On Ascension Day the Swiss make wreaths of the edelweisse, hanging them over their doors and windows; another plant selected for this purpose being the amaranth, which, like the former, is considered an emblem of immortality.

In our own country may be mentioned the well-dressing of Tissington, near Dovedale, in Derbyshire, the wells in the village having for years past been most artistically decorated with the choicest flowers. [2]

Formerly, on St. George’s Day (April 23), blue coats were worn by people of fashion.  Hence, the harebell being in bloom, was assigned to the saint:—­

  “On St. George’s Day, when blue is worn,
  The blue harebells the fields adorn.”

Flowers have always entered largely into the May Day festival; and many a graphic account has been bequeathed us of the enthusiasm with which both old and young went “a-Maying” soon after midnight, breaking down branches from the trees, which, decorated with nosegays and garlands of flowers, were brought home soon after sunrise and placed at the doors and windows.  Shakespeare ("Henry VIII.,” v. 4), alluding to the custom, says:—­

                    “’Tis as much impossible,
  Unless we sweep them from the doors with cannons,
  To scatter ’em, as ’tis to make ’em sleep
  On May Day morning.”

Accordingly, flowers were much in demand, many being named from the month itself, as the hawthorn, known in many places as May-bloom and May-tree, whereas the lily of the valley is nicknamed May-lily.  Again, in Cornwall lilac is termed May-flower, and the narrow-leaved elm, which is worn by the peasant in his hat or button-hole, is called May.  Similarly, in Germany, we find the term May-bloom applied to such plants as the king-cup and lily of the valley.  In North America, says the author of “Flower-lore,” the podophyllum is called “May-apple,” and the fruit of the Passiflora incarnata “May-hops.”  The chief uses of these May-flowers were for the garlands, the decoration of the Maypole, and the adornment of the home:—­

  “To get sweet setywall (red valerian),
  The honeysuckle, the harlock,
  The lily, and the lady-smock,
      To deck their summer hall.”

But one plant was carefully avoided—­the cuckoo flower.[3] As in other floral rites, the selection of plants varies on the Continent, branches of the elder being carried about in Savoy, and in Austrian Silesia the Maypole is generally made of fir.  According to an Italian proverb, the universal lover is “one who hangs every door with May.”

Various plants are associated with Whitsuntide, and according to Chaucer, in his “Romaunt of the Rose":—­

  “Have hatte of floures fresh as May,
  Chapelett of roses of Whitsunday,
  For sich array be costeth but lite.”

In Italy the festival is designated “Pasqua Rosata,” from falling at a time when roses are in bloom, while in Germany the peony is the Pentecost rose.