Archive for the ‘Flower Garden’ Category

Several Reasons To Be Conscious Of High Pollen Flowers

Monday, June 21st, 2010


There are several reasons to be conscious of high pollen flowers that produce allergies and cause people to suffer when the whether outside turns from cooler to warmer. Warmer temperatures bring with it more moulds and allergens from the pollen in the air which is produced by flowering trees, shrubs and plants. An owner of a house that wishes to update their landscaping around their home should consider purchasing and planting no or low pollen flowering trees and vegetation if they suffer from seasonal allergies.

Not many people realize but the gender of blooming foliage is very important to keeping the pollen counts down around their homes which will help allergy sufferers tremendously. It seems that the gender to plants makes a difference in their pollen contribution to the air we breathe. Male plants generate more pollen then the female plants during the flowering process.

Seedless and fruitless plants, shrubs and trees by the hundreds are male and although female trees, plants and shrubs are considered disordered, they will create much fewer pollen spores than their male counterparts. The best place to receive help with the male/female plant questions is at a nursery or garden shop. Several plants could be marked as simple plants and a homeowner would not know if they were fruitless or seedless unless they ask. One example of a tree that could be a male or female is the Ginkgo tree located in Canada and some parts of the U. S. A homeowner wants to be sure to pick out the female version of this tree.

Trumpet or tube-shaped flowers will help to keep pollen lower and allergies away. One of these types of flowers that come in a variety of colors is the morning glory. They come in white, pale yellow and lavender.

When planning a landscape or planting a flower bed, go for the low-pollen variety of flowers such as poppies, tulips, peonies, sunflowers, zinnias, nasturtiums, clematis crocus, daffodils, begonias or impatiens. Pollen-free varieties are also available but rarer like the chrysanthemums. Consult your local London Ontario florist for more information.

For cleaner, less feminine yard with more trees and shrubs, then the low-pollen and pollen-free versions are cherry, peach, crabapple, magnolia, pear, ash, redbud, plumb, juniper, magnolia, some maple and the female version of the yew. Also for limiting the pollen around a house, consider planting various versions of holly with red berries.

Flowers that draw butterflies to them instead of bees are better blooming plants because bees carry more pollen than butterflies and other insects.

Pruning a tree or hedge back every year will help to keep it from blooming year after year. One example of this is a boxwood which has an extremely allergenic flower, however, it will not bloom once it has been pruned each year before it gets a chance to make its flowers.

Black spots, mould, plant fungus and even rust which form on the trees, shrubs and flowering plants each duplicate themselves through spores and this is a major cause of allergies in people. Asking a plant farmer or gardening store or London flower shop to help an individual to choose the most anti-disease plants will mean that the air around the plant will be cleaner and the air a person breathes will also be cleaner.

This is simply a couple of the several reasons to be conscious of high pollen flowers and what to do to help in the fight against allergens when it comes to having outdoor fun in the warmer weather months.

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What Are Some Flowers That Bloom All Year Long Or Last A Long Time?

Thursday, March 11th, 2010


Flower gardens have always added beauty and life to a property. For the plant enthusiast, having a flower garden is not just a hobby, but it is also a passion. The disappointing part of having a flower garden is when they go out of bloom. Fortunately, there are many flowers that bloom all year long or last a long time, depending on the region and climate. Most gardeners plant perennials because they bloom each year, however, when properly taken care of, they can stay in bloom for a long time. The key to getting your Barrie Flowers to stay in bloom for an extended period of time is to plant hardy plants so they last as late as possible into the fall. Examples of hardy plants include: mums, carnations, wild flowers, daisies, geraniums, marigolds moss roses, and peonies.

The following is a list of flowers that bloom all year long or last a long time:

1. Day Lily – Although the Day Lily lasts only one day when it blooms, it is a very hardy plant that will bloom late in the fall. They are available in a broad range of colors and bloom over and over into the late season.

2. Catmint – The bloom span of the catmint is approximately 2 to 3 months. These plants will bloom throughout the summer. They are very robust and can thrive in drought prone climates. These flowers are blue-lavender in color and have gray foliage. They make a lovely addition to the flower garden.

3. Black-Eyed Susan – This pretty flower grows well in many regions. Their petals look like flat landing pads and they have a bloom span of 3 months. Deadheading will prolong bloom. They grow well in soil that is well drained.

