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Growing flowers to beautify the home landscape is an age-old hobby that continues today. Many homeowners with green thumbs trace their love of flower gardening back to childhood. On the whole, flower gardeners are generous with seeds, plant divisions and gardening advice to help others expand their gardens and their skills. One piece of advice experienced gardeners give beginners is to pinch out old blooms. This simple task can reward you with abundant flowers and an extended bloom period.
Lupine (Lupinus x hybrida) produces long spires covered with showy blossoms that attract butterflies to the garden. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8, lupine grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 1 1/2 feet wide. Lupine flowers are available in white, red, pink, yellow, blue, purple and bicolor. This spring-flowering perennial grows best when given full-sun exposure. Lupine works well with plants with similar-colored blossoms.
Planter flower gardens are a great way to really make the most out of all the space in your yard. Find out about planter flower gardens with help from an experienced gardener in this free video clip.
You can identify lily flowers by keeping a close eye out for a few key visual characteristics. Identify lily flowers with help from an experienced gardener in this free video clip.
Rhododendrons are shrubs and small trees native to temperate areas of the world with several species native to the United States. Included in the Rhododendron family are both evergreen and deciduous azaleas, which are usually smaller in stature. There are a number of varieties of both Rhododendrons and azaleas with small white flowers. Often, the flowers will have hints of other colors when young, and they may sport colored spotting towards the center.
The combination of yellow flowers against cascading green foliage enlivens the landscape and cheers the spirit. Yellow-flowered vines can bring seasonal color in spring, summer or fall, depending on which species you choose, and can attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees into your garden. Vines will need varying levels of support depending on the rate of growth and the heaviness of their stems.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual herb that's part of the mint family. It is one of the easiest herbs to grow and you can harvest its leaves all season. Though the flowers may look pretty, you should not allow them to form on the plants if you plan to use the leaves for cooking. After flowering, the basil plant produces fewer leaves and the leaves develop a bitter taste.
Iris is the common and genus name for over 300 species of bulbous, rhizomatous and fleshy-rooted plants native to the Northern Hemisphere. The ancient Greeks called the goddess of the rainbow "Iris," and the plant genus was named in her honor because of the many hues of iris flowers. Various popular species of iris have a host of botanical species names, many of them descriptive of various qualities of specific plants.
Prostate acacia (Acacia redolens), a low-growing, heat-loving shrub, comes from Australia and thrives in warm climates, particularly those of the southwestern U.S. This tough plant needs only minimal maintenance. It is heat- and drought-tolerant, while producing colorful, fragrant blooms.
Poppy anemones (Anemone coronaria) grow to a height of 9 to 18 inches and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 10. They are native to Mediterranean climates. In the spring, poppy anemones produce 2- to 2 1/2-inch diameter blue, red or white flowers with black centers. The white blooms are especially dramatic with a sharp contrast between white petals and black centers. They are easy to grow as long as their sun, soil and water requirements can be fulfilled.
Red roses and fall flowers make wonderful additions to a wide variety of different bouquets. Learn about using red roses and fall flowers for bouquets with help from a world renowned floral designer in this free video clip.
Not all types of plants and flowers are acceptable to feed to your pet rabbit. Find out about the types of plants and flowers that are actually harmful to rabbits with help from the co-chapter manager of San Diego House Rabbit Society in this free video clip.
Sprayed flowers and non-sprayed flowers have some pretty important differences that you're going to need to be aware of. Learn about the differences between sprayed flowers and non-sprayed flowers with help from a respected and highly accredited florist in this free video clip.
You might consider your mailbox as simply a place to send and receive mail, but there are many things you can do to improve the appearance of your curbside mailbox. Because your mailbox is situated at your curb, it can become a focal point in your front yard. Improving the appearance of your mailbox, and the surrounding area, also can increase the curb appeal of your home.
A small crop of strawberries can provide plenty of delicious fruit for your family. To provide nutrients and protection for your strawberry plants without resorting to the application of harmful chemicals, you can interplant strawberries with herbs, flowers or vegetables that provide natural fertilization and protection from pests. Borage is an herb that is a good companion plant choice, but other herbs and vegetables are suitable for interplanting, as well.
