Description
An orchard of trees in blossom is visually beautiful, smells wonderful and is essential for the production of fruit.
Blossoms are the flowers of stone fruit trees and of some other plants with a similar appearance that flower profusely for a period of time in spring.
Blossoms provide pollen to pollinators such as bees, and initiate cross-pollination necessary for the trees to reproduce by producing fruit
Blossoms also have medicinal properties. In 17th century Italy peach blossoms were made into a poultice for bruises, rashes, eczema, grazes and stings.
In ancient Greek medicine plum blossoms were used to treat bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and tighten loose teeth.
Plum blossoms mixed with sage leaves and flowers were used in plum wine or plum brandy as a mouthwash to soothe sore throats and mouth ailments and sweeten bad breath.
The ancient Phoenicians used almond blossoms with honey and urine as a tonic, and sprinkled them into stews and gruels to give muscular strength. Crushed petals were also used as a poultice on skin spots and mixed with banana oil, for dry skin and sunburn.
So, blossoms are not only beautiful an inspiring to paint, but useful.