The golden age of exploration came when mankind figured out how to accurately navigate, at least somewhat, the vast distance that was the ocean. Prior to that, most Imperial endeavours relied primarily on the ability to march an army into foreign lands and kill as many people as they could until something came of it.

Though many European societies and cultures had previously tempted Poseidon (or Rán, or, Njórd, or Neptune, or Manannán mac Lir, or Llŷr, or Vellamo, or what have you) by sailing the seas and seeking trade deals with their neighbouring countries as well as those neighbouring countries’ neighbouring countries (and  also sometimes even those neighbouring countries’ neighbouring countries), the prospect of sailing the Atlantic was met with some trepidation.  

Eventually (1500s) Maritime technology got somewhat better. And someone got rather lost looking for India, the long way round. And new shores were suddenly opened up.

Thus, Beginith the colonial age. An age of suffering and loss. An age of great pain and injustice.

An age that would leave its mark on the world.

Including, the spread of flowers around the world.