All about Flower Gardening

Author: Aileen edword

All about Flower Gardening

Flower gardening has become widely famous in recent years. Flower gardening is simple and reasonably low-priced. It can be done for different purposes as a hobby, for decorative purposes, or even as a profession. For better flower garden, you should follow the flower gardening tips that will guide you right from choosing the flower garden plants for your garden to the final outcome. The gardening tips will assist you in taking proper care of your garden and designing it beautifully.

Popular Flower Garden Plants:

You cannot just plant any flower in your garden. You should select the flower plants that can grow in the climatic conditions of your area. The most popular flower garden plants are morning-glory, zinnia, cosmos, marigolds and sunflowers. You can also see for the flower plants that are in great demand if you are choosing flower gardening as a profession.

Flower Gardening Tips:

There are many vital factors that should be considered before planting your flower garden. You should choose appropriate location for your garden with good water sources. The garden should have good quality soil. The most important factor for flower gardens is selecting the plants.

Choosing the Garden Location:

The flower garden can be planted in your backyard, balcony or window. The only condition is that the place you select for garden should receive sunlight for maximum time of the day. Different plants require different amount of sunlight. The plant nurseries will provide you with the light requirements of the plants you purchase. Choose the location keeping in mind the plant you choose for your garden.

Removing the Weeds:

Remove the existing grass and weeds from the location chosen for flower garden. The more carefully you do this job, the better results you will see later. Dig out the weeds by hand or use a sod cutter. You can also make use of herbicides for killing the weeds. When using herbicides for killing weeds read the instructions carefully provided on the label.

Soil:

The soil chosen for your flower garden must be rich in nutrients. Prepare the soil by removing the weeds, rocks, and trash from the garden area. Add compost to the soil to increase the nutrient content. Layer the soil with 2-3 inches of natural mulch to increase water retention and prevent the growth of weeds.

Selecting Flower Plants:

Select the flower garden plants based on the average, minimum and maximum temperatures in your area. Select the plants with varied blooming period to make the flowers available throughout the year.

Apart from these flower gardening tips, it is also important to harvest the plants on time. Keep gap in between planting the flower plants in your garden or all the plants will yield flowers at the same time. The flower gardens will add beauty to your backyard or balcony.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/all-about-flower-gardening-4489475.html

About the Author

I Aileen Edword provideall information about Flower gardening, popular flower plants flower gardening tips

Endangered flower species

What follows is a sampling of endangered plants recently collected by garden botanists:

Moraea neopavonia is a south African wildflower threatened by wheat farming.

Barringtonia butonica is a member of the Brazil nut family from Madagascar.

Blossoms of the Madagascar Symphonia nectarifera tree.

Iliamna remota found only in virginia Indiana.

Symbolanthus pulcherrimus, a member of the gentian family native to Central America.

Gloxinia dodsonii was discored in Ecuador by Cal Dodson.

Lindmania holstii was named for Bruce Holst, who found it on a mesa in Venezuela.

Minquartia guianensis is a tree used throughout the Amazon region because it resists rot. Medicine men use it's bark to fight intestinal parasites, bronchial disorders, and tuberculosis.

In any temperate forest, such as a grove of oaks and hickories in Missouri, you find numerous trees but only a few species.

Metasequoia, or dawn redwood, long thought extinct until a forester in the 1940s found some growing near a mountain village in China.

Banana skins and roses

Banana skins can do wonders for the health of your roses if they are dug in around the roots just below the surface with the inside of the peel facing down. Banana skins are packed with phosphates, sodium, magnesium, silica, potassium, sulphur and calcium.

Many rose-lovers swear that meat fat buried around the roots will also yield stunning blooms.

The scent and health of roses is thought to be improved by planting parsley nearby.

The origins of some flowers.

Acer also known as maple: Acer is Latin for sharp. Romans used the tree to make arrows.

Aquilegia: From Latin aquila for eagle. So called because of its wing-shaped petals.

Buddleja: Named after the seventeeth-century english botanis Adam Buddle.

Campanula: From Latin campano for bell. Flowers are bell-shaped.

Forsythia: After the eighteeth-century Scottish gardener and writer William Forsyth.

