What Are Abraxos’s Flowers & How to Grow Them

In the Throne of Glass series, Abraxos is an Ironteeth wyvern, a formidable beast bred for battle and violence. Yet, Abraxos possesses a characteristic that stands in stark contrast to his intended purpose and has endeared him to readers. This wyvern has a surprising and deeply gentle fascination with flowers, a trait that reveals a softness that survives even in the harshest of environments.

The Flowers Abraxos Loves

Abraxos’s affection for flora is not for grand, cultivated blossoms but for the simple, resilient beauty of wildflowers. The narrative highlights a specific moment where he discovers a secluded mountain plateau covered in small, delicate wildflowers. This scene showcases his instinct to appreciate and interact with nature peacefully by gently sniffing at the blooms rather than crushing them under his immense weight.

Among these, he shows a particular fondness for petite, bell-shaped purple flowers. His interactions with these specific blossoms are gentle and filled with a sense of wonder. This affinity extends to other wildflowers as well, including those with orange petals that dot the rugged terrain he calls home. His preference underscores a connection to things that are wild, free, and quietly beautiful.

Symbolism of the Flowers

The presence of flowers in Abraxos’s story is a powerful literary symbol representing his innate innocence and gentle spirit. In a world defined by cruelty and war, his ability to find joy in something as delicate as a wildflower speaks to a purity that has not been extinguished. He represents the capacity for gentleness to exist in the most unlikely of beings.

This connection to the natural world is also the foundation of his bond with his rider, Manon Blackbeak. Manon, who struggles with her own brutal upbringing and suppressed emotions, sees a reflection of her hidden softness in Abraxos’s actions. His appreciation for flowers becomes a quiet language between them, a shared secret that helps forge their deep and loyal connection. It is a recurring motif that highlights the theme of finding beauty and hope in a broken world.

Creating an Abraxos-Inspired Garden

For those inspired to create a garden tribute to Abraxos, the key is to embrace a rugged, natural aesthetic reminiscent of a mountain landscape. The central plant for such a garden would be the real-world equivalent of the purple bellflowers he adores, which can be found in the Campanula genus. Specifically, the Carpathian Bellflower (Campanula carpatica) is an excellent choice, as it is a low-growing perennial that produces a profusion of blue or purple bell-shaped flowers.

This plant is hardy and forms tidy mounds, making it perfect for rock gardens or the front of a border. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, conditions that mimic a mountain slope. To complete the wild look, consider adding other hardy perennials that fit the aesthetic. Columbine (Aquilegia) offers unique, spurred flowers and symbolizes fortitude, while wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) adds vertical spires of blue and purple flowers and thrives in sandy, well-drained soils.

Using plants like thrift (Armeria) can also help soften edges and add to the rugged, windswept appearance. Combining these plants can help create a small wildflower patch or a themed container garden that captures the spirit of Abraxos.