Appetiser 1/25

@Oriental Orchids

Flowers & Flourishes
"Good morning, Choco!" called Ursula.
"Good morning to you too!" responded Choco, shaking paws with her friend. "So—which of our senses are in for a battering today?"
They both looked round. As one, they said: "Smell!"
"Right," said Ursula, "immersion one. Look at these orchids! It says 'Phalaenopsis orchids (pronounced fal-a-nop-sis) are available in a variety of colours and are commonly known as Moth orchids, as their appearance is said to be similar to that of a flying moth. The name comes indeed from Greek phalaina meaning a moth and opsis meaning resemblance.' "

Appetiser 2/25

@Natural Mix

"This immersion shows how Summer Garden pot pourri is made!" said Ursula excitedly.
"Let's dive in!" responded HappyCheerling.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon each of ground cinnamon, coarsely ground cloves and orris root powder
5 drops each of rose geranium oil and bergamot oil
3 cups dried rose petals
2 cups lavender flowers
1 cup each of lemon balm leaves and scented geranium leaves.
Combine the dried spices and orris root powder. Add the oils, stir to blend well. Combine the flowers and leaves in a large bowl. Add the spice blend. Mix to ensure even distribution of the spices. Place the potpourri in a large, lidded jar or bowl and place in the dark to cure for six around weeks, stirring or shaking daily.

Appetiser 3/25

@Chinese lanterns

"There are stunning views of this in the immersion, Ursula!" remarked DrakeStingray.
"Ah! Chinese lanterns, we used to call those!" responded Ursula.
"Yes, but Its botanical name is Alkekengi officinarum. It's a popular ornamental plant belonging to the nightshade family and is native to Asia and southern Europe. . It has been used in traditional medicine for over two thousand years. For example, it has anti­bacterial properties. The flowers play a role in Japanese festivals to honour the spirits of one's ancestors."
"Wow. Do you remember that sometimes you'd see them with a sort of lacy skeleton over them?"

Appetiser 4/25

@Hyacinthus orientalis

BERT and Ursula discussed their immersive dive into the world of hyacinths!
"I loved that bit about Greek mythology giving us a tragic love story with Apollo and Hyakinthos, where our 'floral protagonist emerges as a symbol of a love so strong it transcends death'," stated BERT.
"Yes! And then its 'rich tapestry of symbolism woven through history. Each color has its own tale, for instance, purple hyacinths, draped in the robes of royalty, whisper of sorrow yet also forgiveness,' " confirmed Ursula.
"Profound stuff!"

Appetiser 5/25

@Jasmine

"Mmm!" said Ursula. "Just try this experience, Alex!"
"Jasminum officinale?" responded Alex. "The common name is jasmine, and it's one of the first plants that comes to mind when one thinks of sweet fragrance. A single jasmine vine can perfume an entire room or garden.' Actually, there was a pet in our class at school called Jasmine. Right, I'm going in!" Alex donned the headset and became immersed.

Appetiser 6/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Scent with Lavender

"What are the highlights of this appetiser, Fidelis?" queried Ursula, as she sat blinking contentedly after her experience.
"It started by explaining that today's medicinal use of lavender solidified in the late 19th century. The essential oil of lavender is a master of relaxation. It has a stress-relieving, anxiolytic effect, reduces thoughts and helps when you can't fall asleep in the evening. In aromatherapy and homeopathy, lavender is used to treat stress, migraines and to improve mood. The precious lavender oil is extracted from the flowering panicles and stems of the plants by steam distillation. Next to St. John's wort, lavender is one of the best plants against stress and anxiety."
Ursula donned a headset. "I'll give it a go!"

Appetiser 7/25

@Glass vial of essential oil

"What are essential oils, Murky Myrtle?" queried Ursula.
"They are oils made from natural products, such as flower petals. They are used in massage or for inhalation, and have a wide variety of benefits," responded Murky Myrtle.
"I hope there's some in the gift shop afterwards!" remarked Ursula. "It's my Mum's birthday coming up!"

Appetiser 8/25

@Moroccan Rose Market

"Ah! This reminds me of our group visit to Turkey two years ago, Yum-Yum!" remarked Ursula, "And the amazing spice and flower bazaars in Istanbul.
Yum-Yum agreed, and the pair were soon lost in an immersive experience of sight, sound and scent.

Appetiser 9/25

@Orange Rose

"I will never look at the common or garden rose in the same way now!" declared Ursula.
"We have learnt a lot in that dive. I didn't know roses had so many uses as a medicinal plant and that both its petals and its fruit (hips) are a mainstay in any self-respecting home apothecary," responded Angus McGregor.
"It seems the herbal actions of the rose are pretty impressive. I mean, apart from being nutrient-rich, astringent, diuretic and anti-inflammatory, it's also good for uplifting the spirits, for grief, an upset tum, sore throats and colds."
"I liked that bit about rose hips being a good source of vitamin C and that during the Second World War, rosehip syrup was given to children as imported fruit was harder to come by. In 1941, 200 tons of rose hips were collected and processed into a National Rose Hip Syrup which was available at chemists for families to purchase as a supplement."
Angus McGregor pondered. "I'll see if they have any rose essential oil in the gift shop on the way out."

