Sweet Mignonette

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 237, 7 October 1938, Page 16

Sweet Mignonette

Sentiment and charm are bound up in sweet mignonette, which is one oi the oldest flowers in the garden —a true conservative. Its original home seems to have been Egypt, though other countries produce a wild variety which, however, has not always its sweet perfume. No doubt Cleopatra knew it in her gay Alexandrian gardens, where it flourished along with the lotus and the rose. It was first called the Egyptian rocket when it came over to England from Holland in the eighteenth century though it got its name, meaning “little dear one,” in France. It has been loved and cherished by rich and poor, high and low, for thousands of years. To-day sophisticated young moderns as well as sentimental elders still find a corner for it somewhere—a pot, window-box, bed or border. It is all the same to this wellloved plant, which is of all flowers the most faithful. It only asks to be sown and left alone, for, like all conservatives. it eschews transplanting. It will be found blooming when all other flowers are absent. Cut, it will remain fresh and retain its sweetness longer than any of its scented sisters. A pretty story relates to its secret meaning in old sentimental flower books —a story of love, romance and charm. A.certain Count of Saxony was once spending an evening with some friends when for amusement each girl choso a flower about which each young man was set. to write a suitable verse. The count had to write his to a spray of mignonette which had been chosen by a girl named Charlotte. He was so charmed with girl and flower that he fell in love with both, married the girl, and added to his family crest a sprig of mignonette with the motto “Your qualities surpass your charms.” Ever since this meaning has applied in secret to mignonette and to this day a gift of mignonette, whether potted or plucked, carries with it tho same delicate compliment for tho recipient.