Plumeria is a tropical flower named for Charles Plumier, a Franciscan Monk and noted botanist, who discovered the plant in the San Domingo jungles in the late 1600s. Plumeria commonly grow in tropical environments such as Hawaii. Wild versions have been found growing on rocky cliffs and in poor soil. The plant's tubular flowers grow on trees that can reach 30 feet tall. As plumeria blossoms bloom, they open to a five-petal pinwheel shape, boasting colors such as pink, red, white and yellow. Plumeria's notable fragrance makes it a favorite for bouquets and floral arrangements. If you want to brighten…
Vines cover up bare walls and fill in trellises and railings. Finding a vine you truly like to look at is a joy, but the tumble of green leaves means many vines look alike to the untrained eye. To identify vines, look at their flowers, seeds and growing conditions. If you find a vine with red flowers hanging out in the shade, you’ve already narrowed down its possible identities.
Kalanchoes are primarily grown as indoor flowering plants. The plants produce lush, glossy green foliage year-round and feature brightly colored flowers in abundance during the winter months. Most newer kalanchoe varieties are self-cleaning, which means they drop their flowers naturally after blooming instead of setting seed. Older varieties might still produce seed, resulting in a plant covered with unattractive wilted flowers. Deadheading, or removing the old flowers, improves the plant's appearance and might encourage it to produce more blooms.
Iris flowers are available in a wide variety of colors and can be grown in virtually every climate region. There are hundreds of iris species, as well as thousands of cultivars. Before you purchase iris plants for your garden, visit your local gardening center or do research to determine the best cultivar for your gardening needs.
One of the biggest decisions in landscaping design is using what type of plants and materials. Factors, such as climate, budget and taste, affect which materials are possible and appropriate. In many landscaping projects, flagstones and succulents accent other materials or serve as a themed yard’s centerpiece.
The narrow leaves and small, blue flowers of rosemary species may cause you to wonder what would create such genetic adaptations. Rosemary originates in the Mediterranean, where an arid environment forced the plant to adapt to somewhat harsh conditions. The flowers, leaves and other attributes of the rosemary plant are a result of these specific environmental adaptations.
White camellias appeal to many gardeners with their showy blossoms, evergreen foliage and low-maintenance care requirements. While they require little special care, older white camellias benefit from occasional light pruning to correct the leggy, less vigorous appearance they develop with age. White camellias respond to pruning very well and will quickly put on healthy new growth, but it is best to use clean, very sharp shears to keep the shrub from contracting a devastating fungal infection such as camellia canker.
On a deck, it’s possible to congregate with others to enjoy food and fresh air without crowding the interior space of the house. While decks, patios and other similar outdoor constructions are intended for socialization, the choices that you make in decorating and framing your deck can determine how welcoming it is to others. A round deck especially conjures a sense of community, as it offers a traditional circular space that is conducive to storytelling and shared experience. It also embodies elements of organic architecture, wherein curved edges create a structure that is in balance with the surrounding natural environment.
Both silica gel and silica beads allow you to preserve the beauty of fresh flowers and greenery. There are differences in the way the process works and the length of time it takes. Using silica in any form dries a flower or herb without losing any of the color and look of the original. Preserve a single bloom or an entire bouquet, depending on your needs and what you want to do with the finished item.
Orchids are flowering plants that are cultivated as ornamentals throughout North America. They are relatively slow-growing; some species require several years to produce their first flowers. Orchids are vulnerable to several types of pests and diseases that can damage their fragile flower buds, causing unsightly discoloration and preventing the flowers from fully blooming. It is important to identify the cause of orchid bud problems as early as possible to prevent further damage.
“Small flowers” is a relative term when it comes to the magnolia tree. Known for its huge, highly fragrant showy flowers, the magnolia tree in bloom is spectacular. Southern magnolia trees boast flowers up to 14 inches across, while most of the hybrids bear 7- to 9-inch flowers; for the magnolia lover, anything slimmer than that constitutes a small flower. Deciduous magnolia trees bear flowers in various shapes, from saucer-like to those shaped like stars.
Azaleas are signature shrubs in the American South. Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, had its early beginnings in the late 1930s after Cason Calloway discovered a rare plumleaf azalea growing on the Gardens’ present site. Today, Callaway Gardens features more than 5,000 azaleas, according to SouthernLiving.com. Diversity in azalea species worldwide includes differences in flower colors, patterns and bloom times.
