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On this special Halloween episode of Gathered: Storied Botanicals, we wander into the woods at dusk, where strange things grow underfoot and fairy tales turn dark at the edges.

Before the night is through, you’ll encounter a glowing forest floor, something watching from the darkness, and a flower shop humming with beauty, precision, and something far more unsettling.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale “The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage,” this modern variation, “The Flower Shop,” brings together floristry, folklore, and the fragility of balance and harmony when doubt germinates. What begins as a portrait of craftsmanship and care unfurls into a cautionary folktale of envy, doubt, and unraveling—a fairy tale transplanted into the world of a busy, modern floral studio.

So settle in as the October wind rises, the last leaves fall, and the night glows faintly. This Halloween, Gathered: Storied Botanicals offers something both haunting and oddly human: the ways we bloom, grow together, and sometimes let doubt devour us.

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Having missed June's episode, I catch up on an Icelandic adventure that revealed insight into the lupine flower, its role in ancient Rome, Native American medicine, and restoring soil health in Iceland. From there, we gather a fresh look at a life philosophy through a classic children's story.

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In this month's episode, we'll gather 'round the *podcasting campfire* for the story of Farhad and Shirin, the Persian folktale that is also the legend of the first tulip.

Full show notes for this episode can be found at gathered-storiedbotanicals.com/podcast

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Flowering branches are one of the early blooms that promises spring isn't far off. One particular flowering tree has a deep history that's crossed oceans and has inspired artists, warriors, and activists alike!

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The topic of gardens is vast. Let's dig into a type of garden that has evolved through the ages and how one man's vision of what a garden could be informed the first chapter of America's history.

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The first episode of the podcast’s relaunch! We begin this new season at the root, or roots—literally and metaphorically. Returning to one’s roots or to begin again in a career, creative pursuit, a new place to live, or in life can feel like a setback, but we explore how the plant structure--in all its diversity and complexity--can offer some insight in reframing this point of view. 

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The idea of preservation works almost subliminally when working with flowers for how subtle, yet pervasive, the idea is in arranging these blooms. It feels instinctive. Once the stems are cut, it's a matter of racing the clock. What can we do to extend the life of this flower? Or else, how can we alter, transform, this short-lived creation so that we might have it for just a little longer? How can we hang onto the things we care about, the things we love, for just a little longer?

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Our sense of time is a funny thing. It can feel like Rip Van Winkle's slumber. Who better to attest to this hibernation-like slumber than the Amaryllis bulb.

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There are twice as many species of this flower as there are birds in the world and about four times as many mammals. In the first episode of Gathered: Storied Botanicals, we explore the orchid.

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When was the last time you discovered something? The experience of discovery comes with a wide range of emotions. In this episode, I share a personal essay on discovering mementos from my family's house fire.

Gathered: Storied Botanicals is a monthly podcast with room and the will to grow. It's the podcast that brings more flowers into your life through story. Wherever you are, wherever you come from I hope you'll gather 'round.

For more flowers in your life:
Gathered: Storied Botanicals
Gathered by Allison B. Young: the Substack of Gathered: Storied Botanicals
The Bountiful Centerpiece: September 2024 Floral Design Workshop Registration

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I had hoped to release an episode about spring ephemerals for the month of April, but I am at a loss...

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The Oscars are tonight, and I thought I'd reflect on the powerful ways two of the nominated films used flowers to help tell their stories and how they urge us to remember lessons from history.

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“Life sprang […] from the lotus.” In this first episode of Season 3, I delve into a flower that’s closely tied to divinity and many Eastern faiths: the lotus flower. It’s an integral part of many creation stories, whether Hinduism, Buddhism, or the imagery of ancient Egypt. 

Let’s wade in together to take a closer look at a flower that not only offers spiritual guidance but informs one country’s rich culture and even the creative process.

Gathered: Storied Botanicals is a monthly podcast with room and the will to grow. It was written, recorded, and produced by Allison B. Young. Music is composed and performed by Raven Bauer Durham. Sound effects by Pixabay. You can subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. Head over to gathered-storiedbotanicals.com to learn more. Thank you for your support!

Works Cited:
Binh, Khanah, Linh, Kim. “Lotus Blossom: The Soul of the Vietnamese Culture.” Nhan Dan News, July 2019. https://en.nhandan.vn/megastory/lotus2019/.

 
Binney, Ruth. Plant Lore and Legend. Dover Publications, 2019.

 “Lotus as a cut flower.” Pond Megastore, 2023, https://pondmegastore.com/pages/can-i-purchase-cut-lotus-flowers-for-an-event-i-am-planning#:~:text=Lotus%20are%20not%20available%20as%20a%20cut%20flower%20due%20to,the%20stem%20to%20the%20flower.


For full transcript and bibliography, head over here.

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Introducing Gathered: Storied Botanicals

Gathered: Storied Botanicals is a monthly podcast—with room and the will to grow. In each episode, I delve into the world of flowers weaving my experiences as a floral designer and writer with a flower’s depth and significance. By putting each bloom under a historic, scientific, literary, folkloric, or artistic lens we can better see this fascinating world as fertile ground for teaching us how we relate to and understand the world around us.

If you’re looking for a chance to discover and explore this fertile ground or if you need a brief escape Gathered: Storied Botanicals can be your proverbial campfire to gather’ round. 

To learn more about words, flowers, and art head over to gathered-storiedbotanicals.com 

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On the final day of the year, the season's final episode of Gathered: Storied Botanicals delves into the story of the Poinsettia. It goes by many names and its intricate history illuminates all the many gifts it offers during the Christmas season. 

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Some unexpected heartbreak has had me change my initial plans for this month's episode and revisit a lyric essay I wrote in Chicago called, "Girlish Notions." It's a departure from past episodes and it's a bit more personal than what I'm comfortable with, but felt compelled to create something as an offer of catharsis. Because of some language geared toward sexual assault, listener discretion is advised for this episode.

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They lie low to the ground. Sneaky and insidious, they creep along forest floors, climb garden gates, and choke out its neighbors. This Halloween let's follow the coils of creeping vines that have made their way into our culture, from 19th century literature to the horror movies we watch every spooky season. 

Happy Halloween!