Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Native to Asia, the hydrangea bush, also known as Hydrangea macrophylla, produces round bouquet-like clusters of small flowers. The flowers that emerge in the spring are typically either blue or pink, although there is also a white variety. Blue hydrangea flowers grow in an acidic soil where aluminum is absorbed into the plant through the roots. Pink hydrangea flowers grow in an alkaline soil where there is a lack of aluminum available to the bush. If you wish to change the color of your hydrangea flowers, you must change the soil conditions.
Phalaenopsis is a genus of numerous attractive orchids, known as moth orchids, often used in weddings and floral arrangements. Their flowers exhibit various shades and colors including pink, purple, yellow, orange, white, bronze; every color except for blue and true red. Many species are white or have shades of pale or hot pink throughout. "Red" phalaenopsis species are really hybrids of yellow and purple species to create a red effect. Blooms often appear all year long, but primarily in spring and summer.
Craft foam is a versatile material that can be used for a wide variety of projects. Many scrapbook fanatics swear by craft foam, using it to create items such as colorful flowers to glue in their pages. These foam flowers can be used to decorate other items as well, including bedroom walls, electronics, garbage cans, vases and flower pots. You can even add stems to them to make a colorful foam flower bouquet.
The last thing you want on your wedding day is to receive your flowers and realize they don't match your color theme. You can avoid this problem with adequate planning. The first step is to choose your wedding colors. Your flowers can coordinate with the bridesmaid dresses, the decor of the room or anything else you choose.
A well-designed flower garden comes alive with bright color in early spring and produces a succession of blooms until frost. Knowing how to intermingle perennials with fall bulbs and bright annuals extends the blooming of the garden and adds visual interest. Careful selection of the flowers for size, shape and color completes the picture and produces a dramatic display from spring until fall. How you choose to pair your blooms depends on individual taste, but there are some guidelines to follow.
Pollination is an extremely important aspect of nature and facilitates an ecological balance on earth. Bats are known to play a major role in the maintenance of this natural equilibrium by aiding pollination and seed dispersal during the night hours. Their role is especially pronounced in the tropical and desert areas of the world.
Candy grams are a fun way to show someone you care about them. They can be used in a romantic manner. However, you can also give a candy gram to a friend or a family member for any occasion. One of the most creative ways to give a candy gram is to customize it.
A German monk's pea garden seems an unlikely place for a scientific revolution --- but that's exactly where modern genetics was born. While Charles Darwin was circling the world on the HMS Beagle, German friar Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) was conducting more humble, but equally far-reaching, experiments in his monastery garden.
A corundum is a mineral comprised of aluminum oxide (Al2O3). It is found in various types of rocks. A sapphire is a corundum in transparent crystal form and is the earth's second-hardest natural substance, with diamond being the first. While the most widely known color of sapphire is blue, sapphires come in variety of colors such as yellow, orange and purple. Unlike imitation sapphires that bear only cosmetic similarities to the natural stones, sapphires that are created or "grown" by artificial means in laboratories share almost identical physical and chemical properties with the natural specimen.
The birthstone for September is the hardest stone on earth after the diamond. The most commonly sold and exhibited sapphires are blue in color, but this birthstone can also be found in a darker, more purplish shade of blue as well as gold, pink, orange and even white. The qualities associated with the sapphire as a birthstone include fidelity, sincerity and truthfulness.
Pollination is a process of transferring pollen to plants and flowers, which enables them to be fertilized and reproduce. Pollination is essential to the survival of the species. Successful pollination requires a pollinator, like a bee or other insect, and some attractive force in the plant. One way plants and flowers attract pollinators is through scents or odors, creating a distinctive smell to attract a specific pollinator.
Gregor Mendel was an Austrian monk who was born in 1822 and died in 1884. He discovered many of the rules of genetics by doing experiments on peas. In particular, he divided genes into dominant and recessive types. These gene types allow scientists to make predictions about the characteristics of children based on the genes of the parents.
Different kinds of word games exist that are Hawaiian in nature. Such games are often used to help tourists mingle when visiting the Hawaiian Islands. They can also be good simply for learning different Hawaiian terms not familiar to players. Whether played for fun, education or both, here are some games worth exploring when you want to experience some Hawaiian terms.
When planning a Hawaiian party or get-together, plan a few games with leis to keep your guests busy, entertained and prevent boredom. Ancient Hawaiians wore leis, also known as garlands, to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from one another, according to the Hawaiian Flower Lei website. From a lei-making contest to a relay race, guests can have fun making and playing games with leis at your next beach or Hawaiian party.
Band-Aids possess the magical power to make a child's boo boo suddenly feel better. Many parents opt to purchase character Band-Aids to take the attention off the child's cut and put it on the Band-Aid. Unfortunately, character band-Aids are much pricier than plain Band-Aids. Parents can instead customize the plain Band-Aids to be just as attractive and attention grabbing as the character Band-Aids.