King Nebuchadnezzar built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for his wife as a place of beauty to lift her spirits. Hanging gardens still offer places of beautiful respite. Vertical flower gardening maximizes small suburban spaces and minimizes the hard labor that traditional gardening requires. Dos and don’ts of hanging garden design incorporate choices for plants, containers, light, water, fertilizer and potting medium.
For someone trying to learn about the diversity among cacti, the common name "night blooming cereus" will cause frustration and confusion. Any cactus species that has a treelike or columnar shape that bears nocturnal-opening, trumpet-shaped flowers may be called a night-blooming cereus. Only through close examination of physical features can you determine the botanical genus and species of the unknown cactus. The genus Cereus is among the oldest botanical genera -- dating to the 1750s -- but has been split into numerous other genera since. Many of these contemporary genera, although with different names, may still be referred to as…
Liriope, ideal as an edging plant, is evergreen year-round, drought-tolerant, multiplies quickly and requires very little care, according to Clemson University Cooperative Extension. There are several varieties of variegated liriope, including Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’ and Liriope spicata 'Silver Dragon.' These varieties are an alternative for gardeners who prefer a brightly-colored edging plant.
Edible landscape enthusiasts and gardeners with a passion for early spring color can incorporate two types of quince on their property for unusual fruit and low-maintenance shrubbery. Fruiting quince trees, Cydonia oblonga, grow 15 to 20 feet high, have unusual bumpy, twisting branches and produce large yellow fruit that taste like a cross between an apple and pear, when cooked. Flowering quince shrubs, Chaenomeles speciosa, spread up to 12 feet with multiple stems and grow 6 to 10 feet high. Their bright red-toned flowers are a harbinger of spring, blooming early in the season. Thriving best in U.S. Department of…
Indoor citrus trees provide a fresh source of citrus in areas with cold winter temperatures, as long as you take the time to hand-pollinate the trees so they produce fruit. Insects play an important role in pollinating trees outside, requiring you to play this role of transferring the pollen to the stigma inside the flower if you want a fruit to form on your indoor tree. Successful pollination is followed by the petals falling off the blossom with the formation of an ovary that eventually grows into a citrus fruit.
Mugwort has a fascinating history and it has become popular today for it's many uses. It has been used as a substitute for tea, has fattened sheep, has been used in beer making, was once thought to cure rheumatism, to ward off moths and evil spirits. Today mugwort is used in landscaping and for erosion control and it is said to be useful for stomach ailments, such as diarrhea. Sugar craving can be relieved by drinking a tea made of the dried leaves. The oil can be used topically to fight antifungal infections.
As the name suggests, creepers are plants that grow and spread by creeping, usually along the ground. The tendrils of creepers grip rough surfaces. When plants are left unattended, they "creep" up and over anything in their path. This characteristic makes the creeper an ideal plant for covering unsightly walls or giving a house an English country cottage look.
Retention ponds are ponds with a purpose -- they collect and store excess water, like rain water, until it is safely drained to a runoff or waterway. Just because a retention pond is functional though, doesn't mean it cannot also be beautiful. While you may never go swimming or fishing in a retention pond -- they gather and trap pollutants and harmful chemicals -- you can at least improve its appearance.
The most commonly grown potato bush (Lycianthes rantonetii) that bears purple flowers is "Royal Robe." An easy-care flowering shrub, it grows from four to six feet in height and width. The potato bush is tropical in nature and therefore requires warm temperatures and a bit of humidity. When conditions are ideal, it blooms from spring to late fall with purple, crinkly flowers. Grow the purple flower potato bush within zones 9 and above on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
If you don’t have a lot of vertical space in your shade garden, add color with flowering shrubs less than 4 feet tall. Though most shrubs require some direct sunlight, a few species tolerate -- or even thrive -- in partial to full shade, or sites that receive less than four hours per day of direct sun exposure or indirect, reflected light. Choose flowering shrubs that are hardy to your region’s average annual low temperatures as delineated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone map.
Hercules is one of the ancient Greek figures who you will meet in the Mythology Island of the online adventure game, "Poptropica." Hercules is easy to find inside his Hero Hut, which is situated next to the main street. Convincing him to help you out, however, is a different matter. He is too busy signing autographs in his comfy spot to lend you any assistance. Without his help, you won't be able to reach a few areas that require his brute strength to enter, such as the gate leading to Medusa.
