Flowers

Roses Throughout History

The rose has a long history in gardens and in literature. There are a number of expressions that use the rose as a metaphor. "A bed of roses" refers to the Sybarites who were able to enjoy the luxury of sleeping on mattresses filled with rose petals. The common Latin phrase sub rosa (under the rose), meaning in strict confidence, refers to the use of the rose as a symbol of secrecy. Roses were carved in the ceilings of Roman dining rooms and over 16th-century church confessionals, in both cases to remind those under it (sub rosa) that anything said there was not for publication.

Created on 30 January 2015.

Getting To Know What Flowers Are Seasonal and What Are Not

Most flowers are available to us throughout the year. But some flowers are seasonal. Each season offers its own flowers. But why do you need to know this information? Well, if you are planning a wedding on a particular season, it is good to know what type of flowers are readily available.

Let's start with spring flowers...

Spring

One of the popular spring flowers is the Narcissus or dafodil. The flowers consist of two parts, the petals and the cup. They come in green, red, yellow, white, pink, orange and plus several others. Narcissus come in many colors such as yellow, white, orange and pink. They also have many varieties like the large trumpet, large cup and the small cup.

Created on 05 January 2015.

It’s Pansy Time

Its spring and those flowers with the “happy faces”, pansies, are in season. Did you know that they’re perennials and they will handle both the early and late frosts? Start your garden early. Pansies are the first flowers that can be planted.

5 Reasons to Plant Pansies this Spring:

• They’re great for beginners

• Offer many varieties and colors

• Produce wonderful color in cool seasons

• Some have a sweet fragrance

• Great for containers and flowerbeds

Created on 05 May 2014.

Big Color, Small Budget

You can make your garden really stand out by using intense eye-grabbing combinations of plants that look good over a long period of time. If you want lots of color in your garden, but have a small budget, read on.

The plants listed below are the ones that have thrived and provided lots of color for their price. They may be some of the best investments you can make for your own colorful garden.

But first, a tip: opt for double-duty plants. Flowering plants are often picked for the color of their blooms alone; for your garden, you should demand more. Why not enjoy the leaf color, the texture and the shape of the whole plant while you wait for the blooms?

Amaryllis: Year Round Care

In a short growing season, many plant lovers move their much-loved tropical specimens inside for the winter, to bring some living greenery to the holiday season. One of the winter’s favorite holiday plants is the Amaryllis, or Hippeastrum.

Almost all plants sold as Amaryllis in stores and garden centers are actually Hippeastrum. Hippeastrum is very similar to Amaryllis; in fact, they are sister plants. Both are in the family Amaryllidaceae, and most plant owners would not notice the difference. Hippeastrum is easier to grow indoors and flowers better in those conditions than Amaryllis. Most likely, the bulb you bought that was marked "Amaryllis" is really Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum bulbs have a long history of indoor use, dating back to the 18th century. In warmer climates they can be grown outdoors year-round, but in cooler areas they must be brought inside to avoid freezing. Hippeastrum should be brought in when night-time temperatures are below 50°F.