Flower Basics

Water features in yards can include any thing from a lavish waterfall to a small tranquil koi pond. The sounds of flowing water contribute to a luxurious backdrop that can be elevated by the...

The geranium is an annual flower that is commonly propagated by taking cuttings from the stems to grow new plants. The cuttings may be placed in rooting medium but water can also be used to...

When epsom salt is mixed with water and used to water your household plants, not only does it provide hydration and nutrients, it also helps to flush away any toxins or fertilizers that have...

Cut flowers add color, fragrance and life to any environment. They lift spirits, commemorate important events and make an appropriate gift for a variety of occasions. The process of buying...

Watering your house plants sounds easy right? But so many house plants comes to an early demise due to under-watering or, the most prevelant, over-watering. Knowledge is power and after you read...

Because soap contains oils and fats, it leaves a film on whatever it touches. Plants breathe through their leaves and stems, taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide. When soap is applied...

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...

Gardenias are tropical evergreen shrubs, well known for their sweetly fragrant white flowers, so preserving them is well worth the effort. You can enjoy your gardenia floral arrangement by...

It's a common fact that flowers are a gorgeous gift that die much too quickly. Here is a trick that can help you prolong the life of your lovely flowers.

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...

Aphids can make a beautiful rose bush turn bad. I had a great minirose bush in a pot in my house and couldn't stand them. I used a few easy steps to get rid of them, and I'm sure you'll find them...

If you are looking for a use for the water collected in your dehumidifier, try recycling it. Sometimes called gray water, this dehumidified water is not potable, but you can use it to water plants...

When a plant or tree is flowering, most of the energy and nutrients from that plant or tree go directly to the maintaining the energy needed to keep the plant flowering. When you cut flowering...

The peony is a perennial flowering shrub. Its flowers range from 5 and 7 inches with green foliage. Peony flowers can be cut from the bush and placed in vases or buckets for decorative uses. More...

Nature gives flowers a colorful array, but some colors only come in white. What if you could take those white flowers, like daisies or roses, and make them blue, green or yellow? You can and it is...

For your next holiday centerpiece or for a fun, pretty and educational project to do with children, consider dyeing freshly-cut roses. Using simple, inexpensive ingredients you can create...

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...

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...

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...

The lipstick rasta hoya plant is native to the rain forests of Malaysia. The vines of the plant appear as dreadlocked hair from a distance, and the blooms resemble a tube of red lipstick when they...

If you live in a drought area or want to green up your yard, a drip irrigation system will keep your flowers watered throughout the summer heat while conserving water and ultimately lowering your...

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 unexpected delivery of fresh flowers will brighten your day, but even purchasing or growing them yourself makes the day feel a little sunnier. You will want your flowers to stay fresh and look...

The challenge of keeping fresh cut flowers looking fresh is to support their ability to take up water and food. The problem is that air or bacteria in the plant's vascular water-conducting system...

Orange oil (Citrus aurantium) is an essential oil produced by cold pressing the fresh rind of an orange. It originated in China, where fragrant orange oils have long been prized for culinary,...

Hanging baskets are an easy way to add some color and beauty to your home and landscape. They are readily available at most nurseries and garden centers. You'll find a variety of flower types,...

Water lilies are beloved by many gardeners all over the world. Their care is usually quite simple and well worth the added pain of storing the more tender types. Knowing the difference between...

Flower beds can be very rewarding for the gardener. The smells and colors greet your senses every time you venture outdoors. Many people would like to bring their cut flowers indoors to enjoy them...

If you grow flowers or receive a bouquet as a gift, you may want to display them in a container, such as a vase, to be able to enjoy these blossoms in your home. This is something that you can...

Orchids are a beautiful flower that make any home go from bland to eclectic. They are the perfect design feature for modern and Asian inspired designs, but they are also wonderful assets even if...

Using fresh flowers to liven up a room requires some maintenance. Putting aspirin in the water can keep flowers looking beautiful for longer periods of time. There are several explanations why...

Pansies' name comes from the French word "pensée," meaning "a thought or reflection." This form of viola plant received the name because each five-petal pansy bloom resembles a human face and...

Dish gardens require proper moisture in order to thrive. How and when you water your dish garden will depend on a number of factors, including the varieties of plants in the garden, the...

During the colder months of the year, many flowers are susceptible to the lower temperatures and they can freeze as a result. After the ice melts, your blossoms may develop a mushy texture and a...

Zantedeschia elliottiana, also known as calla lilies, are beautiful flowers from the Araceae genera. Available in white, yellow or pink, calla lily blossoms look like small funnels and are popular...

Some people have trouble keeping their house plants healthy and thriving. Here are some tips on providing the best growing conditions for your house plants.

Botanist Traugott Gerber spotted miles of brilliantly colored flowers while on an 1880 visit to Africa, and it took no time for these showy sunflower cousins to attract a worldwide fan club. These...

Any home looks more beautiful with fresh flowers gracing the entry way, on the dining room table or brightening a night stand in the bedroom. While you can spend quite a bit of money at the...

The water lotus is a relative of the water lily. It is prized for its exotic appearance, vibrant coloring and intoxicating fragrance. These plants flourish in sunlight and warm water and do best...

If you use a watering can to water your hanging plant baskets, it can be a messy undertaking with water dripping everywhere, including on you. There are a number of easy ways to water hanging...

It is easy for fresh-cut flowers to die more quickly when you do not have the packet of plant food that comes with them. The reason for this is that tap water is not acidic enough by itself to...

Zinnias are the workhorses of summer flowers. They grow easily, bloom profusely and want very little attention. While they fill up a garden bed quite nicely, zinnias also are happy in containers,...

Fresh flower arrangements are often used to mark a special occasion, brighten someone's day or to just brighten up a room. How long those flowers will last depends on the type of flowers as well...

Water is essential for the growth and survival of plants and flowers. However, too much water can cause permanent damage or kill a plant. Overwatered plants tend to have similar characteristics to...

Water temperature can increase or decrease the life-span of the flowers that reside in a vase. Whether the flowers are purchased from a florist or are cut from your own garden, there are ways to...

Flower arrangements can really brighten up a room and add beauty to your centerpieces or mantle. The discouraging part of arranging flowers is the short time during which you are able to enjoy...

Flower preservation is a rewarding activity--floral arrangements say so much without words and can enrich anyone's enjoyment of life. Preserving flowers is easier than it sounds. If you can...