Freeze-drying your bridal flowers allows you to enjoy your wedding memories for many years without having to watch the flowers become brown and brittle. The freeze-drying process cannot be done at home; you need the help of a specialist to preserve your flowers. The freeze-dry process extracts moisture from the flowers under intense vacuum pressure, without damaging the flowers' appearance. The process can take from 21 to 40 days, and some flowers freeze-dry better than others. Freeze-dried bridal flowers placed in a protective glass or Lucite case make an attractive memento.
Food coloring allows people to create different colored foods, frosting and drinks. Certain colors, like burgundy, are not sold in pre-made bottles and must be mixed by combining the correct combination of colors. A basic knowledge of the color wheel and which colors can be combined to create others is all that is required. There are several ways to create the color burgundy, depending on how dark or light you want the shade to be.
Button flower bouquets are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fresh flower bouquets because they are often made out of previously-used buttons. There are a number of online resources for purchasing button flower bouquets as well as online tutorials for making your own.
The Alps Mountains form one of the greatest mountain ranges in Europe, stretching across seven countries from Slovenia in the east to Italy and France in the west. Its long stretches of tundra and vast meadows are home to a wide range of flowers that create a picturesque and colorful scene. This sight attracts tourists from around the world.
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) was a scientist who performed groundbreaking work in the field of genetics. His pea pod experiment yielded two laws of genetics that continue to be taught in the classroom today.
The Fostoria glass company is no longer in business, making Fostoria glassware more in demand. In 1986, the company who formerly made Fostoria glasses closed. Many collectors of antiques and glass appreciate Fostoria because of its beautiful artwork and craftsmanship. If you know how to look at the thickness, color and other Fostoria features, you can tell the difference between real and phony Fostoria glasses.
Tropical flowers add an exotic touch to flower arrangements and gardens. Homeowners in USDA Zone 9 and 10 gardens can successfully grow many different tropical flowers. Gardeners in colder climates can display tropical flowers in both flower arrangements and as houseplants. Many tropical flowers feature names as colorful and exotic as the flowers they display.
A backdrop, commonly used in a wedding to decorate the area behind the bride and groom as they exchange vows, should complement the overall wedding decor. The backdrop can be whimsical, romantic, or even modern and bold, depending on the style of the wedding. The backdrop is vitally important in that it shows up in a great many of the wedding photos as the couple exchanges vows, rings, and the first married kiss. The backdrop should add to the wedding ambiance, however, and not overpower or overwhelm it.
Plants and flowers have such a strong connection to people and their surroundings that humans have placed significance upon many flowers. Such symbolism is chosen based on color, shape, size and even scent.
The holidays are a time to gather with friends and family to celebrate, as well as a time to turn your home into a festive wonderland. Floral arrangements are a popular choice when it comes to decorating due to their attractive appearance, sweet scent and versatile nature. Low-cost or expensive, countryside or modern, you can find flowers to fit any budget, style, size or theme.
Desert flowers strive in areas of very little water, sandy or loamy soils, and very dry climate. They brighten up what would be a brown barren area of the world bringing beauty and life to the desert.
Candy arrangements not only provide a colorful table decoration, they also serve as dessert or a snack during parties and other events. When planning a candy arrangement, think about how long your candy will sit out before people eat it. If the arrangement needs to stay fresh for more than 24 hours, use wrapped candies. Candies that come in direct contact with air may become stale within one day after unwrapping.
Shrubs grow no taller than 20 feet high and are used often for landscaping and gardens. White flowering shrubs can help blend a variety of brightly colored plants, enhancing the beauty of both the white and other colored flowers. Identifying white flowering shrubs will help you choose which one would work best in your garden or landscape.
The September flower and birthstone are both traditionally in the blue color family. However, they can also be pink, yellow and white, among others. The September birthstone is the sapphire, while the flower is the aster. The aster is also known as the morning glory.
Kids love experimenting with colors and dyes. Coloring flowers with food coloring provides a fun, yet simple way of exploring the color dying process. Not just for kids though, dying flowers with food coloring assists adults with crafts or even accessorizing. For example, a bride sometimes colors bridesmaid bouquets to match the dresses. In addition, flowers dyed with food coloring and then dried can double as supplies for dried flower crafts.
A complete flower contains all the parts, both male and female, on one flower. The basic structures of a flower involved in pollination are the petals, stamens and pistils.
Cut flowers placed in the freezer might look lovely, but they cannot be thawed without destruction. Blossoms on fruit trees and bushes, vegetables and other fruits exhibit varied reactions to freezing.
Bright blue and hot pink are not colors that most people associate with daisies. On St. Patrick's Day, some people walk around with green-colored carnations pinned to their shirts. At Halloween, black-tipped roses appear. These unnatural colors are created through a technique that takes advantage of the flower's natural ability to absorb and evaporate water through its petals. The final result of this process is a colored flower.
Some orchid flowers do change color. This is related to the age of the flower, and in many cases orchid blossoms will darken in color just before dropping from the stem.
Flower Fairies are based on a series of books written and illustrated by the late Cicely Mary Barker. Each Flower Fairy has its own look that is associated with a certain plant. When you color Flower Fairies, their outfits should match that of their respective plants. The Flower Fairies website includes downloadable activity sheets on which you can color in the Flower Fairies.