4. Yarrow – This flower can bloom for 3 months or more. It is a hardy flower that can grow in a variety of regions and climates. Gardeners will deadhead the spent flowers for repeat bloom. These flowers prefer drier climates and soil.

5. Bellflower – The species Campanula, or Bellflower, has a bloom span of 2 months or more. They grow best during cooler summers. They should be grown in partial shade. There a number of species of the Bellflower and they are easy to grow and maintain.

6. Pin Cushion Flowers – These Richmond Hill Flowers look like pincushions and the stems are long and lanky looking. The bloom span can be over 3 months if you use deadheading. They require the full sun to thrive. Pin Cushion Flowers are a very interesting looking flower making them a very popular choice.

7. Coneflower – This hardy flower can bloom for 2 – 3 months. They thrive well during periods of drought. They have long stalks and are a very colorful flower. They are popular because they attract a variety butterflies and birds. Deadheading will prolong the bloom period. To thrive, they require good soil drainage and full sun.

Planting long lasting flowers will help you maintain a beautiful blooming garden for a long time. The key point to remember is the woodier and thicker the stem, the hardier the Orangeville Flowers because it can better resist the frost. There are many flower sites that provide essential tips on picking long lasting flowers. As well, you can consult with your local garden centre for advice on picking the best flowers. For those who view flower gardening as an art and passion, knowing the plant’s structure, attributes, and bloom period ensures they will extend the bloom time to much later in the fall.

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Small but terrible

Monday, April 6th, 2009


What’s small, has shiny bright red wings, a black head and legs and is capable of destroying a lot of ornamental plants? It’s the red lily beetle and it’s the terror of many gardeners worldwide.

Also known as the lily leaf beetle, this small insect is notorious in areas where lilies are cultivated. First seen in Montreal, the red lily beetle has spread throughout Canada and in some parts of the United States.

“They are often confused with the cardinal beetles since they also have a black underside and wings that are spotless and red in color. However, lily leaf beetles have wings that are shinier with tiny dimples on them. They are more rounded in shape compared to the dull, narrow, flattened and elongated cardinal beetle,” according to the editors of Wikipedia.

“Another difference between the two is their food preference. Lily leaf beetles are herbivores and are usually found on lily plants eating their leaves whereas cardinal beetles are usually found on tree barks and flowers and feed on flying insects. Lastly, the cardinal beetle has comb-like antennae,” they added.

As its name implies, the red lily beetle has a voracious appetite for lilies. Females can lay up to 450 eggs each season or about 12 eggs on the backside of each lily leaf. In this way, the eggs are concealed from predators. For extra protection, they are also covered with a thick brown substance.

The eggs hatch in about six days. The larvae start to feed under the leaf for the next 24 days until they finish the rest of the plant.

“They then burrow themselves in the ground to pupate in a cocoon formed by saliva and small particles of soil. In about 20 days, they emerge as adults and continue to feed until winter. In some cases, they are able to go through this cycle more than once in a single year,” said Wikipedia.

The damage left by this small insect is by no means minor. It can leave lilies weakened and susceptible to diseases.

The Royal Horticultural Society of Britain has recently spotted this pest destroying large areas of ornamental gardens. Unfortunately, this insect is difficult to eradicate and gardeners are usually advised to avoid planting susceptible plants.

“Once a garden is infected, it is incredibly difficult to grow plants without using dangerous pesticides that risk affecting other insects and beetles,” said Oliver Gregory of the Telegraph.Co.UK.

So don’t be surprised if your florist runs out of lilies one of these days. It’s probably due to brisk sales or the onslaught of red lily beetles. To satisfy your need for flowers, take your pick from other beautiful blooms instead.

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Repotting Orchids – Learn How To Care For Orchids and Their Pots

Saturday, March 28th, 2009


To start, you need to get a new pot for your plant. You need to prepare this pot properly, or your time spent repotting orchids will be a waste! If you are recycling an old or used pot, soak it in a little bleach and water mixture. Once it is thoroughly soaked, rinse it and give it a efw days to dry out. You want it totally dry before you proceed. If the pot is brand new, just soak it in water for a little while.

You aren’t quite done with the pot yet. You need to add some plastic foam peanuts or small pebbles at the bottom of the planter. This makes sure your newly repotted orchid gets enough moisture.

