Flower Basics

Gardening can be very therapeutic for those with a green thumb. It is also a lovely way to accent any front lawn or backyard for a home. With so many varieties or flowers and bulbs available, it...

Having flowers delivered to a friend or loved one is a warm gesture. Few gifts can lift the spirit, inspire a smile and brighten a room like a bouquet of beautiful blooms. But there is a way to...

Gardeners and farmers looking to get the most out of their seed investments may find it useful to treat dormant seeds with potassium nitrate. This substance has been used for years to speed along...

Just like snails, slugs are soft-bodied creatures that have shells. There are 40- plus types of slugs in the United States, according to GH Organics (see references). Slugs are a gardener's enemy...

Propagating flowers from cuttings is a quick and easy way to expand your plant supply with the types of flowers you like best. Some plant cuttings, such as those from many roses and hydrangeas,...

Flowers add visual appeal to any indoor or outdoor environment. They come in a wide assortment of shapes, sizes and colors. Combining different colors of flowers can enhance their natural beauty....

Ivy plants provide both beauty and durability inside the home. The shiny, evergreen leaves require minimal light and can even be trained to grow under fluorescents. When properly cared for, the...

By freezing flowers, you can preserve their natural beauty and shape. A regular freezer, though, will not preserve your flowers. The key is to remove all the moisture, which a freezer will not do....

Learning to make artificial flowers is fun. It's a an enjoyable rainy-day craft for kids and adults alike. Once you've learned how to make artificial flowers, you can also learn to arrange them...

Flowers or flower arrangements that are received as a gift or for a special occasion can be kept for long periods if they are properly stored. The key to storing flowers is to slow down the...

Yubi summer joy rose is a type of moss rose that makes an excellent ground cover. Growing up to 12 inches high, the plant is easy to care for, requiring only full sun and well draining soil. In...

Flowers are quick and easy to store. You can preserve them before you choose to use them as decor. Whether you purchased your flowers at a florist or grew them in your own back yard, storing...

Gerber daisies go by many names, including Gerbera daisies, Transvaal daisies, African daisies, and Barberton daisies -- but whatever you call them, these annuals are a popular addition to many...

Are you the proud owner of a Christmas cactus (also known, in some circles, as a Thanksgiving cactus)? Would you like to grace your home with more these lovely plants or perhaps share a few with...

Using dried flowers for framing is a creative way to decorate your environment with natural materials. You can collect the varieties of blossoms you prefer and select them in various stages of...

Orchids are well known as a tropical plant but are also found in all other climates, except deserts and glaciers. This great variety of habitats means that the care an orchid requires will vary...

Bell-shaped flowers are some of the most distinct looking blossoms that may grow in the wild or be mass-produced as a cut flower. True to their description, these blossoms typically hang in a...

Perennials are plants that faithfully return to life each year, typically dying back and becoming dormant during the winter, followed by new growth and a brief period of flowering. Many home...

Many people like to extend the beauty of flowers by drying them. A beautiful, perfectly dried flower can be used in floral arrangements to enhance the interior decor of a home year round. Peony...

from seed to flowers

Blanket flower (sometimes called blanketflower, Indian blanket flower, or firewheel) is an annual or perennial that's quite easy to grow. With its daisy-like flowers in bright colors (red, orange,...

Planting accent plants around your garden bed and under bushes will add another layer of beauty to the space. Contrasting colors bring out each other's distinctive qualities and help showcase the...

Flowers may be displayed in arrangements or as individual specimens for public viewing at events such as garden-club flower shows or county fairs. To present flowers at their best and to extend...

There is no better way to brighten up your home or office than with a vase of fresh cut flowers. It doesn't matter what season it is, or what the weather might be. When you bring a bouquet of...

The water hyacinth is a plant that is often used in pond gardens because it is easy to grow and once planted will usually continue to grow back every year. The main problem with the water hyacinth...