Appetiser 10/25

@Hydrangea Blossom

Also known as Hortensia. The root and rhizome (underground stem) are used to make medicine. The Hydrangea (Hydrangeaceae) family has more than 70 members. Of these, three species — Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangea macrophylla, and Hydrangea paniculata — are known for their healing properties and have therefore been used in traditional medicine and herbal remedies. The Hydrangea arborescens is the most well-known species in North America.

Appetiser 11/25

@Lotus Blossom

"Ooh, right, this one's about Nelumbo nucifera ior the Indian lotus, sacred lotus or simply water lily," said Ursula. "What else? It says 'The symbolism of this flower is different across cultures and can represent purity, beauty, majesty, grace, fertility, wealth, knowledge, serenity, devotion, rebirth and divinity."
"Wow!" said moo moo. "It sounds intriguing!"

Appetiser 12/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Lily of the Valley

"Now we're going to experience (Convallaria majalis), or Lily-of-the-valley, May bells, Our Lady’s tears or Mary’s tears," remarked Ursula.
"My Granny loved that! It was her favourite flower," reminisced Tesla.
"It says it flowers from May to June. Oh, listen to this, Tesla—it says Lily-of-the-valley is a sweet and understated perennial which thrives on woodland floors. Isn't that lovely? 'It is charming with a beautiful scent, but beware its seeds, which are bright red berries and highly poisonous!' "
"I guess the bright red colour is Mother Nature's way of warning us off!"

Appetiser 13/25

@Pink Magnolia

“It's so cool to have a species name in Latin as well as English, Ursula!” said Hadee Nidmorth, studying the detail in the tour guide. "What would we each called in Latin? I mean, me, a Hadee Nidmorth1 and you, a Spirit Bear?"
"I don't know," said Ursula. "We'll look it up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"

Appetiser 14/25

@Purple and white violas

"My Granny used to call these 'heartsease'," remarked Ursula.
"Wow!" responded Rianna. "That's right! Viola, wild pansy and heartsease are all names for it. The amazing thing is, it is used in herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma, bronchitis and skin complaints. Heartsease is an old-fashioned way of saying 'peace of mind'. They certainly knew their stuff in the olden days!"

Appetiser 15/25

@Stone Lotus

Ursula was excited to meet up again with Rosa. They both took a moment to admire the amazing scene around them.

Appetiser 16/25

@Pure Petals of Jasmine

“Let's just drink in this exhibit, shall we, Ursula?” suggested Ozzie, sinking down on a convenient chair.
Ursula agreed it was well worth spending some time there!

Appetiser 17/25

@Aromatic Bark

"I'm going to buy a bag of those silver stars, farid," said Ursula. "It’ll be nice to sprinkle a few in with the Christmas gift paper when I’m wrapping presents in December!"
"That sounds like a great idea, Ursula!"

Appetiser 18/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Lavender's Blue, Dilly Dilly

"We've already experienced lavender in previous immersions, but it'll be good to dive in again!" remarked Ursula.
"Yes, I agree," concurred Trix. Okay, so it
says '(lavandula angustifolia) is a species of flowering plant. It grows up to 3 ft tall and has pointy silvery-grey leaves and small lavender blue flowers, which contain 1%--3% essential oils. Lavender is mainly used as an ornamental plant in the garden or for the production of fragrances, and real lavender is also used as a medicinal plant. It grows mainly in the western Mediterranean. Meanwhile, commercial cultivation for oil production has spread to other areas, such as Eastern Europe.
Lavender and its disinfecting and healing powers were already known in ancient times. For the ancient Egyptians, lavender was used for perfumes and for religious ceremonies. The ancient Romans and Greeks liked to use lavender as a bath additive or to clean clothes. The genus name 'lavender' comes from the Latin lavare, which means 'to wash'. But where did lavender actually come from? It is believed that the plant has its origins in Persia, modern-day Iran. From there, it spread throughout the Mediterranean.' Okay, headsets on, Ursula!"

Appetiser 19/25

@Pink Petal Arrangement

Latin name: rosa rubiginosa

Appetiser 20/25

@Fragrant Spring Hyacinth

Latin name hyacinthus orientalis
“It's so cool to have a species name in Latin as well as English, Ursula!” said Cuckoo, studying the detail in the tour guide. "What would we each called in Latin? I mean, me, a Cuckoo1 and you, a Spirit Bear?"
"I don't know," said Ursula. "We'll look it up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"

Appetiser 21/25

@Beautiful Lilac

Latin name syringa vulgaris.

Appetiser 22/25

@Floral Steps

“Let's just drink in this exhibit, shall we, Ursula?” suggested Bluey, sinking down on a convenient chair.
Ursula agreed it was well worth spending some time there!

Appetiser 23/25

@Balanced Meditation

“If there's time at the end of the day when we get back to our accommodation, I might do some initial sketches for a charcoal picture of one of these exhibits," Truffles said, offering Ursula a toffee from her bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Truffles!" said Ursula. "Very relaxing, and your portrait will be a great souvenir of our visit to all these interesting exhibits!"

Appetiser 24/25

@Dazzling Dahlia

Latin name dahlia pinnata.

Appetiser 25/25

@Pampering Set

"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Ursula," said Torch, "for this experience alone?"
Ursula, lost in admiration of the virtual reality scene they were now viewing, heartily agreed!

Ursula has enjoyed the world of flowers, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy this event!