Floral Brainteaser 3 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hydrangea

Explanation: Sounds like a short hello = Hi/hy; sounds like a conduit for waste water = Drain/dran; sounds like a container for - Jar/gea.

Hydrangeas are plants - exquisite plants - originally from the Asian and American continents. The name translates to "water vessel" and this plant most definitely can take plenty of that. On average, these lovely bushes grow to about 12 feet tall, but there is one species of it that climbs up trees, and it can be anything up to 100 feet tall. That's amazing.

Apart from their beauty, hydrangeas are used to treat urinary tract infections, and as a diuretic. One species of the flower is used to make tea in Japan - traditionally consumed on 8 April every year, as this date is thought to be Buddha's birthday. On that day, hydrangea tea (known as ama-cha) is also poured over a statue of the Buddha, because it is believed that nine dragons doused the baby Buddha with this when he was born. As an example of the language of flowers, the pink hydrangea tells the beloved that "You are the beat of my heart".

Answer: Freesia

Explanation: Costs nothing = Free; sounds like the title of a traditional leader of Iran = Shah/sia.

Freesias are delicately coloured and scented flowers native to the south and east of Africa. At twilight when the air is moist, their scent is pure delight. That perfume is cultivated for use in beauty products, and the flowers often appear in wedding bouquets. Surrounded by a few red roses and maidenhair fern, they outshine the loveliest bride. Butterflies love these flowers as well. The language of freesias is friendship, trust and innocence.

A little difficult to grow in a garden, freesias take coaxing and attention - but they're worth it. Another interesting fact about this beauty is that the freesia flower only grows on one side of its plant. Aromatherapists believe that having a vase of flowers in the home reduces stress levels, and, accordingly, improves the mood.

Answer: Poppy

Explanation: Sound made when a balloon is burst = Pop; sounds like a small legume = Pea/py.

Poppies are beautifully and dramatically coloured flowers known for their heady perfume and their ability to attract bees. The Papaver somniferum species of this plant has served mankind for many centuries for the morphine created from it to deaden pain. In ancient times, those who practised medicine had their patients chew the seeds of this species for this purpose. Unfortunately, this has also led in modern times to an abuse of this species by drug users and addicts. Even more unfortunately, this poppy grows wild in Asia and south-eastern Europe, so it is easily accessed. On the lighter side, the oil obtained from poppies is used in a number of products used by man, such as paints and varnishes, cooking oils and margarine, and various cosmetics.

Poppies symbolise recovery from illness, consolation for loss, remembrance, and peace in death. On a brighter note, they also symbolise a lively imagination, messages delivered in dreams, resurrection and eternal life, beauty and success.

Answer: Maidenhair

Explanation: A young unmarried woman = Maiden; Rapunzel let hers drop down when requested = Hair; a word sounding like animal covering and add an N = Fur/fer + n = Fern.

Maidenhair is a fern - one of the most delicate lovely ferns ever created. This shade-loving beauty is perfect to add greenery and gently trembling appeal to every garden as it nestles below the more showy blooms it enhances. There are well over 100 different species of maidenhair, but the loveliest of all in this gardener's opinion is the Adiantum raddianum. Even the gentlest breeze sets it dancing for viewing pleasure. Perfect in any bouquet, and with any flower you can think of, maidenhair never detracts but always compliments.

Maidenhair symbolise purity and innocence. One old legend has it that a virgin is revealed if a maiden can hold a sprig of maidenhair in her hand without the leaves moving. How many reputations were torn to shreds over this belief! Maidenhair was born to tremble.

Answer: Begonia

Explanation: The first two syllables sound like you're ordering a fairytale villain out of the room = Be gone/begon; Sounds like a German yes = ja/ia.

There are over 1,800 different species of begonia in the plant family. These beautifully coloured plants are native to subtropical and tropical parts of the world. They don't care for full sun exposure however, but look at their best nestling under sturdier, higher bushes. North Korea claims this lovely plant as its national bloom, and in the world of begonia meaning, it expresses a caution to be careful in new situations, but also symbolises respect and gratitude.

