New York Times, Tuesday, December 13, 2022

This puzzle was inspired by the phrase "say it with flowers." Historically, many flower species were used to symbolize a specific message or emotion; I had the pleasure of reimagining what certain flowers could signify if interpreted in a more literal sense.

BABY'S BREATH was an early favorite because it's such a well-known flower, and its literal interpretation is so silly. There was some initial investigation re: whether LADYSSLIPPER or LADYSLIPPER was correct to use for another theme entry, and after researching, it seemed that both are used/acceptable. I wish I could've somehow squeezed in SNAPDRAGON because it's such a punchy flower name. That said, I was thrilled with the final theme answers and fill.

I want to give a big shout out to Wyna Liu from the NYT editorial team for all of her guidance throughout this process. Robin Weintraub generously answered many of my new-constructor questions, and Penelope Williams and Miranda Copps (my crossword buddies) offered helpful feedback as I worked through construction. Thank you, all!

I hope that flower lovers and crossword lovers alike enjoy this puzzle!

Such floral language today! Speaking as a parent whose younger kid had a hair-trigger gag reflex during infancy, BABY'S BREATH smelling of Gerber products is a best-case scenario. I enjoyed reimagining GOLDENROD as the fishing equivalent of the Palme d'Or or the Golden Shoe. My most recent career was in ophthalmic drug discovery, so I would have also accepted [Photoreceptor with the Midas touch?].

LADY SLIPPER was clued a bit too straightforwardly for my taste, but I liked the save on WOLFSBANE, whose name is not surprisingly related to wolves. Playfully connecting it to the third pig's brick house was a solid construction.

Some great bonuses in the grid: EVIL GENIUS, PAST LIFE, and HOUSEPARTY all shine. Curious that SHER and CIRRI, two tough early-week entries, were in a relatively unconstrained region, though. It's possible that moving the three black squares to the right of EENY over one column could have helped. That would also have helped grid flow into the NW and SE corners.

Although I stopped going to Chinese school after a few weeks (okay, I was politely asked to leave), my ancestors can breathe relief that I dropped in PINYIN. Crossing it with LILI and the old-timey NEHI could cause newer solvers to fall from EDEN.

There's an amazing quantity of flowers in the world, and Julietta chose some of the best ones to play upon. I am curious what she could have done with DUTCHMANS BREECHES or BASTARD TOADFLAX, but a blossoming debut.