What is a Tussie-Mussie?

A tussie-mussie is a compact floral bouquet with bound stems, classically presented with the stems wrapped in ribbon or enclosed in a decorative cone. The origins of the term “tussie-mussie” are a bit unclear, but the practice of giving these bouquets dates to the medieval era, when people exchanged floral gifts which were supposedly intended to mask some of the more earthy odors of the era. More likely, people exchanged flowers as gestures of friendship and affection, as medieval noses were less sensitive to the scents of their society than modern noses would be. You may also hear a tussie-mussie referred to as a bouquet or nosegay, with “tussie-mussie” being a primarily Victorian term. Some people call these bouquets “word posies,” in a reference to the symbolic meaning linked with various flowers in the Victorian era. In fact, associations of specific meanings with various colors and flowers dates back thousands of years, although each era tends to develop new takes on traditional ...  more

A tussie-mussie is a nosegay of flowers and herbs chosen for the message they will convey. They are then bound together in a doily. A nosegay is defined as a small bunch of flowers. The tussie-mussie is sometimes called a posy because it delivers a message to the recipient, and--among other things--a posy means "a brief sentiment." The tussie-mussie does, in fact, deliver one's sentiment in brief to the recipient. The sentiment is entirely up to the maker of the tussie-mussie; create a tussie-mussie with lavender, and it will imply devotion and happiness. Perhaps you want to say 'I love you' with the tussie-mussie. Use roses, myrtle or both, and you've done just that. Review the plant list in this article, or research the meanings of plants further on your own before making a tussie-mussie. And remember to add a card which clearly defines the meanings of each plant included in the tussie-mussie so your sentiments will not be misinterpreted. If you do not have the plants needed to ...  more