Crocus flowers are often seen as one of the first signs of renewal in a new year, as they are one of the first flowers to appear in the often still-freezing temperatures of spring. You may also hear them being referred to as the ‘light bulb flower’, not only for the shape of the bloom before it opens, but also … Read More
The ginseng ficus or ficus microcarpa is a very popular plant used for the art of bonsai. It’s often mislabelled as Ficus retusa, but the ginseng ficus is part of the fig family, Moracaea. In its natural form, the ginseng ficus provides a lot of shelter and shade in its native China, India, Sri Lanka, and other tropical parts of … Read More
All manner of succulents and cacti are great plants to grow both indoors and outdoors, but the trailing ones are on another level. They transform any container they’re in, adding a lot of interest and sometimes a huge amount of color. They are especially great options when you may have, er, run out of space, but you still want to … Read More
Carnations have a lot of weighty symbolism for such a delicate-looking, petite flower. We often use them to celebrate graduations and a new chapter in life. We also use them in corsages, where they embody good luck and protection, which is a tradition dating back to Ancient Greece. However, this isn’t everything that these enigmatic flowers symbolize. Keep reading to … Read More
Gardenias are probably not your first choice when it comes to cut flowers, or a plant you’ll readily grow in the garden. But you should reconsider both, as the gardenia is a strong contender for a cut flower which has a lot of beauty, as well as a lot of meaning attached to it. Gardenias have some of the loveliest … Read More
If you thought you were a die-hard collector of everything Tolkien, there are a few more options that you might not be aware of, which you should consider adding to your collection. Oh, and they’re living plants. Any Lord of the Rings fan who is a plant enthusiast should know that there are several succulent cultivars which are named after … Read More
Daylilies are fantastic ornamental plants which are grown all over the world for their beauty and ease of care. They are also used in bouquets and weddings, as daylilies are a fantastic cut flower. For many reasons, they are a favorite of gardeners and breeders alike, often referred to as the perfect perennial, as they come in many shapes and … Read More
Perhaps protea sounds familiar. If you know anything about the son of Poseidon, you’ll recognize the name. It was said that Proteus could transform himself at will, adopting many shapes and guises, each wildly different from the next. The Protea genus is named after him, as some flowers look wildly different to each other, though they are related. At a Glance: … Read More
Hollyhock flowers have been a cornerstone of planting schemes for many years, and it’s not hard to see why, with their huge blooms coming in a range of different colors at heights that will tower above most popular ornamentals. While some see hollyhocks as old-fashioned choices both for the ornamental garden and as a cut flower, these lovely showy blooms … Read More
It’s worth noting, that before you even consider growing this plant, it has a very vigorous habit, and in some places, it is considered invasive. It’s probably worth mentioning that quite a lot of plants we grow in our own gardens are considered invasive, such as mint. Once you plant it, it is nearly impossible to get rid of it. … Read More