Adding mosaic accents throughout a garden is an easy way to add splashes of color even when flowers are not in bloom. Mosaics can be used to enhance both decorative and utilitarian garden art pieces. Mosaics can add an exciting and intriguing element to your garden.
The Cananga odorata, also known as ylang-ylang, is native to northern Australia and tropical parts of Asia. Cananga oil is distilled from the blossoms and widely used in expensive perfumes.
The Hawaiian lei symbolizes the circle of love, family and healing. It is used in the Hawaiian culture to mark significant life passages, such as births, deaths, graduations and weddings, as well as for celebrations and to welcome visitors. The meaning and sentiments attached to leis might inspire you to preserve their incredible beauty. The best way to do this is to carefully dry them in silica gel beads. You must start when the lei is in pristine condition.
Flowers offer birds, insects and animals nectar and pollen as a nutrition source in return for help in pollination. Since flowers are rooted and can't move about, they benefit from their mobile visitors. It is an agreeable symbiotic relationship.
Playing dress-up is a fun pastime for little girls, and dressing up with their mothers can lead to many giggles and smiles. Many little girls like to pretend that they are fairy princesses and dress up like their favorite cartoon fairy. However big or small your daughter is, being able to dress up like a fairy will surely become a memory she will cherish for years to come. Since fairy outfits are plentiful for little girls, learning how to dress yourself as a fairy will be your biggest obstacle to fairy fun with your little girl.
The colorful parts of a flower usually include both the female (pistil) and male (stamens) parts, as well as the petals and sometimes the sepals, those leaf-like structures that surround and protect the reproductive part of the flower.
Don't let the name scare you. Swamp grass can compliment a nice perennial garden. The grasses are associated with the Everglades and other swampy marshes, and but can come in many different varieties. Each type is a bit unique and is picky about the climate it thrives in, but all fall under the umbrella of the swamp grass species.
A magnolia bush, better known as a magnolia tree (grows its flowers in a bushel), is a beautiful, fragrant flowering plant. This plant is very popular to grow in residential backyards.
Rubber wristbands first became popular after the infamous "Live Strong" wristbands for Lance Armstrong emerged. The bands were orginially yellow, but now you can get these rubber wristbands in any color, with or without a phrase. If you would like to customize your rubber wristband further, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to create a personalized band.
During the Victorian era, edible flowers were all the rage. They've made a colorful comeback in modern gourmet cooking. Before you start flinging flower petals into the soup, there are things you should know. Not all flowers are edible. Some are downright poisonous. Here are some flowers that are safe to eat.
If you want to change the color of a white carnation or other flower, it’s a simple process and doesn’t involve much more than food coloring. This is a great activity to do with kids, and can be a science project for kids to do at school.
Spoon-collecting fans have a myriad of choices when adding symbols of the 50 states to a collection. Collectible state spoons come in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. Prices can range from $5 to $30 for the varying types of collectible state spoons. Spoons can be added to a collection by visiting each location or ordering from collectible-spoon dealers. Collectible spoons are available in silver, gold and pewter, depending upon the design style or dealer preference.
With the right colored pencils, an understanding of color theory and a little planning, you can make artwork that pops. The brilliant colors of flowers found in nature are favorite subject for artists and art lovers alike. Creating in colored pencil can be time consuming; estimate an hour per square inch for vibrant colors that are layered. Starting off small until you get a feel for the process is best. A 4-by-6 inch drawing is recommended.
Beaded leaves can be attached to a flower with tape that is colored with a green tint. Attach beaded leaves with tape with tips from an artisan in this free beading video.
Desert roses are a mineral formation that make their way to the surface in dry regions. Also called sand roses, rose rocks, selenite rose, gypsum rose, and barite roses, desert roses are beautiful examples of the power of the shaping forces of wind, water and pressure. Here is the scoop on desert roses.
Hummingbirds are a colorful sight throughout North and South America, zipping from flower to flower in gardens and in parks. When hummingbirds visit flowers, they are not only feeding on the nectar, they are pollinate the flowers, which in turn allows plant to produce fruits or seeds.
They are bold, bright, and beautiful, and now you can learn to draw a flower that look as exotic as some foreign shore. Experiment with unique color combinations, create petals that have never been seen and fill your page with a garden of wondrous and original flora. All you need is a pen, paper and a little imagination, and you will have your friends asking where you learned how to draw like that in no time.
You want to host a party and you want it to be all white. This is a great idea for summertime; lighter colors look cool and refreshing. Start the party planning off right by beginning with white invitations. Plan well in advance, stay organized and you can have the sophisticated white party of your dreams.
On May Day eve, folks once went into the woods to collect branches and "go a-Maying." In the morning, they would emerge and the men would bring a live hawthorn tree to the village to make a maypole. Everyone from the highest-ranking official to the lowest peasant participated in the celebration as equals. The holiday evolved and now May Day, which once represented the beginning of summer, life, fertility and renewal, is now celebrated in most countries as International Labor Day.