Fuchsia: After the sixteeth-century German botanist and herbalist Leonard Fuchs.

Orchid: From the Greek orchis for testicle. Bulbs of many species are shaped like testicles.

Philodendron: From the Greek phileo for I love, and dendron for tree.

Phlox: From the Greek word for flame. Brightly colored flowers.

Raphanus or radish: From the Greek ra for quick, and phainoma for to appear. Fast-growing vegetable.

Sedum: From the Latin sedere, to sit. Low-lying plant.

The Language of Flowers

Author: Ing @ Bunches Florapost

Ever wondered why we give flowers as gifts? Or why different flowers symbolise different things? Well, the act of giving flowers dates back to prehistoric times and evidence of flowers having symbolic meanings can be found in Egyptian inscriptions and Chinese writings, as well a Greek and Roman Mythology. The fascinating history behind the language of flowers has developed over hundreds of years.
During the Middle Ages harsh restraints were placed on courtships and this led to the exchange of flowers to grow amongst couples, as the flowers they gave symbolised different messages, allowing couples to express themselves secretly without others seeing or hearing.
Flower meanings progressed through the 1600’s and became so refined that even military messages could be sent in a harmless gift of flowers. As time went on, the context in which flowers were given also began to have meaning. For example flowers handed over in the right hand would mean “yes” to a question, just as flowers handed over in the left hand would mean “no”.
By the Victorian era, great emphasis was placed on flowers and what they represented. Flowers were used to decorate almost everything from hair and clothing to jewellery and people’s homes. However, the same flower found in a different position could have a completely different meaning.
For example wearing a Marigold in the hair expressed mental anguish, while the same flower pinned to the bosom conveyed indifference.
Flowers had taken on so many different meanings and definitions that 1818 saw the very first flower dictionary published by Charlotte de la Tour call Le Language des Fleurs. The handbook was extremely popular and included over 1000 different meanings of flowers, plants and herbs.
By the 19th Century posies and bouquets carried so much meaning as each flower, colour and number held such symbolism. Giving a bouquet then was the equivalent of sending a text message on your mobile phone today!
Flowers and plants still carry different meanings and are used to represent and symbolise many things from cultures and nationalities to emotions and the marking of occasions. For example the red rose has multiple meanings. It is one of England’s national emblems, found on England rugby shirts and sometimes on the England flag.
The story of the red rose representing England dates back to the 15th Century when the War of the Roses took place from 1455-1487. The House of York adopted a white Rose, the House of Lancaster decided to take a red rose. The winner of this war, Tudor Henry VII, merged his Lancastrian Rose with the red Rose of his York bride and therefore created the Tudor Rose, the Rose of England. The red rose is also known worldwide as the symbol of love and romance and is traditionally sent on St. Valentine’s Day. The Language of Flowers is largely forgotten today and not as widely in bouquet choices as it once was. The tradition of communicating through flowers can add an element of fun to the flowers you buy as gifts - that is why we are bringing it back!

About the Author:

IT & Web Assistant @ Bunches.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/the-language-of-flowers-762600.html

How Do Florists Create Flower Arrangements?

Many people who are unfamiliar with the art of floristry simply believe that a florist does nothing more than jam a bunch of flowers into a pretty vase and then mark up the price to make a living, this could not be further from the truth. Florists must have excellent coordination, a keen eye for design and a good working knowledge of the plants that they use in order to be even the least bit successful.


A steady Hand and a keen Eye

A good florist knows how to select the healthiest and heartiest forms of the plant they will use in a particular arrangement. They know how to cut and handle each individual flower (or any other piece of foliage that they are using) so that none of the pieces of the arrangement get damaged during the creative process. A broken and bruised flower has no place in a beautiful arrangement, so the utmost care is taken throughout the entire process to ensure that all the flowers remain healthy.

Knowledge of Color and Design

When creating a custom arrangement, a florist must know what colors will work together in the arrangement as well as what will work in particular surroundings. They must also be aware of textures and smell that will work together in a pleasing manner to make the most overall aesthetically appealing arrangement.

Some florists are capable of this entire part of the process by natural instinct, they can just tell what types of plants and flowers will work together and which will not. Other florists will study art and design in an effort to give them a creative edge in this area to produce the best flower arrangements possible.

