Posts Tagged ‘flowers’

Choosing The Best Plants For Your Garden

Sunday, July 18th, 2010


Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether your aspect is sheltered or windswept.

You’ll then be equipped to go and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots, drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.

But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil’s pH level, but it’s much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

Now you are ready to plant. Well – almost. Will you plant in groups or singly? If you buy ‘one of everything’ your garden may seem rather spotty. Group plantings are organised, harmonious and you can vary the color for interest.

Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. Tall plants should go to the back, or the centre if your garden will be viewed equally from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.

The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.

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Combining Starsigns And Birthday Flowers To Create A Unique Gift

Sunday, July 4th, 2010


Anyone who loves astrology will adore receiving flowers that relate to their own Sun sign! You may not have even known that starsigns and birthday flowers go together, but if you have an astrology buff on your birthday list, perhaps you should consider sending them birthday flowers this year instead of just another e-card.

Interestingly, there is some degree of variance when looking to find which flower or flowers are most associated to specific Sun signs. Unlike the birthstone, which is associated with the month a person was born, there appears to be a wide array of opinion, and no one authority on the topic of which flowers are associated with which Sun sign.

Just as every birth month is associated to a particular gemstone, each calendar and birth month is also associated with a specific set of flowers. While most astrological experts suggest there is more than one flower associated with each Sun sign, there are also specific meanings behind each type of flower that goes beyond matching flowers to astrology.

When you send a bouquet of flowers as a birthday or anniversary gift, not only can the flower be matched to a specific Sun sign occurring during the recipient’s special date, but the deeper meaning of a flower type can be part of the decision process, if you so desire.

If you know a little more about astrology yourself, you can add a great deal more depth to your floral gift by making your final decision based on the ‘element’ associated with your friend or relative’s Sun sign. A Virgo, for example, is associated with the element of Earth. So while one of the flowers associated with Virgo are thought to be a chrysanthemum, knowing that Virgo is an Earth sign may prompt you to ask your florist if a potted chrysanthemum is available for delivery.

Adding the Sun sign’s element to the floral arrangement can really make a big difference in the overall delivery and meaning of the gift. A practical, earth loving Virgo will not only adore the fact that you were thoughtful enough to send a birthday gift of flowers, but the fact that you sent an everlasting gift of a potted plant that they can transplant will provide a much deeper meaning.

If you have no clue which flowers are associated with which Sun sign, just ask a floral consultant when you place your order over the phone. If placing an order online, you can usually access an easy to understand chart which will help guide you to just the right birthday flowers to send as your gift across town, across Canada or across the world.

Long before the rest of the world became global, the floral industry was importing flowers from all over the world for decades. So even if the person on your birthday list has a birthday in December and lives in Toronto, and their starsigns and birthday flowers are blooming in Chile, your local Toronto florist will be able to access and send flowers all over Canada or all over the world through their vast distribution channels.

Take time to cosider star signs when sending birthday flowers. Flowers can express many different emotions through colour, fragrence, and even origin. Send flowers with confidence.

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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What Flowers Can Grow Well In A Rock Filled Flower Bed?

Friday, March 5th, 2010


Rock filled flower beds, or rock flower gardens, have become quite popular in recent years. They make for a lovely decorative feature to the property and they make for a fun hobby. Most plants that do well in a flower rock garden are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. The plants that thrive do so because they tolerate the reflected heat from the rock.

Herbs grow well in rock filled Mississauga flowers beds. Some popular herbs grown in these gardens include: Thyme, Rosemary, and Lavender. They require the soil to be well drained or they can wilt and die. Below is a list of a number of popular flowers that grow well in a rock filled flower bed.

Rock Rose: The Red Rose is one shrub that grows well in rock bed gardens. This plant is a small shrub and the flowers have a saucer shape and are a deep red color. These flowers bloom in the late spring and summer. The leaves are grayish/green and are fairly narrow.

Aster: The Asters, particularly the Alpine Aster are popular rock bed flowers. They bloom in the late summer and fall. The brampton flowers are produced in large clusters and come in a variety of colors that include: pink, red, white, lavender, and purple. They grow as bushy clumps so it is important to create enough space when planting. They can grow in a wide variety of climates. Depending on the temperature, germination can take from 15 to 30 days.

Japanese Barberry: This flower grows well in a rock garden. Small and spiny, it blooms in the spring and has reddish/purple leaves which change to red and orange in the fall. The flowers are a light yellow and then produce small red fruits. These flowers do not do well in really cold climates.

Alpine Columbine: The colors of the flowers of the Alpine Columbine are violet and white and the leaves are bluish-green. As well, these flowers come in a wide variety of hybrid colors and strains. These hardy plants grow well in a variety of climates. They bloom from early May through to June. It is a popular choice for a rock bed garden as they attract hummingbirds.

Primrose: The Primrose blooms early in the spring and comes in a wide variety of colors. They prefer cooler temperatures and do not like the direct sun for long periods of time in the hot summer months. There are a broad variety of Primroses.

Carpet Bugle: The most common color of the Carpet Bugle bloom is bluish-purple, but there also mississauga florists that can be white or rose. It serves as helpful ground cover in a garden. The color of the foliage can range from green to bronze to purple. They bloom from early spring to mid July. It is a great plant to help reduce soil erosion. They survive well during droughts.

Rock filled flower beds are a lovely addition to any home. The key to maintaining a flourishing flower garden is to know what flowers will thrive in the environment and what care is required to keep them healthy and in bloom.

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How To Plant Properly

Friday, May 15th, 2009


Too many of us think that the deeper we sow seed and put our plants, the better they grow. Actually the opposite is true. Roots require air just as we do, and the deeper you plant them, particularly in properly prepared soils, the less air they get. As a result the less root growth you will have, and the less growth at the top of the plant. Roots of most plants should be barely beneath the surface. If you are worrying about the hot sun drying out the surface, then a mulch will correct that.

Gardening like other sports has its terms that we are supposed to know. just as when you play golf there are certain words you learn to use, just so we should try to do it in gardening. Yet I know of one good gardener who still insists on calling labels “sticks.” And its equally important that we try to learn the names of the plants that we have. It isnt necessary to know the scientific or Latin names but you should describe the plant not just as a shrub but as whatever it may be”a spirea or viburnum, cotoneaster and so on. You will learn many of these through reading the articles in Flower G Garden, reading the ads, and sending for the many catalogs offered.

About Viburnums

Viburnums are a fascinating group of shrubs. Many of them are native. Very common in the North is the black haw found growing along the edges of the woods. Somewhat similar, more common in fence rows or fields, is the sheepberry, sometimes called nannyberry. And found quite often on hummocks in bogs is the American cranberry bush, Vibunum trilobum. And from other parts of the world come Viburnum carlesi and its hybrids Chenaulti and juddi. All of these have fragrant snowball-like flowers in the spring.

The Burkwood viburnum has equally fragrant flowers and semi-evergreen foliage. For beautiful blooms and gorgeous autumn color try the Japanese snowball and its parent the doublefile viburnum. Both of these are magnificent shrubs and do not have the lice that curl the twigs and leaves on the common snowball. For fall and winter house plants and fruit, besides the American cranberry bush viburnum, the black haw and the nannyberry, try the linden viburnum (dilatatum) and the native witherod viburnum (cassinoides).

An excellent grower in sun or shade is the wayfaring tree (lantana). And for large foliage and a big shrub up to 25 feet or more we have the Siebold viburnum. One of the loveliest of all with evergreen foliage is the leatherleaf viburnum (rhytidophyllum). Available in a few nurseries is the hybrid between this and the wayfaring tree, Viburnum rhytidophylloides.

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