Answer: Camellia

Explanation: A shortened device for filming = cam/camera; a long slithery fish = eel; the Shakespearian king who divided his kingdom between his daughters = Lear/lia.

The beautiful camellias are native to the south and east of Asia and are not just appreciated for their loveliness, but also for their "working" life. Tea can be made from their leaves, while the oil from their seeds is used in cooking and the manufacture of cosmetics, giving us beauty and practicality in the one plant. One particular species of this plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as an anti-inflammatory treatment.

With its resemblance to the beautiful rose, camellias were once referred to as Japanese roses, and grew wild in the forests of Asia. The camellia is the state flower of Alabama ("Why Colonel, ah do declare, ah love your buttonhole"); the white flower became a symbol of the suffragette movement in New Zealand; and, oh dear, it was also the symbol the Knights of the White Camelia, an associate organisation of the Ku Klux Klan in America in the 1860s. In the language of flowers, depending on colour, the beautiful camellia represents love, affection, admiration, longing and deep passion.

Answer: Buddleia

Explanation: A newly formed shoot of a leaf or flower is a bud/budd; and the Biblical Jacob's first wife was the sorrowful Leah/leia, lea, leja.

There are 140 different species of buddleias. This delightful plant can grow up to 16 feet tall, but it's best to prune it regularly before that happens. It allows the blossoms to come out in flower more profusely. As with most plants, Swedish botanist Linnaeus (1707-1778) named this flower, and did so to honour English botanist, the Reverend Adam Buddle (1662-1715). I can't think why that makes me laugh. Buddleias come in a range of colours - white, yellow, pink, lilac, a deeper mauve and a deep rich purple- and all have the most exquisite perfume you could imagine. Bees and butterflies love it, and I can be seen outside most days when buddleias are in blossom snuffling them like mad as well.

In the language of flowers, buddleias represent rebirth, resurrection and new beginnings.

Answer: Azalea

Explanation: The first letter of our alphabet = A; A business transaction of selling goods is a sale/zal; ea sounds like our hearing organ ear/ea.

Azaleas are from the Rhododendron family of plants, and come out in blossom, beautifully and profusely so, in the spring. Absolutely lovely to gaze upon, azaleas come in a range of colours and if you have these planted in various shady areas around your garden, you'll always be surrounded by beauty. Amazingly so, this plant is so popular that over 10,000 cultivars have been produced from it. Even more so is the fact that if you collect their seeds, you can grow your own at little cost. This plant likes a generous amount of water, but little fertilising - and only a light pruning after they've bloomed each year.

The down side to azaleas is that they are very toxic. In some countries bees are deliberately fed their nectar in order to produce mind altering substances or a toxic honey. What a disgraceful thing to do to hard working little bees. Even worse is the traditional belief that sending anyone a bouquet of azaleas in a black vase is the equivalent of a death threat.

Answer: Verbena

Explanation: A parsing term for an action word = verb; The first name of the fictional Mrs Sharples from "Coronation Street" tv series = Ena.

Native to the American continents and Asia, verbenas come in a range of colour, and with species numbering over 250, these drought-resistant plants are ideal for attracting pollinators to the garden in dryer climates. Used in herbal medicines for centuries, verbenas are believed to enhance one's spiritual and emotional well being. The Ancient Egyptians referred to verbena as tears from the goddess Isis and believed it had strong connections to the divine. Many centuries later, it was believed to be the plant that was applied to the wounds of Jesus when he was removed from the cross. In the language of flowers, verbena, somewhat confusingly, is associated both with enchantment and sensibility.

Answer: Agapanthus

Explanation: The first part of the hereditary title of the Imam for Nizari Muslims is Aga; A common cooking implement for frying is a pan; The last part of this plant's name, "thus", is an alternate version of "therefore".

The agapanthus is a large showy plant that looks a little like a lily. Blooming in summer, this flower propagates profusely from its parent plant, and is ideal for placing in sections of the garden where you need a quick growing display. You have to be strict with it though as it tends to take over any garden. Bees love it when it's in bloom, and can be seen in the warmer months staggering back out of its sepals loaded up with goodies. Agapanthus is also known as the lily of the Nile, and the flower of love. It symbolises fertility, purity, love and beauty.