Julietta Gervase author page
1 puzzle by Julietta Gervase
with Constructor comments
| C | A | K | E | S | C | R | A | P | W | H | I | Z | ||
| R | U | N | E | C | I | A | R | A | H | O | N | E | ||
| I | R | O | N | U | R | G | E | S | O | U | T | S | ||
| B | A | B | Y | S | B | R | E | A | T | H | S | E | T | |
| H | A | I | R | L | O | N | E | L | Y | |||||
| C | R | E | P | E | S | S | I | T | U | P | ||||
| L | E | V | A | R | W | O | L | F | S | B | A | N | E | |
| O | N | I | T | A | E | R | I | E | B | R | E | D | ||
| G | O | L | D | E | N | R | O | D | L | I | T | H | E | |
| G | R | A | T | E | P | I | N | Y | I | N | ||||
| T | H | E | Y | R | E | S | A | U | L | |||||
| R | A | N | L | A | D | Y | S | L | I | P | P | E | R | |
| U | N | I | T | T | O | N | Y | S | B | E | T | A | ||
| C | O | U | P | E | M | C | E | E | J | E | T | S | ||
| K | I | S | S | R | E | S | T | S | S | L | A | P |
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!