This September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when we rediscover and appreciate the rich cultural contributions of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Americas to the rest of the world. Our Hispanic American community in particular is celebrated for the unique gifts they, their ancestors, families and cultures have given the rest of us. Boyd’s Flowers is highlighting how the Latin American world has enriched floriculture by exploring the flowers found in one of our favorite fall collection designs.

There are two flowers in Signature Fall that are native to Mexico and South America. The sunflower is an ancient Mexican floral, cultivated for its beauty, medicinal properties and harvested as a food source, too. The Aztecs adopted it as a symbol of war, and it was also given as an offering at temples (ancient seed remnants were found at a site in Mexico City). This bright beauty that charms us from floral designs and gardens alike was born and bred and beloved in Mexico long before it made its way to us here in the U.S. Alstroemeria, that light orange flower at the top with the stripes, hails from South America. Also called Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, it comes in almost every color of the rainbow.

We have much to thank the Latin American world for: ideas, art, food, drink, music, theater . . . and flowers. Spend some time this month engaging with the rich cultural traditions of Hispanic America.