Visit any tropical garden and you'll find masses of flowers blooming as low-growing plants, medium-sized shrubs and tall trees. Among the warmer-climate plants are hibiscus flowers, which grow on bushes that send out dozens of flowers that unfurl into beautiful arrays. When planting your tropical garden, or if you just want to add different colors and flower shapes to pots nearby, you'll find a lot of flower choices available.
Camellias are warm-weather shrubs that produce extremely attractive flowers, suitable for many landscaping functions. Use camellias underneath pine trees to take advantage of their ability to thrive in shady situations. This ability also allows their use in woodland gardens, where trees typically limit the amount of sunlight that reaches them. Tall varieties of camellias exist, useful for the back of shrub borders and in other corners of your landscape. The majority of camellias lack cold-hardiness, and grow in the southern parts of the United States.
Mums, short for chrysanthemums, are a fall-blooming perennial in the aster family that are popular throughout the U.S. They are originally from China. Mums can be divided into numerous categories based upon their flower type, height, cultural requirements and response to photo-periods. They are however, most commonly categorized by flower type or culture.
Drought conditions can take a short- and long-term toll on your shrubs. The most immediate effects include leaves wilting and falling off, along with stunted growth. Even after rainfall returns, shrubs can feel the effects of drought for many years, advises "Fine Gardening" writer Robert Childs. These prolonged effects can include invasion by pests, dying branches and increased susceptibility to disease. Selecting flowering bushes that are drought tolerant and watering them deeply during a drought can help them survive harsh conditions.
Satin pillows are usually small, about 6 to 8 inches wide, and are designed to hold a small flower bouquet. They are pinned inside the casket lid or to the lining near the deceased's body. The satin pillows come in several shapes, including heart, cross and square. Pin or tie flowers to the pillow to create a visual expression of your love and respect for the person who has passed away. Use real or artificial flowers.
Poisonous, or toxic, night-blooming plants are not that uncommon – however it is not always the flower portion of the plant that is poisonous. The stems, leaves or seeds are sometimes the culprit. It is important not to eat flowers from toxic plants and to separate them from edible plants because their roots release toxins into the surrounding soil. For safety’s sake, do not compost the plant material from poisonous plants, or the soil in which they were grown.
Nasturtium is the common name for the fast-growing, edible flowering plants from the genus Tropaeolum, and it is the scientific name for the watercress plant, member of the genus Nasturtium. Some cultures used the flowering plant as a substitute for watercress in foods because they have a similar flavor. Neither plant requires much in the way of trimming. The primary reason for cutting either of these plants is for harvest. You can harvest watercress year-round, but you must collect it before the plants flower for the best flavor. Watercress cuttings will develop roots if kept in water, providing you need…
Hedge plants add privacy to your landscape. These dense plants, usually evergreen shrubs, screen unwanted sights and sounds. Thorny varieties add a measure of security to the yard when grown as a living fence. Hedge species that bloom with tiny yellow flowers provide a welcome, bright contrast in a range of green foliage. Choose the yellow-flowering hedge plants that best suit the light, soil and moisture conditions in your landscape, as well as your region’s U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone map.
Although there are hundreds of known varieties of cacti, species within the Mammillaria and Matucana genera are perhaps the best known varieties that produce pink stems. Mammillaria are found naturally in Central and South America while Matucana are typically found in Peru. Within the pink-stem Mammillaria genus are the Zeilmanniana and Bombycina species, while the Intertexta and Ritteri species of Matucana can also produce pink stems.
Marigolds have long been a favorite annual for gardeners because they are easy to grow, have a long, continuous blooming season and are seldom bothered by insects and disease. From small marigold plants that grow only 6 inches high to giant 4-foot-high marigold plants, there is a variety to meet your gardening need. Varieties that have large flowers are particularly striking, adding bright, festive color to containers, gardens and landscapes.
Although many cacti species flower, including cacti that live in arid climates, the cacti species native to South America are the ones most people think of when they talk about "flowering cacti." Rainforest cacti have wide, flat stems that look more like leaves, and they don’t have thorns. In the wild, these cacti can be found living on other plants, but they aren’t parasites. Like other plants, they absorb nutrients from decaying organic matter and water and they use sunlight to perform photosynthesis.
Nematodes can decimate a landscape. There are several methods residential gardeners use to keep harmful nematode populations under control. Marigolds and dahlias are the most effective flowers for fighting nematodes. Additionally, soil solarization disinfects the soil and reduces or eliminates nematode populations.
