni, da je rastlina edinstvena in raste na točno določenem kraju ali v določenem okolju in je ni moč najti nikjer drugje. V Triglavskem narodnem parku raste 19 vrst endemičnih rastlin.

Uspeva v skalnih razpokah visokogorja, na meliščih in prodiščih, pogosto jo najdemo tudi nižje. Ker je sposobna preživeti zelo težke vremenske razmere (visoka nadmorska višina, nizke temperature, močni vetrovi, kratka poletja, sneg, slaba skalnata podlaga), velja za simbol prilagodljivosti, odpornosti in vztrajnosti.

Zvončice imajo cvetove zvonaste oblike, konci so razširjeni in podobni zvonu. Zoisova zvončica je edina iz družine zvončičevk, ki ima na koncu zažet, nato ponovno razširjen zvonec, ki je zaprt z venčnimi roglji, ki so po robu dlakavi. Zaradi tega so jo nekdaj želeli nekateri botaniki uvrstiti celo v samostojen rod. Cvetovi Zoisove zvončnice so na vhodu tako ozki, da skozenj žuželke ne morejo priti do nektarja, zato v cvetu naredijo luknjico in ga tudi oprašijo.

Zoisova zvončnica je bila poimenovana po baronu Karlu Zoisu, slovenskem botaniku, ki je bil nanjo prvi pozoren. Rastline je pošiljal v Celovec koroškemu botaniku Franu Ksavru Wulfenu, ki jih je preučil in  leta 1788 opredelil kot novo vrsto. Poimenoval jo je po kranjskemu prijatelju Karlu Zoisu. 

Zoisova zvončica je uvrščena med zaščitene rastline. Sodi med endemite in ima na slovenskem klasično nahajališče.

Leto prvega zavarovanja rastline: 1922.

NAGELJ

Latinsko botanično ime: Dianthus sp.

Nagelj ima zelo dolgo zgodovino, saj je ena najstarejših gojenih rastlin tako v Sloveniji kot po svetu. Njegovo botanično ime izhaja iz grškega izraza dios anthus in pomeni božanski cvet. Rod obsega približno 340 različnih vrst, od katerih so nekatere v Sloveniji zimsko odporne, druge pa ne. Izvira predvsem iz Evrope in Azije, nekaj vrst pa je tudi v severni in južni Afriki ter ena vrsta v arktični Severni Ameriki.

Nagelj ima zelo bogato simboliko. V krščanski veri predstavlja solzo, ki jo je Marija potočila, ko je žalovala za svojim Sinom, ki je padel pod križem. Rdeči cvetovi predstavljajo ljubezen, naklonjenost, občudovanje in čast. Zaradi njegovega globokega pomena ga neveste rade pripenjajo na svoje poročne obleke.

V teku stoletij je gorenjski nagelj postal simbol slovenske istovetnosti in je danes najbolj priljubljena roža med Slovenci. V slovenski ornamentiki je poleg srca najpogostejši in najpomembnejši motiv. Da je bilo življenje Slovencev v zgodovini prepleteno z nageljni, izpričujejo številne ljudske in narodne pesmi.

Nagelj je vezen vzorec na prtih, naslikan na lesena polkna gorenjskih hiš in panjske končnice, izrezljan vzorec lesenih balkonov ter uporabljen kot motiv na vazah, skledah in kozarcih. Bil je nepogrešljiv motiv na starih lesenih skrinjah, omarah in stolih.

Nagelj je nepogrešljiv cvet na slovenski narodni noši, zlasti na Gorenjskem. Ženske si jih pripenjajo na prsi in nosijo šopek rdečih nageljnov v košarici, moški pa si jih prav tako pripenjajo na prsi in jih zatikajo za klobuke.

V preteklosti so nageljne v Sloveniji zelo pogosto uporabljali za okrasitev kmečkih hiš. Včasih so jih sadili v kombinaciji z rožmarinom, kar še danes velja za slovenski šopek. Nagelj lahko štejemo za slovenski narodni cvet.