Flower Basics

Native to just about every continent in the world---Antarctica excluded---poppies symbolize several concepts, especially those related to life and death. The showy flower belongs to the family,...

Flowers have been used for magical purposes for centuries. The red rose symbolizes deep love, while the daisy invokes feelings of happiness and cheer. Some flowers are used as protective...

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...

Japanese honeysuckle is an invasive vine that was imported to the Eastern United States from Asia in the early 19th Century. It spread rapidly and proved a tough plant to get rid of, no matter how...

Making essential oil from flower petals is a process one can accomplish at home with some basic materials. While the process known as enfleurage does not produce highly concentrated essential...

Pampas grass in your landscape provides a low maintenance ornamental addition to your garden. The grass provides a stunning decorative plant with long leaves and fluffy plumes. These hardy plants...

The daisy flower (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) was given its name by Carolis Linnaeus during the 17th century. This beautiful flower has white petals and a yellow center. It tends to grow wild...

There are many flowers that thrive in full sunlight, both annuals and perennials. You should take into consideration which USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you are in, as higher zone numbers have warmer...

Azaleas are a great shrub for any and all seasons. During winter the large leaves might stand out. During spring the flowers are showy. During summer and fall the leaves become a nice deep green....

Nearly 10 percent of flowering plants have composite flowers, including sunflowers, dandelions, dahlias, and lettuce. In a composite flower, many small flowers are clustered together to appear to...

Daylilies are a perennial flower with bright blooms that appear amidst sword-like leaves throughout the summer. In order to protect daylilies so that they come back each year, it is best to cut...

If you are looking for the perfect plant for your tropical-themed garden, consider the torch ginger. Named for its blooms that bear an uncanny resemblance to a flaming torch, these plants are...

Plants reproduce in different ways. Some grow from roots or tubers, others by spores, some by seed hidden in fruit, and others by seed created within the flower. Without flowers, many plants would...

Hydrangea flowers are shrubs native to Asia and North and South America. Approximately twenty-three species and over one hundred varieties of hydrangeas exist. Different varieties prefer different...

Gentiana Scabra, colloquially called Japanese Gentian or Long Dan Cao, is a semi-evergreen flowering plant native to Japan. The delicate Gentiana Scabra produces star-shaped flowers in a range of...

Anyone who grows marigolds can collect marigold seeds. Marigolds are one of the easier flowers to grow and marigold seeds are some of the easiest to collect. Not every seed you preserve will...

A rose is a rose, you may think, but this simply isn't true. That beautiful rose growing in your garden may be a Floribunda or Grandiflora. Both are hybrid cultivars, and each has its own distinct...

While no continent is completely lacking in flowering plant species, Antarctica is by far the most barren. The cold continent to the south is the least populated landmass on earth, and species...

Pollen consists of the particles that carry male sex cells in the plant reproduction cycle. Spread by the wind or by insects, pollen is rich in healthy nutrients including proteins, minerals and...

Gerber daisies make a cheerful addition to a flower garden. These simple, brightly colored flowers can be grown in flower beds and containers and are popular cut flowers. Unfortunately, snails...

Centaurea, also known as cornflower and bachelor's button, is an annual plant. The brilliant blue blossoms of the centaurea cyanis bloom in late spring and throughout the summer. They can be used...

Flower color is a simple way to broadly identify a flower. With some plants, color is distinctive and an identifying characteristic. Take the rich, red color of roses; the color alone can help...

Flowers require different environments to grow and thrive. While some flowers require only a minimal amount of sunlight and heat to grow, other flowers do well in the heat. Knowing what is best...

Hydrangeas are full, fluffy flowers that look as beautiful dried as they do growing on a shrub. With petals that change colors slightly throughout the blooming period, ranging from green to pink...

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.

Preodering flowers is not difficult. Preordering flowers has many advantages. You can make sure the flowers you need will be there when you need them. You can make sure that all arrangements will...

One of the oldest and most environmentally-friendly methods of dealing with garden pests is to edge garden beds with flowers that are unappealing to them. For centuries, gardeners have been...

Banana peels are a solid source of potassium, a nutrient that can foster strong flower growth and help prevent diseases. Potassium can be used to enrich many types of flowering plants but is...

Rain forests have soil that is quite low in nutrients, a fact that is astonishing considering the range of flora that thrives in it. Some of the most unique and striking flowers in the world grow...

Asiatic lilies are one of the most popular and easiest lilies to grow. They are hardy and grow throughout the United States. They do not require any staking for support. They grow in nearly any...

Amaryllis plants offer a dramatic presentation of large, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers on long, slender stems, framed by glossy green leaves. Flowers can range from white to yellows, oranges,...

As the traditional flower of the Easter holiday, Easter lilies are often given as gifts in the spring. Learning how to care for your potted Easter lily will help ensure that you are able to enjoy...

The Sun Drop flower is one of the common names for oenothera, a flowering plant native to the Americas. The oenothera is also referred to as Sun Cup and Evening-Primrose.

The allamanda, also known as Golden Trumpet Vine or Buttercup Flower, is a flowering vine native to Brazil. The allamanda is part of the dogbane family and can also be considered a shrub. The...

Annual flowers are the types of flowers that last for only a single growing season. Annual flowers are great for flower gardens, because they allow you to have a different looking garden each...

Flowers are an easy way to spruce up a bland-looking home or workplace. While they only last a few days when fresh, there are many ways to preserve their beauty. Drying flowers with fine sand is...

Columbine (Aquilegia), or granny's bonnet, is a flower that blooms in late spring or early summer and has a long bloom season. It comes in two varieties: dwarf and tall. Depending on the type of...

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...

Gnats are nuisances for both outdoor and indoor plants. They are not only unsightly, but certain types of gnats can bite. Insecticides and sprays do work but many of those that garden aim to use...

The 300 species of four o'clock plant originally spanned from Canada into Central and South America. Some species bear names like marvel of Peru and beauty of the night. The plant's name comes...

Preserving flowers from a special occasion is a wonderful way to remember the birth of your child, the night of your engagement or even a remembrance of a loved one who has passed on. Preservation...

Bonsai trees can be difficult plants to care for and need a balance of watering, soil, and proper feeding to thrive. While many types of Bonsai trees exist, Bonsai enthusiasts can follow basic...

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...

Gerbera daisies, like roses, tulips and other flowers with large petals, make an excellent choice for preserving by microwave oven drying. This process preserves the flower shape and color better...

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...

Butterfly weed is an herb with bright orange, red or yellow flowers that attract butterflies and is popular in home gardens. Butterfly weed is also called orange milkweed or orange swallow-wart.

Petunias are capable of producing an abundance of blooms throughout the growing season. The blooms of the petunia plant are available in single blooms, double blooms, solid, striped, veined,...

The Venus flytrap is fascinating to watch and relatively easy to grow. Since there are several ways to produce duplicate plants from a single one, you could soon have many carnivorous plants to enjoy.

You just moved into a new home and you know you want flower beds, but you aren't sure how to get started. From designing the arrangements to choosing flowers to actually building the beds, it...