Editing Floral clock (section)

{{Short description|Decorative chronometer made of flowers}}
{{distinguish|Linnaeus' flower clock}}
{{Refimprove| date = April 2017}}
[[File:FloralClockEdinburgh2014.jpg|thumb|350px|The Edinburgh Floral Clock]]
A '''floral clock''', or '''flower clock''', is a large decorative [[clock]] with the clock face formed by [[carpet bedding]], usually found in a [[park]] or other public recreation area. Most have the mechanism set in the ground under the flowerbed, which is then planted to visually appear as a clock face with moving hands which may also hold bedding plants.

The first floral clock was the idea of John McHattie, Superintendent of Parks in [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]. It was first planted up in the spring of 1903 in [[Princes Street Gardens#West Princes Street Gardens|West Princes Street Gardens]]. In that year it had only an hour hand but a minute hand was added the following year. A cuckoo which pops out every quarter hour was added in 1952. The clock was soon imitated across the United Kingdom and later throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/12852/saying-it-with-flowers-historic-floral-clock-s-2020-design-pays-tribute-to-nhs-and-key-workers |title=Saying it with flowers: Historic Floral Clock's 2020 design pays tribute to NHS and key workers |accessdate=2020-09-24 |archive-date=2021-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415003945/https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/12852/saying-it-with-flowers-historic-floral-clock-s-2020-design-pays-tribute-to-nhs-and-key-workers |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Edinburgh, the clock mechanism is set inside the plinth of the statue to [[Allan Ramsay (poet)|Allan Ramsay]] adjacent. The first mechanism using salvaged parts from [[Elie and Earlsferry|Elie]] Parish Church in [[Fife]] was installed by [[James Ritchie & Son]].<ref>Monuments and Statues of Edinburgh, Michael T.R.B. Turnbull (Chambers) p.5</ref> A new mechanism was installed in 1934 and has been electrically operated since 1973. It is still maintained by James Ritchie Clockmakers.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

The only flower clock with two faces moved by the same system is located in [[Zacatlán, Puebla]], [[Mexico]]. It has two faces, each {{Convert|5|m|spell=in}} in diameter. It was built by [[Relojes Centenario]], a local manufacturer.