Plants make thoughtful gifts for friends and family with an established garden, or for those thinking about starting a garden. Seedlings already planted in a pot give the recipient the chance to...

Honeysuckle flowers aren't just pretty to look at. They are used in many ways, from an ingredient in medicinal teas to an ingredient in pot-potpourri. To get the benefits from your honeysuckle...

Honeysuckle is a brilliant yellow flower that vines outward and upward onto trees and fences. It attracts many beautiful butterflies, and the occasional hummingbird. The plant can grow as a lush...

Many flower gardens will survive with little or no added fertilizers. An added supplement of nutrients will help the garden thrive, increasing the quality and quantity of the flowers and plants....

Azaleas have been called the "royalty of the garden." Related to the popular rhododendron, north American azaleas drop their leaves in the fall along with other deciduous plants. Their famous...

The poinsettia plant is recognized as the Christmas flower. During the holiday season potted poinsettias are readily available at the supermarket and used to help decorate for the holidays. But,...

The peace lily grows under the deep shade of the rain forest canopy. With its shiny, copious, deep-green foliage, the peace lily pushes up long stalks atop which white blossoms unfold. Knowing...

Taking care of flowers is a simple procedure but it involves more than you may think. Lilies are among the many flowers commonly found in the home. You have to be extremely careful when handling...

Ylang-ylang, the "flower of flowers," has long been used as a relaxing aphrodisiac that hydrates the skin while seducing the senses and driving away bad spirits. In Indonesia, where the tree...

Rose of Sharon (scientific name Hibiscus syriacus and also known as shrub althea) is a blooming hibiscus shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and is deciduous. Blooms in shades of pink, purple, blue...

Flowers offer one of the easiest ways to identify plants. Determining the number of flower parts is the first step toward positive identification. Many flowers with seven or more petals are part...

Being able to tell which species of roses is in your garden can help you maintain the bush for years to come. Feeding and sunlight are different for each individual species, as are pruning methods...

Coleus come in different varieties, but they all can be started from seed. Plants that are started from seed will be ready to plant outside by June 1, if they are started indoors by January 31. If...

The bird-of-paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae or "crane flower," is a perennial evergreen plant that is native to southern Africa. Bird-of-paradise flowers are colorful blooms that...

The black-eyed Susan is a wildflower that can thrive in almost any soil condition. When transplanting, taking careful steps to provide extra nutrients and favorable conditions will ensure that the...

Geraniums are a hardy flower that can add a splash of color indoors during a long winter. One particular geranium that thrives indoors is the Martha Washington (sometimes referred to as Lady...

Garden fresh flowers have the ability to brighten a room, or bring to joy to someone for a special occasion. The problem with cut flowers is that they wilt quickly and often die well before they...

The Bird of Paradise is a unique colorful flower that is native to South Africa. It gets its name because it resembles a brightly colored bird flying through the air. They can be grown indoors...

You can install a simple drip irrigation system that waters your outdoor plants when you're away from home. Attaching the system to a timer and setting the timer frees you from finding a garden...

Rose of Sharon, sometimes called althea, is a blooming, deciduous hibiscus shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall. With its shiny, dark leaves and single or double blooms (about 3 inches across) in...

Begonias have tuberous roots that must be stored during the winter months to survive during cold weather and bloom again the next year. Like all plants with underground root structures, it is best...

Some plant seeds such as Datura, Poppy, Morning Glory, Moonflower, Venus Flytrap, Black Coral Pea, Blue Bonnets, Geranium and Sweet Pea need to be nicked, breeched, or scarified before you plant...

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Plants and flowers were grown in elevated gardens and harvests were abundant. You can create your own hanging...

Blue Cloud Sage is an herb that is found all across the continental United States. It provides a lush light blue tone to the surrounding usual green herbs found in many gardens, and serves a...

Cannas are a tropical plant with large, decorative leaves and showy, repeat blooms. They are perennials in warmer climates and annuals in cool parts of the country. They require full sun and...