A NAME THAT STANDS OUT AMONG THE WEDDING FLORISTS IN BOZEMAN
People have been asking since the beginning why i named this little business rowan & Larch.
There are actually several really good reasons why out of all the wedding florists in Bozeman I would choose this name. One very simple one is that I like to name things a unique and meaningful name and I didn’t want to have crossover with anyone else. The rowan and larch are two incredible types of trees— I chose tree names because paper comes from trees and I started this business making paper-goods to sell on Etsy (Hello! Multimedia artist over here!). When I realized I LOVED designing wedding flowers in Bozeman MT and only liked creating paper goods, I shifted gears, but the name was so pretty and the trees are so compelling that I chose to keep the name.
So why the Rowan and the Larch?
Rowan Trees (Sorbus aucuparia)
I chose Rowan trees because I’m a nerd—I’ve read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings at least 15 times in my life, and the Silmarillion and Tales from Middle Earth a handful of times. In one of my favorite parts of the book, Bregelad (or Quickbeam in the common speech), an ent, or Tree-man, sings a song of mourning over these beautiful trees:
“ ‘There were rowan-trees in my home,’ said Bregalad, softly and sadly, 'rowan-trees that took root when I was an Enting, many many years ago in the quiet of the world. The oldest were planted by the Ents to try and please the Entwives; but they looked at them and smiled and said that they knew where whiter blossom and richer fruit were growing. Yet there are no trees of all that race, the people of the Rose, that are so beautiful to me. And these trees grew and grew, till the shadow of each was like a green hall, and their red berries in the autumn were a burden, and a beauty and a wonder. Birds used to flock there. I like birds, even when they chatter; and the rowan has enough to spare….
…O Orofarnë, Lassemista, Carnimírië!
O rowan fair, upon your hair how white the blossom lay!
O rowan mine, I saw you shine upon a summer’s day,
Your rind so bright, your leaves so light, your voice so cool and soft:
Upon your head how golden-red the crown you bore aloft!”
–J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, “Treebeard”
OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
Rowan trees, also known as mountain ash, are celebrated for their striking appearance, ecological importance, and the role they have played in folklore throughout history. Native to the northern parts of Europe, western Asia, and parts of North America, these trees have a reputation for thriving in temperate climates, particularly in woodlands and forest edges.
The rowan tree is often admired for its beauty, from the delicate white or cream-colored flowers that bloom in spring to the vivid red or orange berries that appear in the autumn. These berries are a favorite food for birds, especially during the colder months, and the tree itself provides shelter and nesting sites for various small creatures. In addition to their ecological contributions, rowan trees are also prized for their aesthetic qualities, with their bright foliage turning a rich golden hue in the fall.
In folklore, the rowan tree holds special significance. Many cultures have regarded it as a symbol of protection, with ancient beliefs suggesting that the tree could ward off evil spirits. This connection to safety and good fortune led to the planting of rowan trees near homes and places of importance. The Scots, for example, believed that the tree’s powerful aura could keep witches and harmful spirits at bay. Some people even carried small pieces of rowan wood as charms for good luck.
Rowan trees have not only held cultural sway but also had practical uses over the centuries. The strong wood was once used to make tools, handles, and walking sticks. Though the berries are quite bitter, they have been used in traditional herbal remedies and even turned into jams, jellies, and beverages like rowan berry wine.
Interestingly, while rowan trees are found throughout parts of North America, they are not native to Montana. However, their adaptability allows them to grow well in various climates, including Montana’s, where they’ve been introduced into gardens and landscapes.
Gus, the largest Larch in the world is in Montana!
Larch Trees (Larix spp.)
I chose the Larch tree because they are, in fact, native to Montana. Their ability to turn yellow and lose their needles (unique among conifers) was very compelling to me. When I did a bit of research, the following facts stood out as very compelling reasons to choose this particular variety.
The largest known larch tree in the world is located in Montana. This massive tree, which is a hybrid between the Western larch and the Interior larch, stands at an impressive height of over 170 feet and has become a celebrated natural landmark. You can see an article here!
The larch has small but beautiful, rose-shaped pinecones.
The Western larch (Larix occidentalis) is commonly found throughout Montana, particularly in mountainous regions. This species thrives in the cold, high-elevation environments of Montana’s woods, where it has become an integral part of the ecosystem.
Larch trees are a unique group of conifers that stand apart from other evergreen trees due to their deciduous nature—losing their needles in the winter. These trees are found in cold, temperate climates, with species like the European larch (Larix decidua) and the American larch (Larix laricina) being the most prominent. The larch’s resilience and striking golden autumn foliage make it a beloved tree in the regions where it grows. Larches are known for their ability to thrive in harsh environments, from high-altitude areas to the freezing temperatures of the northern latitudes. Their wood, prized for its strength and resistance to decay, has long been used in construction, particularly for outdoor purposes such as decking and boat-building. The warm reddish-brown color of larch wood also makes it a favorite for crafting furniture and flooring.
One of the most fascinating features of the larch tree is its ability to shed its needles each winter. Unlike other conifers, which retain their needles year-round, the larch transforms into a brilliant display of gold before losing its foliage. This striking change marks the arrival of colder months and adds to the tree's charm.
In nature, the larch is essential for maintaining the balance of its ecosystem. Its fallen needles enrich the soil, adding nutrients that help foster the growth of other plants, particularly in areas where the soil might be poor. Larches are also a valuable resource for wildlife, offering both food and shelter to various creatures, from birds to insects.
In some cultures, the larch tree is viewed as a symbol of resilience and adaptability, given its ability to survive in some of the most challenging environments. Its graceful shedding of needles is often seen as a reminder of the cycle of life and renewal, a theme that resonates with many who encounter these trees in the wild.
Bringing it home
Like Tolkien, I’ve been pretty obsessed with trees my entire life. I grew up in the Northwestern part of Washington between hills covered in logging trails between towering evergreens. We had woods filled with cedar and various other evergreens on our piece of property that we made trails in and climbed. We had fruit trees we harvested every year. My two daughters both have tree names. (Linden and our littlest’s middle name is Ellowyn, (Welsh for Elm Tree, a very resilient type of tree.) As a family, many of our special places are outdoors amongst the woods and mountains of Montana.
Both my husband and I are interested in the transcendant qualities of truth, beauty and goodness, and when I came to name my business, the Rowan’s beauty and efficacy in making tools and remedies, as well as its use a good luck charm in Scottish culture, combined with the Larch’s uniqueness and resilience in the rugged, wild landscape of Montana, felt like just the right blend for the goals of this business. I also have some Scottish heritage (My grandfather is a Robertson!) and love Scotland (and would happily live there part time.) When I look at the names of the wedding florists in Bozeman, MT I see so many that I like, but the meaning behind Rowan & Larch feels deep, significant and lasting.
Like the Rowan, I am a transplant to Montana, but have been here long enough (20 years now!) to think of myself as a Montanan, rooted and real like the Larch.
This business is here to underline the transcendant beauty, truth and goodness of your relationship with elevated and unique flowers.
Working on a snowy installation in a tree for a bridal session. Of all the wedding florists in bozeman, i think I may be the most obsessed with trees.
One of my dreams is be asked to do an installation on (or in front of) a magnificent, gnarled old tree for a wedding.