Theme Arrangements

Creating beautiful flowers isn't just a seasonal thing; all types of occasions and holiday require the florist to put forth their effort in developing new and exciting arrangements. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, births, deaths and holidays are all occasions that flower arrangements can be provided for.

During some of these more special or thoughtful occasions, florists may go to an extra level to create a particularly beautiful piece. Some florists will create arrangements using a customers favorite flower as the centerpiece upon request - in these arrangements a florist may have to use materials that they are not entirely familiar working with so the creative part of their personality must really come into play.


For other occasions the florist may create an arrangement that looks floral, but doesn't include any flowers. Arrangements may be made from food products or other unusual items to create a truly original and custom arrangement.

For other occasions a florist may be called upon to create floral wreaths, corsages or boutonnieres, which can be even more difficult because these arrangements don't have anything in which to house or contain them.

Floristry is certainly not something that just anyone can do, the how of making a flower arrangement is a difficult task that requires many elements and areas of knowledge to complete as beautifully and perfectly as possible for a special occasion. Flower arrangements are the centerpieces of such forever memorable occasions as weddings and proms and gifts that the memory of will be cherished for years to come.


Flower arrangements can alter the whole mood of an event; a truly beautiful arrangement can be the icing on the cake, so to speak. It's true that anyone can easily pick some flowers and plop them in a vase, but only a well trained and ultra creative florist can create an arrangement that will not only steal the show, but last through it as well.
Author Resource:- Toronto flowers local shop offering arrangements for all occasions, including; anniversary, birthday and wedding flowers. Learn more about us at: Florists Toronto.

Article From ArticleSlide.com

Orchids How To Keep Them Alive

My mother has a new hobby. She recently became interested in orchid care and, being the curious sort of person that I am, I was interested to learn what makes them 'special'. What makes them a plant apart from the normal houseplants grown at home and why do they appear to be a challenge to the green-fingered?


My mum has green fingers and she has always been able to look after plants, both indoors and out. It was no surprise when, having been given her first orchid as a present, she got 'hooked' on how to look after them. I have 'brown fingers' not green ones, so I'm full of admiration of anybody that can keep houseplants alive for more than one season.

I did a bit of research after talking with mum and here are some tips for orchid care:

Orchids How To 1: Natural Habitat

Before you buy an orchid, make sure you can recreate the conditions the plant requires in its natural environment. There are all sorts of varieties, some are hardier than others to care for so look at the label to check.

Orchids How To 2: Water Them Carefully

If you watering them about every 4 - 7 days that should be enough, but it does depend on the season. To check if the plant needs water, push a wooden stick or pencil into the medium, if it comes out darker then the plant probably does not need watering. Orchids can require different amounts of water at different times of the year, so keep checking!

Orchids How To 3: How to Feed

Orchids tend to benefit from a specialist orchid fertilizer that is fed as a weak solution and applied once a week. To do this, use only half the amount mentioned on the packet. The type of fertilizer will depend on what your orchid is growing in, so it is wise to check that first.

Orchids How To 4: Time to Repot

Whether you like it or not, sooner or later, the orchid is going to need repotting. Take the old mix out of the pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Wash the roots and trim off any hollow or mushy ones, as they are considered dead. carefully place the plant into a new pot, orchids appear to like being root-bound, so there should only be about 1" between the roots and the edge of the pot. Add the new mix/medium to the pot and tap the sides to make sure it settles properly. Press gently to settle the plant but not too hard because roots may break. Use a stick to support the plant in the pot so it is secure. If your plant is growing in sphagnum moss, make sure it is damp before wrapping it round the roots and repotting, that way you don't have to worry about pockets of air. After repotting the plant should not be watered for 3 - 5 days to allow it to recover.

Orchids How To 5: When it Has Flowered

Find out whether your orchid flowers only once from the flower spike or whether it will flower repeatedly from the same spike. When the plant has finished flowering the spike needs to be removed at the base with a sharp instrument to lessen damage to the plant itself. If you aren't sure, don't cut it off!

Orchids How To 6: Orchid Care

A very important part of orchid care is looking out for various fungi or parasites. Isolate any plant that has a problem, check it out, find the remedy and start treating as soon as possible.