Both Ranunculus and Buttercup can be confusing names, as they both refer to one family of flowering plants, and individual plants themselves. The genus these refer to is the Ranunculaceae family, which encompasses a lot of different flowers, including Delphiniums, Clematis, and Aconitum (Wolf’s Bane). Luckily, there’s also subgroups, but for this article, we’re looking at Persian buttercups (ranunculus asiaticus), … Read More
As you may, or may not know, roses are one of the most widely hybridized flowers in the world. When we think of roses, we tend to picture huge blooms in an array of colors, with petals stacked upon petals. This is an image of a modern rose. The first roses didn’t look like this. Picture a wildflower rose, a … Read More
Some of the most poisonous plants have the most beautiful blooms. We may not regard plants as immediately harmful, but handle, prepare, or eat the wrong one, and you could be in some serious trouble. For poisonous plants, toxicity is a pretty neat defense mechanism against being eaten. It ensures their survival long enough to reproduce the next plant and … Read More
Tropical gardens are becoming increasingly popular, with gorgeous, architectural foliage that can transport you to your own part of paradise, no travel needed. Step outside your back door, and crane your head upward to see the sun’s rays poking through the glossy, huge leaves, past fantastic colors and unusual shapes. Let your garden transport you from the hum-drum of everyday … Read More
In one of his numerous sonnets, Shakespeare wrote “From fairest creatures we desire increase, That thereby beauty’s rose might never die,” and this is never truer when it comes to the rose. We appreciate roses more than any other flower. We try and prolong their beauty for as long as possible, deadheading dying flowers and feeding them during their growing … Read More
Blue is one of the hardest colors for plants to produce. While we know that insects see colors differently to us, it’s been proven that some pollinators – bees especially – prefer blue and white over other colors when choosing flowers to visit for nectar. Blue flowers are very common in the Himalayas, where they may have to work harder … Read More