Well, your orchid is ready for the big move now – right? Just turn the orchid upside down and gently tap on the sides of the pot. Sometimes the roots will stick to the side of the pot. Be careful and get a butter knife to loosen the roots from the side. If you damage a few roots, it won’t kill your plant, but do be careful and gentle.

Give your plant a gentle shake to loosen and drop off the dirt attached to the roots. Often some clumps will stay behind. Don’t worry about that – just be gentle and careful with your orchid while you are repotting it.

Repotting orchids is a great time to do a little below-the-earth care of your orchid. You need to take a little time and trim off any of the dead and rotting roots. You will know which ones are dead by the brownish color and mushy feeling. The healthy roots are white and firm. Once you have trimmed the roots you can place the orchid in the newly prepared pot.

As you are repotting orchids – make sure that you look at the new growth. You want it facing outward. You need to give the roots some room to grow.

If there is growth extending all directions, place the orchid in the middle of the pot. Pack your potting mix firmly around the orchid’s roots. The roots should be totally covered with dirt.

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Flowers help patients recover

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009


What’s the easiest way to help sick people recover? Give them a bunch of flowers and you’ll be doing them a favor.

That’s the advice of Kansas State University researchers who recently looked into the effects of flowers on recovering patients.

In their study titled “Effects of Flowering and Foliage Plants in Hospital Rooms on Patients Recovering from Abdominal Surgery”, Seong-Hyun Park and Richard H. Mattson of the Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources at Kansas State University in Manhattan, found that seeing green had a positive effect on people.

The study was carried out in surgical patients. Ninety people who had their appendix removed were randomly assigned to different rooms with or without plants.

“Patients in the plant treatment room viewed eight species of foliage and flowering plants during their postoperative recovery periods. Data collected for each patient included length of hospitalization, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety, and fatigue,” the researchers said.

At the end of the study, researchers said those who stayed in rooms that had potted flowering plants were better off. They needed fewer painkillers, had a lower heart rate and blood pressure, and were more relaxed.

“Questionnaires showed that people with plants felt less anxious, were less likely to say they were in pain, and were less tired. Almost all said that the vegetation was the nicest thing about their room. In contrast, the people who didn’t have plants said their TV was the best thing about their room,” reported Sophie Ramsey in the Consumer Reports Health Blog.

“Patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had significantly fewer intakes of postoperative analgesics, more positive physiological responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction about their rooms when compared with patients in the control group. Findings of this research suggested that plants in a hospital environment could be noninvasive, inexpensive, and an effective complementary medicine for patients recovering from abdominal surgery,” researchers added.

Surprisingly, there was no difference in the length of hospital stay for both groups. Still, the positive effects reported by patients who had plants require further study.

Their advice: it won’t hurt if you bring flowers to patients. This will help brighten up the room and make people happy. Just make sure the recipient isn’t allergic to flowers.

For fresh flowers that are professionally designed and perfect for any occasion, go to the trusted source – Discount Flower Delivery Columbia.

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Roses cause pleasant dreams

Friday, March 13th, 2009


Want to have a good night’s sleep? Smell some roses in your garden and you’ll get rosier dreams.

This rosy connection was discovered by researchers from the University Hospital Mannheim in Germany who said that what you smell may influence your dreams.

Their new research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation in Chicago. It is the first study that shows the impact of olfactory function on dreams.

“If odor has a strong effect on your emotions when you’re awake, it makes sense for it to have a strong effect on your emotions when you’re asleep,” said study author Boris Stuck.

To prove this, they recruited 15 healthy young women in their 20s – the period when the sense of smell is strongest.

The volunteers were fitted with olfactometers. Tubes leading to their nostrils constantly pumped air as the subjects slept.

“The subjects’ brain activity was also being monitored. When they reached the rapid-eye-movement stage of sleep, when most dreams occur, a shot of scent was administered via the olfactometer for ten seconds,” reported Rebecca Carroll of National Geographic News.

Two kinds of scents were administered – that of roses and rotten eggs. After a minute, the subjects were awakened and asked to describe their dreams.

“Each subject was interviewed three times: once after a rose-infused dream, once after smelling the sulfuric scent of rotten eggs, and once after no odor was administered,” Carroll said.

“The results showed that smelling roses gave nearly all dreams a pleasant tint, whereas the rotten eggs colored dreams negatively,” she added.

The novel study was praised for establishing the link between smell and the sleep centers of the brain. So sleep tight tonight after smelling the roses.

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