Tussie Mussie is a special arrangement of flowers that can be used for any occasion, from a wedding to a birthday. Tussie means a knot of flowers and the moist moss that kept the flowers fresh was referred to as Mussie. Its a compact bouquet of flowers, which is small in size and bound with stems, giving it a round shape. The bouquet can either be placed in a vase or even can be handheld.
Traditionally, a rose was used as the central flower in a Tussie Mussie, around which fragrant herbs were used. It is a bouquet designed to convey a special message through flowers. It involves the arrangement of individual flowers and herbs together, that compose a certain message for a loved one. The main ingredients required to make it is a central flower along with filler flowers and herbs such as lavender, babys breath, rosemary, violets etc.
Once the central flower is arranged along with the herbs, large leaves are used to fram the outside of the Tussie Mussie. Lambs ears, scented rose geranium leaves, violet leaves can be used for this purpose. In order to make it compact, floral tape, scissors, a paper or lace doily, thin ribbon and a small gift card listing the names and meanings of the flowers and herbs used, is required.
In order to make the perfect Tussie Mussie, it must not be larger than 6 inches in diameter. A rubber band or floral tape is used to bind the stems and the lower leaves from the stems must be stripped. These were traditionally used for weddings but now it can be used for nursing home tables, hospital trays, for friends to express certain sentiments and also for birthdays. They can also be used as centerpieces by placing them in antique bottles, with colored ribbons dangling from it.
The rosemary used in a Tussie Mussie signifies remembrance, ivy-fidelity; lilies-purity; laurel-victory; rose-love and the different herbs and flowers convey special meanings depending on the purpose for which it is used. Dried rosebuds, statice and sprigs of other dried material can also be used to make miniature Tussie Mussies, which can be used as Christmas ornaments.
In the 1800s, Victorian ladies used to place fragrant bouquets in tiny cone vases to make their stroll along the streets aromatic. At the beginning of any courtship, gifting a tussie mussie was common practice during the Victorian times. As floriography, the art of sending messages by flowers, became popular, meanings of different flowers also became important.
Tussie mussie
